Month: September 2023

I am super hyped about the new feature in Google Docs that allows you to create and save your own templates that can then easily be accessed by typing the @ sign followed by the name of your template. I think this new tool will really streamline a lot of my work and the work of other teachers.

Here is a video I created that will give you a quick overview of what building blocks are and how I think you can use them.

There are so many ways I can envision using building blocks:

• Any activity or report that you recreate every week by making a copy of the doc you used last time and use by deleting the content you added the last time you used it. 
• Student reading logs – Use a table. In one column, create a dropdown of genres. In another column, have a dropdown for the number of minutes read. In another column, create a dropdown of emoji reactions for the book.
• Group project assignments – Create a template for group projects using the product roadmap as the basis. There is a column on there for status and a spot for related files. Make the template and use smart chips to attach materials students will need to access for the project. Create an assignment in Google Classroom where you assign one page per small group with the “everyone can access” option. Students in the group will then work on the same document and you can track their progress with the progress dropdown. They will submit just one paper for you when they are done with the assignment.
• Lab work – Similar to above, create a template for lab partners. You can use the product roadmap as a basis and insert directions, material, and spreadsheets for students to be able to record their data. 
• Newspaper, magazine or encyclopedia articles – Create a template that you want students to use that mimics any of those types of writing. Leave places for images, create columns, titles and leave spaces for headings. Assign in Google Classroom.
• Lesson Plans – Create plans with columns and dropdown menus that have standards or units in them. If you are working with other teachers to create these templates, you can use smart chips to assign responsibilities for each section. 

This is just the tip of the iceberg! I am sure you have a lot of ideas on how you could use Building Blocks in Docs, but you probably need to know how to get started with building blocks in the first place. You can use my start up and resource guide to get yourself going.

What will you use Building Blocks for? Leave your ideas in the comments.

If you are looking for additional resources or tutorials on everything Google, feel free to check out the PD website I created for my teachers so that they can get just in time training on all things edtech.