Oakland Schools Digital Learning
Newsletter - October 2021
In this issue you will find
- Science videos from SciShow Kids that engage elementary students in all kinds of interesting science
- SolveMe Puzzles that provide interactive practice for algebraic thinking
- a link to the new CommonLit 360 curriculum for grades 6-10
- lessons you can use with your students for Digital Citizenship week
- information about creating and using QR codes
- tips for organizing your Google Drive
- a document with creative ideas for using iPads with kids
- a cool tip for Chrome browser users
- registration for a free, professional learning series on EduProtocols
- information about the new Computer Science PLN in Michigan
Please reach out if you have questions about any of the information in this newsletter.
~Laura and Vinos
Resources for Elementary
SciShow Kids
SolveMe Puzzles
You can find resources for Teachers for each type of puzzle by clicking on the information question mark for the puzzle and then the About tab. You will find the Teacher tab in a new row of tabs that opens up.
Resources for Secondary
CommonLit 360 Curriculum
CommonLit 360 is a comprehensive and free set of curriculum resources for English Language Arts for grades 6-10. Note: You will need to set up a free teacher account to access the resources.
What is included in CommonLit 360?
- 6 units per grade
- Full coverage: reading, writing, discussion, vocabulary, and grammar,
- High-interest literature with timely themes that kids love,
- When you open a unit you will be on the unit overview page. Click on the lessons and resources link to get the detailed lessons as well as student and teacher materials.
Digital Citizenship Week - Oct. 18-22
- Common Sense K-12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum - Lesson plans, videos, student interactives, assessments, resources for families and more
- NetSmartz Teaching Resources - K-12 - lesson plans, tip sheets, student project kit, presentations, Internet Safety pledges and more
- Hector's World - Grades K-2 - Animated videos to deliver the content supported with lesson plans and classroom activities
- Google's "Be Internet Awesome" - Grades 3-5 - Five lessons delivered via a browser-based game
- 21 Things 4 Students - Grades 6-8 - Five of the things cover Digital Citizenship. They are Digital Footprint, Cyber Safety, Be Legal & Fair, Social Networking and Buyer Beware.
Google Workspace
Create a QR Code right in Google Chrome
- Read the article, "How to Use QR Codes in the Classroom-17 Great Ideas for Teachers," for ideas on how to get started.
- Watch the video below to see how easy it is to get a QR code when you are using Google Chrome.
- Try the QR code we created and see where it takes you. :)
Organize and Color-code Your Google Drive
Create a folder structure that works for you. You might place lesson documents in folders arranged by subject (ELA, Math, Social Studies, etc.). For non-lesson projects, be very specific in folder names.
- Example: A project about the school garden might be named School Garden 21-22.
- Examples: Building-wide folders could be color-coded in your mascot color and each subject or unit could also have a different color folder.
- To color-code a folder, right-click on it and select "Change color."
iPads
30 Creative iPad Activities for Kids
Tech Tip
Chrome Browser: "Copy Link to Highlight"
If you want to send students or colleagues to a specific spot on a website in Chrome, highlight the text at that specific location on the page, right click on your highlight, and select "Copy Link to Highlight." This creates a link that will send the user to that exact spot on the webpage.
Try it out! We highlighted a passage in the article, "How to Facilitate Meaningful Discussions in Hybrid or Virtual Classrooms." It's a very important tip. Check it out. :)
Professional Learning Opportunities
EduProtocols - First Semester Professional Learning Series
Comments from participants in the summer offering of the EduProtocols Professional Learning Series
- I'm loving the EduProtocols Book Study!
- I am really enjoying this PD format and content.
- Thanks for a great book study! I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned so much!
- This was a fantastic PD opportunity! I have already shared the ideas with my administration team and fellow teachers.
This is your chance to sign up for the second session of our professional learning series on EduProtocols, instructional lesson frames that are designed to engage students in learning through the 4Cs - critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity. This workshop series will be both fun and informative. Some examples of EduProtocols are Iron Chef, Cyber Sandwich, and Thin Slides.
In this FREE workshop series, you will
- attend a virtual session on October 27, 2021 from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM where you will be introduced to several EduProtocols, experience what it is like to use them, and place your order for the free book.
- 2 SCECH credits available for this session
- receive a copy of the book, “EduProtocol: Field Guide-Book 1,” currently selling for $26.40, at no cost to you!
- Books will be mailed to the address you provide.
- Thank you REMC Association of Michigan for providing the funding for the books!
- have the option to get credit for reading the book over a 12 week period of time by responding to prompts about the text via a fun game set up just for this purpose. Rewards, items to use in your classroom, will be given to individual players for high scores and/or great reflections.
- The game will begin on October 29, 2021 and will end on January 21, 2022.
- 1-10 SCECH credits are available for this portion depending on how much of the book you read and how many game prompts your complete.
- have the option to attend a second virtual session on January 7 from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM to learn how to start the second semester with EduProtocols and make a plan for beginning to use them with your students.
- 2 SCECH credits available for this session.
- Whether you choose to earn 2+ or all 14 SCECH credits there is only one $10 fee to pay to process your credits. 😊
Click to go to registration for this series.
New! Michigan K-12 Computer Science Professional Learning Network
The Michigan CS Professional Learning Network is an opportunity for educators, administrators, and stakeholders in computer science implementation to connect and receive support. This network is planning to offer monthly events, such as webinars, newsletters, and meetups, for the different audiences in the network (educators, consultants, or state level). Sign up to receive updates for events happening in the network using this form. You may indicate which audience(s) you would like to receive updates from.
Additional Professional Learning Opportunities
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Oakland Schools Digital Learning Twitter posts can be found at os_edtech.
When you are posting to Twitter about things related to digital learning and educational technology, don't forget to use the hashtag #oakedtech.
Using the hashtag will help Oakland County educators, who are interested in the effective use of digital learning, to connect and better collaborate with each other.
Oakland Schools Digital Learning Consultants
Laura.Cummings@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2283
Vinos Kassab
Vinos.Kassab@oakland.k12.mi.us
248-209-2229