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”The last thing some of us want to do in the summer is take a class but the reality is summer is the perfect time to take advantage of great learnings and have enough time to put those learnings into practice in your planning for next school year. Several conferences will continue to be virtual; ISTE, for example, is a virtual conference this year, but the Digital Learning Annual Conference kicked off as a hybrid conference earlier this month. “ Click here to check out 5 ideas to keep the learning going.

Every summer Ditch That Techbook sets up a Summer PD Bingo board. “In this bingo board, you'll find a mixture of edtech tools, Google tools, Microsoft tools, and non-tech resources. We tried to vary it as widely as possible to reach everyone -- and to help you broaden your horizons.”Plus they have a long list of free PD opportunities on that page to keep your learning going all summer.

The Apple Teacher Learning Center has everything teachers need to build a strong foundation for using iPad, Mac, and Apple apps like Pages, Keynote, Numbers, GarageBand, and iMovie in the classroom. You can get certified as an “Apple Teacher”, “Apple Teacher Portfolio”, or “Apple Teacher Swift Playground”.

From social media, that is! I would like to challenge you to take a one week break from social media this summer. New research that has been published has evidence that “Taking a break from social media improves psychological well-being, depression, and anxiety.”I plan to take a week “off” right after school lets out to decompress. Let me know if you plan to do the same!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Week of June 6, 2022

CS UNPLUGGED!

Google Classroom

Lesson Plan

Are you leaving us?

Don’t stop the learning! Did you know that your students can learn computer science fundamentals WITHOUT TECH?! It’s an awesome and fun way to keep the learning going over the next two weeks.

If so, here is a great tutorial for how to use Google Takeout to take your files with you.

If you have materials that should be left for another teacher, set up or add them to a “Shared Drive” and give your department leader, content area co-worker, or clan leader access to it. That will help ensure that your files don’t disappear when you do. Confused? We can help!

You might be thinking that end of year clean up just deals with your physical classroom. But please take some time to clean up your Google Classroom as well. Click here for an awesome tutorial for what to do (and book us if we can help)!

As an extension to the other ideas of unplugged learning for the last few weeks, might I suggest having a discussion about cell phone addiction with your students. Here is a free lesson plan from Scholastic with great talking points. Let us know if we can help support you with it!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Week of May 31, 2022

CS UNPLUGGED!

Plickers

Lesson Plan

Device-Free Kahoot

Don’t stop the learning! Did you know that your students can learn computer science fundamentals WITHOUT TECH?! It’s an awesome and fun way to keep the learning going over the next two weeks.

I came across this blog post from a teacher who doesn’t have devices for her students and thought it sounded like a great idea for device free days ahead. The same concept can be applied to a bunch of different apps pretty easily. We’d be happy to help!

As we head into the last few weeks of school and iPad collection starts, technology doesn’t need to stop being used! Plickers is a cool tool that lets you do formative assessments using only your iPad and a piece of paper for each student. Let us know if you’d like help setting it up!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Tech Tips

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Week of May 16, 2022

Student Voice in Google Docs

The @ Sign

How’s your password?

Got your power cord?

I came across this blog post from Tom Mullaney with awesome tips for amplifying student voice using 2 features in Google Docs. Both are really easy to do and are engaging for your students.

As we near iPad collection time, we highly encourage you to locate your iPad charger brick and corded and secure them out of student access and/or label them as being yours. Students will be looking to find ways to ensure they have everything they need for take back as they realize they can’t find their own charger.

Have you ever used the @ symbol in Google Docs? It’s SO helpful! I love to use it to make sure that my feedback gets to the person when I write comments. But there are loads of other ways to use it.�Click here to learn about 14 different things you can do!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Tech Tips

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Week of April 11, 2022

Canva for Education

22 Digital Days

Need help with 2 step?

Interested in learning more? Click here to check it out!

Have you used Canva yet? It is FREE for teachers! It is a great way to easily design materials for your classroom. I use it to create Google Form and Classroom header images all the time and it makes it really fun and easy to do.

We have “presented” 2 step verification to everyone in grades 6-12 now. If you need help getting setting it up, please reach out to us directly and we would be happy to help! Those with just an iPad, we have a solution for you. If you were only issued a laptop, please let us know so we can keep you in the loop when a solution has been determined for you by the tech department.

As we enter the last chunk of the school year, perhaps you are looking to engage your students in other way to encourage their independent learning. I came across the Coolest Project from the Raspberry Pi Foundation and it seems like a really fun, well laid out opportunity to engage students. If you take a look at it and want to incorporate it into your classroom, I would LOVE to help!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

Weeklyish

Tech Tips

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Week of April 4, 2022

2 Factor Authentication

Google A-Z

Gamified Learning

GC Practice Sets

Keeping track of all of the various Google tools can be absolutely impossible! But I was given this “Google A-Z” document from Google that is basically a dictionary of Google Tools. It’s a pretty extensive document!�Click here to check it out.

Create more interactive assignments with practice sets for Google Classroom, launching in beta soon.

You may have heard about 2 factor authentication (2FA) or perhaps have set it up already.�But what is it?

Rather than doom scrolling, we encourage you and your students to check out these learning opportunities (some of which, we are hoping, will be new to you).

Geography: Seterra, Worldle, Globle
Spelling: Wordle, Quordle
Math: Nerdle

Do you have another favorite? Please share it with us!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Week of March 21, 2022

Google Apps

Google Classroom

Notability

March 18th Slides

As T3 starts, here are the Google Classroom settings that we would recommend to help redirect students to use “Classwork” instead of the stream. Delete any announcements from the stream that don’t apply any more to keep it clean!

Delete These Apps	Keep These Apps
Google Sheets	Google Calendar
Google Docs	Gmail
Google Slides	Google Drive
Google Chrome	Google Classroom

As a follow up to Friday’s conversations, here is our recommendation for Google apps on the iPad. If we say delete the app, use the tool through SAFARI instead for the best experience that is most like on the laptop.

Reminder: We are happy to help you implement any of these tips with you and your students! Just book us for co-teaching and we’d be happy to work with you. We also love to have a “planning” appointment with you in advance so we can plan the lesson together.

Several folks have expressed in using Notability as a digital planner. First off, check out this tutorial video: Getting started with Notability Tutorial video for students (and teachers)

And here are some templates to get you started:

There are TONS of templates out there, so I would recommend searching for a template that would work best for you and your needs.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Week of March 14, 2022

Google

MARCH 18th

Styluses

Feedback

Please bring your charged iPad with you to our session on March 18th. In fact, you might want to have it with you all day so you have two screens!

As we get ready for trimester 3, would your students benefit from using the styluses? If you do not have access to a pack already, please make sure that you fill out our form so we know you need them!

Did you know that Google offers a TON of FREE courses? As we move into spring, I highly recommend checking out what they offer to see if you or any of your students would be interested. If any of them appeal to you and have an alignment with your position, you could check with your certification rep to see if it would count for contact hours. “Instructional Design Foundations and Applications” from University of Illinois and “How to increase productivity at work” from Google look appealing to me. Is there something that catches your eye?

As we continue to prepare for our sessions on Friday, is there an area of executive function that you would like us to touch�on for you or�“a friend”? Please�let us know so we�can work it into�our session!

Click here to learn more about the sessions they are offering and let us know if you sign up for any of them.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Week of March 7, 2022

Google

iPad Tips

Synergy

FREE Contact Hours!

Apple Professional Learning�Virtual Conferences

“Explore helpful resources, practice new skills, and reflect on ways Apple technology can support great learning and teaching. Hosted by Apple Professional Learning Specialists, these hands-on sessions are offered twice daily — Tuesday through Thursday — and run for approximately 60 minutes.”

There are many interesting sessions, but these two might be of more interest to you:

To learn more about the offerings and to sign up, please visit this link.

As we close in on the end of the trimester, please make sure you are posting assignments and grades as you go. If you want us to take a peek to make sure everything looks good for when you need to post grades, please let us know! We would love to help in any way we can, especially if it can avoid panic when the deadline comes.

Did you know that you can access all of the Google tools you are used to through Safari on the iPad? You don’t have to use the app! The apps that are useful on the iPad are Google Drive, Google Classroom, Google Calendar, and Gmail. Otherwise, your students might have more success if they uninstall the app (Sheets, Slides, and Docs) and then use SAFARI instead. We don’t recommend Chrome on the iPad as it acts as a mobile browser and limits features.

Challenge by Choice: Could you go the entire day only using your iPad? It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with what your students are using. If you demonstrate something to your students, please use the platform they are using so that they can see what it actually looks like.

Maine DOE has just announced that they are going to be offering free webinars with their five MLTI Ambassadors this spring. If you need contact hours for certifications, I highly recommend checking them out. They are open for every staff member (ed techs, teachers, etc.)

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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March 1, 2022

Google Expeditions

Gone, but not forgotten

Budget Time is Coming

2021 in Review

As many of you veteran staff may remember, there once existed a magical program called Google Expeditions. This fantastical mechination of virtual reality and handheld devices transported students to distant sites with a tap of a screen.

Sadly in June of 2021, Expeditions went the way of the Dodo and our Virtual Field trips went away.

We have been working hard to find a viable replacement and are hopeful to be able to bring the kit back to a classroom near you soon! Stay Tuned for more information in an upcoming tech tip!

For those looking for a virtual experience in the meantime to hold you over, you could try 360cities. It isn’t and app, and it isn’t fully VR, but it's a pretty nifty site for adding some interesting visuals for students!

As the budget season gets rolling, keep in mind that technology items and subscriptions for software largely come from school-based budgets.

If there are specific programs you are using that have an associated cost, make sure you are communicating those needs to your building principal.

If there is a new app or subscription your team or department is considering, make sure to communicate that need for both budgeting and time to vet potential programs. The apps and software we use with students need to meet certain criteria and we need to secure privacy agreements related to student data, which takes time.

