Decodable Books & Instruction

Flyleaf Publishing is an online decodable reading resource for instructors and/or students. It provides 4 different series of picture books that can be read online, with a corresponding focus/part. 

With each book there is a worksheet activity attached via a link under the book labeled “homework” that students and instructors have access to. There is a corresponding SMART Board activity for each book as well that can be accessed under the instructor tab only. The SMART Board element can only be accessed with SMART board software. This resource offers teaching guides for foundational skills and a close reading guide at an additional cost. 

Instructor Page

The book "We Can't Stop" at a glance

Worksheets that are linked below the story "We Can't Stop"

“We Can’t Stop” learning outcome summary at the back of the book 

The book, “We Can’t Stop” is under the first series of the program called, Emergent Reader Series, and its focus is the vowel-consonant or consonant – vowel- consonant rule.

The 4 Reading Series: 

The Emergent Reader Series focuses on 5 parts, VC and CVC words, compound words, multisyllabic words, and words with findings.

 

The Reading Series One has one part, part 6, which focuses on teaching the foundational skills and consolidation skills.

 

The Reading Series Two has parts 7-10 which focus on, consonant digraphs, long vowels with silent “e”, single long vowels, and r-controlled vowels.

 

The Reading Series Three has parts 11-14 which focuses on vowel digraphs, variant vowel digraphs, dipthongs and advanced letter sound.

 

All the series and parts can be accessed by a click of a button on the side bar menu, under instructor or student.

All the series and parts can be accessed by a click of a button on the side bar menu, under instructor or student.

This resource encourages students to activate prior phonics knowledge and skills to enhance their reading skills. The purpose of Flyleaf Publishing is to provide students and instructors support and guidance in filling the gaps between phonics and independent reading when teaching students literature. This resource can be used within a classroom environment or at home with parents/guardians to enhance learning. 

If you want more information, you can visit:   https://flyleafpublishing.com/

Courtesy of: SarahFyfe@NU

Did You Say, "Phonics"?

Phonics Is Critical—but True Literacy Requires More

To improve literacy rates in the U.S., reading expert Timothy Shanahan says we need to stop looking for silver bullets and instead invest in teaching a much broader range of skills. Want to read more, click here >>>>> PHONICS Friends@OISE-23

Education Tool Known as...STARFALL

Starfall is a website in which both teachers and parents can access. More often than not, schools fund this website for their classrooms that request it ($195/year per classroom), allowing students to be able to have an access code they can use at home. If this is not the case and your child's classroom is not using Starfall, there is an at home membership fee of $35/year.  This program offers activities for students in kindergarten up to grade 3 and provides subjects like math, language arts, music, and even some seasonal activities. 

Starfall provides students the opportunity to complete activities on a given subject. For example, if a teacher wants to have an interactive math lesson with her grade one class in addition, they would go under the math category and then click addition. Here, you would press the lever to generate a problem and then once it generates an addition problem, it provides students with some answers to choose from. You can then either pick someone to pick the correct answer or even come up and choose it. These activities can also be done as individual or paired activities, where students get a device to work on completing the activity, making it more entertaining that your typical pencil and paper worksheet.

Below is another example, however this time for a kindergarten classroom. As you may be able to note, teachers found this tool extremely helpful when going through online learning during the pandemic. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i92WEYK8yac

As teachers, we want to ensure that our teaching strategies are as interactive as possible to ensure students stay engaged at all times. It is our goal to make learning fun, and have students actually want to come to school each and every day. It is also our responsibility to work alongside parents to ensure their child is truly grasping the material being taught. With that being said, using a website like Starfall, is an easy, accessible, and fun way for students to practice lessons even outside school hours - all while having fun doing so and using what an object they like best - TECHNOLOGY! 

**If students do not have access to a technological device at home, as an educator, you can discuss with your principal on allowing them to check one out for a day or two. Libraries are also a great option if parents wish to access this site when school is on break (winter break/summer break) and don't have a device for their child to use **

Brought to you by: KatherineD@NU

They Can all Be Good at Math

Creating an Environment Where All Students See That They Can Be Good at Math

When teachers guide students to look beyond narrow metrics of success in math, more students will see their potential for learning. Want to read this article on eduTopia? - Click here >>>>> Good at Math Brought to you by Friends@OISE-23

Check out these resources!!

What is Toy Theater?

Toy Theater is an online educational resource that is designed for elementary age students (K-Grade 4). The resource provides educational concepts in math, language arts, art & music, and includes puzzles, games, even teacher tools! Toy Theatre is ABSOLUTELY FREE and is a great resource for students to engage in online activities! Toy theater can be used in any mobile devices, desktop computers, laptops, etc.

