Revolutionize your teaching with Google Sites! Now you can organize curriculum, energize instruction, and improve communication. What’s more? You can move to a paperless classroom.
Please note that Google is discontinuing classic Sites. In August of 2020, new Sites became the default option for website creation. In May of 2021, you will no longer be able to create classic Sites. Then, in December of 2021, classic Sites will no longer be visible.
The first nine articles below feature classic Sites. I no longer recommend creating them. Instead, you should apply the ideas when creating new Sites.
1. Direct Student Learning
Now you can curate materials from the Internet! Just organize text, images, and videos in a Google Site. Kids are in the driver’s seat – but you’re directing learning.
2. Supplement Instruction
To reinforce learning, build a supplemental website. Audio and video content make science and social studies content come to life.
3. Promote Independent Learning
If you give kids direction, they can work autonomously. Put it all in a Site. Watch them go!
4. Design a Webquest
Try a webquest. Give your kids a task. And provide links to safe resources. They’ll have a blast.
5. Make a PBL
Problem-based or project-based learning work well with Google Sites too. Everything’s housed in one handy spot.
6. Organize a Research Project
With Google Sites, you can provide research project directions – and give examples. With this extra guidance, research papers improve.
7. Create Collaborative Websites
Think digital jigsaw. This works great for a topic with many parts. First, create a website. Make a page for each child. Then assign topics and set them loose. When it’s finished, you’ll have a complete, collaborative website that covers the entire topic.
8. Direct Homework
A homework website allows you to update often and provide links. You can also create a website for a difficult concept – and have parents help at home.
9. Make an eBook
Teachers or students can do this. Place a different story on each page – and there you have it: an eBook.
10. Flip Your Classroom
For a flipped classroom, just link information in a site. Share it so kids can learn at home. Then work on engaging activities during class time.
11. Modernize a Novel Study
Instead of the old packet, create a multi-media novel study. When you add images, video, and audio, kids make better connections to the novel.
12. Organize Your Teaching Life
Sites have the power to organize all your teaching stuff.
13. Store Unit Plans
With Google Sites, you can organize your units logically. Linking allows you to manage printable and paperless text options, as well as audio and video resources.
14. Organize Your Google Drive
When you Drive, use Google Sites as your dashboard.
15. Plan Curriculum
Related units – or even entire subject areas – can be linked using Google Sites. Just make a website and link it to all of the related parts.
16. Make Lesson Plans
First, make a digital lesson plan template using Google Slides. Next, add your plans. Link them to the digital unit plans. Finally, embed the lesson plans into a Site. You’re on your way to creating a digital teacher dashboard.
17. Manage Long-Range Plans
Use Google Slides to make a planning grid for each quarter. Insert colored rectangles over the grid. Type unit names on the rectangles and move around to plan. When you’re finished, embed quarterly plans into your teacher dashboard.
18. Make Seating Charts
Using the same process, create a seating chart with Google Slides. Embed it into your Site. Whenever you want to change seats, edit your Slide. Changes magically appear in your Site!
19. Create the Ultimate Teacher Dashboard
First, embed lesson plans, long-range plans, and seating chart in one site. Add your schedule and other important links. That’s it! You’ve created the ultimate teacher dashboard.
20. Make Sub Plans
To make sub plans, simply duplicate your teacher dashboard. Then remove what you don’t want the sub to see. Add alternate plans so you’re always ready. Now you have sub plans that can be edited from home.
Teaching with Google Sites
Sure, it takes some doing. But teaching with Google Sites has the power to revolutionize your teacher life. Try making one today!
