Countdown calendars - it is amazing to be what you can find on the internet.  There are 3 calendars described in this blog that all countdown in various ways.  This blog is from Free Technology for Teachers, definitely where I get some amazing resources.  Check it out!

Counting down

Google Resources

Google Training Center Chromebook 

Chromebooks -

1. Nice basic video describing a Chromebook:  Introducing the Chromebook
2. Nice explanation posted in 2014:  What is a Chromebook - Explained

Chrome OS - 

1. Posted in 2012 this Google video explains the operating system used with Chromebooks: Chrome OS Guided Tour

Apps - 

1. How do I get them, where do they come from:  Finding apps for your Chromebook
2. Nice resource for finding replacement apps for the programs you are accustomed to using:  Find apps to replace computer programs
3. Installing third party apps will require that you give the app permission to access some of your data, this explains that nicely:  Apps connected to your account

Troubleshooting your Chromebook

1. Common errors
1. Chromebook Help Center
2. Fix "Aw, Snap!" page crashes and other page loading errors
2. Help Google to help you by Submitting product feedback
3. Search the web and look to others to help you resolve your problem if it is not an immediate issue - one group that can be of great help to a teacher - the Google Educator group

So cool I had to share it!

Richard Byrne featured an interactive periodic table of elements in his blog, I loved it.  Yes, that is super geeky but this thing does a very nice job of describing the elements with a graphic of common usage.  What a neat way to engage students and deliver easy to understand information.  If you teach science you really need to take a look at this!

Interactive Periodic Table of the Elements

I love things that make it easier for teachers and the website Flippity seems to do that.  This blog post from Richard Byrne explains how you can make Madlibs using Google Docs and a template from Flippity.  Madlibs might seem like silliness but they are fun and it would be a good way to help students with parts of speech.

Check out Richard's blog post here.

Digital Citizenship Resources from Google

I have been looking at the training in Google for Educators, my district has begun to use it more and we are moving in the direction of Google Classroom.  One of the areas of most concern is digital citizenship.  Even though my main position is tech support I also support our teachers as they use technology for their classroom curriculum, so I thought that going through the training would be helpful.  As I am working through it there was a host of wonderful resources listed for digital citizenship so I thought I would share them here.

Cybrary Man's Education Web Sites
To quote the site:  "The internet catalogue for students, teachers, administrators & parents.
Over 20,000 relevant links personally selected by an educator/author with over 30 years of experience. "

Common Sense Education

This site has a host of resources for technology in schools, digital Citizenship is just one part.  Worth taking a look.

Digizen.org
Wonderful resources for teachers, parents and kids.  A good look at Social Networking. This is from Childnet International.

Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner (from the Australian Government)

Generation Safe Quick Tip Videos
Series of short videos covering many digital safety topics.  These are YouTube videos, something to be aware of if your school blocks YouTube.

SWGfL Digital Literacy
South West Grid for Learning - not for profit from England providing learning resources in internet safety.

InCtrl
Lessons originally developed by Cable in the Classroom that teach concepts of digital literacy.

I love talk like a Pirate day.  This post is late but keep it in mind for next year, put it on your calendar!  Teacher Reboot Camp, another great educational blog has lots of resources for Talk Like a Pirate Day, Sept. 19th.  Lots of story telling resources, activities, websites, etc.  Everything you need for an awesome Talk Like a Pirate Day celebration! Check it out here.

I was looking at the Technology Tidbits blog and he featured a link to a math game site, BoomBlocks.  It is a really nice math game that would probably be fun for most kids.  It works like most video games, with students trying to solve the equations as quickly as possible.  They get power-ups and other rewards for answering correctly.  They can level up in the game to more difficult levels with more problems.  Check out the blog here.

But then I went back in the site to the home site and found even more resources.  While I don't think games on the internet will solve a child's learning difficulties it is a nice, fun way for kids to practice and reinforce skills.  They will work longer if they are having fun!  Here is the main site for the BoomBlocks game.