We aren’t really ones to hop on a resolution bandwagon, but with the new year comes an opportunity to take stock and reflect. In that vein, we’ve compiled a list of the various topics we have highlighted over the past few months. Each item below can be explored on our website, Past Tips, or in our Google iPad Classroom,

There is often a lot of “new” being thrown at us all in the work we do. So in the spirit of fresh beginnings, we encourage picking just one tech tip to review and try! We’d love to know how it goes, or better yet, join you on your adventure!

Games and Learning
Annotation and Notes with the iPad
Coding with Swift Playgrounds
3d Printing and TinkerCad
Google Forms for Assessment
Organizing your Google Classroom
iPad Tips and Tricks
New Gradebook and Synergy
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Engaging Students with EdPuzzle
Digital Planners for Teachers and Students
Creating Visuals with Canva
Apple Teacher Program
Google Certified Educator

We’ll choose our favorite captions for the image and the winner gets to choose a prize from our prize box!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

Weeklyish

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December 13-22 , 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Synergy

Make us LOL!

Remember Split View Multitasking? It’s the ability to have 2 apps displayed at the same time on the ipad. It would definitely be worth reminding students how to do this in case they need to have a resource and a Google Meet open at the same time!

Bonus Tip! Did you know you can use the iPad as a second monitor with your laptop? Check out this resource or book a time with us to learn how!

Welcome to Trimester 2 folks! With the change in trimester, you may have also seen the change in your gradebook. Everyone is officially in the the new vue, and we want to support you!

Want to go it solo? This slideshow will help! (It was shared earlier this year.)

Prefer to have a buddy to go side by side? Click here to schedule an appointment with us!

Google Meets : Remote Refresher

Google classroom has a built in meeting link - Have you turned it on?
Great tools like polls, Q&A, breakout rooms, and whiteboard are built in.
Attendance *should* be emailed after you end the meet, but you may want to keep a record just in case.
If sharing a video or something w/audio, present a single tab.
You can sign in on both of your devices. Join as normal on your computer and select “Share Screen”

Last week’s Winners:

“If I stand still enough, the students won't see me.” (Lindsey Cawood, MS)

“If I stand still enough, the students won't see me.” (Kate Dumont, HS)

This week’s photo prompt! ➡➡➡➡➡

Bonus tip! Try Kit Collab with Gimkit! Students source the questions, your pick the best ones, and automatically create a game!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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December 6 -10, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Quick Assessments

Make us LOL!

One thing the iPads do really well is annotation and Markup, especially when paired with a stylus! With the upcoming new trimester, it could be a great time to swap this paper-based, tried and tested practice for a technological equivalent! Students can mark up and turn in digital versions of their work easily through Google Classroom, too!

We still have some stylus class sets available for sign out at both schools, so if you’re interested in trying styluses with your students, let us know! Many teachers have shared that their students like using the styluses with the iPads and some students have even begun to purchase their own!

Whether you want to dip a toe in the water by having students test drive a stylus or jump into the deep end with an interactive notebook, we’d love to help!`

Have you tried using Google Forms for quick assessments in class? A quick multiple choice or true false quiz can be set up to automatically be corrected, share results to students, and provide valuable insights for you about strengths and weaknesses for individual students or the class as a whole!

Forms are easy to share through Google Classroom and if you’re looking for a way to push kids deeper, quizzes with open responses are an option, too! Interested? We’ll build your first quiz for you!

Confused about the “Google Domains” storage recently featured in a blast from technology? We are happy to help!

This is a great opportunity to neaten up and clarify the lines between “church and state” if you will, i.e., build clear separation between your work and personal accounts.

Not sure how to migrate those personal photos or documents that are currently living in your school drive? Have no fear because we would love to come lend a hand and help you to migrate to a different account!

Each week we’ll share a funny image. We’ll choose our favorite captions for the image and the winner gets to chose a prize from our prize box! We have a plethora of emergency iPad chargers, charger extensions, and a load of conference goodies to give away.

Last week’s Winners:

This is not what I meant by leaf me alone! (R. Manchester)

When you leaf the nest and have to adult. (K. Tremblay)

Bonus Tip! Free Access to Bangor Symphony Orchestra for Educators thru December- Click here for details!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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November 22-26, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Six FREE eBooks!

Make us LOL!

Apple has tons of free workshops coming up this month. We have participated in many of their past sessions and have found them useful. Here are a few notable ones to check out:

Dive Deeper in Learning with AR (12/16 at 6PM or 8PM)
Record and Share Audio Stories (12/15 at 6PM or 8PM)

Ditch That Textbook has SIX awesome, free resources available on their website with that we wanted to share with you:

If you are used to using a Chrome extension in your classes, keep in mind that students do not have access to them on their iPad. Most commonly used extensions, like Brainpop, are available as an app instead. If you are looking for alternatives to the extensions you are used to relying on, please reach out to us and we’d be happy to help.

Each week we’ll share a funny image. We’lll chose our favorite caption for the image and the winner gets to chose a prize from our prize box! We have a plethora of emergency iPad chargers, charger extensions, and a load of conference goodies to give away.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Tech Tips

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October 25-29, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Synergy

EdPuzzle

Have you or your students ever wanted to take a screenshot of the entire webpage on your iPad? Well, we discovered this neat trick when looking for tips and tricks for the styluses.

From Susie: I know that many are feeling like we’re drowning. Have you thought about trying to start your class off on a calming foot? Perhaps taking 5 minutes would result in a more positive experience for the rest of class. I found Calm's 30 Days of Mindfulness in the Classroom and really like how easy they make it. Script to read, audio file to play, reflection to do… I know that I will be trying to incorporate it into my day to see if it can help change my mindset.

Looking for an easy to build and play game? Check out this Wheel of Fortune game that is built into a Google Slide Deck template! You just need to type and cover you puzzle following the directions on the intro slide. Add in a quick spin of the wheel, built here using Flippity, to up the stakes and competition! You could even have students create their own for review!

We officially have EdPuzzle again! YAHOO! Thank you to Lori Spencer and Lori Wood for helping us make it possible. We have updated our “subscription” documents on our website with the link you need to join as well as EdPuzzle’s tutorial videos.

Want a hand getting started? We’d love to work with you!

Click here for our slide deck.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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October 19-23, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Synergy

October 8th Revisit

Do you or your students miss having a paper planner? How about doing a digital one on the iPads? Susie has recently started using a digital planner and it’s worked well for her. Click here to access a 52 week, undated planner in PDF format and then make your own copy. Open the PDF on your iPad and use markup to write on it. You can share the PDF with your students through SYNC or Positivity Project.

With the trimester half over, let’s do a check in:

Have you put grades into the gradebook yet?
Are you using the new gradebook? The “old” version is going away next trimester.
Do you know how your gradebook looks on StudentVue/ParentVue?

If any of these questions give you pause, lets meet! We’d be happy to help.

Eric Curts always has good ideas and this one on how to create self-checking assessments might be especially helpful for formative assignments.

iPad Styluses...

BEMS: If you are an Allied Arts teacher, reach out to us to get a class pack of styluses. Otherwise, clan leaders were given packs already.
BEHS: The form to sign out a stylus class pack is on the BEHS staff info page under “Home”.

Viewing revision history in a Google Doc isn’t built in to the app. Please use Safari to access the full tool set in Google Docs.

The iPad Icons Navigation Gimkit was played by 119 staff members with an average correct rate of 81%.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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October 4-8, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Digital Literacy

Subscriptions

Now that school has been in session for a month, lets do a check in. Susie recently attended Apple’s “Get Started with iPad” workshop. They shared 30 time-saving tips for teachers. How many do you already know? Click here to check in on the first ten tips. If you don’t know how to do the task, the form will give you a resource to learn how!

First 5 to fill it out get one of our coveted�“better than nothing” iPad chargers for your classroom!

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) recently released “Digital Skills for a Global Society”. The site itself has quizzes for students, teachers, and caregivers to “discover which skills you’ve mastered or where you can improve, and get resources to guide you on your digital literacy journey!” The resources are also really useful and are customized for each of the audiences.

Tony Vincent on Twitter shared this tip and it was one that was new to us. So we thought it might be new to you as well.

“When presenting in Google Slides, PowerPoint, or Keynote, press B on your keyboard to pause and show a black screen. Press W to pause and show a white screen. Pressing any key resumes your presentation.”

We wanted to give all of you an update on our two subscriptions:

Gimkit: As of 10/5, we are up and running! PHEW! Go here to learn how to sign up.
Edpuzzle: The proverbial couch cushions are being lifted to find the funding to make it happen. However, both schools are hopeful that we’ll be able to make it happen ASAP.

If you would like to learn more about either of these, please make an appointment with one of us and we’d be happy to help you get started.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 2021

Google

iPad Tip

Digital Literacy

Pre-planning for Oct. 8

Students encountering issues that are frustrating to explain or replicate on their iPad? Try having them create a screen recording to show us what they are experiencing. They don’t know how to create a screen recording?!

Screen recording is a great way for�student to capture their�experiences, both when problems�arise and when you want them to

explain their thinking. Check out this quick video to help students get screen recording set up on their iPad.

We’ve decided to focus our instructional efforts on curating and sharing information about Digital Literacy. Not sure exactly what digital literacy is? That’s ok, because as it turns out, there are a number of ways to define it.

In its simplest form, we are going with to be “digitally literate, people [need to] know how to use technologies they are presented with.”

So what does this mean for our students and our instruction? Take this quick, anonymous quiz to see how you do sorting through these common digital literacy myths.

The latest New England Educator Group talked about a wide range of formative assessments that you can use/create within the Google platform. There were loads of new (to me) ideas and best practices. Check it out and let us know if you are inspired to use any of them in your classroom.

YouTube Video of Talk

Podcast of Talk

Google Slide Deck

Last week we sent our a Google Form to all teachers asking for your input to prepare for our October 8th time together. We provided some ideas for you to rate. However, if none of them apply/appeal to you, please take a moment to fill in the “Additional Feedback/Requests” area. We want our time together to be worthwhile and your feedback is crucial for that to happen.

Canva is Free for Teachers

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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September 20-24, 2021

App Approval Process

You might have seen a communication from your admin that the app approval process has been set up. Our tip for you this week is that it is not an immediate process. It may take some time from when the request is made to have it available for students. Please keep that in mind for your planning. Student data privacy is a huge consideration and can drastically affect how fast (and if) the app becomes available in Self Service.

