Tech Byte Blog
FCMS Weekly Newsletter Blog Posts 2021-22
Virtual Field Trips 14 April 2021
Turn paper Worksheets into auto-grading online worksheets 4 January 2021
Live Worksheets is a free resource that transforms your traditional printable worksheets (doc, pdf, jpg...) into interactive online exercises with self-correction.
Teacher Made is a free resource that converts all of your printable papers into interactive auto-grading online worksheets.
ISL Collective for Online Worksheets (Free) 4 October 2020
Click the ISL icon above and join for free using Google sign in. Enjoy these resources.
Worksheets (paper and online)
PowerPoints
Video lessons
Refine your searches by Grammar, Vocabulary, Material Type, Grade Level, Student Type, Skill level and more!
Not mentioned in the video: Make sure you and students click on "I am not a robot" to finish submitting the worksheet.
StoryJumper "Free online Bookmaker" 27 Sept 2020
StoryJumper is a great platform to encourage students to write.
All student books are private by default but you can create a collaborative project for small groups.
The teacher dashboard allows you to create a secure virtual classroom where all student work can be reviewed as well as sent home to parents.
StoryJumper complies with FERPA, COPPA, PPRA, Student Data Privacy Consortium guidelines
Children under 13 must get Parental Permission to use.
Dual Monitors for Teachers and Split Screens for Students 20 Sept 2020
HDMI Port
VGA Port
Teacher Directions
Attach a 2nd monitor using a HDMI or VGA cable.
Plug in your monitor to a power source
Use the Extend Window feature
When presenting a video or game use "Present Tab" in Google Meet for students to hear the audio
Dual Monitor Set up Video
Student Directions
Press ALT key and one of the BRACKET keys [ - or - ].
This puts the current Google Meet window on the left or right side.
Open a new window (not tab) and go to the second website for example Kahoot.
Press ALT key and the other BRACKET key [ - or - ].
There are other methods. Below are video links for you to show your students if needed.
Olympic Lessons Cross-Curricular "Math and ..." 13 Sept 2020
Engaging Students with GIF's and Memes 23 Aug 2020
Virtual Collaboration Bulletin Board 18 August 2020
is a free service
allows you to create a canvas/bulletin board of online multimedia sticky notes
you place sticky notes, videos, images, and file attachments
students can post items and read what other students post
students can't edit or delete other students posts
students do not create an account
you create an account by signing in with your CCPS Google credentials
share the Lino It with your class
once you are done with the activity change the setting so it is not public to ensure privacy
Various Tools for Virtual Math Presentations 11 August 2020
Bitmoji - It’s not just for kids! 26 May 2020
What is Bitmoji?
Bitmoji is basically your own personal emoji placed in different circumstances that you can personalize to look like a whimsical version of yourself or maybe a wacky alter-ego!
The Bitmoji app is available for Android and iOS and is available in the Chrome Web Store.
How do you get and make one?
Download the Bitmoji app onto your cell phone (it’s a green icon with a white winking chat bubble).
Design your own Bitmoji via a selfie or using one of their characters
Pick between a huge variety of skin tones, eye shapes, hair color, jaw shape, and accessories such as glasses and an outfit!
Add the Chrome Extension to your laptop and let the fun begin.
You must add the Bitmoji app to your cell first for the Chrome Extension to work.
If you do not have Snapchat then just sign in with your gmail account (personal or work)
Uses and Best Practices
Don't forget copyright and to cite your sources (pictures)
(Link assignments and activities for the day and have a different slide for different days or lessons)
Fun way to provide feedback to online student work.
Enhance documents, forms, digital communications.
Use them in digital storytelling and presentations.
Use them in your email signature.
Create comics with them.
Here are some of my Bitmoji classrooms
Visit Cooltoolsforschool for more examples and ideas
Read this blog for ideas in the physical classroom
Website Resources for all Curriculum 12 May 2020
VDOE Technology Showcase Spring 2020 providing 50 items to discover and rediscover
Do more things with Google Drawings
Find Tutorials, Templates, Tips and Tricks, Interactive Multi-Media Images, and Drag and Drop Activities for you and your students to inspire and create
Eric Curts has Blogs, Resources, Podcasts and Webinars with hundreds of items and ideas to use in the digital classroom
Engage your students using Lesson Plans and Resources then engage yourself with PD opportunities via thousands of assorted items at National Geographic.
