Do you want to build a (virtual) sukkah?
Yes, I know it’s May.
I’m already starting to think about we’re going to use VR/AR next year and authentically connect it to general or Judaic studies. Our fourth grade does a wonderful project where they design a sukkah, reduce its proportions in math and then create a 3D design using Tinkercad which we print. So what comes next?
I’d like to have my fifth graders use CoSpaces to create a virtual sukkah to which they can add elements like the brachot, lulav and etrog models, and then do some creative coding. Could they have lights? Could they wave the lulav? Make a blessing?
CoSpaces is my choice because it’s easy to get the basics down but really limitless in terms of coding. It’s reasonably priced and you can set up classes and assign spaces to groups of kids so they’re working collaboratively but simultaneously. That wasn’t exactly intuitive to figure out and I plan to have another post about exactly how to do that.
CoSpaces has building materials but there was nothing that was lattice-like for a sukkah. I was able to create one in Tinkercad, though, and import it. You can also use Blender or SketchUp, but I was going for quick and easy at this time.
Here’s the space so far if you want to play. More to come.
Links You’ll Love
If you’re interested in using Google Slides for formative assessment, check out this post about using the Pear Deck add-on.
If you’re a Google Classroom user, you might be interested in integrating materials into your Classroom. Check this post out for more info.
I tripped across ReadWorks while looking for student-friendly articles. This is a great resource; teachers can use it for free, and it offers articles, questions sets, vocabulary and more.
Links You’ll Love
StoryboardThat is an awesome website where you can create storyboards and comics. You can create two storyboards a week with the free edition. The site includes background images, graphics, thought bubbles are more.
Don’t know what to write about? Check out StoryStarter for Kids. Students get a random starter sentence to copy and paste into a Google Docs.
Webjets is a very cool digital curation platform. It’s basically a space for you to compile all your resources in one place. You can sign up using your Google credentials.
If you’re a fan of Kahoot! Or Quizlet, check out Gimkit. It’s easy to set up, fast-paced, and you can use Quizlets that you’ve already created.
I introduced Flipgrid last year. For those of you who’d like to explore using it for formative assessment, this blog post explains a nice way to integrate PearDeck.
Links You’ll Love
If you’re looking to integrate STEM into K-2, check out the PictureSTEM Project which offers units that use an engineering challenge and picture books as supports for learning science, mathematics, engineering, computational thinking, and reading.
If you’re looking for free sound effects, visit FreeSound. Everything is creative commons licensed, which means you and your students can use any sound in any project without getting permission from the creator.
If you need a common whitespace that everyone in a class can access, try Twiddla. Basically you create a space, invite others, and anything anyone puts on the screen can be seen by everyone.
If you’re a Google Slides user, you might want to check the Slides Toolbox add-on. It’s got some nice tools, gets great reviews, and is free to install.
BioInteractive is a very nice science site, with loads of resources including posters, videos and articles.
Links You’ll Love
If you’re looking for a way your students can create newspapers online, check out Printing Press. It is Flash-based, so I’m not sure it’ll work on an iPad, but it should be fine on a Chromebook.
ProjectPals is a task-management website that will support your students who are working on independent projects.
WriteReader is a very cool website where students can write books and include photos and narration. You can log in with your Google credentials and it will coordinate with classes that you’ve already set up in Google Classroom. It supports Hebrew text input. The website features images, or you can upload from the computer or search for them on the Internet. Books can be viewed online or downloaded and printed.
If you want to create games that your students can play, check out PurposeGames. It’s free to use, and you can create games like matching games, multiple choice quiz, and type-the-answer. You can also search from games that others have created.
Links You’ll Love
Can you show Netflix in class? Read this article and learn about this complex copyright issue.
If you’re looking for a fun winter activity, check out this winter-themed “magnetic” poetry activity using Google Draw.
We purchased Hapara this year for our 5th through 8th grade students. Primarily, Hapara is student management software that allows teachers to view (and control) what’s happening on student Chromebooks, but it offers much more than mere management tools. If you’re interested in how it can be used to support student learning, here is a resource.