Apple Classroom

A popular topic as of late is setting up Apple Classroom to better monitor the students in your classroom.

Our biggest tip is to select one device and always use Apple Classroom from that. Your iPad would be a great choice so you can move around your room with it.
Students DO NOT download the Apple Classroom app. They enter your invite code within their settings menu. Check out page 5 in this guide from Apple for directions.

Susie has been using Canva more and more as they add in templates to make it even easier to customize your Google Forms, websites, etc. If you haven’t used it yet, take a peek and sign up for a free teacher account. You can see their templates designed for teachers here and a tutorial video on YouTube. Book an appointment if you’d like to learn more about how to use Canva.

Free Apple Workshops

Apple is offering a variety of free online workshops over the next month on topics such as “Challenge Based Learning”, “Get Started with iPad”, “Visualize Mathematics”, and “Make Musical Masterpieces.”

All of the workshops start at 5PM or later, so you can tune in from the comfort of your couch pretty easily. Interested in something, but can’t work it into your schedule? Reach out to us and we’ll see what we can do.

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

Weekly Tech Tips

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September 13-17, 2021

Book a Coach!

We have opened our booking calendar for the 2021-22 school year. Once you go to the site, you can chose your school and then follow the booking process from there. Eventually it will be built out to include all the coaches in the middle school and high school to give you a one stop shop. If you book a tech coach, your appointment will be booked, at random, with one of us. We can’t wait to work with you!

iPad Troubleshooting

Students can now delete (most) apps so they can use Safari instead or uninstall what they don’t need
Click here for “Classroom Best Practices” with the keyboard cases including troubleshooting tips

iPad Support Google Classroom

Stephen has been building out a ton of resources to support you and your students with implementing the iPads into your classroom. A number of students have also been using it to ask us questions directly. Recent additions/screencasts include…

New Website Address!

You can now find us online at…

StephenAndSusie.com!

Don’t worry. All of your bookmarks from past years to Simmons Classroom should still work. It just wasn’t as inclusive now that Stephen has joined the geek side more officially. We have TONS of resources available as well as our booking calendar. So be sure to bookmark it!

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

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September 6-10, 2021

For the month of September, we’ll be traveling together between the two schools and will not be offering formal appointments. This will give us the opportunity to connect with all of you and be more available to help in any way we can. Here is the building we’ll be based out of each day (after morning bus duty).

High School: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Middle School: Tuesday, Thursday

We can also meet remotely using Google Meets!

Have an app you need?

The app approval process is forthcoming once a process has been decided with technology and the administration. In the meantime, you can easily use Safari to access practically anything you used on�the laptops and then chose “Add�to Home Screen” under the share�button to add a button to your�home screen.

Did you know that that the App versions of Google programs have different functionality than the web-based versions? If you or your student find that a feature is missing in the app, delete the app and navigate to the Google tool you want (Docs, Slides, Classroom) through the Safari or Chrome web browser.

QR Code Sign Generator

Want to make a QR code sign for your students to be able to easily join your Google Classroom? Access a Google Form? Go to your website? Well, check out this Google Form that will create a Google Doc sign (example on right) and email it to you once you click submit. We hope it helps!

drive.google.com

docs.google.com

sheets.google.com

slides.google.com

Mr. Stephen Avery�Mrs. Susie Simmons

BEMS Room 129

BEHS Room 109B+

StephenAndSusie.com

Weekly Tech Tips

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2020-21 School Year

Weekly Tech Tips

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

2021 End of Year Wrap Up

		Everyone Can Code (Thursday July 15, 10 - 11:30am)�We believe that coding is an essential skill for helping students thrive in a technology-driven future. Learning to code unlocks creativity, develops problem-solving skills, and opens career paths. Join us to learn about Everyone Can Code, the free comprehensive curriculum that makes it easy to teach coding to students from kindergarten to college. Date: Thursday July 15, 10 - 11:30am Please use this link to register: https://apple.co/3tKi4kl
		Apple Professional Learning Virtual Series From June 15th-July 8th, Apple hosting a series of virtual, hands-on professional learning experiences on iPad — with a big focus on summer fun. There’s no cost to register or participate. Three sessions will be offered as a part of a full day of experiences. Stop by for one, two, or all three sessions! Visit apple.co/apl to learn more and register.
		Please grade me! Now that 2020-21 is coming to a close, I’m looking ahead to next year and how I can improve as a tech coach. If you can take a moment to fill out this brief anonymous form with feedback for me, it would be greatly appreciated.
		GO TEAM AWESOME!�Before you depart for the summer, I wanted to share the awesome news that I’ll have a team mate next year to help with technology integration between the middle school and high school. Stephen Avery has been an instructional coach at the middle school and will be a tech coach for 6-12 this fall. He’s super knowledgable about everything tech and his instructional skills are on point. It’s going to be an awesome year!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

June 7-11, 2021

		Google Classroom End of Year Cleanup�One of my tech coach friends from here in Maine, Ryan Palmer, created this super awesome slidedeck to walk you through everything you should do to wrap up your Google Classrooms for the year. It is really important to get everything tucked away so you can come back to a clean slate in the fall. If you need help with it, please let me know!
		PD by the Pool from Indiana's GEG During June, the Indiana Google Educators Group will be posting short tutorial videos every week. It’s a great way to get some PD in so we can hit the ground running this fall! Short video Tutorials posted every Monday, beginning June 7th; Learning Opportunities for Novice (visit the shallow end) and expert Google swimmers (dive into the deep end); Collaborative “Snack Bar” to share questions, ideas, and resources
		Create a Bitmoji Now that you have an iPad, I would highly recommend creating a Bitmoji (via the Bitmoji app) so that you can use it to personalize your digital presence with yourself. Plus, you can then join in our super fun friend-moji dashboard to create fun images with your coworkers.
		Lesson Plans to Create LGBTQ Inclusive Classrooms and Schools�Welcoming Schools teacher-friendly lesson plans are designed to help educators create classrooms and schools that are affirming of all students and their families. A key focus of Welcoming Schools is to provide comprehensive resources for educators to teach about LGBTQ people and topics to foster equity and belonging in schools.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

May 24-28, 2021

		Better image/text formatting in Google Docs!�I am super excited for this improvement in Google Doc with how images and text are handled in Google Docs. “You’ll see the new option for positioning an image above or below text within the image options sidebar and in the image toolbar when clicking directly on an image. New options for positioning images in front of and behind text in Google Docs.”
		"Master" in Google Slides renamed to Theme Builder If you have been using the “master” in Googles Slides, it is being renamed as “Theme Builder”. The functionality, as far as I can tell, will remain the same.
		Canva is free for teachers I have been using Canva a lot lately to create graphics and other design items. Did you know it is 100% free for teachers?? It’s so awesome! From Google Classroom headers, Google Form headers, posters, logos, and anything else you can think of… Canva does it all. And you can export your designs in a bunch of formats to suit practically any application.
		How to Force a Docs Copy WITH Pre-Loaded Comments to Help your Students�I love the idea of providing a template for students, but use the Comments to provide clarification or examples along the way. Plus it’s really easy to do!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

May 17-21, 2021

		The City of U.S. Virtual Field Trip (May 26 \| 1:00–1:30 PM ET)�With most, if not all, field trips not happening this year, virtual field trips are even more exciting for our students. This trip will take your students on a tour of Washington DC with some well known public figures and it’s completely free. Let me know if you sign up!
		RISE ABOVE: RETHINK, REDESIGN, REIMAGINE (Free Online Conference) The Future Ready Framework is Nebraska’s PK-12 Digital Learning Plan, and the annual Future Ready Conference is held in conjunction with the framework to equip educators to help prepare students for future success. Four awesome speakers and over 70 breakout sessions! June 14 – June 15, 2021 \| 9:00 am – 12:50pm CDT Daily
		24+ opportunities for free PD this summer! Ditch That Textbook assembled a bingo board with 24 opportunities for free PD this summer. There are some neat ones on the list and they might be good to check out. Keep your eyes open for contact hour opportunities if you need them.
		Insert smart chips for files and meetings, create checklists in Google Docs�I am have seen a few announcements recently with new features coming to Google Workspace.�I’m super excited to see them all in action! This particular feature is one that will be really awesome.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

May 10-14, 2021

		Google Arts & Culture Puzzle Party�I LOVE THIS! Google’s Puzzle Party lets you select the difficulty and a piece from their art collection and then it turns it into a puzzle for you!You could use it for your remote students to solve a puzzle together, an activity to work on when they are done with in class work, etc. So many awesome ways to include it! Click here to work on a puzzle with me!
		Carrot2 Search Engine There are loads of search engine options out there, but I really like what this one can provide for our students. First off, safe ssearch is integrated within the platform. Then you have to love how it “organizes your search results into topics. With an instant overview of what's available, you will quickly find what you're looking for.” Check it out!
		Crowd Buzzer This one is super simple, but so fun! It’s basically a way to “buzz” in like on a game show. First one to buzz in can answer whatever question you ask. No set up needed. No complication. Just start it up and go. You can also use this with students at home and in class to get them to buzz in to answer your questions. IIf you try it out, let me know what you think!
		Google Meet Code Expiration Timeline�I am often asked when Google Meet join codes expire. Fortunately, Google just sent out this table, which makes it really easy to see when your code will become invalid.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

May 3-7, 2021

		Split View on iPad�If you haven’t learned how to split your screen on your iPad yet, it’s super handy and very easy to do. Check out this simple tutorial page from Apple to learn how.
		From Google: "Hear educators' stories this Teacher Appreciation Week" There are lots of good links in this page from Google in honor of Teacher’s Appreciation week including a free inclusive reading guide and a few great YouTube channels to check out.
		Free Headspace Subscription for Educators Headspace offers free access to all K-12 teachers, school administrators, and supporting staff in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. We all need to take care of our mental health and Headspace is a great way to do so. I also LOVE their student options within the apps, which might be beneficial to use in your classes with your students. Pop the app on your iPad to make it even easier.
		Deals for Teachers�There are a few businesses around doing discounts or freebie for teachers. But did you know that there are lots of brands who are offering discounts to teachers all the time? Yes, this has nothing to do with tech integration. But you are likely burned out