Online Activity Creator Websites 10 March 2020
Are you and your students ready for something new other than Kahoot or Quizizz? Try making a multiplayer Tug of War game, Online Jeopardy (that keeps score) or a PacMan game. Below are 3 different Websites you can use to make a multitude of different games. Take it one step further and have your students make the games then share them with the class and have the entire class play them. See more Online Resources on the Home Page.
Conjuguemos is not just for conjugating verbs. ELL and World Language students learn new vocabulary with an assortment of online games. You easily convert the games to a quiz and you import your vocabulary list to create. Go here for video and document tutorials.
SuperTeacherTools has a wide assortment of online games such as Jeopardy for whole class or Rocket Review to play against classmates or challenge the AI computer. It also has a Random Name Generator, Classroom Timer, Online Spinner, Interactive Dice and a lot more.
Here is a Video Tutorial for their Jeopardy Game Maker!
ClassTools.net lets you create free games, quizzes, activities and a lot more. There are no passwords or sign-ins required and it's free. The current favorite in my classes is "Fling the Teacher"! Watch this tutorial for creating a geography directions Dustbin game or this tutorial for creating 8 games about Juvenile Law with one set of questions.
Discovery Education 3 March 2020
Discovery Education is a free CCPS App found in your RapidIdentity Dashboard. Here you will find real world curriculum resources, free downloadable videos, ready made lesson plans, puzzle makers and so much more!
Here is what the RapidIdentity App looks like.
Here is a direct link to thier free on line Puzzle Maker
Create classrooms, assessments, organize your content, download videos and so much more.
Professional Development opportunities available
Wizer Interactive Online Worksheets 25 Feb 2020
Wizer is an interactive online Worksheet (that can be printed) that is useful for differentiation and student engagement. It is easy to find already created worksheets or just create your own then share them with your colleagues. Watch the tutorial Video below. Convert PDF's as well into interactive online activities.
Find or Create a worksheeet
Select from several tasks to create your questions
Push out to students via link, google classroom or embed in Canvas
Socrative Online Formative and Summative assessment 18 Feb 2020
Socrative is an interactive web-based student-response system that can help teachers spark conversation and learning through user-created polls and quizzes. No student sign in is required as they join via a Room Code.
Quickly make quizzes, comprehension checks and exit tickets
Easily make print copies for students without (working) Chromebooks
Download your results for formative and summative assessments
Originality Reports for Teachers and Students 11 Feb 2020
Originality Reports via Google Assignments: Focus is on helping students learn how to properly incorporate and cite outside ideas, while providing instructors with a fast way to verify academic integrity.
Interactive Classroom Screen 28 January 2020
Classroomscreen is an interactive board that displays various tools for you and your students. Display your agenda with the text box, set the mood by changing the background screen plus many more tools. See some examples below.
Work symbols
Timer
Exit Poll
Drawing or Sketch Pad
Embed Google Drive Videos into Canvas 13 Jan 2020
1. Open your Video and click on the "More Options" icon (3 dots in top right corner)
2. Then click on “Open in new Window”
3. In the new window click on “more options” (3 dots) again and then click on Embed item.
Save Time Generating Puzzles 6 Jan 2020
1. Create your vocab list in Quizlet and then prepare to export the set to create puzzles in Puzzlemaker or Theteacherscorner)
2. Use the "Export" option from the "More Options" (3 dots) feature in your Quizlet set.
3. Choose your method of word separation then copy your text - Helpful hint: Get the word separation method first from the puzzle maker website you are using.
4a. Go to Puzzlemaker and choose the type of puzzle to make then paste your text.
or
4b. Go to Teacherscorner, choose your puzzle and click on “copy-n-paste” Quick Add"
Falling Creek Middle School
Chesterfield County Public Schools
