#r12socstud
Connecting the Past to the Needs of the Present
Volume 1 Issue 4
Welcome to #r12socstud!
I welcome feedback on the resources and will gladly look for information that you need to serve the students! Please reach out via email or on Twitter @owl_b_torresedu #r12socstud
Articles of Interest
An Opportunity to Be Part of Saving History!
Letters to Lincoln
The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress contains approximately 40,550 documents written by or to Abraham Lincoln, lawyer, a representative from Illinois, and 16th president of the United States. Of these, 20,000 items are available online, and around half have been transcribed already. Our goal now is to transcribe the remaining materials to make them searchable for one and all. Transcribe documents written by a large number of correspondents, including friends and associates from Lincoln’s Springfield days, well-known political figures and reformers, and individuals and organizations writing to their president. Help us meet the Letters to Lincoln Challenge goals for 2018! Can we finish the first three of ten projects by November 1st 2018? Can we transcribe all 28,000 pages by December 31st? Dive in, transcribe, review, bring friends!
Websites of Interest
Maps 101
- The variety of maps is outstanding, especially the interactive ones, which really help cement historical events, geographical trends, and other concepts.
- Compatible with grades K-12, AP
- Files can be downloaded and saved if broadband or internet connectivity is an issue.
- State standards link at the bottom.
- Field trip library
- Writing prompts, primary sources and quizzes provided.
- All campuses within Region 12 receiving a free 2 week trial period.
GmapGIS
GmapGIS is a free digital mapping tool that lets you draw and type on top of base layer maps. You can select satellite, street, relief, or a hybrid map as your base layer. Once you've made that selection you can use freehand drawing tools, line tools, and shape drawing tools to mark-up the map. Right-clicking on any of the lines or shapes you draw will open a menu of labeling options. You can also add placemarking pins to your map. When you are finished drawing labeling you can share your map by sending the link that is automatically generated for your map. You can also save a KML file for your map and view it in Google Earth.
National Geo's MapMaker Interactive
National Geographic's Mapmaker Interactive can be a good alternative to using Google Maps in your classroom. Mapmaker Interactive offers a number of features that students and teachers can utilize without the need to enter an email address or register to use the Mapmaker tools. Those tools include measuring distances, adding placemarks, layering information, and switching between base map layers.
Scribble Maps
Scribble Maps is a free tool for creating custom, multimedia maps online. Since 2009 this has been my go-to alternative to Google's MyMaps and Maps Engine Lite tools. Scribble Maps provides a variety of base layer maps on which you can draw freehand, add placemarks, add image overlays, and type across the map. Compared to creating a custom map on Google Maps, Scribble Maps is much easier for students to learn how to use. Scribble Maps also provides far more default placemark icons than Google's My Maps tool. Scribble Maps will work in the web browser on your laptop, Chromebook, iPad, or Android tablet.
Digital Tool Highlight: TedEd Lessons
Create customized lessons for your students.
Add interactive questions, discussion topics and more to your favorite TED-Ed Animations, TED talks or any video on YouTube. Easily share lessons with your students and track the results. Sign up for free today! https://ed.ted.com/educator
Quizalize
Quizalize makes it easy for you to differentiate your classroom saving teachers HOURS!
The feedback from playing a quiz in class gives you real-time insights into how to help your students.
Depending on attainment students will do different activities ensuring all students are learning at their own pace!
Teachers can assign a variety of activities such as YouTube video, articles, PDF’s and many more!
Quizalize is offering a 3-month, free, Quizalize District Premium Trial to all the districts that we work with in Region 12, with a special 50% discount of $1 per student for 1 year for the premium for all districts in our region. Watch the video below and if you or your district/campus is interested please contact me for additional information.
The Mission US Games
Love Literacy!
Picture Book
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan had a big, bold, confident voice—and she knew how to use it! Learn all about her amazing career in this illuminating and inspiring picture book biography of the lawyer, educator, politician, and civil rights leader. Even as a child growing up in the Fifth Ward of Houston, Texas, Barbara Jordan stood out for her big, bold, booming, crisp, clear, confident voice. It was a voice that made people sit up, stand up, and take notice.
Chapter Book
From the first battles with the British to modern warfare in Afghanistan, celebrate our country’s military heroes with true stories of battlefront bravery.
A Longer Read
We live and work in a global society, but the only frames of reference many students have are their own communities or neighborhoods. Now you can expand your students' horizons and improve their understanding of how they fit into the global landscape using Google's Geo Tools. Bring the World to Your Classroom will equip you to teach your students how to explore and create using Google Maps, Google My Maps, new Google Earth, Tour Builder, and more!
Upcoming Sessions!
Jessica Torres
ESC Region 12
#r12digin
Email: jtorres@esc12.net
Location: ESC Region 12, West Loop 340, Waco, TX, USA
Phone: (254) 299-1118
Twitter: @owl_b_torresedu