Google classroom provides a great way to share content with your classes.  Using Google Forms makes an easy way to create quizzes and ask questions.  In addition you can replace a variety of activities in your class with a Google Sort.  From simple labeling activities to vocabulary concepts, these sorts provide a student activity that is easy and effective for classroom use.  The following video details the steps in making a Google sort for your classroom.  Example product links are at the bottom of the page. 

​One of the challenges of managing 1 to 1 or hybrid classrooms is keeping track of all the different computer assignments students complete.  In my classroom alone, we use the following sites. . .​

• www.readworks.org Great online reading resources with questions.  Perfect to reinforce literacy skills in any classroom.
• Google Classroom I organize all my content here.  Google is masterful in how it lets you organize notes, projects and class resources.
• Quizizz:  This is the perfect site for game review and practicing concepts.  My students never tire of practicing lesson vocabulary here.
• Canvas:   This is our learning management system.  We use it for all our assessments.  The testing tool here blows Google Classroom out of the water.  Canvas also integrates with our grading programs, one click and all assignments are graded and uploaded into our district gradebook.

​One of the simple tools I use in my classroom is digital make up slips.  This is for any make up assignment that students do after the class has moved on.  This gives me a physical reminder to go into a specific learning website and check their work.  It also provides uniform documentation for parents.  This can be sent home, emailed or texted to parents when they ask about make up work.  Click the link below for a free copy of this resource. 

Looking to liven up your middle school classroom?  Battle bell ringer are the best solution.   The basic idea is over the course of a week, change one bell ringer day to require students to compete against each other.  Either through an academic challenge, physically building something from cheap materials or an electronic game format.  As soon as your students see the words “Battle Bell Ringer” they get curious and excited.   Here’s an example.

Students learning about the solar system have been investigating various planets.  For the start of class, I have students do a “Science Stacker” bell ringer.  The group that comes in first gets a fabulous prize.  Prizes can range from a free pass to the water fountain, a “gold card” redeemable for a prize or some other small treat (that meets school guidelines).   This creates a win-win for you as a teacher, kids are excited to come to your class and students have fun while reviewing an academic concept.  
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Looking for great free resources for your classroom?  This year's FIRST Lego League challenge “Into Orbit” is free and available for download. Every year students across the country participate in local events where teams create innovative projects and compete in project games.  You have to register to receive the project game materials however, you can use the free project documents to inspire your students to create an innovative project related to exploring our solar system.   Here are inks to check it out

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Project documents FLL into orbit resource library.  

https://www.firstinspires.org/resource-library/fll/into-orbit-challenge-updates-and-resources

FLL Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuGaG4GtEj82i3pByi_bM3A