Drag and Drop Assignments with Google Slides

 This week I watched a video and learned about creating Drag and Drop assignments with Google Slides.

I started out creating with a new slide.

I inserted a background of a tree.  I have collected lots of clipart over the years and this is one that I've purchased from Krista Walden.

Then I added some clipart.  I added two baskets and used a textbox to label them "prime" and "composite." 

A added some directions to the bottom right hand corner and apples to the tree.  I added a textbox to each apple with a number.  I grouped the number and apple so that when students move the apple the number will move with it.

As you can see below, students drag the apples from the tree and place them in the correct basket based on if they are prime or composite.  This would be a great math review or quick check for them at the end of the lesson.

You can try out my activity here.

Google Slides is very similar to Power Point.  But, with Google Slides, you can share your creation with students through Google Classroom.  Students can collaborate on the same slide.  Or, you can create a new copy for each student for them to try it on their own.  This makes for extreme ease of use. 

Google Slides is part of the G Suite Learning Center.  Our school district uses this suite.  It meets the requirements of Education Law 2D so it is safe for students and teachers to use.

Here is my review of creating Drag and Drop assignments with Google Slides.

Check it out!

Padlet

Today I explored Padlet and learned about this cool Tech Tool for teachers and students.  Padlet is like a notice board where you can post links, images, and resources for students or peers to easily access. 

I'm a sucker for good templates and Padlet doesn't let down.  They have a few top notch templates you can start with, or you can design your own Padlet from scratch.

I took some time to create my own page on Padlet.  My students have been learning about the American Revolution so I created a timeline of video clips from YouTube of events that led up the the Revolutionary War.  It was pretty simple to create and only took me a few minutes to slap together.  I think it would be an easy way to share links and resources with students and an easy site for them to create their own resource pages.  We are going to work on a research paper at the end of the school year and this would be great for links they can access easily for research.  Students could also create a works sited page with Padlet.

Here is my rated review of Padlet:

Have you tried Padlet?  How do you use it in the classroom?

Canva

 Today I used Canva for the first time, created my first infographic.....and LOVED it!

What an amazing tech tool!

After watching a few tutorials and playing with the fun features, I made an infographic for my classroom.  I created a poster that I can use to remind them of my expectations during a Think-Pair-Share.  Here it is...

I think my students will love the graphics that will remind them of them steps in our common routine.  It was quick and easy to use.  I started with a template that Canva provided and made it my own by changing colors and fonts and then adding my own text and images.

Can you tell which template I started with?  If you guessed the "Types of Angles" one, you are correct!

Canva was easy to use, even though it was my first time.  Here are a few pros and cons that I noticed:

I made this infographic with Canva too.  

Have you tried Canva yet?

Stella Diaz

Students enjoyed our PARP book this year: Stella Diaz has Something to Say.  This book is written by Angela Dominguez  Our PTA purchased a book for each student in the school and we have been reading it together as part of our program: One Book One School!

We love this book because it highlights diversity.  Stella is unique because she can speak both Spanish and English.  Students love learning some new Spanish words throughout each chapter.

Each day we read a chapter and complete a short activity about the book.  Below, students worked on teams to create posters for their favorite parts of the book.

In celebration, we had a fun flashlight reading day and began using our Neon Reading kits for close reading.  Students highlight the words and mark up the text.  Then they use their black light flashlights to light up the most important words and phrases.

Reading is one of our favorite subjects in fourth grade.  What do you do for fun?

Peardeck

Have you heard of Peardeck?

It's an amazing tool that teachers can use to create engaging presentations for their classroom.

Pear Deck is a Google Slides Add-On.  It allows you to add questions and activities right into your pre-existing Google Slide presentations.

Here are a few screen shots from Pear Deck.

You access Pear Deck through your Add-Ons tab.

You can add pre-created slides or question types to your presentation.  Templates are sorted as beginning of lesson, during lesson, and end of lesson activites.

Question types include text boxes, drawings, drag and drop features, multiple choice, and more.

Once your presentation is complete, you can share it with your class.

You can post it on Google Classroom for students to go through at their own pace, or you can share the join link and share it with the whole class at the same time.

