These are amazing resources for teachers. I have been playing around with them pretty much non-stop since I realized all that I could create with them.
Google Sites
1. I created a class website with Google Sites that I can use just like a newsletter, method of contact, resource database, and calendar. My students' parents can view the site to find out information about what's going on in class which means I don't have to print out weekly newsletters to keep them informed. I can post permission slips and other class updates to the site for them to view. My students can go to the website to see upcoming event dates, links to websites they can use, and find resources for their notes and our learning.
2. Another great way to utilize Google Sites is a digital escape room! So much fun. On each page in the site I put parts of a story for students to work through to figure out their passwords. I utilized Google Forms for students to input passwords and escape the room. I created a clickable PDF in Google Drawings so that students could "search" the scene to find clues.
3. Students can create their own Google Sites as a digital portfolio of all their work. They can share it with the teacher, other students, and their parents. This is a great way to give kids ownership over the work that they do and give them a larger audience than just the teacher.
Google Slides
1. Interactive worksheets are a game changer for me. Instead of boring handwritten worksheets now students can interact with their assignments. Instead of cutting and pasting which takes FOREVER students can now just click and drag to organize information. They can also highlight, underline, and circle information. They can leave me comments and I can leave them stickers and feedback.
2. Digital choice boards. So much easier than creating paper assignments for stations. I can create a slide that has links to all the options they have for the week. They can choose the order in which to complete them and can put all their work into the Google Slide so I don't have to search everywhere for it. No more "I lost my homework."
3. I just spent all day working on creating a digital notes binder for my students. I made a binder cover that looks like it's on a student desk. They can design their own cover using Google Drawings or right in Google Slides. This will give them ownership of the notes. Then I created a table of contents that links to each of the objectives in the "binder". I gave dividers to each of the objectives so they can keep track of their notes. If they need more space for an objective they can make a duplicate slide and continue taking notes. They will be able to type in their own notes and add images that they find or create their own images. It is all about holding them accountable and giving them ownership of their learning.
Google Drawings
1. Clickable PDFs are incredible. You can create a scene and link different parts of it to whatever you need: images, documents, websites, etc. After you have created your scene you can download it as a PDF and it will keep the links embedded so that whoever receives it will be able to click the links and access the information.
2. Creating background images. Using Google Drawings I can create the images that will serve as a backdrop for my Google Slides. The digital notebook pages were all created in Google Drawings and then set as the background in Google Slides so that students can't move anything on the page. They can type over it in Google Slides, but they can't manipulate the picture in any way.
3. Bitmoji images. So much fun to create. Imagine all the things your little person can do and send them on adventures. Your students will love it (and so will you)!
