July 30 Weekly Finds

As an Instructional Tech Coach, part of my job is to find resources for teachers in my building. These resources vary from strategies, or new technology tools, or websites focusing on the content area. I also often look for new professional development ideas for myself, so I utilize the web and social media a lot.

When I’m looking, sometimes a topic search leads me down rabbit holes and I find SO many great things that doesn’t always relate to my original reason for searching. If it’s something I know is relevant for a particular teacher I’ll send it their way or share it on my Twitter account, but most of the time I save it somewhere like Diigo or Wakelet. And then it gets buried.

So instead, I’m going to try sharing items I find from the Internet here in this new weekly series.

1. Boosting Student Confidence

Going into next year, it's not, "Here's where you should be." Instead it should be, "Here's where you are," and then tangibly helping them see where they could go next.

If you want to shatter confidence immediately, the first option will work best. Otherwise, go with the latter.

— Tyler Rablin (@Mr_Rablin) July 26, 2021

2. Resource Sites for Important Information

Your resources sites are one stop shops for important information. They need to be flexible, but easily searchable as you update throughout the year. Consider your audiences and include visual aids. #SchoologyFCPS #fcpsSBTS pic.twitter.com/AJy2EupwLG

— 6 NoVA Coaches (@6NoVAcoaches) July 26, 2021

3. The Trending Education Templates section on Canva

When you login into Canva, you’re automatically on the Recommended for You page. Scroll down until you see Trending Education Templates and you’ll find ways for you and students to get started creating quickly and easily!

4. Recommendations on Teachers to Follow on Twitter

Catlin Tucker, one of the leading EdTech and Blended Learning gurus, seeked out recommendations for educators on Twitter for her new teacher candidates to follow. She shared out the spreadsheet broken down into content areas and I saw it re-posted this week. Take a look at the recommendations and find someone new to follow and build your PLN.

5. This or That Choice Board

I love the idea of this Choice Board! It’s almost like a mash up of a choice board and a HyperDoc as it gives students choices for how to complete work but is also broken into categories for Exploring, Connecting and Exploring; just like a HyperDoc! Watch the video below to see how to make your own:

6. Linear Calendar Wall

I love the idea proposed in this blog post featuring a calendar bulletin board for the year! I can see this being especially useful in grades K-5 and enjoyed reading how this teacher models planning in a calendar or planner for her students and making this an important part of their day. Building these skills will be so important to students later on in their school career and beyond!

7. Need a Book Suggestion?

This inventive teacher created a fortune teller or “cootie catcher” as a way to help students with book suggestions for their next read!

Is this…..the coolest #ReadersAdvisory project I’ve ever done? 🤔 I kinda think so! pic.twitter.com/LqLC7BCkhO

— Meg Williams, MLIS (@MissMegsLibrary) July 29, 2021

In the pictures, it shows students picking a graphic and then a number and then seeing a book suggestion. I wondered if it would be possible to make it more like one of those lists or Infographics that shows, “If You Read This, You’re Sure to Like…”, but that might be a little too much work!

8. Quick Google Forms Time Savers for Teachers

Of course, Matt Miller from Ditch That Textbook would have time savers for teachers! Check out his post and see what goodness he has in store for you this time!

Did you like this round up of Internet finds from the week? Let me know in the comments and tell me which you might try and share if you make your own!