Welcome to Lexington Two!

Google Classroom

This is the LMS we use with our students.  Click here to access a Google Classroom cheat sheet for teachers created by Kasey Bell.  Also, click here for the cheat sheet she created for students that will help you see how students use Google Classroom.  I encourage you to check out her blog and podcast.  She has lots of Google help pages and articles.  She also offers online classes for a fee.  Click here for Google's course on how to use Google Classroom and engage your students.

Google Docs

This is Google's Word document program.  Click here to access the Custom Guides free training for Google Docs.  You don't need an account to access...it should be totally free.  It has a series of short, one-skill videos that walk you through how to use Google Docs.

Google Slides

This is Google's PowerPoint  or presentation program.  Click here to access the Custom Guides free training for Google Slides.  Same as before...this should be totally free and not require an account.  Notice that they have PDF guides for these programs as well if you learn better that way or just want the guide as well.  Here is a link to the Ditch That Textbook Slides resources.

Google Sheets

This is Google's spreadsheet program like Excel.  This one has the highest learning curve (typically).  Just remember that it has been simplified for students so the more advanced features are kind of hidden.  Click here to access a beginning sheets training video.  If you need to get more out of sheets, here is a complete Google Sheets course from YouTube (3 hours long!).  Someone has posted the time stamps in the comments so you can jump to the feature you are interested in.  Also, here is the Ditch That Textbook 10 Sheets Tricks page.

Google Forms

This is Google's survey and quiz creation program.  Click here for a training video for Google Forms.  Google Forms can do so much more than just quizzing.  Click here to access a Google Slide presentation outlining how to create branched Google Forms for self-directed learning and choose your own adventures.  This is an older resources...things may look different in Forms, but the concepts are the same.  Also, here is a link to the Ditch That Textbook Google Forms resources.

Google Drawing

This is a drawing program that allows you and your students to create original designs or manipulatives.  Click here to access a training session video on using Google Drawing.  Also, here are 25 Google Drawing organizers from Ditch That Textbook as well as a Google Drawing guide also on the site.

Drive-Gmail-Calendar

Drive is the file management system for Google (works much like windows file manager).  You are able to share, organize, and collaborate on documents.  Click here to access Kasey Bell's guide to Google Drive.  And here is her guide to sharing in Google Drive.  Obviously Gmail is the email program, and you may have a personal Gmail account.  Click here for a quick reference guide to Gmail.  Google Calendar is the calendar program, and we have a quick reference guide for Calendar here.  Finally, this general Google Sharing graphic may be helpful as an overview if you are new to Google.

BrainPop and BrainPop Jr. (with SEL support module) (available through the 25-26 school year, but will not be renewed)

The district has purchased pro licenses to these programs.  You will access these programs through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here for an overview of BrainPop.

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is used by our elementary schools.  Our front office and admin uses it for parent outreach and communication, and classroom teachers use it for behavior management and classroom organization.  Here is a recording of a training session on Class Dojo from a few years ago, but it will familiarize you with the main features of the program.

Gizmos Math & Science (Explore Learning) (grades 3-5)

Gizmos provides access to interactive math and science simulations.  The district has purchased pro licenses for Gizmos, and you will access this program through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here to view the YouTube playlist of introductory videos created by Explore Learning.

Kami (available through the 25-26 school year, but will not be renewed)

This is the program we use to allow teachers and students to edit and augment PDF files.  The district has purchased pro licenses for all teachers and students.  Kami is a Chrome extension that will need to be added to your Chrome browser (not accessed through Clever).  It should be automatically installed on student chromebooks.  For K-2 teachers, this will not be available on iPads.  Here is an online tutorial from YouTube on using Kami in the classroom.

Learning A-Z (includes Raz+ and ELL support)

This program provides literacy and lesson resources for teachers as they help students with reading .  You will access this program through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here to access the playlist of product overviews created by Learning A-Z on YouTube.  Note that we have purchased most of the modules listed, but there may be a few that we have not purchased.

Mastery Manager

This program allows teachers to set up standards-aligned assessments that can be given in person or online.  You will have access to Mastery Manager training once the school year begins.

Newsela (ELA, Science, & Social Studies with ESOL support)

The district has purchased all modules in the Newsela platform (ELA, Science, and Social Studies) and has included the amazing ESOL support, providing articles and materials in multiple languages (including read-aloud features!).  You access Newsela through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here to access the Newsela playlist on YouTube with overviews of each module.  Be sure to search through their entire YouTube channel to access additional videos.  They also have an extensive teacher training platform that you can access from within Newsela once you have your district login and can access Clever.

