Practicing and Assessing Sight Words in Canva!
Learn how to use Canva to practice and assess your students sight words! These ideas can be used to assess or as a center!
If you’re a primary teacher, you know the pain of assessing 20+ students. Chances are that this takes a great deal of time and can be frustrating for both teachers and students. We’ve used tools like Microsoft’s Reading Progress to assess sight words (click here to learn more), but sometimes you just need to sit down with a student to hear how they’re performing. That’s where this idea comes in! In this mini-blog post, you’ll learn how to use Canva to assess sight words. Click any subheading to jump to that section:
How to use Canva to Practice and Assess Sight Words
This idea can be used as a center for students, or as an assessment tool. The idea is to have your slides automatically advance so that they progress through the words relatively quickly. Here’s how it all works:
Start off by creating a presentation deck that has all of your sight words on it.
Once you’ve settled on a design, change the timing on your slides. To do this, click on the clock icon located at the top of the screen. Adjust the timing to your preference. We recommend around 5 seconds. Be sure toggle on “Apply to all pages,” which will place the same timing on all of your pages.
Now your deck is ready. When you want to start assessing a student, explain that a sight word will appear on the screen. If they know if, they can say the word. If they don’t know it, that’s okay. The word will change in a few seconds and they can try the next word. Here are the steps to launch the deck:
In the deck, click “present” to take the pages full screen. Now, change the type from “Standard,” to “Autoplay.” This will automatically transition the pages to the time you selected. Students read off the words as they appear on the screen.
Download our Excel template to
record student responses
If you prefer to manage your data digitally, we have you covered! We’ve designed a Microsoft Excel sheet that has all of our sight words on it. When a student gets a word correct, enter a “1” in the white box. Doing so will change the word from being highlighted to white - an indication that the student has mastered that particular word. This document will also automatically calculate the number of correct words. Record each assessment on the lower right side to keep accurate data. Note: this document is editable, but you may need to change the formulas if you edit it. Click here or the image below to download it now!
How to use Canva to Practice and Assess Sight Words (Video Tutorial)
Need to see it in action to understand all of this? We’ve got you! Check out the video tutorial below to understand each step.
Download our Free Canva Sight Word Deck
Does all of this sound awesome but you’re just not sure where to start? Teachers are busy, so we’ve got you covered here, too! You can download our Canva Sight Word deck by clicking here or the image below.
-- Please follow us on social media and tag us with how you’re using these Canva Sight Word ideas in your classroom! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
20 Read aloud Activities to Use with Novel Effect (and Other Apps)!
Novel Effect is a MUST TRY app for any classroom! See how you can use this app with books that you’re already reading. Check out some of our favorite classroom activities to use Novel Effect with - including ideas with Microsoft Flip, Canva, Adobe Express, Seesaw and more. Here’s 20 of our favorite!
If you teach reading, you HAVE to check out Novel Effect. Novel Effect is an award-winning app that follows your voice as you read out loud from a children's story book and responds at just the right moment with interactive music, sound effects, and character voices. You can learn more and download it by clicking here!
So how can we fit this amazing app into our standards? It’s easy! Novel Effect’s library is FULL of books that you most likely already have in your collection - and they continue to add more weekly. Now that we have had some time using the app, we’d like to share 20 of our favorite activities. Click on any subheading to jump to that section/activity!
The Bad Seed
Jory John’s “The Bad Seed” has a bad temper, bad manners, and a bad attitude. But, it doesn’t last long in this popular story. One of our favorite activities to do with this book is with Novel Effect and Microsoft Flip. Follow the steps below:
Read The Bad Seed on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Seed sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain what positive actions they can do to help promote kindness in the classroom and school campus
You can download The Bad Seed sticker by clicking here or the image.
The Good Egg
In part two of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s series, The Good Egg is trying to look out for others but forgets the most important person: themself. After some careful reflection, The Good Egg decides to do what’s best and make a change. We absolutely love to use this book as a classroom management tool. Here’s how:
Purchase an Egg plastic trophy here (you might want to remove the name plate)
Click here to read The Good Egg on Novel Effect
Give the egg trophy to a student who is meeting your expectations
Move the egg frequently, “catching” students who are doing the RIGHT thing.
The person who has the trophy at the end of the day earns a prize!
Purchase an Easter Egg trophy by clicking here
Here’s another idea that is great for the beginning of the year!
