December 12

1.  To Helpdesk or Not to Helpdesk?

Are you wondering sometimes if you should email an integrator or put in a helpdesk ticket?  Here is a reminder of what would be considered a helpdesk and what would be perfect for an integrator.  

This week's guest contributor is Diane Miller, Director of IT. 

Use the HELPDESK for:  

•    Hardware related issues
•    Software related issues
•    Staff access issues
•    Student access issues
•    Connection issues (laptops, iPads, phones, printers, Mimios)
•    PSD Key questions
•    SeeSaw questions 

Contact an Integrator directly for:

•    Help with use of hardware in your classroom
•    Help showing you and/or your students how to use a program or software

              

Why do we use the HELPDESK?

•    To ensure the request is routed to the right technician
•    To ensure someone sees the request even if the technician is out of the office
•    To help identify problems that are trending in the district
•    To provide analytics for the number of tickets received and time to complete tickets to help with IT staffing decisions

If you see a tech in your building, they are there to provide service to someone who has entered a ticket.  If they can help you quickly, they will answer a question, but if your issue requires time to be spent, you will most likely be asked to enter a ticket.

When contacting helpdesk, please email helpdesk@pennridge.org or call 855-876-6196.

 Thank you for your cooperation!

2.  Mimio Users

Below are links to Google Drive folders by grade level.  Within each of those folders, you’ll find a Mimio folder with some ideas and activities already submitted by other teachers within Pennridge.  This was the result of Mimio sessions over the past year or two.  If you have something to add or share to these folders, please send it our way to upload, or please let us know so that we can make you an editor on the folder!   Included in each of these folders are directions for downloading Mimio presentations.  In addition, please remember that Mimioconnect.com is the “teachers pay teachers” of Mimio presentations- all FREE and completely editable!  Sometimes this is a great place to get ideas of how to creatively use your Mimio and a great place to start!  

Kindergarten

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

These folders will show in your “Shared with Me” in Google Drive.  If you feel you’ll use them often, simply right click on the folder in Google and choose “Add to My Drive” for quick access!

3.  Virtual Manipulatives

Check out these amazing and FREE web-based manipulatives from Toy Theater.  Students can model abstract math concepts for deeper comprehension.  There is something here for everyone- including art and music! These tools can be a great way for kids to interact with a concept and then screenshot their work in Seesaw.  Just add microphone to add an explanation and you have yourself a quick assessment!  

Powerpoint, PSD Key Trick, and Hour of Code

1.  PowerPoint "Design Ideas"

PowerPoint has a hidden "gem"  that will help you create some fantastic variety within your slideshow.  In PowerPoint, cue up a slide that has some content on it, perhaps some with both text and at least an image.  Then, click on the "Design" tab and look all the way to the right for "Design Ideas."  After choosing this icon, PowerPoint will automatically create some unique and beautiful combinations for the content on that slide.

2.  PSD Key "Trick"
If you use multiple tabs, you may easily lose your original tab opened for PSD Key.  To get back to your PSD Key in ANY tab, use the home button, as shown below!

3.  Computer Science Week- Dec. 9-13th

Each picture includes a link to an activity you can do at any time!
Click the link below!

The Hour of Code started as a 1-hour introduction to computer science to show that anybody can learn the basics (even Kindergartners and First Graders), and to broaden participation in the field of computer science.  It has become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.  

We hope you'll pick 1 hour in the month of December to give this a try, and we hope to see many teachers expand their knowledge during the 2019 Computer Science Education Week which will be December 9-13.  

Even if you aren't comfortable with coding yourself, we have included some activities that you can do right alongside of your students! 

Click HERE for a list of activities that we have compiled that we know your students will LOVE!  

They are all web-based and can be done at anytime! Use this as a springboard or an extension activity! This will also be posted on your students' PSD Key, so you students will have easy access to the links!  Most of all- Have fun!

BrainPop, Seesaw and Thanksgiving

1.  Brainpop and BrainPop Jr.

Through our Science supervisor, we have several accounts for BrainPop. and BrainPop Jr.  If you would like, ONE TEACHER per grade level in your building should activate the BrainPop account using this code:  ZCRP4923.  If you need further assistance, please let us know!


If you haven't used BrainPop Jr. lately, they have really increased their features!  In addition to quick videos that students love, they have features shown in the image on the right!

