Back to School 3-5th Grades
2019-2020
Gearing up!
Check out some resources and ideas below for help.
Apps that were updated over the summer
Set up a Troubleshooting Area
Don't assume your new students know a lot about technology. Many of our students are adept at troubleshooting and at navigating their devices and apps, but for some students (and adults) it just doesn't come naturally.
Empower students to find answers they need. Model for them how to troubleshoot and encourage them to "Ask 3 then Me" to encourage more independence and ownership.
Your Troubleshooting Area might be a binder with known issues and fixes or a bulletin board. Consider starting with the troubleshooting guide and adding to it as needed.
Start with Digital Citizenship
In one of your first day conversations, it will do a world of good to have a class discussion about the expectations for use of devices. Focus on how students can take care of themselves, take care of each other and take care of their "stuff" including iPads, cases and headphones.
Designate a "safe spot" in the classroom for students to put their iPads when not in use, but have them close enough that the kids can grab them if they need to record something or look something up
Designate tech free zones and/or times to help model healthy behaviors.
Grab your own copy of the editable "In our class" poster and customize with agreed upon class rules. Assign this resource to students in Schoology or airdrop them the image and let them fill in their own ideas using an app of their choice or markup tools.
The resource is explained in the Schoology lesson section below.
Discuss and Share: Digital Citizenship Video
Ignite - Play - Share : To Learn New Things
Ignite - Play - Share (Or Engage, Explore, Explain) is an excellent model for introducing tools to students at the beginning of the year.
Remember, we can't assume our students know how to use something. In the beginning of the year, especially, as you introduce a new tool, plan time some Explore or Play time for students to learn.
Ignite (Engage) - show students a cool project or a quick how to video for a tool
Play (Explore) - give students 10 minutes to explore the app and learn something to share out
Share (Explain) - Take 10 minutes as a whole class for students to share something they discovered.
Giving students permission to explore then lead from where they are will help to empower them as Curious Critical Thinkers and Creative Problem Solvers.
Get Kids Logged into Schoology
Schoology - Back to School Lessons
You might use the videos below with your students to get them set up for the year on the iPads, or grab a resource folder in Schoology that I created last year with back to school lessons and videos.
In Schoology, navigate to the FTIS Elementary EdTech GROUP >> Resources and send the "Back to School iPad Skills" Folder to your homeroom.
Once students are logged into Schoology, they will be able to work through the resources in the folder after some minor edits from you.
Folder Contents:
- In our Class We Page - have students watch the video whole class or independently, have students download the image and choose a tool to mark up the image in partners, then have a full class discussion about classroom expectations. Think about focusing the discussion on how we might take care of ourselves, take care of each other and take care of our stuff
- iOS 11 Tips and Tricks - encourage students who are new to the district to take a look at the videos on this page. Students who have been in the district might want to check it out too - there are some cool new features they might not know about
- iPad Basics Assessment - you will need to enable this so that students can take the assessment. I might suggest having a students mirror their iPad and take the assessment as a class. They will need to take this through the browser - not the app.
- Back to School Basics: Set up your Device for Success - You might do this as a class or assign it. This page contains videos that show students how to log into email, OneDrive and Microsoft. You could also edit this page to add directions to set up Google Drive and apps if you plan to use those.
- Everyone Can Create - this could be done independently - for this discussion students are encouraged to watch a video by Apple and then discuss what they like to do to create on the iPad
- Everyone Can Create: One Word Goal - this is an activity to help students get creating. Talk to students about goal setting and creating an intention for the year. Modify this to suit your needs, but the goal is to get students to create a visual that represents what they want to do this year. I have an attached example and some example words if you keep this as is.
Other things you might add:
- Consider adding a Media Album and challenge students to create a screencast tutorial of their favorite app
- Consider building a Microsoft or Google template with an introductory survey or information sheet to get kids practicing with using Microsoft/Google assignments
- Consider challenging students to try a new tool and discuss what they discovered
Set Up Microsoft Accounts.
Set up Email
FTIS Elementary EdTech
Email: heidi.neltner@fortthomas.kyschools.us
Website: http://ftisedtech.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @heidinelt