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BONUS

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

April 26-30, 2021

		Scan a Document with your iPad�Your days of finding a scanner to transfer a document digitally are numbered. Did you know you can do it right on your iPad? I’m excited for our students to make use of this trick next year instead of carrying around (and losing) papers.
		Free iPad User Guide I have heard from many folks that they don’t know where to start with the iPad. Well, I am, of course, always here to help. However, Apple has a free iPad User Guide available right online. If you’d like, you can also download it and have it available as a resource whenever you need it.
		Preset Breakouts in Google Meet through Google Calendar I am super excited that you can now set up breakout rooms for a Google Meet in advance through Google Calendar. Why does this matter? Well, you can use Google Calendar for your Meet links and then invite all of your students to the calendar event instead of using the Meet link in Classroom. Then you can set up breakout rooms before class. And your students will also be able to set up reminders and utilize their calendar more, which is a great life skill to have.
		Let’s work on refreshing your Google Classroom!�I am looking for teachers who want to refresh their Google Classrooms with me over the course of two weeks. I'm aiming to help you tackle a gripe that you are facing. It could be anything! Are you students not completing their work? Is assessing work overwhelming? Do you struggle with giving feedback? Let me know what you want to improve through this Google Form to get started.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

April 12-16, 2021

		2021 MLTI Student Conference is virtual and FREE!�The 2021 MLTI Student Conference is being held online this year and is FREE! The conference is happening on May 20th. This is an awesome opportunity to get your students involved and connected with lots of students from around the state. I would LOVE to help any teachers who are interested in having their students attend. Let me know if you want to make it happen.
		Vocabulary with Pear Deck's Flashcard Factory There are loads of “hidden” features in Pear Deck and the Flashcard Factory is one of them. “Flashcard Factory was designed to transform the way students engage with vocabulary making it an active, social and deeper learning experience.”
		A Day in the Life of iPad I have heard from several folks who attended the “A Day in the Life of iPad” sessions with iPad and they’ve reported it’s definitely worth it to get a view of what iPads can do as we transition to them. I learned a few tricks during this morning’s session and am totally excited about getting the iPads. Each session is less than an hour! 4/14 2PM https://bit.ly/2NjfSQQ \| 4/28 10AM https://bit.ly/30JzDEv \| 4/28 2PM https://bit.ly/2Q6fjuS
		Let’s work on refreshing your Google Classroom!�I am looking for teachers who want to refresh their Google Classrooms with me over the course of two weeks. I'm aiming to help you tackle a gripe that you are facing. It could be anything! Are you students not completing their work? Is assessing work overwhelming? Do you struggle with giving feedback? Let me know what you want to improve through this Google Form to get started.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

April 5-9, 2021

		20+ Tips and Ideas for Using Jamboard in the Classroom�This awesome site has lots of ideas AND the templates to go with them.
		Setting Up Apple Classroom It has been a while since we talked about classroom monitoring software. So I thought it would be worth sharing the set up directions for Apple Classroom. Now that you have your iPad, it might be worth setting it up for monitoring your students. Even if you aren’t watching what they are doing, it might be interesting to see the “Class Summary” after class is over. And Apple Classroom will become even more useful next year with the iPads.
		Grading in Google Classroom on iPad I shared this video a few weeks ago. But the app conveniently had a bug at the time that made it not work. But, once you update the app, it is working now! Even better, students can use the Classroom app on an iPad the same way to do their work. Give them a blank Google Doc and they can write directly onto it in the app. SO COOL!
		Do you struggle with getting students to complete work?�I am looking for volunteers who would like my help with their Google Classroom with the end goal of improving your students’ learning and work completion. Please reach out to me if you’d like to work together. No big time commitment from you. I promise!

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Volunteers Wanted!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

March 29-April 2, 2021

		Welcome to Pear Deck! Up your skills at Pear Deck Institute!�Hopefully you saw Krista and/or Erin’s email yesterday that we now have Pear Deck Premium through the end of June! I hope that you are as happy about the opportunity as I am. I would be thrilled to help anyone learn more about how you can make your presentations more engaging with Pear Deck. However, you can also start or continue your own adventure with the platform through the Pear Deck Institute.Even I’m learning new stuff!
		Insert a bullet point everywhere! Rich-text formatting is coming soon to Google Classroom, but until then, I find using Option + 8 (Mac) or Alt + 0149 (PC) to make keyboard bullet-points so helpful. (Thanks for the tip, Twitterverse!)
		Use your iPad as a second monitor I often hear from teachers that they would love a second monitor. Well, did you know that you can use your iPad as a second monitor? Yes, you can! It’s called sidecar and it’s a feature built in to your Mac already. Use the link above to go to Apple’s documentation or here for a YouTube video.
		Got tech tool certifications?�Have you taken the time to earn a certification from a tech tool? Well, the tech coaches would love to know! And, if you are interested in learning about what certifications are out there, the form has links to all of the credentials. They are a great way to learn more about the platforms you are using while having a great way to prove your skills. And sometimes the credential can lead to awesome perks with the tools you like!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

March 22-26, 2021

		Move Google Slides to Jamboard for Digital Whiteboard Templates with Apple's Automator�Are you a Google Slide user? But you like what Jamboard has to offer, especially in synchronous? Well, this tutorial video will walk you through how to convert your entire deck to images so that you can import them as backgrounds in Jamboard. Let me know what you think!
		10 low-prep, high-return activities for class TOMORROW Sometimes what you need the most from me is just simple ways to survive. And “Ditch That Textbook” has a great collection of easy activities you can put to use tomorrow.
		How to scan documents on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch If you need to grab a scan of a document and are either in class or at home, just pick up your iPad and you’re good to go! There are loads of ways that I see this being helpful, so check out this help document from Apple to learn how.
		Tweaking Google Classroom for Trimester 3 with Heather Silva�Heather Silva (HS Science) and I worked together recently to improve her students’ experience on Google Classroom. It was a super fun conversation and I am so stoked for what she has set up for her trimester 3 classes. (Want to make your own friend-moji? Click here to join the fun!)

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Shout Out!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

March 15-19, 2021

		How do I...�Last Friday there were several teachers who told me that they’d like more support for students (and parents) for how to do various tasks in different apps/websites. So I’ve been building a “How do I…” page that anyone can link to their Google Classroom, website, etc. Let me know what you think!
		Draw That! Mode in Gimkit “Students don't answer questions in this mode. Instead, students draw terms from your Kit while everybody else tries to guess what it is. Like Pictionary, but with your content, and for your entire class!”
		Grading in Google Classroom on iPad “This video shows how teacher who like to grade hard copies of student work can get a similar experience using the Google Classroom app on an iPad.” It’s a pretty awesome way to use your stylus with Google Classroom.
		30 Time-Saving Tips for Teachers�I LOVE this easy approach to learning 30 simple new tricks to do on your iPad. Apple has a brief explanation of what the tip is and then a link to further instructions. I bet everyone could learn something from it!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

March 8-12, 2021

		Got updates?�If your computer is telling you that you have updates to do, please do them. How can you check? Click on the Apple in the top left, select “About this Mac”, and then click “Software Update.”
		Why Google Podcasts is the Perfect Free Podcast Player for Your Students It’s no secret that I really enjoy podcasts. Are you in the same boat? If so, I’d recommend checking out this podcast episode from Dr. Monica Burns about using Google Podcasts with your students. No account is needed and it gives you an easy way to share episodes with your students. There is loads of awesome content available!
		The Apple Teacher Learning Center I have heard from many folks who are looking to bolster their iPad skills. Well, I am always here to help! However, you might also want to check out the awesome resources available from Apple in their Teacher Learning Center. “Apple Teacher is a free, self-paced professional learning program that offers unlimited access to learning materials and content for using technology in education.” I highly recommend their “Learn Skills for iPad” track that has 60 easy to follow lessons that are perfect for many who are new to iPads.
		Google Slide Remote�Many teachers have been looking for a way to use their iPad as a remote for their Google Slide presentations. This article walks you through a super easy way to do just what and get you up and moving.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

March 1-5, 2021

		Tutorial on Masters in Google Slides�Lots of folks have been asking how to “lock” areas on Google Slides to limit what students can easily edit. I’ve done the same when converting worksheets to digital versions or even for your weekly plan templates in Google Slides. It’s super easy to do and this video will walk you through how to do it.
		Grouping Tabs in Chrome This might be old news for some folks, but I am beyond excited about grouping tabs in Chrome. I thought it might be worth sharing with all of you and your students might find it useful, too. It is basically folders for your tabs (group by class period, topic, etc.).
		Create Friend-mojis! Stephen Avery learned about creating Bitmoji combos without Snapchat during ISTE2020. I’ve taken it a step further and created a one stop shop everyone at Bonny Eagle to create “friend-mojis”. Why would you want one? Well, if you are doing a cross-curriculum lesson or working with another teacher, this gives you an easy and fun way to personalize it.
		Using Multitasking on Your iPad�This week has your first tip for using your new iPad. Did you know that you can split screen? It’s easy to do and allows you to view two apps or windows at once.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

February 1-5, 2021

		Retrieving Backup Files from Google Drive�By now you might have your new Macbook Air. And now you need to get your files back on to your computer. In this screencast, I’ll walk you through how to easily do that and then show you how you might want to set stuff up going forward.
		Info about the new laptops If you are curious about the specifics of the new laptops, want to order a new case or bag, or learn more about them, head over to my blog to see my full write up. I’ve included links to everything on there for you.
		Free 30-minute training sessions on Google tools Google sent me an email offering up free 30 minute training sessions on a wide range of tools that they will be offering from Feb 23, 2021 - April 8, 2021. “Whether you’re a power user or brand new to Google tools, you’ll walk away from these 30-minute sessions with a deeper understanding of how to use different features to have more impact in your classroom / school environment.” You can tune in live or watch the recording later.
		Drop In Office Hours this Friday�With Friday being the last day to pick up your new laptop, I will be offering drop in support again from 7:30-2:00PM to help anyone who needs help with the transition. Just use the Google Meet nickname in the bottom right of this slide to connect with me.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

January 25-29, 2021

		Screenshots taking over your desktop?�If so, it is SO EASY to change where they go! I created a screenshots folder on my desktop and then changed all of them to go to that folder. It used to be pretty geeky to do, but I just discovered it’s super easy now.
		Info about the new laptops If you are curious about the specifics of the new laptops, want to order a new case or bag, or learn more about them, head over to my blog to see my full write up. I’ve included links to everything on there for you.
		When to Use To, CC, and BCC in Your Emails This article is a good one for all of us to take into account when sending emails. If you send emails with everyone in the TO field, “you can expect a reply or direct action from [them]... in response to your email”. Therefore, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with best practices so that you only get, and send, “Reply Alls” when email etiquette says so.
		Let this be your lesson...�If you are panicking about the laptop upgrade, please hear my warning. This “upgrade” is the equivalent of a cup of coffee being spilled on your computer. But you know it’s coming. You were able to get ready for it and get your stuff backed up. But what if you really did spill coffee on your computer and you lost everything? There would be no getting it back. So, when you get your new laptop, please make sure you set stuff up to back up immediately so you aren’t panicking when the next cup of coffee, real or imaginary, comes your way.

