I.T. Monthly: March Issue

DEAR TEACHERS AND STAFF!!

BrightBytes spring technology survey is coming up soon. MDE requires teachers, students, and parents to complete and submit the survey. Please be on the look out for the link!

Spring Break is almost here!! Have a most relaxing and rejuvenating break. You have all EARNED IT! In March's edition, we are celebrating National Reading Month!! We have included some fun book report/author study templates and Newsela's March Madness activities to explore tons of novels and book studies to get your students reading!

We have also included helpful articles, instructions and videos for various district resources such as Zoom, Canvas, and Kami. If you are in need of CEUs, we have that covered too!!

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

~I.T. Department

Book Report Template

Teachers,

Want a fun way to help your students communicate what they love (and don't love) about their independent reading?

Here's a template for a book report and/or author study, plus a couple of additional resources for creative book reports.

📚 Here's to happy readers!

MAAP Math Questions INSIDE PAPER Math Missions!

Paper is 🎊 THRILLED 🎊 to announce students NOW have access to MAAP Math Practice Test questions for 3rd grade - Algebra 1 within their Paper dashboard! The first batch of questions includes several items from each grade level that features math questions directly from the MAAP practice test bank provided by MDE. This is an EXCELLENT idea for ALL 3rd -8th grade + Algebra 1 students to complete. Be on the lookout for new questions to be added throughout test prep season!

Students should head over to the Paper Missions section of the student dashboard to find a category of state-standardized test questions. They can answer each one to get as much practice as they can before state testing begins!

Imagine Learning Teacher's Lounge

Check out Imagine Learning Teacher's Lounge for some excellent resources, free downloads, and some pre-recorded PD webinars. Click here to get started!

ATTENTION QUARTER CANVAS TEACHERS!

Teachers who have a Fourth nine week Canvas course, your course(s) will sync to your dashboard on March 6th.

Please make preparations to set up your new course(s). Please ensure that it has a homepage, modules are set up and the course is PUBLISHED, so that students will be able to see it on their Canvas dashboard on Monday, March 20th.

Your 3rd quarter course will remain visible to students until March 24th. Teachers will have access to all their courses until March 24th at 11:59 pm.

How to Update Zoom Desktop Client

Just like your Surface Pro, your Zoom app needs to be updated. Remember, updates are crucial to keep devices running properly and protect them from security issues. Check for updates twice per month…PLEASE!

March Madness Classroom Activities with Kami

Although March Madness is a basketball competition, there are plenty of ways to incorporate March Madness activities into non-sports related activities in your classroom at any grade level.

Click Here to read about some ways to slam-dunk March Madness into your different curriculum areas when you are creating your lesson plans for March and April.

Junior Auxiliary of West Point is now accepting Scholarship Applications!

Scholarships are awarded based upon the applicant's qualifications. As a service organization, we especially encourage those students who have demonstrated active involved in community service through school, church, or other service-oriented groups to apply. Students with career goals in serviced-oriented areas for children will be given special consideration. We will review the applications with sensitivity to need and academic achievement. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Scholarship Chair Laura Williamson at Laura.b.seitz@gmail.com

MDE Imagine Math State Training

MDE Imagine Math State Training (Using Data to Inform - M.E.A.L.S -Standards mastery Prep) February 7, 2023 at 9:00 am. If you can attend this session live, you will receive a certificate that can be used towards CEU’s. If you cannot attend live but still register, you will receive the recording.

Click here to register.

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.