an easy way to group your students

This spreadsheet will help you create groups for your classes very quickly. Watch the tutorial video below to learn how to get the most out of this spreadsheet.

Click here for a link to the spreadsheet

Super Grouper Tutorial from Michael Matera on Vimeo.

Freebie for my Fashion Forward Teacher Friends

Hey teacher friends! I know I usually share technology tips with you, but this something that I've fallen love with and wanted to share it with you! While teacher manicures might not be traditional teaching tips, I feel anything that makes you feel better about yourself, looks professional, and won't break the budget on a teacher's salary is a great tip. :)

Plus, you have a stressful job! The simple step of taking care of you can not only make you feel better about yourself, but will also translate when working with others and even teaching in the classroom.

In case you haven't heard about Jamberry Nails, they are the newest trend in DIY manicures!

They are special adhesive-backed vinyl that "shrink wraps" to your nails when heat and pressure are applied - and that part is super easy too!

You only need a few items that you probably already have sitting at home!

I wasn't sure about them, when another teacher blogger offered a free sample (get yours here) I figured I had nothing to loose. After trying them I knew I loved them.  I love having my nails done, but hate dealing with chipped nail polish. I actually HATE painting my nails most of the time because I hate the smell, the dry time, and they tend to last for about 2.3 seconds until they chip on my hands.

But Jamberry was different!  I had a gorgeous manicure that lasted about 10 days on my hands (although some people are able to get up to 2 weeks of wear). When I tried them on my toes they lasted well over a month.

There is no dry time, no smell (they aren't made of polish like other nail strips), and there are over 300 different designs!

I know that you are wondering about getting a sample for yourself.  Click this link and request one right away!

I know living on a teacher's salary can tough, so if I come across a product or opportunity to help - I honestly want to help. It might not be for you, but you can always try a sample to see if you are addicted as much as me. lol!

Have a wonderful school year and stay stylish!

PowToon $10Million Dollar Classroom Account Giveaway

I have mentioned PowToon before, but in case you missed it PowToon is a way to create short animated videos. It's a really simple way to introduce things to your students or at a presentation. Well PowToon is Giving Away $10 Million Dollars of Classroom Accounts for The New School Year. All you have to do is go this link and create an account.

This won't last for long, so hurry up and sign up today!

This post also appears of my Science Blog - Savvy Secondary Science

Computational Thinking for Educators from Google

I just learned about a new free course that Google is offering online.  It's called Computational Thinking for Teachers. Computational Thinking (CT) is using things like patterns and algorithms to help your teaching.   T

The description from their page says:

"The goal of this course is to help educators learn about computational thinking (CT), how it differs from computer science, and how it can be integrated into a variety of subject areas. As a course participant, you will increase your awareness of CT, explore examples of CT integrated into your subject areas, experiment with examples of CT-integrated activities for your subject areas, and create a plan to integrate CT into your own curricula."

The course is going on from now until December 20th and you can sign up here.
Below is a video that gives a quick overview of the course.

Step up your Google skills

If you are looking to take your Google knowledge to the next level take a visit to the site below. It will give you a few things to try to help you learn more about using Google. Alice Keeler's blog is fantastic and I suggest that you subscribe to it!

http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/09/03/5-advanced-google-docs-challenges/

Are you looking for more? Try these!

3 Docs Tips to Try: http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/05/3-tricks-in-google-docs-to-try/

3 Slides Tips to Try: http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/06/3-tricks-in-google-slides-to-try/

3 Sheets Tips to Try: http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/07/3-tricks-in-google-sheets-to-try/

3 Drive Tips to Try: http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/08/3-tricks-in-google-drive-to-try/

Internet Safety - Hover before you click

If you hover your mouse over a hyperlink you can see what website the link goes to in the bottom left of your window. It’s a great way to check to make sure a link is legitimate before you click on it.




Alice Keeler has a great post on her blog about this and I suggest that you check it out!
http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/05/14/internet-safety-hover-before-you-click/

What tips do you have to keep safe on the internet?

Multi-Owner Classes in Remind

Multi-Owner Classes in Remind

Remind just launched a new feature that allows for multi-owner classes. This is great for those who coteach classes or who have two advisors or coaches for a sport. If you aren't familiar with Remind it's a way to send text messages and/or e-mails to students in a safe way. There is also a feature, that you can enable, to allow students to send you messages as well.

Here's an overview of Remind, plus some handy quick-start guides and fact sheets -- and this video of a principal talking about how he uses Remind.

Increasing parental engagement and satisfaction:

Principal Adam Welcome uses Remind schoolwide and surveys parents re: engagement and satisfaction: on his last survey, 99% of parents agreed that his Remind messages were helpful and useful. One teacher Remind to ping parents about end-of-year conferences, and had 100% of families show up for the first time ever. See here for a case study.