Misc Updates


Hey all,
Since I never really talk about updates, I guess I should.
Ton of updates behind the scenes and a bunch of QOL updates. Just today I added QR codes to the 'share' button links. So here is just a few of the things I've done since the last update that I didn't really talk about.

Added support for foreign language in the Spelling Sheet Maker
In the spelling worksheet maker I updated the way it displays foreign characters so it should be working much better with the word find and crossword puzzle. For example originally if you put a word like niño it would be pretty obvious where it was in the puzzle because there would only be one ñ in the word find.
Now it will also add a bunch of ñ in the puzzle so it is not so obvious.

Added a couple of new formatting options for the spelling sheet maker
In the spelling worksheet maker I added an option to use a different font, change the font size and add a theme.

Added an option to only use letters in word find from the letters in the spelling words
It basically just makes it a bit more difficult for the word find. When you select this option it will only pull random letters from the letters in your spelling words.



Made the standard clickable
On the standard (for example koa5) you can now click it and it will take you directly to the other sheets associated with the standard.

Added QR codes to the share button
When you click on the Share Button now it will also generate a QR code. This can be used to quickly share a link with students so they can use the one atta time or review problems on an ipad, etc.

New Feature: Create-A-Flash-Card


Hey all,
So a couple new things to talk about today.
First up, I've added another 'create-a'. This time it's "Create-A-Flash-Card".
It's basically the Create-A-Test or Create-A-Review, only for flash cards.
I also added a couple new backgrounds to the task cards in general. So... yep.

New Section: My Sheets


Next up, I've added a new section called 'My Sheets'.
Basically any time you create something in the Create-A-Test, Create-A-Review, Create-A-Flash-Card, Create-A-Sheet or Spelling Maker it'll throw it in there so you can easily find it.

Updated Spelling Worksheets Maker


Hey all,
So in celebration of Halloween there are 2 spooky new spelling worksheets added to the Spelling Worksheet Maker.
So what makes them spooky?
... actually... nothing...
In fact this entire post about Halloween won't make any sense at all any other day of the year...

Anywho! New sheets!

Filling in Missing Letters
This is your basic missing letters sheet.
So for example it might take the word, SURRENDER and turn it into:
S _ R _ _ N D _ R
and then students would have to fill in the missing letters.


Writing a Paragraph
With this sheet students select 5 words from their spelling list and use them to create a paragraph. It kinda throws some creative writing into the mix and forces students to actually think about what the words mean and how to use them in context.

New Feature: Flash Cards


Hey all,
So a couple new changes to talk about today. First up, flash cards.
So on almost every sheet on the site you'll see a new button that says Flash Cards.
When you select this it'll generate a set of up to 20 flash cards with answers and an accompanying answer key sheet.
And you also have several backgrounds to choose from and you can modify the colors on any of them.
To see it in action you can check out an addition sheet here

New Features: Create-A-Sheet


Next up, a few changes to theCreate-A-Sheet.
First up you can now set a problem as an example.
Second up you can add images to problems.
Third you can add mid-sheet instructions.
Fourth you can now specify problems as either bonus or extra credit and they won't show up as regular problems or in the quick grade count.

Updated Spelling Worksheets Maker


Finally, I updated the Spelling Sheet Maker... again.
This time to add an option for definitions matching. With this you can either add in your own definitions or you can auto generate them.

Updated Spelling Worksheets Maker


Hey all,
So I've added a new sheet type to the Spelling Worksheet Sheet maker.
It's a 'using letters' sheet. Basically students determine which spelling words can be created using only certain letters of the alphabet.
So... yep...

Oh, I also fixed a few minor bugs with the crossword puzzle creator and changed the code up a bit so it should result in tighter crosswords.
Anyway, if you notice any bugs or have any suggestions please let me know.
Thanks.

End of the Year Awards


Hey all,
So I've added a new section for the end of the year.
It's a 'Award Creator'. This was actually something I used with my class. Basically the school only had 3 awards to give out so I had to make my own.
So rather than doing something traditional I went with the ridiculous route.
For example, I gave the students who had the last name 'Smith' the 'Best Last Name' award. Because my last name is also Smith.
It's funny.

