Hidden in Plain Sight: Resources at Your Fingertips! by

joyce_sharp — 2022-03-02 16:29:04 UTC

http://bit.ly/HiddeninPlainSightResourcesatYourFingertips

I use a clear days of the week and number stamp to set up a custom paper planner for myself.

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 19:28:57 UTC

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Park-Paper-Company-Essentials/dp/B07B61L4MS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=calendar+stamps&qid=1683133693&sr=8-4

Link still good 8/12/2025

How to turn on dark mode on your devices

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:00:21 UTC

Speech to text on Chromebook

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:01:57 UTC

Link good 8/12/2025

On-screen keyboard on Chromebook

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:02:42 UTC

Tablet mode on Chromebook

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:04:28 UTC

Live Captions on Chrome

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:06:11 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

Chromebook accessibility features

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:06:50 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

Getting started with Minecraft for Education

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:09:15 UTC

Minecraft for education has become one of my favorite online tools for my 6th graders. it has really helped them to connect to the content we are teaching. We used it when teaching about watersheds. The students worked in groups to create their own watersheds. We also used it to show different types of energy (thermal, heat, radiant, etc). The students had to build examples of each energy in their Minecraft world.

Link still good 8/12/2025, younger grades might not be able to log in but you still can, and have them teach you how to use it!

iOS text to speech with camera

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:10:14 UTC

Remove background from images

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:11:43 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

delete this please

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:14:35 UTC

Make a custom Wordle

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:16:25 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Wordle, but with a math problem

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:17:15 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Setting reminders on my phone helps me remember time-sensitive items on my to-do list.

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-04 20:18:24 UTC

See Saw

2022-03-07 13:34:40 UTC

"Seesaw is a platform for student engagement that inspires students of all ages to do their best, and saves teachers time! Students use creative tools to take pictures, draw, record videos and more to capture learning in a portfolio. Teachers find or create activities to share with students."

Presenter's Note: Both the web-based and iOS versions are targeted towards elementary students and parental consent is required in LCPS. Link still good 4/5/2024

https://numberstrings.com/

2022-03-07 13:52:06 UTC

"A number string is a set of related math problems, crafted to support students to construct big ideas about mathematics and build their own strategies (Fosnot & Dolk, 2002)."

Link good 8/12/2025

Recently attended PD called Modify Math to Create Productive Struggle and here's presentation

2022-03-07 13:55:29 UTC

Still good 8/12/2025

In Schoology you can add audio for tests and quizzes.

2022-03-07 13:57:28 UTC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aljn2bBpDtc

https://flippity.net/

2022-03-07 13:57:32 UTC

"Approved with cautions" in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

WeVideo

2022-03-07 13:57:33 UTC

App Smash with Minecraft or others and have students work as "streamers" and make a variety of videos. This can be found in LCPS Go.

Tutorial link still good 8/12/2025

Flocabulary

2022-03-07 13:57:51 UTC

LCPS teachers can purchase their own subscriptions to show videos to the class but need to work with Information Management if they want to create student accounts, link still good 8/12/2025

https://worldle.teuteuf.fr/

2022-03-07 13:58:05 UTC

Learn geography Wordle-style!

Link still good 8/12/2025

Coolmathgames

2022-03-07 13:58:08 UTC

https://www.coolmathgames.com/

Link still good 8/12/2025

Canva

2022-03-07 13:58:12 UTC

https://www.canva.com/designschool/courses/canva-101/?lesson=opening-canva-for-the-first-time

In LCPS Go

Link still good 8/12/2025

Colorado Phet

briantorre3 — 2022-03-07 13:58:19 UTC

https://phet.colorado.edu/

Interactive simulations for science and math!

Still good 8/12/2025

Citation tool in Google

2022-03-07 13:58:20 UTC

For secondary ELA: Just discovered citations/works cited tool in google docs - game changer for my students!

Link still good 8/12/2025

Color Coding Folders in Google Drive

2022-03-07 13:58:22 UTC

This is helped me find things quickly and stay organized. I even added emojis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-QLVH02fgA

Link still good 8/12/2025

Demystified

2022-03-07 13:58:26 UTC

Presenter's Note: You can get to this via LCPS Go as well, just go to Discovery Ed and then search Demystified. Link still good 8/14/2025

Not AT, but Discovery Ed just added a science series called Demystified. It's super helpful for middle school EL--huge variety of translations and simplified concepts.

