May Features from Internet 4 Classrooms

May Blog | App of The Month | What's Happening |
New- Online Practice | New- Printables | New- Answer Keys |
Teacher Resources | Parent Resources | Technology Tips |
Other Areas of Interest | Common Core |
SAT and ACT Test Preparation

May brings Physical Fitness Month, Teacher Appreciation Week, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, and much more. Visit our monthly newsletter to see all the details.

May Blog: 5 Ideas to Bring Digital Learning into Your Classroom

5 Ideas to Bring Digital Learning into Your Classroom

This month's blog is 5 Ideas to Bring Digital Learning into Your Classroom.

Digital learning is gradually replacing traditional teaching methods - a change we have to embrace. The Internet and high-tech devices like smartphones are just some of the tools we use to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the world. But using technology in the learning environment takes more than just knowing how to use these tools.

The Common Core State Standards now require digital learning in classrooms, and scientific research supports it. It only makes sense to include it in a teacher's curriculum.

This blog post contains ideas on how to introduce digital learning into your classroom, all of which are proven to help boost student motivation.

Carol Duke is very keen on teaching students new, effective ways of learning. When not freelancing and blogging on education-related matters, Carol enjoys traveling, taking immense pleasure from visiting new countries.

App of the Month

Every month we are going to feature a different, and hopefully FREE, iPad/iPod/iPhone/Android educational application. Visit our ever-changing app page.

The App of the Month for May is Seesaw: The Learning Journal by Seesaw Learning ( iOS and Android ).

Seesaw is a student-driven digital portfolio that inspires your students to do their best work and saves you time.

• Any device, shared or one-to-one
  
  
• Always free for teachers
  
  
• Used in over 200,000 classrooms and 1 out of 2 schools in the US
  

Awards Include:

• 2018 Top Pick for Learning by Common Sense Education
  
  
• Best Website of 2016 by American Association of School Librarians
  
  
• Richard Byrne's Free Tech for Teachers
  
  
• Featured by Apple as "Perfect for Every Classroom"
  

How Does Seesaw Help Teachers?

Seesaw’s creative tools encourage student engagement

• Students express themselves, reflect on their learning and create a portfolio they're proud to show others.
  

Get ideas and save prep time

• Browse thousands of great activities ready to use in your classroom today.
  
  
• Collect student responses digitally and lug home fewer papers.
  

Focus even more on your students

• Seesaw helps you see and hear what each student knows so you can better understand their progress
  
  
• Give more differentiated support through comments and feedback.
  

How Does Seesaw Work?

• Teachers find or create activities to share with students.
  
  
• Students take pics, draw, record videos and more to capture and reflect on learning in a portfolio.
  
  
• Families see their child’s work and leave comments and encouragement.
  

Other Seesaw Features

• Compatible with 100s of other apps, including Apple and Google apps.
  
  
• Multiple sign in options, including QR sign in options for younger learners or shared device classrooms.
  
  
• Teachers control who can see what, and whether students and families can add likes or comments.
  
  
• Translate notes, comments and captions into 50+ languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese and more!
  
  
• Class blogs, with the option to connect to other classes.
  
  
• Getting started tips and professional development resources at help.seesaw.me.
  
  
• Follow @Seesaw on Twitter or join our Seesaw Teachers Facebook group to give feedback and connect with other inspiring educators.
  
  
• Seesaw is COPPA, FERPA and GDPR compliant. Learn more at web.seesaw.me/privacy
  

Seesaw: The Learning Journal is available for Apple and Android devices.

Compatibility: Requires iOS 9.0 or later on Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch and Android version 4.4 and up on your Android device.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THIS MONTH?

Here are some of the May events that you can celebrate or make note of this month:

1. Physical Fitness Month
   
   Exercising is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle. Find resources about exercise, physical education, team sports, and more on our Physical Education page. Also check out our pages about Health and Nutrition and Wellness to find more information about living a healthy lifestyle.


2. Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
   
   Celebrate the contributions that Asian and Pacific Americans have made to society this month! Learn about notable Asian American writers, athletes, and scientists. Find book lists, lesson plans, and student activities from Scholastic. Use primary sources in your lesson plans from the Library of Congress and the National Archives and find teacher resources from the Smithsonian and the National Gallery of Art here.


