Forward Learning

Next Generation Learning Initiative

1:1 Classroom Toolkit

To help you find the resources that can help transform your classroom we have created a list of tools for each content area. This page is broken down by subject but you may want to take a look at all the subjects to find resources that interest you. If you are looking for a particular tool and don't see a resources that foots the bill or working on a project and need assistance contact mmcdonald@lvusd.org.


ELA

Chrome Extensions:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

Stay Focused - This extension will block other websites so that students stay focused and on task.

Grammarly Lite - A basic spell check and grammar tool.


Google Add ons:

Add ons can be found be accessing the Google App Store and selecting Add ons or when working in a Google Doc go to Add ons across the top menu bar and then Get Add ons.

EasyBib Tools - Create citations into your document easily.


Websites:

Scoopit - A twist on curating research and taking that research and sharing it out on a website.

Grammarbook - Grammar video tutorials

Write or Die 2 - Get kids really interested in writing by having it become a game. Students are timed and need to write a certain number of words or they will literally have their work blown up and die.

Flipped Learning Network - A great place to see what other teachers are doing in their classrooms, get some videos to use and network.

Curriculet - Online reading for a deeper understanding. Curriculet offers novels, core lit, and current events all are layered with quizzes, anotations and videos. Create a free account and check it out.

NoRedInk - Developed by teachers this is a great way to reinforce grammar skills!

Writing Fix - Interactive writing prompts and lesson ideas!


Acer Apps:

The links below are to information about the apps. The actual apps can be found on the Acer under the Activities menu.

Kazam - This app is loaded on the Acers and is a screencasting tool. Students can create how to tutorials to share.

TBO Comic Creator - Also on the Acers- this is a comic creator and a great presentation alternative for students.

Focus Writer Writing Environment - Creates a distraction free environment for writing only.

Labyrinth - A mind mapping tool to organize ideas.


Math

Chrome Extensions:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

Desmos Graphing Calculator - Plot functions, create tables and graphs. An easy to use calculator.

Daum Equation Editor - Create and edit equations.


Google Add ons:

Add ons can be found be accessing the Google App Store and selecting Add ons or when working in a Google Doc go to Add ons across the top menu bar and then Get Add ons.

Websites:

That Quiz - Free equation writing quiz creator

BlendSpace - Presentation tool that allows teachers to create lessons in minutes that combine resources and can be embedded into their website.

Math TV - Math TV is a platform that features a wide range of math videos covering a plethora of mathematical concepts. Videos are browsable by topic textbook.

HippoCampus - Another video platform that features a wide variety of topics. Teachers create a free account and then create playlists for their students.

Math Central - A great tool for teachers and students. There are resources that you can search and the ability to ask a question.

Get the Math - Algebra for the real world. Students can see how Algebra is used in different professions and take interactive challenges.

YouCubed - Online courses for teachers and students. Inspiring the new mindset of math practices.

Khan Academy - This is either loved or hated by teachers but a must for any blended learning list.

Dan Meyer’s 3 Act Livebinder - Dan Meyer the gooru gives you some math tasks in the 3 Act format.

Algebra 1 Teachers - This is a blog that you may already know about. If not it is worth subscribing to. You will receive posts weekly with some great resources.

Flipped Learning Network - A great place to see what other teachers are already doing!

Prodigy - 6-8th grade math games and tools.


Acer Apps:

The links below are to information about the apps. The actual apps can be found on the Acer under the Activities menu.

GeoGeBra - This is app is loaded on every Acer and it is by far the best Math app there is.

Kazam - This app is loaded on the Acers and is a screencasting tool. Students can create how to tutorials to share.

Scratch Visual Programing - A great introduction to computer programing.

InkScape Vector Graphics - A great drawing tools

Blender 3D Animation - Design tool that creates 3D models, animations and simulations.


Science

Chrome Extensions and Apps:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

The Scientific Calculator - It is just what it says a giant programmable scientific calculator on your laptop! No more forgetting the calculator at home!

The Lazy Scholar - A fast easy way to search Google Scholar.

The 3D Solar System - Explore the solar system using your laptop browser.

Anatomy Games - Students perform operations and can take quizzes to reinforce learning.

Anatomy Skills-Bones - Flashcards and games for learning all the major bones in the body.

