I will try to update you with Current Events
Also this will be a place where I can connect you with what's happening in classrooms in the school
We are up and running. All students should have an ipad in their hands by now. Speaking of ipads, just a few reminders:
"Snapchat uses messages that are meant to disappear (learn more about how they actually don't). Like so many social media apps, Snapchat is a mixed bag, so it's a good idea to understand how it works, how your kids use it, and how much time they spend on it so you can make sure their experiences are positive." from Common Sense Media
Click here to learn more about this popular app. This is from Common Sense Media's Website: "Playlists on YouTube are similar to the ones on your music service. You create a title for the list and add videos you want to keep in one place. These curated, organized collections can cut down on your kids viewing age-inappropriate videos. Playlists won't prevent your kids from seeing stuff you don't want them to see. But when your kids log into YouTube, they'll see the lists you've created for them. You can make playlists for each of your kids, or you can base them on the subject matter or another category. There are a couple of ways to create playlists on YouTube: the easy way and the more complicated way. Learn both methods below:
For both methods, you must be logged into your Google account (which is your Gmail address). These methods should work on the site and the app. The easy way to create a playlist in YouTube
With the end of the school year comes cleaning up your child’s ipad. For those of you whose teacher and child used SeeSaw to showcase their learning, this next step applies to you. If you would like to “keep” the SeeSaw treasures for years to come, click on this link Keeping SeeSaw and follow the step by step directions. You could also help your child and me out by deleting any photos and videos that are not school related from the ipad.
Another reminder is that all charging cords, blocks and ipads are to be returned to school by May 21st. We will still be using them in the final weeks of school, but after that date, no ipads will be coming home. So start rounding up those cords and charging blocks! On a final note, all library books are due May 29th. Please return them as soon as possible to that date. Any lost or damaged books will need to be paid for. If you are missing a book or have a fine, you will receive a notice before the end of the year. Thank you all for of your help getting materials back in a timely matter. Enjoy your summer and I look forward to seeing you next fall! Even though we discuss this every year with age appropriate content and dialogue at each grade level, we can never be too over protective about this topic. Common Sense Media (click here) gives you good advice on how to have these discussions with your child. Common Sense Media suggests, "We can start with safeguards such as avoiding apps that make contact with strangers easy (such as Kik and Tinder), keeping accounts private, and setting limits on where and when your teen can use a device (as in, not alone in their room at night). But the most powerful tool is becoming a guiding voice in our kids' heads. To get the ball rolling, find five or 10 minutes when your kid is receptive (in other words, don't interrupt their favorite show and demand to talk), and tell them you want to teach them skills that are similar to being able to change a tire: They can get you out of a sticky situation. You can also frame it as something like a driving test: To use social media, they need to be able to operate it safely. Make sure to acknowledge that they might already have many of these skills, so this could be a chance to show them off. Feel free to run through this script verbatim or riff -- whatever works for you!"
Ask your teen: What should you do if someone you don't know contacts you online? Follow-up: But what if they seem harmless and nice? Or what if they seem to know things about you? Follow-up: What if they just want one picture, your Snapchat handle, or your phone number so you can text each other? I mean, they don't know where you live, right? How dangerous could that be? Follow-up: What if they say they already have an embarrassing picture, and if you don't send more, they'll share that one with everyone? Follow-up: What if your friends think it's funny to chat with them just as a prank? Ask your teen: But what if this person really seems to know you or one of your friends? What should you do then? Ask your teen: What if the person really does know you, but you aren't really interested in being in contact online? Ask your teen: What if you feel like you've gotten to know someone really well online and they ask to meet in real life? Follow up: It's not safe to meet someone you don't know. But if you were going to do that, what do you think are the safest ways? Ask your teen: When is it time to ask me or another adult for help? Common Sense Media gives their best tips for nurturing a love of reading that can last a lifetime.
Students at Jefferson and Washington on either learning new or honing up on previous taught library skills during this month. 4th and 5th graders are especially being challenged through a scavenger hunt using teamwork and the app Goosechase. Enjoy the pictures.
This is just in from Common Sense Media's website: "Sifting through the app stores trying to find the best mobile games for kids isn't easy, so we've done it for you! Though plenty of other awesome apps are out there, kids should play these at least once. From art to coding, preschool-skill building to problem solving, and social-emotional learning to endless runners, dive in with this list of 50 standout apps across all age groups. Check out our Essential Apps Guide for even more titles, or find a curated list that fits your kid's specific interests."
Click here to get access to this list! Our after school and lunch bunch coding clubs have just wrapped up. This would not have possible without the generous donation of $1750.00 from the Merrill Area Community Foundation over the last two years and teachers who have volunteered their time to "teach" after hours. A big thank you to Ms. Schultz, Mr. Twomey, and Mrs. Hass for being a part of this exciting process. Enjoy this year's video showcasing our fabulous students! Flipster is an app on the ipad that allows your student to access 10 magazines that we have subscribed to. Students have access to current issues along with backdated issues. Once your child downloads the issue, no internet service is required. Turning the magazine in is simple. Simply go to your shelf and click on the Garbage Can.Text view is then available once you start reading the magazine. Depending on the magazine and/or page settings for the magazine, it will read the text to the students with a 2 finger swipe from the top. The video below will show you how to make the most of the app and keep your child reading! |
AuthorAs a tech integrator I will try to give you a glimpse in the day of a life of a tech integrator. Archives
March 2019
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