The Cool Bean
In part 3 of John and Oswald’s series, a bean always finds himself on the sidelines. After unsuccessfully trying everything he can to fit in with the crowd— the cool beans step in to show him how it’s done. Just when if it couldn’t get any cooler - it does! Now you can read this book on Novel Effect! Here’s our favorite activity includes using Microsoft Flip:
Read The Cool Bean on Novel Effect
Have students use the The Cool Bean “Raybean” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can retell the story, or explain how they would act like cool beans around the classroom and school campus.
The Couch Potato
In part 4 of John and Oswald’s series, The Couch Potato has everything within reach and doesn't have to move from the sunken couch cushion. But when the electricity goes out, Couch Potato is forced to peel away from the comforts of the living room and venture outside. Bring this story to life with Novel Effect and check out this activity:
Read The Couch Potato on Novel Effect
Have students use The Couch Potato “webcam” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain why using technology all the time may not be best.
Click here to download the The Couch Potato “Webcam” sticker
The Smart Cookie
In part 4 of Johns and Oswald’s series, This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. But, a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence helps her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence! But the cookie doesn’t have to be the only creative one. With this activity, your students will be creating the perfect cookie with all the right ingredients!
Here’s how:
Read The Smart Cookie on Novel Effect
Download the Smart Cookie Canva template
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a smart cookie and use text boxes to include things that you are good at!
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
Chrysanthemum
Kevin Henke’s “Chrysanthemum” gets children thinking about and bonding with their own names and the names of everyone else in the class. It's the perfect vehicle for starting a discussion about treating classmates with tolerance, kindness, and compassion. With Novel Effect, this book comes alive! Here’s an activity that we’ve done in our own classrooms:
Give each student a copy of the Chrysanthemum name tag
Students create a design for the name tag that describes Chrysanthemum’s feelings in the beginning, middle and end.
(This can be done digitally on Canva or Adobe Express - or simply with crayons)
Share your work on Seesaw!
Click here to download the Chrysanthemum name-tag (Canva) template
Wemberly Worried
Okay, we might be a bit biased on this one…Together, we’re the voice actors for the mother and father of this book on Novel Effect. In this book, Wemberly worried about everything. Big things. Little things. And things in between. Then it was time for school to start. And Wemberly worried even more. If you ever worry (or know someone who does), this is the book for you! Here’s one of favorite activities to do with it:
Read Wemberly Worried on Novel Effect
Have students use the Wemberly Worried “cover” sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what are some things that they worry about.
Enemy Pie
Derek Munson and Tara Calahan King’s “Enemy Pie” is a funny yet endearing story where one little boy learns an effective recipe for turning a best enemy into a best friend. This book is perfect for any time of the year - and often we see ourselves re-visiting it throughout the year. Here’s our favorite “Enemy Pie” activity!
Read Enemy Pie on Novel Effect
Use Canva or Adobe Express to find a recipe template (or use our Canva below!)
Assign the template to your students
Students use the template to design a recipe that includes ingredients to become a good friend.
Save your work and then share it on Seesaw!
A Bad Case of Stripes
David Shanon’s “A Bad Case of Stripes” is about a little girl who secretly enjoys lima beans. However, she’s concerned about what others might think of her if they learn that she loves them. Until one day - when everyone finds out! Here’s our favorite “A Bad Case of Stripes” activity:
Read A Bad Case of Stripes on Novel Effect
Have students use the Bad Case of Stripes sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain what happens in the story, or even share something unusual that they like.
Click here to download the Bad Case of Stripes sticker
Hey Little Ant
Phillip Hoose’s “Hey Little Ant,” is about a surprising conversation between a tiny ant and a little girl. The book is bound to inspire important discussions about caring, kindness and respect for both animals and humans. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read Hey Little Ant on Novel Effect
Have students use the magnifying glass sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the book may portray a different message. than the words.
Grumpy Monkey
In “Grumpy Monkey,” Suzanne and Max Lang bring hilarity and levity to this very important lesson on emotional literacy, demonstrating to kids that they are allowed to feel their feelings. This is a great lesson for any time of the year, and here is our favorite activity:
Read Grumpy Monkey on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grumpy Monkey sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to explain how the illustrations in the text told a different story than the words.