Check it out!

https://toytheater.com/

What is Class Playground? 

Class Playground is an online resource for teachers/future teachers/ parents and anyone interested in how to integrate educational technology with primary education. Class Playground covers topics mentioned in toy theater where they provide descriptions and purpose of activities from toy theater; as well as provide free printables and online interactive activities for students to explore!

Check it out!

https://classplayground.com/

What is Library for Kids?

Library for kids is an online literacy resource for older elementary students to explore different topics in earth science, biology, physics and history. In these topics, students can explore subtopics of Earth, Biology, Physics, Egypt, Greece, Rome & Ancient times! 

If you haven't noticed, all 3 resources are sister companies! These resources are created by the same person, and again absolutely FREE!

Check it out! 

https://libraryforkids.com/

FabiolaR@NiagaraU

GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF BLOOM'S TAXONOMY

We have all been taught about Benjamin Bloom's 1956 revolutionary idea regarding the hierarchy of thinking tasks in terms of abstraction and complexity, however, some ambiguity might leave teachers confused as to how these concepts actually work in the classroom!

Analysis and Evaluation – what's the difference? Though these terms are commonplace, and most of us feel like we possess an innate understanding of their differentiation, what really is the fundamental difference between analyzing and evaluating something? The word *value* is embedded in evaluating; when we evaluate something we are assessing it's value on some sort of metric. For example, if asked you to analyze someone's outfit, you might point out the colour and style of their T-shirt and pants, the accessories they are wearing, etc. However, if I asked you to EVALUATE someone's outfit, you would try to place it on some sort of scale from bad outfit to good outfit.

Overlap between Understanding and Analyzing These two ranks in the pyramid are important to highlight because they are very similar to one another. Analyzing requires a strong understanding, however it also requires some sort of *direction*. If understanding is to extract meaning from a body of text, then analyzing is to extract that meaning with the purpose of accomplishing something higher. Keep this in mind; if you want students to use their higher order thinking skills to analyze something, try and prompt this by having them argue for or against something, identify conflicting elements or gather evidence of something with respect to the piece of writing.

Posted by: ConorQ@NU-OTECC

Minecraft In the Classroom?

Minecraft is one of the most popular games to have been created, selling over 200 million copies of the game. The game is built on the premise of having players work together to explore, build structure, and survive in a 3D virtual Environment. Minecraft: Education Edition Is a game that focuses on developing students' STEM abilities within the very same 3D environment. Covering subjects such as language arts, science, math, history and art & design. 

How Can This Benefit Teachers? 

Teachers often struggle with motivating students to learn particular subjects. Minecraft: Education Edition supplies teachers with 500+ Different lesson plans covering all subject areas, as well as additional lessons that can be purchased. Each Lesson is supplied with a minecraft virtual environment that aids in the development of student learning, as well as the ability to personalize the game for differentiated instruction. For educators who lack experience with minecraft, there are tutorials and free lessons on the curriculum for those who need it. 

How can this Benefit Students? 

Minecraft: Education Edition facilitates a development of student ability while building students confidence and keeping them engaged. Students are able to participate in activities on coding, learn basic to intermediate chemistry, as well as the opportunity to develop their understanding of historical events. Minecraft: Education Edition also facilitates an environment in which students are to work both independently and collaboratively, allowing for the development of communication skills, as well as social and emotional skills. These skills are important for the students educational success, as well as continued success into adulthood.

Chemistry Example                                        Coding Example 

How can I purchase this for my class? 

Minecraft: Education Edition is only available for eligible educational institutions. If the institution is eligible and has a Microsoft 365 Office account, Minecraft can be purchased. For financial information visit: https://educommunity.minecraft.net/hc/en-us/articles/360047119092-FAQ-Availability-Pricing-and-Licensing 

Minecraft as an educational tool creates the opportunity for students to learn fundamental skills, while encouraging student creativity and imagination. Facilitating an environment for student success is crucial to the success we have as educators. Minecraft: Education Edition can be a beneficial resource for educators, as well as a pathway for students' educational success. 

Resources: 

https://education.minecraft.net/en-us 

Steven OTECC @NU

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Technological Growth

Augmentative and alternative communication systems can be used by anyone that has difficulties verbally communicating with others. Sometimes the usage is temporary, and sometimes the usage is permanent.

Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) has been developed over the years due to technology. Before technology, people only used this communication mode through gestures, facial expressions, drawing, writing, pointing to photos, incorporating pictures, and written words. Students use to spell the words by pointing to each letter to communicate (American Speech-Language-Association, 2023).