Happy Hanukkah! Check out Six13’s adaptation of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody
For another Bohemian Rhapsody-inspired song, check out this one about social media
Need some zen activities? Here are some fun websites with no value except they’re well, pretty zen to work with:
Webroom
Webroom is a free, easy-to-use, web-based collaborative meeting space. It can be a handy alternative to Skype or Facetime.
You can schedule a Webroom meeting in advance or choose to begin one immediately. With Webroom, participants are invited to join a meeting via email- it does not support joining by link. Webroom does supports video and audio chat, and allows you to share links, whiteboards, and uploaded files with other participants in a meeting.
Visit webroom.net to register, create an account and set up your first meeting.
In Your Classroom
- Webroom is a great way to “meet” with colleagues or students while in your pajamas at home.
- Students can use webroom to collaborate and work together without relying on their parents to drive them somewhere– a nice touch for religious schools where students often don’t live near one another.
This is a “Technology Tuesday” post via Behrman House, edited by Ann D. Koffsky . You can find more Behrman House Technology Tuesdays here.
visme
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The Technology: Visme Everybody knows that old quote about how many words a picture is worth. It’s true! And with the website Visme, you can create your own infographics and other visually based content easily. You can build your infographic using the images that Visme provides, including layouts, shapes, text, graphs and backgrounds. Or, you can choose to upload your own images. It also allows you to insert video or music into your infographics. When you’re finished designing your image, you can download a watermarked low-resolution .jpg and embed your infographic on a website or share it on social media for free. (Higher resolution images without Visme’s branding are available with a premium account). Sign up for a free account at Visme. In Your Classroom
This is a “Technology Tuesday” post via Behrman House, edited by Ann D. Koffsky . You can find more Behrman House Technology Tuesdays here. |
Links You’ll Love
Here are some more creative ways teachers are using to teach about fake news.
Love this making mensches periodic table graphic! It would be great as a poster (hint, hint)…
I taught sketchnoting (visual note-taking) to a number of 7th and 8th graders this week. It was so interesting to hear their thoughts about handwriting. I found this terrific blog post about the value of taking notes in longhand and effective note-taking.
Sketchnoting
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The Technology: Sketchnoting/ Paper
Taking notes by hand can often be more effective than typing them into a laptop or tablet. Similarly, sketchnoting, the act of drawing a visual story while listening to a speaker or reading a text, can also be an excellent way for students to remember and synthesize new information. There are many apps that support sketching on a tablet, but my favorite is Paper. It gives you basic, digital drawing tools like markers, pencils, and an eraser, and allows you to arrange your drawings into notebooks and easily organize your work. You can also integrate photos into your drawings. After you have completed your sketchnotes, you can save them to the iPad’s camera roll, share them via email, or post them to social media. Paper is free to download, but you will also need a stylus for your tablet. They can be purchased for as little as $6.00 on amazon. In Your Classroom
This is a “Technology Tuesday” post via Behrman House, edited by Ann D. Koffsky . You can find more Behrman House Technology Tuesdays here. |
About
Debbie Harris is the director of educational technology at the Sager Solomon Schechter Day School in Northbrook, IL. Involved in Jewish education for over thirty years, she has an education degree from Northwestern University with a concentration in instructional media and a master’s degree in professional Jewish studies from Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership. She is skilled in using and teaching desktop publishing, video editing, presentation and animation software; and consults and presents regularly on integrating technology into Judaic studies. Her students podcast, blog, edit video and create claymations. She co-chaired the technology track for CAJE 33 in Vermont, is a SMART Certified Trainer for SMART Notebook, and a 2011 recipient of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award for Excellence in Jewish Education.
When not learning, teaching or writing about technology, Debbie likes to sketchnote and craft. She likes to knit, do calligraphy, sew, watercolor, paint fabric and just generally play with fun toys like scrapbooking supplies and anything with texture. Debbie travels to California every summer to paint tallitot with high school aged campers. Finally, she is incredibly proud of her two daughters; Lori, who teaches English at a community college; and Allie, who is the director of the URJ’s Camp Newman in California.
Look for her at:
Debbie Does Desktop
Flickr
Twitter
Diigo
YouTube
Ravelry
Email Debbie here
MuseForJews 