3. National Children's Book Week (4/29-5/5)
   
   Celebrate Children's Book Week in your classroom! Here are some great book lists for all ages and lesson plans from Scholastic. I4C also has a collection of stories for elementary students, library resources, information on physical and virtual libraries, grade level help with reading and literature, and reading assessment practice.


4. National Weather Observer's Day (5/4)
   
   Learn about the weather in your classroom today. Get involved and learn how to become a National Weather Service Storm Spotter. Or if you are already a Storm Spotter, it never hurts to freshen up with the Weather Spotter Quick Reference Guide. Also check out our Earth Science resource page and Weather page for elementary schoolers for interactives, activities, and more.


5. Cinco de Mayo (5/5)
   
   Happy Cinco de Mayo! Learn about the history of this holiday and facts and misconceptions about Cinco de Mayo. Find crafts, projects, and printables you can do today.




6. Teacher Appreciation Week (5/6-5/10)
   
   Show your appreciation to the teachers in your life this week! Find printables, crafts, and other great ways how to show your thanks on our Teacher and Staff Appreciation page.




7. Mother's Day (5/12)
   
   Celebrate your mom and show her how much you care and appreciate her today! I4C has a Mother's Day resource page, filled with crafts, activities, and printables you can incorporate into your lesson plans or use at home.




8. Lewis and Clark Expedition Begins (5/14/1804)
   
   Learn about the men who explored the Louisiana Purchase territory. Who were Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery? You can find Classroom Resources and Interactive maps from PBS, National Geographic, and the National Archives. Determine the influence of Lewis and Clark's expedition westward with I4C's Lewis and Clark lesson plan page.


9. Biographer's Day (5/16)
   
   Today, learn about famous figures through reading their biographies! Find biographies for our Founding Fathers, Nobel Prize Winners, famous authors, and more on our Biography Topics page.




10. Memorial Day (5/27)
    
    Enjoy the day off of work and school today but this Memorial Day, remember those who have died for our country. Find lesson plans, crafts, activities, and more on our Memorial Day page.

New- ONLINE PRACTICE AT I4C

Internet4Classrooms now offers Online Practice and Interactives, covering Kindergarten to Eighth Grade Common Core Mathematics. Look for a rapidly growing variety of thousands of practice quizzes tied to the Common Core State Standards, School Subjects, Activities, and Holidays.

Check out our Online Practice Quizzes! More grades and subjects coming soon!

New Online Practice Quizzes Made Available in AUGUST!

We have released many new online quizzes during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Try them out, and then use them with your students as:

• Bell Ringers,
• In Class Assignments,
• Homework or
• Extra Credit.

Here is a list of the newest quizzes by grade.

New- COMMON CORE MATHEMATICS PRINTABLES AT I4C

Internet4Classrooms offers Printables, covering Kindergarten to Sixth Grade Mathematics. Look for a rapidly growing variety of thousands of practice worksheets tied to the Common Core State Standards, School Subjects, Activities, and Holidays.

Check out our Common Core Printables! More grades and subjects coming soon!

New Printables Worksheets Made Available in AUGUST!

We have released thousands of new printables worksheets during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Try them out, and then use them with your students as:

• Bell Ringers,
• In Class Assignments,
• Homework or
• Extra Credit.

Here is a list of the newest worksheet sets by grade.

New- Answer Keys




New Worksheet Answer Keys Made Available in AUGUST!

We have released thousands of new answer keys for our printables worksheets during the last months supporting the Common Core Standards.

Remember that you can sign up for answer key access here: https://i4c.xyz/n89msyv.

Here is a list of the newest answer key sets by grade.





TEACHER RESOURCES



1. Teach your students the importance of staying active this month. We have great Physical Education resources about the muscular system, strength training, team sports, and more. Also visit ourHealth and Nutrition and Wellness pages to find more information about living a healthy lifestyle.


2. Celebrate Children's Book Week in your classroom! Here are some great book lists for all ages and lesson plans from Scholastic. I4C also has a collection of stories for elementary students, library resources, information on physical and virtual libraries, grade level help with reading and literature, and reading assessment practice.


3. Check out our Mother's Day page to find crafts you can make with your students to take home and show mom, as well as fun activities and printables.


