My Upcoming Schedule:

I am available any day this week. I’d love to help integrate technology into your classroom with you!

Edpuzzle: Let me know your interest…

EdPuzzle is giving us an opportunity to receive videos for all curriculum areas – an Edpuzzle Curriculum that would be uniquely ours to use and edit. However, in order to receive this incredible value they would like some feedback from us regarding Edpuzzle and how it’s already being used in classrooms. If you are using Edpuzzle, would you please email me and share:

1. How would you describe Edpuzzle?
2. How has Edpuzzle changed your class?
3. How can other teachers benefit from using Edpuzzle?
4. Why would having pre-made content make your life easier?

If your school has truly “fallen in love” with Edpuzzle, we can get back to them and they will provide this curriculum to us at no charge! Please contact me to let me know what you, your grade & department think about Edpuzzle and we’ll go from there.

Mindfulness

Mindfulness plays such an important role in the learning that takes place in our children’s lives. Relaxation techniques calm K-12 students and staff, leading to better grades and better behavior. This article gives some great examples of ways you can use these techniques in your classroom today!

https://www.districtadministration.com/article/mindfulness-makes-difference-school

Raptors in May!!

For their second Flipgrid Explorer series, they’ve partnered with Mike Billington and the University of Minnesota Raptor Center. Starting May 1^st, Mike shared unique facts about predator birds. Join in as he engages your students in topics related to science and the environment.

The content is located here: https://flipgrid.com/raptors. It includes 4 topics with over 600 responses. Your class can join in with questions for Mike, and with the many eagles and other raptors in our area, this is sure to be of interest to your students. Check it out in May!

Edmodo

Join the Edmodo online community and join in on an enormous amount of professional development. This is great anytime/anywhere content – and perfect for browsing! They’ve compiled a series of resources for you to get the most from your Edmodo account. Find opportunities for inspiration, collaboration and more!

https://www.edmodo.com/training

5 Simple Ways to Add Technology to Phy Ed

If you teach phy ed, (or do any coaching) these tools are sure to get you motivated to add a little more technology to your classroom. Check out Jarrod Robinson’s ways to add tech to phy ed. Jarrod is the PE Geek – and if you’re not already following him you will want to do so. You can hear the podcast here: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-simple-ways-improve-physical-education-w-edtech/

And you can follow Jarrod Robinson (PE Geek) here: https://thepegeek.com/

Jarrod’s 14 Day Twitter Challenge for Phy Ed Teachers is a great introduction to Twitter. You can read that here: https://thepegeek.com/2013/04/the-20-day-twitter-challenge/

Dan Meyer: Math Resources

Dan Meyer created the idea of 3 Act Math. This amazing shared Google Doc features a huge list of Three-Act Math Tasks: https://goo.gl/SLIwLE

You can also visit Dan’s webpage at: http://blog.mrmeyer.com/. It is filled with resources – especially for the middle and high school math teacher.

Game-Based Learning

Game-Based Learning is a huge buzzword in education right now – but here’s a man who is using it successfully in a middle school social studies classroom! His name is Dr Matthew Farber – and you can read all about the tools he’s using in this Edutopia article: https://goo.gl/wERx0C Imagine students who are so engaged in writing that they don’t stop when the bell rings. Check out this article, and see if this might be something you would want to try in your classroom.

You can also follow Dr Farber on Twitter @matthewfarber

Educreations: Try it in May!

The updates to Educreations have made it a great program to use! Whether in the iPad app (where students can now access their projects on any device) or on a Chromebook, the ease of creating a project in Educreations can’t be overlooked! Set up your free classroom account, and add your students with a simple code today. Educreations is perfect for those culminating activities…especially when you (and your students) can’t face another written report!

Peergrade: free student feedback tool!

Haven’t you often thought students should be able to do a better job giving peer feedback? Peer feedback gives students an opportunity to share their work with classmates and review the work of others. Peergrade is a free online platform that lets teacher facilitate peer feedback sessions with their students. The modeling works beautifully! Give Peergrade a try today!

Here’s a good introduction of what it can do: https://goo.gl/E68Vku

Summer Training

Our summer training schedule has the addition of at least 3 more sessions! There is definitely something for everyone…but if what you’re looking for isn’t there, please contact me and we’ll find a way to provide it. Ready to register?  https://goo.gl/forms/Quk3WmD0mo9rmaon1

My Upcoming Schedule:

I am available any day this week. I’d love to help integrate technology into your classroom with you!

Must-Have Reading Apps

I’m all about reading – so when I came across this great list of reading apps from Monica Burns, I just knew I had to share it with you! Check out some of these apps to use in these last few weeks of school, or share them with your families for their summer reading. http://classtechtips.com/2017/04/18/reading-apps-for-kids/

Rock One Sock

In May you can join with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and with NetSmartz, to Rock One Sock! The idea is simple. Show you care! When you Rock One Sock you are expressing your support. Here’s how it works:

• Wear one sock, and take a picture or video of how you rocked that sock!
• Post it to social media, using the hashtag #Rockonesock
• Donate to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – to support their work to bring missing children home. Challenge your friends to do the same!

National Missing Children’s Day is May 25.

Changing Your Default Google Font

Not liking the font that appears in every new Google Doc? You can change it! The default font in Google docs is Ariel size 11. However, you can change this font, and other formatting settings, so that each time you open a new Google Doc you have the settings you desire. 

Open a new document and type something in. This is font style “normal text.” You can identify the font style by looking in the toolbar next to the font type.

Set the text to be the desired font type and size.

Update Normal Text

While your text is still highlighted, go to the toolbar and click on “Normal text.” This will show you the header styles for the document. Hovering over “Normal text” in the drop down from the toolbar will reveal an arrow on the righthand side. Click on the arrow to choose the option “Update ‘Normal text’ to match.” This will make your font and size the default for THIS document.

Save Defaults

If you would like your default font style and size to apply to all new Google text documents that you create, go back to the headings drop down menu Down at the bottom is a choice for “Options.” Click on the arrow on the righthand side of options and choose “Save as my default styles.” (Your font must remain highlighted.)

Start a new text document. If you did it correctly your new font and size should be the default for typing normal text.

Watch this tutorial: https://youtu.be/O90zqlh_t14 to see how it is done.

Careers that Count

Join Discovery Education and Jr. NBA for a virtual field trip to the NBA headquarters, Madison Square Garden, and Madison Square Boys & Girls Club in New York for an inside look at how math is brought to life through careers in basketball. Meet NBA basketball players, executives, and staff who use math every day to improve the game both on and off the court.

Not everyone will be an NBA player, but anyone with a passion for sports and math can pursue a career in professional athletics. Don’t miss this special opportunity to open your students’ minds to viable and exciting STEM careers. Register your classroom today for this free, 30-minute virtual field trip, brought to you by Discovery Education and Jr NBA!

