Easy Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas

Need some fresh Valentine’s Day classroom ideas? Scroll down for resources that can make your classroom and engaging, and even educational experience. As a former classroom teacher, I understand how classroom parties can be stressful, especially if you’re the one in charge.

These ideas will be a hit for your students!

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #1 How to Make a Valentine Box STEM Challenge

Around the end of the first week of February, send home a different kind of homework. Try this STEM challenge where students plan and create a unique Valentine’s box. With a brainstorm list and ways to modify their design, students will have a mailbox that is more stunning, even more functional, than a paper bag.

This doesn’t have to be completed at home either! Have an extended project to work on in class leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #2 Candy Free Valentines

There are plenty of opportunities for students to enjoy sugar during this class celebration. Mix up your Valentine-giving with these candy-free options. Add a bit of a STEM component and students will have a card that keeps them learning beyond the party.

Most of the small items seen in these Valentines can be found in the party section of Target, Walmart or Dollar Tree.

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #3 Candy Heart STEM Activities

While students are finished passing out Valentines, try this low-prep, candy heart STEM challenge. Students will create a basket to fit as many candy hearts as possible. There are corresponding sheets to go through the entire Engineering Design Process if desired.

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #4 Valentine’s Day Photo Booth Props

Capture the positive energy of the party and add in fun props for the students to hold! Create a photo booth corner while hanging up some Valentine-themed paper while printing and cutting out these props.

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #5 Valentine’s Day STEM Challenge Engineer Inspiration Board

Younger students love using these Engineer Inspiration Boards as a way to create different items that correlate with a theme. Print a board out for each student, or even share digitally, and students can build using any items available in the classroom.

Valentine’s Day Classroom Ideas | #6 February Bulletin Board Ideas

It always seems like that during the holidays, there is a door decorating competition. Take out all the guesswork and use this print-cut-and-hang design. There is a color and low-ink option based on your school printing availability. Bonus points if it gets laminated and used the next year!

Resources mentioned in this post:

How to Make a Textbox in Google Slides

by Naomi Meredith

How to Make a Textbox in Google Slides

Wondering how to make a text box? There are a lot of ways to be creative when adding words with the text box tool in Google Slides and Drawings. Easily create a text box, change its color and style in this video tutorial.

Want to share this video with students but YouTube is blocked at your school? Click here to find the same {free} video in my store and you can get the downloadable version of this video that you can share with your kids.

How to Make a Textbox in Google Slides | Need help?

As you become more comfortable with Google Slide creation, you’ll discover all the tricks within the platform.

Still need more help? Stop spending hours on YouTube finding the perfect video to answer your questions. Let me sit with you and guide you through the ins and outs of Google Slides.

In less than 3 hours, you can be a Google Slides master while creating assignments your students will love. Click here to join me in my easy-to-navigate course, How to Use Google Slides for Digital Interactive Assignments.

See you there!

Resources mentioned in this post:

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides

by Naomi Meredith

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides

Are you wondering how to make worksheets in Google Slides? With these 5 easy steps, you can create interactive assignments for your students they will love.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode down below.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | #1 Change the Page Size

Before creating the assignment, change the page size to be the same as a sheet of copy paper (8.5 x 11). To do this, go to the toolbar and click ‘File’–Page Setup — Custom.

This might seem like a strange step to start with, but there is a method to the madness. Although the goal is to create an interactive, digital assignment, having the option to print is a great backup. You never know when the internet will go out, a student needs a paper version for accommodations or someone has lost their computer privileges.

Having the page setup so that it can be printed is essential so the formatting doesn’t get thrown off in the future. It’s more of a pain to go back and change it later.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | #2 Create & Insert the background

The background is the part of the assignment that you want to “glue down”. These are the items in the assignment you don’t want kids to change.

Think of it like this.

When you make a photocopy of a worksheet, the students can’t move the directions and graphic organizers around. They are to complete the assignment and add their answers on top.

To do this in Google Slides, create the background of the assignment, download as an image, then insert it as the background.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | #3 Create moveable objects

Now that the background is in place, time for the fun part; the moveable pieces! Moveable objects can come in many forms digitally; drag & drop, typing in a text box or even watching a video.

