IXL and ILEARN Checkpoints and Study Plans

Wondering how to use IXL study plans to help prepare your students for ILEARN and ILEARN Checkpoints?  Here is a video to share what IXL can...

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

"Reply All" Email Etiquette

     Some people may not understand that the "Reply All" feature on an email sends your response to everyone on the email list.  We were asked to send out information on the proper etiquette for hitting the "Reply All" Button when responding to a group email.  We have been informed by more than one person in the corporation that many people become frustrated with the unnecessary emails filling up there inbox.  Luckily, there are a few things you can do to avoid the "Reply All" disruption.

1.  When sending out an email, you can Bcc your recipients like was done on the email to this post.  Why do we do this?  Because it is not possible for recipients to "Reply All" when everyone is Bcc.

2.  Think before your respond to an email that was sent out to your entire staff or multiple buildings.  Does everyone need to have your response?  If an email is sent that encourages everyone to start counting their steps for the winter walking wellness challenge and asking people for suggestions and motivation to get moving, then yes.  That would require a "Reply All", but if an email is sent, like this blog with information for you to use and you want to say "Thank you.", just "Reply" to the sender only.  

Sometimes our email is set to "Reply All" as a default, and we don't even realize it. To turn off the "Reply All" as the default, click here for instructions.

Here is an article that describes situations NOT to use "Reply All" and when it is requested.

We hope that clarifies when to use and not to use the "Reply All" button when replying to emails.  If you'd like further scenarios and information, click here.  


Resources

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/reply-all-email-etiquette_n_1232315#:~:text=There%20are%20a%20few%20basic,%2C%20don't%20reply%20all.

Google Search: Reply all Etiquette Funny

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS862US862&sxsrf=ALeKk014qAoGQViT0Z-NRsybmbB56uQapQ%3A1612274846889&ei=nlwZYLvsNZWMtAb36qvYCA&q=reply+all+etiquette+funny&oq=reply+all+etiquette&gs_lcp=CgZwc3ktYWIQARgAMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHMgQIABBHUABYAGCZI2gAcAJ4AIABAIgBAJIBAJgBAKoBB2d3cy13aXrIAQjAAQE&sclient=psy-ab



Monday, January 25, 2021

Seesaw Students Transferring Classes

     We've had quite a few teachers having issues with students transferring from one class to another in Seesaw.  If a student doesn't seem to be able to access with your code, you can have them login with their Gmail accounts as seen in the video below.  This video also shows how students can switch between classes.  If this creates two accounts under your student list, don't worry.  Contact your technology trainer and we can merge the accounts.


Instruct students to go to https://app.seesaw.me/#/login.  Then choose I'm a student.

Next, have students select Login with Google at the top of the window that appears.


From here, students will choose their Google account and then enter class join code.  If it takes the students to their original teacher, they can click on their name in the top left hand corner and choose then choose + Join Class.

If they do not see this screen, then they will see the join code for the class. 


Here, they enter the class code.  Below is how the teacher can access the code to share with students.

Please contact your technology trainer if you need further support.








Friday, January 15, 2021

Students Switching Seesaw Classes, Changes in Canvas, CogAt, and More!

 

Seesaw:

If you have students who just joined your class for second semester, you can add them to your Seesaw class using the +Students button near the bottom of the teacher screen in Seesaw, or by giving the new students a class code, which can also be found using the +Students button.

If you have students that have left your class after first semester, you CAN delete them from your Seesaw class. HOWEVER, deleting them will also lose their work they completed while in your class. To remove a student from your Seesaw class, click on the wrench in upper right corner of your Seesaw screen. Next, select "Manage Students". Then click on the student's name. Finally, click on the red rectangle near the bottom of the window: "Remove Student from Class".

For more details on students switching classes midyear in Seesaw, CLICK HERE


January 18th Changes in Canvas:

Just a reminder January 18th is when the new Rich Content Editor will appear in all Canvas courses. If you have not already done so, please be sure to watch this short video on what the change will look like:

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Video-Guide/New-Rich-Content-Editor/ta-p/383140



CogAt Testing: January 26th and 27th:

CogAt testing will take place on Jan. 26 and 27th (dates and times subject to change) for grades K and 2 only. 

CogAT Instructions 2021

Please review the instructional slides (linked above) for information on how to administer the CogAT test using iPads or Chromebooks. There are 3 videos included on these slides. One video showcases the teacher's role in administering CogAT and can be found on slide 2. The other 2 videos show how students log into CogAT using an iPad (slide 7) and a Chromebook (slide 9).


Monday, January 4, 2021

NEW in CANVAS Jan. 18th: New Look to the Rich Content Editor & Student View Upgrade

 

2021 Brings some changes to Canvas. Here are the MOST IMPORTANT TWO:


The Rich Content Editor has a new look with an easier to manage tool bar.

