Month: January 2020

Google Classroom (Still) to the Rescue: Blogging, Vlogging, & Podcasting

by Laura Steinbrink, posted in Education

My top performing post by far debuted in January, 2018, and deals with how to use the new Google Sites for blogging while combining it with Google Classroom to provide our students with the authentic audience they need and the feedback via comments that are still safe. Since then, I've opened up the platforms to include Adobe Spark Page and Wakelet, giving my high school students control over which platform they prefer, but I still sitesmash (like an app smash...but with websites) with Google Classroom to give me the control over the comments that I prefer.

4 Tips to Help Students and Families Survive the Winter Blues and Stress

by Laura Steinbrink, posted in Education

It’s that time of year when the winter blues hit, sunlight is not always a constant presence, and the days seem longer and drearier. Coming back from the winter break can be tough for some students, and keeping their momentum going for attending school and keeping up with their classwork can be a challenge.

Buncee in the HS Classroom

by Laura Steinbrink, posted in Education

As a high school English and Spanish teacher, I am always on the lookout for tools that will help my students be creative, demonstrate knowledge and learning, and then also result in products that can be shared. The latest tool like this that I have explored for students is Buncee. Like any tool I explore with students, I am always looking for versatility.

Just Bloom

by Laura Steinbrink, posted in Education

We preach growth mindset to students and colleagues, but we frequently think we know what the future holds for others. Girls should grow up to be this. Boys grow up to be that. I want us to intentionally stop. A student can graduate from high school and make a living playing the banjo. A student can create fabric patterns and sell them to the world via website marketplaces. Any of us can publish a book, retire early to backpack all over Europe, or play for the Harlem Globetrotters (my son's first stated career goal). How do we know the full potential of those around us if we continue to plant the seeds of doubt, can't, and impossible?