Anyway, if you want to make your own you can do so here.
Or if you need some inspiration you can check out some of the ones I used here.

It IS one of those things where you have to know your audience though.

Updated Create-A-Sheet


Hey all,
I also made a couple of changes to the create-a-sheet. Both under the hood and in presentation.

Updated Create New Sheet


Hey all,
So one change to talk about today.
And that change is to the way the 'Create New Sheet' works.

Now instead of just taking you straight to the sheet it'll give you a bunch of options to change.
Most of the options are pretty self explanatory, but with the 'Number of Problems' it won't let you do more than the default, only less.

And if you're one of those folks who hates change (I feel ya). You can revert back to the old way in the Options page.



*Note: On a few sheets I've locked the font size. This is because if the size was set too big it would cause graphical errors.

New Feature: Favorites


Hey all,
So one new feature to talk about today. And that feature is 'favorites'. so on every sheet you'll see a little star next to the title of the sheets. If you click the star it'll add that sheet to your favorites.

Then if you want to easily find it again you can just click the new menu option for 'my favorites' (it's at the bottom of the math section) and it'll bring up the list of sheets you've favorited.

Also I've integrated the favorites into the create-a-review/test.
So you can now sort by 'favorites' as well.

Hopefully that'll make finding sheet a bit easier.

Create-A-Review/Test Updated


Hey all,
So I've done a complete rewrite of the Create-A-Review and the Create-A-Test and the backend code for many of the problems.
So... going over some of the changes to the interface.

Create-A-Review

No more boxes

More problem types

Sort By Grade

Full Page Sheets

Updated Projector Mode

Shuffle for Best Fit

Moveable problems



Create-A-Test

More problems

Answer Bank

Space Below Problems

Updated layout algorithm





And as always if you notice anything not working or looking quite right, please let me know.

Oh yeah, if you absolutely hate change and want to use the old version of the c-a-r or c-a-t you can find them here:
Create-A-Review(old version)
Create-A-Test(old version)

Halloween Sheets



Hey all,
So I've done a bit of modifying on the Spelling Sheets Maker. For the rest of October when you visit this link it will generate a Halloween themed set of sheets.

Spelling Sheet Maker Update (Crossword Puzzles)



Hey all,
So I've updated the Spelling Sheets Maker ... again.
This time I've added an option to generate a crossword puzzle page. Yep...
Not really much else to say about this...
So on to the next news.

New Section 'Grade Scale'



I've also added a new section which is basically a grading scale.

This was actually something I used daily in my class. You know the scenario that always plays out when you have students grading papers:



Anyway, this helps to eliminate all that.
It's your basic grade scale, but it'll also resize to whatever size your window is. So it should be easily seen by all students when put through a projector.

If you notice any bugs or weirdness with either though, please let me know:
Contact

Patreon



Hey all,
So I've been running this site for several years now, usually working on it about 14-17 hours a day (developing new material, site maintenance, etc).
Basically the site has become my social life... which is kinda pathetic when you say it out loud.
=D

But anyway, there's still so much more I want to do with it. Which is why I've signed up with patreon.


So what is patreon?
Patreon is a way to help support content you like. Essentially you can pledge a certain amount per month (as much or little as you'd like) and it helps out content creators.

So what benefit do you get?
Unfortunately since everything on the site is free for everyone I don't really have much to offer. BUT if you do pledge $3 I'll remove all the ads from the site, just for you.

So wait, you're gonna start charging now?
NO! The site is and always will be free. I designed the site to be as user friendly as possible (minimal ads, no signup, constant updates) and none of that will change.
There won't be any 'members only' content or anything like that. Any new material created will still be available for free for all.


Your pledge will allow me to make more new content, more frequently, for more subjects.
So if you want to help support the site or if you just want to say thank you for what's come out in the past four years check out the link below. Signing up takes just seconds.








*Note: If you've donated to me in the past, I went ahead and set it up for you to have the ads killed based on the amount you donated.
Just head on over to this link and put in the email you used.

