Pi R Scared

  I do group work often with my students and they want to know whether they are right or wrong.  You can code desmos to tell them.  This is helpful for several reasons. First, it provides students with instant feedback. Second, they can use that feedback to ask for help.  If you know of a common error you can add that; for example, when we do our fractions activity, I remind them to simplify in the incorrect feedback.  Third, students who are solving the correctly will know and be able to help their group.  Here’s a quick video on how to code it. After I code the first slide, I will code/paste the coding into the others and just update the number so that it can be done quickly. 

  Have you ever wanted less than 60 seconds when you hit end breakout rooms? If so, you can make it as short as 10 seconds.  You can also have a timer show at the top of the students screens when in breakout rooms.   When you click to set up your break rooms, after selecting the type(automatic,manuel, student select), there is an options button.  When you click the options button you can select the amount of time for them to remain open and a little further down, you can select how fast they close.   I’ve been using the timer this year so my students know how long they have on an assignment.  It helps them stay on track as they see how long until I am going to pull them back together and have a discussion.  I am currently using the 10 second timer for return to the main room and it works great.  I would use a longer one if they didn’t have the work timer to see when the rooms would close. The timer and shortened return from the break out rooms has...

  My secondary students are still at an age to enjoy cut and paste worksheets.  This is how I create a template to quickly make a cut and paste worksheet on a template for them.  A template is super helpful to use as you can make a copy any time you want a new topic in that style of activity.

  Creating a worksheet like you see on a Teachers Pay teacher activity can be intimidating but you can create one quickly that looks nice.  I create a template and then work off of the template each time to save some time.  This video will show you how to make a quick template.  

  Zoom has a new mode that you can enable which is really helpful for students.  Zoom's focus mode allows students to see you(the presenter), themselves, and a shared screen. If you are asking your students to have their cameras on this is a great way to help them focus on the lesson and be less nervous about their camera being on.  I have also found in this mode that my computer is running faster.  As a teacher, I can still see all of my students but they can't see each other.  

  This is a pixel art template with two different set amounts of questions.  One set has 10 questions the other set has 20 questions. A video on how to update is posted below.  10 Question Frog Template 20 Question Frog Template

  As teachers, we do small things to connect with our students, things that may seems insignificant to most.  When school began this year, I painted my nails like pencils, they weren't perfect but they didn't have to be.  The next week I painted them with hearts.  This week a student asked, what did you paint them this week? I hadn't changed them.  For my students who want to do nails in the future, this small thing is big to them.  Painting my nails gives me a connection point with them, in an area they enjoy.  This may seem silly but over the years it is something small that has opened the door for some students.   The small things you do will probably not be noticed by all, but one small thing may make a difference for a student in your class.  One small thing may be, what helps that student know others have the same interest as them or that their interest is important.  Keep doing the small things, that allow you to connect with...