Google Dictionary

Google Dictionary allows you to look up a word on any webpage quickly.

Too Many Tabs

Too Many Tabs allows you to manage your tabs. Can make tabs ‘idle’ and view how many tabs are open.

One Tab

One Tab is similar to Too Many Tabs. With one click, all your tabs are condensed into one list with hyperlinks.

Adblock

Adblock blocks ads on webpages thus optimizing your browsing experience.

Goo.gl

Goo.gl is a Google URL shortener. It also creates a QR Code for the webpage.

Diigo

Diigo allows you to archive, annotate, and bookmark any webpage. Diigo is accessible from anywhere.

Feedly

Feedly is my favorite RSS Reader. I can easily follow new posts on my favorite blogs.

Google Cast

Google Cast is a must for anyone with Chromecast. Google Cast allows you to send content from your phone, tablet, or computer to your TV.

ColorZilla

CollorZilla identifies any color on any webpage; gives the hex code and keeps a history of identified colors.

Move It

Move It is a fun extension. You set the intervals at which an exercise challenge will appear on your screen.

Add This

Add This is a new favorite of mine. Have you ever stumbled across a great website that you wanted to share? Then you needed to copy and paste the link to Facebook, GMail, Twitter, or where ever. Skip that with Add This. Automatically lets you share a site to the media of your choice.

Clearly

Clearly cleans up posts, blogs, and articles. Read without the clutter.

WhatFont

WhatFont can identify any font on any website. Great for design purposes, or the curious.

Snagit

Snagit Extension in conjunction with the App is perfect for any classroom. It allows the user to do screen captures – video and pictures. Automatically saves to your Google Drive.

Over the summer, Alice Keeler, wrote about the fabulousness that is Move It – a Chrome Extension. In short, you can set a timer for regular intervals at which time a screen appears prompting you to exercise. The activities are quick and vary from rubbing your left arm with your right hand to 10 jumping jacks to taking deep breaths (and so many more). I began using it, as I have a tendency to sit at my computer and work for hours on end. I found it to be refreshing and really enjoyed the breaks.

I have always liked the idea of ‘Brain Breaks’ and often tried to incorporate them into my classroom. The problem was that I often forgot and got sucked up into whatever lesson we were doing. Now, the beauty of this extension is that the suggested activity is on a timer, and takes over your whole screen. I CAN’T ignore it!

So starting on the first day of school, I set the intervals at 15 minutes, turned on the projector, and Moved! Now being the first day of school, we were in our ‘Honeymoon’ period. You know that time when everyone is on their best behavior. So the first time it appeared, the students weren’t sure what to make of it. I read it aloud, and told them to stand up and do the activity (touch right hand to bottom of left foot, then left hand to bottom of right foot 10 times). Most thought it was fun, a few were still a little shy. However, as the day progressed, they were all more than eager to do the activities.

There are so many benefits to this: movement gets the blood flowing, blood brings oxygen to the brain, oxygen is good, it breaks up the monotony of the day, and…It’s fun! I HIGHLY recommend this for ALL classrooms.