Classy Classroom Websites

I'm excited to link up with Aylin, Amanda and Kristin from Learning to the Core and iTeach 1:1 for another week of Tune into Technology.  I look forward to reading these posts allllll week, and have not been disappointed so far! My pin boards are filling up and those rusty wheels in my brain have been turning thinking about how to incorporate all of these fabulous ideas in my room this year!

This week's theme is classroom websites, which I can admit....mine needs help! My district supplies every teacher with their own website, which we can customize to fit our individual classroom needs.  Last year my website was mainly used as a communication tool with my classroom parents.  However, nearing the end of the year I began to implement more links & tools for my students. I'm hoping to continue this process and incorporate my website into our learning environment.

Here is what my sidebar looks like.  

On the welcome page I have important things going on for the week listed (assemblies, permission slip forms, tests & quizzes) as well as this little guy.....

I got this button from Scholastic, it takes parents right to our page for ordering new books! :)

Things to Know About Third Grade: Some important things to know about third grade are listed, my policy on water bottles, and our district's snack policy.  

Weekly Homework: My third graders and their parents are busy people! I like to give parents and students to opportunity to plan ahead (and use time management skills) by listing all of the homework for the week.  My students have a weekly reading log, which requires them to read 5 out of 7 days.  Knowing that they have math & science homework on Wednesday hopefully prevents some  "I Can't Finish My Homework" melt-downs.  

Third Grade Websites  and Hot Reads have website recommendations as well as book recommendations for my third graders.  I've read about Draggo on Learning to the Core and am VERY interested in using that to help organize my websites for students. 

Monthly Projects: Last year, a fabulous teammate and I came up with optional family fun projects each month.  Our idea was to promote talking about literature, creating something fun, and writing about the experience as a family.  The prize for completing these projects was to present it to the class AND have your picture with your project on the class website.  It was a BIG deal.  

iPad Goodies: Here is where I attempted to organize and show off my students' iPad creations near the end of the year.  We uploaded Keynote presentations, Google Drive documents, Fotobabbles, and iMovies.  Students loved being able to view these assignments again on their iPads and parents appreciated being able to view their child's work.  :)

Homework Helper: This is my biggest goal for my classroom website.  A few weeks ago I wrote about how I use Show Me during math.  After creating a short instructional video for my students, I then posted it under the Homework Helper.  Students & parents could view the video and help when the homework had them stumped.  I'm hoping (fingers crossed) that I can keep up with the video tutorials!

I'm looking forward to learning about more ideas on how I can spruce up my classroom webpage.  Leave me a comment if you've got a great idea for me! 

(Comments are like virtual hugs & I love them!)