Expand Quizlet for Collaborative Work and Vocabulary Review Fun

One of the technology tools that we learned about for my Digital and Social Media in Education class was Quizlet. Quizlet is an excellent vocabulary review game that my students enjoy. They can access online note cards using their smart phones. We also play the online review games, like Scatter, on the day before the test.

Quizlet doesn't have to be a solitary study tool. In this post I share ways to expand Quizlet into a social activity.

First, students can enter vocabulary terms collaboratively into Quizlet. Quizlet offers an easy import option from spreadsheets. I create a spreadsheet using Google and type all of the vocabulary words into one column. I share the link with my students and they work together to fill in all of the words in the second column until the class finishes.

I don't like to spend class time on busy work, like doing vocabulary worksheets, but I still think vocabulary terms are a good way to introduce a topic and link to previous learning experiments. Doing the work collaboratively gives students more time to quiz and less time just copying from a textbook.

One of my favorite functions, other than the spreadsheet import, is the flashcard printing option. I keep decks of cards of my units to fill the odd time as students finish their labs at different times.

One game we play is actually from a bridal shower. We all had the names of Disney characters pinned to our back and had to have conversations with people to guess our character. For a vocabulary review, the students have either a word or definition pinned to them and they have to find their partner.

Another game we like is Old Maid. The students match their cards and the first student to lose all of their cards is the winner.

We also play Popcorn Race which I have blogged about before. I like that game because students are very competitive with it. It encourages them to learn their words so they can win during classtime.

Have you used Quizlet in your classroom before? I've really expanded on it in the last year and am happy with the results. My students have fun and do well on quizzes.

Popcorn Race Vocabulary Game

I'm always looking for ways to make our sexuality unit a little less awkward for my Teen Insights students. I came across this idea from Regurgitated Alpha Bits, the blog of an elementary teacher. She uses this game to review multiplication tables.

I have several decks of cards with vocabulary words and terms.  I distribute all of the cards to the class being sure that every student has at least two.

I choose a word to start. The student with the definition reads it. That same student reads a new word. On and on until the deck is finished.

After I demonstrated this to the whole class I divided my students into two smaller groups with their own deck. The groups race to see who can make it through their deck first.

I like this activity because the students are under pressure to find their words quickly and review the definition.  They don't have time to hesitate or feel awkward about the words they are assigned. The light peer pressure also encourages the students to study their words so they are not the student to hold their group behind.

Stock up on Easter Sale Items

It's Easter time! Of course the true importance of this holiday is a personal one, it is also a good time to stock up on items that will keep your budget down for next year.
Things you will find at great prices this week include:

• Ham Bones are a great way to demonstrate stock. They could also be used in cooking dried beans demonstration.
• Pork products. No matter how much I hate the smell of cooking meat, my students still insist on sneaking bacon into every creative project. I hope this trend ends soon! :) The Iowa Pork Checkoff offers vouchers for purchasing pork for classroom use.
• Peeps are great for demonstrating how a microwave works.  They are so much more fun than plain marshmallows. (And they are CHEEP! this time of year ;) )
• Sugar! My local HyVee has it priced for just $.99 for 4 lbs, limit four per customer.
• Flour! HyVee has it for $1.68 for 5 lbs, no limit!
• Not a sale item, but fun to note that pies cost $10 on sale! What a great fundraiser or business idea!

QR Codes for Absent/Missing Work

Although I have yet to figure out the QR code reader on my smart phone, my students love them. That is why I am utilizing QR codes to relay absent and missing work to students.

I made this poster for my classroom using this QR Code Generator.  Each code takes students to the corresponding page on this blog.  As you know, each page has a link to the class outline which in turn has links to most class content.

You know, back in the day, I didn't get a cell phone until I was a senior in high school. Even then I didn't have text messaging. My, how times have changed! We also had these light-up box things called "overhead projectors." ;)

A Simple Filing System For Teachers

I begin my terms by introducing myself to my students as an extremely unorganized person.  Although I appear to have it all together and be quite strict, it is because I am deeply connected to specific procedures to keep me on track.  I tell my students that if they tell me something I will forget it, and if they hand me something I will lose it.  I touch absolutely no paper from them.

Everything goes in to the "In" folder and goes out in their personal folder, which is color-coded by class. I keep a stack of bright scrap paper next to my file for students to write notes (Please update a grade, I'll be gone next week, etc.)

When I take papers home, or to an air conditioned room on a day like last week, they are separated into three clips. My clips are large binder clips with typed labels and clear packing tape. 

• Check: Items that need my feedback.
• Record: Items that go straight to the grade book, like formatives or bell work, or items that have been checked and need to be recorded.
• Return: Papers that need to be sorted into student folders.  This is on my task list for students who are not using work time wisely. :)

I find that these three files, in combination with an "In" file for each class and a personal file for each student, keep all of my things in order.  

Food & Nutrition Syllabus

It's already the start of a new school year!  I am happy to be back and am looking forward to this term.  I am teaching three sections of my favorite class, Food and Nutrition.

One of the first things we do in every class is share the syllabus.  You can find my Food and Nutrition syllabus here.

While my I am not a believer in the "Don't smile until Christmas" advice, my syllabi tend to be pretty strict.  I like to cover all of my bases.

Some highlights include...

• Workmanship.  All work will be labeled and no "Txt" slang will be accepted.  I would never throw away an assignment based on this, but students need a gentle reminder.
• Electronics policy. I handle each incidence on a case-by-case basis but have a strict policy in the syllabus.
• Dress code. Every teacher handles this differently so I like to discuss it right away.

Okay, vets...

• What makes your syllabi unique?
• What additions have you made to your syllabi over the years?