Learn how to add a timer to Google Slides with this video tutorial. This tech tip can can help students manage time in your classroom. In just a few clicks, classroom productivity can be enhanced.
How to Insert a Timer to Google Slides Video
When picking the video timer to add to the slides, double check the timer sound first. There have been many occasions when I’ve had a timer that’s made the worst sound. Sometimes it’s even sounded like the fire alarm going off!
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Here are the key takeaways from this episode:
Remote Teaching Ideas | Watch the recording down below:
Welcome Slide as Kids Enter Meeting
Use the transition time into the meeting as a productive time. Ensure that students have all of the necessary materials prepared for the lesson; both the digital and physical items.
Some of those can include:
microphone on mute
sound on
camera on (if possible)
physical items needed for the lesson (notebook, something to write with, building materials…)
It can be exhausting staring at the screen and listening to lectures all day. Consider having hands-on activities the kids can complete at home while in the virtual class setting. A favorite with my younger students are my Engineer Inspiration Boards. (You can see my growing collection HERE).
During virtual class, I’ll display the board by sharing my screen. Students have the opportunity to build any of the items with the material they have at home. I’ll typically email parents the day before to ensure student have something, anything, to build with. Even drawing is a great option.
While students are building, I’ll set a timer on my screen (video directions on how to do that here), and play music in the background. The Disney piano collection is a popular request!
When the timer goes off, I’ll have some students share. I also highly encourage the students to share their creations with me in Seesaw when class time is complete. Grab an extra month of Seesaw Plus for free by using my link HERE!
Randomize Calling Names
Definitely use the icons within your video platform as a way for students to raise their hand and respond. These are great digital tools. Sometimes mixing it up is fun too! Classroom Screen and Wheel of Names are free tools to try. Both have random name pickers. Just like a game show, it’s fun to see which name will be picked from the machine!
Guest Speakers
Is there a new science topic you’re wanting to introduce? How about a math concept that an expert uses daily in their job? Could an author speak to the class about their most recent book? Think about ways that guest speakers can be added into the virtual classroom setting. Your students will enjoy hearing a different perspective and gather deeper insight about the topic.
Virtual Field Trips
A lot of museums, zoos and public places have virtual field trip options. Use this as a tool to build background and observational skills in your students.
Consider changing your background within the video platform to get started. For example, if you’re learning about the ocean, change your background throughout the meeting with different ocean settings. Then, show students video clips of those places. This definitely would be a lesson that kids wouldn’t want to end!
What are some remote teaching tips and tricks you’ve tried that were successful with your students? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
Add a little bit of spookiness with these spider STEM activities. These lessons not only compliment fall lesson plans, but even units that correlate with other creepy, crawling units. Check out these variety of ideas to add into your classroom!
*There are Amazon affiliate links in this post. When you purchase through my link, no extra cost to you but I get a kick-back in return. Thank you for your support!
Spider STEM Activities #1:Spider Pulleys
Help students learn about structure and design by building a pulley to pull the spider up the web.
Students will go through the Engineering Design Process to accomplish this challenge.
lWhen trying this with my K-5 STEM classes, I used:
There are 3 ways to try this coding challenge once the cards are printed out and laid out on a grid:
Teacher lays out the cards on the mat and students code the life cycle in order
Pair up students. Partner A lays the cards on the mat, Parter B codes in order. Then switch!
Same as above, but code the life cycle backwards.
Print & create the dice included ahead of time. Roll the dice and students code the robot to that location. Try adding in two dice for an extra challenge!
Integrate the theme of spiders in your literacy instruction! There are 3 interactive, foldable books for students to learn more about these arachnids.
The Spider Life Cycle
What is a Spider?
Fun Spider Facts
As students read, they will have a task on each page to help solidify their comprehension and vocabulary development. There are digital options as well, including pre-made Seesaw Activities, that can make using this lesson even easier.
I even added audio for every page to help support students and while learning new vocabulary.
Spider STEM Activities #4: Spider Digital Interactive Notebook
Help students’ build their online literacy skills by trying a digital interactive notebook for the week. I typically use these with 3rd grade and up since these types of lessons have a lot of multi-step directions.