While some question types can stay the same like traditional paper & pencil assignments, many can be enhanced digitally. With these moveable pieces, you’re transforming the work where students can be creators with technology and not consumers.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | #4 Make a Copy for the Kids

Once the essentials of the assignment are created, make a seperate copy for the students in Google Drive. We don’t typically hand students the teacher manual with all of the details. Don’t do the same thing with your master slides.

After making a copy, delete any unnecessary slides the kids don’t need to complete their work.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | #5 Share assignment!

Google Slides can be shared on a variety of platforms; Google Classroom, Seesaw, Schoology, Canvas and more! They can even be downloaded as PowerPoint files which is a great option for platforms that don’t support Google Slide assignments.

Make sure when sharing, you’re sending the student version that you made in the previous step.

How to Make Worksheets on Google Slides | Need help?

As you become more comfortable with Google Slide creation, you’ll discover all the tricks within the platform.

Still need more help? Stop spending hours on YouTube finding the perfect video to answer your questions. Let me sit with you and guide you through the ins and outs of Google Slides.

See you there!

Resources mentioned in this post:

Mini Course: How to Use Google Slides for Digital Interactive Assignments

STEMTech Co. Navigators Ambassador Program

by Naomi Meredith

STEMTech Co. Navigators Ambassador Program

Are you an innovative teacher? Do you enjoy implementing STEM & Technology into your elementary classroom? Are you willing to jump in and try new things? How about collaborating teachers and sharing ideas on social media?

If any of these sound like you, then it’s your chance to be a STEMTech Co. Navigator!

What does participation as a STEMTech Co. Navigator look like?

As a STEMTech Co. Navigator, you will be part of a group of other educators to help teachers all over the world navigate STEM & Technology in their K-5 classrooms. You’ll have the opportunity to implement and use STEM and technology lessons sent monthly, created by Naomi Meredith.

Collaborating with other Navigators will also be available to bounce ideas off of these lessons and other classroom topics. After using these lessons with students, you’ll share your ideas on social media to let other teachers know about the great things that are happening in your classroom! This is a minimum of a 6 month commitment and your participation will be reassessed at the end of that time.

What are the benefits of being a STEMTech Co. Navigator?

A minimum of 3 FREE Technology & STEM lessons sent to you monthly to try and use with your students
Monthly coaching call to understand how to prepare and use the lessons in your classroom
Exclusive email signature badge
Profile info on Naomi’s website, naomimeredith.com
Opportunity to collaborate with other like-minded teachers
Sneak Peeks to upcoming products and provide feedback
Role of taking pictures and sharing how lessons were used in own classroom

This sounds great! How can I sign up!?

Use the form below to join the waitlist!

Have questions about this program? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ or send me an email at contactnaomimeredith@gmail.com and I would love to chat with you!

How to Start a Makerspace

by Naomi Meredith

How to Start a Makerspace

Are you wondering how to start a makerspace in your classroom? What are some simple steps when getting started? Whether you are a classroom teacher or teaching in a STEM space, these go-to tips can help you set up a Makerspace by the end of the week!

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

How to Start a Makerspace | Watch the recording down below:

How to Start a Makerspace | #1 Space

Before collecting materials, create a designated space where Makerspace materials and access will be stored in the classroom. By choosing the location, this will help determine how much materials you can actually have, not the other way around.

In this space, ensure that there is room for bins, shelf and/or drawers that are easily accessible for the kids. The goal is to have students be independent in this space; when choosing materials and cleaning up.

Also decide if this Makerspace will be an actual work area or a grab and go type of system. With my K-5 STEM classes, the grab and go method has been successful. However, some classrooms can be more conducive to the Makerspace being an isolated station.

How to Start a Makerspace | #2 Storage

Once the designated location has been chosen, decide how materials are going to be stored. Materials can pile up quickly and look like a trash heap! While having an abundance of resources is helpful, you don’t want your classroom to look like another episode of Hoarders.

Keep like items together instead of a free for all. Items like thin cardboard, cardboard tubes and egg cartons can have their own bins. Smaller knick-knacks like beads, googly eyes, and buttons can each have their own smaller container inside of a larger drawer.

Having a system as to where items go, again, helps with the student independence and cleanup.

