Google Drawings
Click on the links below to access the Google Drawing Templates for each activity. You will be prompted to make a copy. The copies of the templates will then be saved to your Google Drive.
Teacher Tip: To Create an activity or template similar to this, start a Google Drawing. The gray blank space off to the sides of the canvas can be used to store the shapes. Create a shape the way you want it, then copy and paste it using CTRL+C and CTRL+V as many times as needed for fast duplication. You can click on Arrange and Order to be sure the shapes sit on top of each other in the order you would like them to.
Teachers: Allow students to choose how they will sort the shapes. Will they know what to do with the two odd ones out? There are many sorting activities that can be created using Google Drawing. Can you think of others? You can add images to create your sorting items by clicking on Insert, then Image and then choose Search. It will allow you to do a Google Image Search (teachers only). Other ideas for Sorts: Rock Types, Word Sorts, Living/Non Living, Beginning Sounds, Ending Sounds, Foods, Animal Classifications...
Teachers: This activity was built using Google Drawing. Transparent images (images with no white background) were found by going to Insert, then Image and doing a Search for the various coins and bills. The images were resized. The images were copied CTRL+C and then pasted multiple times with CTRL+V.
After you have a group of the same image after pasting, drag your cursor over them to select all of one item. Then go to Arrange and choose Align Horizontally>Center. While still selected choose Arrange and Align Vertically>Middle. All of the items in that group will be stacked together perfectly.
While the neatly stacked item is selected, move it off the canvas to the left or right in the gray area. Now repeat this for the other items. When students move a coin or bill it will appear as if the item is cloned since they can peel off the same item multiple times.
Students watch the Inspect an Insect Video and then create their own insect using the Google Drawing template.
Students practice counting using the precious gems in this Google Drawing template.
Students practice writing simple sentences using a picture.
Students move a given amount of buttons into the top row of boxes and then move more buttons into the bottom row of boxes. Students count all the buttons and enter the total into the answer box.
LunaPic is a web tool that can be used to make image backgrounds transparent.
Transparent image backgrounds are visually more appealing on these Google Drawing activities.
You can also make image backgrounds transparent on a Mac by going to Tools, Adjust Color, clicking on the magic wand tool, clicking and dragging to highlight the background, and clicking delete.
This quick video is a demo of most of the virtual manipulative examples shared on this page. You can create Google Drawing virtual manipulatives by doing the following actions:
- Open and name a new Google Drawing
- Find/save images and use an online program like LunaPic to make the images have transparent backgrounds
- Right click on the Google Drawing Canvas to choose a background color
- Insert the images into the Google Drawing and place them in the gray space
- Copy and paste the image the desired number of times using CTRL+C and CTRL+V
- Drag over and select all the copies of one image
- Choose Arrange from the menu
- Align Vertically and Horizontally to center and middle
- Distribute to students using Google Classroom (Make a Copy for Each Student) or change the word edit in the URL to copy, and link the URL on a website.