Embedded Files
Supporting professional learning on balanced instructional practices, intentional classroom management, and effective lesson design.
Intentional Technology Usage in PGCPS
Intentional Technology Usage in PGCPS
Technology integration in PGCPS is defined by the quality and intentionality of student engagement. While we remain mindful of the time students spend on screens, our focus is on leveraging digital tools' ability to amplify critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration as well as enhance the student learning experience
Practical Guidance for Classrooms
Classroom Strategies & Tools
Supporting Balanced Instruction
Unstructured Ideas & Digital Citizenship
Balanced Instructional Practices
Balanced Instructional Practices
Devices in students hands can transform your classroom to allow for creativity and student innovation, but it is important to consider your instructional practices to make sure you provide balance between online and offline content to maintain digital wellness for students.
Balanced VS. UnBalanced Practices
during instructional time
Balanced VS. UnBalanced Practices
during instructional time
Practical guidance for daily classroom instruction
✅ Practices to Consider
✅ Practices to Consider
🛑 Practices to Avoid
🛑 Practices to Avoid
✅ Whole Group Instruction
Establishes clear routines/signals for when screens are open vs. closed. Combines live direct modeling and think-alouds with interactive presentation tools.
🛑 Whole Group Instruction
Loading all lesson content onto Canvas or digital platforms without providing live, direct teacher instruction and real-time modeling.
✅ Independent Practice
Combines digital practice with physical notebooks, paper problem-solving, physical book reading, or hands-on creative work.
🛑 Independent Practice
Relying exclusively on digital worksheets or using devices as default "time-fillers" for early finishers without meaningful learning goals.
✅ Small Group Instruction
Facilitates direct teacher-led small groups while other rotations engage in targeted offline, hands-on, or collaborative peer tasks.
🛑 Small Group Instruction
Placing all students on adaptive learning software continuously during small group rotations with minimal face-to-face teacher interaction.
✅ Discourse & Feedback
Blends live verbal peer discussion with digital collaboration boards (e.g., shared whiteboards, online discussion prompts).
🛑 Discourse & Feedback
Replacing face-to-face academic discussions entirely with text-based chats or independent screen tasks.
Classroom Considerations for Teachers
Classroom Considerations for Teachers
To get started with balanced instruction, you must first design a safe learning environment with clear structures and routines in place.
🍎 Classroom Setup & Daily Routines
🍎 Classroom Setup & Daily Routines
Physical Space & Sightlines: Designate clear charging hubs, flexible seating arrangements with visible screens for monitoring, and quiet recording corners.
Clear Screen Signals: Establish consistent non-verbal routines (e.g., "screens flat," "45-degree lid") during direct instruction or peer discussion.
Student Tech Helpers: Empower student helpers to manage device distribution, power cords, and initial troubleshooting.
📋 Lesson Planning Support
📋 Lesson Planning Support
Backward Design
Identify standard outcomes and direct instruction models first. Select digital tools only when they explicitly elevate standard mastery.
Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe
PIC-RAT Framework
Evaluate whether student/teacher tech use is Passive, Interactive, or Creative, and if technology Replaces, Amplifies, or Transforms learning.
Applying Digital Tools
School Leaders
School Leaders
Monitoring, coaching, and supporting balanced technology integration
⏳ Practical Tips for Unstructured Time
⏳ Practical Tips for Unstructured Time
Storage & Access
Create a labeled "Recess & Choice Cart" or tub in each grade-level pod or classroom to make materials easily accessible and portable.
Community Support
Consider launching a school-wide "Board Game & Maker Drive" asking families and community partners to donate new and/or gently used games, LEGOs, and puzzles.
Transition Routines
Establish a clear visual/auditory signal for cleanup so transitioning back to instructional time is smooth and organized.
⚖️ Supporting Balanced Integration
⚖️ Supporting Balanced Integration
Guiding Questions for Leaders
Are digital tools being used to transform learning or merely replicate worksheets digitally?
Is there clear evidence of non-digital direct instruction, journaling, or physical manipulative work alongside device usage?
The Balancing Act
Ensure classrooms maintain a healthy mix of direct instruction, hands-on tasks, student-to-student discourse, and targeted digital practice.
Discourse & Community:
Look for live teacher-to-student and peer-to-peer discussions rather than rooms where every student works silently isolated on screens.
Digital Decisions Framework:
Use structured question stems during post-observation conferences to help teachers reflect on tool selection
Digital Citizenship & Wellness
Digital Citizenship & Wellness
Protecting non-instructional time and building responsible digital habits
📚Guidance for Unstructured & Non-Instructional Time
📚Guidance for Unstructured & Non-Instructional Time
Board Games & Puzzles
Connect Four, Checkers, Chess
Card Games: UNO, Spot It!, Go Fish
LEGO / Duplo bins, magnetic tiles
STEM Challenges
Creative & Quiet Stations
Coloring books, mandala sheets, tracing templates, and free-draw sketch pads.
Origami, pipe cleaners, and quick craft prompts.
Classroom libraries: comic books, picture books, and graphic novels.
Word searches, sudoku, crosswords, and logic puzzle sheets.
Fidget tools, sensory bins
Indoor Recess & Movement Breaks
Teacher-Led / Speaker Playlists: "Freeze Dance" or kid-friendly audio playlists.
Classroom Games: Four Corners, Silent Ball, Heads Up Seven Up, Simon Says.
🛡️Digital Citizenship & Wellness Lessons
🛡️Digital Citizenship & Wellness Lessons
Digital Well-Being Lessons
Caring for PGCPS Devices
Grades- K-2 (Video)
Grades - 3-5 (Video)
Grades 6+ (Video)
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