Pear Deck is Ed Law 2-d complaint.  They have extensive privacy and security.

 

You can watch my tutorial here:

Here are a few of the pros and cons of Pear Deck.

Here is my overall rating for Pear Deck.

Have you tried Pear Deck in your classroom?

Who Am I?

It's been a while since I introduced myself.  Actually, it's been a while since I blogged in general.  Now that I've returned to post more regularly I figured it fitting that I reintroduce myself to you so you remember who I am.

Hi!  I'm Jennifer.  I am very passionate about teaching, creating, blogging, and networking!  I spend hours on the computer each day but try to peel myself away from time to time to enjoy hiking, camping, gardening, and pretty much anything that includes being outdoors alongside my husband, family, and friends!

I am a fourth grade teacher in my 15th year of teaching and love every minute of it!  I am certified to teach Early Childhood, Childhood, Literacy, and Health.  I also have National Board Certification as a Middle Childhood Generalist.

I am married to my wonderful husband Jeff who shares my enthusiasm in classic cars. I met Jeff in college at SUNY Brockport.  I attended St. John Fisher and received a master's degree.

Blogging and creating materials to share and sell on Teachers Pay Teachers has been a huge blessing and has helped me place an emphasis on providing the best instruction possible to my lovely 4th grade students. 

We have two beautiful, creative, and sassy daughters: Natalie (8) and Nora (4).  

We also have 2 wonderful dogs, Maci and Max (both English Springer Spaniels)  They love to get into a lot of mischief and keep us on our toes.

Follow me for healthy living suggestions to help you balance home, school, and life in general.  I blog about preschool life, fourth grade life, and home life.

Who are you?  Introduce yourself in the comments below so we can connect!

Math Toolboxes

 Last year I created individual math toolboxes for each student so that they didn't have to share supplies (COVID Rules 😕).

At the beginning of the year they contained...
- multiplication flashcards
- double dice
- animal themed playing pieces
- counters,
- transparent spinner

As the year progressed we added more manipulatives and tools to our toolbox like fraction strips, rulers, protractors, and more.

Students kept their math toolboxes in their blue math bins. These also housed their blue math folders that held their Problem Set packets, whiteboards, markers, and erasers.

Students would simply grab their blue math bin and they were ready for math workshop. It helped tremendously with organization.

Both the blue math toolboxes and bins were found at the Dollar Tree. They were a great find!
This year I'm hoping to return to shared supplies. Should I keep the individual toolboxes for math, or combine materials in larger bins in a math station?

What do you do?

Classroom Tour from 21-22

Here is my classroom tour from the previous school year.  I wanted to share it now, before I update it for September!

 

Desks

Student desks are organized in cooperative groups to promote team building and collaboration. Throughout the year we frequently rearrange our desks.

 

 

Classroom Library

Our classroom library holds over 2,000 books. Books are organized by genre, series, and reading level. New books are purchased and added to our classroom library throughout the school year. Bonus points from our Scholastic Book Order help make this possible! For every book students purchase, bonus points are earned for our class.

 

 

Student Bins

Students use bins for their math supplies.  Inside is their math folder, toolbox, whiteboard, marker, and eraser.  Students simple grab their math bins and are ready to go for math workshop.

 

Purple bins house each students' purple writing folder, yellow reading folder, and the books they are currently reading.  They use their purple bins in the morning and their blue bins in the afternoon.

Mail Corner

Students can grab their mail quickly from this corner while they are packing up at the end of the day.

Class Jobs

Class jobs are posted for students to see.  Students rotate through the jobs each week.  They are responsible for helping our classroom run smoothly.

 

 

 

I'll update with new pictures of this year's classroom at the end of summer.

 

Blooket

 Have you heard of Blooket? 

My students are obsessed (and so am I).

Blooket allows the teacher to create or select a pre-created question set and engage students with review/practice of the questions in a unique and fun game mode.  

Students compete against each other to see who can answer the most questions quickly and accurately.

  

Blooket provides a great way to review many academic concepts, while having fun.

You can check out my tutorial here.

What are you waiting for?  Try it out!