# data[].attributes.body
Eric Cohen Books is offering FREE ACCESS to their complete ECB Digital Readers Library until August 31, 2020! After that students are able to purchase these readers.

# data[].attributes.body
Learning menus (aka choice boards) are a form of differentiated learning that gives students a menu or choice of learning activities. Learning menus and choice boards can be created in a variety of styles and mediums.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Differentiate with Learning Menus and Choice Boards

"...at its core, differentiated instruction means addressing ways in which students vary as learners." - Carol Ann Tomlinson

[Tweet "Interactive Learning Menus with @GoogleforEdu #edtech#gsuiteedu"]

What Are Learning Menus?

IT'S ALL ABOUT CHOICE! Learning menus (aka choice boards) are a form of differentiated learning that gives students a menu or choice of learning activities. Learning menus and choice boards can be created in a variety of styles and mediums. They've been around for a long time and originated in a static, paper format. But with digital tools, we can bring the menus to life with interactivity and creation. Menus can be a simple list, a tic-tac-toe or bingo-style game, or get as creative and intricate as you like. Check out my Pinterest board for ideas.

Learning Menus Can Be Used with Any Age Group

I have found that menus and choice boards tend to be more popular among elementary teachers, but I used them in my middle school classroom, and now I use them in professional learning workshops with adults. Any grade level can use learning menus!

Learning Menus Can Be Used in Any Subject Area

Since learning menus are so flexible, they can easily be created and adapted for just about any subject area. So no excuses! Any teacher who is willing to try can make use of this student-centered strategy.

[Tweet "Any teacher who is willing to try can make use of this student-centered strategy. #edtech"]

Are Learning Menus Hyperdocs the Same Thing?

No, but they could be part of a Hyperdoc assignment. I love Hyperdocs! But these two are not one in the same. Keep in mind the definition of learning menus stated above. It is simply a menu of choices from which students can choose. Student choice is the big idea behind learning menus and choice boards.

A Hyperdoc is a complete packaged assignment that also meets some additional criteria. A Hyperdoc doesn't have to include choice, but it could. To learn more about Hyperdocs, visit their site or read the AMAZING book by Lisa Highfill, Sarah Landis, and Kelly Hilton.

Creating a Tic-Tac-Toe Learning Menu in Google Docs

One easy way to dip your toes into the learning menu water is a Tic-Tac-Toe menu. A Tic-Tac-Toe can be used for anything from short activities to more long-term projects, both assessment FOR learning (formative) and assessment OF learning (summative).

Below is an example of a Novel Unit Tic-Tac-Toe menu that I created as a summative project. It was created in Google Docs, nothing fancy, just a table and some color. Depending on how you want to use, you can add links, rubrics, images, video and more. (Click here to use my blank tic-tac-toe template.)
CLICK HERE to use the Novel Study Tic-Tac-Toe template. On mobile? CLICK HERE to make a copy.
Learning Menu Design

Remember when you are creating a learning menu to align it with your learning goals! First, I use the middle square as my non-negotiable, the one activity that I want every student to complete. This could be reading an article, watching a video, or in this case; every student will write a summary and add it to a collaborative Google Slide deck where they will also add links to their other projects. Everything in one place!

Some teachers also make the middle square a free space where students can propose their own ideas to demonstrate their learning. LOVE THIS IDEA!

I had some students who would try to find the easiest or fastest way to complete the tasks. But if you pay attention to the learning design, you can design it so that it gives choice and flexible learning paths, not just an easy completion grade.

I use the color to guide the learning design. Because I use the middle square as a non-negotiable, I control how they make the tic-tac-toe just a little bit more. Every student will do the middle square and one from the blue and one from the yellow. In this summative example, students are mostly creating, but in the example below, you will see how it can also work for activities that guide the learning.

Below is a professional learning example that I designed for teaching Google Chrome. As a trainer, I typically have very mixed groups in my training sessions (multiple grade levels, subject areas, and tech savviness). I usually address general skills, and apps and extensions that are applicable across all grade levels and subject areas as a whole group.