Planetarium - Sky map for learning consolations.

Useful Periodic Table - Easy way to access information about each element. Also offers quizzes.

Biodigital Human - 3D Human Body that you can explore and dissect.


Websites:

Understand Science - It is a great resources for students to learn more about the process and includes great teacher tools as well.

Phet Simulations - Tons of great math and science simulators.

The Periodic Table of Videos - It is literally the periodic table that comes to life! Select any element and see a video.

Chemicool - Another great Periodic Table with links to more information about each element.

National Science Digital Library - Resources searchable by education level, type and subject.

Science 360 - This is an awesome video library with just about any topic you can think of.

Cloudetal.Com - Links to videos and simulations for Bio, Physics, and Chemistry.

BioEdOnline - A great compilation of resources and links to other sites and videos.


Acer Apps:

The links below are to information about the apps. The actual apps can be found on the Acer under the Activities menu.

Periodic Table Viewer - Periodic table with information about each element.

Scratch Visual Programing - A great introduction to computer programming.

Stellarium - 3D night sky, what you would see through binoculars or a telescope.

Virtual Microscope - This is a NASA funded project that simulates a real microscope and gives student access to objects that they would not be able to access up close.

InkScape Vector Graphics - A great drawing tool.

Blender 3D Animation - Design tool that creates 3D models, animations and simulations.


Social Science

Chrome Apps and Extensions:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

My Study Life - Online organizer for teachers and students. Replace the paper Reminder Binders with this great tool.

Tools for Google Maps - Distance measurement tool that adds latitude and longitude to Google Maps.

Scribble Maps - Create and share custom maps.


Websites:

NCSS Online Library - Lessons and resources you can download.

World History For Us All - Units, lessons and links to other resources.

Edsitement - Lesson plans and student activities.

Smithsonian Education - Resources for teachers and students, activities and games.

Timelines - Link to free online timeline creators.

HSTRY.CO - Another timeline creator

Documentaries - Link to free documentary libraries.

MentorMob - This is a great presentation tool to present information (videos, manipulatives, and applets) or embed it into the class website without all the surrounding advertisements, and it gets rid of all the outside info from places like YouTube.

BlendSpace - Presentation tool that allows teachers to create lessons in minutes that combine resources and can be embedded into their website.

Teachem - Flip that classroom, Teachem allows you to create lessons from your YouTube videos.

Zaption - Create meaningful video lessons in minutes.


World Language

Chrome Apps and Extensions:

Google Dictionary - Once the extension is installed students can get a definition without leaving the page they are on. The language of choice can also be changed.

Language Immersion - This will allow students to always be exposed to the language they are studying no matter what they are doing on the web. This video will show this extensions potential.

Mind the Word - This is very similar to the Language Immersion extension. Try them both and see which one you like best.

Google Input Tools - This tool lets you type in your language of choice.

Easy Accents - Easily allows students to add accents to their Google Docs.


Websites:

My Language Exchange - The Language Exchange pairs students with students who are learning each others language. It also offers games and other tools for 115 languages.

Babbel - Students create a free account, choose a language and then are given phrases to match. It also gives them correct pronunciation.

Duolingo - Allows students to translate text from the web. Students are given words at their own pace with images to reinforce learning.

iMendi - Flash card skill building practice.

Lyric Gaps - Students can learn by replacing the missing lyrics to the song in the language of their choice.


Acer Apps:

First, a great exercise is to change the Acer over to a different language. The whole operating system will switch and students will be forced to use that language. Go to System Settings and choose Languages to switch.

Anki Memory Trainer (Flashcards) - Anki is a program which makes remembering things easy. Because it's a lot more efficient than traditional study methods, you can either greatly decrease your time spent studying, or greatly increase the amount you learn.


Physical Education

Websites:

Emaze - This is a great presentation tool.

Teachem - Flip that classroom, Teachem allows you to create lessons from your YouTube videos.

Zaption - Create meaningful video lessons in minutes.

YouTube - We all know how great YouTube is for learning just about anything. In the PE class this tool is used often. But have you set up your own YouTube Channel? You should it makes it easier for you to create playlists and to share videos with your students. If students access the videos from your channel it is much harder for them to get lost watching other videos. Setting up a channel is easy, take a look at this video!

