I.T. Monthly: January Issue

DEAR TEACHERS AND STAFF!!

Happy New Year! We hope that you have taken time over the Christmas holidays to relax and reflect. It is time to start the second half of the school year. May the New Year bring you peace, prosperity, and happiness.

Please read through this newsletter completely. Contact us with any tips, tricks, or suggestions to help improve our communication!

~I.T. Department

Lesson Plans & Activity Ideas

Lesson Plans

Dr. King's Dream

Students in grades K-2 learn about the life and work of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., listen to an excerpt from his “I Have a Dream” speech, and create picture books about freedom for Americans today.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Me: Identifying with a Hero
Students in grades K-2 learn about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr., record information on a KWL chart, and keep a journal of thoughts and ideas.

How Big Are Martin’s Big Words? Thinking Big about the Future
Students in grades 3-5 listen to a reading of Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and then analyze excerpts from King’s speeches for "big" words, words not necessarily as large in length as they are in importance: Freedom, Peace, Love.

Let Freedom Ring: The Life & Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Students in grades 3-5 view photographs of the March on Washington, read Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, and investigate how he used language from "My Country 'Tis of Thee" in his own speech.

Activities

Martin Luther King Jr. Interactive Timeline
After listening to a reading of A Picture Book of Martin Luther King Jr. by David A. Adler, students in grades 3-6 use sequencing skills to create a timeline of MLK’s life.

King Crossword
This printable crossword for elementary students includes an interactive version and an answer key.

More resources 6-12

WPCSD and MDE have partnered to offer teachers Imagine Math and Math Facts for grades 3rd through 8th! Imagine Math personalizes learning and engages students in a meaningful exploration of mathematical understanding. It is designed to help students learn essential math skills, explain their thinking, and apply their learning inside and outside the classroom.

Teacher & Student Logins

To get started, teachers and students will login with Clever. The apps are located on the district page.

The new year brings new initiatives and accomplishments, so we’ve put together an activity to help your students capitalize on the energy the season brings while working on their writing skills at the same time. Experts say we’re 42% more likely to accomplish our goals if we write them down*. This goal-setting activity will help students break their dreams down into action steps, making it easier for them to accomplish each task on the way to success!

Computer Science Spring Teacher Institute for Elementary Teachers

In this series of trainings of the Computer Science Teacher Institute, elementary educators will deconstruct the Mississippi College-and Career-Readiness Standards for Computer Science to better understand the skills that need to be taught at each grade level. Participants will also examine cross-curricular connections between computer science and other content areas, explore ways to integrate computer science instruction and practice coding skills.

Elementary teachers, assistant teachers, counselors, and librarians are encouraged to register by Jan. 24.

Trainings will be held on the following dates:

Session 1 – Webinar: Exploring the Standards
Jan. 31, 3:30 – 5 p.m., plus some asynchronous work to be completed before the next session
Session 2 – Webinar: Introducing Coding Skills with Code.org
Feb. 16, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m., plus completion of Code.org course work before the next session
Session 3 – In-person: Coding with Robots and Making Content Area Connections
Week of Feb. 27 (exact locations and dates TBD based on location of registrants), 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Session 4 – Webinar: Creating Computer Science Champions
April 25; 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.

It is recommended that participants attend ALL sessions. Participants that attend all webinars and the in-person session are eligible to receive 1.1 CEUs.

Please contact Melissa Banks, Director of Digital Learning and Elementary Computer Science, for more information.

FriedTechnology On-Demand Learning Opportunities

Upgrade your technology skills with these free asynchronous courses provided by friEdOnline for all Mississippi educators at NO COST!

Browse through the list of courses and register at https://www.friedonline.com/mscourses. Once enrolled, participants have 10 months to complete the course. Course completers will receive a Certificate of Completion and can apply for CEUs or SEMIs within 6 months of completing the course. For more information, please contact ms.help@fried.tech.