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This is a First Day of School PowerPoint that I use with middle-level students to start the year in a positive and productive direction. The PowerPoint describes classroom expectations, is somewhat fun, but most importantly welcomes and motivates the students. I have provided the one that I use for science which of course will explore hydrocarbons, alcohols, and deliver a few wows. I have also provided an all purpose edited version without science exploration / combustion demonstrations for those who don't want to start a classroom fire on the first day. A few hidden box games conclude the PowerPoint.

Also included is a neat Coat of Arms Activity (shield). This is a neat first day of school opener that I do with my students. Students create a coat of arms using a large sheet of white paper. The PowerPoint first frames what a coat of arms is and then explains in a step by step process how to make a shield out of paper (scissors are needed and step by step directions built-into the PowerPoint makes it easily understood). The PowerPoint then has the students unfold the shield and divide it into four sections. They place their name in the middle. In the upper left hand corner they place information about their interests, hobbies, and other cool factoids about themselves. They are encouraged in the PowerPoint to use cut-outs, drawings, and text. The next section asks the student to set Goals / their hopes and dreams for this year and beyond.(Pictures, Cut-Outs, Colors). The next section asks the students to describe the people that support them. The final section has the students brainstorm ways in which this class will help them reach their goals / hopes and dreams for this year and beyond. An example that uses clipart is provided although teachers are encouraged to present their own interests / goals. Students can present their coat of arms the next day in front of the class. I have often broken the class into small groups and had each student present multiple times to smaller traveling groups in a carousel type presentation. Other ways of presenting is to partner up two students and have each student present the others shield. I give the students several minutes to share their shields with their partner and work on their presentations together. This is a really neat little activity that not only lets the teacher learn about the students hopes for the year and beyond but is perfect for framing the importance of positive behavior in the classroom. - We all have important hopes and dreams and negative behavior hurts those larger goals. A slide of teacher and student responsibilities and a few slides about responsibility and respect conclude this PowerPoint. This is a free product and all positive comments are welcome. Thank you and enjoy!

Please visit my other 20 products on TpT. These products are entire units of study of students in grades 5-10 in Life, Earth, and Physical Science. They use well crafted PowerPoint presentations to deliver an interactive and engaging science experience. The PowerPoint presentations (Sometimes as high 8500+ slides) deliver the set-up of lab activities, follow-up questions, projects, discussion questions, review opportunities, videos, critical class notes, step by step drawings, visual quizzes, and much more. Bundled homework packages and class notes chronologically follow the Unit PowerPoints. Modified Assessments, Unit Notes, and Detailed Answer Keys for support and students with special needs are also provided for every unit.

Below you will find links to preview each unit in the curriculum. These links will included hundreds of PowerPoint previews, the bundle homework packages, lesson notes, worksheets, and much more.

Life Science Unit Previews

Cell Biology Unit Preview
Human Body Systems and Health Topics Unit Preview
DNA and Genetics Unit Preview
Botany Unit Preview
Taxonomy and Classification Unit Preview
Ecology Feeding Levels Unit Preview
Ecology Interactions Unit Preview
Ecology Abiotic Factors Unit Preview
Evolution and Natural Selection / Change Topics Unit Preview
Infectious Diseases Unit Preview
Life Science Curriculum Package

Life Science Curriculum Package

Earth Science Unit Previews

Geology Topics Unit Preview
Weathering, Soil Science, Ice-Ages and Glaciers Unit Preview
Weather and Climate Unit Preview
Astronomy Topics Unit Preview
Water Molecule Unit
Rivers, Lakes, and Water Quality Unit Preview

Earth Science Curriculum Package

Physical Science Unit Previews

Science Skills Unit Preview
Laws of Motion and Simple Machines Unit Preview
Matter, Energy, and the Environment Unit Preview
Atoms and the Periodic Table of the Elements Unit Preview

Physical Science Curriculum Package

Below are the links to the 20 units of study that I offer on TpT for individual purchase. All of these are included in the curriculum purchase.

Physical Science Units
Science Skills Unit
Laws of Motion and Simple Machines Unit
Matter, Energy, and the Environment Unit Atoms and Periodic Table of the Elements Unit

Physical Science Curriculum
Physical Science Bundle Package (4 Units)

Life Science Units
Human Body System and Health Topics Unit
Cellular Biology Unit
Infectious Diseases Unit
DNA and Genetics Unit, Cell Division
Taxonomy and Classification Unit
Evolution and Natural Selection, Change Topics Unit
Botany Unit
Ecology Feeding Levels Unit
Ecology Interactions Unit
Ecology Abiotic Factors Unit

Life Science Curriculum
Life Science Bundle Package (10 Units)