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10 Ways to Hold�Class via Video

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

January 4-8, 2021

		Customize your text in Google Sites�A new feature from Google coming your way soon is the ability to customize your text a bit more in Google Sites. As it rolls out, I would exphasize the need to use it sparingly so that you don’t overcomplicate your site and make it hard for your visitors to follow. However, it will be handy for highlighting key terms or other important pieces that you don’t want overlooked. Still using the old Google Sites? Please let me help you switch over!
		Synchronous AV System Support Lots of folks are starting to look for support for the two styles of AV systems, the Connected Classroom installed system and the standalone Poly Studio unit, we have in our district. I have a page on my website devoted to both of them so you can find everything you need. Hover on “Learn” and it’s the first link you see (which has fires in front of it). Check it out if you want to learn more about either option!
		Are you syncing your Google Chrome? A lot of folks likely are doing it already, but I highly recommend making sure that your profile in Google Chrome is being synced and backed up. As we switch devices and add to them, syncing your profile across all your devices is going to be a huge help to ensure that your bookmarks, passwords, etc. are consistent on each one.
		Pocket Document Camera�I’ve been checking out lots of ways to use the 3D printers to make remote teaching/learning easier. One of the popular things I’ve come cross is creating a mirror mount that lets you turn your webcam into a document camera (of sorts). Check out the link to see what I mean. Interested in having one? I bought a ton of mirrors over vacation and am happy to hook you up. A quarter will cover the cost of the mirror if have a spare one kicking around.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

December 21-25, 2020

		Quickly & Easily Clean Up Your Gmail Inbox�New year… clean inbox! Cleaning up your inbox is an excellent mindless activity that will help you feel better when we come back in 2021. This quick and super easy tutorial will give you a good starting point in less than 2 minutes. Watch that unread count drop just like the ball on NYE!
		Google Drive: Managing Files In less than 4 minutes, this video will give you some good pointers to get your Google Drive in order over the holidays. It’s another mindless task to do while you are relaxing over vacation.
		Get your stuff backed up! I’m hoping (praying?) that everyone has their stuff backed up. However, if you don’t (or if you don’t know if you do), this tutorial is a great overview of using Google Drive Backup & Sync for Mac. It would be the BEST THING TO DO over vacation if you do not have your computer backed up. We have new computers coming for 6-12 teachers and it will make your life so much easier when it’s time to upgrade.
		I want to come to your classes!�One of my absolute favorite ways that I have connected with teachers this fall is simply by coming to your classes (either in person or virtually!). It gives me an opportunity to see what your students experience and help you by giving you relavent (and easy) ways to improve. I have been attending a number of classes this fall and it has been really awesome and valuable according to the teachers I have worked with. Just book me for feedback and I’ll be there in whichever modality you prefer.

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

December 14-18, 2020

		District Templates in Google Docs, etc.�Did you know that we can create and share templates across the district for Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc.? If you share a template you might want to include your school, content area and other information in the file name that would make it easier to identify it. I have been using the template galleries to share the templates that I create for teachers. Click here for a quick GIF of how to find the template galleries.
		Emojipedia I have been using emojis more and more lately to jazz up Google Classrooms, Calendar invites, etc. There are loads of sites that offer them, but my favorite is Emojipedia. Find the icon you want, click copy, and then paste it wherever you’d like. There are loads of ways you can put them to use. One of my favorite is to code your Google Classroom assignments as summative (green apple) or formative (red apple).
		Jamboard Works with Google Classroom Did you know that you can attach Jamboards to Google Classroom assignments AND make a copy for every student? Last week I helped a teacher learn how to put some of her math exercises into Jamboard for her students to work with and then we assigned them to each students right in Classroom. It works great! Let me know if you’d like assistance doing the same.
		Panic Button (Extension for Chrome)�If you are like me, you might wind up with a TON of tabs open and you need to get on a Meet, which we know works best with less tabs running. Well, I recently discovered Panic Button and I love it. It will close all of your tabs and file them into a folder in your bookmarks. Ready to have them back? Click on the button again and they will all come back up for you. And, you can customize the settings so that the “Safe Page” is anything you’d like, such as your Google Calendar. It’s been very handy!

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Tech Tips for the Week of...

December 7-11, 2020

		Digital Learning Activities in Google Drawings with Tony Vincent�Last week I virtually attended the ISTE conference. This session was incredible and the presenter, Tony Vincent, shared lots of awesome ideas and templates. Even better, this webpage has all the templates on it! Because it is a Google Drawing, you can make a copy for each student when assigning it through Google Classroom.
		Ditch That Presentation: Google Slides Beyond the Ordinary�with Evan Mosier & Matt Miller Phew! This was another awesome session at ISTE. I love Google Slides and Evan & Matt certainly expanded my horizons with what is possible with the app. Check out this link to see what ideas they shared and see examples. There are so many awesome tips!
		Jamboard Templates from Holly Clark Many of you have been using Jamboard. Have you branched out to using templates? Holly collected a bunch of templates in this Wakelet to make it even easier to use them. It’s a great resource!
		Sync Synergy and Google Classroom�There are a number of teachers at the HS who experimented with syncing their Google Classrooms and Synergy during trimester one. It went well for them. If you would like to do it, you can check out this video for a quick look at it. and/or make an appointment with me and I would be happy to go through it with you. If you use it, you will HAVE to have a different Classroom for each section. It can’t blend two sections into one class.

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Techie Tuesday for

November 24, 2020

🎧		Down Dog Apps \| Free until July 2021�Down Dog has a plethora of apps including ones designed for Yoga, HIIT, and Barre. They just announced that their platform is free for teachers until July 2021. As you head off to a few days to recharge, I recommend checking out what they offer to see if they can help you take care of yourself. Let me know what you think!
🎥		Virtually drop by! Although I am based in room 129 at the middle school, I don’t want that to stop you from “swinging by” for a quick check in just like if you were in the room next to us. So, if you use the nickname bems-room-129 in Google Meets, you can virtually stop by the coaches room. Stephen Avery & Ethel Atkinson, the other MS coaches, and I share an office space and we will do our best to have the meeting open every morning that we’re here.
📚		Learn about the Synchronous AV Systems Very soon, every classroom is going to have a setup that makes synchronous learning easier for you and your “at home” students. We have two different styles of systems in the district. Want to learn how to use what you have (or will have)? Head on over to my website and check out the “virtual” classrooms I have been creating. They are a work in progress, but they both cover the major components at this point.
🛎️		“Going” to ISTE on November 29-December 5�I will not be available for appointments during the week of ISTE as I will be virtually attending the conference this year. That being said, there are TONS of sessions available on everything from Google to coding, gaming to curriculum and everything in between. Here is the full list. If you see ANYTHING that you wish you could go to, please let me know and I will do everything that I can to attend, gather resources, etc. for you.

SEL 4 U

WATCH

READ

FYI

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Techie Tuesday for

November 17, 2020

🎧		Maine Education Matters with Matt & Matt \| Free�If you are a podcast listener and want to stay in the loop on education here in Maine, I highly recommend checking out Maine Education Matters, which is co-hosted by Matt Drewette-Card (a former BEHS staff member). It’s a good show and very informative.
🎥		Inserting Audio Files into Google Slides \| (2:28) This is a quick one, but it was pretty fun for me to figure out as I am making a resource this week. And you wind up with a more visually appealing way to share audio files with your students. How will you use this in your lessons?
📚		Google Expeditions is back! Now that we have clarity around the pandemic and how the virus spreads, I am pleased to report that Google Expeditions in back for teachers to book me to come in for Expeditions. To learn more about Google Expeditions, head over to my website. I have also revamped the list of expeditions available to make it easier to find what you are looking for. If you need to book a trip, make sure that you select “Google Expeditions” as your appointment type when booking.
🛎️		Gimkit License�If you have been using the 6-12 license for Gimkit, our license should finally be good to go very soon. There was a delay in the payment going out. I will stay on top of it to ensure it gets turned on ASAP.

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Techie Tuesday for

November 10, 2020

🎧		Headspace for Educators \| Free�We have been talking about SEL for everyone lately. Don’t forget that Headspace offers free memberships for teachers. I have been personally been using it often these days and my daughter has also found it helpful. Take care of yourself first so you can take care of others.
🎥		Quick tutorial on Whiteboard.fi (Free Online Tool) Whiteboard.fi has quickly jumped onto the screne as being a popular tool for remote learning days. It gives you more privacy and control than Jamboard currently does. It does wipe the data within a few hours and logins aren’t required, which makes it student data privacy friendly. Let me know it you try it and what you think!
📚		6-12 Tech Resource Guide Revamped! I just updated and revamped my tech resource guide, which you can find under the “Other” heading on my website. It is now easier to find exactly what you are looking for. And there is a link to share yours! Have a standard/indicator you want me to dig into for you? Just let me know and I’d be happy to look!
🛎️		Transition from Classic Sites to New Sites�If you still use classic Google Sites, this is your last school year being able to host your site there. Next school year you will be forced to migrate. I would LOVE to help you migrate. So lets make that happen sooner rather than later. The new version of sites is WAY better, so I would recommend switching sooner rather than later.

