sch309 elementary, high, March Madness, marking period tool, middle

Pages eBooks

This marking period we focused on eBooks and creating authentic opportunities for our students to create content. In addition to many fantastic eBook creators that are web-based, there are book templates built into Pages. These templates range from blank books to basic stories to textbooks. Each template can be modified to include your own fonts and images. Instructionally, teachers can design their own templates to help scaffold the learning process for students. One example of this is an PLEASE Essay Writing eBook Template that was created to help students work through the opinion writing process. The template was shared with students and they worked through each step of the writing process on a different page.

For more ideas on how to use Pages in the classroom, consider downloading this free eBook.

sch309 elementary, high, March Madness, marking period tool, middle

Book Covers with Adobe Spark

This marking period, we are focused on helping our students write for an authentic audience through the creation of eBooks. With many of the book creation tools we’ve explored this marking period, student authors have the option to upload their own cover. One tool we have used in other ways, Adobe Spark, also allows students to create their own custom book cover that will get the attention of their readers. Visit this post for an overview of how to use Adobe Spark to create your own book cover. Some of the advantages of using this tool include: designing a custom sized cover, pre-designed templates, easy access to photos, Google account login, and one-click exporting.

The image below was created using Adobe Spark and could be imported into Book Creator or Pages as the cover of an eBook.

sch309 app, Google Classroom, marking period tool, website

Jamming with Jamboard

This marking period, we are focusing on integrating Jamboard into our classes. Jamboard is a lesser known Google tool that allows for collaboration among students. We like this tool because it allows our students to collaborate and provides choices about how our students share their learning. Here’s how it works:

  1. Teachers create a Jam by inserting blank pages or pages with content.
  2. Teachers share the Jam through Google Classroom or through a Jam code. Through Google Classroom, teachers can allow students to edit the same Jam or make a copy of the Jam for each student.
  3. Students access either the shared Jam code or by logging into their Google Classroom.
  4. Students can annotate and add in drawings, text, sticky notes, images, and documents from their Google Drive.

Jamboard works best on a mobile device to access all of the features. You can also access Jamboard through the website, although the features are limited.

Jamboard app on Google Play

Jamboard app in the iTunes Store

Looking to get started? Here are some helpful YouTube videos.

Why Google Jamboard?

Google Jamboard Google Classroom Integration 

Jamboard in the Classroom

Below is a list of ways we hope to use Jamboard throughout this marking period.

Jamboard ideas