Register your classroom here: https://goo.gl/QPGcyM

Gather your students’ questions and join in on Twitter for a live chat with several NBA guests at noon on May 4, 2017. Tweet your questions to @DiscoveryEd and @jrnba using the hashtag #careersthatcount.

Apple Teacher

Apple Teacher (http://appleteacher.apple.com) is a fantastic resource for teaching with technology. Although mostly focused on teaching with iPad and Mac, Apple Teacher presents a wide variety of terrific classroom ideas, many that can be utilized on whatever tech tools you have available. The Apple Teacher Program was created to support and celebrate educators. By signing up, you’ll get access to the Apple Teacher Learning Center where you can build skills, collect badges, and earn recognition as an Apple Teacher. You’ll also receive news and updates with teacher stories, tips, and teaching ideas. You must sign up with your Apple ID.

Testing Getting You Down?

PBS shares these great resources on test anxiety – along with many other excellent videos and supporting resources. This one: Interfering with Fear, located at  https://goo.gl/KWWyBZ, examines research into why people “choke”, or fail to perform well under pressure. To understand what happens to our brains during stressful situations, cognitive scientist Sian Bellock and her team simulate testing scenarios and use brain scans to measure communication between the parts of the brain that contain working memory and emotional centers. Evidence suggests that when test takers are stressed out, emotional centers are overactive.

The video resources at PBS are linked to supporting material, discussion questions, and standards – making them great additions to your curriculum!

Woosh! The End is Near…

If actually reaching the last day of school doesn’t seem possible, read the Cool Cat Teacher blog (you know – Vicki Davis, my hero!) https://goo.gl/5BjYkk Like Vicki, I have always felt that school year doesn’t “wind down”, it CRASHES! As Vicki says, “You accelerate until you run into a brick wall and you hope your seatbelt lets you get out of the thing intact so you can limp off to your summer.” Read this blog post and push through to the end. You can do it!

 

My Upcoming Schedule:

This week I will be in Park Rapids on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. I will be out of town Wednesday. I can be available in Nevis almost any time. Please contact me to set up a meeting.

Summer Training Sessions

I am so excited to share information with you about our summer training sessions! They are being held on June 5-8 and on August 21-24. We have some great new presenters, and many sessions we have never offered before! You will want to add this to your calendar and attend several days to get all you can out of these presenters! I hope to have registration forms out to you by May 1, but to give you a taste, here are some of the sessions being offered:

Kelly Weets from Thief River Falls will be back with some great Google sessions on June 6 and Aug 21^st!

Dawn Nelson from Osseo Schools will be providing training in coding and Google, and will share awesome resources you won’t want to miss!

Laura Klein from EverFi is sharing their great FREE resources on financial literacy and more!

Jim Rittenour, representing Makerbot, will be here to tell us all about 3D printing and how we can use it in our classrooms.

Richard Hreha, SCSU, will be presenting on Raspberry Pi for Beginners and Using Augmented Reality in the Classroom.

Several of our local tech stars will be sharing Using Seesaw, Math Elementary Tech Tools, Blogging, Collaborative Writing, Utilizing Twitter, and more!

A class is scheduled on Easy Ways to Use Technology for Coaches!

And those are just the June classes!! Kelly Weets will join us again in August, and Gina Drellack and Jake Seuntjes, from NWSC, will be here as well! Many additional teachers are joining us to present the best of what they do with technology in their teaching. Watch for more info!

Kayla Delzer

Due to her school schedule, Kayla Delzer is unable to present at either our June or August training sessions. However, Kayla has agreed to join us for a full day of training on Friday, August 11^th!! Park Rapids and Nevis teachers may attend this full day of training at no cost. More information will be coming soon…but be sure to put this date on your calendar! Kayla’s high-energy workshop will feature hands-on activities, her favorite technology tools, and a full day of fun! Those of you who heard Kayla speak last fall at Park Rapids’ Back to School Inservice know that she is an award-winning 3^rd grade teacher, an international keynote speaker, a classroom designer, a flexible seating guru, a digital citizenship expert and a technology champion! We are so fortunate to have her here!

Screen-free Week

On May 1-7, we are celebrating Screen-free Week! Screen-Free Week is a fun way to reduce our dependence on digital entertainment, including tv, video games, smartphones, tablets and computers. It’s a chance for children – and adults – to power down and reconnect with the world around them. For more info, visit: http://www.screenfree.org/

Need Training? Think Infinitec!

PAWN holds a subscription to Infinitec, which you are all able to access if you are employed in Park Rapids or Nevis School Districts. Simply visit http://www.myinfinitec.org and set up your free account, making sure to select the school in which you are employed. Verify your account, and then log in to Infinitec. Click on the tab for Online Classrooms. There are numerous tutorials and courses to choose from, and all of them record your time spent on the activity, so when you are done you can print out the certificate and turn it in for CEU credit. There are classes in the required areas for teacher re-certification, so if you need this credit you can watch online without having to locate a class nearby. I spoke with one of our teachers about her experience and she commented, “The class was awesome, with many to choose from in the ELL area. I took the test and printed my certificate.”

In addition to the certification courses there are courses on technology, special needs, specific subject areas, autism, early learning, and much, much more! Check out this FREE resource today!

New York Time VR

Want to experience the news as if you’re there? Check out the smartphone app nyrvr – where you can put yourself in the center of the story! Embed with Iraqi forces during a battle with ISIS. Take a meditation journey to the California coast. Climb to the top of One World Trade Center. Set foot on a planet three billion miles from the sun. Experience stories in an immersive, 360-degree video experience, reported by New York Times’ award-winning journalists!

Meet Megan McDonald

CILC (the Center for Interactive Learning & Collaboration) is promoting a fun conversation with Megan McDonald, author of the popular Judy Moody series, the Stink books, and The Sisters Club trilogy. Conversations are Wednesday, May 3 at 1PM ET (noon, our time) and Thursday, May 4 at 7:00PM ET (6:00 our time). All you need is a web browser and an internet connection – but you must be registered! Registration can be found here:

• May 3: https://goo.gl/2LpJSG
• May 4: https://goo.gl/g3JEg0

Export Quizzes from Google Docs to Google Forms!

This add-on, Formenate, allows you to export a Google Doc into a Form, so you can easily create a measure of student understanding. The tools and features in Forms allow you to enable quiz mode, assign an answer key, and correct the test – making your job easier! If you have quizzes you’ve already created in a Word or Google Docs, this is an excellent, time-saving way to move them into a Google Form. Try Formenate today!

Cult of Pedagogy (Teacher Nerts, Unite!)

