Create with Canva

Since this past Spring, I have been hearing about a tech tool that I have now had a chance to explore. I have become impressed with it and would now like to share it with you. This tool is called Canva and it allows you to create logos, flyers, collages, infographics, and more. What's even better is that Canva has developed an education portal to their website with lesson plans created by some of my favorite educators around the globe. Here's one lesson plan about using Canva to create a historical figure. Did I mention that it is free? Canva also has a built in photo editor. I plan to give my blog a face lift with the help of Canva. In addition to a lesson plan about creating graphs to represent percentages, see below for additional lesson ideas with Canva:

Not only is this tech tool fun, but it is so easy to use. What can you create with Canva?

iPad Centers for Literacy, Science and Math

There is an early elementary teacher in Canada that I think has some genius ideas that can also be adapted to meet higher level classrooms. Her name is Mrs. Wideen and I've been following her on Twitter for quite some time. She created these fantastic iPad centers that I just love and with her permission, I am sharing them with you today. The idea is to improve students' math and literacy with these independent center activities. Please find her original blog post here.

One of the most amazing center activities that she suggests, in my opinion, is the Animal Observation Station. I noticed that the app she suggests for this is no longer in existence but as a replacement, I found a fabulous app called Animal Cams- Watch Real Life Wildlife. It costs $.99 but it really is worth the investment. Students can select from a long list of animals that interest them and then they are instantly immersed in the animal's world. The web cam video feed is sharp and it feels as though you are in the wild with them. Using the animal observation sheet that Mrs. Wideen provides, your students can reflect on what they are seeing in the animals' natural habitats. It is awesome.

I am happy to help set these centers up in your classroom. Just ask!