I wanted to share an awesome tool I've been using called Jamboard. Have you tried it with your students? It's a Google application that acts as an interactive whiteboard, and let me tell you, it's become one of my absolute favorite tools to use with my students. I can't stop creating Jamboard templates – it's become a bit of an obsession!
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So, why should you use Jamboard templates? Before I share its great features, you can view or listen to it below.
Why Use Jamboard Templates?
First, it's super easy to use because it's built into your students' Google accounts, and the best part? It's completely free! You can't beat that.
Jamboard already has built-in templates like graphs, dot paper, and colored backgrounds, but what excites me is the ability to upload my templates. I can lock the scene and layer on images, post-it notes, and other manipulatives. It's a game-changer!
But wait, there's more! Jamboard has other amazing features too. One of my favorites is the ability for students to collaborate on projects in real time. Like other Google apps, they can work together; teamwork is always a plus.
Now, let's dive into some fantastic ideas for using Jamboard templates in the classroom:
Formative Assessments
Jamboard makes giving feedback and adjusting instruction on the fly a breeze. I love using simple exit ticket templates to assess my students' understanding. They're quick, easy, and effective.
One of my favorite Jamboard templates is just a simple exit ticket.
Complete the form below to grab your freebie if you want to try these Jamboard template formative assessments. If you'd like all of my templates (and I'm always adding to them), click here.
Jamboard Templates for Phonics
Who doesn't love using manipulatives? With Jamboard templates, you can bring the fun of phonics activities to your students' devices. It's mess-free, saves time on materials, and allows students to work on phonics anywhere, anytime. Building high-frequency words becomes an exciting digital experience.
The lesson idea above comes from my high-frequency word phonics center Jamboard templates.
RAN Strategy
If you're looking for a great formative assessment tool for units of study, the RAN Strategy is perfect. It helps you gauge what your students already know about a topic before you begin, and you can track their progress. Jamboard makes it easy to move students' thoughts, questions, and new learning around on the template.
While I love using anchor charts in my room, I also like the ability to cast the Jamboard on my TV and on student devices to allow students to manipulate their thoughts simultaneously.
Jamboard Templates for Coding
Scratch, Jr. is a fantastic app for coding, but only some have access to iPads or find it easy to use. That's where Jamboard comes in. You can create grid projects for coding activities and tell stories across multiple pages. It's a fun and interactive way to build reading comprehension and algorithmic thinking.
One of my favorite ways to build reading comprehension is through storytelling. I use the app Scratch, Jr. all the time to allow students to retell or create their own stories or retell books they've already read.
Digital Escape Rooms
If you haven't jumped on the escape room bandwagon, you should! Just a quick side note about how much students love escape rooms, we used an escape room last year to teach point of view to a class of 5th-graders. They were having so much fun with it that when it was time to go outside for recess, they requested to stay in to solve the puzzles! Now that's saying something!
Finding resources that teach to the standards AND keep our kiddos engaged can be tricky. So I'd consider using escape rooms with students. In this example, students match the correct plural noun to gather the clues.
Having the ability to drag and drop objects in Jamboard is another reason why I love this application! And who doesn't love a good digital sticky note?
Design Journal (Fun Friday)
In this example, I use Jamboard to create a design journal for my Fun Friday projects. I can see creating templates for:
- Reading response journals
- Writing paper
- STEM projects
- Science experiments
- Honestly, the sky is the limit.
Great for Screencasting Lessons
Another idea is to use Jamboard with your screencasting lessons. I know what you are thinking, I'm back doing in-person learning, and I plan never to do another video lesson again. However, I would encourage you to continue creating lessons every once in a while.
It can be helpful for absent students in centers or when you have a substitute teacher.
Are you not convinced? That's ok. I've been creating a few for you. In this lesson from my opinion writing unit, I used Jamboard templates to help students understand facts and opinions. You can check out the unit here.
Create a Template for Annotating Text
Jamboard is great for annotating text because it mimics everything you use when reading for meaning. I don't know about you, but I love a good highlighter, pen, and sticky notes when trying to understand my reading. It's the perfect tool to help students understand what they are reading through annotation.
You can see why I'm so enthusiastic about Jamboard templates. They offer endless possibilities for enhancing the classroom experience. It's versatile, user-friendly, and perfect for reaching all types of learners.
Remember to check out the Jamboard templates. Just click here or on the image below.
Let's make learning even more exciting with Jamboard!
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