Updates to Create-A-Sheet


Hey all, So I've made a couple changes to the Create-A-Sheet

Updates to the Spelling Sheet Maker


Not done yet. I also made a couple changes to the Spelling Sheet Maker

And if you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

New Feature 'One atta Time'



Hey all,
So I've add a new feature to the site called 'one atta time'.

Now I know what you're thinking, "That's not how you spell 'at a'."

... ANYWAY, what this does is randomly generate one problem at a time. It was designed with Smart Boards in mind, but I've also optimized it for use with tablets, phones or desktop computers.

To see it in action just click 'select a worksheet' and it's the very last option.

Or you can click here for the bar graph version, to help you get an idea of what it's all about.
In any case, this feature is available for ALMOST every worksheet (some worksheets don't really translate that well).

So let me know what you think.
Also if you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know either via the report bug button on the page or here:
Contact

Create-A-Sheet Improvements... Part 2



Hey all,
So a couple more changes to the 'create-a-sheet'.

• Changed the way multiple choice problems are displayed. Now if they are over a certain length it will run them vertically. Ie.
A. I'm a choice.
B. I'm another choice.
C. I'm a third choice.
D. I too am a choice.
Which basically means depending on the answers length it will display the multiple choice options in the most space saving (readable) way possible.

• Added an option to hide the numbers. So if you don't want the problems numbered anymore, now you don't have to.

• Added a total page count. So what that means is that if you have 3 pages at the bottom of the sheet there will be a 'page 1 of 3' displayed. This only applies to sheets longer than 1 page.

• Fixed a bug with 0 values as an answer. Before if you put 0 as an answer it wouldn't display. Now it will.

• Fixed a bug with multiple choice, defined letters under 4 choices. So if you had like 3 choices and had one choice set as a letter, it would still display all 4 choices (one would show blank). Now it only displays the choices that aren't blank.


And if you haven't checked it out already, you can find it at:
http://www.commoncoresheets.com/CreateASheet.php



If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Create-A-Sheet Improvements



Hey all,
So over the last week I've been making some changes to the 'create-a-sheet' feature. A couple of the more visible changes:

• It will no longer split a problem between pages. Before if you had a long problem the line to write the answer could appear on the following page, but now it'll shift the entire problem to the next page instead (making reading a bit easier).

• I added the option to specify a multiple choice position. So if you want D. to be 'All of the above' (like the pic above) then you just type 'D.' before the answer.
Or 'A.'
Or 'B.'
Or 'C.'
You get the idea.
=)

• I changed the true / false format so it will appear on the same line. This should save some space and prevent extra pages.

• I changed the page spacing if every question is multiple choice. Now it will automatically make the content portion wider and the answer key thinner.


And if you haven't checked it out already, you can find it at:
http://www.commoncoresheets.com/CreateASheet.php



If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Improving A Paragraph Creator



Hey all,
So I've added a new feature to the site called the 'Improving A Paragraph Creator'.
What this does is let you generate a weeks worth of prompts and paragraphs for students to fix.
Actually technically this kind of existed before, but now you're able to add your own prompts, view others prompts, favorite prompts and edit premade prompts.
So yep, lots of neat stuff.

You can check it out at:
http://www.commoncoresheets.com/ImprovingAParagraph.php

I've tried to keep the interface as simple as possible, but I'm always open to suggestions on ways to make it better.



If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Create-A-Sheet



Hey all,
So I've added a new feature to the site called 'create-a-sheet'.
What this does is let you generate a sheet using several different question types.

You can check it out at:
http://www.commoncoresheets.com/CreateASheet.php

I've tried to keep the interface as simple as possible, while still providing a lot of usability options. But I'm always open to suggestions on ways to make it better.



If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Spelling Maker Added


Hey all, So I've finally got the 'spelling maker' up and running:
http://www.commoncoresheets.com/SpellingMaker.php

What this does is generate a weeks worth (or less) of spelling activities .
You've got scrambled words, a word find, alphabetical order, writing sentences and fill in the blank sentences.
The first four are pretty straightforward and the computer will do all the work, but the last one (fill in the blank) does require you to write out the sentences if you want that type.
As always I'm open to suggestions and feedback or if you notice anything wonky, please let me know.