2.  Seesaw

We found this blog about Seesaw and its features to be a quick and easy read and wanted to share with you.  Perhaps you'll read about something you didn't already know!?  Click Here!

3.  Happy Thanksgiving

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family and friends.  We are thankful to work in this district with you all!

Twitter, Ozobots, Seesaw for Thanksgiving

1. Twitter in Pennridge

Tips from Kallie Cooper - Pennridge's Public Relations and Communication Coordinator

Twitter is an excellent way of sharing all the wonderful things happening in your classroom with the community and your colleagues. Here are some tips on how to effectively use Twitter or get started!

• Hashtag (#) vs. Handle (@): Including a # in your tweet is great for connecting with other users who are also posting about the same topic. It is also a great way to brand your Twitter account or connect large groups of people at an event. For example, with you include #MondayMotivation in your tweet and click on the hashtag, you will see all twitter users who added the same hashtag. At Pennridge, we use #PennridgeProud if possible, please include this in your tweets! To tag someone else in your tweet, you would use the @ symbol and add what is called their handle or username on Twitter. For example, if you are a teacher at Deibler, you may want to include the Deibler Twitter handle in your tweets. You would tag them by typing @PSDDeibler. These tips are great to include in your tweets to connect and engage with others.

• Professional Account: To further brand the district and also clearly define professional accounts, we are asking teachers, buildings, principals, etc. to include PSD in the being of your Twitter Handle. For example, @PSDMsCooper or @PSD_Cooper. This clearly communicates that your Twitter is a professional account associated with the Pennridge School District.

• How do I change my handle? Here is a great step by step to change your handle referred to as a username in this blog. https://help.twitter.com/en/managing-your-account/change-twitter-handle.

When using Twitter in Pennridge, please make sure to use the web version of your Twitter account, as Twitter will not work on your teacher iPad.

If you are using Twitter for professional reasons, please update your Twitter handle to show PSD at the start of your handle. For example: PSD_EReichert. Please do not do this if you use your Twitter for personal reasons.

2.  Ozobots

All 1-5 students will experience Ozobots this year in their STEM classes beginning in the 2nd marking period.  However, we encourage you to think of Ozobots in all parts of your curriculum, and we can help!

Ozobots are small coding robots that are programmed using colored markers or using the computer, and are fantastic devices to introduce students to coding, from Kindergarten all the way through much older students.  We have 18 Ozobots that we would love to come use in your classroom!

All you need to do is let us know 2-3 times that might work for you.  We will bring all the materials needed for a 45 minute-1 hour lesson.  If you want to get some ideas of how we might use Ozobots , you can find lessons in the Lesson Library on their website here. Some of our favorite lessons that we've done in the elementary schools in the district can be found in this Google Ozobots Shared folder, as well as resources.  We can easily tie most any holiday into Ozobot use, as well, so this time of the year is the perfect time!  Please see your building STEM teacher or either of us anytime!

3.  Seesaw Spotlights:

While there are many activities for Thanksgiving,  here are a few to get you started!

•  Favorite Foods  

• Thanksgiving Word creations

• Count and Write

Seesaw Reflection

Quick Look Images with 10s Frames completed in one of our 2nd grade classrooms, Click Here to watch! This is a great way to show learning through a variety of tools ALL within Seesaw!

Labeling iPads, PSD Key App Creation, OTS Spotlights

1.  Labeling your Teacher iPad

If you have not already done so, please use a piece of tape or label to mark the back of your teacher iPad with your last name and room number.  This will help us to find the owner in a quick and easy way if your iPad is left somewhere in the building!

2. PSD Key App Creation Reminders

A couple of notes to really maximize time saving through PSD Key:

• Check the Professional Resources Folder - Many of the apps that we use professionally as teachers are already pre-loaded in the red Professional Resources folder on your PSD Key Dashboard.  These apps will now appear in the teaching library with a "lock" so that we can all tell whats already in this folder.  If you can find a moment, it is best to type in all your usernames into these apps so that you don't have to look them up later.
• To check or not to check - Teachers have started to add their own apps to replace bookmarks, which is really great!  This can be done by choosing the "Add Your Own App" in the upper right hand corner of the App library screen.  Then, PSD Key will ask you to name the app and put the url.  You will also notice a small check box at the bottom.
• Please check this box if this website requires a sign in.  Chris Brockman will create an app to save your password.
• Please do not check this box if it is a simple weblink bookmark.

