I've decided to keep this post short and simple. We all love Freebies, right?
Below I am sharing links to many Technology Freebies and Tutorials that I have either found or created.
I hope they are helpful! Enjoy!
Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
Showing posts with label skills. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Starting the Year in the Elementary Computer Lab
Besides the obvious tasks of going over procedures, rules, and expectations for the computer lab, I would always do some of these other basic tasks and activities with the students as well at the beginning of each new school year.
I hope these ideas and sites are helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact me and ask questions for any other Ed Tech ideas. I'm happy to help!
Grades K-1
Many of these students may have never used a computer before. Thus, they need to learn the basic skills of using a keyboard and a mouse properly. I have many links on my Live Binder site via the Purple tabs. However, here are a few sites that I love to begin with for this age group:
Grades 2-5
These students may need to review skills such as using a keyboard/mouse, navigating the Internet, and/or basic typing skills. The Purple and Brown tabs via my Live Binder site have many great sites for helping students review and showcase basic computer skills. Here are a few of my favorites:
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Online Science Fun!
Kids love Science! While most kids prefer for it to be hands on, sometimes that's not always available.
There are many ways to still get Science knowledge and learning without the setup and cleanup of materials, etc.
Below are a few links to many fun online Science games for elementary and PreK children of all ages!
I hope they are useful and fun! Enjoy!
Turtle Diary: Science
Learn 4 Good: Science Games for Kids
Primary Games: Science
Kidopo: Science Games
EdHeads: Simple Machines
Friday, June 14, 2013
Online Resources to Help Avoid the "Summer Slide"
As a teacher, one of the big frustrations at the beginning of every school year, is having to reteach skills to students that were taught to them at the previous grade level.
While it's nice to have summers off, it really can "hurt" students in terms of the academic knowledge that can be lost.
It's vital to let parents know the importance of reading, practicing basic math facts, etc. during the summer months. The more they engage in these type of activities, the more they'll retain.
Below are some links with great resources, tips, and online activities to help students avoid the Summer Slide.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Fun End of the School Year Ideas
Like many of you, our school year has less than a month to go. This is the crazy time of year where the students get restless and so do the teachers!
There are lots of ways to incorporate new learning and yet still have fun this time of the year. I am including links to many tools and ideas to help you do so.
Enjoy and happy planning!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Testing Tips & Tidbits: Part 2
Yesterday I shared some links to some great resources to help with Test Prep for the classroom. In case you missed the post, you may click HERE.
Today, I happened to find 3 more amazing posts by other bloggers. I encourage you check out their ideas (click on the pictures below)! Again, if you have any ideas or tricks of your own, feel free to share!
Have a great Tuesday!
P.S. My heart and prayers go out to all of those affected yesterday by the tragedy at the Boston Marathon. God Bless you all!
Smile! It's Testing Time! 
Testing Round 2
Test Prep with PepMonday, April 15, 2013
Testing Tips & Tidbits
Just like many other schools across the country, our state testing begins this week. Anymore, that seems to be what schools focus on all the time, all year long. Sad isn't it?
Regardless of the heavy testing focus, schools are still required to administer these high stakes tests. Students are very aware of their importance, and just like on any other test, they can become anxious or nervous.
Thus, it's important to be even more positive with students this time of year. There are great motivational ideas and testing tips out there to help with this.
I am sharing a few of these below. If you have any other ideas, feel free to share! We'd all love to hear them!
Good luck to everyone on their state testing!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Legit or Not? How can you tell?
I know that one of the areas that is hard for me to explain to students, is how to tell if a website is legit or not. I know ways to tell, but it's hard for me to convey that message in a way that they will understand.
Luckily, after doing some searching and reading, I have found multiple resources to help me teach this skill. I am most likely going to teach this to my 3rd graders next week. It's a very valuable skill to learn and use, especially as students get older. They will be doing more and more research online so it will important that they are aware of how to find accurate and valid information.
Below are many links to ideas and resources for teaching this skill. However, if you have any other ideas or links that would also help, I would LOVE to hear them! Thanks!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
My New Bulletin Board!
I decided that since the school year is half over, that it was time for a new theme for my bulletin board outside my computer lab. It's a very large board, so the possibilities are endless!
My previous board tied in with my lab's Social Media theme. It was a giant Facebook page.
Well, my new board is as close to a Pinterest page as I could create. Each board is a different grade level, featuring projects that students have created in the lab. I also have a board titled "I Heart Technology". This is a board that features hearts from teachers. On the hearts they wrote various technology related tidbits: favorite websites, technology goals, memories of technology as a child, etc. This way the students can see that teachers and staff use technology often as well. I will post some pictures of those hearts in a different post.
I will also post more details about some of the student projects in a future post. For now, enjoy these pictures. I am super proud of my students and their hard work!
P.S. On a personal side note, Happy 5th Birthday to my beautiful daughter, Elizabeth!! Daddy and I are so proud of you and love you lots!
Thursday, December 13, 2012
No Frozen Brains!
With winter breaks quickly approaching at most schools, it's important to keep kids sharp in their skills. We definitely do not want "Frozen Brains" upon returning to school in January.