Students will learn and respond about spiders from a variety of resources. All of the sources are linked within the entire notebook. No need to search for resources on your own!
Enhance your STEM & Makerspace stations with this student Engineer Inspiration Board. Use this board to inspire young engineers to build various things that represent Halloween.
Using any materials on hand, students have the opportunity to build:
cauldron
monster
candy
spider
candy bucket
ghost
witch hat
haunted house
pumpkin
This is a way to inspire students to be creative and imagine new solutions to design these items. Step-by-step directions are not included to tell students how to build each one.
As a bonus, planning, improving and sharing pages are included to help introduce the Engineering Design Process.
Stock up during Amazon Prime Day 2020 on your favorite STEM & technology tools to add to your classroom. This is also a great way to grab presents for the special kids in your life before the holiday rush starts.
Below are some great deals and resources I recommend:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. #ad
Prime Day 2020: 3D Doodle Pen
Don’t have a 3D printer in your classroom? Having a 3D pen station is a great start. The pen works just like how the extruder of a 3D printer works. Students can understand the concept of 3D printing by creating layers (like icing a cake) to create their design.
Prime Day 2020: Playdoh
Stock up! Especially when sharing is limited in classrooms during this time, this is a great time to add to your Playdoh collection.
Prime Day 2020: Osmo Coding Starter kit
Have students interact with coding in a hands on way. All you need is an iPad and these attachments. There is a Kindle Fire version as well for a different price.
Add a new robot friend to your classroom. Perfect for students who are learning the basics of coding. This is a device-free robot; not external tablet or computer needed.
During one of my birthdays during college, as I was pursuing my teaching degree, my mom bought me a personal laminator. I still have it to this day! The quality of the smaller sheets is a lot sturdier than the school laminating. Perfect for keeping your STEM station materials sturdy after many uses.
Small Plastic Drawer Storage
Organize unique pieces that are small in the STEM classroom: batteries, extra LEGO parts, 3D printer tools. Know exactly where these items are at all times.
Fall is here and it’s a perfect time to try these pumpkin STEM activities and technology lessons in your classroom. All lessons have a printable and digital option to meet all types of classroom needs.
*There are Amazon affiliate links in this post. When you purchase through my link, no extra cost to you but I get a kick-back in return. Thank you for your support!
Pumpkin STEM Activities #1:Pumpkin Bridges
Help students learn about structure and design by building a bridge to hold the most amount of pumpkins possible.
Students will go through the Engineering Design Process to accomplish this challenge.
When trying this with my K-5 STEM classes, I used:
There are 3 ways to try this coding challenge once the cards are printed out and laid out on a grid:
Teacher lays out the cards on the mat and students code the life cycle in order
Pair up students. Partner A lays the cards on the mat, Parter B codes in order. Then switch!
Same as above, but code the life cycle backwards.
Print & create the dice included ahead of time. Roll the dice and students code the robot to that location. Try adding in two dice for an extra challenge!
Integrate the theme of pumpkins in your literacy instruction! There are 3 interactive, foldable books for students to learn more about this fruit.
The Pumpkin Life Cycle
Types of Pumpkins
Fun Pumpkin Facts
As students read, they will have a task on each page to help solidify their comprehension and vocabulary development. There are digital options as well, including pre-made Seesaw Activities, that can make using this lesson even easier.
Pumpkin STEM Activities #4:Pumpkin Digital Interactive Notebook
Help students’ build their online literacy skills by trying a digital interactive notebook for the week. I typically use these with 3rd grade and up since these types of lessons have a lot of multi-step directions.
Students will learn and respond about pumpkins from a variety of resources. All of the sources are linked within the entire notebook. No need to search for resources on your own!
Enhance your STEM & Makerspace stations with this student Engineer Inspiration Board. Use this board to inspire young engineers to build various things that represent the month of October.
Using any materials on hand, students have the opportunity to build:
apple
scarecrow
candy
spider
fall leaf
sweater
corn
rake
pumpkin
This is a way to inspire students to be creative and imagine new solutions to design these items. Step-by-step directions are not included to tell students how to build each one.