3.  Upcoming OTS Spotlights:

The below sessions are all being offered for district PLT.  Talk to your building principal if you see benefit in holding a similar session for building PLT.

December 5- Mimio Basic Training-(one hour) This session will be the same session that was offered on November 5th.  However, it is back by popular demand!  In this session, we will go over the basics ins/outs of Mimio, the tools, and also a quick look at Mimioconnect.com.

December 10- Mimio Advanced- (one hour)  In this session, teachers will have an opportunity to ask questions, but also will be given time to create presentations, play with the gallery tools, and/or "mimio-fy" a previous presentation!

December 11- March 11- Teach Like a Pirate Book Study (7 hours)-  This book study offered by Erin Reichert and Ken Ehrmann will kick off on December 11th with a face-to-face meeting, following up with some online discussions, and wrapped up on March 11th with a final face-to-face meeting.  The OTS sign-up for this book study will CLOSE on Friday, November 22, so sign up today!  All participants are required to purchase their own book.

Review of important updates

This week we are reviewing some important topics!

1.  Seesaw- Private Teacher Folder

As you prepare for parent-teacher conferences, please remember you have a private teacher folder!  This folder is for ONLY you to see.  For teachers who are having students create a marking period reflection or a message to parents for Parent Teacher conferences, this folder is the perfect place to "hide" the post.  After conferences, simply move the post into another folder.  Or, if you'd prefer to always keep the item private, leave those items there!
*To add something to the Private folder, when approving the post, simply click on the 3 dots and choose Private folder.

2.  iPad Case Directions

As the Instructional Technology Department distributes cases for the teacher i-Pads, please see the attached directions for a a short overview and diagram as to how these cases are attached to your iPads.

3. Splashmath Single Sign On

Please see the attached directions for a few short steps on how to make your Splashmath class work with PSD Key and create a single sign on for your students.  

Once you have made these changes, please make sure everyone has the "Splashmath - Pennridge ID" app on their PSD Key Dashboard.

Conferences with Seesaw, Skype, and Scholastic

If you are reading this, then you survived another Halloween in an Elementary School!!

1.  Conferences with Seesaw

As Seesaw is fantastic for student engagement and empowering children as learners, we love to celebrate their ability to advocate for themselves as learners.  We learn from reflecting on experiences, good and bad.  Consider encouraging participation (and have them lend you a hand!) in picking work they’re proud of. Ask students to think back on their progress or look to the future about what they’d like to learn.


Here are a few ideas to get started:

1.  Have the students take a selfie.  Using the text tool, students can record 3-5 words to describe how they feel about the 1st marking period.
2.  Many teachers use a reflection sheet of some kind.  Have students take a picture of the sheet and use the microphone to record their voice completing sentences such as the ones found here on this WORD document.  When recording, it's always a good idea to have kids practice what they will say using a "script" of some kind!


3.  Grades K-2:  Erin has created an activity in the Seesaw Activity District Library titled "My Goals".  Students use the drawing tool to draw their goal for the next marking period.
Optional- you can have the students add their voice if you would like!


4.  Grades 3-5:  Erin has created a one page activity in the Seesaw Activity District Library titled  "Marking Period Reflections".  Students use the Text tool to reflect.

2.  Skype in the Classroom

Pennridge will be using the standard Skype app for Global Connections this year.  Recently it was remotely installed to all teacher computers, so the software is ready to use.  We have created Skype usernames by building to make connections simpler this year, so if you would like to use one of these usernames please contact Erin or Chris and they will be happy to help set it up.

Don't forget about the Microsoft Educator Community, where there are great opportunities for every discipline!  Just make sure to use your Skype username when exchanging information with a speaker (Skype for Business is no longer available) or use the the building name Erin or Chris can provide for you.
If you want to Skype and are nervous about connecting, feel free to contact Erin or Chris and they will gladly help you get started, as it is a fantastic opportunity for kids.

