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Plickers

"Today we are going to use Plickers!"  My students looked back at me with confusion as I passed out barcodes with A, B, C, and D labeled around the outside of the code.  Basically, Plickers uses a QR/Barcode system for students to submit answers to multiple choice questions.  The awesome thing is that by using an app on my phone or other device, I can quickly sweep the room and conduct a fast formative assessment.  The immediate feedback allows me to alter my instruction to meet the needs of my students. 

Plickers is FREE and you can print the cards.  If you want more durable ones, plastic cards can be ordered on Amazon.  With a free account you can ask up to 5 questions at a time (in a PowerPoint type slideshow).  If you want the ability to do more, you can pay a small monthly fee.

This amazing post by Laura Candler gives many different innovative ways that Plickers can be used in the classroom. https://www.lauracandler.com/innovative-strategies-for-plickers/

It's Been a While

One of the last blog posts I made was about a BIG MOVE to middle school after years of teaching elementary school.  Well, another big move has recently occurred and I now find myself teaching middle school in a small charming charter school.  With this small school comes very little access to technology.  This can be a wonderful thing as it really makes me analyze what resources were just taking up time and which ones were absolutely valuable to the way my classroom functions.  With that being said, I am going to begin to focus on how to BEST use technology in a school with little technology.  Stay tuned!

Get Wiser with Wizer

What do I LOVE about Wizer???  Well let me count the ways...

1. It's a WONDERFUL tool to use for blended learning

2.  No time to grade?  Wizer can check your students' answers!

3.  Wizer is interactive and can act as both a formative and summative tool

Check out my intro video below!

https://youtu.be/Itrynzf3hfk

ReadWorks

ReadWorks has come a long way in a few years.  This year, with my new position in middle school, and with the focus being on increasing student vocabulary acquisition, I decided to take another look at what they had to offer.  I am so impressed with the streamlined approach to selecting articles, assigning them, and reviewing the data.

Above you will see a picture from my teacher dashboard.  I assigned the article, A Drop's Journey.  I can easily see the Lexile number, genre, and how many students have submitted the assignment.  I can also see that I have allowed this article to be read aloud to the students.  I can also quickly click on "Class Results" and view the data from my class.

Did I mention that this resource is entirely FREE?????  Check it out, you won't be disappointed.

Thinking Blocks

After a hiatus from the math world, I have rejoined it in the 6th grade.  It is a big jump from 4th, but some resources have remained tried and true.  One of my absolute favorites is Thinking Blocks.  These are very similar to "Singapore Math Models" and "Tape Diagrams"...I honestly think everyone just gives them a different name so as not to "steal" information. 

This particular website is presented by:

I love that students read word problems and then manipulate the blocks.  The program checks each step of the equation as the student completes a section.  This particular style lends itself well to visual and kinesthetic learners.  Also, it helps students to see the problem in a concrete manner before moving on to using traditional algorithms and abstract thinking.  Give it a try!  The kids love it!

A Big Move

I have been absent from the blogging world...but I will hopefully be making a comeback very soon with some new/updated posts.  The reason for my absence is that I made a BIG CHANGE.  After years of teaching elementary school, I moved to the middle school to teach 6th grade math and science.  This wasn't the career move I was anticipating, but I know I am where I am supposed to be.  My hope is to continue to blog from the perspective of a middle school teacher, and that I will eventually be able to use this new perspective to move on in the area of technology.  

Now a favor...if you have any awesome resources/websites/people I should follow for my new role, please drop me a comment below!  

I am excited and my soul is rejuvenated.  Change can be wonderful.