Flip for Flippity!

I'm going to be honest...At first, I was not a fan of Flippity. (Laura has always been a fan.) So I went back to check on updates and play some more, AND now I have to say I believe Flippity is definitely something teachers should check out. 

Flippity is a series of web apps that can turn a Google Sheet into any of the following: Flashcards, Scavenger Hunt, Random Name Picker, Quiz Show, Timeline and MANY MORE. After a little trial and error, I was able to quickly create and use the Random Name Picker, Fun With Words, and Word Search. I can't wait to create a Scavenger Hunt to incorporate into a digital breakout.

You can access all that Flippity has to offer from their website or the Google Sheet add-on. Here is a short video courtesy of Richard Byrne showing how the Flippity add-on works in Google Sheets.

*Created using Flippity - Fun with Words

Get Ready!

World Read Aloud Day 2019

Register today for World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) on February 1^st. This is a day for students all around the world to read aloud together, share ideas and stories, and learn about others. Host an event by reading with another class or author with Skype or Google Meet. Share your students’ love of reading by sharing your story and pictures at #WorldReadAloudDay. To register for WRAD and to download their entire event packet full of ideas and resources, visit litworld.org.

Here are a few resources to help you connect with other classes or authors.

• Skype in the Classroom – Lesson ideas for WRAD also available.
• Authors who will Skype from Kate Messner
• Connected Classrooms Workshop - a Google+ Community in which educators can share their ideas on how best to utilize technology to enhance classroom curriculum and to help educators connect with other classrooms around the world. 

Coding for Littles

Computer Science Education Week

December 3-7

Coding and Programming is fun for all ages! 😎 They also support the skills needed to prepare students for the future. Here are some coding options for younger students.

Kodable: This Chrome or iPad friendly tool offers several options for younger students. K-2: Create Amazing Mazes, Grades 2-5: Build Your Own Fuzzes, and Grades 3-5: Create Your Own Space Puzzle Game. No sign-in necessary to "play" during Hour of Code (TM). 

Daisy the Dinosaur: This iPad app is easy to use with the drag and drop interface. Make Daisy the Dinosaur dance by solving challenges while learning the basics of objects, sequencing, loops and events.

ScratchJr: This iPad app is geared for students ages 5-7. ScratchJr also comes from the brilliant minds at MIT.  Students use block coding to program their own interactive stories and games. 

Hopscotch: This iPad app teaches students 8 and older how to code and create apps and games for iPhones and iPads.

Tynker: Well, this one works for all ages. 😀 And is Chrome and iPad friendly. 😃

It's one of my favorites and is a must check out. 

More Coding Options!

Computer Science Education Week

December 3-7

Get Girls Coding - Made with Code from Google: This website has a lot of fun options for girls. Use code to create gifs, dances, music mixes, avatars, soundtracks, fashion, and so much more. 

CS First from Google: No Experience Needed! Google offers this free and easy to use Computer Science Curriculum kit. Check out sample activities here. This is a great introduction to computer science using the block programming language Scratch from MIT. And even better it's been tested and approved by SAISD students!
"My students really enjoyed Google CS First." Marie Marshall, Santa Rita Elementary.

Scratch from MIT is a programming language in which students use block coding to create stories, games, and animations. Scratch is free and fun for all ages. 

It's Almost Here!

Computer Science Education Week

December 3-7

“The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”

The skills used to learn coding and programming are important to our future learners. Not only is coding and programming a booming job market, but computational thinking is also great for supporting our SAISD Learner Profile: Creating, Critical Thinking, Collaborating, and Communicating.

Your challenge this year is to have your students code for at least an hour during Computer Science Education Week. 

Here are a few resources to help you get started: 

hourofcode.com - Be sure to fill out the Join Us form for a chance to win some of the awesome prizes below:

hourofcode.com also offers:
Tutorials and Activities for all ages.
Local Volunteers who will help run a session or talk coding or programming to inspire students!

code.org
Hour of Code Activities
No Devices? No problem! Check out their unplugged activities.
Celebrate Hour of Code with Certificates!