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.