How to Start a Makerspace | #3 Labels

Create labels that include the name and the picture of the items in that location. Even for older students, I’ve found this method to be extremely helpful. Even for me as a teacher when I find random items in the classroom!

Also, think about how labels can be added and removed easily. Printing, cutting, then laminating the labels, and attaching with Velcro can be an easy method. Stocks of some items, especially specialty items, can change quickly.

Having a stock of material labels on hand will save time in the long run. That way, extra labels don’t need to printed and created on the fly. In fact, this would be a wonderful classroom job! Designate a students to be in charge of organizing the Makerspace and labels at the end of each week.

How to Start a Makerspace | #4 Collect

Now that overall systems are put into place, it’s time to collect materials. Since the majority of items in the space are recycled, families are usually very willing to gather materials at home. Sending home a list of requests, print or digitally, is extremely helpful.

Also, make sure to let families know to clean out any food containers and take extra bits off toilet paper rolls. Seems like common sense, but trust me, it’s not!

I even create my own Makerspace collection system at home and bring to school. It isn’t pretty, but we all know that those sparkling water boxes are magic for building. Unsure of what type of items work well for Makerspace? Just out my STEM Supply List blog post HERE.

Check out this editable Makerspace Donation letter that will save time and help you gather materials quickly.

How to Start a Makerspace | #5 Upkeep & Replenish

As the Makerspace is being used, you’ll notice which items are popular with students. Thin cardboard, masking tape and cardboard tubes run out the quickest in my room! Sending out supply requests every so often can help replenish the space.

Also, enlist in your co-workers! There have been times when I’ve been in need of bubble wrap and have gotten piles of it the next day.

Keeping a donation box by your classroom door and by the front of the school can also help. Students, teachers and families will be reminded when they walk by. This also serves as a great holding area for when you’re ready to organize the new materials. Make the donation box extra fancy by using a recycled box!

Products mentioned in this post:

STEM Materials | Makerspace Donation Letter | Editable

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom

by Naomi Meredith

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom

You’re back to school after a long break! Just like with any classroom routine, it’s especially important to remind students how to properly use technology for learning. Here are my go-to tips for reviewing technology expectations in the classroom.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | Watch the recording down below:

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | #1 Make a list

Before jumping right in, make a class of routines and expectations when using classroom technology. This can. be done independently as the classroom teacher, but also more effective when made with students. Chart down student responses as to how technology is used in the classroom. This is also a great opportunity to add any new rules that you want students to add into their practice. It’s ok to change things when it doesn’t work well!

Here are some examples of expectations to think about:

How to carry a device in the classroom
Where the device goes during a lesson
Putting devices away
Where to store and gather headphones
Login information stored for independent use
How to troubleshoot technology issues
Using technology for academic purposes; staying on task
Communicating with others when using technology

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | #2 Model

Once it is clear what rules and expectations are used for technology, model! Students need to see how this should look in the classroom. Don’t assume that students already know or remember, especially if new routines are being added.

Physically model real quick as the teacher, and have some student volunteers try for the whole class. Even adding in non-examples can be helpful to.

This step doesn’t need to take long and it’s not a lecture. People remember by doing, and modeling is such a great asset for remembering positive routines. Even making a video of some routines can be powerful as well and can always be rewatched, year after year.

You can see how I explain my classroom rules to students below.

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | #3 Take Pictures

Not all rules and routines are photo worthy! However, this can be especially helpful for organization expectations. Take pictures of what a certain area should look like cleaned up. Headphone and device storage as well as how to carry items in the room are great for this.

Before students start cleaning up, show the picture of what the final product looks like. This probably won’t need to be shown all year, but this is especially great for students who need visual accommodations.

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | #4 Practice with Incentives

I always say in my class “Practice makes better, not perfect, because perfect doesn’t exist.” This is so important for students to understand. They are always going to make mistakes and there is always room for improvement.

On a large piece of construction paper, write down a whole class reward. This could be something like, “10 Minutes of Free Tech Time!”. Next, cover the paper with sticky notes, side by side. Then, write down a technology expectation, one per sticky note.

As the majority of the class applies the correct technology behavior, take off the corresponding sticky note. Once all of the sticky notes are removed, the class can earn their reward!

