In my Lower School Computer Science class, students use Scratch to program book trailers. In this post, I will tell you how I tackle this project. First, watch the video below to discover the power of Scratch.

Ready to get inspired? Watch the video below to see a few book trailers created by my fourth graders, and then learn the basics of Scratch with the resources below.

Resources:

To begin this unit, I show my students the Book Trailer Presentation below. Then, in pairs or individually, students complete the Book Trailer Storyboard. From there, the sky is the limit!

Interested in discovering some examples of how Lab third grade students are making their thinking visible and documenting their learning?  Check out the exemplars below!

Learn how to use Seesaw in one of the following posts:

1. Digital Portfolios with Seesaw - An Introduction
2. Seesaw in Action​
3. Seesaw Task Cards

Get started here!

What is a Doodle Poll? Discover by watching the video below.

​Are you looking for a quick way to create conference sign ups? Consider a Doodle Poll! 

• Select the conference dates
• Enter the time slots
• Change the settings to "Participants can only choose one option” and “Limit the number of participants per option to 1”

​Learn how in the video below.

It's time to spruce up your family history project with the use of Google's Tour Builder. Tour Builder allows you to create interactive digital stories by bringing together Google Earth maps, photos, and videos. Discover the power of this tool by watching the brief introductory video and viewing the sample tour project below (the example is not family history related).

Imagine using Tour Builder to map out historical events or settings in historical fiction books.

Learn how to use Tour Builder in your classroom by watching the video below.

Below are two sets of directions to help you get started. There are step-by-step directions for you and a student handout for your students.

Task cards are a great way to support your students in adding meaningful work to their Seesaw journals. The below video is lengthy, but if you zoom forward to 15:00, you will discover how one teacher uses task cards during Daily Five.

Learn awesome ideas for task cards by exploring below.

Use Google Slides to create task cards. Learn how below!

As teachers, we are always able to express our opinions and share our feelings with our students. But do all of our students' voices get heard? In a traditional classroom, the answer is no. Whether that is because a student is shy  or anxious or we simply run out of time, there's always an unheard perspective. Flipgrid, a video discussion platform, is changing that. Teachers post questions, videos, or links to start discussions. Students respond to the prompts and to each other with short video reflections. TA-DA! Everyone is given a voice. Watch the two videos below to discover the power of Flipgrid and student voice.

As a graduate student, I used Flipgrid to communicate with my classmates. I was often required to create one video with own thinking and then respond to at least two classmates' responses. To ensure all of us received peer feedback, we were asked to give priority to students with less responses (i.e. everyone should have 2 responses before  receiving a 3rd response).  From responding to readings to providing feedback on  each other's projects, my classmates and I were in constant dialogue, having deep and reflective conversations long after class ended.

Flipgrid's website has a wide range of ideas for using Flipgrid in K-12 classrooms. From the homeroom to Art, World Language, and P.E., the sky's the limit. Click on the buttons below to learn how Flipgrid can enhance the discussions in your classroom and give all of your students a voice.

It's time to give Flipgrid a try! Follow the links below to get started.

Have you had a student in your class who could benefit from positive affirmations or a change of mindset? What if your student could  record himself/herself and revisit the recordings when feeling distressed? Discover ThinkUp by listening to this sample:

Learn how to use ThinkUp.

Book Creator is a tool for creating, collaborating, and sharing across all subject areas in all grades. Discover 4 compelling ideas for Book Creator and two sample books below,  followed by a brief hook for Book Creator on iPads AND (new this year!) computers.

On an iPad...

On a computer...

Follow the links below to learn about Book Creator for the iPad.

Webinar 1: Overview of Book Creator with project ideas and applications.
Webinar 2: Supporting students with graphic organizers and templates.
Webinar 3: Collaborating with peers and sharing with authentic audiences.

​Follow the link below to learn about Book Creator on the computer.

Do even more with Book Creator by exploring additional ideas on Pinterest.

Design Thinking is a framework that includes the following phases: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Watch the video below and follow this link to discover more about the Design Thinking Process.

Learn ways you can integrate Design Thinking across your curriculum below:

The following are resources and books I have found to be inspiring:

The end of the school year is quickly approaching. Below are three meaningful ways to close out your school year digitally.

School Year Trailer with iMovie: Advertise What Happens in YOUR Class
Have your students work together to create a movie trailer for the incoming class you will meet in the fall. This is an engaging way for students to reflect on all that happened this school year. Have students give a tour of the classroom. Go over daily activities unique to your class. Share favorite projects. Show places around the school. Make a top 10 list.

Welcome Book with Book Creator
Do you like the above idea but feel unsure about creating a movie trailer? Why not create a class welcome book using Book Creator? Your students will still reflect on the year, capture their memories, and kill two birds with one stone by creating something YOU can share with your new class in the fall.

Padlet: Summer Reading Selfies
The summer can feel long for kids. Keep them reading and in touch by creating a class Padlet board for keeping track of what students are reading this summer. Students can take pictures of their book covers and write mini book reviews. Check out this awesome example: Summer Reading Selfies.

Learn how to use iMovie:

Learn how to use Book Creator:

Learn how to use Padlet: