Tech Resource - Apps for ANDROID!!!!

Came across this page today that has Android apps for teachers. It is so rare to find good recommendations for Android - seems they are all iPad these days. I downloaded and installed Clarisketch - it is pretty cool! Check it out.

Reading Resource: ReadWorks - The Solution to Reading Comprehension

During my field experience last Spring I learned about ReadWorks. My host teacher used it to help her students practice comprehension strategies. The site has many printable/downloadable texts that come with questions for the students to answer. You can search by grade, strategy, text type (fiction, non-fiction, etc), or by Fountas & Pinnell reading level.

Art Resource: How to Draw Your Hand in 3D!

Found this video on the web and instantly fell in love with it.  I tried it right away and it is pretty amazing that the finished product does look 3D!

Tech Resource: Haiku Deck - Presentation Maker

For my Ed Tech class I was assigned to make a virtual field trip.  I love this project, especially all the great resources I found online.  While application didn't really work for my purposes I can see how it would be great for kids to use to create a published version of their work.  It comes for iPad or can be used as a web based utility.

Start your own Haiku Deck here!

Tech Resource: Create a Concept Map from a Text Outline

Want to make a concept map from an outline?  Try Text2Mindmap - I found this site while working on my concept map for our Education Technology class. It can be buggy and you will need to play with it for a bit to get used to how to format your information but once you have mastered it, it is awesome. The original outline does need to be tabbed - not numbered or lettered - because it determines the layers on the concept map based on how many tabs in a line of text is. If you want to see an example check out mine here.

Math Resource: Math-Aids - CGI Based Math "Worksheets"

Yes, I know, we hate the word worksheets but we also know there is a time and a place for them.  Math-Aids has FREE downloadable CGI (cognitively guided instruction) worksheets so I sort of love it!  You will too! 

Tech Resource: Scratch! Video Game (and other awesome projects) for Kids!

This one isn't from my field experience.  It is from my summer job.  I work for Computer Explorers teaching summer day camp classes for kids from K to 6th grade.  They are all STEM oriented.  The one I probably enjoy the most is Scratch.  It is a really powerful tool that is kid friendly.  It was designed by MIT and is...wait for it...FREE!

Here is a nifty video to show you what it can do!