https://www.edsurge.com/product-reviews/newsela
The above article gives an overview of what NewELA is about and how to use it. Also, on this article it has reviews about the site from teacher and students. Newela is a tool that has articles that the students actually like while also applying to the core curriculum. The site is designed to target 5 different reading levels, normally grades 2-6. There are articles available in Spanish for bilingual students. The reviews give feedback that seems very honest. I have never used this site, but it seems like something that would help engage the students on the latest articles.
The tool Socrative allows teachers to create games or exercises that the students can solve on their provided technology. After the students are done with their exercises and games the teacher can view the lesson to see what needs to be changed or explained more. The teachers can also personalize the games or exercises depending on the student.
There are four key features to Socrative:
1. Quiz – this allows teachers to create multiple-choice, true/false or short-answer question quizzes that they can save and use again. In class, the teacher launches the quiz and students complete it in real time on their devices.
2. Space Race – students complete a quiz, but this time they compete against each other to get a spaceship from one side of the screen to the other.
3. Quick Question – the teacher asks a multiple-choice, true/false or short-answer question orally or writes it on the board. Students use Socrative to choose the correct answer.
4. Exit Ticket – students reflect at the end of a lesson. There are two inbuilt questions (How well did you understand today’s material? and What did you learn in today’s class?). The teacher sets the third question orally or on the board, which could be a question such as What three new words have you learned today? or What did you find difficult about today’s lesson?
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