Mae Among the Stars
Roda Ahmed’s “Mae Among the Stars,” is an inspiration to students to reach for the stars - no pun intended. We love how it encourages girls (specifically) to aspire for the impossible, and to persist with childlike imagination. Here’s our favorite “Mae Among the Stars” activities:
Read “Mae Among the Stars” on Novel Effect
Have students use the astronaut sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add planets, stars, etc. Or, students can add stickers like a rocket!
Have the students retell the story as an astronaut!
Duck! Rabbit!
Amy Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld’s, “Duck! Rabbit!” has a clever take on the age-old optical illusion: is it a duck or a rabbit? Depends on how you look at it! Readers will find more than just humor here; there's also a subtle lesson for kids who don't know when to let go of an argument. Here’s our favorite “Duck! Rabbit!” activity:
Read “Duck! Rabbit!” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Duck Rabbit sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the draw tool to add a duck bill or rabbit ears to share their opinion on whether the image is a duck or a rabbit
Have students watch the other responses and see if another student can convince them otherwise!
Click here to download the Duck Rabbit sticker
The Oldest Student
Rita Hubbard and Oge Mora’s “The Oldest Student” is based on the true life story of Mary Walker. Imagine learning to read at the age of 116! Mary, the nation's oldest student, did just that. We love this story for so many reasons and it can be used in lots of different ways. Here is just one of our favorite ways to use it:
Read “The Oldest Student” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Grandma Glasses sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the events of the story and Mary Walker’s life!
I Want My Hat Back
Jon Klassen is one of our favorite authors. We love his writing and artistic style. “I Want My Hat Back,” is a take on the classic repetitive tale, but it plays out in sly illustrations laced with visual humor. The reader(s) feels to be in on the joke, as the bear frantically looks back to find his beloved hat. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “I Want My Hat Back” on Novel Effect
Have students use the red hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to retell the sequence of events in the story!
This is Not My Hat
In part 2 of Klassen’s series, the hat series takes a bit of a twist. This time, we follow the character who deliberately took a hat from its owner. The character is confident, perhaps overly confident, which leads him into trouble. We really enjoy reading this book after “I Want My Hat Back.” This allows us to complete this activity:
Read “This is Not My Hat” on Novel Effect
Have students use the tiny hat sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to compare / contrast “I Want My Hat Back” and “This is Not My Hat.”
Are You Scared Darth Vader?
In Adam Rex’s “Are You Scared Darth Vader,” nothing can scare Lord Vader! Not monsters or witches or ghosts, and especially not the dark. So what is Darth Vader scared of? A surprise at the end, that’s for sure! If you’re a Star Wars fan - or have kids that are, then this book is for you! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Are You Scared Darth Vader” on Novel Effect
Have students use the Darth Vader sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Students can use the sticker to recreate the ending of the story: What else do you think Darth Vader might be scared of?
Those Shoes
In Maribeth Boelts’ “Those Shoes,” Jeremy desperately wants a pair of popular shoes. However, he soon sees that the things he has -- warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend -- are worth more than the things he wants. Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Those Shoes” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the Shoes template (this can also be done virtually on Canva or Adobe Express)
Students design a pair of shoes that they would like to give to a friend
Students share their thoughts in a Microsoft Flip video: “Why would these be perfect for your best friend?”
Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist
Eugenie Clark devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname "Shark Lady." Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. This book by Jess Keating walks through those accomplishments! Here’s our favorite activity:
Read “Shark Lady” on Novel Effect
Have students use the underwater, mask and shark fin sticker sticker in a Microsoft Flip video
Layering is important for this to look correct. The underwater scene must be in the back. The next layer should be the mask - but if students place the mask layer in the back (behind the underwater scene) - it won’t look right.
Students can use the stickers to explain some of Eugenie Clark’s accomplishments
The Day the Crayons Quit
This classroom favorite from Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers features crayons that are feeling overworked and exhausted. What can the main character, Duncan, possibly do to appease all of the crayons and get them back to doing what they do best? We love spreading this book out over several days to talk about persuasion. One of our favorite activities uses trading cards made by the students for each character. Here’s the activity:
Read “The Day the Crayons Quit” on Novel Effect
Give each student a copy of the trading card template
Students select crayons of their choice and decorate the cards as they see fit
On the “level” section of the cards, students can rate each crayon on a scale of how persuasive was the color was in the story (1 being the lowest, 10 being the highest)
Students can save their work, then upload it to Seesaw!
