If you are lucky enough to have technology available in your classroom, you know the value it can have with your students. Nowadays, there are programs that bring learning to another level and far beyond publishing writing.
As you know, I teach a 4th/5th grade combo class. Last year, I had 34 students and I differentiated math, social studies, and science for both grades. I was fortunate to have one-to-one computers and an iPad in my room. But in January, I lost internet in my room for 8 days. I didn’t realize how much my curriculum is centered around those computers. I had great teaching colleagues who allowed my students to use their classrooms on preps. We made it through, but it was challenging.
I wanted to share a few of the website and programs I use that are free. I do use others, but they are paid for by my district or school foundation. There are a lot of choices out there, I just wanted to share my top 4 that I use daily.
First, I use ClassDojo for classroom management. I like that it can be projected on the screen and the students really buy into it. I have been using in for about 5 years and they keep improving and adding to it. I use the ClassDojo as currency in my room. It is tied to my behavior chart and students “buy” privileges and items with the points. Students love the avatars and the positive sound it makes when points are earned.
Google Classroom is another program I find essential in my room. With a combo, I can teach one grade on the carpet while the other group works on pushed out assignments in Google Classroom. I also have three classrooms set up. One is for 4th grade only, another is for 5th grade only, and the last one is for the whole class. This allows me to send assignments to just a grade or whole class. You can post readings, quizzes, videos, and audio files. Students can also communicate with each other and you through the classroom. Of course, a discussion of how to use that feed is necessary. A bonus is that teachers can see all comments typed, even the ones that have been deleted.
GetEpic is my new found love. You can have students explore books to read or push them out to them. The books have suggested reading ages, approximate time it takes to read them, Lexile measure, and AR reading levels. I especially use it for the nonfiction reading. Some of my students really like reading on the computer. It can be a great motivator for reluctant readers.
Finally, I use Zearn for math in my classroom. While I am direct teaching a math lesson to one group, the other group is doing Zearn. If you teach EngageNY math, you will love this. It goes hand in hand with that program. There are learning labs with video teaching, practice skills, and game drills. Everyday, my students complete the lesson that goes with our problem sets.
No matter what programs you use in your classroom, they need to work for you. Each of us has different needs, available technology, and levels of computer skills. If you feel comfortable to implement many programs – go for it. If you are not, take one on at a time. I didn’t start using all the programs in the same year. And I am not finished in my quest to find others. Keep searching and talking to other teachers. That’s how I learned about these programs I use.
Have a great start to your year and thanks for checking out my blog post. Until next time…
Karen