This great blog, by Jennifer Gonzalez Boss, will speak to the heart of your teaching! Jennifer has fantastic ideas about improving instruction, supporting learning, and the pedagogy of teaching. Her most recent post, What to do on Lame Duck School Days, certainly struck a chord with me. She provides a list of ideas of things to do on these testing days or last days of school. Thankfully, the ideas are broken into “Low Prep”, “Medium Prep” and “High Prep or Long Term”. She’s really been there! Find Jennifer at: www.cultofpedagogy.com.

My Upcoming Schedule:

This week I will be in Park Rapids on Tuesday and Thursday. I will be in Nevis on Wednesday. The following week I am available Tuesday through Thursday. Please contact me to set up a meeting.

Padlet

Looking for a great collaborative teaching tool? Check out Padlet! Padlet is a virtual wall that allows people to express their thoughts on a common topic easily. It works like an online sheet of paper where people can put any content (images, videos, documents, text) anywhere on the page, together with anyone, from any device. It is a terrific tool for brainstorming ideas, gathering research and resources on a topic, and much more!

Learn how to use Padlet: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-use-padlet-fantastic-tool-teaching/

Brainpop

Park Rapids teachers have access to Brainpop and Brainpop Jr. If you haven’t used Brainpop lately, you are missing out! This tool has extended far beyond science videos, and provides videos – with quizzes – in nearly every curricular area. There are also free games in every subject area. If you are using Brainpop you may share this username and password with students. However, you may not post it on a website. Thanks!

Scannable Math Apps

QR codes are a fantastic tool for use in the classroom, and Monica shares some great ideas for creating interactive word walls, connecting to tutorials, sharing student work, exploring 3-dimensional shapes, and updating old textbooks. This great article by Dr Monica Burns is just one of the superb resources located on her website. Check out this one: http://classtechtips.com/2016/07/04/qr-codes-and-augmented-reality-in-math/

Screen-free Week

On May 1-7, children, families—whole schools and communities—will rediscover the joys of life beyond the screen. Plan to unplug from digital entertainment and spend all that free time playing, daydreaming, creating, exploring and connecting with family and friends! One great way to unplug is reading books! Screen Free Week is also Children’s Book Week!

The folks at http://screenfree.org have provided some activities to share with your students and try as a class. In addition, you can register your class, publicize the event, and locate some information to share with families. One great resource is 7 Parent-Tested Tips to Unplug and Play which can be downloaded and shared with parents. I encourage you to use it!

Poetry in our Schools

More National Poetry Month Apps and Websites: http://classtechtips.com/2017/04/06/national-poetry-month-apps-websites/ Did I mention I LOVE poetry? Let’s do something together!!

Coding

Thinking about computer coding but aren’t sure where to start? Here are some excellent coding tools for teaching all grade levels and subject areas: http://classtechtips.com/?s=coding As we enter this busy spring season, where engaging students in schoolwork can be challenging. Perhaps there is a time to try coding in your classroom? I’d love to come help you get started!

Monica Burns: TechTools

Sign up today for Monica’s great tech tools. Several of the tips I’ve shared with you come directly out of Monica’s website. She has a terrific blog! Plus, Monica will send you your own copy of many of her resources just for signing up for her blog. Take a look at her website today at: http://classtechtips.com/

Lesson Planning in the 21^st Century

I’ve been looking for a good online lesson planning/scheduling app for years, and perhaps I’ve finally found it! Chalk.com is a great tool for writing, organizing and storing your lesson plans. It allows you to create your schedule, input all your teaching materials, and have easy access to them any time. Planning for subs, accessing lesson plans from any location, and setting up co-teachers is a breeze.

Find it at: http://chalk.com.  Have a question? Check out their online live help line:

• Monday – Friday, 8AM to 6PM EST
• Sunday, 4:30 – 9:30 PM EST

iCloud on iPad

If you’ve updated your iPad or iPhone to the most current version, you may have noticed that your iCloud seems to be missing! Yikes! In their attempt to make accessing iCloud even easier, Apple has moved the iCloud settings to the very top of the list (in Settings), as indicated by your name and the words: Apple ID, iCloud, iTunes & App Store. Click on your name and all your iCloud settings are displayed here.

Pear Deck

Free integrated tool for formative assessment. Pear Deck works like any slide presentation program you’ve used in the past. In fact, you can import your PowerPoints, Google Slides, and PDFs to turn them into powerful interactive Pear Decks right from your Google Drive. Once imported you insert questions throughout the presentation to engage and assess students during your lesson. Find it at https://www.peardeck.com/.

Let’s recap

This is an awesome new tool from Swivl. Recap provides teachers with new, creative ways to gather evidence of student thinking using video. It helps create new learning connections between students, parents, and teachers, and foster more transformative dialogue by everyone. Recap is great for any age! This is definitely one you’ll want to take a look at today! Let me know if I can help you utilize it in your classroom.

View the introductory video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycTKhS63qFs

 

My Upcoming Schedule:

Please contact me to set up a meeting time. I can be in either Park Rapids or Nevis Schools any day of the week between now and the end of the school year. I would love to meet with you or your team before, during, or after school. J

Google April Fools

Each year Google encourages their employees to have a little fun – and to share that creativity with the world. This year’s April Fool’s jokes provide a lot of fun, even if April Fool’s Day is over, and several other tech companies have joined in on the silliness. Here are a few that are appropriate for children – but check them out first to make sure you feel comfortable sharing them with your students:

1. Google Gnome: If you’ve tried out any of the indoor tech tools for controlling your home, you’ll especially enjoy these outdoor possibilities – like turning on the hose, getting weather updates, and much more. View it here: https://youtu.be/vNOllWX-2aE
2. Always a great tool, Google Maps has an added silly feature this month: any map in the Google Maps app can be turned into a PacMan game! Imagine PacMan running around your neighborhood!
3. Chromebook accessories: Think you can’t take your Chromebook everywhere? Think again! This site highlights some great accessories to make your Chromebook the most adaptable tool yet: https://blog.google/products/chromebooks/all-best-mobile-accessories-now-your-chromebook/
4. Too much rain? Google experts in the Netherlands have solved that problem with Google Wind. All those windmills are worth something after all! See it here: https://youtu.be/QAwL0O5nXe0
5. Bored pets at home? Try Google Play for Pets. It certainly looks real! https://youtu.be/UmJ2NBHXTqo

You can view a wide range of Google April Fools videos and images by Googling “Google April Fools” or by searching them directly on Youtube. Have fun!

Google Chromebooks

Enjoying those Google Chromebooks? John Sowash shares some great ways to ramp up your Chromebook use in your classroom in this quick webinar from Cool Cat Teacher, Vicki Davis. You can view this webinar (and many others) here: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/5-ideas-amp-chromebooks/.

Twitter: Have More to Say???