Earth Science Units
Weathering, Soil Science, Soil Conservation, Ice Ages, Glaciers Unit
Astronomy Topics Unit Geology Topics Unit
Weather and Climate Unit

Earth Science Curriculum Bundle
Earth Science Curriculum (6 Units)

Water, Water Quality, Rivers, Lakes, and Fish Units
Water on Earth, Properties of Water, Water Pollution Unit
Rivers, Lakes, and Water Quality Unit (Salmon, Fish, and more)

Below is a link to view this curriculum in greater detail. You will find a PowerPoint tour, how a unit works guide, curriculum possibilities, standards, and many free samples.
Curriculum Tour

Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,
Ryan Murphy at TpT
ryemurf@gmail.com

**********(Social Media)*************
Get notifications about flash freebies, curriculum updates, great classroom ideas, Pins, and much more by following me on Facebook and Twitter and Pinterest

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First Day of School PowerPoint, Class Expectations, Goal Setting

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This is a First Day of School PowerPoint that I use with middle-level students to start the year in a positive and productive direction. The PowerPoint describes classroom expectations, is somewhat fun, but most importantly welcomes and motivates the students. I have provided the one that I use fo...

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Center for Responsive Schools is pleased to offer these free resources to support a safe reopening of schools. Created by teachers for teachers, these plans keep social distancing and virtual learning environments in mind as they guide teachers in welcoming students to the new school year and rebuilding positive, equitable learning communities.

The First 10 Days of Morning Meetings (K-6) and The First 10 Days of Responsive Advisory Meetings (6-8) will help you bring hope and joy back to your classrooms, whether you are teaching in-person, virtually, or both. Complete the form below for free access to these resources!

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Center for Responsive Schools is pleased to offer these free resources to support a safe reopening of schools. Created by teachers for teachers, these plans keep social distancing and virtual learning environments in mind as they guide teachers in welcoming students to the new school year and rebuilding positive, equitable learning communities.

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What will your writing prompt be?

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🗣️ Say My Name - Our names are part of our identity, so it is important to say our students' names correctly! Learn each child's name before the start of school by creating a topic for students to share their name and what makes their name special.

🤝Meet and Greet - Face to face meet & greets with parents are great, but not everyone is able to participate or remember the information shared. By flipping your "Meet and Greet" and placing it as a Topic on your back to school Grid (use the Public / PLN Grid option), families can share a bit of their world and get to know you as well. It will introduce them to Flipgrid and let them have fun recording as a family!

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#Grid Tip: 🔔 Back to School 💚🏫💚 - Flipgrid

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🗣️ Say My Name - Our names are part of our identity, so it is important to say our students' names correctly! Learn each child's name before the start of school by creating a topic for students to share their name and what makes their name special.

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A kind-of-crazy-looking man comes from the back, and shouts - a little too wildly - "Welcome! I am Sam. Would you like to try an escape room?" John notices the muscles twitch involuntarily and nervously in the corner of Samantha's eyes. Her arms fold tightly across her chest. But all John could think about is the fact that an escape room was on his summer bucket list. And this is his chance. "Let's do this!" John exclaims too eagerly. Veronica and Mason are definitely in. Samantha looked back and forth at her friends, and finally agrees, "Okay" masking her fear.

"Well, let me tell you about our newest room! This will challenge you to work together like never before. Only those that really have learned the art of teamwork will escape." Veronica is sure she sees a creepy smile, a smile with a twist to it. And her skin crawls even more than before.

But the gang simply follows Sam down the hall. So she does as well. And as the creaky door closes, all four of them stare at it for a second longer than seems necessary. John that breaks the spell, "Let's find some clues! We only have 45 minutes." And as they begin, Sam steps into the back office. Only it is not really an office, but a disturbing laboratory. And Sam is not Sam. He is Dr. Victor Samuels. One of the world's most famous mad scientists. He rivals Nikola Tesla (despite his genius work with lightning, Tesla was fixated on the number three, had an aversion to human hair, and managed to fall in love with a pigeon). Dr. Samuels has a Frankenstein-type lab in the back of the escape room. He is studying how effective teams work. What the group did not realize is that not all of Dr. Samuel's subjects made it out of their rooms...

Can your team solve the puzzles and help the friends escape?

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A kind-of-crazy-looking man comes from the back, and shouts - a little too wildly - "Welcome! I am Sam. Would you like to try an escape room?" John notices the muscles twitch involuntarily and nervously in the corner of Samantha's eyes. Her arms fold tightly across her chest.

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Create a Google Classroom banner quilt
Give each student a square blank Google Drawing and have them decorate it. Download each square and put them together to make a "quilt" or collage Google Classroom banner. Alternatively, you can have each student add their name to a collaborative Google Drawing Classroom banner by making the file "anyone with the link can edit" and asking students to add their name using word art. Don't forget to revisit this activity when any new students join your class.