3.  Scholastic Writing Opportunity for Pre-K-6th grade!

Are you looking for a unique way to publish your students' work?  Scholastic is offering an Easy Thanksgiving Book Project HERE.  Motivate your students to do their best work, build upon their reading and writing skills, and create a treasured keepsake!  It can be as easy as putting an existing lesson onto their paper!  Students create stories and illustrations digitally or on paper.  As the teacher, you submit the book (they provide the prepaid postage) when complete and they will publish the book with a deluxe hard cover for your classroom.

iPad Cases, Splashmath SSO, Seesaw Tip

1.  iPad Case Directions

As the Instructional Technology Department distributes cases for the teacher i-Pads, please see the attached directions for a a short overview and diagram as to how these cases are attached to your iPads.

2. Splashmath Single Sign On

Please see the attached directions for a few short steps on how to make your Splashmath class work with PSD Key and create a single sign on for your students.  

Once you have made these changes, please make sure everyone has the "Splashmath - Pennridge ID" app on their PSD Key Dashboard.

3. Seesaw Tip:  The Power of Three...

Did you know you can edit items after students submit in Seesaw.  This is helpful to rotate a picture (if they forgot to), or to fix a mistake if a student put their work in the wrong student's journal or the wrong folder in your class.  This is also where you can move items into folders if you haven't been using folders yet this year.

To see this menu, click on the three dots on the right hand side of the post, and choose the option that best fits your need.  We hope this helps!

Teacher iPads

Teacher iPads and PSD Key Access

We hope that the new iPads have been helpful in your classrooms and will be an asset to your teaching for years to come.  This weeks Thursday Three focuses on some items that hopefully will make this experience even stronger for our teachers.


Mirroring, PSD Key Quick Cards, and OneDrive Photo Syncing Tutorials - Three new tools were added recently to the iPads that have been covered in Professional Development sessions.  Below is a short description of their purpose and a linked tutorial connected to these resources.


Mirror 360 - Allows for your iPad screen to be projected.

PSD Key Quick Cards - Provides for a QR sign in to PSD Key rather than typing in their username and password.


OneDrive Photo Syncing - Automatically sends photos from your iPad to your computer for easier printing and file sharing.

2. Sending Home PSD Key Quick Cards and Letters - As previously stated, Quickcards and parent letters go home with students today!

3. Seesaw on an iPad - When using Seesaw on an iPad, please use the app instead of going through PSD Key because of the robust features the app has available.

Coaches Corner *New*, Mandatory PowerTeacher Pro, OTS Spotlights

1. Coaches Corner

Why recreate the wheel?  Some of your math resources are right here for you.

Throughout the next few month's we will highlight some of the amazing resources found on the Everyday Math Virtual Learning Community (VLC).
The Everyday Mathematics Virtual Learning Community (VLC) provides a space for teachers to view and share resources that support mathematics teaching, communicate with other teachers about pedagogy, and take time to reflect on their practice.
Please take a few minutes to sign up if you haven't already done so.  Dana Pivnichny will be referring to the resources throughout the year, and strongly encourages its use.

This month's focus is on the Resources tab of the site.  There are teacher-made printable resources readily available.  Examples include: vocabulary cards, math messages, student work examples, and much more.  You can filter by topic and grade level, which will save you time!

1.  Go to the VLC website at https://vlc.uchicago.edu/login.
2.  In the top right, click Join.  It will take about 3 minutes to sign up, but it's worth it!
3.  If you already have an account,  choose log-in!
4.  Once you are logged in, we recommend the "Resources" tab for your first visit!
5.  Now that you  have an account, don't forget to add this to your PSD Key to help remember your new password!

•  Go to the Teaching Library in PSD Key.  Search for "Everyday Math VLC".  (See image)

 2.  PowerTeacher

All teachers will need to be using the PowerTeacher Pro for their final grade inputs at the end of the marking period.  If you missed the training at the end of August, here it is.

In addition, here are the basics on a 2 page tutorial sheet for how you'll access the final grade areas for your subjects.

Please do not wait until final input time to open PowerTeacher Pro and navigate through these steps.

