Bengal Buzz
Tech News You Can Use
Tech Tool of The Week
Classroom Screen for Better Classroom Management
Busy teachers can use all the help they can get in providing organization and structure in the classroom. Classroom Screen(Open Link in new tab) is a simple, but impactful solution! Teachers can build an interactive display of helpful widgets like a timer, noise meter, calendar, and random name picker, in addition to text, images, video, and more. Once your layout is built you can enlarge and rearrange each widget, then project the display on a screen or whiteboard for students to reference. This helpful web tool can be your teaching assistant throughout the day, enabling smooth classroom routines and providing student supports for independent work time.
Google Sheets for Interactive Timelines
Good news, Google fans! You can now use Sheets to create interactive timelines that include dates, descriptions, links, colors, and more. Just add the appropriate information to a Sheet using specific column headings, then convert the data with one click! This new timeline feature is great for teaching about historical events, making ELA connections, and even scheduling and logistical needs. Watch this video explanation(Open Link in new tab) or follow along with the step-by-step directions(Open Link in new tab) from Eric Curts.
Canvas Corner
Still Having Trouble With CANVAS???
Reach out to me! We can schedule one on one time to work together!
Does your entire team need support? Cool! I would love to come work with you!
Add TABS to Pages!
You can add tabs into pages or assignments and it makes an amazing collection of resources! Watch the video below to see an example of a Tabbed Page lesson.
This feature is ONLY accessible through the use of the HTML editor via a strand of code. I know that is a scary feature at times BUT the actions described below a quick and easy way to get things done! :)
The loom screenshare below shows what it can look like but just know the possibilities with this are ENDLESS! Attached is an IORAD tutorial showing how to create the tabs and import the content. IF you are really tech savvy and can utilize the HTML editor and prepare your content on one screen great! IF you aren't as comfortable with that you can easily create things as shown in the tutorial :) Excuse my gravelly voice, I am getting over pneumonia!
Happy to help in anyway I can! Reach out!
TEAM Tips
SEND STICKERS AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR OWN MEMES (DESKTOP ONLY)
Stickers are exclusive to the desktop version of the software, but do offer an extra layer of fun.
The sticker menu is in the same place as emojis and GIFs, and there's a whole host of different categories to choose from, while you can also type in the search box.
The exciting bit is that these can be customized. Once you've picked your sticker and before you hit send, you can add a caption and transform your sticker into a fun meme that can be shared in Teams and beyond
Productivity Tidbit
CUSTOMIZE YOUR BROWSER!
Download and add a Chrome theme
- On your computer, open Chrome.
- At the top right, click More Settings.
- Under "Appearance," click Themes. You can also go to the gallery by visiting Chrome Web Store Themes.
- Click the thumbnails to preview different themes.
- When you find a theme you'd like to use, click Add to Chrome.
The theme will be applied immediately. If you change your mind, at the top, click Undo.
Learning Strategy of The Week
Upcoming Smores will be foucsing this segment on discussion strategies!
If you are new to incorporating discussion strategies in your classroom, consider these tips. If you are already employing discussion strategies, then look through this list to evaluate the merit of using these tips for your discussions.
- Begin small. When using discussion strategies with students, start with very easy, non-academic topics for students to discuss. This allows them to learn how to have discussions without having to focus on important content that may be very new to them.
- Start with just one strategy. Consider which strategy might work best with your students. You may find that one strategy works great for first period but doesn’t really work for third period.
- Ask for feedback. As you start incorporating that one strategy, ask students for feedback on how they feel it is going and how it is helping them. This is also your chance to give them feedback on how to better participate in the process of this strategy.
- Vary the strategies over time. Like most good teaching strategies, variety increases engagement by adding newness and novelty. Give students time to learn the first strategy before incorporating a new one. As they learn different discussion strategies over time, you will be able to see which ones work best with your students and switch them up.
- Explain the rules clearly. In order to give students the most likelihood of success, be sure to share the rules or protocols before implementing a strategy. It may be helpful to role-play a strategy or find a YouTube video that you can share with your students to demonstrate how it works. The better they understand the rules and how to engage within that strategy’s structure, the more confident they will feel with focusing on the content and not the process of discussion.
This Weeks' Discussion Strategy! - Speed Dating
This strategy is great for adults and students alike. It’s very quick and requires students to share specific information within a limited time frame. If you’re working with younger students, then you might find a better reference to this strategy as Speed Talks or Drive-Through Discussions.
In this strategy, have students make two lines facing each other, so that each student is partnered with a student across from them. You could also do concentric circles if your room accommodates that better. This may better take place in the hallway outside your classroom for easier spacing. After sharing your discussion prompt, set a timer for the amount of time students will have to discuss, share reasonings, ask questions, etc. When the timer goes off, have one row move down two people, with the person on the end circling to the other end of the line. Repeat the process. Because students can easily hear their neighbors, I prefer to have them move two down the row so they hopefully hear new or different information than what their neighbors might have shared. As en extension, you can consider assigning a role to each row, with one row taking on the perspective of xyz while the other role is coming from and supporting the abc perspective.
Staff Spotlight!
Can I Come Visit?
Thank you so much to those of you that have welcomed me into your classroom! I just want to give a reminder that if I ever pop in, I am there for you! I am not in conjunction with observations or admin! I am simply there to see you! Get ideas on how to support and see the kids! :) If you would like to invite me to watch a specific lesson or tech tool please reach out!
Need Help?
- Hannah Elliott Digital Learning Specialist
Email: helliott2@dentonisd.org
Website: bit.ly/dlshannah
Phone: 9723477960
Twitter: @DLS_Hannah