Peardeck - Google Slides Extension

2022-03-07 13:58:39 UTC

enhances google slide presentations - can be teacher paced or student paced, and there are great interactive tools students can use to show understanding!

Parental consent required in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

delete this please

2022-03-07 13:58:56 UTC

https://slidesgo.com/

2022-03-07 13:59:02 UTC

Easy, beautiful AI slides that you can make a copy of and use to make your slides presentations more fun (without doing more work)

Brisk can do this as well, and is approved in LCPS.

Link still good 8/12/2025

Desmos Student can be used for any subject. Been using it in Science for review, practice and remediation

2022-03-07 13:59:02 UTC

GeoGebra

briantorre3 — 2022-03-07 13:59:38 UTC

Parental consent required in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

tarheelgameplay for switch-accessible games

2022-03-07 13:59:42 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Wixie

2022-03-07 13:59:56 UTC

Premade templates about any topic for students to work with (3D shapes in geometry, order of planets for science etc.). You can also change the ALT text for images so that students can write/hear more about an image. It will also read the ALT text aloud by clicking on the yellow megaphone.

8/12/2025

Desmos - in math - used for teaching and for practice, but you can use it for other subject areas also

2022-03-07 14:00:13 UTC

Gimkit! Like Kahoot, but more fun :)

2022-03-07 14:00:15 UTC

https://www.gimkit.com/

Students in LCPS not allowed to create accounts, link still good 8/12/2025

Quordle or Octordle

2022-03-07 14:00:58 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Translate Feature in Google Docs

2022-03-07 14:02:03 UTC

This is pretty basic but is a game changer for ELs who are literate in home language. In any google doc, just go to "tools" and "translate" and student can create a translated version of the google doc at the click of a button.

Still works 4/5/2024

mathsisfun website. Strongest feature that my students use - the math dictionary. It contains definitions and practice K-8. Students using DreamBox can get "stuck" when they have not been exposed yet to a math concept. By knowing the exact meaning of words, students can move forward on their own.

2022-03-07 14:05:05 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Google Translate chrome extension

2022-03-07 14:07:16 UTC

Allows ELs to translate schoology (and other websites) at the click of a button. Students can go back and forth between English and home language when completing assessments created in Schoology.

Link still good 8/12/2025

MyVRSpot

2022-03-07 14:09:27 UTC

Upload any youtube video to VRSpot (on LCPS Go) and it will take away all ads and just leave the video and its link that you can copy and paste anywhere.

Still good 8/12/2025

Newsela

2022-03-07 14:16:02 UTC

Via LCPS Go or Schoology, can log in via Google as well. Link good as of 8/12/2025.

Translate using Powerpoint

2022-03-07 14:17:39 UTC

Education.com

2022-03-07 14:17:58 UTC

There are many educational games that you can play with the kids as a small group. Also tons of worksheets and ideas.

Parental consent required for student accounts in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

delete this please

2022-03-07 14:18:49 UTC

Pbs learning

2022-03-07 14:19:28 UTC

Awesome video contact and it's already loaded on LCPSGO, lesson creator is built in to it and covers all subjects!

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/

Link still good 8/12/2025

delete this please

2022-03-07 14:21:59 UTC

How to use Powerpoint Translate

2022-03-07 14:23:14 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

Splashlearn

2022-03-07 14:26:25 UTC

https://www.splashlearn.com/

Has math and reading standards that can be assigned to students k-5. You can use it to reteach topics as well if they do not score well on the lesson you assigned

Parental consent is required in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

Sticky Notes

2022-03-07 14:27:00 UTC

It cleaned off my desk from paper sticky notes! The sticky note appears on my computer's background. Just type in "sticky notes" in the search bar in the lower left hand corner of your screen and it will pop up! This may require an install of software!

Still works 8/12/2025

nrich.com

2022-03-07 14:29:10 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Wakelet

colette_bradley — 2022-03-07 14:29:19 UTC

Use Wakelet to easily create classroom newsletters to be shared with parents. Also use it as a curation tool of web resources to be used later.

