It's a RACE .... Who is on your team?

It's quick, it's easy, it's engaging.    No student accounts required.   Anyone can win.

And www.socrative.com  is where it's at.

• Join with your Google Acct (smdutch.net account)
• Create your question set (quiz)
• Students join with a room number (no login required)
• Use it as a Space Race learning-game
• Students can play solo or.... 
• Students can be on randomized teams
• (it's very fun to see them anxiously shouting to see who is joining them on team blue or magenta or green)

• Use it later as a quiz

Or, if you don't have time to input your own question set ...

• Use it for a Quick Question
• You say or post the question and the students respond to a 
• short answer
• multiple choice
• true/false
• Use it as a pre-made Exit Ticket

Video Introduction to Socrative

User's Guide to Socrative

Try this exit ticket now - Socrative Exit Ticket  - code WKYJTVJTY  

(Teacher question:   #3 List any questions or concerns you have with using socrative)

Power Teacher Review

During the last in-service day, part of my presentation included going over features of Power Teacher. For some of the teachers this was a review but for other teachers, some new features were covered. Below are some of the items that were covered and the instruction packet.

• The different types of reports available
• How to print reports for only selected students
• How to print reports for all of a student's classes
• Using the Filter Selected option to only show one student in the grade book at a time
• Using Tools - Preferences - Score Codes to add an ABS code or any other code you choose
• Using Tools - Email Students and Parents to send a mass email
• Right clicking on an individual grade to access Score Inspector, which will allow you to add a comment specific to that grade

PowerTeacher Gradebook Reports Packet

 

 

Finding Funding for Classroom Tech

We all know that money doesn't grow on trees, and that many teachers spend hundreds of dollars out of their own pockets to fund supplies for the classroom. Many times, technology supplies are out of the question due to the cost. What if you could find someone to donate money for those things you know would enhance your classroom and increase student success? Enter DonorsChoose.org!

There are several teachers in our district who have already been successful with having projects funded through this site, but if you're not familiar, you're probably asking, "What is DonorsChoose.org?" DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that connects public school teachers in need of classroom materials and other learning needs to corporations, foundations, and everyday people who can help them.

A few years ago, I was looking for furniture for a reading corner in my room. I knew there was no way I could afford it out of my own pocket and that my classroom budget would not cover it either. It was then I stumbled across the DonorsChoose website. Since creating my first project, I have had a total of 20 projects funded by over 117 donors. These projects have included 3 Chromebooks, an iPad Air, a 3D printer, LEGO Mindstorm robots, MakeyMakey kits and Dash & Dot programmable robots. These are definitely resources my classroom would not have gained without the help of DonorsChoose.

Working on the LEGO robot with the help of the iPad

A MakeyMakey water piano hooked up to our Chromebook

It’s really easy for teachers to post projects. The first step is creating a username and password on the DonorsChoose site. From there, the site prompts teachers to describe their students, their project, and to explain in detail what they hope to accomplish with the materials. Teachers are then prompted to Go Shopping and fill their “cart” with the materials and supplies they need for their project. Before submitting the first project, teachers have to write a welcome message and upload a picture of their students. Once the project is submitted for review, it usually takes about 5 days for it to be posted to the DonorsChoose website. In the meantime, one of the most important things teachers can do to enhance funding is to get the word out to friends and family. Social media and email are both great platforms for sharing DonorsChoose projects. 

One of the things that has helped me most in getting projects funded is timing my projects to coincide with Matching Offers or Matching Codes. This is where a large company may offer 50% funding for projects that meet specific criteria, or where individual donors can use something like a coupon code to double his/her donation. There are actually offers that have funded 100% of a project’s cost as well. NEA almost always offers a 50% match for projects of members in the fall. You just always have to be on the lookout.

Has anyone out there who has used DonorsChoose gotten any technology-based projects funded? Do you have any pointers for someone who may be looking to create a new project? Please share your thoughts below!

If you’d like to get started gaining new resources for your classroom, but you’re not quite sure where to start, send me an e-mail. I’d be happy to help!

Vocaroo for Audio Recording

Digital Audio Recording 

+ 

Quick and Painless Sharing 

= 

Vocaroo.com

1. Go to vocaroo.com

2. Click record*

3. Record a message

4. Click Stop

5. Copy & Paste the link to share

How can you use it in your class?

1. Have each student explain how he got the answer to one of his math problems for homework.
2. Have the students read "out-loud" the pages you assigned for homework.
3. Record a reading of your test for student accomodations.
4. Record parts for music ensembles.
5. Record a practice run of a speech or dramatic presentation. (similar to a written rough draft)
6. Have the students read out loud their lab reports.

Here is how one SMASD teacher incorporates Vocaroo:

"I use vocaroo on a regular basis.  I am able to quickly and easily record parts for my students.  The recording is saved as a link and can be emailed to anyone.  I also post these links to my Google Classroom pages and students have quick, easy access to the recordings.  If you have any activities that require an audio recording, this resource is fool proof!"      - Mrs. Sines

"I am so happy that Jen found Vocaroo for me.  It is so, so easy to use. I have mainly used it to record for my men's chorus, but I will be using it to record musical passages for my students so they hear how musical passages should sound.  I will also use it for auditions.  Foreign Lauguage teachers can use it for proper pronunciation of words.   I AM DEFINITELY A FAN."

ED SCHWER     

TRY IT NOW..   CLICK HERE.

(earn triple techpoints for your comment by leaving an audible vocaroo link with your thoughts)

Another teacher's take: 

"Vocaroo is the easiest way to share large(or small) audio files.  There is no set up (just go the web site and hit record).  No large data file (you get a link to a web site with the recording on it when you are done) or sound file that won’t play (the files play from the site – nothing to download).  If a computer or tablet has a microphone (or you have one to attach) you are good to go.  Whether you want to make a sound file for you students or want them to make one for you, this site is great.

All vocaroo clips have their length on the running line (so if you wanted them to read for 10 minutes, you can see how long the clip is as soon you open the page).

All vocaroo clips are skim-able so you can listen to 15 secs here and 15 secs there to make sure they worked the whole time. 

But maybe you don’t think you want your kids to make sound files.  Here are just a few of the things we do with vocaroo in my class:

I  like to encourage my low level readers to read for pleasure, but writing a book report or taking a test are not pleasurable and in both cases students are rewarded for reading online summaries instead of the actual text.  Vocaroo allows any student to record themselves reading and submit it without the need for a digital file (that would overload your email) or a tape or cd (that won’t play). 

I also like having small groups record their conversations and submit them.  There is no need for a “secretary” and so all the students can focus on contributing to the conversation.

With my lowest students I like to allow them to practice reading for fluency without taking up class time or being embarrassed in front of their peers.  Students can listen to their recording before they send me the link so they have control over what I hear." - Mrs. Gabler

*You may have to click "allow microphone" on a PC or laptop.