3.   OTS Spotlights- Here are a few we are most excited about!

Mimio Basics- November 4-  We will cover the very basics of using a Mimio in your classroom.  If you have one, but aren't sure of how it works, please join us!  Any questions?  Just ask Erin Reichert

Mimio Advanced- December 10-  This will be the Part 2 to the November meeting.  You DO NOT need to attend in November to come to this session.  If you have a Mimio and are fairly comfortable, but want to know more, this is the session for you!  Any questions?  Just ask Erin Reichert

Teach Like a Pirate Book Study-  Beginning in December- This book study will take place over the course of 3 months.  We will begin with a face-to-face meeting on December 11th.  We will then meet two times through online discussions using some technology tools (don't worry, you don't have to be an expert!), and then will meet again face-to-face on March 11, 2020.  This book is a powerful, well-known book in education now and we hope you'll join us.  This PLT opportunity is for 7  total hours (4 for discussions/meetings and 3 for reading) of your district PLT time.  If you have any questions, please see Erin Reichert or Ken Ehrmann.  *Teachers must purchase their own copy of this book prior to our first meeting on December 11.*

Stories from Space, OTS highlights, and Seesaw Spotlights

Global Collaboration

For the month of October, we will focus on the ISTE Standard of "Global Collaborator".  We will focus on tools that provide students with the opportunity to engage with people and places outside of their own community. 

1.  Story Time from Space-

What better way to get your students "out of this world" than to have some astronauts share some of our favorite stories from the International Space Station!  Simply click on "Story Time Videos" and choose from over 15 books.  Story Time from Space is a project of the Global Space Education Foundation, a nonprofit foundation.

2.  OTS Highlights

*  PowerTeacher Pro Gradebook  (Elementary specific)

All of you attended the online training for PowerTeacherPro at the end of August, but we know there have been some questions about PTP, especially for use at the elementary level.  The Gradebook feature is not new to Pennridge, but it may be new to you!
 Many teachers have been using the Gradebook features of PowerTeacher for creating assignments, which then makes progress reporting more efficient at the end of the quarter.  An FAQ document will be coming out next week,  which highlights specific elementary features.  However, there will be a district PLT opportunity for any elementary teacher who wishes to use Gradebook this year!  Sign up Here!   Pennridge facilitators Amy Weir and Tracee Myers, who have been using Gradebook for many years, will show you some tips and tricks, and answer any questions you may have.  From teachers who started using last year, many have said "I don't know how I did it without Gradebook.  This makes it so much more efficient!"  If you can't attend the session, but would like to know more, please email Erin at any time!

OTHER TOPICS in OTS coming up:
Seesaw for Special Area Teachers and Guidance Counselors- October 8

If you are special area teacher, you are invited to come to learn more about how Seesaw can be utilized in your classrooms.  We will go over the basics of Seesaw, but also take a look at the already-made Activities in the Activity Library, as well as ways to edit, and create your own activities.  There will be time to explore, create, and ask questions.  Bring your laptop (and/or iPad) with you.

3.  Seesaw Spotlight

In November, please use this link to sign up in OTS for Seesaw PD in your PJ's for District PLT time.  Sign up now and at the beginning of November, the calendar will be shared with you and you can pick the activities you are most interested in (totaling 1 hour).  This training is completed online.

Students responded to their reading on the activity sheet provided.  The students then used the camera feature to snap a picture of a response (or multiple responses).  The students used the Text Tool to share a "Glow and Grow" for next time!  

Patterns in Math Class-  Many students in Kindergarten and First Grades are creating patterns, are practicing with the camera tool, and some are also using the microphone to tell about their pattern.  

OTS highlights, PSD Key in Math, and Seesaw Spotlights

1.  OTS Highlights

Have you checked out some of the latest PLT opportunities in OTS?  Here are just a few we are especially excited about, but we encourage you to view the catalog to find one just right for you!

October 8- Seesaw for Special Area Teachers
October 10- (will be posted in OTS soon)  Save the date-  Power Teacher Pro for elementary teachers- using the gradebook features to help save you time during progress reporting, and to provide up-to-date data for Child Study meetings, data meetings, and more!

2.  PSD Key 

If you are having trouble with a single sign on app that had worked previously but your password changed, please consider right clicking the app in question and choose update password.  From there you are able to edit the passwords stored.

This is very common for apps such as EPIC, which require a different code each year.  For these apps, students need to right click the app, choose "update password" and then "edit" to change the code to the new one.  Then the single sign on will work seamlessly.

3.  Seesaw Spotlight

As of Friday, September 20, we have over 2,600 families connected in Seesaw!  We are thrilled with this data and we thank you for your continued support of Seesaw.  At this point, if you have any families not connected, we encourage you to send them an email invite through Seesaw and/or reach out personally.  If a family has any reservations about joining, perhaps you can ease their mind about what Seesaw is and what it can do for our learners.

