It’s that time again. During the
weeks leading up to Christmas/Winter Break many elementary classrooms learn
about different traditions from other countries. Have you made your passport? Are your students boarding your flight around
the world? Here are some technology ideas to add to your journey.
1. Thinglink: I admit that I have
been hearing great things about Thinglink but I just didn't spend the time to
learn about it. While searching for an
intro to my unit I ran across a map on Thinglink and it made my wheels
turn. Why couldn’t I use it to house a
preview of all of the stops on our journey.
When I began, I saw how simple this website could be. I found my background picture, a map. Then I just clicked on a country, added a
link to a photo and a short description.
It took just a few minutes to create.
The idea behind Thinglink is that every picture has a story to tell and
this will help you tell the story.
They’ve recently added an app. Here is my Christmas Around the World Thinglink.
2. NearPod: Nearpod is as easy as
making a PowerPoint. I use Nearpod to
review content and give a quick quiz, or formative assessment. My students always enjoy the drawing feature. With teacher control all students are
participating in active learning. They
stay on the same page because the teacher is the only one that can turn the
pages. Instead of the usual PowerPoint
for each country, I create a Nearpod , borrow the ipad cart and let the
learning begin.
3. Pic Collage. This is one of my
favorite go to apps. Students can create
a collage for the customs of each country.
They can save pictures that are related to their assigned country. Place the photos in the collage, decorate, and you have a finished project. In the latest update, Holiday backgrounds and
stickers have been added. This is a
simple app to teach and it is free. Here is an example from one of my second graders.
4. Google Earth: This is a must to
help identify the countries on your journey.
Google Earth offers the traditional Google greatness with this site. It can be downloaded or you can add a plugin
and use it web-based. Google also offers
a Santa Tracker site. As Christmas
approaches, the clock will countdown.
Until then there are games and fun on the site.
5. Hour of Code: Next week is
Computer Science Education Week. What is
Hour of Code? According to the website, it's a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to
demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a
maker, a creator, an innovator. Students 6-106 are encouraged to learn code.
The CSEDWeek website has lessons and tutorials.
The hope is that over 10 million will participate in the Hour of Code
between December 9-15. If you register
and participate, you will be eligible for prizes.
Have a great weekend!