Then I move into an activity like the Chrome PD Tic-Tac-Toe learning menu to allow teachers to dig deeper into their own subject areas and grade levels AND move at a pace that is comfortable for their level and learning style.
CLICK HERE to use my Chrome PD Tic-Tac-Toe template. On mobile? CLICK HERE to make a copy of the template.
Other Types of Learning Menus

As I said, a tic-tac-toe is just one type of menu. It happens to be a favorite of mine because they are easy to design and are not too overwhelming. But I have used many other types of menus, and I have been curating ideas on this Learning Menu Pinterest Board.

Digital Menu for Student Creation with Google Slides by Tommy Spall

Below is a Google Slide example of a learning menu that takes on the look of a restaurant menu from my friend, Tommy Spall. Follow him @TommySpall. (You can thank me later!) Click here to make a copy of Tommy's template that includes linked slides to lots of Googley projects and room for you to make it your own. (If you are on mobile and having trouble with the template link, try this make a copy link.)

Professional Development BINGO Board by Amber Teamann and Melinda Miller

Another option is to make it a full out BINGO board, like in this example from my friend Amber Teamann and her collaborator Melinda Miller. (Follow them at @8Amber8 and @MMiller7571, and yes, you will thank me for this one, too!)

Amber and Melinda are both elementary school principals. They issued this BINGO PD Challenge to her teachers over the summer, and I thought it might inspire you with some other options for choice and challenges in your classroom or professional learning. You can learn more details about PD Bingo in Amber's blog post.

Using G Suite to Create Learning Menus

The possibilities are truly endless! Consider all the ways you could use G Suite to create learning menus and the extended activities and links. Try thinking of the ways you could create menus using these G Suite tools:

Google Docs

Google Slides

Google Drawings

Google Sheets

Google My Maps

Google Sites

How to Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom

If you enjoyed this post, you will love the more in-depth look at the power of choice boards and more examples in this post and podcast episode.

© Shake Up Learning 2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog's author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kasey Bell and Shake Up Learning with appropriate and specific direction to the original content on ShakeUpLearning.com. See: Copyright Policy.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Interactive Learning Menus (Choice Boards) Using Google Docs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
I love learning menus, and it is one of my favorite ways to incorporate student choice and to differentiate learning. And with digital tools like G Suite for Education, it's super easy to make menus interactive, digital, and more dynamic! Digital Differentiation offers teachers and students many ways to reach all learners.

# data[].attributes.body
Free tools to teach and learn anything, on any device, in‑person or remotely.
Self checking online game with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Students can play against friends or alone. Suitable for class, zoom lessons and individual learning. This tool has many list prepared for sets, slowly gaining Israeli EFL textbooks.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a dynamic site built especially for REED teachers and Coordinators. The site is your number one stop for official information, updates for professional development, projects and REED programs.

# data[].attributes.body
Rural Education English Department (Reed)  site to support ideas for distance teaching.
A site for teachers and students to help reinforce their English from home.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Please send all great ideas for the site to reedphotos19@gmail.com

# data[].attributes.body
The Wizer worksheet builder helps you create a wide variety of question types: open questions, multiple choice, matching pairs, fill in the blank, fill on an image, tables, etc..In addition you can include videos, record yourself reading texts or allow students to record their answers. This site saves students results and offers self- checking worksheets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Amaze your students with smarter worksheets. Wizer.me is a platform where teachers build beautiful, engaging online worksheets.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn or review vocabulary and information through flashcards, and games. Suitable for class, zoom lessons and individual learning. This tool has many list prepared for Israeli EFL textbooks.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn English Teens is brought to you by the British Council for Teenage learners. This is the link to their free online games, songs, stories and activities for teens. Learn English Teens hosts reading, writing and listening practice, tips for exams, grammar and vocabulary exercises, games and videos.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Welcome to LearnEnglish Teens

Covid-19 learning support: LearnEnglish Teens wants to support students who can't go to school at the moment. You can find tips and advice for learning at home on our new support page.