September has been a great month in Seesaw and we have seen many teachers getting "their feet wet" by sharing pictures of students, homework assignments, newsletters, and more!  Please remember when posting more than one student in a picture that all families have agreed to and signed the Pennridge media release form.  If you are unsure, the safest bet at this time is using photos with only 1 student portrayed.  We have also put out reminders to parents to be sure not to share photos with more than their child portrayed on social media such as Twitter and Facebook.

For a new Seesaw user- A good goal for October is getting your students to post to their journal.  Again, we encourage starting small with one Seesaw tool at a time and building on.  We would love to help you and your students with that.  In the month of September, with 18 days down, I was able to teach 19 student Seesaw lessons to a variety of grade levels.  My personal goal for October is to teach at least 1 Seesaw lesson with students per day (or another 20 lessons).  This could be whole group or during station rotations- whatever works for you!   Help me reach my goal! :)  -Erin

Pattern Making to 5

Here is an example of how one student took a picture of their learning and posted to his/her journal in one of our kindergarten classrooms.








Another great post we saw upper elementary students complete was from the Activity Library.  In this activity, students not only talk about things they love, but they also get to know the many tools of Seesaw- especially drawing and text.

Seesaw Social- Rescheduled-  Originally we scheduled our Seesaw Social for October 5th, but with the upcoming KolorRun at the high school, we have postponed our Social until 2020.  

Sept. 19th- EPIC and Seesaw Spotlights

ISTE Standards in our Classrooms

Again this school year, our blog posts will feature technology tools that empower student learning.  A strong resource for understanding these possibilities comes to us from the International Society for Technology Education (ISTE), which has created a student centered set of standards that represent much of Pennridge's focus on technology.

This month we will focus on the "Empowered Learner".  We will focus on tools that provide student choice and voice within their classroom activities. 

1.  EPIC! books

For those of you who may not be familiar with EPIC!, we have created a brief tutorial to help you get started.  EPIC! is the Netflix of books!  You can simply add students, and even create groups to choose specific books (collections) and levels for that particular group of students.

Even if you have used EPIC in the past, you might not have realized that EPIC added 2500 more titles and some other exciting features:

1.   Filter with Ease-  Find the right books with enhanced filters.   You can now filter by reading level, fiction/non-fiction, language, and titles with end-of-book quizzes!

2.  Student Self-Service-  For grades 3 and up, students can now create their own profiles with your class code.  Less work for you and student login is a breeze!

3.  Assign Individual Books- Now you can create personalized experiences for each student by assigning individual books instead of full collections.

And don't forget to download and print this year's Readerpillar HERE!  

Seesaw Spotlight

2.  Students read the story No, David.  After reading, students discussed the rules that David did not follow.  The students then discussed the rules of the classroom and why they are important.  Each group of students then used the speech bubble feature (or drew their own speech bubble) to review one of the class rules.

3.  First graders used the Activities library to practice using the drawing tools in Seesaw.  This activity is easily adapted for all grade levels practicing with the tools.  Maybe your students will use text features and/or record themselves telling about their families.   All activities are editable!

September 12- Outlook Signature and Seesaw Spotlights

1.  Email Signature

Changing your Signature in Microsoft Outlook

If you need to update your signature with a new teacher assignment, new phone number, new website, etc, please follow these steps:

• Open Outlook (make sure you are using the App Version, which is found in your start window and titled "Outlook 2016")
• Choose File in the top Left and Scroll to Options.
• Select Mail and Signatures (See image)
• Remember your signature should include your building, your position, your phone number and extension, and any other information you feel would be helpful.

Seesaw Spotlight

2.  First time posting?

Are you wondering where to start with your students?  Our advice- Start Small, then build up to incorporating the other features.

Here are a few suggestions for first time posts that can be used/adapted for any grade level:

• Students take a picture of something in the classroom.  Have the students draw or record on the picture.  This could be something they are excited to learn about this year, some class rules, or maybe their desk with a recording of what they hope to accomplish this year.  
• Students take a picture of the book they are reading.  They can simply post the picture, or they could record themselves explaining why they chose the book.