When using Twitter you are limited to 140 characters. This can be problematic when you are replying to someone (and really a problem if replying to several people), because the user’s Twitter handle takes up many of those characters. Twitter has improved this – and you will no longer see the Twitter handle within the Tweet, so you actually will have all 140 characters to write your reply. Check it out today!

Hangouts Meet

If you are a Google Hangouts user you will appreciate the newest update, Hangouts Meet. It makes joining meetings effortless – so you can be as productive online as you are face-to-face. Can’t get together in person? This is a great alternative!

Poetry in our Schools

April is National Poetry Month, and there are some wonderful ways to celebrate poetry in any curricular area here: www.poets.org/national-poetry-month/home. It’s been celebrated since 1996, and is an especially fun celebration to join. You can find free resource materials, daily poetry activities, or connect with other classrooms around the country to share poetry…and so much more!

My favorite poetry website for K-8 is www.gigglepoetry.com. “Read & Rate ‘em” is a great activity for partner reading of poems. They will be laughing out loud! Poetry lessons are some of my favorites. Want to try having your class write poetry for two readers? Let me know and we can try it together!

Can’t find that To-Do List?

Update your To-Dos with Keep! Google Keep is a great tool to help keep you organized. Watch this short video and see how it can assist you today: https://youtu.be/SJ2T24t3F5o Keep is one of the Google tools you have access to with your Google school account.

EdPuzzle

EdPuzzle’s new Android app for students has been updated with student progress, just like the iPad app. Students will now get instant feedback wherever they are! See it in action here: https://youtu.be/kx3iudzhbw4

I know there are a lot of EdPuzzle users in the Middle and High Schools, but, Elementary Teachers, have you looked at how EdPuzzle can help you? It’s a fantastic tool for all grades! Let me know if I can help you with it this spring.

Are you monitoring MCA tests? If so…

…You’re probably looking for something to do that won’t distract your students, use technology, or keep you from your responsibilities. In that case, take a few minutes to consider the last two months of the school year. Have you utilized technology the way you’d like to? Was there something you wanted to learn, but you just haven’t had time to tackle it? Are you hoping to squeeze in some technology but just don’t know where to start. Give it some thought in these next few weeks. Then, email or call me and let’s get together and plan it out. There’s still time to use that new tool, create an amazing project, or integrate some technology into any subject.

Campfire

Campfire, http://gng.org/campfire, is a virtual exchange program that leverages technology to enable meaningful cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. Using a project-based curriculum, students work together with a partner classroom from another country to explore global citizenship through investigation of the driving question, “How do we, as youth, engage our communities to create positive social change?” As a result, students engage in intercultural dialogue and build essential skills to take positive action in their communities.

This Summer in Technology

Technology classes will run this summer Monday – Thursday, June 5-8, and Monday – Thursday, August 21-24. Once again this year classes will be in two hour sections on a variety of topics, mostly on integrating technology into your classroom. If you are interested in teaching a class, or know someone who might be, please let me know.

My Upcoming Schedule:

I will be in Park Rapids on Tuesday, March 21^st, Thursday morning, March 23th and Friday, March 24^th.

I will be in Nevis on Thursday afternoon, March 24^th. Next week I will only be in on Friday, March 31^st.  Although there aren’t any after school classes scheduled, I am available after school, or any time during the school day. Please contact me to set up a meeting time.

Augmented Reality in Schools?!?!

Augmented Reality (AR) layers virtual content on top of the real world, providing opportunities for students to interact with content in new and amazing ways. Although not brand new, AR is just moving into the mainstream, and it’s not too early to consider how you can use it in your classroom, regardless of the grade level or subject area!

Learn about some great AR apps in this article on Edutopia: 6 Exciting AR Apps for Student Learning: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/ar-apps-for-student-learning-monica-burns

Two especially fun (and free!) AR apps include Elements 4D (Augmented Reality Chemistry) and Quiver (formerly named ColAR). While Elements allows you to mix chemicals to see how they interact. Quiver lets you color in a picture that comes alive. Both are exciting apps for students and can play a strong role in classrooms.

Google Maps

Although Google Maps is not a new tool, it’s one that is often overlooked in the classroom. Google maps can be a terrific tool with many curriculum applications. Get a few ideas for using Google Maps here: https://goo.gl/3gf4rY

Google Slides

Google Slides is Google’s “Powerpoint” tool, with a few nice additions. Any Powerpoint presentation can be opened and edited in Google Slides. Slides allows you to focus on the content, as there are not as many transitions, backgrounds and special effects to choose from (although there are plenty!) Any Google slide can be shared among multiple people, making it easy for a group of students to work on one presentation simultaneously, each completing their own slide. Students can also share their presentation with the teacher, so you can continually monitor the work they have completed. And with Google Slides it is easy to add images and videos, and to layout your slide, adjust the theme, and create a professional-looking slideshow.

Notifications

Do your cell phone or iPad notifications sometimes (or oftentimes!) interrupt or annoy you? Each time you install a new app on your device you will be asked if you’d like to accept notifications. People often ask me if they need to, and although it is always an option to turn them on and off, my initial response is that I don’t like notifications and I rarely use them.

To turn off or adjust your notifications settings on an iPad or iPhone, go to Settings and select Notifications. From here you will see a listing of every single app on the device. Flip the switches on or off to select your personal preferences. You can select different sounds, banner displays, badge icons and more.

Google Cultural Institute:

Discover artworks, collections and stories from all around the world in a new way through Google’s Cultural Institute. At the start of September, Google Arts & Culture partnered with more than 50 of the world’s leading natural history institutions to bring natural history displays to life online. More than 150 interactive stories from experts, 300,000 new photos and videos, and more than 30 virtual tours are now available. Explore cultural treasures in extraordinary detail and easily share with your friends by visiting: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/u/0/

Creating a reader at home:

Educator Alex Corbitt has created this great graphic about how to create a reader at home that you might want to share with your families. Feel free to access and share it: https://twitter.com/Alex_Corbitt/status/837473857657274368

Alex is an awesome English teacher in the Bronx, New York. He loves sharing his work with other passionate educators. You can connect with him through Twitter @Alex_Corbitt or https://www.alexcorbitt.com/.

Essential Classroom Resources

Through relevant webinars on topics such as “Teaching with Technology,” “Tech as a Learning Tool,” and “Creating Brain-Friendly Classrooms,” Quill reaches out to educators to support their daily needs. Quill.com’s Education Resource Center puts teachers in touch with grants to expand their programs, awards to recognize their efforts, and sources to enrich STEM programs. Bookmark this growing resource – particularly for their great deals as you complete your ordering for next school year.

http://www.quill.com/content/index/education/education-resources/

Portal for Developing Financial Literacy

Since its launch in 2011, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Knowledge@ Wharton High School (KWS) has operated an online portal that features hundreds of business journal articles, videos, podcasts and lesson plans, a business glossary, and other content to introduce high school students to business concepts, personal finance, and college and career preparation. At the same time, KWHS’s resources support educators in building students’ entrepreneurship, leadership, and related workplace skills. Many of the student-focused articles, videos and podcasts tell stories through the experiences of teens from around the globe. Professional business journalists and student essayists write the articles, and established educators prepare the lesson plans. KWHS is FREE to anyone who wants to use it: students, teachers, parents, and others.