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Techie Tuesday for

November 3, 2020

🎧		One Basic Teacher Podcast: Stress Relief \| October 5, 2020 (11:30)�I thought that today would be a good time to share this quick podcast episode I found from a fellow teacher, Meg Russell. In this brief episode, she shares a few ways for you to manage your stress during one of the most stressful years we have had in education. Give it a listen and let me know what you think. If you want some additional ideas, just let me know and I would be happy to send you more options.
🎥		Reminder: How to Properly Grade Standards on Synergy This one comes to you thanks to a special request from several teachers who wanted a quick review on how to properly grade standards/indicators on Synergy.
📚		New Features with Google Meet (from The Tech Sherpas) New features for Google Meet have been coming fast and furious lately. Kern Kelley and The Tech Sherpas have put together a screencast and slidedeck of most of the newest features and how to use them. Keep in mind that the iOS app for Google Meet is not as fully featured (yet), so you likely won’t find these options on an iPad at this time.
🛎️		Do you still use Adobe Flash?�If so, please connect with me ASAP so we can work together to find new resources for you. Although it has been “dying” for several years, it will be considered a security risk on January 1st. Therefore, you will HAVE to use something else at that time. Click on this link to read the latest news about it’s demise.

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Techie Tuesday for

October 26, 2020

Primary Focus: Easy tricks!

🎥		Splitting Your Screen for Remote Teaching \| October 27, 2020 (4:19)�This is a very simple tutorial for how to split your screen to make it easier to see your remote learners while sharing a portion of your screen.
🎥		Syncing Google Classroom with Synergy (BONUS!) Keep in mind that this tutorial is recorded with the new version of gradebook in Synergy (which we opted to delay releasing). But I did want to pass it along for those of you who want to go deeper with your tech integration. If you are interested in setting it up, you might want to opt to do it at the beginning of trimester 2. If you are interested AND wouldn’t mind working with me on it, I’d love to create a screencast for our district.
📚		Google Classroom Tips Do NOT discount this one! There are lots of quick and easy easy to jazz up your Google Classroom and even I learned a bunch. Did you know you can add graphics and customize the font in you Classroom? Yeah, I didn’t know that font one either! Head on over to read Tony Vincent’s awesome post.
🛎️		TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association) is giving away free annual memberships all this week! They have tons of webinars, both recorded and live, that would likely be beneficial to all of us in our current situation. I just signed up. Let me know if you do, too!

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Techie Tuesday for

October 6, 2020

Primary Focus: Synergy Quick Hits

		Parent/Teacher Conference Setup Options \| October 6, 2020 (2:40)�I have received several emails asking about my recommendations for setting up PTC meetings with Google Meets. Listen to my short and sweet response by clicking on the audio button to the left.
🎥		Let’s get super basic this week and look at how to arrange your seating/attendance chart in Synergy to work FOR you instead of driving you nuts. Even if you’ve been using Synergy since the beginning, this quick video still might be helpful. (4:32, YouTube)
📚		Using the Analysis Tool in Synergy As we continue to dig in to data to impact and inform our teaching, I wanted to be sure that you had access to the appropriate section in the Synergy “Grade Book User Guide” so that you could walk through how to use the built in analysis features. If you’d like to go over it together, just make an apoointment with me!
🛎️		Have you ever clicked on a link and found that it didn’t open your Gmail? Perhaps it opened the Mail app instead? It’s an easy fix! Head over to this webpage for directions based on your preferred browser.

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Techie Tuesday for

September 29, 2020

Primary Focus: Originality Reports

🔊		"Teaching Students to Avoid Plagiarism" \| Feb. 27, 2017 (32 minutes)�To go along with the theme of originality reports, check out this episode from Cult of Pedagogy about how we might want to change how we approach plagarism and then has 5 exercises for reducing student plagarism.
🎥		We have switched over to GSuite Enterprise which comes with unlimited originality reports AND student-to-student detection (in beta). Originality reports help students learn about what they should have cited and also helps you see any potential plagarism spots. They are really handy! And they are working at comparing submissions to other student’s work. Click here to learn how to use originality reports. (YouTube, 3:08 minutes)
📚		Originality Reports in Google Classroom This blog post from EdTechAwesomeness.com is a very detailed look into how originality reports work. I highly recommend checking it out to get a visual look at how you can use it in Google Classroom and why you might want to.
🛎️		Just a quick reminder that the student laptops at the middle school are locked to prohibit their user from 11PM-6AM. The high school students DO NOT have a lock.

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Techie Tuesday for

September 22, 2020

Primary Focus: Rubrics!

🔊		"Don't Ditch That Tech! - GTT104" \| Jan. 26, 2020 (49 minutes)�Although a lengthy episode, this is a good one from the Google Teacher Podcast which covers rubrics in Google Classroom and Originality Reports.
🎥		Creating and Sharing Rubrics in Google Classroom (6:27, YouTube) In this video, I’ll walk you through how to create, reuse, and share rubrics in Google Classroom. If you have a rubric you’d like help transitioning into Google Classroom or would like to add one to the shared drive, just let me know!
📚		Import Rubrics in Google Classroom The built in rubric funtion within Google Classroom can make it really easy to share common rubrics. So easy, in fact, that I have started a Shared Drive to pull together rubrics from across grades 6-12. The first one that I put in there is the Work Completion Rubric. Click here to see the folder! If you have a rubric to share, just send it my way and I’ll help get it into the drive!
🛎️		Are you capturing tons of screenshots only to paste them somewhere else? Use SHIFT + CONTROL + COMMAND + 4 instead which will copy it to your clipboard. And then you can just paste the screenshot anywhere without it cluttering your desktop. It is only pastable once. Thanks to Laurie Delaney (K-5 tech coach) for sharing the tip with me!

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Techie Tuesday for

September 15, 2020

Primary Focus: Google Classroom

🔊		"Feedback Tips for Blended and Online Learning" \| Sept. 10, 2020 (11:48)�Feedback is important. But how do teachers give it frequently and in ways that help students learn? How can teachers have time and get this done with all that is going on this Fall 2020?
🎥		How to use the Question assignment in Google Classroom (10:05, YouTube) In this video, I’ll be giving you an in depth look at how to use the Question assignment type in Google Classroom. It will show you the view from two different students as well as the teacher so you can understand what each student can actually see depending on what settings you use.
📚		As a spin off on organizing your Google Classroom in last week’s tips, this week you should check out this article from John Sowash of chrmbook.com that will walk you through TEN amazingly useful ways you can use emojis in your Google environment.
🛎️		If you need help getting your bearings with your gradebook, formative tech tools, student data privacy, or just about anything involving technology integration, head over to my website to make an appointment with me. Keep in mind that the majority of my appointments will be conducted through the Google Meets link in the calendar event at this point.

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Techie Tuesday for

September 8, 2020

Primary Focus: Google Meet & Classroom

🔊		“9 Ways Online Teaching Should be Different from Face-to-Face” \| July 5, 2020�The Cult of Pedagogy is an awesome resource in general, but this episode has loads of good ideas that would be worth implementing. Don’t feel like listening? You can get the list right on the webpage.
🎥		Using Google Meet with Your Goggle Classroom (4:55, YouTube) In this quick video, I’ll be giving you a side (Student) by side (Teacher) look at how the Google Meet link built in to Google Classroom works. It’s a SUPER easy way to connect with your students while ensuring that they aren’t in the meeting without you.
📚		I highly recommend that you set up a strong organizational system for your Google Classroom NOW so you don’t struggle later. Want some tips to get started? Check out this quick article, “3 easy strategies to organize your Google Classroom”, from Ditch That Textbook. Feeling lost? I’m here to help!
🛎️		If you need help getting your bearings with your gradebook, formative tech tools, student data privacy, or just about anything involving technology integration, head over to my website to make an appointment with me. Keep in mind that the majority of my appointments will be conducted through the Google Meets link in the calendar event at this point.

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Techie Tuesday for

September 1, 2020

Primary Focus: Student Data Privacy

🔊		“Student Data Privacy (FERPA & COPPA)” \| EPISODE 179, April 21, 2018�“In this episode of the TechEducator Podcast, we speak with Casey Rimmer about ways we can all protect the sensitive data our students create each and every day.”
🎥		Data Privacy with Steve Langford (8:34, YouTube) An interview with Steve Langford, Beaverton School District, discussing student data privacy, what is the Student Data Privacy Consortium and why does it matter? Although it is about his district, it’s very applicable to our district.
📚		My quick blog post with FAQs I’ve received over the past week. How to share pretty links to slide decks, should you update your computer, Google Meet extras, Flipgrid, etc.
🛎️		If you’d like to check to see if a tool/app has already been approved for use in our district, you can review the SDPC Database. Make sure you are paying attention to the grade level. Feel free to loop me in if you are asking for permission about a specific app/website so that I have it on my radar.

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2019-20 School Year

Weekly Tech Tips

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March 10, 2020

Resource of the Week...

COVID-19 Animated Maps

Fast Company has links to 3 different animated maps concerning the spread of COVID-19. Beyond being fascinating,

Template of the Week ...�Tri-fold Brochure in Google Slides

This resources comes to you thanks to my work with the 6th grade science teachers. It’s an awesome, easy to use template I found online that gives students a guide for creating their own brochures. Click here to create your own copy of the template. Want to use it in class? Feel free to book me to co-teach with you!

“Teachers can’t simply take a face-to-face lesson and put it online and expect great learning to happen.”

