Integrated Technology with Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is a timeless classic used by many in kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  

This year, I am adding a technology twist inspired by my reading of The HyperDoc Handbook: Digital Lesson Design Using Google Apps. 

I have created a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom hyperdoc which my students will use in Google Classroom. Students will watch a video of the story, sort letters in their name and even sing the alphabet song. This extension activity will be completed in small groups with me guiding them through the process as this will most likely be one of our first activities using Google Classroom and #GAFE tools.  

I am excited to see what other integrated technology lessons I create inspired by our learning.

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Creating a Hyperlink to Use In Google Classroom

Hyperlinks. What are they? And, why would you use them in the classroom? More specifically with Google Classroom.  

A hyperlink, more commonly known as link, is a word, phrase or image that you click on that takes you to another site or document.  

I have been using hyperlinks with my kindergarten students for several reasons.  First of all, this is one way to deliver content to my students that does not involve me.  Students are able to learn using 21st century skills; collaborating with a peer or group while using digital tools.  Students have as much time as they need when the assignment is given via a platform such as Google Classroom.  I am a facilitator rather than the person delivering knowledge. Students are given full responsibility of their learning.

Creating a hyperlink is easy.  I like using Google Slides but any #GAFE tool would work.  First, I create a directions page and embed the link usually on an image like seen below.  To do this, you would highlight the word or image and go to Insert link. 

Easy peasy.  

When students access their document via Google Classroom, they would see the directions page first. By using a simple icon and the words Click Here, students know instantly what to do. When students click on the hyperlink, the link will appear on the bottom as shown. Students click the blue linked line and are "taken" to the site that you directed them to.  

The possibilities are endless.  

Would you like to see what the document looks like?  Click here for a sample of how you could use Brain Pop Jr. to introduce US symbols.  

Have you tried using hyperlinks with your students?  I would be fascinated to see what you are doing with your students. 

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Google Classroom Tips for Young Learners

In a previous post, I shared about using Google Classroom in my kindergarteners. Today, I am going to share a few classroom tips for using Google classroom with our youngest learners.

Tip #1

I can't say how important it is to model.  In the beginning, I would model and my students would do the same step right after me.  As they became more proficient, I could show several steps.

For example, I would show them how to find the Google Classroom tab to open up the app. Then, they would do the exact same step and wait.  

As students became more comfortable, I was able to give a mini lesson and then, let them get to work.  The first few minutes of them getting started was always filled with high energy.  Once, they settled in, they became much more settled in their work. 

As with all good teaching, modeling is important.  

Tip #2

I would suggest that you begin Google Classroom after you have taught routines and procedures.  I always tell my students, "Slow and steady wins the race." I think it is true in this case.  Google Classroom is a tool that can enhance learning.  

I did not launch Google Classroom until the second half of the year.  This was well after my students had some basic computer skills such as the ability to log onto their Chromebook, click and were very familiar with using other sites for learning. More importantly, young learners need to have at least some alphabetic knowledge and writing skills.    

This year, I hope to launch Google Classroom earlier in the school year.  This is only because I feel more comfortable with using it. It took me some time to get familiar with the platform and to be willing to try it out.

Tip #3 

In order for this to be successful, you will have to make time.  I purposely planned at least an hour at week when first starting. The time actually increased as we began to create larger projects and work collaboratively.  

We did all our work in class rather than asynchronously.  This meant that I had to embed technology into my teaching and into my students learning. I had to think "outside the box" and somewhat outside of my comfort zone.  For example, when learning about 2 dimensional shapes instead of make an art collage with paper, we used Google Drawing to create our art.  This was all new.  

I hope that these tips encourage you to give Google Classroom a try with your students.  If you have any questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Teaching!

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Google Classroom in Kindergarten

Have you tried Google Classroom? Google Classroom is a blended learning platform for schools. It is part of the Google Apps for Education (#GAFE) tools.  

I never in a million years imagined using it with kindergarteners. But, guess what?! I did!

I was amazed with my students ability to navigate the system and its overall ease of use.  

Via Google Classroom I am able to give my students assignments, links to websites and send announcements.  We primarily used Google Classroom to learn about various Google tools such as Google Docs, Google Drawings and Google Slides.  Yes, you could use Google Drive to get to these tools but Google Classroom is much less work and easier to navigate.  Trust me. I tried both ways.  

What I loved about this platform was that it gave my students the opportunity to create, collaborate, learn and explore. Students discovered that they were capable of creating digitally.  

Rarely did students finish assignments in one sitting.  That was okay. I made sure to provide time throughout the week as well as to make sure that the assignment did not have an immediate due date.  For early finishers, I was able to differentiate by adding a writing component, having them help other students or giving them a different assignment.

Our culminating assignment was to create a Google Slide presentation about an ocean animal.  This assignment allowed my students to show their mastery of many of the skills that we had learned over the course of the school year. 

Want to learn more about how to get started with Google Classroom?  Sailing into Second Grade has a great blog post about Google Classroom basics.

Happy Teaching!

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