Digital Learning Hub - Practice How We Play

What is "Practice How We Play"?

Practice How We Play is Birdville ISD’s district-wide initiative to build a culture of digital fluency, academic readiness, and future-ready confidence. Just like athletes, performers, and competitors prepare through meaningful practice, students strengthen their minds and digital muscles each day as they read, write, create, and problem-solve using technology. By weaving purposeful digital experiences into everyday learning—typing, navigating online tools, and creating with confidence—students develop the skills and stamina to thrive on assessments and beyond. When students “practice how they play,” they’re not just preparing for tests—they’re preparing for life.

Practice How We Play.mp4

Check out the vision, goals, and implementation plan for Birdville ISD's Practice How We Play.

Our Key Plays

Each edition of Practice How We Play spotlights a Key Play—a focused area of digital fluency designed to help students build confidence using technology in authentic ways. Each Key Play offers practical ideas, classroom-ready strategies, and simple ways to embed digital skill practice into daily instruction. Campus staff can use these activities to give students meaningful opportunities to strengthen essential online skills while engaging with content.

Future editions will highlight additional key plays such as:

Accessibility & Digital Communication – Using tools and strategies that help all learners participate and create.
Interactive Questioning & Composing – Practicing drag-and-drop, highlighting, and digital writing strategies.
Reflection & Mastery – Building confidence through review, creation, and digital showcase projects.

Key Play #3 - Interactive Questioning Types & Accessibility

The Game Plan

For students to utilize designiated supports like text to speech, speech to text, dyslexia rulers, and other accessibility features, it's vital that they use them daily in class so that their use becomes routine and not something they do only on test day. Tools like Immersive Reader, ChromeVox, and Helperbird provide access they need to be confident using these supports.

Online tests ask students to display their understanding in a wide variety of ways that go beyond simple multiple choice or fill in the blank. Many tests require students to read a passage or analyze a model, table or diagram. Afterward, they may have to answer multiple questions about that stimulus. Practicing analyzing a stimulus for multiple views gives them a deeper understanding of the question. Canvas quizzes, Aware Resources, and even Google Form sections give students the opportunity to analyze a stimulus as a part of everyday instruction.

Game Day Moves

If students need the supports of accessibility tools, regular practice is needed for them to feel confident.

Review and practice with students which tools they can use and how to use them
Encourage them to use their tools for success

Question types beyond multiple choice require students to analyze the question and determine not only what the question is asking, but also how to show the answer in different ways. Regularly interacting with these question types will help students feel confident and be successful.

Identify DCA and test questions that require interactive responses or constructed answers, then weave those formats into daily instruction.
Rotate question types so students are ready for any format. This helps you see whether gaps are in content understanding or in how the question is presented.
Keep practice short, frequent, and meaningful. Warm-ups and exit tickets work well for quick data points.

Drills for Success!

Text to Speech Drills📖➡️🗣️

Helperbird Reading Mode and Immersive Reader: supports students with text needing to be read aloud. Helperbird is an extension that all students and staff have and is located in the upper right corner of the chrome browser
Chromebook ChromeVox: is built in to all chromebooks under the accessibility settings and can read aloud text across multiple sites and programs
Chromebook Select to Speak: Similar to the ChromeVox tool, but this tool allows students to select what they would like read aloud instead of having everything read aloud. It is also located under Accessibility in the settings on the chromebook

Speech to Text Drills 🗣️➡️📝

Chromebook Dictation Tool: The chromebook has it's own built in speech to text tool called dictation that students can use across platforms and sites to be able to have text come from what they speak.
Google Docs Voice Typing: Under the tools in Google Docs, students can use the Voice Typing Tool to help them write within Google Docs.

Content Language Support Drills

These have been added to content area DCAs, encourage students who have this accommodation to use them

Color Overlay Drills

Helperbird Color Overlays: Are available to use in the Helperbird extension and can be used by students who need this support and will provide an overlay over the webpage students are on. Red is the default, but it can be customized to different colors

Dyslexia Ruler Drills

Helperbird has a Dyslexia ruler students can use across various websites and programs

Inline Choice Drills

Canvas Quizzes: Use the Fill-in-the-blank question type to create drop down questions. Remember that a question can include multiple drop-downs so that students demonstrate how each part of the answer is related to the next.
Aware Inline Choice: Aware's Inline choice includes multiple drop-downs and the ability to insert equations into the drop-downs for math students.
Canva Code: Use a prompt such as "Create an activity for students in ____ grade learning about _____ to practice answering questions using inline choice questions." You can also copy/paste specific questions or a set of notes and Canva Code can generate the questions from your resources. After testing to ensure the question accuracy, press Publish to get a link you can share with students.

