Grouping Students

I have been working on doing more station type activities, and while we all love to do things outside of the box time is an issue. I sometimes which that were 12 more hours in each day so I could get all things done.  Planning time is something that is needed for something like stations.  I use to be the teacher that would stand at the door with several different colored sticky notes and that would be my station assignments for the first grouping......UNTIL NOW.....I recently discovered a Google Sheets add on for grouping students it is called Flippity and I am IN LOVE with it and how easy it is for me to group my students.

I actually have it placed in the About Section in my Google Classroom for easy access.  It have used it many many times and not just for grouping my students.  I have started asking questions at the very end of my class every day as my students are placing their Chromebooks up, Spin this and ask the random student a question from our class in review.

Even my high school students like the spinner and the watch it to see if their name comes up.  I know there are many random name selectors out there and this was not the purpose of Flippity for me, however I do enjoy it.  I set the stations or groups in my classroom on the Promethean Board, as my students come in they are directed by color of their group.  I have found for classroom management it is a great tool for my students to find their correct seat and begin work instantly.  I group them differently each time and the students have no idea as to why they are working with the teacher assigned groups.

Here is an example of triples in a group and I often change the number of students in stations or groups depending on the activity at hand. Here is an example of more grouping options from Flippity.

If you decide to use this, or if you have been using it for a longer time that I have please share with me the ways the you have used it.   I also know that there are tons of other things that can be done with this extension but this one is so far my favorite.

XOXO

Lynda

Ga ETC Conference

I was fortunate to have attended the Ga ETC conference in Atlanta Nov 8-10, and it did not disappoint.  I have been still learning even after a week of being at home, the presenters and the sessions were amazing.  I was lucky enough to attend a few years ago after writing a grant, but my oh my has technology changed since my first visit.

I feel like the three days should have been ten days...there are so many great ideas for the classroom out there.  I had a few HUGE take ways that I will be sharing in the next few days.   I know that this blog is my quiet little piece of putting my ideas down mainly for myself,  but if you have not had the opportunity to see Leslie Fisher, Tony Vincent, Christoper Craft you certainly should look for them.  I am a huge fan of Social Media, my least favorite for personal use is Twitter, however professional, I have found that Twitter is like your own personal conference in your PJ's on the couch with your Mac.  I have learned so much from these three and so many more by just following on Twitter.  I encourage you to have a professional Twitter account, I learn more than I post, @lyndamoore209 is my twitter so follow me and show me what you are doing in your classrooms.

xoxo

Lynda