Reviewing Technology Expectations in the Classroom | #5 Visual Reminders

Reviewing technology expectations and flowing into a routine takes time. However, being clear about behaviors and being explicit allows students to be more successful and independent during work time.

Once the class is finding that rhythm again, post the classroom expectations and rules in the classroom. Adding words and visuals is extremely helpful for all learners. I typically have no more than 10 for my students, but pack a good punch in the ones I used.

Want to use my same rules and expectations in your classroom? Check out my print and go resource here! Digital versions are also available to help with any classroom setting.

Products mentioned in this post:

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud Tips and Tricks

by Naomi Meredith

How to do a Virtual Read Aloud Tips & Tricks

Have you wondered how to do a virtual read aloud? How can kids see the pages? What tools do you need? How hard is it really? Here are some tips and tricks when hosting a read aloud online. While these work well for remote teaching, a lot of these hacks can be used during in-person teaching as well.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | Watch the recording down below:

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | #1 Picture & Google Drive Mash Up

This hack works well for when you only have a hard copy of the book. Now this tip isn’t meant to infringe on copyright and have you share with the whole world what you created; classroom use only. This method is extremely helpful to help the kids see the pages on a video call while the teacher doesn’t have the hold the book awkwardly to the camera. No document camera is needed!

If you know me, you know I am a HUGE fan of using Google Tools in the classroom as well as my person life. First, download the Google Drive app onto your phone. (Login of course!) Next, lay the book on a flat, clear surface with plenty of lighting. After that, using the Camera on your phone, take pictures of the pages in order. Edit and flip any pages now while in the Photos app.

Go into the Google Drive app. Hit the plus sign (+) and create a new folder while naming it the title of the book. Keep that new folder open and hit the plus sign again. Next, click ‘Upload’, then ‘Photos and Videos’ choose all of the photos of the book. They’ll upload in the order of when the photos were taken.

Once they are uploaded into Google Drive, you can actually delete the photos off your phone to save space. It won’t delete the pictures from the Drive.

Finally, when you’re ready to read, open up the book folder on your computer during class and share your screen. All you need to do is click through each of the pages as you read the story live.

Click here for a FREE printable version of the steps listed above.

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | #2 eBooks

Before taking pictures using the method above, see if there is an eBook version already accessible. Again, share your computer screen with the class once the desired book is chosen. Below are great resources to use that I’ve used consistently with my classrooms.

Epic! Books (getepic.com): This is a free for teachers eBook library to use in classrooms. Not only are eBooks abundant, but audio books, read-to-me, chapter books and video clips that aren’t connected to YouTube. Regardless of read alouds or not, this is a MUST USE resource in your classroom.
Your Public Library: Most public libraries have some sort of version of digital books that are available to check out. By using your library card, see what is already available for free! Don’t live near a public library? Many public libraries located within a school district will give a card to teachers who teach in that area.
Amazon Kindle Books: A Kindle device is not needed for this method. In fact, the Kindle app can be downloaded into a computer device for free. Often, publishers will have flash deals where books are offered for free that you can download to your account. Also, Amazon gift cards can come in handy when wanted to buy the digital copy of the book. One word of advice; purchase/download Kindle books to your personal account. That way if you were to ever leave districts, you still have access to all of those books!

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | #3 Audio Extras

Bring a read aloud to life and help with visualization with audio extras! Build background knowledge about the topic about to be read by finding a video clip that helps explain a difficult word or concept.

Also, check out the app Novel Effect. Again, another great resource for teachers! While reading the book out loud, Novel Effect will listen in real time by adding in sound effects that relate to the page. Some books even have music that will play along, like Pete the Cat.

Check out their growing collection of supported books here.

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | #4 Collaborative Read Aloud

This tip is a great way to get students involved with the read aloud experience. I would suggest using Seesaw with this method since it has the best tools to fit the job. Flipgrid could also be a great alternative as well.

Create a Seesaw Activity where each page is a different page of the book. Next, assign a student to a specific page to record themselves reading. You could even have each child read the whole book, then select one page from each child’s submission for the final read aloud. Finally, during whole group time, share the collaborative read aloud.

Need help with creating a Seesaw Activity? Download these free visual steps here!