With the advancement of technology, augmentative and alternative communication can be used by a touch of a button on a device such as an iPad, tablet, or computer, which helps to produce a voice known as a speech-generating device (American Speech-Language-Association, 2023).

Apps can be downloaded unto devices and can be used on the go. The communication apps will help eliminate the constant walking around with pictures, binders, and containers with writing materials for students to express themselves. The iPad with the app will be useful during recess or on a field trip when a student is outside and needs to express themselves quickly.

   

The AAC technological form of communication will be helpful for a student with autism in a classroom to communicate with the teacher and their peers.

Teachers and teacher candidates should familiarize themselves with the various AAC apps used frequently in schools.

Here are some communication apps that an educator might come across.

TouchChat

TouchChat is designed and customized to fit the various age groups and where children are developmentally by having pre-programmed apps available. The touchchat website also provides training and webinars on how to use the app (Speech and language kids, nd).

Avaz

The avaz communication App was created to be used by children with a diagnosis of autism. The app provides quick phrases that children might use regularly. The app also offers a zoom-in option to support visually impaired children. The buttons are also large enough for students with motor challenges.

These apps are generally recommended by a speech and language pathologist. Educators are not the ones who choose the apps for the students. The parents will communicate the app their child is using with the school, and the teacher will get training on how to use it to support the student in the classroom.

References:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (nd). Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). https://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/aac

Speech and Language Kids (nd). Communication Apps: The Best AAC Apps for Kids. https://www.speechandlanguagekids.com/aac-apps-review/

       

https://www.up.ac.za/centre-for-augmentative-alternative-communication/article/25769/speakoutup

Courtesy of Sue-Ann@NUO-OTECC

Why Coding?

The growing integration of technology in society is evident now more than ever, especially in school classrooms. In fact, technology in schools and learning was generally known to simply consist of the overhead projector or even a standard computer lab or chrome books. However, with the rise of technology in its use and relevance along with changes in some learning strands in the curriculum, students are now being introduced to Coding. 

Why?

Coding and the learning process of coding extends further from just a mere requirement for computer programmers. Coding offers students valuable opportunities for building on critical thinking logic and reasoning skills. Similarly, coding teaches students computational thinking. This computational thinking is regarded as a fundamental skill to be developed within complex problem solving. Through coding various strategies are used to develop thorough and complex understanding of issues along with analyzing and identifying solutions.

Coding in some shape or form can be likened to learning math. For instance, learning about the Pythagorean theorem or Algebra can often be deemed by some students as a useless skill that is only taught in school and will never be used in students' future lives. However, the cognitive thought process or mathematical reasoning that takes place in solving or understanding mathematical concepts are fundamental skills that are necessary to support our logical and spatial reasoning and more importantly our ability to problem solve can be applied to every day lives and careers. In other words, math is all around us and will follow throughout our life.

Currently coding is offered in fairly limited amount in school learning as it is optional, like technology however, it is reasonable to expect the prevalence of coding to rise if not more opportunities to facilitate towards building on these fundamental problem-solving skills.

There is a great deal of online resources are available that provide and support coding practice for students from kindergarten through grade 8. Many of which come in the form of popular online games like Minecraft and Roblox. Some that can be accessed include:

Code Spark

https://www.kidlocoding.com/

https://www.codemonkey.com

https://www.edugains.ca/resourcesTELO/CE/CodingInterface/interface.html

Monica@OTECC-NUO

ReadWorks

ReadWorks is a fantastic tool that gives teachers the tools and support they need to improve the academic achievement of their students. Students can use this to have access to reading tools such as vocabulary aids, annotation tools, and accessibility features. They're a nonprofit organization with an ambitious purpose to create high-quality reading instruction tools and supports that make an impact on student learning. 

They focus on on the three pillars of reading comprehension to improve student reading and overall reading outcomes, those include:

• Building Background Knowledge
• Growing Vocabularies
• Strengthening Strategic Reading

With the collaboration with teachers, ReadWorks allows us to create accessible, ready-to-use instruction support tools. It is a great tool for teachers to use and incorporate into their classroom to provide their students with the access to reading material and activities online. 

ReadWorks provides: 

• Access to more than 5000 high-quality texts
• Built-in alignments, levels and differentiation
• Automated grading and assessment data
• Support with the core curriculum with Book Studies
• Support to build student background knowledge 
• Collaboration with Clever Library and Google Classroom

ReadWorks is a fantastic tool and support for teachers and students that is free for both. It creates proven high-quality content, teacher guidance, and integrated tools that improve teacher effectiveness and student achievement. Use the link below to explore!

