Embedded Files
In this issue:
In this issue:
- Classroom Culture
- Did you Know? Crosslisting in Canvas
- Blended Learning Best Practices: Culture
- Monthly checklist (videos you may need now)
- Culture-Building Ideas and Activities
- September Digital Citizenship Lesson
- Blended Learning Network
- Promethean Place
- BL Resources
- Culture Challenge: Chance to win!
Classroom Culture
Classroom Culture
If you've ever been to race, it's easy to see and feel that a culture has been created by those who attend. Tailgating starts early and fans gather to cookout, play games, and talk. When the race starts fans come together to celebrate the revving engines, the wave of the checkered flag, and the smell of burning rubber and fuel.
It's possible to create a similar classroom culture by intentionally providing opportunities for students to learn from and about each other. Digital tools can provide an online space for students to collaborate around grade-level concepts or team building activities. This newsletters is devoted to creating a joyful classroom culture, where students feel valued and accepted by all.
Did you know that if you have multiple Canvas courses for the same class you can combine them into one Canvas course? This process is call crosslisting and the instructions can be found HERE.
Blended Learning Best Practices: Culture
Blended Learning Best Practices: Culture
A positive classroom culture that is created to promote a collaborative environment is key as you begin the school year.
Here are a few things to consider as you look at building a positive classroom culture.
Monthly Checklist
Monthly Checklist
Consider...
Creating a Canvas Discussion: Create a discussion post for students to introduce themselves, share an experience (see page 7 on), or state some of their favorite things. Online discussions give a voice to students who may not be as comfortable sharing out verbally.
Making a copy of THIS GOOGLE SLIDE to help classmates learn about each other. Ask for volunteers to share which option they chose and why. Have students introduce themselves by creating an "All About Me" page like THIS one, using Microsoft Whiteboard (instructional video linked).
Have students create an avatar using Adobe Express that they feel represents them. Students can record their own audio for the avatar and the avatar will then say whatever the audio recorded.
Culture-Building Ideas/Activities
Culture-Building Ideas/Activities
Try one of these three relationship building activities: Concentric Circles Activity, Spider Web Activity, or All My People Who activity. These are great for all ages, especially middle and high school.
Try incorporating 1 of these 15 activities included in this toolkit for cultivating caring relationships at school. These are activities that promote staff and student connection.
Students can create an avatar using voki.com (click on the speaker icon to add text) to introduce themselves to their classmates. No student account required. *This is not a district-provided tool
Students can create a video in Canvas Discussions to introduce themselves or to tell about a favorite moment, event, or person in their lives.
Students can use this free instagram template, from Ditch that Textbook, to tell a story from their lives.
Have students collaborate around creating class rules or positive actions and behaviors that are needed to learn, using Microsoft Whiteboard
Monthly Digital Citizenship Lessons
The Responsible Use Course is taught to all students each year. It covers digital citizenship lessons about internet safety and privacy, appropriate use, and cyberbullying to satisfy the instructional requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act. The Responsible Use Course is not intended to be comprehensive digital citizenship instruction, nor should it constitute the only lessons students receive on this topic. For additional Digital Literacy lessons and resources, check out the Guilford is Cyber Safe website. Please ask your school library media coordinator for more information about how students at your school are taught the Responsible Use Course Lessons.
Blended Learning Network
We are seeking to build a network of professionals dedicated to learning, sharing, and building resources that guide blended learning practices throughout our district.
We are asking principals to nominate one staff member to take part in the network, different from those who were nominated last year (click HERE to view your Blended Learning Nominees from previous school years). They should be relatively comfortable utilizing technology consistently, want to learn more about blended learning practices, and are willing to assist and coach others within the school.
Participants can earn up to 1.0 general CEUs.
Please click HERE to nominate your representative by Friday, September 26th, 2025. *Nominating teachers does not commit them to participating. Nominees will be able to accept or decline the invite.
See what some of our BLN Participants said about this opportunity.
Promethean Place
Promethean Place
This new section will feature monthly Promethean Resources that teachers can use with their panels. Click HERE for a variety of Back-to-School wallpaper templates, including a customized template for each school that has been part of the Promethean Roll-out. Click HERE for instructions on how to change the wallpaper on your on your Promethean Board.
Resources
Resources
BL Resource Website: Visit our website for all things blended learning. Locate your blended learning specialist, find out about our virtual course offerings,
District-Provided Tools Database: Want to know what digital resources we have for you? Check out the district's Air Table. You can filter to find the information you need.
Resources Document for Best Practices: If you like the Blended Learning Look-for document but feel like you need to know more, please check out our resource page that directly aligns with each of the blended learning focus areas.
Digital Learning Resources Canvas Page: Need help with one of our GCS district-provided resources? Visit our digital learning resource page to find video tutorials and instructional guides on anything from Google to Canvas.
Culture Challenge
Culture Challenge
How do you promote a positive learning environment in your classroom?
Please submit a screenshot of one of the following to Amy Morris (morrisa8@gcsnc.com). Once you submit your screenshot, you will automatically be entered into a drawing for a prize.
Student work sample from your favorite application that you use to get to know your students at the beginning of the year.
Get to Know You Survey that you created in Microsoft or Google Forms to gather student likes/dislikes.
Microsoft Whiteboard used for promoting a positive culture and building relationships.
Canvas discussion board that focuses on building relationships.
A collaboration or team building activity that students have participated in.
Last Day to submit your Culture Challenge entry is Friday, September 26th.
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