ReadWorks (Student Library)

ReadWorks has recently added a Student Library to their site. Up until now students didn’t have a “free read” option in ReadWorks. They could only read what was assigned by the teacher. With the “student library” enabled children can now choose from thousands of nonfiction and fiction reading passages. There are no questions or assessments, although there is an area for reflection if teachers need student accountability. Click HERE for more information.

Newsela (Sync with Classlink)

Classes in Newsela are now syncing via Classlink. If you need to update your classes or archive any old ones, the video to the right can help you do so. This video was provided by iLearning Coordinator John Sullivan.

Virtual PD

How does virtual PD work? It starts with a trainer creating an interactive presentation for the month. Teachers have to complete questions, share out via websites like Flipgrid and reflect using tools like Padlet. It gives teachers some flexibility in when and how they complete their PD.

Click here to get your own copy of the virtual PD HyperDoc to try.

Google Animations

Students can easily create an animation of their learning with Google Slides. The general gist is that students create a slide. Then duplicate it and move something. Then duplicate that new slide and move something. Over and over and over again. When you're done, you'll flip through the slides quickly and it'll look like your creation is in motion! Click HERE to see a student's Water Cycle animation.

Google Classroom and Kami

Kami allows you to attach a PDF, Word File, PowerPoint, or even Google Files and send it to student to annotate material digitally. Kami will make a copy for each student. Since BCSD students also already have the Kami extension, they’ll see an “Open with Kami” button when they open the document. They click and open and complete using text or drawing… or if you want to get fancy, voice and video comments. They even get a turn in button right on the Kami document. Teachers will need to install the chrome app in order to use.

Paperless Morning Routines

Morning work is an easy way to go paperless in the classroom. Rotate various activities Monday - Friday and post the routine so students will know what to do and where to go.

If five days is too much consider implementing paperless strategies twice a week with a Tech Tuesday /Thursday.

Adobe Spark

Spark can be used to make posts, videos and sites. The posts are basically visuals of all types. Sites can be used to create websites or visual presentations. All three types of projects you can make are very simple to create yet also fairly customizable. The posts and videos can be shared by link or downloaded. You can even add collaborators on your projects. Link to Estee's Spark Site she made about Adobe Spark.

Book Creator for Chrome

Book creator is a simple way to make and publish ebooks. The site allows the teacher to create a library which can hold up to 40 books that your students make under the free version. Once you have reached your 40 book max you can archive the shelf and get another 40 books to work with. The best part of archiving a shelf is that any published book links remain active, you simply can’t edit them anymore. If you teach multiple classes that would exceed the 40 book max you can create several accounts using different emails as a work around.

Virtual SCPD

Winter registration will run from the week of November 6, 2019 to December 11, 2019 at 4:00pm. Website Link. Read to Succeed Information.

Courses will begin on January 13, 2020 and end on March 1, 2020.