Text Tool icon

• Students take a selfie.  They use the Text tool to record 3 words to describe themselves.
• Students can take a picture of most anything they have created this week- perhaps it's their goals for the year, a realistic drawing or creation of themselves, or a picture of something they created after a read-aloud story.  

3.  Family Invitations-  

In the Pennridge letter that was sent home with your family QR codes earlier this year, we asked parents to sign-up for Seesaw by September 6.  Knowing that the beginning of the year is quite hectic, we wanted to show you how you can invite those families that have yet to join your class.  Follow the quick steps HERE to print those families' QR codes.  This ONLY needs to be done by homeroom teachers, as the codes will be the same for a student that is dual-enrolled in more than one class.  Any questions, just ask! 

Welcome Back-VPN, computer font size, and Seesaw

Welcome Back! 

1.  Benefits of the VPN: Global Connect

Whenever using your laptop outside of the district, please consider connecting to the VPN while working  When you are connected to the VPN, you will be able to use any of the functions of your machine just as if you are at school, such as:

• Accessing the U: Drive
• Using Microsoft Outlook, including sending e-mails, managing your calendar, and viewing your to-do lists.
• Using the Follow Me Printers, including the ability to print the night before and release the document right when you walk in the building the next morning.

You may have noticed Global Connect popping up on your computer.  This takes the place of our Cisco server.  Simply type in remote.pennridge.org (only the first time) to access the VPN and you will prompted for your username and password.  This will only work after you've access your home Wifi, and must only be done out of district.  This can be helpful at workshops, out of district conferences, etc.

2.  Computer Font is TOO small!

Since your computer was imaged over the summer, you may have noticed that everything seems smaller.  To change this, please follow this 1-2 minute process!  Click here!

 3.  Seesaw

Sharing a Welcome Post to students or families? 

• If so, you will want to post to the "Student Journal" in Seesaw if the students/families are not yet connected.   If you select Announcement, only students/families that are already signed-in will see the announcement.    Once everyone is signed in, then the Announcement feature is the way to go!

        Seesaw Translates for up to 55 languages! 

• If a note, caption, comment, announcement, or message is written in a language that is different from the language of a family's or teacher's device, a "See Translation" option appears below the post.  Tap that button, and Seesaw automatically translates any text into your native language.  Note:  Students do not have access to this feature.  Please view this video if you have families in your class who would benefit from this amazing feature.

QR Code Access

• Please make sure your Family QR codes go home with your students. Your class code is different and should ONLY stay in the classroom!

Social Media

• Follow Seesaw on Twitter @Seesaw or follow "Seesaw Teachers" on Facebook for tons of ideas and tips/tricks from other teachers around the world.  In addition, for most any tutorial made by Seesaw, search on Youtube or view their "PD in our PJs" live webinars or recorded tutorials!

21st Century Learning Night, Seesaw Activities, Integration Infographic

1. Thank you for another successful 21st Century Learning Night!

We want to take the opportunity to thank all the students, teachers, and staff members that helped make 21st Century Learning Night a success again this year.  It was truly a special evening celebrating innovative teaching this year.  The 21st Century Learning Night Website has a summary of all the fascinating exhibits that presented.

For a short clip of pictures of the night, please click here!

2. Seesaw for Schools Feature - Scheduled Activities

One of the new features Seesaw allows is for you to schedule an activity for students to complete.  Activities allow you to give clear instructions for students to work with, including a narration of your own voice reading the instructions and a step by step list of tasks using the Seesaw iconography they will have to click on.  This way you can plan the activity ahead of time and have it automatically released to your students before they will start working on it.  

Seesaw offers excellent professional develop and click-by-click instructions on how to use this and other features.  For the activities library in general click here or for the scheduling feature click here.

If you are new to Seesaw, a general instructional guide to Seesaw created by Erin and Chris can be found here.

3.  Guidelines for Implementing Instructional Activities

Designed by a fantastic group of Elementary teachers, this infographic was created to help teachers scaffold their lessons with the use of technology.  Over the remainder of this year and next, we will incorporate these questions into the blog with some instructional strategies that demonstrate how these questions can guide instruction.  This is a really important tool to be used when designing lessons and we hope it's helpful!

Note: the infographic will be printed and distributed for posting in classrooms in August, but if you would like to print one right now please choose 11x17 paper, which is the size that the graphic is formatted to.

More information regarding these guidelines with be forthcoming at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.

