If your standards are aligned like mine, your geometry standards are at the very end of the list right before testing. Your time is limited between trying to fit in test prep while re-teaching things they should already know about shapes and lines! Year after year fitting in geometry seems to be a struggle.
Truth be told, I enjoy teaching geometry (to 4th graders- not be confused with "real" geometry). So I decided to switch it up and NOT teach it LAST. (I like to live on the edge). However, my time is still limited, so I wanted to make sure I was making the most of my instructional time. As in, I don't have time to draw lines and shapes on the board while trying to get them to see what I'm trying to teach.
Using all the technology I possibly can, I can make sure I am making the most out the time I have to teach the standards for geometry. So, how do I maximize instructional time?
Here is an example of my first 3 days of our geometry unit:
Using PowerPoint Lessons for Whole Group Instruction
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| PowerPoint Lesson Notes follow along with PowerPoint. |
Drawing parallel lines is impossible on the board, so is creating perfectly square corners. Using PowerPoint I can deliver the lesson without being tied to my Smartboard. I am able to walk around the room to make sure the students are following along using their copy of the PowerPoint Notes.
Using the PowerPoint lesson ensures that I am able to make the most of my instructional time, without wasting time attempting to draw lines everywhere. Plus, I'm ready for an evaluation in case my admin walks in for an unannounced observation.
Google Classroom Interactive Paperless Practice
With Google Classroom I am able to embed any instructional video into the practice slides I design. I typically create my own video to ensure it matches with the classroom lesson. Students will re-watch the lesson before starting their independent practice. The videos provide a chance to review the content one last time. (It's also great for students who are absent from class.)
(Watch the video about the students independent practice on Google Classroom.)
Google Forms: Assessment without all the grading
Before the students leave, I will assess what they know with a quick 10 question Google Form. I set the Google Form to "quiz mode". Quiz mode with the answer key built in will automatically grade each form submitted. The students get instant feedback about how they did and I have a quick snapshot of how well the students are grasping the concept. I can quickly use this data to determine how much time I need to spend the next day reviewing a concept, or which students need additional support during small group time (without ever having to touch or grade student papers!)
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| 10 Question Google Form to assess student understanding of types of lines. (This No-Prep Self- Grading Google Form can be found HERE) |
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| Google Forms to assess 4th grade geometry standards (These Google Forms are part of a Geometry Bundle found HERE) |
Google Form: Test Data
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| Automatic data from Google Form Assessment for: Identifying Types of Lines (CCSS 4.GA.2) |
By utilizing my Smartboard with PowerPoint Lessons, Google Classroom for independent interactive practice, and Google Forms for a quick assessment I am able to fit in all the 4th grade geometry standards before testing.
Wanting to get started with Google Classroom, but think it will take too much time to get started? Read about how you can upload an interactive practice or Google Form in less than 60 seconds HERE. Or watch the video HERE.
