A Classroom Library on the Go!
You are looking through your classroom library and books seem to be missing, you cannot remember which students have borrowed books. Or another scenario, you see a really cool book that would be useful in the classroom but you cannot remember if you already have it. So what is your solution? Classroom Organizer! To be able to use this resource you will need to set up your account at http://classroom.booksource.com/ and you can also download the app so you have all your information on the go!
What is Classroom Organizer?
Classroom Organizer is website and app where you can store the titles of every book in your classroom library. From there you can import your class list and always keep track of who has checked out your books, and what/how many books you have. To use this resource it is FREE!
Educational Uses:
The biggest use would be to conduct the classroom library like a real library. You always know who has checked out your book. For students this can also help them gain some responsibility by having to give the book back, and keep track of the books they have read.
Teacher Standards:
You may be wondering what does this app have to do with me? Well as teachers we also have standards we are to meet as well. (Who knew right?) Well the use of this app actually fulfills one of them and that is:
5.3 Teachers motivate students to work productively and assume responsibility for their own learning.
Assessment:
This app/website cannot be used for student assessment
Value/Merit:
I personally love this resource. Everything I have to say is positive. I have used the app part so much already. I am in the process of getting my whole classroom library on there. The best thing is that there is no manual input, all you have to do is scan the bar-code on the book and it is added to your library! I know this will come in handy when I have my own classroom.
Resources:
Skeese, C. (2014, February 28). Screen Shot [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://classroom.booksource.com/
Skeese, C. (2014, February 28). Screen Shot [Photograph]. Retrieved from IPhone
Take the Guesswork out of Running Records with Levelbook:
Does it seem like the paper work for guided reading and student progress just keeps piling and piling? How amazing would it feel to have all of your students and their reading levels in one place. Now it is possible with Levelbook App. To get this app you will need to access your app store and download it.
What is Levelbook?
Levelbook is a way to accurately test kids in literacy. With this app the components of a running record calculator, stopwatch, voice recorder, and student record/progress book are all in one.
Educational Uses:
Levelbook is used when testing students in literacy. With Levelbook you can record every reading by the students and store it. With this app you can upload your class list and keep records of their reading level, DRA, Lexile, PM reader, Fountas and Pinnell, and Reading Recovery. Through this app you can also color code the students for who is meeting benchmark and who is not. You also have a constant running record on all your students.
Teacher Standards:
You may be wondering what does this app have to do with me? Well as teachers we also have standards we are to meet as well. (Who knew right?) Well the use of this app actually fulfills three of them and they are:
3.1 Teachers are knowledgeable about assessment types, their purposes and the data they generate.
3.2 Teachers select, develop and use a variety of diagnostic, formative and summative assessments.
3.3 Teachers analyze data to monitor student progress and learning and to plan, differentiate and modify instruction.
Assessment:
Levelbook is tied directly to assessment because it is used to assess students in their reading and literacy skills.
Value/Merit:
I personally only have positive things to say about this app. It is very easy to use and very convenient. For me I really like the fact it keeps a recording of the students when they read so I can go back, listen to it, and make notes. I also like how I can see my whole class and their reading levels in one place. This app makes progress monitoring quite easier and a lot less stressful.
Resources: Skeese, C. (2014, February 28). Levelbook Screenshot [Photograph; Phone Screen Shot].
Pinterest: The New Kid on the Block
Have you ever been sitting there stuck with a lesson plan? You know what your theme is but you just cannot make this lesson come together. Well now there is Pinterest!
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a free website that looks like a pinboard of photographs. There are many categories to choose from and Education is one of them. With Pinterest you can “pin” something to your own personal board and it stays on there so you can always access it. From Pinterest you are taken to the original website to download any materials you may need. To access Pinterest you will need to type www.pinterest.com into your browser and set up your profile.
Educational Uses:
Within the classroom, Pinterest can be used to enhance lessons and provide ideas on new classroom management strategies. Pinterest offers a wide variety of resources that can improve almost every aspect of the classroom.
Teacher Standards:
You may be wondering what does this app have to do with me? Well as teachers we also have standards we are to meet as well. (Who knew right?) Well the use of this app actually fulfills three of them and they are:
4.5 Teachers differentiate instruction to support the learning needs of all students, including students identified as gifted, students withdisabilities and at-risk students.
4.6 Teachers create and select activities that are designed to help students develop as independent learners and complex problem-solvers.
4.7 Teachers use resources effectively, including technology, to enhance student learning.
Assessment:
Even though Pinterest is not used for assessment, it can be used to find new types of assessments other than worksheets.
Value:
For me I use Pinterest a lot, I feel that the classroom should be a fun place to learn. I sometimes have a hard time coming up with ideas for lessons based on a certain theme. Being able to have my ideas in one place and stored for free is definitely a positive. The only cons I have is that when clicking on a pin you never know before clicking it if it will take you the actual website, or if it’s just an image off of Google. It would also be nice if there was an icon with the pin that said whether or not it was from a source that you have to pay for.
Reference: Screen Shot [Photograph; Image]. (2014, February 28). Retrieved from http://www.pinterest.com/all/education
State Standards Made Easy
With all the changes to the State Standards lately, and the move to the Common Core, teachers are surrounded with tons of paperwork, and may be thinking can’t this be easier? Well yes it can! Instead of having to carry a binder full of state standards and coding for the math and language arts standards, it can all be on your phone! I am here to tell you about the app called Common Core. (Ironic I know!) In order to get the Common Core App you will need to go to your app store on your iPhone or Android and search Common Core. On an iPhone your screen will look like this….
Educational Uses:
Now while you cannot use as a teaching tool for students, this is a tool for you. The app will guide in writing lesson plans, and knowing the coding for the Math and Language Arts standards.
Teacher Standards:
You may be wondering what does this app have to do with me? Well as teachers we also have standards we are to meet as well. (Who knew right?) Well the use of this app actually fulfills two of them and they are:
· 2.1 Teachers know the content they teach and use their knowledge of content-specific concepts, assumptions and skills to plan instruction.
· 2.3 Teachers understand school and district curriculum priorities and the Ohio academic content standards.
Assessment:
Of course you cannot directly assess students using this app, but this app guides your assessments. From here you are choosing the standards for your lessons, which are also objectives you are wanting your students to meet.
Value/Merit:
I have the Common Core App downloaded to my phone and it has definitely been a life saver! I have used it when typing lesson plans and even to help my CT when she needed to know the standard codes. Common Core is very user friendly and is available for IPhone and Android. Best of all the app is FREE! I have never had any problems with the app freezing or exiting on its own. For me I think the only drawback is that there are no Science and Social Studies standards for early childhood.
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