LearnEnglish Teens is brought to you by the British Council, the world's English teaching experts. If you want to learn English while having fun, this free website is just for you. LearnEnglish Teens can help improve your English with reading, writing and listening practice, tips for exams, grammar and vocabulary exercises, games and videos. You can also interact with other teenagers from all around the world. If you want to learn English in your own country, find a face-to-face course near you.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
British Council LearnEnglish Teens | Free resources for teens to help improve your English

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Covid-19 learning support: LearnEnglish Teens wants to support students who can't go to school at the moment. You can find tips and advice for learning at home on our new support page. LearnEnglish Teens is brought to you by the British Council, the world's English teaching experts.

# data[].attributes.headline
How to Design Digital Choice Boards in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Design Digital Choice Boards in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.body
Part One: Stephanie Price leads you through the initial steps to build your own choice board. In this video she teaches you how to build the template.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Digital Choice Boards Video 1: Design in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.headline
How to Design Digital Choice Boards in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.subject
How to Design Digital Choice Boards in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.body
Part Two: Stephanie Price continues to leads you through the steps to build your own choice board. In this video she shows you how to insert hyperlinks.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Digital Choice Boards Video 2: Links in Google Slides

# data[].attributes.body
Build your own digital Choice board using a free template. This template uses Google Slides.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Daily Activities Template for Online Lessons Or choice board template for Google Slides.

This new template for Google Slides for education is for you to use for daily activities or to create a choice board for your students.

Choice boards have been a life saver for me, I am not an educator myself, and sometimes I run out of ideas or activities for my daughter to work on during this very particular time where we are confined home. And I must give a HUGE shout out to Karly Moura because, among a million things, she created the eLearning 4 everyone site, filled with goodies for educators and parents! Thank you so much Karly!

Besides the slides for 6 activities or choices I've added a section where students can write about what they learned, or maybe you want them to write about something else, your choice.

The good thing about these "students" slides is that they can all work on the same file. If you are teaching synchronously, you can see them work as they type, just change the view to grid. I've added a red circle outside the student's slides limits and if they need help, they can drag it to their slide to call for your attention. You can delete them if you don't need them.

And if you are working asynchronously, you can see and review their work in just one file.

The letters are made from WordArt, you can double click on them to change them or go to insert > wordArt and add your text. You can choose the font you like, fill, border and drop shadow colors! pic.twitter.com/ODz1yV7nkr
- SlidesMania (@SlidesManiaSM) April 11, 2020

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Daily Activities or Choice Board Template for Google Slides | SlidesMania

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This new template for Google Slides for education is for you to use for daily activities or to create a choice board for your students. Choice boards have been a life saver for me, I am not an educator myself, and sometimes I run out of ideas or activities for my daughter to work on during this very particular time where we are confined home.

# data[].attributes.body
Trello is an online collaborative tool to save and share information and tasks for personal use or between staff or any working group. Use it for anything from daily to do lists to yearly planning. It is even helpful for students working on projects.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Trello 101: How to Use Trello Boards & Cards | Trello

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn more about how to get started with Trello boards and cards including how to setup, create, manage, and more.

# data[].attributes.body
With padlet you can create an online post-it board that you can share with any student or teacher you want. Just give the students the unique Padlet link and they can add their entries in seconds. It’s easy to use and can be used virtually.

# data[].attributes.headline
20 useful ways to use Padlet in Blended Learning.

# data[].attributes.subject
20 useful ways to use Padlet in Blended Learning.

# data[].attributes.body
Matt Miller from the Blog "Ditch That Text Book" shares 20 ways to use Padlet in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Ed Tech

There's a good chance you've done the "write on a sticky note and put it on the wall" activity - or have seen it happen before.
Padlet lets those sticky notes have images, links and videos AND be available with practically any Internet-ready device.
It used to be blocked by my school's Internet filter. This school year, the powers that be have allowed it through on student devices, opening up lots of possibilities in class!

Padlet is a great place for gathering ideas, sharing them and modifying them later. It's like a living, breathing webpage. Users can add links, YouTube videos, files and images to Padlet notes. They can move and arrange them. A link to a Padlet can be shared and Padlets can be embedded into webpages.

