I have always been a fan of Google drive, but when it first came out, it didn't have all the fancy tools that Microsoft Word did. Eventually, I stopped using it...
Until this year! My neighbor teacher talks about it and uses it for everything, so I thought I'd try it out. I must say, I'm a major fan.
Google Drive is awesome for three reasons:
1. Easy-to-Use
2. Portable
3. Versatile
The Google Docs portion of Google Drive looks and functions much like any other word processing program. Same types of options and same shortcuts make it a breeze to switch from one to the other. You can insert images and tables easily. You can even install customized fonts -- which is awesome since I like to use the same unique font for everything (see my previous post). It does not have every bell and whistle that you may find with a program like Microsoft Word, but it has enough for a basic user like myself. The only complaint I have is that making columns is a little tricky, but possible.
I love how portable Google Drive makes all of my school documents. You can upload any Word Document, PowerPoint, Excel Sheet, or PDF to Google Drive and open it anywhere. No more lugging out my school laptop to make a small change to something. I organize everything into folders by course and unit, which makes it simple to find everything. If I have documents on my computer for the unit I'm planning, I will quickly upload all the necessary documents to the folder so I can get to everything at home. I create and edit most of my documents at home where I'm free from meetings and interruptions and this is by far the easiest method.
My favorite thing about Google Drive is how versatile it is. You are not limited to just word processing, but can also create presentations, drawings, and spreadsheets.
The presentations are great because you can insert videos straight from YouTube! It's as simple as copying and pasting a link. It allows you to play the video within your presentation instead of having to open up a separate browser window. I've embeded videos into PowerPoint before, but would get lag spikes or skips in them. It was never reliable for me. As long as you have a stable internet connection, the inserted videos in Google Presentations work great!
Drawing is my new favorite document type! It seems like its supposed to be similar to Publisher, but I find it much easier to use. You can create any imaginable graphic using pre-created shapes, text boxes, various types of lines, or inserting images. I love using Drawing to create customized models for class -- I'll share some of these later! It is easy to use and has a ton of possibilities.
Best part about the Google Suite -- you can insert Drawings into Documents! You can create a customized graphic and embed it into a lab or activity document. So simple. So lesson changing.
Love it!
Friday, October 31, 2014
... I Have Four Classroom Quirks
I think every teacher is guilty of having at least a few quirks -- certain brand of pens, certain organization system, desks aligned perfectly, papers turned in alphabetically... the list goes on! Some of the quirks I have help to keep me sane when my students are acting younger than their age, and some of them have no other purpose except to give me a little enjoyment.
In no particular order, these are my quirks.
1. A Similar Font (Found Here)
Every single assignment that I am able to customize is printed in the same font for all of my classes. I have even been guilty of re-typing something that isn't customizable just so I can print it in my font.
I started doing this after starting a new job and talking to our department chair. She uses one font for all of her assignments and noted how as soon as a student, teacher, or administrator sees her hand-outs, they know they are hers. I loved this idea, for some reason. It also makes a binder full of materials look connected, as if they all belong to the same book.
The only time I do not use the same font is when I type up a test. The font I use is pretty casual looking and some things, like decimal points, are hard to read at times. For a test, I use a more "boring" font, but continue to use that same font for all tests.
I also keep the formatting at the top of the page the same for every assignment -- name blank, period blank, date blank taking up row one; title bolded and underlined for row two. These are simple things that make all the student handouts, labs, quizzes, and activities look similar.
2. An Organized File Cabinet
I am that crazy person down the hall frantically searching for a right tab file folder because I only have center tab and left tab folders. All of my file cabinets are as neatly organized as possible -- I use alternating tabs labeled with blue ball point pen. I don't try to keep a huge amount of files, since most of them are electronic anyways, but I do file away the extra copies I have. It provides easy access to find something for an absent student, to share with a colleague, or to make extra copies of.
I have four file cabinet drawers currently: Biology, Chemistry, Biology Tests, and Chemistry Tests. I find that keeping separate drawers for tests saves a lot of space. I keep all the "Do Not Write On This Test" copies of tests clipped/rubber banded together for easy access later. The 9th grade academy at the high school has a re-test policy so there is a good chance I will need to access all of those tests at a later date.
Hopefully sometime soon I will have the chance to go through and further organize my file cabinet. My goal is to color code the folders into categories: Quizzes, Labs, Test Review, and Classwork.
3. Class Color Codes/File Bins
I teach two preps and have an alternating schedule -- Biology, Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry -- which can make it complicated to keep my head on straight at times. To help myself out, I assigned Biology the color Green and Chemistry Red. The agenda/essential question for each class is written in this color on the board along with any upcoming lab, test, quiz, or project due dates.