- Callie Bush�My School Was Closed Because of COVID-19 & Here is a Report About Our Online Teaching

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

• Hangouts Meet

• Zoom

• Skype

• FaceTime

• Flipgrid

• Screencastify

• Periscope

• Instagram Live

• YouTube Live

• WeVideo

How many of these are you comfortable with?

Listen to this! “Coronavirus: Switching to Teaching Online Overnight? Here’s What to Expect” by Dan Jones with Maureen O’Shaughnessy, Ed.D, Jake Habegger, and Peter Santoro on March 8, 2020 (11:01 min.)

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March 3, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Geography of the�Indian Subcontinent

AMAZING. That would be the one way to describe the scenery that you get to experience in this Google Expedition. Many of the images are captured via a drone, which gives you a view you can only get through an Expedition. I highly recommend it!

Shout out to...�6th Grade Science!

I’ve been working with the team of 6th grade science teachers to create a “menu” for their students to choose from as they work on their summative for a standard. It has been a lot of fun collaborating with them to create meaningful opportunities for their students. I would LOVE to work with more groups. (No link to share since its a work in progress that I’m working on polishing it up.)

“Collaboration – the ultimate intertwining of skills, passions, and knowledge – is what concocts the most shatterproof forms of changemaking.”

- Ian Somerhalder�Interview with Origin Magazine

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Book Reviews

Mimio has lots of cool ways to modify book reviews through the SAMR lens and this is definitely a fun one. How cool would it be for students to create book trailers?

Understanding Shakespeare

Listen to this! “Seven Reasons to Geek Out on Educational Theory” by John Spencer on March 2, 2020 (22 min.)

Your Integration!

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February 25, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Googleplex

If you ever get a chance to visit Google in person, I highly recommend it. But, until that happens, a virtual visit to the Googleplex is the next best thing. And I dare say your students will be just as inspired by the work environment at Google.

Check this out!�Free Rocketbook Pages!

Have you heard about (or even used) a Rocketbook? You can get FREE printable pages and then automatically upload the files with your mobile device. I recently chatted with a HS math teacher who is using it to share equations, etc. There are TONS of awesome applications for the Rocketbook in the classroom. I’d love to chat with you about it. Click here to take a look at the free templates.

“Every famous athlete, every famous performer has somebody who's a coach. Somebody who can watch what they're doing and say, "Is that what you really meant? Did you really do that?" They can give them perspective.”

- Eric Schmidt�Chairman of the US Department of Defense's Defense Innovation Advisory Board

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

EmergingEdTech has lots of cool ways to modify lessons through the SAMR lens and this is definitely a fun one.

Listen to this! “Google Accessibility Tools to Reach ALL Learners” posted by Shake Up Learning! on February 11, 2020 (36:34 min.)

Your Integration!

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February 11, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Architecture Through Time

In this Expedition, we’ll look at architecture from 3000 years ago to present day. From old forts and the Roman Colosseum to the modern Reina Sofia Palace of the Arts, it’s a pretty fascinating look at how things have changed.

Check this out!�VARK for Teachers

I found this one as I was looking for resources for one of my grad classes. If you have taken the VARK to figure out how you learn, try this to get some incite for how you teach. Click here to take a look at it.

Exit Tickets

There are loads of benefits to using exit tickets. Still doing them on paper? Here are some digital options!

Time to think about...

Click here for a Habits of Work self assessment which I created for a teacher at the HS to easily pass out through Google Classroom.
“Do you have music or audio playing on another tab? Pause it by clicking on the music note 🎼 near your Chrome Account icon. You won't see the icon until you have music/audio playing on another tab.” Click here to see it in action.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Push yourself through too many hours or days of work and your brain starts to push back. Ideas that once flowed easily dry up, and tasks that you should be able to perform quickly become excruciatingly difficult.”

- Minda Zetlin�"Why Taking Time Off is Good for your Brain"

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “SAMR vs Latte” posted by EPISD Live in June 2013 (6:02 min.)

Your Integration!

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February 4, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Astronomy

I love a good night of stargazing like everyone else, but that’s hard to do during the school day. This one looks at our universe, what we know (& how), the life of a star, our star (the sun), solar system, gas/ice giants and the moon (including the phases. It’s visually awesome and is filled with lots of interesting information.

Check this out!�Edpuzzle

Do you wonder if students truly understand the content they are learning in the video they are watching? Edpuzzle lets you create interactive videos (yours or one online) to track their comprehension. Click here to take a look at it.

Videos Consumption

Most of us use videos in our classes somehow. But how can you truly change that with technology beyond clicking play on YouTube?

Time to think about...

Click here for a 3 2 1 style reflection sheet that you can easily share with students through Google Classroom. Want to learn how to customize it? Just make an appointment with me!
If you use Google Forms in your classes, have you thought about customizing the header image? This site has a free template to create one in Google Drawings. It’s really easy to do!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Always start with relevance when planning — why oh why is what you are about to experience with students relevant to them as students, as humans, and as future changemakers.”

- Becky Schnekser�Relevance — not just a buzz word

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Educational Duct Tape”, posted by Jake Miller on January 29, 2020 (7:55 min.)

Your Integration!

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January 28, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Geography of Australia

I don’t need to tell you how much Australia has been on the news lately. I love the underwater views of the reef and I dare say that our students would as well.

Check this out!�SAMR Swimming Pool

Perhaps you’ve heard about SAMR before. Even if you have, I’d recommend checking this graphic out because of slight changes to the “old school” model. Click here to take a look at it.

Quiz

If you do quizzes by hand, here are four ways to integrate technology in meaningful ways via�the SAMR lens.

Time to think about...

Click here for a digital worksheet to use for video/audio reflection that you can easily share with students through Google Classroom.
Beyond making sure that a guardian’s email address is attached to a student in Google Classroom (and that it is accurate), you also need to turn on Guardian Summaries in your settings. Otherwise they won’t know what is going on.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“The SAMR journey is more about MINDSET than tech competence.”

- Richard Wells�Eduwells

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “The SAMR Swimming Pool”, posted by Jaclyn B. Stevens in Nov. 2015 (2:56 min.)

Your Integration!

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January 21, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Robin Hood

From Twig World, this tour gives you the story of Robin Hood, who might have lived in medieval Nottinghamshire, England. It’s a pretty fun tour that looks at the story through reenacted scenes.

Check this out!�Pedagogy Wheel

I’ve shared this before and it’s on the wall in my office. But pay attention to the outside ring of the wheel. What activities do you already do with your students? Where do they fall on the wheel? Click here to take a look at it.

Posters

If you have your students do poster projects by hand, here are four ways to integrate technology in meaningful ways via�the SAMR lens .

African American History Month

Time to think about...

Click here for a digital “TED Talk” worksheet that you can easily share with students through Google Classroom.
How do you feel about this article from Forbes? The Top 5 Tech Trends That Will Disrupt Education In 2020 - The EdTech Innovations Everyone Should Watch

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“What is best for this learner? Remember, learners are the driver; technology is the accelerator.”

- George Couros�The Innovator's Mindset

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “The Puzzle of Motivation”, a TED Talk by Dan Pink, posted in July 2019 (18:21 min.)

Your Integration!

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January 14, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

Masterpieces of Islamic Art

One of my favorite aspects of Google Expeditions is building connections across the globe and taking students where they may never go. Visiting these masterpieces of Islamic Art is certainly on that list. And this tour has the added benefit of being easy to tie in to current events.

Check this out!�Headspace

I am VERY open about my love of mindfulness and meditation. The latest tool to join the “Free for Educators” pool in that regard is Headspace. There are whole packs of resources just for Students (plus its all excellent stuff for us, too). Click here to sign up!!

Henry Ford Museum: Rosa Parks Bus (VR)
Civil Rights from PBS Learning Media
More than a Month

3D Printing Being Used for Good

Time to think about…

How has technology changed your pedagogy? MLTI is currently being revised through a statewide committee, which I am a part of. Where do you feel you fall on the SAMR scale?

Substitution: Tech acts as a direct substitute with no functional change.
Augmentation: Tech acts as a direct substitute with functional change.
Modification: Tech allows for significant task redesign.
Redefinition: Tech allows for the creation of new tasks which were previously inconceivable.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“The US Department of Labor says 65% of students will have jobs that don't yet exist, meaning access to technology solutions today will directly impact the workforce of tomorrow.”

- THE Journal�Whitepaper, January 2020

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Your brain is a smart phone” by Stop Breathe and Think, posted on October 9, 2019 (4:23 min.)

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January 7, 2020

Expedition of the Week...

A Trip to the North Pole

No, not the “Santa” North Pole! To the real North Pole! This is a super short tour, but I always love tours from AirPano thanks to their drone photography. It primarily focuses on 24 hours of day or night, but I also love that it includes looking inside an abandoned polar station that was last used in 1959. It’s so cool!

Check this out!�Group Reading w/ Google Docs

Richard Byrne always has always tips to share and I love this one on how to do group reading and conversing entirely online. Click here to see how it's done.!

Hands of Gratitude

First Ever Middle Ear Transplant with 3D Printer, Curing Deafness

Inspiring America: 3D Printing Prosthetic Arms

Time to think about...

“Twitter Made Us Better: A Decade of Distrust” from the NYTimes is worth a read. Especially if you have yet to embrace the power of Twitter!
Wondering how many assignments you have under each indicator in Synergy? “Grade Book” > “Class Standards” has a count column to make it easy!
“Why it’s important to be intentional with your calendar” is good for both your work and personal life, especially as we start the new year.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“When you ban technology, you close off access between the classroom and the world outside.”

- Professor Greenhow�Quoted in "Screens in the Classroom: Tool or Temptation" posted in The New York Times on 12/11/2019

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Laugh, cry and gasp along with the best viral classroom moments of 2019” by Anya Kamenetz of NPR, posted on January 4, 2020 (4 min.)

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Dec. 17, 2019

Check this out!�Joe Sanfelippo

You might not hear this from someone, but it’s worth watching. It’s less than 2 minutes long. “We’re all in this together.”