HOW TO CREATE A YOUTUBE CHANNEL

ORGANIZING YOUR PLAYLISTS

Other resources to learn from:

http://www.pecentral.org/apps/

http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/physical-education-pe-apps-for-teachers/

https://thepegeek.com/2013/06/top-apps-for-pe-teachers-part-26/

http://www.thephysicaleducator.com/blog/files/qr_code_projects.html


Art and Music

Google has two great tools that you can use with your students. Google Draw and Google Sketch-up. Google Draw can be found in your Google Drive. Go to NEW, then More and select Google Draw.

Chrome Extensions:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

Pop Art Studio - Create pop art out of your photos.

Arts and Artists Dictionary - Check out terms, definitions and get more information about artists and works of art.

Meow Met - The online MET exhibit

Artistaday.com - Artist a Day is a curated collections of contemporary artists.

Color Piano - Learn piano by color


Websites:

Google Cultural Institute - Discover exhibits and collections from museums and archives all around the world. Explore cultural treasures in extraordinary detail, from hidden gems to masterpieces.

Music Resources from Teacher Vision - A collection of sites and lesson plan resources.

K-12 Resources for The Music Teacher - A collection of links to other resources.

Virtual Art Museum tours - The National Gallery or Art

The Louvre virtual tours

MOMA Virtual tour

Virtual Tours- A collection of free virtual tours.


Acer Apps:

Audacity Audio Editor - Multitrack audio editor.

MuseScore - Create, play and print sheet music.

Gimp - Image manipulator like Adobe Photoshop

Fotowall Compositor - Photo editor

Google Sketchup - A great 3D drawing tool.

Agave Color Scheme Designer - Color schemes at your fingertips.

Blender 3D animator - Create 3D designs

Dia Diagramming - Create diagrams

Inkscape Vector Graphics - Vector graphics like Adobe Illustrator

LibreOffice Draw - Drawing tool

Pencil Animation - Create 2D Animations

Pinta Painting - painting tool

TBO Comic Creator - create comics from pictures or drawings

TuxPaint - painting tool


Special Education

Google is loaded with tools that help students with special needs. Inside Google Docs there is a Voice tool that allows student to speak right into the document that they are working on. When your Google Doc go to Tools then Voice.

Google Add ons and Chrome Extensions make using Google Apps even more powerful for your students. Here are a few to start with:

Chrome Extensions:

All of the following extensions can be found by going to the Google App Store and then using the search function on the top left.

Stay Focused - This extension will block other websites so that students stay focused and on task.

Grammarly Lite - A basic spell check and grammar tool.

Study Stack - Create flashcards for easy access and studying.

Comprehension Builder - teaches simple sentence structure

Comprehension Builder 2 - Continues working with "wh" questions

Open Dyslexic - This is a font created to increase readability for dyslexic readers.

Dyslexic Reader Chrome - Another tool that changes the font of every website for easier readability.

Dyslexic Friendly - Another font tool.

Speak it! - Highlight text on any website and have it read to you.

BeeLine Reader - Creates a more readable version of a web page by removing all the ads, comments, and other extra distracting items. Then applies a color gradient to the page text guide your eye from one line to the next.

Change Colors - Quickly change the background color, text colors, font face, and font size for a specific webpage or all webpages.

ATbar - Change the colors and font size for a webpage, have text read aloud, use colored overlays, remove distracting elements from the page, and more.

SummarizeThis - Copy and paste any text into the app to get a summarized version of the most important information.

Summarizer - Highlight text and then use this extension to get a summarized version of the content.

TextTeaser - Summarize the content from a webpage as a list of sentences or in paragraph format, with an adjustable slider for detail level.

sentiSum - Get a summarized version of any webpage.


Google Add ons:

Add ons can be found be accessing the Google App Store and selecting Add ons or when working in a Google Doc go to Add ons across the top menu bar and then Get Add ons.

EasyBib Tools - Create citations into your document easily.

Pupil Pref - An add-on that makes it easy to change the background color of a Google Doc to reduce visual stress


Acer Apps:

FocusWriter Writing Environment - Creates a distraction free environment for writing only.

For other apps loaded on the Acers look under the pages for other content areas.

Las Virgenes Unified School District - 4111 Las Virgenes Road, Calabasas, CA 91302