Google Site

Anderson's Achievers

What did you create and why?
I created a website for our class newsletter.  One of the Danielson Framework sections encourages students to contribute to the parent communication.  So I created a page that starts with many of the sections I usually add to my weekly newsletter.  The pages include an important dates section so that students and parents can be aware of upcoming events.  I made a Math Minute section.  Students can post summaries of the skills we are learning in math.  There is also a video link, and a Google Doc for students to include examples of math in everyday situations.  I also included a File Cabinet page for parents to access documents related to Curriculum Night.  That way parents that were not able to attend could still receive the information.  I also included a link to a WebQuest.

What went well?
The videos in the Synergize section were very helpful.  I was glad to be able to choose from coordinated colors for a beginning theme.

What was challenging?
I am still not sure how to add an image to a page without it becoming a link to a separate browser window.  I would also like to practice more with the list page options so that data can be sorted for various purposes.  Since this is a sample and all of this was created by me, I would also like to experiment more with other contributors on a webpage option to see how the comments would work.  I am curious about the benefits and drawbacks of using a site versus using Google Classroom for specific purposes with students.

What did you enjoy?
I was glad to get the process started for something that I have wanted to do for a while.  Now I have the format ready.

What ideas do you have to share?
Last year we had students do research for individual state projects.  This involved lots of documents from each student sent to me for each piece of information.  I would love to create a site for each student where they could publish the information in one place, rather than having all of it on separate pieces of paper.  My grade level team could also create some Google Doc templates so that students are able to follow the correct formatting.  We also do book projects.  I would love to have a site per student where they could collect all of their work throughout the year in one location by topic.