Nearpod

Nearpod adds a lot to your class. It is a web-based program that allows you to control the presentation. For instance, when you provide the students with access to your PowerPoint Presentation, they tend to move ahead of you or they fall behind. Nearpod lets you control what "slide" the students are on. You can insert questions, images, virtual field trips, etc. into the presentation that the students can view.  It's web-based or you can use that App.

• There is a free version and a paid version. 
• There are thousands of free and paid customizable lessons already created by expert educators and their educational partners.
• Teachers share a live lesson, students enter a code, and the lesson is synced to all devices.
• Teachers can view students responses individually or as a class.
• Teachers can print reports.
• Teachers can share students' responses with the class.
• Teachers can import from Google Slides and PowerPoint.
• Follow the guidelines to become Nearpod Certified.

Create your Account

Pricing Information

Nearpod Resources

Equity Sticks

Are you tired of hearing about Equity Sticks yet? Do you know what equity sticks are? Equity Sticks are used as a Random Name Picker. They are popsicle sticks with your students' names written on one end. The end with the names on it are put down in a cup or bucket. I even color the opposite ends with a specific color of those students that I want to hear from everyday (i.e. special Education Students, English Language Learners, or even extra quiet students).

Routines

The use of Equity Sticks enhances your classroom management and looks good on your formal and informal observations. You can even let the students choose the next student to answer the next question or the next student volunteer.

Purpose of Equity Sticks

• To choose students randomly
• To hear from specific students every day
• Stop the same kids from raising their hand daily and monopolizing the class discussion
• Get those quiet students participating

Virtual Equity Sticks (Random Name Picker)

Class Dojo has a Random Name Picker. Classcraft has one too, called the Wheel of Destiny. You can also Google Random Name Picker. There are other virtual ones, but you may have to put the students' names in each time. I recommend either Class Dojo or Classcraft since you would already be using them.

Virtual Manipulatives

nlvm.usu.edu

This is a website that has virtual math manipulatives by grade level, PK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12.  Not only is it divided by grade level, but it's separated by standard: Number & Operations, Algebra, Geometry, Measurement, and Data Analysis & Probability.

These virtual manipulatives work well if you have an interactive whiteboard.

Unfortunately, this doesn't work well on iPads. It wants you to download Java. It suggests you download the app; however, I couldn't find it. My suggestion is to use it on your computer and display it via LCD Projector.

Plickers

Do you love to use technology with your students?  Are you looking for something new?  I use Plickers (www.plickers.com).  With plickers, all you need is a computer/laptop, LCD Projector, and a tablet/phone.  The kids just use a card with a code on it.

What do you do?

• Create your account.
• Download and print the student cards.
• I printed them on cardstock and laminated them.  Then I put plastic labels with the student's names on the back to make it easy to distribute.
• I saw on Pinterest that a teacher printed them and adhered them to the front of their journals.  This way there is nothing to distribute.
• Download the Plickers app on a phone or tablet.
• Go to Classes.
• Click on Add New Class.
• Complete the profile and click Save.
• Type in Students' names and hit Enter.
• A number will be assigned to that student.
• Go to Library.
• Create your questions by clicking on New Question.  I create folders for each topic (i.e. Number Systems, Scientific Method, etc.)
• Multiple Choice or True/False.
• Don't forget to select the correct answer.
• When you're ready to run the program:
• Click on the little calendar.
• Click on Add to Queue.
• Select the class that you want to answer the questions.
• You will have to do this for each question.
• When you're done, you're ready to present the questions to the class.
• To present to the class, click on Live View.
• Open the Plickers App on your device and hit Scan.
• The questions will display on the LCD Projector.
• Students hold up their card.  The direction of their card depends on their answer.  If they want their answer to be "B", then "B" must be at the top of their card.
• Scan all students cards with your device.
• The help page has a ton of information if you need help too.

This is a great way to integrate technology into the classroom when the students don't have technology.  Only the teacher needs the technology.  You may want to practice with a colleague or two before trying it in front of students, so you can work out the kinks.  Good luck!

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is an online behavior management platform.  It's super easy.

What do you do?

• Create your account at www.classdojo.com.
• Add a class.
• Add students.
• Get invites.
• You can give the students and parents their codes so they can sign up to see the students' progress.
• Also, if you have the parents' email addresses, you can enter them next to their child's name by clicking on Settings > Connect Parents.
• Customize skills.
• Here is where you customize for the behavior you want to see (Positive) and the behaviors you don't want to see (Needs Work).
• You can set the point value to whatever you want.
• When you're ready to award/deduct points, just click on the student's name and select behavior under Positive or Needs Work.
• You can communicate with parents by clicking on Messages.
• There is a timer available.
• Can select students at random.
• Can select multiple students at a time.