​Slicing today by following in the footsteps of Judy at Joodles Now and Then, I'm posting a Six Word Story today:

Spring Break skiing, powder day calling!

{Oh, and here's a tiny timely Thursday Tech Tip for you:  if you haven't played around with a photo editing app called Prisma, it's fun and addicting!  It's available for both android and iOS users. Go check it out and don't say I didn't warn you....}

That's it - thanks, Mother Nature and Judy, for today's inspiration!

It's Tuesday - and here is a quick tech tool for you.  Google Forms are so easy to use and incredibly versatile!

First, here are two links and experts to get you started if you've not explored GF much—or even if you've used GF a bunch, you'll find something new to learn!  These ladies have tons of ideas for using Google Forms in more ways than you can even imagine!

​Look at Shake It Up Learning with Kasey Bell and Teacher Tech with Alice Keeler.

Now, here are just a few ways I've used Google Forms:

• formative assessment - to formulate a plan for where to go from here
• gathering book talk info from students
• setting expectations/outline for student blogposts or comments
• Flat Stanley (or Flat Friend) host information - instead of sending out/back a little journal, hosts use a Google Form to share info about where each students' Flat Friend went and what he/she did there
• surveys - ask for input on anything
• student/parent contact information
• parent volunteer information
• school event RSVP
• content area quiz (math, social studies, science, or even a book quiz)
• exit ticket after a lesson
• professional development feedback 
• student project info and feedback
• group project work and feedback
• teach your kids to make surveys or create a game or quiz based on content or concepts

 
Below is a little form for "peeps" to try out if you'd like!

Can you add some ways you've found Google Forms to be useful in the classroom?  Please comment below so we can all learn new uses for this tech tool.

Our inspiration for today was to share simple little stories that creep into our lives.  This is a perfect opportunity to highlight an app we use in our classroom to share simple stories and slices of our learning:  ChatterPix Kids.

If you're not familiar with it, look for it in the App Store. It's easy to use and my kids love it! Here are just a few ways we've used ChatterPix Kids to share our learning:

• report facts about a famous person, place, or event in history
• share book recommendations
• apply scientific concepts during explorations
• explain thinking and reasoning in math
• analyze comprehension strategies

It's a breeze for kids to use.  They take a picture in the app, or pull one from the camera roll. Then you draw a line on the image to make a mouth, and record your voice.  Save it to the camera roll or export it and share! There you have it - a 30-second SLICE of learning!