15 Ways To Maximize Your Use Of Google Slides

I came across this amazing resource with 15 tips on how to maximize your use of Google Slides.  

There are 15 tips and endless resources on each one.  Shout out to all who contributed to this comprehensive resource and to Amanda Sandoval @historysandoval for sharing it.

CLICK HERE  GOOGLE SLIDES to access this resource 

Search Your Google Drive right from Chrome!

Search Google Drive from Chrome

Drive file suggestions in Chrome allows users to search their Google Drive files directly from the Chrome URL bar, instead of drive.google.com. Currently, this functionality is limited to files that users have previously opened in Chrome. Starting on December 16, 2019, users who restart their browsers will be able to search for any Drive files that they have access to, including ones they haven’t previously opened in Chrome.

Getting to Know G Suite Better

Getting to Know G Suite Better

Here are a few tools for the new and experienced user.

• The G Suite Welcome Center: The Welcome Center offers resources and a roadmap for users to get to know G Suite. This Center contains details on the Learning Center, help guides for each app, switching guides, our new Sheets Coursera course, and more.
• G Suite for Power Users: This page contains resources specifically curated for advanced users so they can get even more out of G Suite.
• G Suite Hack for power users: This training has five challenge tasks employees can complete at their own pace, giving them a fun way to learn about G Suite.

Google Sheets New Feature - Exploded Pie Graphs

Google Sheets New Feature - Exploded Pie Graphs


You can now “pull out” and highlight a slice from a pie or donut chart in Google Sheets. This feature gives you more ways to control the look of your charts and better display the most important data in Sheets.

This feature will be available by the end of the month.

Britannica: School Edition

Britannica School, a safe, up-to-date, and age-appropriate information resource for Elementary, Middle, and High School. Discover encyclopedia articles, multimedia, primary sources, games, and other learning resources that support student research and reinforce curriculum standards.

WECDSB students can gain free access to this resource through the Student Portal on the WECDSB website.  

Once students arrive, they can select content at an Elementary, Middle or High School Level.

Once students select a topic, there are multiple ways they can learn:

• read the article
• view images
• watch videos
• listen to the article
• translate to a different language

CS Education Week Starts Today!

Classrooms across the globe are trying out coding for 1 hour this week.  Why?  Coding helps our students develop skills that are valuable no matter what you do!  Computation thinking, problem-solving, self-directed learning, perseverance, brainstorming & collaboration are just a few that come to mind.

There is something for everyone!

Kindergarten Grade 2: Teacher Led Scratch Jr Activities

Example: Can I Make the Sun Set? : Students will get an introduction to programming by making a sun set over a city landscape 

Grade 3 - 8: Hour of Code: Code Your Hero

CS First has a new activity where students get to Code their Own Hero.  Not only does this activity introduce our students to programming through self-directed videos, it's also a great connection into writing for a purpose, justifying your claim and identifying what qualities a hero has. Click the link below to try it out with your class.

Hour of Code: Code Your Hero

Grade 9 and Beyond: Code Your Own Filter

Students love their filters whether on Instagram, Snapchat or just taking a photo.  In this Hour of Code activity, students will use Grasshopper, a text-based programming language to create their own filters.  Talk about blending social media, art, design and coding all into one!

7 Googley Wintertime Activities for Kids

With the holiday season here, Eric Curts has updated his list of wintertime activities and projects that use Google tools. 

The current list includes:
1) Build a Snowman with Google Slides
2) Decorate a Christmas Tree with Google Slides
3) Wintertime Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings
4) Holiday Greeting Cards with Google Drawings
5) Pixel Art Ornaments with Google Sheets
6) Wintertime Emoji Rebus Stories with Google Docs
7) Holiday Lights Writing with Google Docs

You can access all of the templates and directions at:
https://www.controlaltachieve.com/2019/12/7-winter-activities.html