If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Create-A-Review Updated


Hey all, So I finally updated the Create-a-Review. The interface and coding has been completely updated (it's now more like the 'create-a-test'). So a rundown of the new features.


More Problem Types:
A lot more. While I couldn't include EVERY problem type (space issues), between the Create-A-Review and the Create-A-Test most problem types are covered. Compared to the old version this one has about 300 more problem types.

Save your templates:
Yep, no more starting from scratch, now you can save your daily review to the database and load it up at a later date.

Easier to use:
Since it's using the the 'Create-A-Test' UI, you can now duplicate problems with the click of a button.

Projector Mode:
Rather than printing off 3 pages for each student, now you click the 'projector mode' and have a pdf that's ready to be displayed via projector / smartboard. Students will use 1 sheet of paper through the entire week with all their answers on it.

Daily Fact Drills:
Also with the projector mode is the option to include daily fact drills.

Customizable Quantities:
The old version required 10 problems, but with the new version you can have anywhere from 1 to 10, so if you want fewer problems, now you have that option.

Oh, if you absolutely hate the new version, I DO still have the old version available as a link at the top of the 'create-a-review' page.

If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Create-A-Test


So after 10 months, 12 completely different versions and several million lines of code, the 'Create-A-Test' is ready to go.
Now comes the fun game I like to call, 'See how many bugs we can find'. Keep in mind this is like a super super super early version and things can and will change. But in the meantime you can check it out here. Some of the features are:
Over 350 different problems / types
Sort by Subject or Standard
Save / Share your sheets


If you notice any bugs or weirdness, please let me know:
Contact

Options


This is actually something thats TECHNICALLY been available since the site first launched, but just disabled.
In the bottom right hand corner of all the pages is the 'quick options' menu. Which lets you add the ccss, due date or disable modified sheets on any newly generated sheet. Additionally there is a link under 'other stuff' called (appropriately) Options.
And a couple things about the options.
1. When you select 'add ccss to sheets' or 'disable modified', it WILL stay checked across pages, from one day to the next.
2. The 'add due date' will NOT stay checked if you leave the site (this is so you don't accidently come back the next day and print off a bunch of sheets with the wrong due date).
3. The 'Options' page has an option to change the colors of printed sheets. This is NOT implimented on all sheets... yet. But more are being added. If you need a specific sheet converted, let me know.

Sort By Grade


Added the option to sort by grade (right now I've just got it open for k - 4, though more are coming shortly). Additionally almost all of the sheet have the closest standard listed next to them in blue.

Newest Sheets


Added an option to view the newest sheets uploaded here.

Share Sheet

Added an option to link directly to a sheet. Next to the standard on a sheet is the share option. This will generate a direct link to the sheets as well as a couple embedding options.

Create New Sheet

Any worksheet with the double arrows (») will have the option to generate a new worksheet. Right now there are only a few worksheets that have this option but new ones are being added daily as well as any new sheet that is created will have this option.

My Class

In combination with the 'create new sheet' option there is also the 'my class' option. On any worksheet that is created this will swap out the default names for students from your class.

Modified Sheets

On a lot of the new worksheets (and old ones that are being converted over) you may see the modified badge next to the difficulty level. This means in addition to the regular worksheet and answer key, a modified version of the worksheet will be created. These have changes such as:
Answer Boxes
Reduced Quantity
Words to numbers ('one' changes to '1')
Visual examples
Multiple Choice
etc

Interactive Sheets

A new section has been added for interactive material. This material is ideal for use with a smart board or other interactive screen as it often requires dragging and dropping (ie. drag 6 circles to the box) or selecting an answer via touch. It is in the development phase so please let me know if any issues or bugs pop up.

Updated Create a Review

The 'Create-A-Review' has been updated to include more content and better usability. You can now hover over the question to display the answer, the full question, etc. Some of the new question types are 'shapes', 'angles', 'negative numbers', 'function machines' and 'multistep'.