Check it out and  click here >>>> https://www.readworks.org

MarcoS@NU

TIME for kids

TIME for kids is an amazing resource for students in grades k-6 to use for conducting research. This website allows students to be independent in their work and research process, or even just in searching topic of interest to them! This site provides credible information and articles for students that is readily accessible and easy to access. This is an awesome resources for teachers to provide for students to use not only for research, but for students to learn to develop the technological skills. 

Follow the link down below to try out "TIME for kids":

https://www.timeforkids.com/k1/?age=child

Brought to you by: Diana@OTECA-NUO

Edpuzzle

Make Any Video Your Lesson edpuzzle.com

Edpuzzle is an online educational platform that allows teachers to create interactive video lessons for their students. The platform is designed to enhance learning experiences by integrating videos, quizzes, and other interactive elements into the lessons.

Teachers can find and select videos from a variety of sources, including YouTube, The National Geographic, or they can upload their own. They are able to edit the videos and add voiceovers, notes, questions, and other interactive elements that engage students in order to help them understand the material better.

Students are able to access the video lessons from any device and complete the lesson at their own pace. Teachers can monitor student progress, track their performance, and provide personalized feedback to help them succeed.

Overall, I believe Edpuzzle is a great tech tool for teachers as it provides an innovative and engaging way to teach and learn that allows teachers to create a more interactive classroom experience.

Courtesy of: JuliaG@NU

Coding in Education

      Coding Defined

"Coding is a method of communicating with a computer. It is using a language that a computer understands to give a computer instructions in order to perform specific functions. Coding allows us to create things such as computer software, websites, apps and video games" 

(https://teachyourkidscode.com/why-coding-is-important-to-learn/)

As technology continues to re-invent and drive new approaches to teaching and learning, coding has evolved as a necessary academic tool to support students in navigating an ever-increasing digital society. Likewise, as technology has become an integral part of our world, coding has transformed into an essential literacy skill for current and future students and has urged educators to adapt to innovative teaching methods to enable students to become positive contributors to the digital realm. 

Five Awesome Benefits of Coding in Education

• Encourages students to be logical thinkers and problem solvers
• Allows students to be more confident as digital citizens and expand their creative thinking
• Supports computational thinking and learning how to think logically and critically
• Prepares students for the future of the modern world
• Creates opportunities for integrated and cross-curriculum learning

Coding Video Resource

Check out this video for a real look into the positive impact coding has on the lives of students!

Coding: By a kid, for kids | Krish Mehra | TEDxKentState

Coding Resource for Teachers: Blockly Games

                   

Blocky offers a wide range of games that  teach kids how to code using interactive challenges, such as puzzles, mazes, birds, music, movies, and more. This is a super entertaining platform that integrates coding into gaming to produce a programming experience that's both engaging and beneficial and allows students to see the results of their coding text on the spot, which helps them fully realize and visualize what they can build. Check it out!

GraceD@NU

Direct Instruction or Inquiry-Based Learning?

I know you're torn - you were taught with direct instruction and you turned out fine.  Now, we say that children should explore and be guided more by inquiry.   So which is right?   It’s not either/or: Rather than choosing direct instruction or inquiry-based learning, educators strategically use both methods. To read about this click there >>>>>DIRECT or INQUIRY Courtesy of Friends@OISE-23

Quizlet!

Quizlet is a great online application that helps students practice and study the learning material. As an educator, you can upload the learning material to Quizlet and allow your students to explore the information in various interactive ways. Quizlet allows students to review information through seven study modes: flashcards, learn, write, spell, test, match and gravity. Students are able to choose which mode they want to use to best fit their learning needs and preferences. As students are all unique learners, providing them with different learning modes will allow them to have the most successful learning experience. This application is an excellent way for students to prepare for tests and better understand the learning material. Students can use Quizlet in class and at home, allowing them to continue practicing and developing their understanding even when they are not in the classroom. Quizlet also includes accommodations such as text-to-speech audio features in some study modes and the option to add pictures to the information or questions provided. The application also allows teachers to promote collaboration in the classroom when learning the material through an interactive game called Quizlet Live. It allows students to work together at their own pace to indicate the correct terms and definitions and try to beat their classmates.

I have used Quizlet as a tutor and created personalized learning material for my students. I noticed that my students would practice the Quizlet between our tutoring sessions as it is fun and interactive. They also did better on their tests and assignments, because they were able to have a better understanding as they practiced the learning material through the seven different study modes that Quizlet offers. Quizlet is an excellent resource for teachers to use in the classroom to allow their students to understand better the learning material provided and have better success in their learning.

Link to Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/latest

SabrinaS@NU

Pebbles Go!

Courtesy of Ashilie@NU)-OTECA