Google Forms for Distance Learning

One of the hardest parts about distance learning is so much of the instructional materials become so dry and it's easy for students & teachers to lose interest.  When your students need a break from reading passages and you need to escape grading Google Classroom assignments, then rely on Google Forms for its amazing ability to self-correct questions!

Another struggle during distance learning is determining how to translate science instruction into an online learning platform.  So, I found the educational and engaging YouTube videos I would have shown to introduce a scientific concept in my brick & mortar classroom, and created, "Watch and Learn" activities.  Animal adaptations, animal behavior, extreme weather, earth and space science are all represented.

How Does It Work?

1. Simply assign the Google Form as a shared link or assignment in Google Classroom.

2. Students simply watch a 5 minute or less video clip on a nonfiction science topic (animal adaptations, tornadoes, volcanic lightning, etc.) and answer the 5-point question quiz.  

3. When they've finished answering the questions, they will receive immediate feedback on how well they understood the topic.  

It doesn't get much simpler to engage kids digitally with digestible, fun learning experiences!

Each Watch and Learn set includes 5 digital learning activities for Google Forms.  You can assign one each day, or you can assign it once a week so it becomes something your class can earn for attendance (or whatever you're trying to work towards as a team goal)!  

If you are interested in sampling these Google Forms Watch and Learn activities, you can try the End of Year set for free (available here.)  Teachers and students alike love these Google Forms digital learning activities!

If you would like to incorporate these distance learning activities into your lesson plans and score the best deal possible, check out the bundled set with 30 Google Forms!  

Why Research Projects are Perfect for Distance Learning

Research projects are PERFECT for distance learning because it puts the child in charge of their own learning!  The reason it is important for teachers like me, is our district decided teachers are not allowed to instruct on new academic content during this time of school closures.  This was a result of not being able to insure everyone has access to the same material.  So I thought, RESEARCH PROJECTS to the RESCUE! Besides, it's what I typically assign after state testing is over with anyway!

So, who doesn't love going on the endless rabbit hunt from time to time when you start diving into a topic?  GUILTY!! NOW is the time to get the students on that learning train!  Go ahead, dangle that carrot in front of them if you have to, but kickstart that love for learning again by assigning a digital research project.  Make sure you maintain parameters, of course! Just provide your class with a little bit of context, some suggested kid-friendly research websites, and an overarching topic.  

Watch my video to see how I kickstart the research phase of our Animal Research Project!

In my opinion, animals and countries are great places to start when introducing research projects.  Don't be afraid when you hear "research projects" and you think back to that dreadful semester-long project your high school English teacher assigned you.  Think of what it looks like now in a 1:1 classroom setting or digital learning through Google Classroom.  It can be as simple as a presentation you might create to teach your class about a new topic - but this time your students are teaching!

What's the encyclopedia of modern times? The Internet!! And how do you begin that search? GOOGLE!  Nobody does Ask Jeeves or Yahoo anymore.  So utilize the research tools available inside Google Docs and Google Slides to set your students up for success in a research project!  And if you're looking for some quality research projects, hurry up and check-out my digital resources by clicking the image below. I promise you with the cute template and 5 video tutorials included to set your students up for success, you'll definitely enjoy how simple it was to assign a research project:

Until we meet again, have a beautiful rest of your day!

Uplifting Strategies for Distance Learning

Attitude is a powerful thing, and it's important to UPLIFT students during distance learning when we can all feel a little glum!  

To combat my classroom Debbie Downers, I started a Moodlifter Monday video segment.  Basically, I played a humorous or thought-provoking video while my class watched & ate their morning snack. 

First, I set the stage for the video clip and stressed the importance of keeping a positive attitude even during times of adversity, and then played the funny reel.  My students LOVED getting in on the action and really enjoyed finding clips for me to share based on something they had created or found online.

During this time of distance learning and the pandemic, you can share a slide with your students through your shared screen on ZOOM, Google Meets or Google Classroom, etc.

As you can see, there's an attached video clip (in the bottom right corner) for students to watch.  In this example, I have shared a humorous animal video clip from a search on YouTube.  I also recommend Kid President and Ellen for more great material!

• sharing a joke of the day(can be changed to thought or quote of the day)
• sharing a bitmoji image(can be changed to a giphy.com or selfie)
• Ask a check-in question through the Classroom stream, a shared Slide or Form
  (example: What's something fun you did yesterday?)
• Include "national holiday" or "this day in history" fun facts
  (National Day Calendar or History)
• Include a physical or mindfulness exercise clip for all to participate
  
• Inspire creativity with a directed drawing (art video clip) or fun read aloud
  

If you would like to use the digital template pictured above in your classroom, click here.