Download all of our stickers!
Love what you see, but don’t want to have to download each sticker one-by-one? We’ve got you covered! Click here or the button below to download every Flip sticker from our activities above!
-- Please follow us on social media and tag us with how you’re using Novel Effect or these activities in your classroom! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
10 Ways for Teachers to Use Canva in the Classroom
Did you know that Canva for Education is 100% free for educators and students? It is! But how does one of today’s best design programs translate into your classroom? Here are our top 10 favorite ways for teachers to use Canva!
Canva for Education isn’t just for students! Even teachers can get in on the fun! Create your own designs from scratch, or choose from our library of over 60,000 high quality, educational templates. The best part of all, it’s absolutely FREE! So, how does this translate into the classroom? Here are 10 different ways that teachers can use Canva in the classroom.
(Click on any image to jump to that section. This is NOT a paid post.)
Creating Email Signatures in Canva
An email signature is an important element of your communication. It shows your personality, introduces the person behind emails, and provides necessary contact information. Designing one in Canva is easy! Just search “Email signatures” in the search box to find plenty of templates to choose from. Looking for something a but more “teacher” and little less “business?” Check out our template! You can download the template by clicking here or the image below!
Creating Headers in Canva
Custom created headers are more important than just looks. Creating headers that are directly associated with your class are easier for students to identify, which can lead them to your content quicker. In Joe’s first grade class, he creates customer headers for everything. This tells his young learners that they’re the right place. Designing your own isn’t difficult and with Canva, it can be done quickly. Here’s an image to help save you some time - all the header dimensions you’ll need! Check out our pre-designed templates for Flipgrid, Wakelet, Google Classroom, Canva and Microsoft Teams.
A good practice here is to make sure that your images match across the different platforms. For example, if you’re using Wakelet, Flipgrid and Teams - it’s recommended that your class header / theme and picture are all the same. This allows students to quickly identify where they are supposed to be. To save some time, we’ve created and collected some of our favorites in the template below. Click here or the image below to download them for yourself!
Once you’ve decided on an image, you can resize it to fit the platform you’re designing for. Just use our header dimensions guide (pictured above) and resize the image appropriately. If you’re not sure how to resize the image in Canva, just follow the steps below!
Creating Newsletters in Canva
Communication with your students’ families is an important key to providing success for your students. Canva’s newsletter templates for school publications make designing easy - even while on the go. Teachers can build and maintain their newsletters on a desktop or mobile device. These templates can be printed and then copied, or simply send out the share link to your families to save paper. Updating your families has never been easier! Check out some newsletter templates by searching for “School newsletter,” or just “newsletter.” Check out one of our favorite templates below! Click here or the image below to download it and edit it for yourself!
Student Awards on Canva
Are you looking to motivate your students? Generic awards can have positive effects, but what if you could design target specific achievements that can be printed and shared - either on a computer or mobile device? With Canva, you can! These can be printed or shared digitally. Stop using outdated programs - there’s an easier way! Check out the templates to choose from. Just search for “Student Award” in the search bar.
Device Wallpaper and Backgrounds on Canva
If you’re in a situation where your students use shared devices (or perhaps you just want to be able to tell the devices apart from one another), you can design wallpaper and backgrounds on Canva. This will help keep your tech organized and easy to maintain. No more, “Did I put that app on iPad #7?” Wait…Which one is #7?” 😂
There are different sizes depending on your device. Check out our image below to guarantee your creating the appropriate size for your devices.
Generally speaking, when designing it’s always better to start with an image that’s too big. Trying to stretch an image that’s too small can cause it to pixelate. So, be careful with your sizes. If you’re looking for some inspiration, or just something easy - we’ve got you covered! Check out our templates! Click here or the image to download them!
Creating Lesson Plans, Worksheets
and Resources on Canva
Using Canva to create lesson plans is definitely beneficial. For one, easy access to files provides quick and efficient editing. So, when a lesson doesn’t go as planned and you need to re-evaluate the next day’s plans, it can be done quickly (and from any device). We also love the idea of being able to share and collaborate on your plans with your teammates. Click on the image to the above to download some of our favorite templates. These templates can be duplicated for the day, or even the week.
Canva is also a great place to create your own worksheets and resources. The advantage here is that you can create target specific content that will deliberately meet the needs of your students - something that you cannot accomplish easily from downloading from other sites. Another advantage is that you can assign your resources to your students directly within Canva - so you can avoid the copier and save the environment! Check out a template we designed and a few others that we found below. Click here or the image above to get started!
