Socratic Smackdown

I'll be honest, the name of this game grabbed my attention.  Then I read this description and I had to know more; " A versatile discussion-based humanities game to practice argumentation around any text or topic for grades 6 through 12".  I think you will, too.

Socratic Smackdown discussion strategies.

Socratic Smackdown is a game that supports students' developing discussion skills.  It's a fun, printable game that focuses on Common Core Speaking and Listening standards.  Reminiscent of Socratic seminars of old, Socratic Smackdown brings a fresh, engaging approach for teachers and students.  

Students, who are assigned the role of participant or “coach”,  are asked text-based questions delivered verbally by the teacher.  The coach’s role is to listen to the group and complete coaching cards with observations about what the group did well and strategies on which they can improve.  

The game packet is free for download here.  In addition, because so many of us are focused on paperless classrooms,  Google Docs versions of some key pieces can be found below.  When you open them go to FILE/MAKE A COPY to save them to your Google account.

Instant Replay Link

Coach Card

Teacher Checklist

Common Core Rubric

Flocabulary + Common Sense Media = Awesome

What a team - these two power house groups collaborated and the result is excellent. Visitors to the Flocabulary website will be treated to the top ten things one should think about to avoid over-sharing.
If you're not familiar with Flocabulary, the content is always set to music and made into a song - and this is no Glen Miller, folks, it's actually something your students will like .  (Wait, who?)   Not only will the music grab your students' attention, but the lyrics, challenge questions and a fill-in-the-blank activity can also be found on the Flocabulary site.  Common Sense Media rates, educates and advocates for kids by offering schools and parents information on Digital Citizenship and unbiased reviews on a myriad of games, apps, websites and more. Together they provide the  perfect combination of content and engagement that will help get the message of Digital Citizenship to your students.  Peace Out!  http://www.flocabulary.com/oversharing/

The "New" Google Drive?

It's the time of year for educators where everything old is new again.  The same can now be said for your Google Drive account...IF you want it to be.  Google has recently updated the look of their Drive app which will change the way you view your  files.  To take a look at this new makeover just click the settings menu (the little gear in the upper right corner) and choose "Experience the New Drive".  If you decide you're not a fan, you can always toggle back to the old Drive by repeating the same steps.  Google Gooru has some terrific screenshots comparing the old look to the new and explanations of 11 features you need to know about.   Click here to learn more.

Free Technology Posters - Just in time for back to school

Just like any teacher, I love a good freebie!  What's more, freebies that I can hang in my classroom are even better.  That's what this post is all about....free technology posters.

The first website is full of information and printable posters.  For elementary/middle school folks, this set may be what you're looking for. Navigate to the website  WE are TEACHERS and click DOWNLOAD to gain access to eight "tech etiquette" posters like these:

Next up is a group of posters that help remind us "how to" in Google.  This set of eight posters can be found here:

Technology Rocks, Seriously is a great little blog.  She has some terrific freebies located on her "school posters" link.  You can find things like this:

And finally, you'll hit the freebie motherload when you visit Venspired.  She is truly talented and freely shares her creations with teachers.  By clicking on her Posterpalooza link at the top of her home page, you'll have access to posters like these:

Enjoy putting your rooms together!  Watch for "Google Forms Part 2" later this week.

Google Forms: The Coolest App in Google Drive That You May Not Be Using - Part 1

It’s the end of July, folks.  The cicadas are sounding, the aisles at your local Target and Walmart are filled with excited kids and exasperated parents looking for all the items on back to school lists, and teachers are slowly making their way back to their classrooms to prepare for a new year.  To that end, I want to share some tips and tricks that might make the new year run more smoothly for you.  

All district teachers have a Hutchdocs account.  For those of you who’ve been sleeping or simply not reading my blogs (SMH), Hutchdocs is just another name for Google Apps for Education but it’s tailored to our district.  I digress.  One of the coolest feature of Hutchdocs is the ability to create FORMS.  Sounds boring, I know, but it can really be life-changing. In Part 1 of this three part series we'll discuss data collection.

Data Collection

The sky’s the limit with data collection and Hutchdocs when using Forms.  Teachers can collect:

• IEP Goals
• Intervention Data
• RTI Data
• Classroom Data
• Online Reading Logs/Records
• Parent/Teachers Conference Data
• Incident Reports

Administrators can get in on this, too!  Click here to see examples of walk-through forms, custodial request forms, school hotline forms and more.

For those new to Google Forms

Eric Curts does a fantastic job of explaining Google Forms.  The screenshots below are courtesy of his website.

Creating Forms

Adding Questions

There are multiple question types from which to choose.  In addition, Forms has updated to let you add pictures and video links as well.  

Seeing Results

The great thing about Forms and results is that they automatically are compiled in SPREADSHEET, Google’s version of Excel.  You can view the results by looking at the sheet, or by graph (automatically created for you).  This is such a simple way to collect important data!

Want more on Google Form creation?  Click here to continue to Eric's full tutorial.  Next up in our "Google Forms" series:  Behavior Management.