Parental permission required in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

kamiapp.com

2022-03-07 14:29:40 UTC

I use it for note taking and demonstrating math problems

Presenter's note: This is not approved for student use in LCPS. The Read&Write does have some overlapping features.

https://www.dafont.com/open-dyslexic.font will let you download this font to use in Adobe (to make PDFs) and Microsoft Word. If you try to convert the OpenDyslexic Word document to a Google Doc, the font WILL NOT WORK!

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-07 14:41:00 UTC

Link still good 4/4/2024

We are Teachers site

2022-03-07 14:51:22 UTC

https://www.weareteachers.com/ Free printables and classroom ideas

Link still good 8/12/2025

eMediaVA

2022-03-07 15:18:38 UTC

https://emediava.org/

Great resource for lessons, articles, research, topics searchable by Va SOL. You can also assign directly to students within LCPS Go. This app is already there for you.

Link still good 8/12/2025

Sand Draw App

2022-03-07 15:18:44 UTC

https://www.sanddraw.me/

Free, with ads and in-app purchases. Link still good 8/14/2025

Nearpod

2022-03-07 15:19:54 UTC

I love Nearpod! It is a great tool for engagement. Students can explore videos, locations around the world, answer discussion boards and so much more! Get to it in LCPS Go.

Link still good 8/12/2025

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

2022-03-07 15:20:19 UTC

Find it in the Company Portal in LCPS (go to the search bar or the magnifying glass on the bottom toolbar of your screen and start typing "Company Portal." Click on the icon when it comes up, and then search for Adobe Creative Cloud!

Still works 8/12/2025

Boom cards learning

2022-03-07 15:20:38 UTC

I love using boom cards to check for understanding and also to practice the student skills.

Parental consent is required in LCPS, link still good 8/12/2025

The annotate feature on the new LCPS Promethean boards is great to use in combination with Google Slides in class.

2022-03-07 15:20:50 UTC

Favorite Resources

2022-03-07 15:36:55 UTC

Screencastify - can be used for free with up to 5 minute clips to provide teacher support for independent work. This is not allowed for us in LCPS but you can use WeVideo instead.

Mentimeter - quick check for class data - interactive word cloud (not in LCPS EdTech catalog)

Classroom Screen - has timers, class information, volume management, etc.

All still work but are not in Ed Tech catalog 8/12/2025

myHomework

2022-03-07 15:37:07 UTC

Digital agenda- great tool

Free app not approved for use in LCPS, schools can purchase subscriptions if they wish. Link still good 8/12/2025

Adobe Scan app

2022-03-07 15:40:01 UTC

You can scan hardcopy documents and turn them into PDFs, all from your phone. This is ideal if a scanner/copy machine is not available or you don't have an electronic copy of the document.

Link still good 8/14/2025

Virtual Manipulatives

2022-03-07 15:40:52 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Averia Libre is a dyslexia friendly font bundled in Google Suite tools

2022-03-07 15:59:09 UTC

You have to click on the font drop down menu, and then "more fonts" and search for Averia Libre to add it to your font list.

Link still good 4/5/2024

Wixie.com in LCPSGo! Your class is already linked to you. Let's publish some of their awesome stories!

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-07 16:12:21 UTC

Organize Google Chrome Tabs

2022-03-07 16:13:48 UTC

To help organize tabs based on what you are working on, with a simple right click, you can group your tabs together and label them with a custom name and color. Once the tabs are grouped together, you can move and reorder them on the tab strip.

Link still good 8/12/2025

Flexi AI student tutor

katie_robertson2 — 2022-03-07 16:27:26 UTC

Link still good on staff computer 8/12/2025

Wordwall

2022-03-07 16:30:32 UTC

I use this site all of the time with my reading groups. There are activities in the community that you can use for free. You can make 3 or so of your own for free. The membership team is pretty cheap and worth it if you want to customize your activities.

Parental consent is required in LCPS if you'd like your students to log in. You can print activities or download them as a PDF as well. Link still good 8/12/2025

whiteboard.chat for math and science-based visuals that you can manipulate!

katie_robertson2 — 2022-04-07 17:12:18 UTC

Widgets and Gizmos are on the right-hand toolbar for the visuals. Just click on "start class" to open a whiteboard!

