Tech this out!

Woah, there is a lot of stuff on the internet right now! Having access to so many options can be exciting for some, but overwhelming for others.

The goal is to NOT overwhelm with a ton of information or ideas. This is true with your students, also. Please avoid the possible temptation to send everything you see to them. Have a purpose and give them a focus, making sure you have thoroughly looked at every link you send (I'm looking at you, list of 500 free sites)

What I want to do in this newsletter is help categorize some of the Hueneme resources for you. Many of the links shared below will take you to the HESD Mission Controls Site we put together for you. If there is something else you need, please email me and ask. lhoppe@hueneme.org

But first... report cards. Do you need any screenshot guides or blank report cards?

**********************************************

Have you seen the info that your work extension is accessible from any device-- even your computer-- that has internet service (mobile data or wifi)

A few questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want to use my classroom extension to contact students and families?
• Have I recorded a personalized voicemail message?
• Do I want voicemails sent to my email?

Your principal has probably given you guidance about what is expected of you. The button below will take you to the instructions so you can address any of the questions above.

**********************************************

Just to summarize what has been sent by email and has been shared by your principals, students have two things they can choose to use for enrichment right now:

1. The Brain Quest workbooks TK-6th grade students may have picked up from school (how much fun did it look like many of you had, helping to distribute those!)
2. Activities on the Virtual Learning Gym website. That site was sent out last Monday, and will be updated today and next Monday to include new activities.

These activities are not required, they are for optional enrichment. In addition, many of you who have digital contact systems (GClassroom, Seesaw, Remind, Dojo etc.) already set up have been in touch with students. That's fantastic.

The focus right now is on social emotional connections with students. We have always known relationships with students have the strongest impact on student learning, and I think that is why so many have been keeping in touch with students this past week.

The Distance Learning Plan is outlined by grade level bands. Click the button below to see it. There will undoubtedly be a lot of information shared in the next couple weeks as we prepare to distribute packets and daily learning schedules, as well as the optional device checkout for 2nd-8th grade.

Your plan might not be tech dependent. That's okay. Do what makes sense for you and your students. But these resources, and the Mission Control site, might be useful to you just the same.

**********************************************

Google Classroom might be a good way to connect. Many of you already have this in place, and I bet you have been connecting with your students since we closed. If your students are used to using their Google Accounts, this is a great tool to manage distance learning.

There is a ton of content on the internet to guide you, even if you aren't already familiar with Google Classroom. Here is the page on the Mission Control site where I share some tips and how-tos. I also made quick videos that you can share with students to show them how to join a class, complete and assignment etc.

Seesaw is a journal type app where students can add products to show their learning, and this isn't limited to the academic! For example, they can create a video to talk to you, and you can record an audio comment back.

Teachers from TK-jr high love Seesaw! If you already use it with your students, I bet this is the option you are planning for, and if you got parents connected, you undoubtedly know the value!

A word about home codes: students can't complete activities from the family app. Seesaw worked quickly and came up with a solution for us--- students just need to sign into the Seesaw Class app with a home code. And if you are sending a classroom device home, make sure they have their home code to use, rather than the class code. (NEVER send the class code or QR code home. This violates privacy rules)

**********************************************

Google Meet is for live conferencing with students. If you want to meet with your students all at one time, Google Meet is a tool to use. It is really easy to set up, get a link and share with students. There are some instructions and etiquette tips to teach students, if this is what you choose to use.

Students will need the Meet app if they use iPads. It is in self service. They will need to download it.

Your district account is a Google account, as you know, and a YouTube account is part of that. Uploading videos to YouTube is easy, and it is a very convenient way to store videos for others to access. You can also record a video and put it in your Google Drive, then give students a share link.

If you want to use YouTube, please stay aware or copyright. Many people want to do read alouds for their students, and that is wonderful. Make sure the video is not posted as a public video and you should be great! There is a video on the page linked below to help you. It is really easy!

If you want to record a screen cast, Screencastify Add On makes it simple. I bet your students will love hearing your voice (even if, like me and most people, you don't like hearing your voice on video).

A couple ways you might want to use it---

• talk through a website to preview a lesson (maybe show features of a Newsela article, or show where some activities are on Brain Pop--- just like you might do if your students were sitting in front of you)
• Give a brief "lecture" using Google Slides (Remember, the attention span for video is short. Think about chunking a longer lesson if you need to)

**********************************************

Flipgrid is like a bulletin board of little video tiles. Missing the conversations in your room? This might be just what you and your students need! Remember, we are still focusing on the whole child, just like in the classroom. Allow space for academic conversation, as well as wellness and connection topics. The Disco Library might be just right!

One advantage of something like Flipgrid vs Google Meet is that all students don't have to be available at the exact same time to participate. We don't know what the other home responsibilities look like for our students right now.

Want to try it? CLICK HERE to access a training flipgrid I made just for you to see how it works. You will sign in with your google account so we have some "non-public privacy". Don't just look--- chose a topic and leave a video. (Don't want to be on camera? Just give us something else to look at while you speak)

Padlet is another good place to allow your students to collaborate---a bulletin board type site that allows students to post images or text, and you can allow them to reply to post if you want. This is good for renewing connections. Again, the topic can be academic, or not.... appropriate memes to make us all smile might hit the spot. You might get a whole new view of your students! :)

Try it out here: A padlet just for us to see how it works. You gotta post something, though, or the won't be anything to see. A comment, a picture, a meme--- click here and go for it!

**********************************************

My goodness, there are so many lesson ideas here! And Discovery Education (usually super $$$) has allowed free access for. a couple months. You can't just send your students here, though. You need to create an account using the school code, then get specific links to send to students.

We have been sharing some of the best links we have found for our students to explore in this enrichment period. But some of them will be even better as part of an intentional lesson. Check them out at the Mission Control Site.

So many companies have given premium access for the next few months. Don't feel pressure to learn them all. This may not be the time to try a bunch of new things. Start with what your students know. and try something new as you feel ready to spice things up even more.

**********************************************

First, are you still reading? Thank you for getting this far! I appreciate it, because my only goal right now is to give support to you. You have the hard work that will impact your students, I want to meet you where you are and get you what you need.

Now--- I want to encourage you, as has been mentioned by Dr. Walker, that this is a great time to take some risks. You know how we sometimes say "if there were no state testing and no report cards, I could just enjoy learning with my students"? That just might be the situation we find ourselves in. What projects have you wished you could have your students explore? What are ways you wish you could have given your students more choice? Maybe this is just the time when they don't all have to do the same thing. Send a Newsela collection and let them choose the article they want, then respond to it. Give them 4 or 5 options to how they want to show their thinking and let them do whichever one catches their eye.

There is no question that your Daily Learning Schedule will not reflect exactly what you would have done in your classroom. You are much more "instructionally efficient" when you can manage behavior and read their reactions in real time. This is a new experience for all of us. Creativity isn't limited by what might be manageable in the classroom right now, is it? Have fun! You have so many people cheering you on!

**********************************************

Email: lhoppe@hueneme.org
Website: www.hueneme.org
Location: The Hueneme Tech Lab
Phone: 805-488-3588 9832
Twitter: @hoppeteacher

**********************************************