It is hard to imagine my life before my website. I know that sounds a little ridiculous, but it truly has become my home base. Between communicating with parents electronically every week, attaching resources for students to access, and attaching necessary forms/documents, I always manage to use it daily. It has become a common language for my students, parents, and myself and that has been invaluable.
The uses that have been wonderful the past week are:
1) Linking Google Forms to the site (thank you Dana) for students to complete. These quizzes can be easily accessed and completed, and then I grade them with Flubaroo. This has saved me a lot of time this year and copies.
2) Weekly Newsletter and Parent Updates has allowed me to better communicate with my families. Between my Google calendar with the weeks activities and Specials linked to it, a blog type post with important information listed, and a schedule/homework rundown for every subject, I try to keep parents in the loop as much as possible. Parents have let me know that they appreciate knowing what is going on in the classroom so it feels like everyone is on the same page.
3) Resources...We just received a subscription to the math website IXL. I can find material on IXL that fits our weekly math lessons and link them to my site. This way, when students finish their work, they can go to my site and continue specific practice on IXL. Not only does the site track their progress for me, but it can be matched up to specific lessons! They are loving it and so am I. Using the website as a common point of access makes it easier to use as well.
4) Linking to other places...I use Sign-Up genius for my parent volunteer opportunities and use the link to the sign-up on my website. If parents loose the link I send them in the email they can just go to the site to sign up. This also allows other family members like grandparents to volunteer as well.
I am so grateful this cohort gave me the time and opportunity to create the resources. I am excited to keep strengthening it and making it a stronger resource for all involved.