I keep a file bin of all my copies for the week organized by class and day of the week. I have a "catch all" folder for each subject that holds original copies, scantrons, test answer keys, assignment answer keys, etc. All of this eventually gets filed away somewhere else, but lands in this folder until I have time to sort through it. I have a folder for each day of the week for both subjects. All my biology folders are in the front, all my chemistry folders are in the back. At the very back, I keep extra file folders.
As I make copies for the week, I put them in the folder for that day. I can easily move the copies around if my plans change. On test days, I keep all of the test materials in the folder (periodic table, scantrons, test copies, and after-test activity). I have found that this prevents me from giving Class A a study guide, but forgetting it in Class B.
I have absolutely loved this system so far. As soon as I make copies, I put them in a folder -- which has cut down on a lot of counter/desk clutter. If a student is absent, I can easily find the missing work from earlier in the week. I typically empty out the folder and file away the extras when I have new materials to put in the folder for the following week.
4. A Teacher Binder
Not only do I have a teacher binder (as most do) but I have a particular kind of binder, with labs/dividers/inserts in my particular font (see #1). My binder has eight sections: Attendance, Seating Charts, Calendar, Lesson Plans, Grades, Assessments, Biology Standards, Chemistry Standards. Most of these sections are pretty self-explanatory, but I'll explain a few of them.
I use current seating charts to also number lab groups or project groups. As I change the seating chart or lab groups, I replace it in the binder. I also post a copy on the back bulletin board in my room.
The lessons plan tab is by far my largest tab. I keep all of my lesson plans and will eventually file them away. I created a template unique for my schedule that has three sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Advisement. There is a box for each of those for every day of the week. I also put a notes section at the end of each class for lab setup notes and other reminders. The boxes are pretty large. I usually divide the biology and chemistry boxes in half and use the upper box for objectives and activities and the bottom box for warm-ups and homework. I always always write in pencil. I change plans often and have to erase things. I'll create a post later with the lesson plan template I use.
The grades section also has all of the IEP/504 accommodations for my current students. I find this very handy when I have to quickly recall which students get extended time and which do not. Highly recommend!
I'm sure there are other quirks I have, but these are the ones I experience every single day. What classroom quirks do other teachers out there have?
In no particular order, these are my quirks.
1. A Similar Font (Found Here)
Every single assignment that I am able to customize is printed in the same font for all of my classes. I have even been guilty of re-typing something that isn't customizable just so I can print it in my font.
I started doing this after starting a new job and talking to our department chair. She uses one font for all of her assignments and noted how as soon as a student, teacher, or administrator sees her hand-outs, they know they are hers. I loved this idea, for some reason. It also makes a binder full of materials look connected, as if they all belong to the same book.
The only time I do not use the same font is when I type up a test. The font I use is pretty casual looking and some things, like decimal points, are hard to read at times. For a test, I use a more "boring" font, but continue to use that same font for all tests.
I also keep the formatting at the top of the page the same for every assignment -- name blank, period blank, date blank taking up row one; title bolded and underlined for row two. These are simple things that make all the student handouts, labs, quizzes, and activities look similar.
2. An Organized File Cabinet
I am that crazy person down the hall frantically searching for a right tab file folder because I only have center tab and left tab folders. All of my file cabinets are as neatly organized as possible -- I use alternating tabs labeled with blue ball point pen. I don't try to keep a huge amount of files, since most of them are electronic anyways, but I do file away the extra copies I have. It provides easy access to find something for an absent student, to share with a colleague, or to make extra copies of.
I have four file cabinet drawers currently: Biology, Chemistry, Biology Tests, and Chemistry Tests. I find that keeping separate drawers for tests saves a lot of space. I keep all the "Do Not Write On This Test" copies of tests clipped/rubber banded together for easy access later. The 9th grade academy at the high school has a re-test policy so there is a good chance I will need to access all of those tests at a later date.
Hopefully sometime soon I will have the chance to go through and further organize my file cabinet. My goal is to color code the folders into categories: Quizzes, Labs, Test Review, and Classwork.
3. Class Color Codes/File Bins
I teach two preps and have an alternating schedule -- Biology, Chemistry, Biology, Chemistry -- which can make it complicated to keep my head on straight at times. To help myself out, I assigned Biology the color Green and Chemistry Red. The agenda/essential question for each class is written in this color on the board along with any upcoming lab, test, quiz, or project due dates.
