The FBI has set up a great website for teaching students in 3rd through 8th grade all about online safety and etiquette. This game-based learning environment is a helpful tool for teaching students what it means to be safe and kind digital citizens.

https://twitter.com/foliveira1193/status/879526329959559169

Stick Pick is similar to the popsicle sticks that many teachers already use to select students, but it goes beyond just picking names for you. You can create one or more class groups, which is great for teachers who teach multiple classes. You can then select what you would like your assessment focus to be for each student (Bloom's, Bloom's Revised, or ESL). Choosing the ESL option allows you to further differentiate by entering the student's current level of English proficiency. When a student is picked the app pulls up a list of suggested questions that can be used to assess that student's comprehension or critical thinking. You can rate and assess the student's response, mark the stick as used, or return the stick if you want the student to have another chance to be chosen. Later you can view each student's data and even share their information with them or with parents through email and printing. This is an easy to use tool that helps teachers tailor questions to each individual student when conducting a quick formative assessment.

The Library of Congress offers an interactive resource that helps students understand what copyright means. The resource called "Taking the Mystery Out Of Copyright" uses videos, slides, and other interactive formats to cover what can be copyrighted, the history of copyrights, common questions and answers about copyrights, and the steps required to get something copyrighted. This website is child-friendly and can be used to help teach elementary students about plagiarism, ownership,giving credit, etc. Furthermore, there is a tool that allows teachers to select a set of standards, grade level, and subject area to check which specific standards are covered by the interactive resource. This resource can certainly help students become aware of the different types of information and media that are out there and how they can be used appropriately.

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/copyrightmystery/?#/steps/

Use ReadWorks.org to find leveled reading passages and challenge all learners in your classroom. Not only are texts leveled, but each one also comes with its own set of comprehension questions. For additional practice in critical thinking, encourage students to use what they read to create questions and quiz other students.

Puppet Pals is a puppet show storytelling tool that is easy for children in grades K-5 to use. It encourages student-to-student and student-to-teacher communication through animation and audio. With this app students can select a setting and add characters. They can then move the characters around as they record themselves telling a story. What I loved the most when I came across this app is that it clearly connects to the CCSS content standards as well as the 21st Century Skills and the ISTE NETS. Puppet Pals can be used to promote literacy skills by encouraging students to review/apply their knowledge of story elements (setting, characters, events, problem, solution, etc.). It can also be used as a simple format for re-telling history events, explaining science concepts, or demonstrating a math word problem.

Boardthing is a virtual board that allows students to display their thinking simultaneously. By allowing students to break off into small groups and work on their own devices, Boardthing can encourage collaboration through brainstorming, creating a display, and presenting ideas to the class. Students can post thoughts on "sticky notes" and can even add pictures. This a great technology tool that can be used to promote partner/group work, communication, application of new learning, and graphic representation skills in grades 3 and up.

https://boardthing.com/