Highlights

In this busy time of year we wanted to provide a very useful iPad tip and highlights of what's to come in Pennridge.

1. iPad Tip- Using the new Close Tab Feature in Safari

As multiple students use the iPads the amount of tabs open in Safari can get pretty large very quickly.  A new iPad update allows you to close all of these tabs with one click.  When you hit the small square in the upper right hand corner you will see the tabs normally.  However, holding the done button in the upper right hand corner will allow you to close all your tabs with one click. 

2. Seesaw for Schools

Pennridge Elementary schools will be transitioning to Seesaw for Schools this week!  This premium version of Seesaw offers some excellent new features such as additional multiple co-teachers, scheduled assignments, and school wide activity libraries.  We will be featuring some of these new features in the coming weeks and during the June professional development days.  A short summary of these features can be found here.Your students and parents won't see a difference in their access, but we hope you find the new features of Seesaw for Schools helpful!

3. 21st Century Learning Night

Please consider supporting your fellow teachers as they present at this year's 21st Century Learning Night, which will be held at Pennridge High School on May 28, 2019 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  Students and teachers will be demonstrating the innovative projects and lessons they have worked so hard to complete over the course of the year.  In addition to seeing our students at their best, it is also a great way to see what other teachers are doing in their classrooms.  We hope to see you there!

Flipgrid Fever, 21st CLN, and Ozobots

Creative Communicator 

April's ISTE Standard is Creative Communicator.  We will focus on tools this month that help communicate a message clearly and effectively to one's audience.

1.  April 24th was #StudentVoiceDay

Flipgrid is not about recording videos...it's about learning!  Learning that is social, personal, can happen anwhere and anytime, about making connections, it's deep exploration, and promotes that everyone is a teacher and everyone is a learner.  Lately Flipgrid  shared even more resources.  This week's post will share the most recent tips, tricks and ideas Flipgrid has to offer.

1.  Tips and Best Practices:

• Start Simple-  If your students are a bit hesitant to put themselves on the camera, their nerves will be stronger if you ask them a tough question right away.  Start with something that will get them (and you) comfortable, such as "If you had to eat only one more for the rest of your life, what would it be?"  "If you had to live in another country, where would it be and why?"  "What's the hardest you've ever laughed?  Tell us the story." 

• Moderate Topics-  The moderation feature allows you as the educator to choose which responses show on the grid, so shy students can respond without all of their classmates seeing the responses.  To do this, use the Actions button to Edit Topic, and scroll to Topic Details to toggle this switch on/off.  In this same area, you can make many other settings adjustments to fully customize how you want your grid to look and feel.

• Use a checklist or rubric- This will help students to feel more prepared in their response.

• Share yourself as an educator recording.  If students see you relaxed, silly at times, and creative in a response, students will feel more comfortable to do the same!

• "Feature this Response"- Use this feature option to highlight student responses or share examples that other students can learn from!

• Record with a Buddy or Group-  Motivation and confidence increases with the support of others.

• Record something else!  Yes, that's right, student's don't have to be seen- just use the camera the opposites way or have them hold a picture, project, or book to capture something else as they are speaking.
• Appsmash- Appsmashing is the process of combining 2 or more apps in order to expand the possibilities for increased impact!   We recommend Chatterpix for a quick and easy way to do this  (see our last blog post).  Flipgrid and Chatterpix appsmash well.

View the Flipgrid picture tutorial here!  Even if you've been using Flipgrid, you might see something in this tutorial that you didn't know Flipgrid could do!

Bonus Blog Feature-  

View the Flipgrid some elementary teachers experimented with and responded to almost 1 year ago, please use the flip code 1eda79 at flipgrid.com. The password for this grid is June2018.  Perhaps you posted something at the end of our June sessions and forgot about it!? Perhaps you'll view some others' responses and learn something new!  Have fun!

2. 21st Century Learning Night

3.  Ozobots

We have shared many new activities in the Ozobot Google folder for all of you to see and use!  Most recently, we've posted for Math Top-It games, summarizing, coding through maps and states, rhyme time, using Ozoblocky, and more!  If you'd like us to create an activity with Ozobots, we would be happy to do so!  This is the perfect time of the year to try something new or change-up the way you've done something in the past!  We are here to help if you need it!  Remember, we have 18 EVO Ozobots we are always willing to share!