You can find this portal at: http://kwhs.wharton.upenn.edu/

How is the News impacting Kids?

News and America’s Kids investigates how children get their news, how much they trust different news sources, whether they can spot “fake news,” and more. This report captures children’s candid feelings via an online survey. The survey was conducted in January 2017 and included 853 children age 10–18 drawn from a nationally representative panel, as well as an oversample of African-American and Hispanic/Latino children drawn from an opt-in web panel. Watch the video and read our blog post for highlights. Check out the report here: https://goo.gl/GnWpk0

Are you using Google Chrome extensions and apps? If not, let me know and I’ll come share a few of the best tools with you. You won’t want to miss these!

 

My Upcoming Schedule:

I will be in Park Rapids Monday and Tuesday, March 6 & 7. I will also be in Park Rapids next week on Thursday & Friday, March 16 & 17. Please let me know what time you’d like to meet

I will be in Nevis on Wednesday, March 8. Please let me know what time you’d like to meet.

I will be out of Minnesota from March 9 – 15^th.

Scheduled Classes:

Monday, March 6: Creating lessons in Smart Notebook

Wednesday, March 8: Creating a classroom website with Weebly

Ready for Summer Learning?

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is offering reading webinars to help you motivate your students! From strategies for building reading and math skills to motivating students, HMH has you covered this summer. Join us for these live webinars.

Thursday, March 23, 2:00 PM (ET): Dr. Bill McBride, Co-author of Inside the Text     Making Nonfiction Fun to Read

Wednesday, April 5, 3:00 PM (ET): Patsy Kanter, Co-author of Summer Success^®: Math and Math in Focus^®    Simple Solutions for Summer Success: 3×3!

Wednesday, April 12, 2:00 PM (ET): Dr. David Dockterman, Co-author of MATH 180^® and Advisor on READ 180^®.     Sustaining a Growth Mindset for Summer Learning

Register today! https://goo.gl/oigNAI

Google Educator

Think you know quite a lot about the Google Education tools? Prove your expertise through the Google Certified Educator Program. The program provides training, practice, and the certification exam, all offered online at: https://edutrainingcenter.withgoogle.com/certification_level1. It’s a great way to show off your knowledge of Google tools, to learn more about how to integrate them, and to pick up some CEUs. Your time is automatically recorded and you can easily print out a verification on the hours you spent. If you’d like a headstart, let me know, and we’ll work through a little of it together, just to get you comfortable with the format. Get certified today!

ANIMOTO

One of my favorite FREE video tools is Animoto. This is an online tool (or iPad app) that allows you to incorporate still pictures, short video, transitions and music into a quality, professional-looking movie. In March, you might want to use Animoto to highlight a classroom project or activity, or have student culminate a lesson by showcasing what they’ve learned through a video. If you create your free education account, your entire class can create an individual account within yours, allowing you to view and share their videos. Animoto videos can be shared easily through email or by posting to our website. I’d love to visit with you about how you can use it in your classroom this spring!

www.animoto.com Set up an account; then click “education” at the bottom of the page for the free account.

Google Tip:

One of the benefits of using Google is the ease of sharing documents. Please let me know if you want additional information on sharing documents. You can share any document with others by choosing:

• Specific people or group
• Anyone with the link
• Anyone in your domain with the link (anyone in your district with the link)
• Anyone in your domain (searchable by people in the same district as you)
• Public on the web (searchable by anyone).

You can also set these settings, to control what they can do with the document.

• Can view (but they can’t make changes)
• Can comment (but they can’t make changes, just comments off to the side)
• Can edit (full edit access)
• Is owner (transfer ownership)

Google Image Searching:

Looking for a specific type of image, say an animated one, or a line drawing? Use Google’s image search tools (select the Tools button on the right side) and select the dropdown for Type. This allows you to narrow your search results. Note that you can also select Size, Color, Time, etc.

HMH StudyPOP!

Share this one with your students: StudyPOP! is a fun, interactive, and challenging study game students can play with their friends and classmates, available for free on the App Store℠.

Select a content area, for Grades 3–12, and theme deck to get started and let the study fun begin! Used with two or more players, one player holds up the iOS^® device displaying the study word or concept while the other players give hints to help the guesser solve for the word. Tilt the device forward for correct answers and backwards to skip a word. Each game lasts 60 seconds, with a list of words and their definitions provided at the conclusion of the game. Take turns to win points and compete for the highest score!

Epic! Now has audiobooks!

Visiting https://www.getepic.com you can find thousands of free books for your students to read. I hope you are already using this great free for educators* tool! And now, to make it even better, Epic! has released audiobooks. These are great for listening centers, small group activities, and individual use. Epic! also includes video tutorials, sample lesson plans, classroom decorations, resources for sharing Epic!, and much more. These resources are located at: www.getepic.com/educator-resources.

Park Rapids Tentative Classes

Please note: register ahead of time and I will move the class to your building, if possible. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Date	Location	Title	Description
Monday, March 6	Century ES Lab	Smart Notebook: Creating Lessons	This class will take you through the Smart Notebook tools. We will create our own lessons, discover many new features, and you will have a chance to see how easy it is to personalize your lessons with Smart Notebook.
TBD	High School	Using Google Docs in the Classroom	In this class you will have a chance to go through your Google Drive and organize it, practice sharing Google Docs with others and review the collaborative tools, and see how Google Docs can increase your efficiency in school.
Thursday, March 16	Century MS Lab	Using Google Forms & Spreadsheets	Parent Surveys, Student Quizzes, Data Collection, all can be gathered and organized efficiently with Google Forms. Display survey data, grade quizzes and tests, and so much more. Bring a quiz or survey idea so you can build your own Form.

Nevis Tentative Classes

Please note: RSVP ahead of time so I know someone is attending. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Date	Title	Description
Wednesday, March 8	Weebly	Working on a Weebly website? This is an “open lab” time, with guidance for you on building your classroom website.
TBD	Integrating Technology into Reading/Language Arts	Looking for technology tools for your reading/language arts curriculum? We will look at online tools, apps, and activities for reading, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and much more!
Monday, March 20	Virtual Field Trips	Explore Virtual Reality apps, virtual field trips, and their usefulness in the classroom, during this hands-on workshop. Bring either your Android or Apple phone, and a tablet (iPad or Chromebook). I have a few viewers to try out as well – but bring your own if you have one.
Thursday, March 23	Integrating Technology into Math/Science	Science and math online tools, apps and activities are abundant. Come to see some of my favorites tools, and the resources to find them.