I keep a file bin of all my copies for the week organized by class and day of the week. I have a "catch all" folder for each subject that holds original copies, scantrons, test answer keys, assignment answer keys, etc. All of this eventually gets filed away somewhere else, but lands in this folder until I have time to sort through it. I have a folder for each day of the week for both subjects. All my biology folders are in the front, all my chemistry folders are in the back. At the very back, I keep extra file folders.
As I make copies for the week, I put them in the folder for that day. I can easily move the copies around if my plans change. On test days, I keep all of the test materials in the folder (periodic table, scantrons, test copies, and after-test activity). I have found that this prevents me from giving Class A a study guide, but forgetting it in Class B.
I have absolutely loved this system so far. As soon as I make copies, I put them in a folder -- which has cut down on a lot of counter/desk clutter. If a student is absent, I can easily find the missing work from earlier in the week. I typically empty out the folder and file away the extras when I have new materials to put in the folder for the following week.
4. A Teacher Binder
Not only do I have a teacher binder (as most do) but I have a particular kind of binder, with labs/dividers/inserts in my particular font (see #1). My binder has eight sections: Attendance, Seating Charts, Calendar, Lesson Plans, Grades, Assessments, Biology Standards, Chemistry Standards. Most of these sections are pretty self-explanatory, but I'll explain a few of them.
I use current seating charts to also number lab groups or project groups. As I change the seating chart or lab groups, I replace it in the binder. I also post a copy on the back bulletin board in my room.
The lessons plan tab is by far my largest tab. I keep all of my lesson plans and will eventually file them away. I created a template unique for my schedule that has three sections: Biology, Chemistry, and Advisement. There is a box for each of those for every day of the week. I also put a notes section at the end of each class for lab setup notes and other reminders. The boxes are pretty large. I usually divide the biology and chemistry boxes in half and use the upper box for objectives and activities and the bottom box for warm-ups and homework. I always always write in pencil. I change plans often and have to erase things. I'll create a post later with the lesson plan template I use.
The grades section also has all of the IEP/504 accommodations for my current students. I find this very handy when I have to quickly recall which students get extended time and which do not. Highly recommend!
I'm sure there are other quirks I have, but these are the ones I experience every single day. What classroom quirks do other teachers out there have?
... I love it!
Welcome to I Teach Science and...
Before I delve into the inner workings of my teacher brain and show you the many ideas and things I have made for my classes, I wanted to share a bit of myself!
I am a third year teacher currently teaching High School in Georgia. I currently teach Biology (freshmen) and Chemistry (sophomores). I used to think that I only wanted to teach biology and I didn't want to teach chemistry, but I am finding that I almost enjoy chemistry more -- maybe this has something to do with the maturity difference between freshmen and sophomores!
I didn't originally go to school to be a teacher, but that doesn't mean I don't LOVE what I do. I do think that my unconventional path to the classroom has given me some perspective and perhaps some unique ideas and methods.
Outside of the classroom, I love cooking baking, video games, and The Gilmore Girls (among other shows that my husband refers to as "woman shows").
I love my husband, I love our cats, and I love my job. It's all pretty wonderful.
I decided to start this blog to share some of the resources, ideas, and experiences I have every day in the classroom. As a teacher, I love reading the blogs of other teachers, but I get frustrated when I search and find SO MANY middle school or elementary school blogs (which inevitably I still read to find things that translate to high school), but I have found very few High School Science blogs, for whatever reason. Hopefully, this will not only connect me to other high school science bloggers but also open the gates for some collaboration and brainstorming -- Yay!
Before I delve into the inner workings of my teacher brain and show you the many ideas and things I have made for my classes, I wanted to share a bit of myself!
I am a third year teacher currently teaching High School in Georgia. I currently teach Biology (freshmen) and Chemistry (sophomores). I used to think that I only wanted to teach biology and I didn't want to teach chemistry, but I am finding that I almost enjoy chemistry more -- maybe this has something to do with the maturity difference between freshmen and sophomores!
I didn't originally go to school to be a teacher, but that doesn't mean I don't LOVE what I do. I do think that my unconventional path to the classroom has given me some perspective and perhaps some unique ideas and methods.
Outside of the classroom, I love cooking baking, video games, and The Gilmore Girls (among other shows that my husband refers to as "woman shows").
I love my husband, I love our cats, and I love my job. It's all pretty wonderful.
I decided to start this blog to share some of the resources, ideas, and experiences I have every day in the classroom. As a teacher, I love reading the blogs of other teachers, but I get frustrated when I search and find SO MANY middle school or elementary school blogs (which inevitably I still read to find things that translate to high school), but I have found very few High School Science blogs, for whatever reason. Hopefully, this will not only connect me to other high school science bloggers but also open the gates for some collaboration and brainstorming -- Yay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)