Many teachers do send home great packets of worksheets and activities with their students, so that they can keep working on their skills during their 2-3 week long break.
However, some kids might also benefit from online games or activities to also help with those needed basic skills for school. Below are links to a few sites that will help students have fun and learn at the same time. All of these sites are FREE!
Many teachers do send home great packets of worksheets and activities with their students, so that they can keep working on their skills during their 2-3 week long break.
However, some kids might also benefit from online games or activities to also help with those needed basic skills for school. Below are links to a few sites that will help students have fun and learn at the same time. All of these sites are FREE!
MATH
Reading & Spelling
Phonics
Sight Words
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Student Tools for Learning
There are so many amazing Online Tools for students to use nowadays, that it truly makes me jealous that these were not around when I was in school. However, it also excites me for my own students and my own kids to be able to have these available when they are needed.
Of course, there are tools available for every age, grade, and subject imaginable. I know one tool I love to use with my younger Elementary students is Kerpoof. We have used this for so many assignments, merely because it allows me to check their learning on various technology topics, without the need for them to be able to write or spell. Plus, they love being able to draw or color online!
Below I am including some links and lists for close to 100 more amazing online tools for students to use. I hope that they are helpful! Feel free to share below in the comments how you have used or hope to use some of these tools. I'd love to hear your ideas!
Thanks everyone!
Of course, there are tools available for every age, grade, and subject imaginable. I know one tool I love to use with my younger Elementary students is Kerpoof. We have used this for so many assignments, merely because it allows me to check their learning on various technology topics, without the need for them to be able to write or spell. Plus, they love being able to draw or color online!
Below I am including some links and lists for close to 100 more amazing online tools for students to use. I hope that they are helpful! Feel free to share below in the comments how you have used or hope to use some of these tools. I'd love to hear your ideas!
Thanks everyone!
Monday, September 10, 2012
God Bless Kindergarten Teachers!
This year, I am teaching K-4 Computers. Last year, I taught grades K-5. Either way, Kindergartners wear me out sometimes!
I have nothing against those little cuties. They are eager to learn and absolutely LOVE playing on the computer! I honestly do not know how Kindergarten teachers keep up with them all day! God Bless them! I only have them once a week for 45 min. and they often can wear me out.
I get a mixed bag when Kindergartners come into my lab for the first time. Some know what a computer is and how to work it, most likely because they've used one somewhere before. Others barely know what a computer is.
This year it seems I have even more students who don't understand the correlation between how moving the mouse also moves the pointer on the screen. Then there's the whole issue of making sure they know left from right so that they will click the correct mouse button.
This year, I got smarter! I took a silver Sharpie marker, and I drew a Star on the left mouse button for every single computer. It's helping so much! I've also seen a small sticker placed on that button before, and that seems to help, too.
We really work hard at just the basics of learning how to use the mouse and how to navigate the Internet. It sometimes takes a few weeks, but they usually do learn quickly.
I am including some great online activities for Kindergarten. Of course, many of these can be used at other grades, too. I hope these are useful. Enjoy!!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Summer Smarties
As we all know, while Summer is definitely a welcome break for both teachers and students, it can also be an unwelcome one in a few ways.
Some students, sadly, dread being at home all summer long for various reasons. Also, much knowledge is often lost due to all of the "downtime" from learning.
As a mother of two very young children (ages 1 & 4), I plan to enjoy my time off this summer with my kids. I also plan to keep them learning and active in as many ways that I can, yet still have fun.
Below are some links to games, activities, resources, and ideas that you could send home with your students to help keep them engaged in learning over the Summer months.
Summer Activities Calendar
Summer Educational Activities
Fun Summer Activities for Kids
Kidzone Math
Clip Art courtesy of Discovery Education & Free ClipArt Store
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Planning Ahead for Common Core
I have seen many resources and links lately regarding Common Core, so I decided to look it up! I am happy to see consistency between states in regards to Standards. Below are many links to resources and information for the Common Core Standards.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Typing Lessons and Fun
Most times,I try not to do any typing lessons for my Kindergarten and 1st Graders. I even limit how often I let my 2nd graders do them. It's not that I don't want them to learn how to type properly, it's merely that most times, the maturity and flexibility haven't quite developed enough yet.
However, I have used some of the typing games to at least help students learn where the keys are located on the keyboard.
Below are a few sites that include either lessons or games that are appropriate and fun for elementary students who are just beginning to learn how to type properly.
Fun to Type
Dance Mat Typing
Computer Circus
Keyboarding Games
Tutorials Zone
Big Brown BearMonday, March 26, 2012
Sites to Help Review Basic Skills
As many schools and districts around the country gear up to start their state testing, many classrooms are trying to get in those last minute reviews and study sessions over the basic skills that they could be tested over. I know that our state testing starts next week.
To help teachers and students everywhere practice and review basic skills in Math & Communication Arts, I am including a few sites below. I hope they are helpful! Enjoy!
Interactive Grammar Games
Top 10 Math Websites
Math Games & Activities
Kabongo
P.S. Due to the fact that there were no entries for the giveaway, I did not draw any names. We will try again in the near future. Thanks! :-)
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