 

My Upcoming Schedule:

I will be in Park Rapids Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Email me to set a time to meet with me.

I will not be in Nevis this week unless you give me a call or an email to request a meeting. Let me know!

Scheduled Classes:

Monday, Feb 27: Weebly & PR School website, Century Elem lab

Tuesday, Feb 28: Integrating Tech into Math & Science, Century MS lab (Please RSVP)

Wednesday, March 1: Developing Curricular Projects that use Student Created Videos, HS (Please RSVP)

Thursday, March 2: Smart Notebook, Beyond Beginner, Century MS Lab (Please RSVP)

Links for Reading Teachers

I recently shared a large resource of links for teachers of reading (or any teacher that has students reading and writing in their classrooms). Here are what I consider to be “the best of the list”. If you’d like to learn more, or want to integrate technology into your language arts curriculum, please give me a holler!

• International Literacy Association & NCTE: www.readwritethink.org
• Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/
• Interactives Reading Site List: http://interactivesites.weebly.com/language-arts.html
• Minnesota Databases: www.elm4you.org
• Encyclopedia Britannica: http://school.eb.com.proxy.elm4you.org/levels/elementary
• Meriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/
• NCTE Resource Page: http://www.ncte.org/standards/common-core
• Newsela.com: https://newsela.com/
• ReadWorks.org: http://www.readworks.org/
• Teaching ELA with Joy (Middle School): http://teachingelawithjoy.com/
• Quill (Middle School struggling writers): https://www.quill.org/

Peergrade

If you’ve ever wanted your students to provide peer reviews for their classmates, but couldn’t figure out a way to structure it, Peergrade is for you. This tool allows you to collect student work and then redistribute it anonymously. Teachers can see immediately who has completed the feedback and who hasn’t, and students can both score the work of others, and also rate the feedback they’ve received. It even allows for the flagging of inappropriate feedback. Check it out at Peergrade.io today! Did I mention the cost? FREE!

Emperor Science Award Contest for Students Who Love Science

Will one of your science students be among the next generation of cancer researchers? Students in grades 10-11 who are curious about a career in science research (especially related to cancer) can enter to be awarded a mentorship opportunity plus a Google Chromebook and $1500 for project expenses.

Four Tips for Great Direct Instruction:

1. Use images only in your presentation: Using images without text helps students remember more. When students are reading text and listening to you at the same time they actually learn and retain less!
2. Let students reflect: Pausing for reflection time – by asking a formative assessment question or by having students write down their thoughts allows the time to process what you’ve said. They will stay more alert and remember more later!
3. Personalize it: Directly tie what you are saying to your experiences or to those of your students. Retention improves when students can connect it to other memories.
4. Close devices or put them away: Unless a device is needed to complete a task, require students to keep them closed, turned off, or otherwise hidden. For many students, just waiting for that next text message or alert is distracting them from listening fully.

Google Chrome Scam Reminder:

If you use Google Chrome as your internet browser, be on the lookout for a malware scam. This scam tries to trick you with a popup window asking you to perform an update. If you download this it will infect your computer with malware. Chrome will not ask you to perform updates this way. If you run into this popup, simply close the window you’re in and move along. Do not download!

Google Searching:

Do you have trouble locating quality resources when you search? Here are a few tips!

• Type directly into the Omnibox (the URL bar) – you don’t need to open a Google Search page. Try these quick searches:

*timer/stop watch   *time in Paris    *temperature in Winnipeg     *math (652 x 481)

• Fun stuff to try: Flip a coin, Roll a dice, Google Gravity, Random Number 1-100
• Use unique, specific terms, spaced/spelled correctly (Super Bowl 2018 date)
• Use quotation marks to keep “grouped words” together
• Use “base” words (timberwolf, not timberwolves; kayak, not kayaking)
• Use Advanced Searches – specific date, images, etc.
• Make use of Autocomplete (and for fun, watch this video on Google Autocomplete: goo.gl/JSWR66

Swivl Pioneer Opportunity

If you’ve had a chance to try out one of the Swivl observation tools, Swivl wants to support you! You can become a Swivl Pioneer by applying here: www.swivl.com/pioneer-application. Pioneers are asked to engage with the Swivl community, write a blog post, share content you create, participate in periodic interviews, and refer like-minded friends to become Pioneers. You may even be asked to represent Swivl at an educational conference.

For your efforts you will receive a Swivl Pioneer title and badge, a free Pro+ account, an expand lens, an M2 marker pack, a Swivl swag bag, early access to new features, and the opportunity to connect with other Swivl Pioneers. Only one Swivl Pioneer is accepted per school. Apply today!

One More Note

Do you read these newsletters? If so, please send me an email or give me a call. If you do, I have a prize for you (a nice one!). And – THANKS for reading!!

Park Rapids Tentative Classes

Please note: register ahead of time and I will move the class to your building, if possible. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Date	Location	Title	Description
Monday, Feb 27	Century Elem Lab	Weebly websites (Or PR School Website)	Weebly is an easy tool anyone can use to create a free website. Bring your ideas and try setting up your own website today!
Tuesday, Feb 28	Century MS Lab	Integrating Technology into Math/Science	Science and math online tools, apps and activities are abundant. Come to see some of my favorites tools, and the resources to find them.
Wednesday, March 1	High School	Developing Curricular Projects that use Student Created Videos	With all these individual devices students of all ages can make excellent videos. No matter what level you teach, there are tools your students can use to create their own video projects. Come plan one today!
Thursday, March 2	Century MS Lab	SmartBoard: Beyond Beginner	Want to do more with your SmartBoard? We will look at lessons & tools that will increase your use (and your students’ use) of the SmartBoard, in some exciting ways!
Monday, March 6	Century ES Lab	Smart Notebook: Creating Lessons	This class will take you through the Smart Notebook tools. We will create our own lessons, discover many new features, and you will have a chance to see how easy it is to personalize your lessons with Smart Notebook.
Tuesday, March 14	High School	Using Google Docs in the Classroom	In this class you will have a chance to go through your Google Drive and organize it, practice sharing Google Docs with others and review the collaborative tools, and see how Google Docs can increase your efficiency in school.
Thursday, March 16	Century MS Lab	Using Google Forms & Spreadsheets	Parent Surveys, Student Quizzes, Data Collection, all can be gathered and organized efficiently with Google Forms. Display survey data, grade quizzes and tests, and so much more. Bring a quiz or survey idea so you can build your own Form.