Click here for one free month of Seesaw Plus to be added to your account using my Ambassador link!

How to Do a Virtual Read Aloud | #5 Pre-Record

This method works well of course with remote teaching, but also for homework assignments, substitute plans and even book groups. Pre-recording readings of a book don’t have to be fancy. For this method, I’ll typically use Screencastify. This is a Google Chrome Extension that is used on the computer when Google Chrome is open. It can record your screen only, screen & face, or just face.

Once the recording is complete, it saves automatically to your connected Google Drive. There is even the option to upload to YouTube right away. (I recommend making the YouTube link ‘Private’ or ‘Unlisted’ unless you have permission from the author/publishing company.) This extra time saving step allows the user to grab the share link right away and plop it into the desired assignment.

Screencastify is a freemium tool; the free features are great and can get the job done. But for unlimited use, the paid version is inexpensive & worth it. (I always renew my subscription).

Consider pre-recording picture books and chapter book chapters. This is incredibly special for your students when you have a substitute and the students can still hear the “correct voice” reading all the chapters.

This method can also be used for independent reading of book clubs. When the audio version isn’t available, send students the link to your video to help them read through their assigned work and understand the fluency and key vocabulary.

Get started with Screencastify here!

Products mentioned in this post:

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | Engineer Inspiration Boards

by Naomi Meredith

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | Engineer Inspiration Boards

Need an easy STEM activity for Elementary Students? Check out these Engineer Inspiration Boards. These work best for younger students in grades K-2. With a one page format, students can use this board as inspiration to build various things that represent the theme. See how you can use these in your classroom in a variety of ways!

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. When you purchase through my link, it’s no added cost to you and I get a little kickback in return. Win-win!

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | What are they?

These one page boards are meant to be a way to inspire students to be creative and imagine new solutions to design the images shown. A variety of themes are available to provide students new inspiration year round. There are not step-by-step directions to tell students how to build each one. It’s inspiration!

The boards come in a few different formats:

PDF [Color and Black & White} Full size, half size and quarter-page size
Google Slide
Powerpoint
JPGs Directions for creating a Seesaw activity are also included

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | How Should I Use These?

Before jumping into building, have students thoughtfully plan by drawing and how they are going to create their design & write down the materials they are going to use. After they have built their first creation, challenge students to improve their design with the suggestion checklist.

Likewise, they don’t have to try all of the suggestions, but they are more than welcome to! Then have students share their work on the sharing page by either placing their design on up of the page, drawing their page or inserting a picture digitally.

Here are some ways these Engineer Inspiration boards can be used in your classroom:

Create a book of the Engineer Inspiration boards you collect and leave them as a station in your classroom.
Have hands-on homework weeks where you assign an Engineer Inspiration Board, along with the planning pages
For a class reward or warm-up, display the Engineer Inspiration board on the big screen in your classroom and set a timer for students to create what they can in that time frame.
Need a quick sub plan idea? Print out these boards, place the planning pages in page protectors and leave out materials you want students to build with while you are away.
Use the Engineer Inspiration Boards during a station at a class party. Parties can still be fun and have an educational component!

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | What Should Kids Build With?

These mats are designed to be used with an endless amount of supplies. Whatever you have in your classroom or at home, kids can create with it! Click here to get my go-to STEM supply list!

Here are a few ideas below to inspire you.

pipe cleaners
playdough
LEGO bricks
Crayola modeling clay (this doesn’t dry out!)
wooden planks
popsicle sticks

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | What Other Teachers are Saying…

Teachers around the world love using these Engineer Inspiration Boards in their classrooms! Here is what they are saying.

“These are absolutely AMAZING! We use these boards early on for STEM Fridays. I would have students choose one thing from the first row, then the next week from the second row and so on. I was blown away by what my students came up with, and what clever materials they used! I had a student build one of the items using their dirty clothes from their hamper! (HA!)” -Livin’ the Third Grade Dream

“I used these activities as part of the students asynchronous work. They are loving creating the different things on the board!” -Brittany S.

“A wonderful extension activity and easy to use!” -Dominee K.

STEM Activity for Elementary Students | Where can I Get Them?

Each board can be bought individually and also in a bundled set. Want to try one before you buy? Click HERE for a Space Themed Board for your class!

