Make beautiful websites with Google Sites

This week was my final week in my current graduate class, and for my final project, I was assigned the task of creating a Google Site. This was perfect for me since I desperately needed to update my teacher website.

My school is a G-Suite for Education School, so I have an educator Google account. But even if you aren't at a G-Suite school, you can still create a site with a regular Google account. Click here to start building your site now.

Building a site can usually be pretty overwhelming, but it really is simple and easy with the updated version of Google Sites. You can simply click and drag to move things around on your site for example. Check out this tutorial from Teacher's Tech for more specifics.

Using this tutorial, I was able to create my own site. Here is a look at my home page.

I was able to really personalize my site with an embedded Google Calendar, photos, items from my Google Drive, links, and even a customized search engine. I also added different pages to address different topics on my site like Math, Reading, and Science.

Another thing I chose to include was my Twitter feed. I like to use Twitter to connect with parents and other educators to showcase what we are doing in the classroom. Here is a tutorial on how to embed your Twitter feed on your Google Site.

I am excited to push my site out to parents! I think it will be a great way to keep lines of communication open while also providing resources for extra practice or enrichment.

Show students the world with Google Earth and Google Tour Builder

This week I learned more about using Google Earth and Google Tour Builder in the classroom. Both tools can be marvelous ways to show students the world from their seat in your classroom.

Google Earth

Google Earth allows users to click anywhere in the world to see it and learn more about it. My husband describes it as "a more powerful version of the globe that came with a pen that you could point to places." Remember those? Our kids might never know that gem, but being able to see images of places all around the world is a much more powerful way to engage students.

My favorite part of Google Earth is the Voyager tool. Clicking on the captain's wheel will bring you to several premade tours like Lewis and Clark and even layers like weather radar.

Check out this video to learn how to use Google Earth.

Visit this blog on the 10 Best Ways to Use Google Earth in Your Classroom for more tips!

Google Tour Builder

Another great resource to show students the world is Google Tour Builder. This tool allows you to guide students to specific locations in order to teach your content. You can embed photos and videos into your tour locations and even include street view. You could use this to show significant locations in the American Revolution, or you could show the important points along the Oregon Trail.

Check out this brief tutorial to learn more about using Google Tour Builder in the classroom.

Check out my Google Tour on Erosion in the United States for my second-grade science unit.

Both Google Earth and Google Tour Builder are great tools to use in the classroom, but I think for now I prefer Google Tour Builder. I like the ability to easily integrate photos and videos and have a sequence for my lesson. 

Make YouTube Work for You in the Classroom

YouTube is Google's largest service, so it's no surprise that teachers are seeking to use YouTube to help enhance their classroom lessons.

YouTube allows you to subscribe to channels that can offer professional development like one of my personal favorite's, Teacher's Tech.

You could also create your own channel by uploading videos to YouTube. This is a great tool especially if you are interested in implementing a flipped classroom. Check out this link for instructions on how to upload a video.

If you like using videos in your classroom, check out my demo on how you can make YouTube work for you. Create playlists, omit distractions, and edit a video's start time.

Useful Features of Google Calendar and Google Photos

This week I learned a little more about using Google Calendar and Google Photos.

Google Calendar

If you are like me, you may have been using Google Calendar for several years. I love using it to coordinate my family's schedule quickly and easily. I can easily add events to my husband's work calendar, like Parent Conference Night. Then he can prevent others from scheduling meetings later on those days so he can get home in time to take care of our kids while I work late. (Clearly, he needs to accept my invite! Luckily, he also has the ability to view my calendar, so anything I add is always noticed!)

You can also use calendars to communicate events with parents, plan lessons, and even schedule those conference appointment times on conference night.

Check out this video from Teacher's Tech on some useful tips on using Google Calendar more effectively.

Google Photos

The next awesome feature I learned more about was Google Photos. This is an excellent resource to store and backup photos without using all of your computer or phone storage. I always knew about that feature, but as I am an Amazon Prime member, I didn't see a need for it since all of my photos back up to Prime Photos.

However, I was WRONG! Using Google Photos can be a great way to easily share a large collection of photos with parents from a class field trip or special event.

Additionally, you can use Google Photos in the classroom. For instance, if you taught your students about states of matter, you could add them as collaborators to your album. Next, students could upload photos they take of those states of matter.

Check out this video to learn more about Google Photos.

It just goes to show that even if you think you really know or understand an application, there is almost always something new to learn about.