Nevis Tentative Classes

Please note: RSVP ahead of time so I know someone is attending. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Date	Title	Description
Wednesday, March 8	Weebly	Working on a Weebly website? This is an “open lab” time, with guidance for you on building your classroom website.
Wednesday, March 15	Integrating Technology into Reading/Language Arts	Looking for technology tools for your reading/language arts curriculum? We will look at online tools, apps, and activities for reading, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and much more!
Monday, March 20	Virtual Field Trips	Explore Virtual Reality apps, virtual field trips, and their usefulness in the classroom, during this hands-on workshop. Bring either your Android or Apple phone, and a tablet (iPad or Chromebook). I have a few viewers to try out as well – but bring your own if you have one.
Thursday, March 23	Integrating Technology into Math/Science	Science and math online tools, apps and activities are abundant. Come to see some of my favorites tools, and the resources to find them.

 

My Upcoming Schedule:

I will be in Park Rapids Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Email me to set a time to meet with me.

I will be in Nevis on Thursday.

Scheduled Classes:

• Tuesday, Feb 21: Virtual Field Trips, PR High School (Please RSVP)
• Wednesday, Feb 22: Integrating Tech into Reading/Language Arts, Century Elementary Lab
• Thursday, Feb 23, 3:30 in NEVIS: Building a Classroom Webpage Class

Fake News

Enough about Fake News, right? This whole fake news epidemic is exhausting! To help you out, here are three quick lessons you can share with your students to help them determine if news is real or fake. Vicki Davis (one of my favorites) has posted these on a blog post on her website to help teachers deal with the tough job of teaching their students to recognize fake news, and the tricks taken to get people to share that information.

Take a look here: http://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-fast-free-lesson-plans-fight-fake-news/

Practical EdTech

There’s nothing like practical use of technology in your classroom: nobody thinks using technology for technology’s sake is a good thing. With that thought in mind, Richard Byrne released his 2017 version of Practical Ed Tech (PET), and he’s sharing a copy with you! This short (30 page) manual offers great insight into using technology to connect with families, promote digital citizenship, create videos, record and publish audio, use backchannel conversations, and utilize digital portfolios. His focus is on creating memorable learning experiences for students, and he has great real-world applications for these tasks.

You can download your free copy of the book here: http://practicaledtech.com/free-handbook/

Read Across America Day

Yes, Read Across America Day is almost upon us: March 2^nd (Dr Seuss’s birthday). You can view activities that other schools are planning – and add your own – here: http://www.readacrossamerica.org/ Let people know what your class is doing by sharing your pictures with us through Twitter, Facebook or your classroom website. If you have a few extra minutes, take your class to a fun computer lab visit to check out the activities on http://www.seussville.com/.

Password Keeper

I know I’m not alone when I say “Help!! I can’t keep track of all these passwords!!!” I decided it was time to break away from my paper “cheatsheets” and my hidden notes and find a better way. So, just this week I started a free account in LastPass – a password (and username) saver. I’m hoping it will save me tons of time, and allow me to do a better job creating and saving unique, strong passwords. You can try it too at https://lastpass.com/friendwelcome.php?og=1&ref=85256, and this link gives you a free month of their premium services, just to try them out. Let me know if you’d like to talk about how this tool can help you simplify your life.

Breakout EDU:

You’ve heard a little about gaming in the classroom, and some of you may have experienced the Escape Room at Evergreen (or many other places around the country). You can bring this game into your classroom, for any age and any subject area, by using one of the activities from www.breakoutedu.com!

Breakout EDU provides all the setup (and the lesson planning) to create one of these special activities for your classroom (or your team). You can purchase a Breakout Kit from the website, or follow the directions to make your own, and one kit can be used over and over to create unique and exciting challenges. Facilitating inquiry, problem solving, and collaboration, the Breakout EDU kit is a tool that can add an exciting component to our classrooms with minimal setup and a strong positive outcome for our students. I would highly recommend that you take some time checking out the videos and exploring existing games. Effectively using the game not only increases student engagement, problem solving, and subject matter understanding, but also provides your students the opportunity to release their inner Sherlock Holmes. Let me know – and we’ll plan and execute a breakout together!

Google Chrome:

I’m recommending the CleanPrint Google extension for everyone! CleanPrint allows you to clean out the ads and images prior to printing anything from your browser. Not only does it save ink, it allows you to create a clean document to read or work from. Check out the Chrome WebStore to find it.

Pi Day (and math resources):

Math teachers, don’t forget your special day: http://www.piday.org/. Find many great Pi Day activities at this website.

For additional math teaching resources, see NCTM’s website: http://www.nctm.org/publications/teaching-children-mathematics/. Here you will find fantastic resources to support the teaching of math. Want specific activities to teach math skills to your class? Visit Illuminations – NCTM’s free collection of lesson plans and interactives! There is a link to sign up for Bright Ideas: NCTM’s monthly math newsletter, sent directly to your inbox.

2017 STEM Entrepreneurship Conference:

The 2017 STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference, a student-organized event, will be held ONLINE on Saturday March 4th, 2017, and feature keynote speakers and crowd-sourced presentations by students in grades 6-12 and college. There is no cost to participate or attend.

The 2017 STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference provides an international forum for the presentation, discussion, and sharing of best practices in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship in schools and other academic settings, including:

• Fostering a better understanding of how STEM and entrepreneurship engage students, teachers, and administrators in a conversation about learning.
• Assisting teachers and administrators in understanding how STEM and entrepreneurship impact learning both in and out of the classroom.
• Strengthening the relationship between students, teachers, and administrators about STEM + entrepreneurship in the curriculum.

Sign up at http://www.GlobalStudentConference.com to register to attend, to be kept informed, or to submit a proposal. The call for proposals for the conference is now open, and submissions will be accepted on a first-come basis. While everyone is invited to attend the actual event, conference session proposals will only be accepted from students! 

My Upcoming Schedule:

I will be in Park Rapids Tuesday and Wednesday (and Monday by request). Sign up for a time to meet with me.

I will be in Nevis Thursday afternoon and Friday afternoon.

Scheduled Classes:

Thursday, Feb 16, 3:30 in NEVIS: Building a Classroom Webpage Class

Everyone is welcome! Bring the ideas for items you want to include on your page.

Newspapers in Education

NIE has FREE resources to prepare your students for SUCCESS! www.ppnie.com

The MN Department of Education website suggests the following to prepare students for the MCA tests–and NIE has you covered with FREE ON-LINE RESOURCES & NEWSPAPERS! 

• Read to students and encourage them to read to you.
• Have students try crossword puzzles and news quizzes in your local newspaper.
• Encourage students to read the daily newspaper and general interest magazines.
• Discuss the events and stories you read about in the newspaper.

ON-LINE: Log into www.ppnie.com and register for our 2016-17 school year. We have all the latest and greatest learning resources, tools, apps and videos in one convenient site for you and your students! Some new resources this year include KidScoop, ITooch, Grammar Wonderland, Elementary Science and MORE!