Lovin' My Google Chrome

Over the last four days I've held six different technology workshops for our district teachers.  (Yes, it was supposed to be eight but Mother Nature knocked out the internet for two, go figure.)  We've talked about blogging, tweeting, scanning, creating auras.  We played Kahoot, investigated Infused Learning and became much more comfortable with  Google Apps for Ed  a.k.a. "Hutchdocs".  It was so much fun to see teachers get excited about technology and to have the time to investigate it.  That's one of the best things about the beginning of June.

Google Chrome Icon

One take away that I keep hearing from my peeps about is the info I gave them regarding Google Chrome.  Honestly, it was just supposed to be an aside, but once one really starts to play and can see all that can be done, it gets pretty exciting.  Here's what I told them:

1.  Use Google Chrome as your internet browser.  This is a must, or you won't get the benefits of what I'm about to tell you.  Also, you need to make sure you are updated to the latest version.  At press time it's 35.

2.  Once you have opened Chrome and verified you're up to date, click on the horizontal lines on the far right side of  the top of the screen.  Mine looks like this:

3.  Once you have clicked on those lines, this is the menu you will see:

The very first thing you need to do is make sure you are signed in to the correct account.  You can see from this picture that I'm not, I'm signed in as jamyreilly@gmail.com.  I would want to sign out of my PERSONAL account and sign back in with my HUTCHDOCS account.  Once I have done that, I can move on.  Seriously, if you learn one thing here, it's to check which account you're in first thing.  :-) Next, you can change your settings by clicking on that option.  The settings I changed (completely optional...I'm just sharing):

• I set a specific location for my start page:  When I click on button that looks like a house, it will take me to this page.
•  I added a check mark by the Home button so I could see it in my toolbar.
• I added a check mark by the "show bookmark bar" because I like to have a place keeper for the sites I visit regularly.
•  I increased my font size to LARGE.  I'm on screens all day and this option makes it a bit easier on my eyes.
• I clicked on ADVANCED SETTINGS  and checked the spelling box, because who doesn't need help with that?
•  For downloads, I chose to have them ask me where to put the files and changed my folder from  DOWNLOADS to DESKTOP.

Chrome Web Store

To get to the Chrome Store, just Google "chrome store".  Yes, it's that simple. Here you will find Apps and Extensions.  

Apps:  These are applications, when you add them and click on the icon, it will open a new window to that app.

Extensions:  These are add-ons to your browser.  When you add these you will find them next to your address bar on the right.  If they are not visible, you will see a small set of arrows.  Click on those and you will see your extensions.  

 Like an extension?  Click on FREE and you'll be able to add it to your browser.  (NO, games can not be played at school.  Avoid those extensions, please, as they are blocked.)  Want to remove an extension?  Right click on it and select REMOVE.  

Let's be honest, just looking at the Chrome Store can be overwhelming, much less trying to pick apps and extensions to download.  Here's an example of what's out there and what it will do.  If you see something that looks appealing, go to the Chrome Store and search for it.

If you'd like to see how it all works instead of reading about it, click here   Google Chrome Video  In this video I discuss all of the above in detail and show you how to change your theme as well.  

I think you'll have a good time investigating this.  It really does have some great tools that will help you speed up your productivity.  And let's face it, it's pretty cool too.  See you in the fall!

End of the Year; bring on the summer!

One could almost hear the collective sigh around the district on Tuesday morning.  Teachers and students alike woke without alarms, many without a single item on their agendas for the day, with nothing to do but putter and enjoy the first day of summer break.  I was always one of those strange ones who, although I was beyond thrilled to be out of school, felt like something was missing.  I needed routine and missed the crazy of the kids in the classroom.  It took me a couple of days to settle into my summer.   Although I don't have my own classroom anymore,  I still feel at loose ends at the close of the school year, but in a much different way.   When I was in one building and people retired or moved on, it was sad, we said goodbye and there was cake - I'm a firm believer that frosting makes everything a little easier to bear. In this role I am lucky enough to see the majority of 308 teachers in action.  I am awed and impressed by your dedication to your students and your craft.  It's really a pretty great gig! That also means that have to see more of you go, and that's the worst part.  So, I wanted to take this opportunity to say "So Long" and "Good Luck" to those of you who are retiring or moving on next year.  It feels strange not to have that closure (and the cake, of course).  I wish you well in your future endeavors.
     Speaking of future endeavors...our PBL class begins on SUNDAY!  So much for summer vacay, right?  You should have received an email with detailed instructions about logging in and getting ready for your first assignments.  If you have any questions, please email me.
     Please take some time to click through this website!  I've been working to make it more user friendly.  To that end, I've started using Symbaloo (an online bookmarking site) to embed links to sites for you.  The goal it to make things easier to to find.  Let me know your thoughts!  
     Tech classes start next Friday, June 9 with Hutchdocs Basic and Hutchdocs Advanced.  I hope you'll join me at the PLC.  
     Have a terrific, restful summer.