Physics interactive simulations

I wanted to share an exciting new product launch on CK-12. They have taken the next step in digital learning by building high quality free Physics interactive simulations - all free! These simulations encourage students to explore, engage and learn by blending the physics, abstract and real world experiences around them. Check them out here:http://interactives.ck12.org/simulations/
You can also learn more about the free, editable textbooks that CK-12 offers by looking at this post.

What types of simulations do you use?

PDF to Word [video]

Last year I wrote a post about a site called PDF to Word and I wanted to remind people about it.  In addition, I made a quick video showing how this site works.  I hope this helps you out!

Top 10 Posts of December and what I've been up to

Happy 2015!  I hope that all of you enjoyed your winter vacation.  I had a nice couple of days off at home before I went away on vacation with family.  Now it's back to work time.  The only bad thing is that I have to wake up early again, LOL.  For 2015 I am going to continue working on new ways to integrate technology into my classroom.  I'll keep trying new things and sharing them with you!


Top 10 Posts of December

1. PowToon - Animated Videos
2. Online Planbooks
3. StudyBlue Pro - give it a try!
4. Bird Brain Science - science meets the common core
5. URL shorteners
6. PowToon Slides - Animated Slide Shows
7. State Standards Reference Apps
8. Top Posts of November and What I've been up to
9. Remind 101 gave me a Badge!
10. Bill Nye Worksheets

State Standards Reference Apps

Mastery Connect has developed an app for each of the 50 states. With this app you are able to easily have all of the standards for your state at your fingertips.

You can easily find these apps in your app store by searching "Mastery Connect" or by going to the Mastery Connect App Site.

Do you have an easy way to track standards in your classroom?

Bird Brain Science - science meets the common core

BirdBrain Science is a website that allows you to provide your students with common core based science readings that you can differentiated based on their reading level.  Most articles will adjust anywhere from 3rd to 8th grade.  In addition, the students can have the articles read to them.  At the end there is a short quiz.  The quiz questions, types and length, vary depending on what grade level they were assigned.  At the end you can review reports of your students' program.

Below is a short video to explain the site a little more.

Follow this link to participate in a pilot to access this site for free.

What ways do you incorporate reading into your classroom?

This post is cross posted on my other blog Savvy Secondary Science 

Top Posts of November and What I've been up to

Below you can find a recap of the top posts of November.  This November was crazy and I attended 3 difference conferences/workshops.  Needless to say that I have so much new information to process.  I'll be talking about it in the upcoming posts.  One of the major themes that I took from this month of learning was to really think about what I want my students to learn with each assignment.  Yes, you want them to learn the content, but what is underlying skill that they can transfer to all areas of their life.  Something to think about!

Top Posts of November

1. PowToon - Animated Videos (free upgrade to premium) 
2. My Google Basics for Teaching Certificate
3. StudyBlue Pro - give it a try!
4. URL shorteners
5. PowToon Slides - Animated Slide Shows
6. Google Basics for Teaching
7. Hour of Code
8. ClassDojo - manage student behavior
9. how to use any phone (including "dumb" phones) to do research
10. Top 10 Posts of October and what I've been up to

Google Tools and Tips for Teachers - Free Online Event

Google Tools and Tips for Teachers - Free Online Event

SimpleK12 is hosting a day of free webinars on Saturday, December 20th

I have been using the resources the SimpleK12 has to offer for several months now and I really like what they have to offer.  There are a variety of webinars and resources available to view.

This day of of webinars is focused around Google.  They will focus on:

• learning the quickest way to get started with Google tools

• improving your students' communication skills

• discovering how easy it is to create collaborative documents

• saving time with simpler more effective data collection

If you are interested please click here for more information and to register.