Here are 20 ways to use Padlet in class:

15. Collect videos to share in class

Looking for FREE Tech Like A PIRATE resources?
You'll find a treasure trove of additional ideas and activities related to t ​ ​​​​he book at TechLikeAPirate.com!

Looking for some more ideas? These sites have them!
Do you have an idea of how you could use Padlet in class? Post it in a comment below!

For notifications of new Ditch That Textbook content and helpful links:

Are you looking for quality, meaningful professional learning that both equips and inspires teachers?

Matt provides in-person and virtual keynotes, workshops and breakout sessions that equip, inspire and encourage teachers to create change in their classrooms. Teachers leave with loads of resources. They participate. They laugh. They see tech use and teaching in a new light. Click the link below to contact us and learn how you can bring Matt to your school or district!

FREE teaching ideas and templates in your inbox every week!

Subscribe to Ditch That Textbook

©2023 Ditch That Textbook by Matt Miller.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
20 useful ways to use Padlet in class now

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Padlet is a web app that lets users post notes on a digital wall. The uses for this site in the classroom are virtually endless!There's a good chance

# data[].attributes.body
A digital collection of EFL textbooks, many are used in Israeli classrooms. Schools can pay to receive access to these books. Until Sept 2020 there is free access.

# data[].attributes.body
Learn English Kids is brought to you by the British Council for younger learners. This is the link to their free online games, songs, stories and activities for children.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
LearnEnglish Kids is brought to you by the British Council, the world's English teaching experts. We have lots of free online games, songs, stories and activities for children. For parents, we have articles on supporting children in learning English, videos on using English at home and information about English courses for your child.

# data[].attributes.body
Photo Captions
Write captions for these funny photos or use then as writing prompts for short stories.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
© British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
© British Council The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).

# data[].attributes.body
Short YouTube videos designed by the British Council to improve English at the same time. There are accompanying exercises, transcripts and worksheets to help students understand.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Watch our video clips to improve your English language skills.

# data[].attributes.body
Free video lessons with quizzes, for English language learners. These quizzes can be used easily in "Blended Learning". Just add the link to a Google form, class website or WhatsApp group.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
On ESL Video, students do not need to create an account to view their class page or send you quiz scores. Instead we use a Class Code. See the video below. To create a Class Code, login and click the user icon above the logo, then select My Classes from the drop down menu.

# data[].attributes.body
Videos and vocabulary activities for learners at all levels.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn English faster with over 20000 fun to watch interactive videos.

# data[].attributes.body
Create a free digital page-flipping interactive E-book. Include text in any language, pictures, video and maps. This site is designed with children in mind and is easy to use.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
With the simple-to-use Ourboox platform, it's easy and free to make stunning digital flipbooks with text, pictures, videos, games, maps, 3D models and more.

It's free to create and share books with the world

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ourboox | Create a Book - It's Simple, Free and Fun

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Ourboox is a platform and community for social publishing. Reach out to the community, publish your book online and share it with the world.

# data[].attributes.body
A digital magazine with 1000's of templates. Students need to prepare articles, magazines, jokes and pictures before uploading their materials. This is not an easy site to navigate but the results are totally professional.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
platform for digital interactive magazine publishing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Joomag Digital Publishing Solutions for Education

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Joomag offers digital publishing solutions for students and teachers. Create your course works and papers using Joomag's digital publishing tools.

# data[].attributes.body
Google Drive is an online files storage service that gives you 15GB of cloud storage to save files rather than using up a personal computer memory. It can be used to create and store documents, folders and files that can be shared with other people. Google Drive integrates with Google other apps: Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Slides, and more. Requires a Gmail account.

# data[].attributes.body
Google Docs is Google's browser-based word processor. Create, edit, and share documents online and access them from any computer with an internet connection. Similar to Microsoft Word and requires a personal Google Drive.

# data[].attributes.headline
55: 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know

# data[].attributes.subject
55: 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Over the years, I have cultivated a laundry list of tips and ideas for using Google Docs in the classroom. In this episode, I will share with you 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know. We will cover basic skills, as well as, some tips to help you become a power user.