Multi Part Drills

Canvas Quiz Stimulus: A reading passage, diagram, table, or map with attached questions.
Aware Resources: Upload and attach a resource like a formula chart, reading passage, or map and attach a series of questions.
Google Form Sections: Split a Google Form into sections and use a text block or image to provide an easy way for students to answer questions about the stimulus.

Match Table Grid Drills

Aware Match Table Grid: Create a match table grid where students sort answer choices into different columns
Canvas Quizzes: Though not identical in appearance, categorization questions require students to sort information to demonstrate their understanding the same way that a Match Table Grid Question does.
Google Forms Multiple Choice Grid: Place answer choices on the rows and the categories in the columns to create a match table grid question in Google Forms

Extra Support

Want more information about Interactive Question Types using Canvas Quizzes? Check out our 30 N 30 over Canvas Quizzes and receive Flex Credit!
Take existing multiple choice questions and convert them into interactive question types. For example:
- (Multiple Choice Version) Which event was the primary reason the United States entered World War II?
  - A. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles
  - B. The attack on Pearl Harbor
  - C. The invasion of Poland
  - D. The Battle of Stalingrad
- (Match Table Grid Version) For each event listed, select whether it directly caused, indirectly influenced, or did not cause the United States to enter World War II.
  - Event Direct Cause Indirect Influence Not a Cause
  - Attack on Pearl Harbor ⬜ ⬜ ⬜
  - Lend-Lease Act ⬜ ⬜ ⬜
  - Invasion of Poland ⬜ ⬜ ⬜
  - Treaty of Versailles ⬜ ⬜ ⬜
- (Inline Choice Versions)
  - The event that directly caused the United States to enter World War II was [Attack on Pearl Harbor / Lend-Lease Act / Invasion of Poland].
  - The Lend-Lease Act is best described as [a direct cause / an indirect influence / unrelated to U.S. entry] because it involved providing aid before formal involvement.
  - The Invasion of Poland is considered [a direct cause / an indirect influence / not a cause] of U.S. entry since it primarily affected European nations.

Key Play #2 - Speaking Practice & Interactive Questioning Types

The Game Plan

Online assessments like TELPAS, STAAR, and AP exams don't just ask students to type. They ask students to explain, identify, and manipulate information on the screen. In the case of TELPAS as well as some AP exams, students also have to be comfortable speaking and recording responses. Hot Spot, drag-and-drop, and speaking questions require both content knowledge and comfort with the tool mechanics.

Short, routine exposure and opportunities to practice these types of responses builds confidence. Students learn how to pace their voice, record when needed, click with precision, and manipulate information accurately. These skills reduce cognitive load on test day and keep the focus on thinking, not on how to use the test's tools.

Game Day Moves

Build these plays into regular instruction so students use critical thinking skills in familiar formats.

Embed speaking and interactive responses into everyday routines. The first time students see a hot spot or drag-and-drop should never be on test day!
Identify DCA and test questions that require interactive responses or constructed answers, then weave those formats into daily instruction.
Rotate question types so students are ready for any format. This helps you see whether gaps are in content understanding or in how the question is presented.
Keep practice short, frequent, and meaningful. Warm-ups and exit tickets work well for quick data points.
Celebrate progress. Use simple trackers to show growth and build confidence.

Drills for Success!

Speaking Drills

Use the tools below to help students practice their speaking skills. They can verbally respond to questions, share their thinking, explain a concept, respond to peers, etc.

Canvas Media Recording (K-12): Use this tool in a regular assignment to get your students speaking. They also have it available in Canvas discussions to be able to verbally reply to peers
Canva (K-12): Have students record their presentation using Canva's video record tool, they could also create a video recording their thinking, or talking through a concept. You can have them type on one slide, and then record on that same slide what they wrote. You can also connect Canva with Canvas to guide students in their recording while still using Canvas to assign your assignments.
Snorkl (K-12): Use this tool for students to be able to respond a question in a variety of ways including verbally!
Seesaw Voice Tool Frame (PreK-2)- Use the Frame tool to help guide students to do a verbal response for exit tickets, reflection questions, share their thinking and more!
Lumio (PreK- 5): Students now have the ability to record themselves on a student workpage in Lumio! Now they can verbally answer questions or explain their thinking.