4. Memorial Day is a great day to relax before the end of the school year but remember those who have died for our country. Teach your students about why we have the day off and the meaning behind the holiday. Find lesson plans, crafts, and activities on our Memorial Day page.


5. Did you know that teachers typically spend 4 to 6 weeks re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer? Help your students retain what they learned this school year by telling them about our Free Summer Learning Program.


6. Be sure to check out I4C's collection of free educational iPhone and iPad apps!


7. Remember to visit our Teacher Tools section! This home page contains all the topics you need to use during the school year.


8. Go to our grade level help for lesson plans, activities, instructionals, and tools organized by grade and subject.



PARENT RESOURCES




1. Don't let your kids waste time sitting on the couch! Fitness is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Check out our Physical Education page for resources about exercise, team sports, and more. Also visit our pages about Health and Nutrition and Wellness to find more information about living a healthy lifestyle.


2. Help your kids show their appreciation for their teachers this week. Find printables, crafts, and other great ways how to show your thanks on our Teacher and Staff Appreciation page.


3. Thank all the mothers and grandmothers in your life this Mothers' Day. I4C has a Mother's Day resource page, filled with crafts for kids, activities, and printables you can incorporate into your Mother's Day celebration.


4. Did you know all students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer? Help your child remember and retain what they learned this year with I4C's Free Summer Learning Program.


5. Be sure to check out I4C's collection of free educational iPhone and iPad apps for you and your child!


6. You can always visit our Parent Resources page to get grade level practice sites, find online sources, and information pertaining to homework, special needs, reading help, and more.


7. Don't forget our Technology Tutorial section in case you need refresher courses in your computer skills.





TECHNOLOGY TIPS



1. 4 Tips for Incorporating Safe, Engaging, Tech-Rich Material into Early Elementary Ed:
   Victoria Mendoza loves incorporating technology into her curriculum and introducing it to students in meaningful ways. She notes that teaching them to use technology isn't difficult, "My kindergartners can navigate iPads better than I can. The challenge is incorporating tech-rich material in a way that's meaningful and relevant to what we're learning and that doesn't take away from their learning experiences." In this article she shares a few ways to successfully introduce technology and resources that are safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
   
   Learn more in the article found: HERE


2. 8 Email Tips and Tricks to Make Managing Your Inbox Much Easier:
   While the proliferation of tools like Slack have made it easier to chat with colleagues in real-time, there's a good chance email is still very much a part of your daily routine. It can be difficult to manage your inbox — especially if you're in meetings or focusing on a deadline-driven project. With this in mind, major email providers like Google and Microsoft have added several new time-saving features over the years that can help you get your inbox under control. Here's a look at some easy tips that can help prevent your inbox from overflowing.
   
   Learn more by visiting: HERE.


3. What is Excel Camera Tool and How to Use It?:
   For all those who think working with Excel is boring, here is your answer to them – Excel Camera Tool. Now, don't get all excited. It's is not about a fancy DSLR and lens. It's just another feature with a cool name.
   
   You can find out more: HERE.






We also have other basic instruction in Microsoft Office, including Word 2007, Excel 2007, Powerpoint 2007.





OTHER AREAS OF INTEREST



1. Resources for Educators - In this section you can find classroom resources for Exceptional Children, Smartboards, Character Education, Web 2.0 Resources and other topics.
2. Resources for Parents - Parents can find resources
   on assisting their children with homework, time management, Internet Safety, subject area resources, grade level resources and more.




Common Core State Standards at I4C




Our Common Core State Standards are full of resources for every individual standard. Students can take control of their own learning by clicking on the page with the standard number, and choosing their own resource to practice that skill.




Check out our Common Core Math High School Algebra Standards, Common Core Math Standards, and Common Core ELA Standards.




SAT and ACT Test Preparation

Free Online Practice Resources for ACT Tests and SAT Tests! I4C now offers free SAT and ACT vocabulary and math quizzes. Join our SAT and ACT Test Preparation program and log in as much as you'd like. Students can take practice tests on 5000 vocabulary words or over 1000 math problems. Parents and Mentors can log in to monitor your scores - including seeing which vocabulary words that were missed. Interactive quizzes allow the test taker to retake and study as much as they want.




Sign Up Here for ACT Test & SAT Test Preparation!