CLICK here to view the show notes and full blog post with step-by-step directions and screenshots.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shake Up Learning Show - 55: 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Over the years, I have cultivated a laundry list of tips and ideas for using Google Docs in the classroom. In this episode, I will share with you 10 Google Docs Tips Every Teacher Should Know. We will cover basic skills, as well as, some tips to help you become a power user.

# data[].attributes.body
Google Forms is a tool that collects information from users via a personalized survey or quiz or worksheet. The information is then collected and automatically connected to a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is populated with the survey and quiz responses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Steps to making a GoogleForm for Teaching Virtually

# data[].attributes.body
Google Slides is an online presentations app that allows you present work in a visual way. Similar to Microsoft power point. In addition a wonderful framework for digital choice boards.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Collaborating in googleslides || Digitally yours, @dele

# data[].attributes.body
Google Forms is a tool that collects information from users via a personalized survey or quiz or worksheet. The information is then collected and automatically connected to a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is populated with the survey and quiz responses.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Steps to making a GoogleForm for Teaching Virtually

# data[].attributes.headline
Using Google Slides to make a choice board

# data[].attributes.subject
Using Google Slides to make a choice board

# data[].attributes.body
Google slides an ideal platform for digital choice boards.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Create Interactive Google Slides + Grab FREE Choice Board Templates! ⬇️

# data[].attributes.body
Googles online digital spreadsheet. Use to calculate final grades, yearly grades and any other grades.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What every teacher needs: Spreadsheets 101 Part 1 || Digitally yours, @dele

# data[].attributes.body
A free Google Web page-creation tool to create simple web sites that support collaboration between different editors.

# data[].attributes.body
Instagram's purpose is to enable users to share images or videos and short written texts with their audience.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Two Steps for opening and accessing a second Instagram account

# data[].attributes.body
A REED Instagram project to share students photos and writing.

# data[].attributes.body
Linoit is an online collaborative sticky note board. Students can post and read class sticky notes. Great for sharing quick ideas, links to students completed assignments and even instructions for classwork or homework.

# data[].attributes.body
Voki is a free collection of customizable speaking avatars for teachers and students that enhances classroom instruction, class engagement, and lesson comprehension. Students and teachers can develop their own speaking Avatar.

# data[].attributes.body
Flipgrid is a social learning platform that allows educators to ask a question, then the students respond in a video. Students are then able to respond to one another, creating a “web” of discussion.

# data[].attributes.body
Use this easy tool to video yourself explaining a lesson and let students watch it where and when they want, time and time again. No more asking you the same question 100 times!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to make lesson videos, screen recordings in less than 6 minutes

# data[].attributes.body
Liveworksheets allows you to transform your traditional printable worksheets (doc, PDF, jpg...) into interactive online exercises with self-correction, which we call "interactive worksheets".

Students can do the worksheets online and send their answers to the teacher. This is good for the students (it's motivating), for the teacher (it saves time) and for the environment (it saves paper).

Additionally, our interactive worksheets take full advantage of the new technologies applied to education: they may include sounds, videos, drag and drop exercises, join with arrows, multiple choice... and even speaking exercises, that the students must do using the microphone.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Liveworksheets.com - Interactive worksheets maker for all

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Liveworksheets transforms your traditional printable worksheets into self-correcting interactive exercises that the students can do online and send to the

# data[].attributes.body
Screencasts: What, How, and Why?
We’re talking about screencasting in the classroom: how is it used and how can it help re-imagine effective learning in this new virtual world.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
We're talking about screencasting in the classroom: how is it used and how can it help re-imagine effective learning in this new virtual world.

01:30 What is screencasting?

02:14 Screencastifty https://www.screencastify.com/

03:07 Making interactions more efficient

04:19 A teacher's experience, and feedback from students

05:56 What Screencastify can do for thinking and learning

06:32 How do we focus on outcomes first and design backward as to how we're going to make this the best experience for somebody virtually, and then figure out the tools that complement that?