You can also grab the entire bundle of themes that can last you all year long HERE!

More About the author, Naomi Meredith

Naomi Meredith is an online K-5 STEM Coach in Colorado supporting elementary teachers world-wide navigate the best practices, strategies and tools out there. With over a decade of experience teaching, 5 years teaching elementary STEM, along with a M.Ed. in STEM Leadership and STEM Certificate, Naomi helps teachers world-wide to navigate best practices, strategies and tools out there.

She offers a variety of tools to help teachers feel successful teaching STEM to their elementary students through lesson plans, online courses, coaching and speaking events.

She truly believes that any teacher out there can learn how to use STEM, innovation and hands-on learning in their classrooms effectively. She can’t wait to connect with you and be your guide!

5 Tips for How to Use G Suite for Education

by Naomi Meredith

5 Tips for How to Use G Suite for Education

So you’re ready to teach your kids how to use Google Tools, but where do you begin? Here are my top 5 tips for how to use G Suite for Education with students. After using these tools when I was a classroom teacher, K-5 STEM teacher and even training adults, these strategies have seen positive results over the years. G Suite for Education tools are a major asset to have in the classroom and allows students to be using applicable skills they can build on with various assignments.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

How to Use G Suite for Education | Watch the recording down below:

How to Use G Suite for Education | #1 Assess Prior Knowledge

One of the biggest things I’ve learned when it comes to students using academic technology is to never assume. Although students might be proficient using video games and YouTube at home, this doesn’t always translate to using academic technology. Kids are very capable and should know how to use basic technology skills proficiently; it might not be natural at first.

Before teaching a new technology tool, including G Suite, assess quickly what students may or may not already know about the tool. This can be a quick check in or even a class discussion with responses written down.

As a teacher, this will help with planning as to which skills should be taught first as a whole class, and others that may be taught separately in smaller groups.

How to Use G Suite for Education | #2 Keep Login Steps Consistent

When starting with a new technology tool, students need to know the exact steps for logging into the platform. Honestly, based on my experience, this step is the one that takes the longest and most practice for students. Don’t be discouraged when logging into the platform takes 20 minutes the first few times; it’s completely normal.

Create a class anchor chat with the exact steps as to how to log into the platform. Drawing, (or if you make a digital version, inserting images) images of what the step looks like is extremely helpful as well. This can be a great aid for all students when repeating this common step. Also, as a teacher, you can quickly point to the correct step when a student asks you, “What do I need to do next?”

Likewise, keep student login information where students can independently access it. It’s important to have this information on hand as a teacher, but the goal is to have students be successful and advocate for themselves. Here is an example of how I’ve done this for Google Classroom.

Don’t waste important class time passing out student log in cards when they can be taped inside of their pencil box, next to their keyboard or student planner.

How to Use G Suite for Education | #3 Use Universal Icons

Universal Icons are simple pictures that are used to represent an action in multiple platforms. For example, the ‘play’ icon is seen on YouTube videos, phones and TV remotes. Google Tools also have universal icons within their platforms that signal a specific action.

Have students take note of these universal icons and notice what they mean. As you begin to use more Google Tools in your classroom, like Docs, Slides and Forms, students will recognize how these icons are across the platforms.

Keeping a running list in an area in the classroom or even student journals can help that visual recognition and build meaning. Here is one that I created for Google Drawings that can translate to many of the other Google Tools

How to Use G Suite for Education | #4 Explicit Baby Steps

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the steps you want students to learn while using G Suite for Education. As a teacher, you may know most of the tools naturally and it can be frustrating seeing students who might not even know the most simple tasks.

In addition, think about the basics you want students to know when using the tool. Then, break each of those skills into their own, separate task.

As simple as possible.

For example: Highlight the word you typed. Find the U icon and click on it. What happens to your word?

For an even bigger impact, have each of the tasks build on one another so students can begin to see how the tool is connected and interacts.

How to Use G Suite for Education | #5 Focus on One Tool at a Time

Just as it may seem overwhelming with all the skills you want to teach your students, it may feel the same as to which Google Tool to teach students first.

Whenever I am teaching my classes new technology tools, I focus on one tool during a lesson. I’ll use that same tool for multiple lessons throughout the week in various ways and subjects. When I see that students are becoming more comfortable using that tool, I’ll integrate another they might already know from a previous lesson.