Link still works 8/12/2025

Mote extension in Google Chrome

katie_robertson2 — 2022-04-07 17:14:45 UTC

It lets you insert an audio recording into a Google Slide

Requires a log-in but not listed in LCPS EdTech catalog. Link still good 8/12/2025

autodraw.com

katie_robertson2 — 2022-04-07 17:19:23 UTC

Start drawing something and the computer will guess what you're drawing and give you an icon-like picture for it!

Link still good 8/12/2025

GoOpenVA!

katie_robertson2 — 2022-05-18 13:06:38 UTC

Open source searchable lessons and materials that align with state standards

Link still good 8/12/2025

Loudoun County Public Schools student software catalog (public facing)

katie_robertson2 — 2022-05-18 13:12:10 UTC

katie_robertson2 — 2022-05-18 13:17:58 UTC

This is a searchable collection of free stories with pre-made questions to promote shared storybook reading. You can also create your own!

Link good 8/12/2025

Interactive Math Whiteboard

katie_robertson2 — 2022-06-01 15:25:50 UTC

https://activities.graspablemath.com/

Parental consent required in LCPS, link still works 8/12/2025

delete this please

katie_robertson2 — 2022-06-21 14:44:58 UTC

Tips and tricks for the Chrome browser

katie_robertson2 — 2022-06-21 14:48:42 UTC

bit.ly/ChromeKL

Link still good 4/5/2024

Brainpop

katie_robertson2 — 2022-06-21 17:57:17 UTC

It now has built in comprehension questions with Immersive Reader when you hit the pause button! You can play the video as normal or you can do the play/pause version. You can also slow down the speed of the video. Find Brainpop and BrainPOP Jr in LCPS Go!

Graphic Organizer templates for Google Docs

katie_robertson2 — 2022-07-11 15:09:48 UTC

Graphic organizer templates in Google Docs that you can copy and use with students!

Link still good 8/12/2025

katie_robertson2 — 2022-07-11 15:13:24 UTC

SmartArt graphic organizer guide for MS Office!

Link still good 4/5/2024

Teacher Promethean Screen Share Directions

katie_robertson2 — 2022-09-12 12:06:04 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

Student Promethean Screen Share Directions

katie_robertson2 — 2022-09-12 12:06:53 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

LUCID

katie_robertson2 — 2022-10-17 17:56:02 UTC

On LCPS Go, graphic organizers, 8/12/2025

Quick start guide here: https://cdn-cashy-static-assets.lucidchart.com/app/doclist/edu-reference-guide.pdf

Polypad

2023-02-28 16:41:16 UTC

Parental consent required in LCPS as per software catalog still listed under Mathigon, link still good 8/12/2025

http://bit.ly/educationhacks

2023-03-13 12:46:05 UTC

Low-tech education manipulatives and ways to adapt materials curated by the LCPS assistive technology team!

Link still good 8/12/2025

Google Drawing Graphic Organizer Templates

2023-03-28 18:28:06 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

LCPS StudyMate Sets

2023-04-10 12:40:30 UTC

This is a Google Site of virtual flashcards and games created in StudyMate by LCPS teachers across grades and subject area.

Link still good 8/12/2025

Microsoft OneNote

2023-05-03 16:18:57 UTC

Students can create digital notebooks using Office365 and OneNote.

Equati0

2023-06-07 18:08:30 UTC

Read&Write Chrome extension resources

2023-06-07 18:10:40 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

iorad.com

2023-06-13 14:55:33 UTC

You have an account through LCPS, and it allows you to create video tutorials about how to navigate and use websites/software. Link still good 8/12/2025

AutoCrat - Google Mail Merger

2023-06-13 15:45:21 UTC

Chrome add-on that is approved for use by LCPS.

Mail Merge system that automates merging information into docs, slides etc.

Link good 8/12/2025

OrbitNote Chrome extension

jenniferdunstan — 2023-06-13 15:57:23 UTC

Orbitnote lets you annotate and collaborate on PDFs as well as making them more accessible!

Link still good 8/12/2025

Scannable

jenniferdunstan — 2023-06-13 15:59:09 UTC

This free iOS/Android app lets you scan documents from your phone and save it as an image or a PDF.