Creating Anchor Charts on Canva
The whole point of an Anchor Chart is to provide an artifact of learning. They contain students' and teachers' thoughts, ideas and processes pertaining to the lesson. But often times, after the lesson concludes, the anchor charts fade into the distance. Creating your anchor charts on Canva serves a valuable purpose. For example, you will always have access to those files - meaning you can open them back up at any time. These can be shared with your students, but most importantly - collaborated on! You can start with a template, share it to the class and then have everyone working on the file at the same time. Now, your students can participate in the actual creation of the anchor chart. With a few clicks, this file can be exported / downloaded and uploaded into any LMS or even a Flipgrid video. Check out our example below and click here or the image to download it for yourself!
Yard Signs Created and Printed on Canva
If you’re interested in looking for a new way to build your classroom environment, we love this idea: Yard signs! Create a yard sign that your students can take home for a week (or two) at a time and then bring back to give to the next person. Maybe you’ve got a student of the week or terrific kid that the entire neighborhood deserves to know about? Or perhaps it’s for a broader school-wide effort. Just design the sign by searching for “yard sign” on Canva. Design your sign and then send it to Canva to print! To print from Canva, follow the steps below.
The $30 fee includes a yard sign. Shipping is free unless you need the sign in a hurry. In which case, you can pay for expedited shipping. We’ve created two signs that you can download and edit as you see fit. Click here or the image below to get started!
Digital Classroom Badges on Canva
This is a great way to kick off the new school year or returning from a break. Educators can create digital classroom badges that can be designed for any types of rewards that you feel as though should be given out throughout the year. Some good examples include: “Tech Trainer or “CANva” (students who can teach others about Canva). Check out our template by clicking here or the image! Looking for some easy inspiration? We’ve got you covered! You can download our template for free! Click here or the image above to download it!
Embed Anything Created in Canva
A little known secret is that anything that you create in Canva can be embedded into your LMS or classroom websites. For example, if you create a resource in Canva, you can then embed it onto your Canvas or Schoology class page. To do so, follow the steps below:
Click the three dots on the top right side of the screen
In the search box, type “embed”
Click on Embed when it pops up, then click the purple “Embed” button
Copy the code and paste it into your destination (rich media editor)
BONUS: Canva Presentation Hacks
If you’re using Canva as a presentation tool, these hacks will come in handy! Note, you must be in presentation mode for these to work. To enter presentation mode, click the three dots on the top right, then click “Present.” Now for the fun:
Letter C for confetti rain
Letter D for a drumroll animation
Letter O for floating bubbles
Letter Q for quiet
Letter B to blur the current slide
Any number for a timer (1 for one minute, 2 for two minutes, etc.)
You can also press Shift + / or ? on your keyboard to open the magic effects menu.
To exit presentation mode, press ESC on your keyboard.
-- Let us know if you’re using any of these ideas in your classroom! Be sure to follow us on social media (@TheMerrillsEDU everywhere) and tag us! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
FREE InterACTIVE Start of the Year & Testing Treat Tags
Whether you’re are preparing to close out the year or just kick it off, student relationships matter. Check out our free template - just cut and print - to show your appreciation for your students!
Student relationships matter. Whether you’re wrapping up your year or just starting it - these tags can be used to encourage your students during testing season or kick off their school year in a memorable way. We’ve got several different templates to choose from - all free!
Donut Stress!
Do Your Best!
Print these out, cut them, then staple to a sandwich or bag. Don’t forget to add the donut!
Donut Stress!
Do Your Best!
Alternative version of the design above!
You’re One Smart Cookie!
Print, cut and staple! Share them with your students during testing season because tough cookies never crumble!
You are MINT
to Succeed!
There’s plenty of room for encouragMINT with these!
You are MINT
to Succeed!
Alternative version from the design above.
You are Bursting
With Knowledge!
Celebrate with the real “stars” of the show! These kids are “bursting” with knowledge!
-- Please follow us on social media and tag us with how you’re using these InterACTIVE Testing Treat Tags in your classroom! 👓👗
For more tips, tricks and lesson ideas for making learning more interACTIVE, check out our books The InterACTIVE Class and Flipgrid in the InterACTIVE Class on Amazon!
