Gifted News & Notes
Special Edition: Preparing for Online Learning
November 16, 2020
News & Notes for returning to PVConnect:
Suggestions for this week:
- Plan for mid-year MIMICS - see below.
- Plan for mid-year assessments - please see checklists below.
- Update Chromes - Ensure your student's devices are up to date and the cache is cleared. Here is a SmartCard with instructions on both.
From Sam Doyle (IT)
Staff Devices and Equipment:
All staff should have a device checked out to them in Follett, should they need to pivot and work from home.
The monitor setups that were given to teachers should not go home due to the risk of damage.
If any equipment (doc camera, speaker, computer, etc.) is taken home with the teacher, it needs to be checked out to them in Follett so it can be tracked.
Staff Support:
When we pivot to PVConnect, we are asking that staff members continue to put in a ticket and we will provide three methods of support:
Virtually through WebEx (ticket must be submitted prior to joining)
Making appointments to meet the staff member at their site (ticket must be submitted prior to making this arrangement)
Using a sign-up, staff members can come to the TOC to meet with a tech (ticket must be submitted prior to making an appointment)
Mid-Year MIMICS are open.
The MIMIC window for grades 3-8 open today.
The MIMIC window is open 11/16/20 through 12/11/20.
Here are the updated checklists:
November Cluster Chat with Emily
Tuesday, November 17, 2020 - 3:30 p.m.
Pop into my monthly Q&A Google Meet! Pop in anytime between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.
This event is open to gifted staff.
Google Meet Link: https://meet.google.com/lookup/esdxh5c2sn
Hello? Bueller? Bueller?
Here are a couple of ideas to increase student participation during online instruction:
Read this:
Strategies to encourage students to turn their cameras on.
➡️ Check out this teacher on Twitter ➡️
She's trending with her new technique to motivate online participation. Please share photos if you try this strategy!
Planning Ahead: Computer Science Week
The Hour of Code is December 7-13, 2020. At the site below, 115 brand-new tutorials and lesson plans are available. Many activities were created with remote learning in mind to support the various classroom models taking place during this time.
Introducing CodeBytes:
New mini-lessons for virtual classrooms
We hope everyone can join us this year for CodeBytes, our brand new series of easy-to-digest, 20-minute interactive lessons that will stream twice daily during Computer Science Education Week, Monday through Friday, December 7-11. If you’re planning for a classroom that’s gone fully virtual, CodeBytes are designed to fit smoothly into a distance learning plan. Episodes are tailored to different grade levels.
Students can explore the oceans with SciGirls, learn to code and meditate with CodeSpeak Labs, build a climate clock with Vidcode, or try out another of the 30+ new #CSforGood themed activities and lesson plans! See them all at hourofcode.com/learn.
No computer? No problem.
Unplugged resources for students
Every student deserves to learn computer science regardless of what technology they have at home. A number of engaging new unplugged options from our partners at Google, Kodable, iRobot, and elsewhere are available to learners with low or no connectivity or limited device access. We’ve also created a printable Hour of Code Unplugged Activity Packet for ages 4-18. Please include these resources in your next communication with parents and caretakers so that your students can still join this global event. - Hadi Partovi, Founder, Code.org
Tech Tutor:
In part one of this podcast series, explore how Google tools can help us create Dynamic Blended Learning experiences. It’s not about Google, y’all! It’s about the learning. - Kasey Bell
in Your Virtual Classroom
Finding out what your students are really learning remains indispensable to teaching. Here’s what teachers are doing to check for understanding online.
Read more here: https://www.edutopia.org/article/7-ways-do-formative-assessments-your-virtual-classroom
Need anything?
Please email me: ewarner@pvschools.net. I am happy to provide curriculum resources, answer questions, or just hear about your latest discoveries & victories!