06:46 Doing synchronous and asynchronous work for blended learning

08:05 Teachers' challenges and how they can use Screencastify to address these concerns

10:45 How can I best use my instructional time?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Be Education Podcast - BEP064 - Screencasts: What, How, and Why?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
We're talking about screencasting in the classroom: how is it used and how can it help re-imagine effective learning in this new virtual world. 01:30 What is screencasting? 02:14 Screencastifty https://www.screencastify.com/ 03:07 Making interactions more efficient 04:19 A teacher's experience, and feedback from students 05:56 What Screencastify can do for thinking and learning 06:32 [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this interview with Kelly Bell, an instruction leader and health and PE educator from Australia, Kelly shares how she has been trying to implement Kasey's Dynamic Learning Framework with her students. Kelly shares her hits and misses, and leading technology integration and Google apps in her school. She also taps into teacher well-being, training, and more!

Access the show notes here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shake Up Learning Show - 67: Dynamic Learning Down Under [interview with Kelly Bell]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this interview with Kelly Bell, an instruction leader and health and PE educator from Australia, Kelly shares how she has been trying to implement Kasey's Dynamic Learning Framework with her students. Kelly shares her hits and misses, and leading technology integration and Google apps in her school.

# data[].attributes.headline
68: How to Package Your Digital Assignments

# data[].attributes.subject
68: How to Package Your Digital Assignments

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Check out the full show notes and infographic here.

Don't miss out on one of the BEST things about online and blended learning! Save yourself valuable instructional time and that oh so elusive teacher sanity by packaging your assignments so that students have EVERYTHING they need in one place. In this episode, I will give you ten things to include in your digital assignment package.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shake Up Learning Show - 68: How to Package Your Digital Assignments

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Check out the full show notes and infographic here. Don't miss out on one of the BEST things about online and blended learning! Save yourself valuable instructional time and that oh so elusive teacher sanity by packaging your assignments so that students have EVERYTHING they need in one place.

# data[].attributes.headline
65: Online Teaching Best Practices, Tips, and Tools

# data[].attributes.subject
65: Online Teaching Best Practices, Tips, and Tools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In this episode, Kasey shares her best tips for teaching students online. COVID-19 has changed education forever, and now it's time to regroup and redefine teaching and learning. Remote teaching and learning is different. As we begin to plan for the new normal, let's take a closer look at some best practices to help teachers and students in the post COVID world.
Access the full blog post and show notes here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shake Up Learning Show - 65: Online Teaching Best Practices, Tips, and Tools

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In this episode, Kasey shares her best tips for teaching students online. COVID-19 has changed education forever, and now it's time to regroup and redefine teaching and learning. Remote teaching and learning is different. As we begin to plan for the new normal, let's take a closer look at some best practices to help teachers and students in the post COVID world.

# data[].attributes.headline
56: Home Learning with Choice Boards During School Closures 

# data[].attributes.subject
56: Home Learning with Choice Boards During School Closures 

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Complete show notes with screenshots and templates available here.

As we all find new ways to teach and learn during this unprecedented time, I want to share how you approach home learning with choice boards during school closures.

In this episode with classroom teacher, Laura Steinbrink, you will learn how she is using choice and flexibility to reach the needs of her students.

Laura is creating a week's worth of activities on one choice board with both online and offline options to make sure everything is equitable.

She is even sharing her activities and templates. You don't want to miss this episode!

But first...

Shoutout

Shoutout to all of the amazing educators in the Shake Up Learning Facebook group, helping each other, sharing ideas, and collaborating. Join us here. (It's FREE!)

Quick Tip of the Week:

This week, I want to hear from YOU! Let's all share what home learning looks like and jump on this Flipgrid to share your workspace, your struggles, your triumphs, and your lesson ideas.

Home Learning with Choice Boards During School Closures

(This interview was recorded on March 19, 2020.)

Today, I am chatting with my friend and colleague, Laura Steinbrink. Laura is a high school teacher with 24 years of experience and is currently teaching in Plato, Missouri, as well as the communications director and softball coach for her district. She wears many hats in her small, rural school district.

Laura has always integrated technology in her classroom. Her students have been using Google Classroom and many other digital tools during the regular school year. So they already understand how to use many different tools.

It's also worth noting that at the time of this interview, state testing was still on the table. But very soon after we wrapped up, Laura received the news that it had been waived.