Hot Spot Drills

Upload images, tables, or reading passages that students select one or more location, feature, or evidence by clicking directly on the image.

Drag and Drop Drills

Students move words, numbers, or symbols into the correct position of a sentence or under a category. These questions check understanding of relationships, sequencing, and classification.

Seesaw (PreK-2): Any text or image you add to a seesaw activity can be moved around, but you can also use the Drag and Drop question type in the Assessment tool to help support students with this question type.
Lumio (PreK-5): Use the interactive activities like Fill in the Blank, Rank Order, Super Sort, and Match 'Em Up to practice dragging and dropping.
Canvas (K-12)
Aware (K-12)
Canva Code (K-12) - Describe the activity you want to build and then refine using the AI chat. When finished, click Publish to create a link you can share with students.

SCR/ECR Reminders

Constructed responses require clear thinking and efficient writing. Frequent digital practice builds stamina and prepares students to respond confidently on assessments.

Speaking Strategies:

Have students plan what they are going to speak about before they start recording by writing down their thoughts. They can read what they planned. Remember: for TELPAS, students can have points deducted for pausing or saying "um".
Plan activities that include writing and speaking as responses about a topic, story, a picture, etc. Be sure to include all the content areas
Have students review their speaking video and listen to it to reflect on how they did. They can use THIS CHECKLIST to make sure their response is fully complete. Teachers can use this as a simple rubric to grade.
Display a picture/vocabulary card and have students describe what they see, and discuss. Remember on TELPAS that students will answer questions about a picture.

Discourse

It is important for students to have discourse in class in order to grow their vocabulary and become comfortable with speaking about any content or topic. Below are some strategies and reminders to help encourage student discourse.

Sentence Stem Bank: Having sentence stems available for students to help them when having discourse or writing is key!
QSSSA: This is a great strategy to get students talking that can be done without technology or can include it!

Templates

Key Play #1 - Incorporating Typing Through Digital Writing

The Game Plan

Just like athletes build muscle memory through daily drills, our students strengthen their skills through consistent typing practice. In the elementary grades especially, typing is a key part of digital fluency—it builds the foundation for success in digital writing, online assessments, and communication.

Even a few minutes of purposeful typing each day helps students improve accuracy, speed, and focus. More importantly, it prepares them to express ideas confidently in the digital world.

Typing and digital writing empower students to communicate as Empowered Learners, act as Responsible Citizens, and grow as Global Competitors and Entrepreneurs. To build these habits, teachers can incorporate frequent, structured opportunities for typing and digital composition into authentic classroom routines—like reflections, quick writes, or responses in Canvas, Lumio, or Peardeck. Each keystroke moves students closer to becoming confident, capable digital communicators.

Game Day Moves

Practice these plays in the classroom—and across campus—to have students ready to score! Typing practice is a district-wide priority and a key focus for elementary campuses. Every student should have regular, meaningful opportunities to type, write, and create digitally.

Embed typing into everyday routines. Use warm-ups that include short typing prompts or quick reflections.
Replace paper-based quick writes with digital entries using Canvas, Peardeck, or Lumio.
Model and reinforce proper keyboarding strategies—home row, shortcuts, posture, and accuracy.
Assign exit tickets, ECRs, or SCRs digitally to build fluency and stamina.
Provide campus-wide typing opportunities—library lessons, computer lab rotations, classroom centers, or before/after school practice.
Celebrate progress! Track growth with class leaderboards or goal charts to keep motivation high.

Drills for Success!

Teacher Led:

Canvas Text Entry Assignments (K-12) - Text entry assignment are great ways to collect exit tickets, quick writes, and warm ups.
Canvas Google Assignments (K-12) - Google Docs or Slides provide a structured place to plan and write.
Pear Deck Short Answer (6-12) - Pear Deck Short Answer activities allow for quick collection, review, and peer discussions.
Lumio Shout-it-Out Activities (K-5)- Use this for exit tickets, quick writes, and warm ups
Seesaw Text Tool Frame (PreK-2)- Use the Frame tool to help guide students to do a text response for exit tickets, quick writes, and warm ups.

Student Owned:

Typing Practice: typing.com, typetastic.com
Digital Journal: Use Canva, Google Docs/Slides
Write a Story: Use Canva, Google Docs/Slides

Templates:

Classroom Scores

Use the Typing Champion leaderboard to encourage and gamify typing practice in your classroom! Click to edit and print the template file then update as students practice typing. We recommend a 1-3 minute typing test on a site like typing.com or typtastic.com and requiring an accuracy score of at least 95%!

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