As the year goes on, I’ll keep adding in new G Suite tools. Studente begin to see patterns within these tools as we use them for various assignments.

Here is the order I typically teach G Suite tools to students, but you can definitely change this up:

Google Docs
Google Classroom
Google Drive
Google Drawings
Google Slides
Google JamBoard
Google Forms
Google Sheets

How to Use G Suite for Education | Putting it All Together

After using G Suite for Education tools for awhile, you’ll recognize how you want to teach the skills you’ve developed to your students. These are the steps that I’ve taken and perfected over the years.

In fact, to help you save time, I have created and continue to keep updated my Google Tools Scavenger Hunts.

Each hunt comes with a pre and post assessment while also giving students specific, basic tasks to complete to learn each tool. The hunts can be printed or shared digitally.

Also, there is an editable version that comes with a mini-lesson to support teaching this tool to your students. (The non-editable version doesn’t include the mini-lesson).

Click here to grab these scavenger hunts for your class!

Products mentioned that can support your classroom:

What are Google Tools Like?
Google Classroom Basics Anchor Charts
Google Drawings Basics & Tools Anchor Chart | Distance Learning
Getting to Know Google Drive, Docs, Slides and Forms | Editable Bundle (other tools will be coming soon in 2021!)

5 Snow STEM Activities

by Naomi Meredith

5 Snow STEM Activities

Looking for a winter themed STEM lesson? Check out these 5 Snow STEM activities that you can implement into your classroom. There is a variety from robot coding to quick hands-on activities. These lessons can be taught in whole group settings or within a station rotation model.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.

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Snow STEM Activities | Watch the recording down below:

Snow STEM Activities | Sphero Snowflakes

A lesson that’s been popular with 4th grade is Sphero Snowflakes. Using the Engineering Design Process, we explored the science and math behind snowflakes. Students plan their snowflake design using graph paper, then build on the floor using masking tape. The coding of Sphero involves a lot of angles and symmetry, which snowflakes have that in their design.

Click here to grab this lesson for your class!

Snow STEM Activities | Snowman States of Matter

Learn about the 3 states of matter & how to build the best snowman. Build your own snowman and use the corresponding states of matter activity and measurement activity.

Students will model what each of the states of matter are, according to a snowman.

For the next challenge, students will build a snowman as tall as they can and use different tools to measure their creation.

This is perfect for a station that students might rotate to throughout the week or even during a class party. The must-have material needed before getting started is playdough of some kind.

Click here to grab this for your class!

Snow STEM Activities | Winter Animal Migration

In this lesson, students learn about some animals that migrate in the winter time, why they migrate and where they go. I’ve typically taught this lesson to 2nd graders. Students will watch video clips and read various resources to research more about the animal of their choice from the list; walruses, salmon, sea turtles and monarch butterflies.

After taking notes, students will experiment and understand how the Ozobot robot works. Then, they will receive a map that corresponds with the animal they chose. Finally, they will code the winter migration path for their Ozobot animal.

Snow STEM Activities | Winter Olympics

This lesson also involves the Ozobot robot. Students will learn about some of the history of the Winter Olympics and where it’s been held. This lesson I’ve typically taught 3rd graders and it doesn’t have to be only taught during Olympic years. After researching about different Olympic years, students will find each location on a map.

Again, these students will also experiment with the Ozobot to understand how its coding system works. They will then code their Ozobot to travel to each Olympic location on a map in order of when it happened in history.

Snow STEM Activities | Igloo Building

For a quick, one day lesson with minimal materials, igloo building works well with younger students. Before building, we watched the video How Does an Igloo Keep You Warm? by Thinking Captain .

Using various blocks you may have on hand, students can build an igloo design. Some students wanted to ensure their design was circular and used recycled plastic tops from our Makerspace to build around.

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5 Snow STEM Activities

Snow STEM Activities | Watch the recording down below:

Snow STEM Activities | Sphero Snowflakes

Snow STEM Activities | Snowman States of Matter

Snow STEM Activities | Winter Animal Migration

Snow STEM Activities | Winter Olympics

Snow STEM Activities | Igloo Building

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