Don't forget Jason's quick tech inservice this week! We will show you some great resources for video breakout rooms as well as demo casting your Chromebook to your projector.
3:45 Pm. Wednesday - HS Media Center.
3:45 Pm. Thursday- EL Media Center. (repeat session)
Canva is free for education! Just register your class!
Canva is one of the best online graphics programs out there for creating. (It's even better than Adobe's Spark post... which is also a nice free one for schools.) Check it out and sign up for your class now.
Here is a great resource from Common Sense. They always provide free and good curated K-12 content and this one is no exception. Schools are closed. Minds are wide open. wideopenschool.org Find free distance learning resources, all in one place: curated activities for students and resources for parents and teachers.
Our priority is to help families and teachers work together to keep kids engaged and learning. That's why we've updated all the free activities on Wide Open School and added a family and teacher center with all-new resources to make learning from home more effective.
Everything on Wide Open School is:
- Carefully curated for quality by the editors at Common Sense.
- Updated every day with easy-to-use Daily Plans and new resources as partner organizations raise their hands to help.
- Free and open to all. In addition to free learning activities, you'll also find tools for English-language learners, support for learning and thinking differences, resources for getting set up with low-cost internet and devices, and more.
Free Digital Notebooks with sections for Google Slides – Editable Colors – Landscape and Portrait!
Check it out here. This one is on SlidesMania.
This one and many other resources and templates are found in our Google Slides Template doc.
Google Junior Training series - is a playlist of 70 short videos designed to help students and families navigate using G Suite tools and Chromebooks in remote learning environments. This is great for staff and students to learn tips and tricks as well. Check them out here.
Are we still printing? Hey - it's OK, but as you know there may be a time we go remote, so now may be a good time to totally go digital with your distributions to students in Classroom and SeeSaw. If you need help with tools, ideas, or more... let us know. We are here to help.
Tech Toolkit for Families and Guardians - is an informational set of 7 short videos for parents using Google tools. Check it out here.
And one to make you smile... Ever wonder the best way to get rid of gophers or other things out of your yard..... here you go! (You have to watch this one.) 
FYI -Staff - this was sent out to our 9-12 students:
Students - Chromebooks or chargers are no longer being offered for checkout in case you forget your device or it's not charged. You need to bring your Chromebooks fully charged each day to school. You should not charge your devices at school. If you forget your device you will be required to do paper/pencil and make up required work. If you have a device problem or repair issue you can come by the tech cave located across from the central office in the freshman hallway. If your device is being repaired you will receive a loaner device. (We highly recommend the protection plan which can be purchased in the high school office. It saves a lot of money on repairs and also assures you of the top model checkout during your device repair time.)
Distance learning in K-2: 10 ways to make it work - Check it out!
Need to translate? Remember, the Google Translate Extension for Chrome is a great tool to have.
Two new Chrome Extensions that I am using and like!
Enhancer for YouTube™ is a winner. It adds a nice toolbar at the bottom of YouTube pages and other customizations. It works well with the must-have YouTube extension - Improve YouTube. I run both and think they are awesome for teachers.
Gmail Copilot by cloudHQ - Adds a nice panel in Gmail with a lot of functionality including contact info, past conversations, docs, and more. (It's free and from a company we trust.)
Miscellaneous tech tips:
This Gmail time-saver lets you send canned messages in a few clicks - Your email correspondence is rife with tasks you can automate using Gmail’s templates feature.
Body Synth - This Google Experiment uses the camera on your device to make music just by moving your body. (Could be a fun short movement/activity break.) Launch the experiment and give it permission to access the camera on your device. Then just move your body and listen to the music you create.
Semi-Conductor Using AI and your own body, conduct your own orchestra in the browser by moving your arms. Have your students conduct a full orchestra using your arms and your body!
Google Classroom tips:
Did you know you can distribute assignments in Google Classroom to multiple classes all at once? It’s super easy! Quick 1-minute video here.
6 Tips for Getting Started with Google Classroom - Getting started with Google Classroom is easy, but these tips will make things even better! Google Classroom will completely change the way you deliver assignments, communicate and collaborate in your class, and give your students future-ready skills! Get the tips and handy infographic and tips here
How to Use Google Templates and Assign in Google Classroom - Video tutorial. WE have links to a lot of free K-12 templates in our Google Slide templates doc.
Quick Tip of the Week From Shake Up Learning... (Customize Google Classroom Notifications) Most teachers seem to have a love/hate relationship with Google Classroom notifications. Did you know you can customize what notifications you receive?
➡️ Watch this quick tip video (2 Min.) to learn how!
➡️ Watch this quick tip video (2 Min.) to learn how!
A few new features coming soon:
Student engagement metrics: Educators will be able to see stats that help track how students are interacting in Google Classroom each day.
Flipgrid is one of our TOP 10 TOOLS you should be using!
Some great tips from Matt Miller's Ditch That Textbook.
Whoa ... Flipgrid looks different! The all-new Flipgrid just released this week and there are some fantastic new features, like ...
- New backgrounds and creative fonts
- Split-screen (camera and whiteboard)
- New filters and frames
- New organization for topics and groups (formerly "grids")
How Green Screens Bring Learning to Life - A simple video production technique can animate a wide range of student projects—and instill new energy in distance learning. Check out the article here. (Warning - This will require you to use your iPhone or iPad and purchase a $4.99 app - DoInk)
Have you seen how online breakout rooms work? if not, here is a sample Thanksgiving one: Escape from Plymouth Rock. (A few resources: Digital breakout templates. List of community created games.)
