AI

Snorkl + MathReps = Powerful Learning Moments

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I’m sure I’ve mentioned Snorkl before, but it’s worth sharing again, especially because MathReps are part of the platform!

If you haven’t explored it yet, Snorkl is an AI-powered feedback tool that provides students with meaningful and personalized responses to their work. Teachers can create their own assignments or choose from Snorkl’s library of ready-to-go activities. These activities span all grade levels and subject areas – from kindergarten through high school – and include math, ELD, science, history, and language arts.

When a student completes an assignment, Snorkl analyzes their work based on the rubric (which it can even create for you!) and provides feedback and a score. It doesn’t provide answers, but instead encourages students to think deeper and revise their work.

A few reasons I ❤️ Snorkl:

  • It’s simple (not loaded with bells and whistles) and intuitive for both teachers and students.
  • Teachers can start from scratch or choose from a library of quality tasks.
  • Feedback can be provided in multiple languages, but teachers always see it in English.
  • Directions and feedback can be read aloud, making them perfect for young learners or multilingual students. (And it doesn’t sound robotic!)

Snorkl in Action: A Classroom Story

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit a 3rd-grade class to help them get started with Snorkl. (Total aside, but the teacher—Erin Daines—is one of the most naturally gifted educators I’ve ever met. I always learn something new in her classroom!)

On the first visit, we started simple with a fun activity from the Snorkl Library: “Introduce yourself and draw a picture of something you like.”

It was a low-stakes way for students to explore some of the whiteboard tools—pen, highlighter, shapes, and lines and get comfortable with the platform. We set it up so they could view and comment on one another’s work, and the engagement was instant. The room was buzzing with creativity and laughter.

When I returned the next week, we took things a step further. We made the next assignment collaborative, which meant students appeared under playful names, such as Zany Zebra or Curious Coyote. This anonymity helped students focus on ideas instead of popularity, something I really appreciate.

We started with a Would You Rather prompt: “Would you rather have a caramel apple or a slice of pumpkin pie?”

Students had to choose one and explain why. One student chose “neither” and explained his reasoning. Snorkl acknowledged his logic but scored it lower and challenged him to pick one, since the task was to make a choice, an excellent learning moment in a safe environment.

Then came the highlight: a 3rd Grade MathReps addition activity in Snorkl!

Students completed the task, then recorded their explanations to show their thinking. We know that when students can explain a process, their understanding deepens. Snorkl provided instant, helpful feedback that supported this reflection.

The best part? When students didn’t earn a 4/4, they wanted to improve. They read or listened to the feedback and tried again: some two or three times! The combination of MathReps and Snorkl fostered perseverance, reflection, and a sense of pride in learning. It was so exciting to witness.

Try MathReps in Snorkl!

Yes, MathReps are live in Snorkl—you’ll find them under the EduProtocols section. Currently, activities are available for grades K–4, with additional 4th-grade content and upper-grade levels forthcoming.

If you’d like to beta test upcoming MathReps in Snorkl, I’d love to have you join in! Just reach out and let me know.

So go ahead—try a MathRep in Snorkl. Let your students explore, explain, and shine.

Magic School – UDL Choice Board

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Earlier today, I had the pleasure of meeting with a fantastic group of teachers from Plymouth-Canton Community Schools in Michigan. Our main focus was on incorporating more EduProtocols and technology into math classes. During our discussion, we touched upon the topic of what students can do once they have demonstrated mastery using MathReps. Specifically, if students show mastery on their weekly assessment for two consecutive weeks, I no longer require them to do the daily practice in the following week. To provide an alternative avenue for these students, I suggested the use of a Choice Board, allowing them to delve deeper into the skills they have mastered. This idea sparked a conversation about the UDL Choice Board creator in Magic School. Intrigued by this resource (see previous post), I decided to explore this component further, and I must say, I was not disappointed.

After finding the Choice Board (UDL), I chose the grade level and input the standards. For my purposes, I chose all of 5.NBT. I gave the tool minimal parameters.

The output was okay:

Choice Board: Place Value and Decimals

AssignmentDescription
  1. Place Value Detective| Create a comic strip showing how a digit’s value changes based on its position in a multi-digit number.
  2. Decimals in the Real World| Research and create a slideshow presentation showcasing examples of decimals in everyday life.
  3. Powers of 10 Exploration| Design a poster explaining patterns in the number of zeros when multiplying or dividing a number by powers of 10.
  4. Decimal Number Line| Construct a number line using decimals and demonstrate how to compare decimals using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols.
  5. Rounding Riddles| Create a set of riddles where students need to round decimals to a specified place value to find the answer.
  6. Decimal Art Gallery| Use various art materials to represent decimals visually. Label and display your artwork in a mini gallery.
  7. Interactive Place Value Game| Develop a board game that involves using place value understanding to round decimals. Include instructions and game pieces.
  8. Decimal Number Chef| Write a step-by-step recipe using decimals for a favorite dish. Include appropriate measurements and conversions.
  9. Decimal Reflection| Write a reflective journal entry explaining the importance of understanding place value and decimals in real-world applications.

