App Smashing for Student Choice and Voice

 App Smashing For Student Voice and Choice

    At the end of my Earth's Systems science unit, I wanted my students to have a choice in how they proved their understanding of the standards.  They specifically needed to show their understanding of the water cycle and how Earth's spheres interact with each other.  I made a choice board for the students using Google Slides and then assigned the choice board on Google Classrooms.  On the choice board, students were able to pick from a digital or paper storybook, a digital infographic, a digital slideshow, handwrite or type a script for a newscast (and record it), handwrite or type lyrics to a song they wrote (and record it), or create a digital or paper brochure.  The students were able to use FlipGrid, Canva, or an iPad camera to record their presentation of their songs or newscasts. For their digital infographics, slideshows, and storybooks, they were able to choose from Google Slides or Canva.  Students were able to use the internet for resources but most chose to use our collection of Earth's systems books on Epic!.  

    By giving the students many choices it allowed them to be creative.  My extroverted students were able to make videos while my introverts were able to make silent presentations.  All of the students were engaged this past week!  The students were required to complete two activities but I had many complete three-four.  Many of the students completed one paper activity and one digital activity.  If I were to do this activity again, there would be a few more requirements I would add to the rubric they worked from, but otherwise, the assessment worked well.  Below, you will see a few examples of student work.