You know how Hattie has a study of studies? Well this is my list of lists! I’m sure I have missed some, but this is a start and includes the quality resources our district has been using already!
I know this is not a recipe, but I think that my blog reaches many of the same people who want this information as well.
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The lights were out, the halls were empty and disinfectant stung my nose as I walked through the empty elementary school I call home every morning. I know this situation is precarious and surreal to some. I also know that the amazing world of technology will allow us to get through this global event!
I know some of us are trying to teach our own children at home – myself included. I teach 6th grade math and gifted and I am now moving into 7th grade and 3rd grade territory. Below is a list of all the things I have gathered together to help support my own children and my students.
Disney once said, “When your curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” I think many of our kids and “kids” are naturally curious and we should follow that curiosity (as long as we are 6 feet away from it of course). 🙂 Some students need to review and need to take this time to keep their skills fresh. Some students do not need the review and need new and different lessons outside of the box.
I hope this list helps each one of those “kids” and if you need any help navigating it, please feel free to contact me by putting your email in the comments or through Facebook or Twitter @ThisIsMaryellen
List of Learning Resources:
1. IXL – They are now offering Free 90-day trials for classrooms! I added all my kids since they were already in Google Classroom and it synced.
2. Kahn Academy Schedule and Suggestions – Kahn Academy is great for teaching those new skills that IXL practices. It isn’t just for math anymore! There is grammar and reading, too.
3. 150+ Enrichment Activities – Many of us our also on Spring Break, but we will not be traveling. This is a giant list of activities to make with your child.
4. Mrs. Van’s English Class – I just love following Lisa Van Gemert on Twitter! She is holding an English Class online that is interactive and teaches using Short Stories.
5. Education Companies Offering Free Subscriptions – Still looking for something online? Here is the mega-list that broke the internet.
6. Enrichment Activities for all grade levels – Some teachers have been told we can only review right now. However, our bright and/or gifted students usually do not need the review and need something else to learn that will still give them a sense of purpose and feeling of capability. Here is a list of those activities.
7. Scholastic – Many of us at school today were talking about this great resource! 20 days of activities ready to go.
8. Newsla – I know teachers have been using this for a long time, but it is a great reminder. Up-to-date news is really important to many of us right now.
9. Studies Weekly – This resource just went free as well.
10. National Geographic – Who doesn’t love learning about animals?
11. BrainPop – This resource has videos, quizzes and the kids love it! Plus it is now free to families for 30 days and schools impacted by closures.
12. 1000 Free Sight Words – This TpT resource has 1000 sight words in Powerpoint format.
13. STEM Everyday – A frequent teacher on Twitter, STEM Everyday posts videos of STEM in every day life. He as a host of videos!
14. Generation Genius – I love this science resource. It comes with everything – exciting videos, handouts, hands on activities and it is not very expensive! It covers Science Standards K-8.
15. Art for Kids Hub – My daughter loves to pick something to draw from this extensive Youtube list. The porg and koi fish are some of my favorites!
16. Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems – Yes, THE Mo Willems! All fans will love seeing his office and where the magic happens!
17. Fitness Blender – P. E. for those rainy days: hundreds and hundreds of free, quality workout videos for any level
This is Art Hub for Kids
List of Teaching Resources:
- I set up my lesson plans in a grid (example to the left). At the top is my Learning Goal above or below all of my Learning Targets. I list the Learning Target and title. I list the chapter of the book where more examples can be found. I show the video link that they need to watch and follow along. I post a hyperlink to the work that the students need to do for independent practice. Each target has some kind of independent practice with a quiz every 2-3 lessons (depending on the length of the unit).
- Zoom – has now lifted its limit at 40 minutes. You can meet and chat with your students – very similar to teleconferencing.
- Edpuzzle — Sign up and you will get free access for your entire school as well. There are many lessons already created here, or post your own! This resource is a teacher favorite because it stops the video and checks for student learning.
- Hovercam – Bring your Hovercam home. I brought my good ol’ Hovercam home with me because I travel between two schools. It will videotape as well – and I have no restrictions on time. If you don’t have one, then your library may have one to lend you. I searched Amazon and sadly many our sold out.
- Screencastify – I love this recording resource, but it has a time limit of 5 minutes per video. You can record your screen, yourself and both at the same time. I was hoping they would change their pricing by now… no such luck as of tonight while I write this.
- Once you make a Video – if you put that video in Youtube, then Please please please add the video to a Google Slide. Then the students will not get those “suggested videos” which are mostly click-bait.
7. If not adding videos to Youtube, put them in your Google Drive! It is ad -free. So students will not have an ad to watch first before your lesson.
8. Use Grid View in Google Slides to see everyone’s work
9. Host a Gimkit review and play along with your students!
10. Play a Quizziz that doesn’t have to do with content – but it is just for fun.
11. Most importantly – do not let the technology get in the way of the #1 tool that we have – the relationship with our students.