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Assessment assignment

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* Kathryn to look for online mindfulness.
* Online check-ins.
* flip-grid questions.

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| | Filed Under: Classroom Management and Organization, Digital Resources
Note: The PDF now includes links to Weekly Check-Ins as well!
One of the hardest parts about distance learning is not being able to see and talk with our students on a regular basis. Even if you are doing video conferences, it is hard to know how students are doing and if they need help. One option is to have daily check-ins using Google Forms. This post shares free daily check in google forms for distance learning and some tips for how to use them.

About the Daily Check-In Google Forms

These daily check-in Google Forms are one way to check in your with students on a daily basis. The responses can also be shared with special education or any support staff who serve the students.

I have included two check-in forms for you: one for the beginning of the day and one for the end of the day. You can send both of the forms or choose to only send one.

Beginning of the Day Check-In Form

This form is designed to check in with the students before they begin their assignments (but after they locate them).

The form asks the following questions:

How are you feeling today?

Do you have anything to tell me? This can be about school or life.

Were you able to find all of your work for today?

Do you need any help getting started with your assignments?

What questions do you have about your assignments?

End of the Day Check-In Form

This form is designed to check in with the students as they finish their learning for the day.

The form asks the following questions:

How are you feeling now?

How did you to do today?

How do you feel about your assignments today? (This is a linear scale with "I didn't understand anything" at one end and "I understood everything" at the other end.)

Do you have anything to tell me? This can be about school or life.

Note: There are now links to Weekly Check-Ins included in the PDF download as well!

Modifying the Check-In Forms

After you copy the forms to your drive, you may go in and modify any of the questions and/or add new questions. These screenshots are also included in the free download.

Assigning the Check-In Forms
If you need help assigning these check-in forms to your students, click here to grab a free guide to help!
When assigning the forms, I recommend you make a new copy for each week (you can keep the responses organized using the spreadsheet that Google Forms generates).

Another way to send the Check-In Forms to your students is to link them via a Google Slides Template. Here is an example template. The link to copy this template can be found in the section titled Get the Free Daily Check-In Google Forms and Slide Template Here.

Viewing the Responses

You can easily view the responses by generating a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet is automatically sorted by date and time so you can keep your responses organized. You can also sort the responses alphabetically by student name.

***Get the Free Daily Check-In Google Forms and Slide Template Here
****Click here or on the image below to grab the PDF with the links to each Google Form and the Google Slide Templates (and tips for copying/modifying the forms and viewing the responses).
Note: make sure you copy the forms to your drive. If you manipulate the link, you will be compromising your students' data. YOU MUST COPY THE FORM TO YOUR DRIVE AND CREATE A NEW FORM THAT IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS!

Note: There are now links to Weekly Check-Ins included in the PDF download as well!

More Digital Distance Learning Resources
How to Assign Google Forms How to Create Google Form Assignments Viewing and Analyzing Responses in Google Forms How to Assign Google Slides How to Have Students Show Their Math Work Digitally - Free Student Google Slides Guide Tips for Distance Learning Planning
Blog Posts and Free Guides

Digital Learning Activities
Main Idea Differentiated Practice - These are perfect for assigning differentiated reading practice (texts at two levels to your students). Text Structure Differentiated Practice - Another option for differentiating your reading practice easily. Reading Test Prep Task Cards - This is perfect for reading review! It includes 8 Google Forms in all (with 8 questions per form).
Google Form - Reading Activities
4th Grade Math Test Prep Review 5th Grade Math Test Prep Review 4th Grade Math Differentiated Skill Sheets 5th Grade Math Differentiated Skill Sheets Math Choice Boards (Grades 3-5 Available) 5th Grade Math Skill Posters Decimal of the Day Review 5th Grade Find the Error Math Tasks
Google Slides - Math Activities
4th & 5th Grade Reading View Color by Reading Activities Reading Interactive Notebook Color Coding Text Evidence Printables Reading Intervention Passages with Read Aloud Audio 4th & 5th Grade Reading Flipbooks Theme Activities - Printable and Digital Versions Inference Activities - Printable and Digital Versions 5th Grade Language Review 5th Grade Language Posters Finish the Story! Engaging Narrative Writing Center
Google Slides - Literacy Activities

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Free Daily Check-In Google Forms for Distance Learning

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Filed Under: Classroom Management and Organization, Digital Resources Note: The PDF now includes links to Weekly Check-Ins as well! One of the hardest parts about distance learning is not being able to see and talk with our students on a regular basis.

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How to write emails and ask for help.