As a bonus, planning, improving and sharing pages are included to help introduce the Engineering Design Process.
How to Use a Digital Interactive Notebook in the Classroom
When I was a classroom teacher, I needed a way to integrate non-fiction resources to help build background about topics for literacy and science.
There were plenty of books in the school library that we were using, but I also wanted students to access information using online resources.
Soon, I came up with a digital interactive notebook template that I could send to students with a variety of resources to engage and learn from.
These can be an asset in your classroom and be used in any content area.
Digital Interactive Notebook: What is it?
A digital interactive notebook is a way to combine all of your digital resources for students in one file that is already organized for you! Students have access to all the links and places to respond within one paperless platform.
There are still benefits to interactive notebooks that involve cutting and pasting. Having digital options allows for less prep time and assigning quickly to students.
Using this technology option also helps build students’ digital literacy skill; copy & paste, resizing images and toggling between website tabs are just a few skills students will continue to practice.
Digital Interactive Notebook: How Do I Prepare One?
I prefer creating my templates in Google Slides and save the template as the background. I then add the moveable and editable pieces on top that I want students to access.
The same templates I create in Slides can also be downloaded and used in Seesaw or Powerpoint.
If you are using a premade template, there are some steps I typically go through to make sure the content fits my needs.
Delete, add & duplicate slide templates that you think will work best for your content
Layer & link your content over the top
Delete any unwanted text boxes and tables. The design in the background is ‘glued down’ to protect the rights of the original artists
If you are worried about the original being shared with students, make a master copy of your edited notebook as a backup.
Share your final notebook with your students on the digital platform of your choice
If possible, the checklist on the last slide works well printed out. However, this isn’t necessary and can be filled out digitally.
Digital Interactive Notebook: How do I assign it?
There are many ways to share digital interactive notebooks easily with students. Here are some of my go-to ways:
Share the link with students in Google Classroom, Seesaw, Schoology or other platforms your school uses!
When posting in Google Classroom, make sure to click ‘Make a Copy for each student’ before posting!
Create an activity in Seesaw. With Seesaw Plus & For Schools, you can create multi-page activities that work well for digital interactive notebooks.
When using PowerPoint, share in Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft Teams using other Microsoft tools.
Digital Interactive Notebook: Are there templates I can use?
I have created a growing collection of templates that you can edit and use to fit your content needs.
These sides are already organized for:
Before exploration reflection
Vocabulary
Videos
Photograph Observations
Graphs & Analysis
Individual Articles
Paired Selections & Comparison
Maps & Noticings
Podcasts & Reflection
Scientific Process
Engineering Design Process
Data Analysis based on Observations
Labeling an Image
Analyzing quotations
Digital Creation
As a bonus, there are student checklists to help students keep track of their progress for each slide. There are also video tutorials to share with students (or use while you’re creating) to help you with Google/PowerPoint creating.
Creating & Editing a Text Box
Using the Shape and Line Tools
Inserting Your Own Images
Inserting Images from Google
Adding & Duplicating Slides
Each template includes various digital file types to meet your sharing needs: Google Slides, PowerPoint & Seesaw.
All Seesaw files are pre-loaded into activities. Upon purchase, you’ll get the share link to copy & edit and add to your Seesaw Activity library, then assign to students. I saved you A LOT of steps!
Digital Interactive Notebooks: Are there any that are already created for me?
Yes! I also have content specific digital interactive notebooks that have all the resources linked inside for you. Check out my growing collection here!
This post contains affiliate links. When purchasing through the link, it’s no extra cost to you, but I get a kick-back in return.
What is Dot Day?
Dot Day is an international celebration of inspiration and creativity. After reading the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, help students express their creativity in a variety of ways by creating their own ‘dot’.
Creativity is such a large component of success in STEM. Here are 3 activities that I tried that went well in my K-5 STEM classes that your students will love as well!
These were all one day, 45 minute lessons, which is just enough time to celebrate! After reading or listening to The Dot, try one of these experiences with your class.
Dot Day Ideas #1: Augmented Reality
I taught this lesson to my Kindergarten and 1st grade classes. This lesson requires tablets and having the free app, Quiver, downloaded before-hand.