Pink Cat Games

2023-08-17 17:41:58 UTC

Great resource for reading and math development. Several types of games and imagery for students to engage with. Shows teacher made games and resources as well!

Link still good 8/12/2025, not approved in LCPS so no student accounts

jeopardy Labs

2023-08-17 18:47:57 UTC

resource for information reinforcement. Make sure to review before usign with students

Link still good 8/12/2025

Live Captions in Windows

2023-09-05 13:01:13 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

delete this please

2023-09-05 13:02:05 UTC

Immersive Reader

2023-09-05 13:03:24 UTC

This is built in to several tools we already use in LCPS, including Schoology!

A resource for creating visuals, like picture charts and first-then boards, if you don't have access to LessonPix

2023-09-05 13:25:29 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

mackinvia.com

2023-10-10 12:15:36 UTC

Go to mackinvia.com instead of navigating through LCPSGo. Log in to a school in Loudoun county with your LCPS username (the short one) and password, and you can see what e-books and audiobooks are available at that location!

Diffit

2023-11-03 17:21:52 UTC

Differentiate your materials automatically with this tool!

Link still good 8/12/2025. I suspect Brisk would work for this as well and is automatically pushed out by LCPS, but it's always good to have options!

Loudoun County Public Schools EdTech catalog (current)

2024-01-24 13:13:49 UTC

This is not public-facing and requires a log-in, but gives you information about what software is and is not approved for use in LCPS, and which software we already have licenses for!

Make sure you X out of "supported" under the "status" field. or you won't see titles that require parental permission.

2024-03-18 16:34:32 UTC

Link still good 8/12/2025

goblin.tools

2024-03-18 16:36:56 UTC

Breaking things down so you don't! No log-in is required for this to-do list tool that breaks tasks down into steps for you. Link still good 8/12/2025

iPad accessibility features

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-05 14:26:54 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

Windows accessibility features

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-05 14:27:44 UTC

Link still good 4/5/2024

Scan documents to Google Drive on Android

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-05 14:40:57 UTC

Link still good 8/14/2025

Record a PowerPoint with audio and slide timing!

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-08 17:27:46 UTC

Link good 4/8/2024

In Microsoft Edge, if you type "Read:https://" followed by a URL without the quotation marks, it will automatically apply Immersive Reader.

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 12:40:57 UTC

In Chrome, right-click on any website to choose, "Open in reading mode" and choose from a variety of preferences including font and color!

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 12:42:04 UTC

Fairfax County Public Schools approved software

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 17:10:25 UTC

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 17:23:16 UTC

I've used this free online tool to remove passwords from TeachersPayTeachers materials in order to make them accessible. You can also edit PDFs and format them so the computer can read the text out loud. No download or payment is needed! Link good 8/12/2025

Hidden in Plain Sight presentation

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 18:06:27 UTC

Alexandria City Public Schools technology information

katie_robertson2 — 2024-04-16 18:09:10 UTC

Phonics + Stuff

2024-04-18 12:39:40 UTC

This isn't in the LCPS EdTech catalog. Link works 8/12/2025

Free live captions!

2024-04-20 14:16:13 UTC

This can caption in multiple languages and you can change the background color and font! Link good 8/12/2025 but Katie couldn't get it to work. You can always go into Google Slides and turn on captions: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/9109474?hl=en

AI prompt library for educators

2024-04-20 14:27:17 UTC

link good 8/12/2025

Book Creator

2024-04-20 14:45:23 UTC

Parental permission required in LCPS. Link good 8/12/2025. Screen reader compatible and students can write in their own language and it will automatically translate for the teacher.

Prince William County

sandihuey1980 — 2024-04-20 17:09:14 UTC

delete this please

2024-04-20 17:49:23 UTC

Quizizz/Wayground

katie_robertson2 — 2025-08-14 15:03:31 UTC

There is an option to have students explain their answers as well!

Parental permission required in LCPS. Link good 8/14/2025

Magic School AI

katie_robertson2 — 2025-08-14 15:05:47 UTC

Similar to Brisk!

Plickers

katie_robertson2 — 2025-08-14 15:09:06 UTC

Students hold up printed-out cards to answer questions while you scan the cards with your phone! Parental permission required in LCPS. Link good as of 8/14/2025.