Here is what your RICH CONTENT EDITOR used to look like:


Starting Jan 18th, it will look like this:



CLICK HERE to watch video to learn about this new Rich Content Editor and it's tools.
CLICK HERE for written directions with images of the new Rich Content Editor.

Student view is now easier to access!


CLICK HERE for more information on viewing as a test student using Student View.





Wanna Get Away? -Try a Virtual Field Trip to break up the Winter Blues!


 Wanna Get Away? -Try a Virtual Field Trip
 to break up the Winter Blues!

Shedd Aquarium Virtual Field Trips

Prices start at $125 and there are discounts for larger groups. Price includes Asynchronous Pre and Post activities for you to use with your students before and after the trip. Visit their website (linked above) for a list of standards each trip covers.
You can select from the following topics:

    Animals of the Amazon  (K-5)

    Sharks and Reef Life  (K-5)

    Penguin Habitats  (K-5)

    Turtle Check-ups (Grades 3-5 only)


The Field Museum: Sue the T. Rex Virtual Tour and Trivia

This FREE virtual tour does require ADVANCED REGISTRATION, and also allows for students to submit their questions ahead of time to be answered during the live tour. (Ages 5 and up)
Many available dates left in January.


The Brookfield Zoo: Virtual Learning Series 
Sign up for age appropriate virtual classes that include pre-lesson activities. Brookfield is also offering Zoo Learning Weeks and Art Adventures. See their website for more information and pricing.

Brookfield Zoo: Bringing the Zoo to You
This is a series of recorded lessons and virtual visits throughout the zoo. Themes include: Exploring Ice and Water, Finding Insects. Getting Ready for Winter, and more! These are free recordings, originally posted on Facebook Live. See website for many more titles!


A Visit to the International Space Station

Here students can watch recorded tours of the Astronauts' living quarters, hygiene station, and science labs. This tour is prerecorded and free for classroom use.  
Additionally, you can view the surface of Mars (thanks to a partnership between NASA and Google).
Access Mars via the Mars Curiosity Rover


Museum of Science: Boston, MA

Currently only showing dates in Dec. this site offers FREE virtual field trips with a live tour guide. Topics vary by date and time. Check back for January listings soon!


National Museum of Natural History

Take a self-guided tour of the Natural History museum, which includes EVERY exhibit the museum offers.

Wild Earth Kids

Live, FREE African Safari tours. Learn about animals, plant life, and the terrain in South Africa.No registration required. See time table for daily shows.
Students can email their pre and post questions to this email address before or after the tour: 

kidsquestions@wildearth.tv


Check the events calendar to sign up for your live tour topic. Tour includes lesson plans for use before and after. Students are given Q&A time with the tour guide as time allows.


Center for Interactive Learning
The Alaska Zoo

Sign up for virtual tours of the Alaska zoo with a tour guide. Prices start at $150.  Must preregister. Topics include:
Gray Wolves

Harbor Seals: Dive!

Polar Bears 101

Prickly Porcupines

Polar Bears and the Changing Climate
        

These tours are live, last 60 minutes, and require preregistration. Price is $100 per class, with 50% discounts for schools with a certain Free and Reduced lunch ratio. Choose from a number of topics including: 

Baby Animals and Their Parents

The Living Earth, Fast and Slow

Waterbear! Don't Care!: How animals adapt 








Monday, December 14, 2020

Easy to use Online Tools for Science and Beyond

 

BE SURE  YOU HAVE ACCEPTED
 THE CANVAS INVITATION TO JOIN
 OUR IMPROVED LCSC ED TECH COURSE!


 Go to the "new and improved" LCSC EdTech Canvas Course: Curriculum Support by Subject.
Includes supplemental Science materials for eLearning. This includes links to eLearning resources from FOSS, Carolina, and Building Blocks of Science.  


Additional Science Resources for online learning:

PBS Learning Media for Students:
Here you can find elementary resources and lessons.
Inspire your students with videos, games and activities aligned to state and national standards.
Topics include: Matter, Heating and Cooling, Animal Adaptations, Weather Patterns, Phases of the Moon, Handwashing, and Social Distancing.

Gizmos: Free Online Simulations and Experiments. You can search by grade level, subject, or content standard. Includes simulations for ALL levels, including Kindergarten and PreK. Once on the site, click the "Find Gizmos" tab at the top.

Science Friday:
Here you can search by topic or grade level for STEM activities that can be done at school or at home.


       

Been a while since you used:  Flipgrid, Nearpod, Kahoot, etc???
Visit 
the  LCSC EdTech Canvas Course: Enrichment as well as the LCSC EdTech Canvas Course: Online Program Support pages in Canvas.