Technology Sites We Frequently Use
Zearn
Zearn is an additional resource for math. The lessons here are directly correlated to the math lessons we do in class, just with a different teacher and online. It will make reference to a note’s page. They will not have this. While working through these Independent Digital Lessons, your child will learn and practice new concepts at his/her own pace. Independent Digital Lessons include fun warm-ups to build math foundations, interactive videos to learn new concepts, paper and pencil work to transfer/reinforce learning, and lots of supportive, precise, and personalized feedback. I encourage you to explore Zearn Math with your child to learn more.
Xtra Math
Xtra math is a great program and I love it. It focuses on practicing fluency with speed and accuracy. This will hopefully break students from counting on their fingers and teach them the basic facts. The following answers the purpose of Xtra math. This was taken straight from the site.
When logging into Xtra math, use my email so that they can start off in the same area they stopped while in school. Their username is their first name and initial of last name. Their password is the 4 digit part of their logon password. (ex. dr0118 would be 0118)
"What is the purpose of XtraMath?
XtraMath helps students transition from counting or calculating the basic math facts to recalling them. Recalling math facts instead of calculating them frees up mental resources for higher-level operations.
XtraMath uses timed activities to encourage students to answer the questions as quickly as possible combined with spaced repetition to efficiently develop recall. The three-second threshold is carefully selected to be long enough to type in a recalled answer but not long enough for the student to comfortably enter a counted or calculated answer.
Students should have already learned the basic counting or calculating strategies and be able to solve the problems without time pressure before starting to practice an operation on XtraMath."
Edmentum
We use Edmentum for practice in reading and math skills. The best thing about this is it aligned to each child’s individual MAP scores, so they are only working on the skills they need to reinforce. Exact Path combines adaptive diagnostic assessments with individualized learning pathways to promote growth for K-12 grade students in math, reading, and language arts. Whether you're running a station-rotation model in your 3rd grade classroom for individualized support or steering struggling 10th graders through closing significant gaps in order to graduate, Exact Path tailors learning to each student’s academic goals.
Freckle
Freckle covers all of the strands and gives them extra opportunities to practice what we are working on. The students are allowed to practice math and reading here. The math strands are broken down and they take a pre-test before starting each strand. The reading portion focuses on articles, word study, and practice reading skills.
“As teachers already know, every classroom has students at many different levels. In fact, 73% of classrooms have students with math and reading levels that span across more than four grade levels!
But, we also have to bear in mind that students are so much more than just their math and reading levels.
Our students are actual human beings who each come to the classroom with different interests, personalities, backgrounds, and learning preferences.
Every single student is different.
In fact, even in the case of identical twins, digital imaging systems can actually spot minute differences in their freckles.
The name Freckle will serve as a reminder that every student is a unique human being. And, it represents our responsibility to ensure that every student receives a world-class education.”
https://student.freckle.com/#/login
Class Code: 4GYGSV
Vocabulary.Com
I use vocabulary.com as a way to build and reinforce vocabulary. As we know, vocabulary has an impact on all subject areas. Students can play vocabulary games that I have created as well as learn new vocabulary. Though they can see we are in competition with other schools, that is not my primary focus. On this site, students should be writing new/unknown vocabulary in their reading notebooks and adding them to their online list. I have added the requirement of finding 2 new words/definitions from Vocabulary.com. These words are to be added to each child’s notebook weekly as a reading grade. They should be familiar with those words and able to utilize/define them.
Reasons for using Vocabulary.com
Don’t just memorize. Achieve mastery.
Ditch the flash cards and stop memorizing definitions. Vocabulary.com teaches you words by systematically exposing you to a wide array of question types and activities that will help you understand all the meanings and nuances of every word you’re learning.
Even after you’ve achieved mastery, we’ll reinforce what you have learned to make sure that it all stays fresh in your memory.
Get the lowdown on every word.
When you look up a word in our dictionary, you’ll read a friendly explanation that you will actually remember. It’s as if your favorite teacher were explaining the word to you.
Our clever usage tips and thousands of real-world examples will show you how words live in the wild so you’ll be more confident using them yourself.
See a word you’d like to know better? Click "Learn this Word" and easily add it to your learning program.
Quizlet.com
Quizlet is a great way for students to review. The students are already familiar with the format of Quizlet. They can create flashcards, practice the spelling of the word, match the term to the definition, play games against each other, and even test themselves. To begin each set, I normally add an image to help the students visualize the word. They can remove these images when they are ready to test themselves.
Mission
“Our mission is simple: To help students (and their teachers) practice and master whatever they are learning. Quizlet provides engaging, customizable activities with contributions from people everywhere.”
Edgenuity
Edgenuity is another awesome resource that we use. The NWEA (MAP) has partnered with Compass Learning. The program assigns task to the students based solely on your child’s MAP scores, so it is more l;]]\individualized. Each subject is broken into strands, which is then broken into folders, which is broken into subfolders. Once a student completes a folder, it deletes itself. This is great because it lets me know how hard they are working. I can also go in and assign tasks that relate to what we are doing.
When logging in, make sure the campus is listed as LCEUC.
"We are very excited to offer the alignment between MAP for Primary Grades and CompassLearning Odyssey," said Matt Chapman, NWEA president and CEO. "Now our youngest students can get the powerful learning bonus that comes when MAP data is combined with compelling curriculum."
"With the alignment between MAP for Primary Grades and CompassLearning educators can create personalized learning paths for students that not only ensure they are experiencing academic success, but support their personal growth," said Ann Henson, vice president of curriculum and instruction for Compasslearning. "Working with NWEA, we are able to provide teachers with information and resources that help them more efficiently and effectively understand each student and provide them with the resources to reach and engage them in realizing their full potential."
https://www.thelearningodyssey.com/
8. Khan Academy
Khan Academy is an awesome site, especially to build those math skills. It provides you the rigor that Zearn will not, but they have now added a program to their site that is totally based on Engage NY. This is what Zearn is but focuses strictly on the lesson, whereas Khan provides some rigor to it.
While the standards may be common, we know that students are not -- they each have their own learning journey. This is why we are committed to personalized learning that lets students practice what they most need help on, at their own pace, at absolutely no cost.
Sal Khan
Founder and CEO of Khan Academy
9. Read Theory
ReadTheory.org combines a no-cost, personalized online learning environment with increasing degrees of motivational gamified content. More importantly, all content on ReadTheory is in line with grade-specific Common Core State Standards on English Language Arts, ensuring that in-program progress translates to offline success on state standardized tests . ReadTheory activities are designed to foster critical thinking skills, enrich vocabulary, and prepare students for college- and career-relevant literacy.
https://readtheory.org/auth/login?