Laura's school district is closed, like many across the world, due to the coronavirus. Teachers were given a very short amount of time to plan for home learning. Many students do not have devices or internet access, so they had to provide paper packets that were hand-delivered to their students with an entire week's worth of assignments.

The teachers were told they had to give both online and offline options for the activities they provide students during this time. Any students with IEPs must be supplied with paper modifications.

Teachers at Laura's school district were told, "Whatever you do CAN be done digitally, but MUST be offered on paper." Laura also happens to be married to the Technology Director for her school district, Cayl Steinbrink, and he has been working with Computers for Learning, a federal government program, to get discounted equipment for their schools.

Cayl has also accepted some basic facts around this idea of home learning. He says, "We cannot hold students accountable for the work they are going to have to do at home." We cannot control that environment. We can have expectations, but we need to have some grace with that.

We have to remember that even students who have access may have limitations, connectivity issues, limited data, and limited devices.

Laura recommends that we don't overwhelm students (and parents) with everything you send home. This is a different learning environment, and we want to make sure it is still manageable and valuable.

Laura has been using the Shake Up Learning Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board Template to drive her lessons for the week (see below for template). This will keep things simple for students and parents, and save some paper. (Learn more: Interactive Choice Boards with G Suite (FREE Templates).)

Each square is worth 20 points, in hopes they will complete five for a completion grade. We cannot grade things as we would under normal circumstances. (If you haven't read Grace is Greater Than Grades, it will help put things in perspective.)

FREE Tic-Tac-Toe Choice Board Template (Google Docs)

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

Please DO NOT request access. You do not need it to be shared with you. You just need to make a copy or use the template link to add it to your Google Drive.

Laura is giving her students nine choices and not forcing the actual 3-choice tic-tac-toe completion. Instead, she is giving students 20 points for each square they complete. In each square, there is an online choice and offline choice.

If students choose the online option, they also have the choice of tools. These are tools that Laura has used with them in school. They are not new to her students. Use the tools your students know!

Each of the choice boards is aligned to the standards and learning goals for that subject and grade level.

Students completing offline activities will turn those into the school.

Students completing the online activities are curating each activity they complete on a page, like Adobe Spark, Google Sites, etc. This way, as the teacher, she only has to collect ONE link online through the Google Classroom assignment.

Laura's Figurative Language Choice Board for Home Learning (High School, Google Docs)

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

Laura's Mythology Heroes Choice Board (High School, Google Docs)

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

Laura's Masque of the Red Death Choice Board (High School, Google Docs)

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

Laura's Spanish Stem Changing Verbs Choice Board (High School, Google Docs)

CLICK HERE to Make a Copy | CLICK HERE to Use the Template

Blogging with Google Classroom

Laura also shared a great technique for using Google Classroom as a way to link and organize student blogs. Check out her post for details on how she makes this work!

Other Resources Shared in this Episode About Laura Steinbrink

Twitter: @SteinbrinkLaura

Website: https://rockntheboat.com/

Laura Steinbrink, a teacher for 24 years, presents technology and instructional practices at workshops locally, around her state, and nationally. She is also the Technology Integration Coach, Communications Director, Webmaster, yearbook adviser, esports GM, and high school English/Spanish teacher for the Plato R-V School District. Laura is the author of www.rockntheboat.com, a Feedspot Top 200 blog in Education, and she has published articles for Ditch That Textbook, Instant Relevance, ISTE, ISTE TEN, Kahoot, Getting Smart, Classtime, and other educational related companies. Laura is also a contributing author in Focused Environments, Stories of Change Vol 3, published by Connected Learning, and In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking by Rachelle Dene Poth, published by Edumatch Publishing. Laura's work in the classroom was also featured in ISTE's Empowered Learner Magazine, What Works: Sketchnoting engages students while building comprehension.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Shake Up Learning Show - 56: Home Learning with Choice Boards During School Closures [interview with Laura Steinbrink]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Complete show notes with screenshots and templates available here. As we all find new ways to teach and learn during this unprecedented time, I want to share how you approach home learning with choice boards during school closures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Creating a Virtual Classroom with Google Slides