Happy Friday and (yay!) it's also PAYDAY!  I don't know about you but August has felt long!

1.  Read Write Think is an old site but from time to time it's nice to pull these old sites out, dust them off and put them out for use.  This site is is one of my favorites! It can be utilized on a desktop or they have apps like Alphabet Organizer, Trading Cards, and Timeline which will work on tablets as well.  

2.    STEM/ STEAM Bins
Would you like to give your students something that will engage their critical thinking and creativity during those times when you need an anchor activity or even during those inside recess days?  You may want to start putting together some STEM/STEAM Bins.  I have some I can show you in each of my schools.  STEM Bins are plastic school boxes filled with an engineering manipulative of your choice, such as Legos, pattern blocks, base ten blocks, unifix cubes, toothpicks and playdough, or popsicle sticks with velcro on the ends.  On of the students' favorite challenges is the red dixie cup challenge.  I found the cutest little red cups at Food Lion!  Ok, I know they are supposed to be disposable shot glasses but the kids don't know that.  One student saw them and ask me how I shrunk the cups.  LOL!!  The idea behind STEAM Bins is that the students take a box along with a picture you give them.  You can have several pictures on a plastic key ring.  Make the pictures simple.  Hint:  Look through old teaching materials and grab some of those CVC or alphabet pictures to use.  The students have to use the materials in the box to  build the picture.  

3.  Hyperdoc ideas for the Daily 5  
​Here is a resource for teachers to use with Daily 5 and Chromebooks.   This was shared with me by a fellow ITRT.  It has some great ideas for taking your daily 5 into the Tech Zone.  Click the image to open the hyperdoc.

4.  Last year Google for Education introduced, “Tuesday Tips,” a weekly spotlight on Google for Education tools. Google is sharing tips to help educations with all of your favorite Google Tools. These tips are released every Tuesday, and they come in the form of a published Google Slide Deck. They have released tips for Google Expeditions, Google Forms, and Google Classroom.  To check it out, click on the image.

5.  Friday at the Movies - In honor of Payday

Welcome back!  I am so excited to start this year.  We have survived a full week.  Congratulations to us!!  This is my first 5 on Friday blog.  It may be light!

1.  Elementary Teacher Google Plus Page 
Last year Gail and I got permission to start a Google+ page called ACPS Elementary Teachers.  When we find links or create resources we will be posting them to this page.  We are hoping you join and post as well.  I will be coming door to door next week to show you how to sign up or you can click the following link.  ​https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/106544968765854857824
Please note that this can only be viewed by those that have an Amherst email address.  Once you join, you can see it if you are signed in using your work address.

2.  STEAM idea:  Paper Building Blocks
This year I plan to include a weekly STEAM idea that you can do in your classroom without losing instructional time.  This week is all about paper building blocks.   The original idea came from a website called 50+ Genius STEM Ideas.
Materials Needed:  colored cardstock, scissors, tape/glue, scissors or paper cutter, ruler
Procedure: 
Step 1:  Cut strips from the cardstock. It works best if your strips are 1 inch wide and 3- 6 inches long.  How many?  I would start with at least 3-5 per student.  Older students may be able to cut their own.
Step 2:  Fold the strip into thirds or as I like to tell the students, burrito style.
Step 3:  Unfold the strip and tape it so that it makes a triangle.  
Step 4:  Put these strips along with some glue or tape in a center and invite your students to use these to create structures or sculptures. You can add more strips when needed if you run low.

3.  Google Resource
Here is a resource you can use to introduce your students to Google Apps.  This one is done in Google Slides.   Click on the image to get your copy.  This idea can be altered to gather information on content subjects as well.  Let me know if you would like me to show you how to create an assignment like this.  

Google Tip:  Email Signatures
I have gotten several emails already asking me how to create or edit an email signature in G-Mail.  I admit this is one of those skills that is easy to forget since you don't do it often.  Fortunately, G-Mail's help center has step by step directions.  If you still need help please send me an email to schedule a time for the next day I am in your building.

5.  Friday at the Movies-  Love Gerry Brooks!