Next, print out the free Dot Day coloring sheet. Make sure to have extra printed because students will want to color more than one! I printed mine 4/page to save paper and to make it easier for students to capture the whole image on their tablet camera.
This dot will be transformed into augmented reality; it will look like the object is in OUR world.
Students will color their dot page. Markers work best and really make the colors stand out. Within the app, they will hold the camera over their dot and see it magically appear in the classroom!
Dot Day Ideas #2: Spirograph Dots
I taught this lesson to my 2nd and 3rd grade classes.
There is so much beauty and symmetry to well designed spirographs. This lesson helps students so much with their touchpad control.
If you don’t want to use the digital version, I’ve snagged plastic spirograph sets from Dollar Tree before.
Explain to students what spirographs are. You can use the anchor chart from this post I made that you can use with your students to help explain this concept!
Finally, students will create their spirograph dot. If they want to save their design, taking a screenshot works well and uploading to the platform of your choice (Seesaw, Flipgrid, Google Classroom…).
Dot Day Ideas #3: Dot Launchers
I taught this lesson with 4th & 5th grades.
The Dash robot is a wonderful asset to have in your classroom. If you happen to have the launcher accessory, this lesson is for you!
Students will launch their ‘dot’ (the ball), aiming towards a STEM identity word that they view themselves as. Some words include: mathematician, innovator and creator.
Aiming for a target with the launchers is more challenging than you think! If possible, have students in groups of 3 and assign roles and have them rotate through:
Driver: Tapping the code on the device
Navigator: Ensuring that they agree with the code and give suggestions
Retriever: Finding the balls once they are released
Video recording in the classroom doesn’t have to be stressful as a teacher. In fact, this is your moment to shine as a budding YouTube star! When creating videos for your students, you’re providing opportunities to listen and learn from you as often as they would like. In fact, it extends your reach even more as you can be in two places at once.
Through my years of recording videos for my students, both teachers and children, here are my top tips to easily create high-quality videos that are engaging and useful.
#1 Video Recording in the Classroom: Easy-to-Use Platforms
Complicated software isn’t needed to create great videos. As long as you have a cell phone and an embedded web cam in your laptop, that’s all you need to get started! Other tools will be mentioned later to adding to creation, but not entirely necessary.
My go-to tools for video creating are:
Video Camera App on my iPhone: That’s right! Use the tool you already have on hand! The video quality is great. I’ll use a phone holder, like this one, to keep the camera steady.
Google Chrome extension that allows recording the screen, screen & face at the same time, and just face. All videos are saved automatically to your connecting Google Drive account.
iPad app that allows adding in own content and recording voice on top. Also record the process of writing and solving problems. Great for showing mentor examples and solving problems. All videos are saved within the cloud service of your choice.
Web-based video editing software. There is an app as well. Easily combine videos and layer text, audio and images. There are also screen recording and green screen capabilities as well.
#2 Write an Outline
Whenever I try to start recording off the top of my head, I always forget something and mess up. Which then results in more time spent re-recording content.
Before recording, create an outline of the topics you want to cover in the video. This can be as detailed as you want, especially when first getting started with video recording in the classroom.
Having an outline will help guide your thinking and also keep the video moving along.
#3 Chunk Content
Shorter videos are better. In fact, according to Panopto, best video engagement is between 2-5 minutes.
Think of them like quick mini lessons. Target exactly what you want to say in smaller chunks. This can lead into a video series that students can work through. Having a collection of shorter videos helps with differentiation and having segments that connect directly to a student’s needs.
In fact, recording shorter videos is so much easier to make than longer videos. If you mess up, it’s easier to re-do rather than sift through 30 minutes of content.
#4 Batch Record
After creating a sequence of videos you want to create along with their outlines, batch record in one setting. This will allow your brain to focus on the content during that setting.
This doesn’t mean you need to edit during this same time; this can be saved for another time.
If recording your face, I like to switch my shirt for each video segment. This helps when I am editing and assigning videos since they will look visually different at first glance.
