Print Webpages without Ads and Unwanted Content

How often do you come across a webpage that has the perfect content for students learning, though is loaded with distracting or inappropriate advertisements?  Do you worry students won't focus on the important content or get lost in all the graphics?  Consider using the tool Print Friendly.

Check out the printed examples a webpage on the Water Cycle using Print Friendly (example) and without (example).

Here is a link to more resources like Print Friendly.

Need a Minute or Two of Calm?

Now that we are a few weeks into the school year, are you in need of calm moment?  Do you have a class or a student than might benefit from a few minutes of calming meditation?  The Calm.com is a great resource with relaxing images and sounds to put your mind at ease.

Remember... Keep Calm and Teach On!

Generate Groups with Ease

Are you tired of scratching out notes to create groups or spending quality class time organizing them?  Consider trying an online group generator.  I am a fan of Team Maker.  It allows you to copy and paste student names in and download the teams in Excel format to make adjustments if needed.  Team Maker also comes in an App version called Teamistr App ($.99).

Here is a list of a few more sites to generator lists or randomly select names. (LINK)

Scheduling a Meeting with Ease... Doodle

Doodle
Meetings, meetings and more meeting!  Start the year off right using this simple tool to arrange meeting dates without dealing with multiple email responses. Take a look at the video for a short how-to.

Read it to Me! Tools that Convert Text to Audio

Have you found the perfect article, website or document to share with your students but know the readability isn't appropriate for all?  Here are my top two picks to convert the text into audio allowing your students to listen to the content and read along.  The video below demonstrates both tools in action.

1. Natural Reader - is an easy to use software that can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpage, PDF files, and Emails into spoken words. It can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your CD player or iPod.
   
2. Announcify- reads out loud every website you want with one simple click. Annoucify is Android and Chrome compatible.
3. Click here for a list of other text to speech tools.

Create Animation Videos in a Few Clicks

Wideo.co Share feelings, explain concepts, promote products, or simply have fun!  Wideo allows you to create animated videos for FREE.  All you need to do is sign up using your email, you will shortly after receive an invitation via email with your password.  Sign in and start creating.  They have great step-by-step tips too!   Check out a short video I created in about 5 minutes.

DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose.org is an online charity that makes it easy for anyone to help students in need.

Here's how it works: public school teachers from every corner of America post classroom project requests on DonorsChoose.org. Requests range from pencils for a poetry writing unit, to violins for a school recital, to microscope slides for a biology class.

Then, you can browse project requests and give any amount to the one that inspires you. Once a project reaches its funding goal, we deliver the materials to the school.

You'll get photos of your project taking place, a thank-you letter from the teacher, and a cost report showing how each dollar was spent. If you give over $50, you'll also receive hand-written thank-you letters from the students.