In the Mode to Code

Working that brain with Code.org

Code.org is a series of lessons and activities on programming and coding, aimed at students as young as first grade. Teachers can sign up classes and monitor students' progress. The first step is completing the Hour of Code. 

Yes, it's free! Click here to sign your class up for Code.org.

The Perks of Tweeting a Wallflower

TodaysMeet allows questions and comments on the side

I had a dear GATE student who constantly had wonderful sparks of brilliance which amused him greatly. Of course, he wanted to share them with the class... and share... and share... and share. I wish I had known about TodaysMeet.com!

TodaysMeet allows students to make comments and ask questions on a specific web page. As a teacher, you can monitor the page and answer questions (aloud or online) and share comments as you feel appropriate. Alternately, another student can monitor for you, and share questions and comments with you or, depending on their skills, answer for you.

It can also be a great resource for ESL students, giving them a voice without worrying about their spelling or grammar. And much like the mythical Powdermilk Biscuits, it gives shy students the strength to get up and do what needs to be done (wink).

Your web page can be up for an hour, a day, a week, or longer. If you have access to a few devices for your class or your students BYOD, consider using TodaysMeet to cut down on distractions!

Click here to visit the site and sign up. Did I mention it's free?

Engaging Your Class in Writing... Competitively

BoomWriter, where your students write the story

Another one from Kristen... Students read the first chapter of a story, and everyone in the class writes the second. Writing is posted anonymously, and everyone votes on the best writeup. The story continues with the following chapters.

There are 3 ways to use the site:

• StoryWriter: students develop their understanding of key literary elements through their own writing;
• ProjectWriter: ideal for dissecting whole units of study into smaller sections, letting students demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the key concepts and terms being taught. 
• Word Writer: "an interactive and easy-to-deliver vocabulary development application."

It's a free service, with the hopes that your students will love the stories so much, their parents will purchase a bound copy. Click here for the site.

Reading for Content, Up-to-date News

TweenTribune, another great non-fiction reading source

This one's courtesy of Kristen Call from De Portola Elementary. She uses it to encourage her class to keep up with news and improve their reading skills.

CommonSense Media rates TweenTribune 4/5 stars, and 4/5 for learning. From their site:

"Parents need to know that the mission of TWEENTRIBUNE is to get young readers to follow the news. There are age-appropriate sections for kids, tweens, and teens. The content runs the gamut from educational to fluffy, with substantial coverage of celebrities and brands. Comments are moderated.

"Twenty lesson plans, based on the Common Core Standards, are available. The site also offers tips on teaching kids argumentative reasoning, conversational, and other skills."

There are different subsections for K-4, 5-8, and 9-12 graders, as well as a Spanish section (a great ay for your high schooler to practice reading Spanish). This is a free service to teachers. Sign up your class here.