When I walked into my new classroom last week, I realized that I'll have 10 student devices in my room this year! My excitement quickly began to transform into panic as I started counting how many different sites my firsties would need to log on to on a regular basis. Teaching first graders to type their user names and passwords is a feat in and of itself... expecting them to remember all of their log in information is just plain unrealistic. Rather than having a mild panic attack at the thought of all those little hands raised for help, I'm being proactive and making all of my firsties user name and password rings.
To snag your own, click here, and then head back to the blog to learn more about editing the Power Point so that your students can access their favorite sites in a snap.
To snag your own, click here, and then head back to the blog to learn more about editing the Power Point so that your students can access their favorite sites in a snap.
Editing your own password rings
Step One
To edit the password ring covers, click on each text box and replace “Student” with your students’ names. I used Cara Carroll's CCJungleQueen font, so you'll need to select your favorite font unless you already own Font Fun! Volume 3.
You probably have more than 6 students, so you’ll need to create extra copies of the page by right clicking on the slide and selecting “Duplicate Slide.”
You probably have more than 6 students, so you’ll need to create extra copies of the page by right clicking on the slide and selecting “Duplicate Slide.”
Step two
Next, you’ll need to select the user name and password template that works best for you. Some educational sites require students to enter their teacher’s e-mail address in addition to their own user names and passwords, so I provided two different options for you to choose from.
After you enter the information your students will need to log in, you can replace my sample QR code with one of your own by right clicking on each one and selecting “Change Picture.” Of course, you can always delete these codes, but I love using them because students can scan them and go directly to the site without having to type in the web address.
After you enter the information your students will need to log in, you can replace my sample QR code with one of your own by right clicking on each one and selecting “Change Picture.” Of course, you can always delete these codes, but I love using them because students can scan them and go directly to the site without having to type in the web address.
Step three
There are a lot of great sites out there that will allow you to make your own QR codes, but Kaywa is my personal favorite. You can click here or on the image below to go directly to their site.
Once you’re there, copy and paste the web address of the site you want your students to go to in the box. Be sure to select “Static” because you will only receive a few dynamic codes for free before you’re required to pay for the service. Next, click “Generate” and you’ll receive a QR code that can be saved to your computer. Simply right click on the code and select “Save image as…” After you save the image to your computer, you'll be ready to add your own QR code to your students' cards.
Once you’re there, copy and paste the web address of the site you want your students to go to in the box. Be sure to select “Static” because you will only receive a few dynamic codes for free before you’re required to pay for the service. Next, click “Generate” and you’ll receive a QR code that can be saved to your computer. Simply right click on the code and select “Save image as…” After you save the image to your computer, you'll be ready to add your own QR code to your students' cards.
Step four
After you’ve entered all of the information your students will need to log on to your favorite educational sites, print the pages on card stock for durability. I chose to hole punch my students’ cards and put them on a ring so that I can quickly add additional cards as the year goes on, but I left plenty of space for you to staple your students’ cards into booklets if you don’t have any extra loose leaf rings laying around.
Time to share your favorite sites!
My students will be using Google Classroom, Lexia Core5, Symphony Math, Storia, and Brain Pop Jr. this year. Please share some of your favorite sites!