Remember to be creative and have fun with your chosen assignment! Additionally, ensure that your work demonstrates your understanding of place value and decimals.

But not very user-friendly. So, I modified my request. Not exactly what I wanted but much better visually. I would prefer if it were a 3 x 3 grid. I did put in the request unfortunately, the tool wasn’t able to create it. But the output was still good and easier to read. And if I really wanted a 3 x 3 grid, I could simply copy and paste the components:

Sure! Here’s the choice board in a 3 x 3 table format:

AssignmentDescription
1. Place Value DetectiveCreate a comic strip showing how a digit’s value changes based on its position in a multi-digit number.
2. Decimals in the Real WorldResearch and create a slideshow presentation showcasing examples of decimals in everyday life.
3. Powers of 10 ExplorationDesign a poster explaining patterns in the number of zeros when multiplying or dividing a number by powers of 10.
4. Decimal Number LineConstruct a number line using decimals and demonstrate how to compare decimals using greater than, less than, and equal to symbols.
5. Rounding RiddlesCreate a set of riddles where students need to round decimals to a specified place value to find the answer.
6. Decimal Art GalleryUse various art materials to represent decimals visually. Label and display your artwork in a mini gallery.
7. Interactive Place Value GameDevelop a board game that involves using place value understanding to round decimals. Include instructions and game pieces.
8. Decimal Number ChefWrite a step-by-step recipe using decimals for a favorite dish. Include appropriate measurements and conversions.
9. Decimal ReflectionWrite a reflective journal entry explaining the importance of understanding place value and decimals in real-world applications.

I hope this format is helpful for you and your students! Let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.

Can this be improved? Definitely! Did I invest a lot of time fine-tuning the tool’s parameters? No. However, considering the minimal effort I put in, the output turned out to be surprisingly good. Without a doubt, I wholeheartedly recommend Magic School! I remain a fan of this remarkable tool!

Magic School AI

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The world of AI tools is vast and ever-evolving. Amongst the sea of options, one particular tool has caught my attention: Magic School. With a focus on teachers and schools, it offers a unique approach that sets it apart from the rest. Its comprehensive range of categories opens up exciting possibilities for integrating AI into different educational contexts. The best part? It comes in both a free and paid version, tailored to suit varying needs. Allow me to share an image of its advantages from their official website. Get ready to dive into a world of innovative possibilities!

Compare subscription options for Magic School

On the home page, you will find 66 different categories. Some examples of these categories include Math Spiral Review, Standards Unpacker, Sentence Starters, Text Leveler, and IEP Generator, among many others. As I was curious, I decided to take a closer look at the Standards Unpacker category. What caught my attention was the fact that it addresses the specific skills that students need to succeed, provides clear Learning Targets, and summarizes the standard. However, I found the Instruction and Assessment Plan section to be somewhat vague. Nevertheless, one interesting aspect is that you can go back to the tool and use that initial plan as a starting point to create a more detailed and thorough plan.

Standard: 5.NBT.A.1

Break Down Standard:

Skills: Recognizing place value in multi-digit numbers
Knowledge: Understanding how the value of a digit changes as it moves to the left or right in a number
Concepts: Place value, base-ten number system, positional notation

Define Expectations:
In this standard, 5th-grade students are expected to understand the concept of place value in multi-digit numbers. They should recognize that each digit in a number has a specific value determined by its position. Additionally, they should understand that the value of a digit in one place is 10 times greater than its value in the place to its right, and 1/10 of what it represents in the place to its left.

Formulate Learning Targets:
By the end of this standard, students should be able to:

-Identify the place value of digits in multi-digit numbers.
-Determine the value of a digit based on its position within a number.
-Describe the relationship between the value of a digit and its position.

Instruction and Assessment Strategies:
Use manipulatives, such as base-ten blocks, to help students visualize and understand the concept of place value.
Provide opportunities for students to explore and compare the values of digits in different positions within a number.
Use number lines and number charts to reinforce the concept and relationship of place value.
Engage students in problem-solving activities that require them to apply their understanding of place value.
Assess students' understanding through quizzes, worksheets, and real-life problem-solving tasks that involve place value.

Summarize:
In this standard, 5th-grade students are expected to develop a deep understanding of place value in multi-digit numbers. They should be able to recognize the value of each digit based on its position within the number and understand the relationship of each digit to its neighboring digits. Instructional strategies such as hands-on manipulatives, visual aids, and problem-solving activities can help students master this concept. Assessment strategies should include both formal and informal methods to gauge students' understanding and application of place value.

From my brief exploration, I believe that this tool has the potential to greatly assist teachers in working more efficiently. It eliminates the need for teachers to come up with learning objectives, develop grading criteria, and design lesson plans. Although AI should not replace all of a teacher’s work, it can certainly assist them in the more demanding tasks. Teachers will still have the ability to review and customize the generated outputs to suit their specific requirements. Overall, I am optimistic about the potential of this tool.