Searching Google for Sources by Reading Level

This month's Google tip deals with finding appropriate readings for students at different reading levels........

When I first saw this trick, I immediately thought of all of our work in AO as well as the current leveling in Science and the similar changes coming to English and Social Studies............

To search Google for sources sorted by reading level all you have to do is the following.......

1.   Go to Google and search for "Google Advanced Search".............(or you could just click HERE!)

2.   In the top box/boxes type in your search topic........

3.   Scroll down just a bit and you will see a series of options for your search.    Using the pull down menu, change the "Reading Level" setting to "annotate results with reading levels".       

4.  Hit Advanced Search.

The results that come up will display the results as "Advanced", "Intermediate" and "Basic".......Depending on the reading level you are looking for, click on the appropriate reading level and google will share with you only the results you requested.

Enjoy!

Doing a Google Reverse Image Search

In early November, I had the honor to represent West at the Midwest Google Conference at the Dells.

It was two days of "intense" geekiness (is that a word?)...........

But it did me teach me two things........

(1) Technology is JUST A TOOL in the classroom......

(2) Technology can improve my instruction by creating some really engaging lessons.

I also think I can be a lot more efficient at my job and teach a few good "21st Century" technology skills to my students along the way......

To try and share some of the fun "tricks" I learned in the Dells, I will use this blog as a source for you to hopefully find something new, fun and useful for your classroom.......

My first trick, I also shared at our November Faculty Meeting......

It involved doing a "Reverse Image Search" in Google.    Doing this will allow you to take an image and search it, instead of entering text to find an image.......

The best thing about this is it is a REALLY EASY, "LOW TECH", skill!

Here are your steps....
     - Start by going to the Google search page (www.google.com)
     - Click on "images" (on the black bar that runs across the top of the page)
     - Take the image you want to search and simply drag it into the search bar.  As you are doing this, you should see something like this......

     - Voila!   You have a Google search based on the image you put in the search bar!

If you have any questions, feel free to track me down in F102!

Here I Go.......

For years I have enjoyed reading blogs.

Last year I started teaching and grading blogs.

This year I have started introducing my peers to blogs.

Now people have started to ask if I blog..........

The answer up to now has been an emphatic "NO!"..........

I have always been one to keep my personal life just that, personal.     I figured my stories, ideas, comings and goings were boring (for the most part they are) and those that aren't I didn't want someone to think I was bragging........My goal of "keeping to myself" includes a "welcome" mat in my basement that says "Go Away"!

HOWEVER.......... (imagine me saying this in a Stephen A. Smith voice)..........

Times have changed.     Now, as I try to help my peers out with their technology inquiries I think it will be beneficial for me to have a new platform to share whatever knowledge I may have about Google and Gadgets.......(expect the Grunske part of the title to remain personal)..........

So, HERE GOES............

WELCOME TO MY BLOG..........

My hope is that you find something here that you can use to help you do your job better, more efficiently and that this will ripple effect into your classroom through better, smarter and more engaging lessons!