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.