Parent/Teacher Resources
"Empower all students to be socially responsible life-long learners in an ever changing world."
Chromebook Trouble Shooting Tips
Chromebook Troubleshooting Tips (3).pdfSORA-OverDrive-Instructions-Handout1.docxCommon Sense Media strikes again with some great helpful hints during this time!
Everyone can access the public library digital library with a library card!
Search for the WPLC Digital Library or download the free Libby or OverDrive app in the App Store or Google Play store, enter your library card barcode and get reading!
No library card? Check out your public library website as many libraries are offering digital library card forms!
Students and staff can experience Sora using a free collection of popular titles. See this link to sign up in the digital library: https://company.overdrive.com/k-12-schools/discover-sora/
Search for Sora or download the free Sora app in the App Store or Google Play store, find your school and get reading!
Many school districts are members of the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium, which uses the Sora app. Students from districts who are not members can still use Sora’s free trial collection if their district registers. See the attached list of participating school districts.
Link to National Online Safety
This website has lots of information about popular social media platforms and cleaning devices. A great parent/teacher resource!
Should I Worry About How Much Screen Time My Children are Getting Right Now?
Parents tend to think of screen use guidelines as a daily maximum amount that's acceptable. But if you look closely at popular recommendations, such as the ones from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the message—even before the coronavirus pandemic—is much more nuanced, and much less focused on time.
For a while now, media researchers have been advocating for a shift from screen quantity to content quality. If kids are engaged with high-quality content that stokes curiosity and fuels imagination, who's to say that should end when they've hit their screen limit? Research has also uncovered the importance of kids' experience with media, based on who uses media with kids (siblings? parents?), the purpose of the content (school? entertainment?), and who's talking with kids about what they're watching (Daniel Tiger and Tiger King both make for great mealtime conversation). In other words: Context matters, too.
Key to this nuance is understanding that all screens are not equal. We shouldn't act as though one hour of old DuckTales cartoons is the same as one hour of Zooming with a family member, or one hour of playing Fortnite with a friend, or one hour of drawing tutorials on YouTube. What a kid gets out of each is totally different, and satisfies different needs—and that's OK.
One of the things the current crisis has really brought home is how unbelievably social kids are, and want to be. In some ways, our adaptations to staying at home have made us use technology in ways that are great for children: in service of relationships. Kids may be watching more Netflix and playing more video games than usual. But they're also video-chatting more, playing games with schoolmates, and even enjoying online playdates. Though nothing will ever replace in-person interaction for children, using tech to strengthen relationships is more important than ever.
With that in mind, here are some recommendations when it comes to using screens during this time:
Don't feel guilty. We are living through a massive cultural shock. Families have enough stress to deal with, and counting screen minutes should be very low on the list of concerns for any of us.
Not all screens are created equal. Worried that the online classroom is adding to your kid's screen time? Don't be. Screen activities shouldn't be lumped together. Some are educational; some are just for fun. Some are high-quality; some are a guilty pleasure. What we do on screens and how we do it is more important than time spent.
Good content is key. Choose age-appropriate, high-quality media and tech for your kids. Use our reviews to find good content.
Get creative. Let kids use your phone to shoot photos and videos and then go to town with stickers, slo-mo, and other editing tools. Give them a prompt like, "Take ten pictures of something round, and then write a story connecting each thing." Have them make their own memes, record a song, choreograph a dance video—anything that gets them using screens to fulfill their imaginations.
Use tech to bond. Relationships are critical to kids' healthy development. Tech can and should help kids connect to friends and family, collaborate with each other, play, and share stories, pictures, and videos.
Talk about it. We're in a unique position where kids are likely using screens more, and we may have more opportunities to join them—or at least engage with them about what they're watching and playing. Ask questions about their favorite games, shows, and characters. Discuss ideas and issues they read about or learn about through a TV show or a game. This is an opportunity for learning about each other and sharing your values.
Balance still matters. We should aim for a balance throughout the week. So, more screens? Fine. But also find time to be outside, to be active (indoors or outdoors, with or without screens), eat well, and talk to friends and family (on the phone, on social media, or on video chat).
The time at home with kids presents an opportunity to bond with them, even over media. This is not the time to try to deprive kids of something they enjoy and something that research has shown to have positive effects when used appropriately. There's a ton of great high-quality content out there—let your kids use it, use it with them, and don't guilt yourself over something that can still be part of a healthy, balanced childhood—especially during these times of heightened stress.
I'd love to hear how your family is re-thinking screen time; drop us a line!
—
Mike Robb, Ph.D.
Senior director, research, father of two
Click the link above to get some help understanding Google Classroom from Common Sense Media
Book Opportunities
At Home with Emily Arrow: Every day this week, Emily is hosting a live storytime on her You Tube channel. We sing Emily’s songs often in our K & 1 library classes, so my students would be very happy to see her while they are away from school! If families can’t watch live, they can watch anytime at youtube.com/emilyarrow.
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems: Mo’s books are so popular at my school, I know my students would be thrilled to draw with him while they are at home! As the Kennedy Center Artist in Residence, Mo is reaching out through their website to offer this great opportunity for our students.
Ben Clanton (Narwhal & Jelly): Ben is doing two Facebook Live sessions this week on March 18 and 20.
Mac Barnett is reading one of his picture books every day at noon Pacific Time live on Instagram. I’ve heard him read some of his books before and he’s amazing! He’s got a great sense of humor and he really cares about kids and that comes through.
Dear Common Sense community,
Amid the COVID-19 anxiety, school shutdowns, work-from-home directives, and more, we at Common Sense have resources to help families and schools navigate this unpredictable time. As a parent and a teacher myself, I know it can feel overwhelming for families and teachers to adjust their plans on the fly.
Helping our communities choose media and tech that can keep kids engaged, entertained, and learning is core to our organizational mission. Whether you have kids at home or you need to develop plans to help kids learn outside the classroom, we think you'll find something useful below.
Media recommendations for entertainment
Hand-picked, age-appropriate media suggestions to keep the whole family engaged.
Common Sense Selections highlighting the best movies and TV shows
Resources for at-home learning
Tools to help parents and caregivers keep kids focused and learning at home.
Stress-management resources
When everything feels overwhelming, check out tips for taking in rapidly changing news.
De-stress together with meditation apps for kids and families.
Get the blood flowing and elevate the mood with these 25 dance games (you might need to buy a special control from Amazon).
Apps, websites, and video games that inspire running, jumping, and more to stay active.
Don’t forget to enjoy a device-free dinner or two.
You can always visit commonsensemedia.org or commonsense.org/education for more resources and support.
Take care,
Jim Steyer
March Book Madness
Students were "picking" the Book "winners" for March Madness and finding the match to the Biography broken hearts.
Read Across America Toilet Paper Character
Students in the elementary were challenged to create a favorite book character from a toilet paper roll in conjunction with Read Across America Week. We had an overwhelming response with 36 entries. Check out these clever creations along with the winning ones as voted on by their peers!