Register your classes and you have free access for all students to the online resources. Try it today!

GlobalEd TV

GlobalEd TV is a free, inclusive, and comprehensive webinar series which spotlights theories and best practices related to multiculturalism in schools and organizations all over the world. This 5-part series is hosted monthly by the Global Education Conference Network, the Learning Revolution, and Know My World; and the series is designed to inform educators, students, and parents about the role of cultural and global competence in education.

SIGN UP – IT’S FREE!

(Registered guests are not in any way required to attend the live sessions, and will receive links to the recording after each session. Attending live will provide an opportunity to ask questions and participate actively.)

Mon. Feb. 20th – 7pm EST
Cultures in the Classroom: Cultivating Cultural Identity with Students
Connecting to self and understanding who we are is foundational when developing skills for global citizenship and building authentic relationships with others. In this session, global educators will explore initial activities to scaffold meaningful interactions for students based on cultural identity through self-awareness practices. Using Geert Hofstede’s Cultural Model diagram, students will produce class culture books that demonstrate their understanding of the key elements of culture.

Google Tip:

Want to learn more about a Google tool but don’t have time for a class? Learn on your own with Google Apps/ GAFE Tutorials for Teachers – a massive site full of tutorials.

https://sites.google.com/site/teachertechtutorials/googleapps

Or check out Vicki Davis’s list of 100 http://www.coolcatteacher.com/google-classroom-resources/ Teachers wanting to implement Google Classroom can use these resources to get started, level up their learning, or become a pro at all things Google. (Or call me for a hands-on lesson any time.)

Google Chrome:

Interested in making your Google Chrome browser work better, faster and prettier? There are loads of ways you can personalize Chrome to make your browser fabulous! Vicky Davis has this article that will give you loads of ideas! http://www.coolcatteacher.com/how-to-make-google-chrome-faster-better-and-prettier/

And if you like having a great resource on all things Google, Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) is a great resource for you.

Would you rather take a class to learn this information? Shoot me an email and we’ll set one up at your convenience!

Digital Learning Day

Digital Learning Day (DLDay) 2017 is right around the corner. On February 23, 2017, teachers and students from around the country will participate in the sixth annual nationwide celebration highlighting great teaching and demonstrating how technology can improve student outcomes. Will you join them?

Interested but not sure what to do? Visit the DLDay interactive lesson plans page for ideas and inspiration. http://www.digitallearningday.org/interactive-lesson-plans/

New Features in Nearpod

Nearpod has made some great updates. If you haven’t used it before, now is the time to try it. Nearpod allows you to control the screens of the students in your classroom (on any device!), and share your content with them. They have added a lot of new features to the platform:

• Ell content
• Digital Citizenship
• LMS integrations with Canvas, Schoology and Google Classroom
• Virtual Field Trips
• Sway & 3D objects

Take a look at this great video that will give you more an idea of what they offer: https://vimeo.com/200733843

Here are some great examples of our presentations:

• Ell presentation:https://share.nearpod.com/vsph/fVqCFy4fNu
• Mars Virtual Field Trip:https://share.nearpod.com/vsph/wmd8jkreNu
• Sway presentation:https://share.nearpod.com/vsph/Ii8Rg4SoMu

Park Rapids Tentative Classes

Please note: register ahead of time and I will move the class to your building, if possible. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Date	Location	Title	Description
Tuesday, Feb 21	High School	Virtual Field Trips	Explore Virtual Reality apps, virtual field trips, and their usefulness in the classroom, during this hands-on workshop. Bring either your Android or Apple phone, and a tablet (iPad or Chromebook). I have a few viewers to try out as well – but bring your own if you have one.
Wednesday, Feb 22	Century Elem Lab	Integrating Technology into Reading/Language Arts	Looking for technology tools for your reading/language arts curriculum? We will look at online tools, apps, and activities for reading, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and much more!
Tuesday, Feb 28	Century MS Lab	Integrating Technology into Math/Science	Science and math online tools, apps and activities are abundant. Come to see some of my favorites tools, and the resources to find them.
Wednesday, March 1	High School	Developing Curricular Projects that use Student Created Videos	With all these individual devices students of all ages can make excellent videos. No matter what level you teach, there are tools your students can use to create their own video projects. Come plan one today!
Thursday, March 2	Century MS Lab	SmartBoard: Beyond Beginner	Want to do more with your SmartBoard? We will look at lessons & tools that will increase your use (and your students’ use) of the SmartBoard, in some exciting ways!
Monday, March 6	Century ES Lab	Smart Notebook: Creating Lessons	This class will take you through the Smart Notebook tools. We will create our own lessons, discover many new features, and you will have a chance to see how easy it is to personalize your lessons with Smart Notebook.
Tuesday, March 14	High School	Using Google Docs in the Classroom	In this class you will have a chance to go through your Google Drive and organize it, practice sharing Google Docs with others and review the collaborative tools, and see how Google Docs can increase your efficiency in school.
Thursday, March 16	Century MS Lab	Using Google Forms & Spreadsheets	Parent Surveys, Student Quizzes, Data Collection, all can be gathered and organized efficiently with Google Forms. Display survey data, grade quizzes and tests, and so much more. Bring a quiz or survey idea so you can build your own Form.

Nevis Tentative Classes

Please note: register ahead of time so I know someone is attending. J Remember, if at any time you want training, advice, guidance, or help in your classroom or with your team, you can contact me to set something up at your convenience. Thanks!

Park Rapids classes are listed on the next page in case that is convenient for you.

Date	Title	Description
Thursday, Feb 16	Building a Classroom Webpage	Bring your ideas for a classroom webpage, and we will create our own personal webpages using a free, easy tool. Once complete, your website can be linked to the Nevis School website and shared with families/students.
Thursday, Feb 23	Developing Curricular Projects that use Student Created Videos	With all these individual devices students of all ages can make excellent videos. No matter what level you teach, there are tools your students can use to create their own video projects. Come plan one today!
Monday, Feb 27	Finding apps for your Curriculum	Bring your iPad (or other device) and let’s look for apps!
Wednesday, March 15	Integrating Technology into Reading/Language Arts	Looking for technology tools for your reading/language arts curriculum? We will look at online tools, apps, and activities for reading, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, writing, and much more!
Monday, March 20	Virtual Field Trips	Explore Virtual Reality apps, virtual field trips, and their usefulness in the classroom, during this hands-on workshop. Bring either your Android or Apple phone, and a tablet (iPad or Chromebook). I have a few viewers to try out as well – but bring your own if you have one.
Thursday, March 23	Integrating Technology into Math/Science	Science and math online tools, apps and activities are abundant. Come to see some of my favorites tools, and the resources to find them.