Making your Google life easier with Labels

 Communication today is done the majority of the time in email form. One thing that is very time-consuming is adding each contact individually when you are emailing a large number of people. However, Labels in Gmail allows you to create a contact list of people that you email regularly without having to add each one individually. It is a game-changer for saving time. Whether you are a teacher emailing a group of students, a secretary that is emailing your building staff, or a department emailing a special set of staff, labels will save you time. Check out the video on how to create a contact list using labels in Gmail!

But Wait!

The one sad part of labels is that you cannot share them.  I know Google is king in the sharing world and they couldn't figure this out? 

However, you can export them to someone and they can import the list. So, you can share with just a few more steps! 

Watch the video to export your labels. 

Watch the video to import the contact list. 

 Resource Roundup: Celebrate Valentine's Day Remotely

SlidesMania Valentine's Day Google Slides Template

This is a great free Google Slides template that can be used in a variety of ways. Use it to organize your daily activities. Or have a different fun activity linked under each candy for scholars to enjoy. Or use it as a collaborative template with one slide for each scholar so scholars can put Valentine's well wishes for each other within the Slides. However you decide to use it, it is sure to be a hit. 

Jamboard Template for Class Valentine's Day Cards

Grab a copy of this Jamboard created by Megan Venezia (@venezia_megan on Twitter). Click here to open the Jamboard then click on the three dots to the left of Share and click Make a Copy to create your own editable copy to use with your class. 

This Jamboard template was designed to allow scholars to share Valentine's messages with each other. 

If you have more scholars than the Jamboard has premade, you can watch the screencast here made by Megan Venezia explaining how to expand it to suit your class size. 

Share the Valentine's Love on Flipgrid

Use custom Valentine's Frames to have scholars create Flipgrid Valentine's for each other or for their families (or both). Easily share any Flipgrid Valentine's for families through Remind. Scholars can use Emojis to create their own custom Flipgrid Valentine's frame. Or teachers can create their own custom Flipgrid frames using directions shared by @theMerrillsEDU. Here are some transparent PNG Valentine's frames I made with a free Canva for Education account and a free Adobe Spark for Education Account that you can attach to your Flipgrid assignment for scholars to use. I made the frames 1600 X 900 pixels as mentioned in this article. 

• Valentine's Frames

Seesaw Virtual Valentine Ideas

Resources from a Seesaw webinar that include K-5 Seesaw activity links for virtual Valentine's activities.

Be My Remote Valentine Jamboard

Julia Dweck (@GiftedTawk on Twitter) has created another version of the Jamboard Class Valentine that involves scholars screenshotting and pasting Valentine elements. To screenshot on a Chromebook, scholars will do the following:

Do you have other ideas for how to celebrate Valentine's Day remotely with your class? If so, share them in the comments below. 

Resource Roundup: Game Ideas for Zoom

 

 Resource Roundup: 

Game Ideas for Zoom

    Need a fun game to use as an incentive in class? Need something fun to do with your scholars, friends, or family at your next Virtual Holiday Party? If so, here are some great resources for you!

FREE Virtual Game Options

1. 7 Great Game Ideas for Zoom from Meredith Akers        This blog post includes ideas for Scattergories, 5 Second Rule, Boggle, Pictionary, Charades, Taboo & more!

2. Play Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, & Memory  
   
   This site includes the option to play Candy Land, Chutes & Ladders, or Memory. Here is a video that explains the ins & outs of how to play. 
3. Play Things...  
    Play the original or the holiday version. Choose a topic, players answer then take turns guessing who answered what to earn points. 
   
   
4. Google Quick Draw  

     Use Zoom annotation to take turns trying to get the A.I. to recognize your drawing within 20 seconds. 

   
   
5. PlayingCards.io  

     Play games like Checkers, Chess, Backgammon, 500, Crazy Eights, Hearts, Go Fish & more.

   
   
6. Rummikub  

    Play the classic Rummikub tile game and create runs of sequential same colored number tiles, sets of same numbered but different colored number tiles, etc. 

   
   
7. Jigsawpuzzles.io 

     Work together to complete a jigsaw puzzle.

   
   
8. Party Trivia 

    A random trivia generator for all your party needs. 

   
   
9. Just Dance Now  

     Free Dance Party. Does require a smart phone to collect points/earn a score.

   
   
10. Bingo 

     Click the link above to generate a random Bingo card, then click here to start calling your BINGO game. 

    
    
11. Papergames.io   

    

    Play Battleship, Tic Tac Toe, Connect 4 or Gomoku.
12. Uno   

      Play Uno with 2-4 players. 

    
    
13. Broken Picture Phone   

       Like the game of Telephone, but using drawings. Each player can only see the drawing immediately before. At the end, view the progression of drawings. 

    
    
14. Skribbl.io 

       When its your turn to draw, you will have to choose a word from three options and draw that word in 80 seconds. When somebody else is drawing you will type your guess into the chat to earn points.
15. Boardgame Arena 

        Play a variety of free boardgames.

    
    
16. Codenames    

       

    Two teams compete by each having a "spymaster" give one-word clues that can point to multiple words on the board. The other players on the team attempt to guess their team's words while avoiding the words of the other team. 
17. 20 Teacher Zoom Game Ideas   

     Twenty easy and fee teacher Zoom game ideas such as placing items on a tray and giving students a set amount of time to look at it and then write down everything they remember. 

    
    
18. Zoomjam   

      Zoomjam was a competition to find the best Zoom game and the winner is Class President, which is a competition to become a high school class president. Play the winning game and the runners up for free. 

    
    

Virtual Game Options That Cost $

1. Jackbox Games    
     Purchase single games or game bundles to play virtually on Zoom.
   
   
2. Tabletopia  

    Tabletopia has a free version which does not contain premium games and also a paid option.
3. Tabletop Simulator   

      Creat your own original game or play community created games like Dominoes and Mahjong. NOTE: Each player must purchase Tabletop Simulator. 

   
   

How to keep up with work in Google Classroom

 Are you and your students having issues keeping up with work in Google Classroom?

Google has given you a couple ways to keep up with the work you have given and what you need to grade. Teachers, there is a wonderful 'To Review' where you can click on to find the work that needs to be graded. Check out the video to see how easy it can be! 

Students can click the 'To Do' and choose the class to view assignments they need to complete. 

Uploading Files to Google Drive

During remote teaching, you have obtained many new resources. Many of these files have been saved to your computer. But, what if your computer crashes- will you lose all of your resources? 

We have a solution! You can upload all of these files to your Google Drive and they will only be a click away! 

Watch the short video to find out how!

Organize your Google Classroom!

 Are you having trouble keeping your Google Classroom organized? 

        

Your students can't find their assignments and keep emailing you? Well, watch our short video on how to get your Google Classroom organized! 

 

Flipgrid Fever is taking over!

Have you tried Flipgrid? If not, you should. 

Flipgrid is a free platform that is self-described as "the meeting place for your classroom, your school, your department, or any learning community to discuss your Topics. Start with an icebreaker, add weekly reflections, share book talks, explore STEM principles, give mini-presentations ... any Topic to ignite discussion! Check out the Flipgrid Educator’s Guide by Karly, Sean, and Jennifer.

To break it down grids can be thought of as "classes" inside each class you have topics that you can think of as "prompts or assignments". They have compiled a list of prompts you can use in the Disco Library.

Integration

There are so many ways to integrate this into the classroom and is a great way to differentiate. During remote learning, this is a great way to gauge how your students are doing and it gives them another way to express themselves. You can even create a grid for parents to use. 

Click the link to get started today! FLIPGIRD