#5 Video Recording in the Classroom: Great Lighting & Sound
There are a lot of things that can be fixed when creating videos, but bad lighting is a hard one to undo.
Use as much natural light as possible. When recording your face, facing a window is super helpful!
If recording your hands, small ring lights can help add more exposure into the space.
Increasing audio quality is also helpful for your videos. When recording on my phone, I’ll wear my Airpods to enhance the sound. While on my computer, this simple external microphone works well. For more of an investment, I’ve had great success with this Yeti.
These tips will not only help you when recording videos for your classroom, but also your students. Check out my video tips that I use in my K-5 classroom to help with their video quality as well.
Teaching in a Socially Distanced Classroom: STEM Edition
When I started teaching in 2012, I never imagined that I would be teaching in a socially distanced classroom. Nothing in college could prepare you for this.
It’s actually not as bad as you would think. But, there are some realizations I had when experiencing this for the first time with my K-5 STEM students.
Teaching in a Socially Distanced Classroom: #1 Teaching with a mask is hard
It’s hot, it’s sweaty. You feel like you are either eating your mask, shouting or both. Grabbing groceries with a mask and teaching with a mask are two entirely different experiences.
Thought you had it down with transitions in your classroom? Throw in some social distancing and you’re starting from scratch.
Students can still take responsibility for cleaning up materials. Just stagger their movements in the room. Meanwhile, when students enter the space and while they are cleaning up, create a learning opportunity.
As students enter the room, I show one of the slides for them to read and interact with. We’ll chat about it for a minute, then move on to the main lesson.
At the end of class while cleaning, I’ll play the corresponding video to solidify their new STEM knowledge. This kept students actively engaged and on task during this transition time.
On the first day, instead of a STEM warm-up, I shared more information about me and my interests in STEM. This is from one of my ‘Getting to Know You activities, which you can grab by clicking the picture.
#3 Have assigned seats & clear boundaries
Flexible seating is abundant in my classroom. However, it’s fairly difficult to use in my space during this time, especially with 100+ kids filtering through my K-5 STEM classes throughout the day.
The tables and chairs were pushed to the perimeter, which left a large open space for students to work. From there, I marked boundaries (which we call the ‘Maker Box’), for students to work in during their STEM challenges.
Younger students have a harder time staying socially distant and not sharing materials. Thus, having clear boundaries helps immensely.
Also numbering spots and having students sit in assigned spots helps as well. For Kindergarten & 1st grade, I used shapes instead of numbers to help them be more successful.
#4 Be Creative with materials
The lessons you’ve taught in the past might not look the same this year. THAT’S OK!
This is an opportunity to shift the way the lesson looked like when it was “normal” and might actually make it work out better.
Help students self regulate independence during work time. Students place a different colored cube in their cup to signify where they are at; Blue= “I’m Good!”, Yellow= “I have a question, but I can keep working.”, Red= “I need help!”
When planning, try creating lessons that can easily be shifted to remote learning at a moment’s notice. This will save less headache later and help you be prepared in the long run.
Need a sample lesson plan template? We have a template to visually see the difference between a typical lesson, social distanced and remote learning version all in the same place.
You won’t have it perfect the first time. Perfect doesn’t exist anyway, so that takes some pressure off your plate!
Of course, you are going to try your best to make it right. You will work hard to help the children continue to love school, love learning, and feel loved.
Some routines that were rehearsed in your head might play out differently when kids are in action.
It’s going to be hard and different. However, the kids will do SURPRISINGLY better than you might think.
If you’re teaching in-person during this pandemic, air-hugs your way. You, teacher, are needed more than ever.
This Back to School STEM Activities guide is to help you find resources that will be perfect for your STEM & Technology instruction. Whether you are teaching in-person, hybrid or remotely, I have resources already created to meet your needs.
Back to School STEM Activities Shopping Guide: How to Get the Most Out of It
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Learn how to add a timer to Google Slides with this video tutorial. This tech tip can can help students manage time in your classroom. In just a few clicks, classroom productivity can be enhanced.
Teaching online and need a refresh? Here are 5 remote teaching ideas to try in your classroom. Mix it up and have fun with your students!