Pear Deck (grades 3-5) (available through the 25-26 school year, but will not be renewed)

Pear Deck is a Chrome extension on your Chrome browser that allows you to create interactive Google Slide presentations for your students.  The district has purchased pro licenses for teachers and students.  You will need to add this extension to your Chrome browser, but it should be automatically added to student chromebooks.  Click here to access Pear Deck's training video playlist on YouTube.  This is a list of short, single-skill videos that will help you get the most out of Pear Deck.

Wayground (formerly Quizizz) (available through the 25-26 school year, but may not be renewed)

This is a gaming program.  The district has purchased pro licenses for this program, and you access it through the Clever single sign-on.  You can run live games in your classroom with single students or groups, or you can create study or homework games that can be played by students on their own.  Click here for an introductory video on using Quizizz.

Screencastify

Screencastify is a Chrome browser extension that the district has purchased for all teachers and all students in grades 3-5 (it does not work on an iPad, but K-2 students can create videos on SeeSaw).  This allows you to make high quality instructional videos for your students and also allows them to create videos as part of their classroom activities.  Click here to get their new Ultimate Guide to Student Engagement!  You can click here to access their Welcome playlist on YouTube.

SeeSaw (K-2 classrooms)

SeeSaw is the learning management system (LMS) used by our K-2 classroom.  The district has purchased pro licenses and has integrated classroom setup through our PowerSchool system.  Click here to get to a training session video that was done two years ago.  Note that some of the features or classroom setup steps discussed here may have been upgraded, but it will familiarize you with the main features and functions of the program.  The session is led by Dr. Wolfe, but Mary Brooks, Director of Parenting and Early Childhood Coordinator, is also on this session and offers lots of helpful advice in using SeeSaw with littles.

Gizmos Math & Science (Explore Learning)

Gizmos provides access to interactive math and science simulations.  The district has purchased pro licenses for Gizmos, and you will access this program through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here to view the YouTube playlist of introductory videos created by Explore Learning.

Kami (available through the 25-26 school year, but will not be renewed)

This is the program we use to allow teachers and students to edit and augment PDF files.  The district has purchased pro licenses for all teachers and students.  Kami is a Chrome extension that will need to be added to your Chrome browser (not accessed through Clever).  It should be automatically installed on student chromebooks.  For K-2 teachers, this will not be available on iPads.  Here is an online tutorial from YouTube on using Kami in the classroom.

Mastery Manager

This program allows teachers to set up standards-aligned assessments that can be given in person or online.  You will have access to Mastery Manager training once the school year begins.

Newsela (ELA, Science, & Social Studies with ESOL support)

The district has purchased all modules in the Newsela platform (ELA, Science, and Social Studies) and has included the amazing ESOL support, providing articles and materials in multiple languages (including read-aloud features!).  You access Newsela through the Clever single sign-on portal.  Click here to access the Newsela playlist on YouTube with overviews of each module.  Be sure to search through their entire YouTube channel to access additional videos.  They also have an extensive teacher training platform that you can access from within Newsela once you have your district login and can access Clever.

Pear Deck (available through the 25-26 school year, but will not be renewed)

Pear Deck is a Chrome extension on your Chrome browser that allows you to create interactive Google Slide presentations for your students.  This has not been purchased by the district, but some schools have purchased on their own.  The free version is fully functional and usable in the classroom.  You will need to add this extension to your Chrome browser, but it should be automatically added to student chromebooks.  Click here to access Pear Deck's training video playlist on YouTube.  This is a list of short, single-skill videos that will help you get the most out of Pear Deck.

Wayground (formerly Quizizz) (available through the 25-26 school year, but may not be renewed)

This is a gaming program.  The district has purchased pro licenses for this program, and you access it through the Clever single sign-on.  You can run live games in your classroom with single students or groups, or you can create study or homework games that can be played by students on their own.  Click here for an introductory video on using Quizizz.

Screencastify

Screencastify is a Chrome browser extension that the district has purchased for all teachers and all students in grades 3-12.  This allows you to make high quality instructional videos for your students and also allows them to create videos as part of their classroom activities.  Click here to get their new Ultimate Guide to Student Engagement!  You can click here to access their Welcome playlist on YouTube.

The process for requesting software for student use is currently under review.

Your instructional technology coach is part of the Instruction Division and stands ready to help you integrate technology into your classroom activities.  I can help you plan, find resources, co-teach, or go through coaching cycles to address a particular instructional area.  Feel free to contact me at L2TechCoach@lex2.org or request coaching help through our Google Form.

The Computer Services department are part of the Student Services Division.  They have computer technicians who serve each school as well as a network manager and senior technicians.  Michael Houser is the director of Computer Services.

Click here to access our PDF slides explaining the Triple E Framework and how to use it to evaluate the technology you choose for your classroom activities.  Click here to visit the Triple E Framework homepage.  This is the framework we use in Lexington Two to help you evaluate the effectiveness of the classroom technology used.