Self Care for Teachers

40 Acts of Self Care for Teachers
Self-Care Playlist: Gentle Standing Yoga and Stretching Videos
Learn to shine bright- the importance of self care for teachers. | Kelly Hopkinson | TEDxNorwichED

Google Classroom Beta Programs

Time to think about...

Do you grade students on the assignment AND the indicator? I dare say you might be confusing parents/students since the assignment score has no impact on their grade for your class. I have been doing quick hit gradebook peeks with teachers in 15 minute appointments. It’s quick and easy (I swear!).
The Hour of Code might have been last week, but I am happy to make it happen any time of year if you’d like to fit it in. Just make an appointment with me and we’ll plan it together!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”

- by Anne Lamott

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Why It’s So Hard for Teachers to Take Care of Themselves (and 4 Ways to Start)” by Cult of Pedagogy’s Jennifer Gonzalez on June 19, 2017 (43:53.)

Expedition of the Week...

Human Anatomy: Circulatory System

Mrs. Jewett’s 7th grade students hopped into my Magic School Bus this week and went inside our circulatory system. It is a pretty awesome view of what keeps our blood flowing. And the kids loved it!

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Dec. 10, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Career Expedition: Animator & Director, Sue Perrotto

There are a TON of career expeditions available. I like them because they give students real insight as to what it is like to have that job and sometimes what they did to get there. It’s a great way to get students to explore the careers that they are considering.

Check this out!�Class Standards

Want to see what standards are attached to your class or how grades are calculated for each indicator? You can find all kinds of details right in your account on Synergy by going under Gradebook and then select Class Standards. While there, click on the “Load Standards from Course Alignment” on the left to make picking your standards easier when you create assignments.

Check student work originality
Create rubrics for grading

Time to think about...

Even if you couldn’t make the Hour of Code happen this week, I am ALWAYS happy to plan a session with your class(es) later in the year.
“Help your students become more collaborative, more creative, and more productive with quick activities that build valuable skills using Sheets, Docs, and Slides. Each lesson can be completed in under an hour.” Click here to see the lessons.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Computer science is a discrete academic discipline but is also embedded in virtually every area of academic study,�since the use of computer technologies, data and digital storytelling have become essential skills in most disciplines.”

- by Dan French, VT Secretary of Education�January 23, 2019

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “How do I become a Google Certified Educator Level 1 | Tips and Tricks Episode 34” by AppsEvents, posted on November 27, 2019 (7:25 min.)

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Dec. 3, 2019

Snow Day #1

With today being the first snow day of the year, I opted to switch it up and give you a break from, well, me. So let’s take things a bit lighter this week.

Take a Deep Breath

Free 3 Day Flexibility Challenge from Fitness Blender… because we could all use a good stretch to power through the next few weeks.
Stop Breathe Think for Educators… claim your free lifetime membership. And then give yourself just a few minutes to give your mind a break.
Take a listen to the Angela Watson's Truth for Teachers podcast. There are lots of good nuggets in it.

Hour of Code...

The Hour of Code is happening next week! I would LOVE to connect with teachers who want to bring it into their classroom. I can tie it to just about any subject matter! Just try me!

Shout out to...

Marianne at BEHS who picked my brain on ALL KINDS of ways to switch things up for Tri 2.
Alison at BEHS who worked with me to put her class resources right into an easy to navigate Google Site for her students.
Sharon at BEMS who switched up her lesson plan on the fly and had me work with her students to create digital posters. So much fun!

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Nov. 26, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Beijing

This week I took a class of 7th graders all the way to Beijing. It was an awesome way to see the city and the students loved seeing so many of the important parts of the city. Lets get some Expeditions scheduled to keep your students engaged during the winter months ahead!

Check this out!�LessonVue

As you get ready for a new trimester, I HIGHLY recommend getting your LessonVue set up on Synergy with you pertinent info. I would be sure you include your website, syllabus and even your Google Classroom code right on there to make it easy for your students to find. Feeling lost? It’s super quick and I can help you set it up!

Hour of Code Activities

Figurative Language

Adventures on the High Sea

Hour of Code lesson directory

Twitter Accounts to Follow

Time to think about...

The Hour of Code is coming! I’d love to work with you and your students to infuse a bit of computational thinking.
Google Classroom has lots of beta programs available. From originality reports to rubrics, I highly recommend signing up for them for a peek at what is in the works for the Google Classroom platform.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Preliminary data suggests the benefits of VR as a teaching tool hugely outweighs traditional methods”

- John Pickavance�Independent, May 2019

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “We talk with David Whelan, CEO of Immersive VR Education, creators of ENGAGE.” by The Virtual Reality Podcast, posted on July 15, 2019 (28 min.)

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Nov. 19, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Math in Structures

Although our kit doesn’t support AR, I can use my iPad and your AppleTV to make the AR objects appear in your classroom! Take a look at huge structures from around the world and explore the math that surrounds us every day. (And, yes, you can plop a pyramid in your classroom!)

Check this out!�Online Voice Recorder

I came across this one as I was searching for an option for recording MP3s (which Quicktime Player doesn’t do). It works so slick! Just click record, trim, and save. And, with it being online and not an app, it works across platforms, too. Click here to check it out!

@alicekeeler

@jmattmiller

@TaraMartinEDU

Formative Assessment Tools

Time to think about...

Overwhelmed by emails? I know this one adds to the chaos, but I can help you get your inbox (IXL, Classroom, etc.) under control! Automatically file emails, archive old messages… the list goes on! Let me help (please)!
Looking for help with a tech tool we have at BE? Check out the “Learn” menu on my website because it’s got a lot there for you (including Apple Classroom, Google tools, etc.). Looking and don’t see something? Just let me know!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

"Disconnecting from change does not recapture the past. It loses the future."

- Kathleen Norris�O Magazine, January 2004

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Keyboard shortcuts to save you time” by #DitchPod, posted on November 18, 2019 (8 min.)

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Nov. 12, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Amazon

Some sixth grade science students will be visiting the Amazon later this week thanks to virtual reality. It will be a nice alternative to the cold snap we’re facing this week! Now if only it was like the magic school bus and we actually went there!

Check this out!�Emoji Prompts

Emoji Prompts from Byrdseed looks like a pretty awesome creative writing prompt or bell activity as students are getting settled. While you’re at it, I’d recommend checking out Byrdseed’s article on “Emoji as Digital Depth and Complexity Icons”. I know that we often resort to emojis and gifs in “real life”, so I think the article has some cool ideas that are worth considering.

Tools of the Week...

GimKit

Edpuzzle

InsertLearning

—José Vilson on Twitter @TheJLV

Time to think about...

If you put in a tech ticket for anything pertaining to the network, it’s best to include the exact time an your IP address (option + click on the wifi symbol) so that your problem can be tracked down better.
I’m thrilled to report that embedding sound in Google Slides should finally be live for everyone. YAHOO!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

"I know plenty of people carrying too much weight that’s not actually theirs to carry. Watch for the takers and what they leave behind for you to hold."

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “How Student Journals Can Spark Curiosity and Inspire Creativity in the Classroom” from The Creative Classroom with John Spencer, posted on November 5, 2019 (24:35)

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Nov. 5, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Field Trip to Paris

Because who wouldn’t want to take a trip to Paris?! Google Expeditions has tours just about anywhere in the world, so, if you have somewhere specific in mind, just let me know. If Expeditions doesn’t have it, I can easily help to make a tour for you with Google Street View and set it up in Google Expeditions. Or, better yet, your students could even make tours the same way!

Check this out!�Google Jamboard

Jamboard is basically a digital whiteboard, which historically is used on Jambaord hardware similar to Smartboards. But we recently opened it up for teachers to use. Click on the image on the left to check out Google’s site for Jamboard or click here if you want to play on the board that I set up for everyone to edit.

Tools of the Week...

Favorite Google Sheet Formulas

=VLOOKUP()

=IFERROR()

=COUNTIF()

Time to think about...

Now that conference season is over, I’ve added a “Where is Susie based?” calendar on my appointment page so you can tell where I’m working from each day. You can still book me at either school, but this way you know where you can catch me in passing.
I love this lesson from TEDEd on why we vote on Tuesdays. The video itself is <4 minutes long, so, even if you don’t want to do the entire lesson, the video would be an excellent addition to your classes today.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

"Creativity is now as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.”

—Ken Robinson

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Using Jamboard for Digital Thinking” from the Google Teacher Tribe podcast, posted on November 4, 2019�(38 minutes)

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Oct. 29, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Geography of Mexico

I took a couple classes of geography students at the HS to Mexico last week and we had a great time basking in the sun for a bit. The students loved seeing such a wide variety of locations and seeing a part of the world that they have never been to before. They also got views of the Maya ruins and Mexico City that you just can’t get even if you go there. So awesome!

Check this out!�Mentimeter

Interactive presentations with students able to respond from their own devices. I also LOVE it for the word cloud feature they offer to easily visualize what your students respond with. To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

Augmented Reality

Shakespeare’s Globe 360

AR with Google Expeditions

AnatomyAR+ for Merge Cube

Time to think about...

I love this tip from Jake Miller on how to compare versions of Google Docs, which would be super powerful to recognize editing/rework that a student has done.
Eric Curts from Control Alt Achieve just shared his Math Resources for the month and it is definitely worth a gander.
Are you interested in using Newslea in your lessons more? I can help! I’m meeting with them on Tuesday.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

"Teachers are like icebergs. At any one time you’re only seeing about 1/10th of what they’re actually doing."

—Edublogs

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! In this episode from EdTech Weekly, Kristy and Ricky talk about the ed tech news of the week and breakdown an article about how ed tech will not make teachers obsolete.” posted on March 23, 2019 (10:56)

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Oct. 22, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Bridges

Although our kit doesn’t support AR, I can use my iPad and your AppleTV to make the AR objects appear in your classroom! This expedition shows off many of the famous bridges around the world and how they were constructed. It’s pretty awesome!

Check this out!�Hidden Picture in Google Slides

This idea is so simple to execute, but it’s a good one! Thanks to Amanda Sandoval, on Twitter @historysandoval, for the cool example of how it works. To check it out... click here and then just drag the magnifying glass around!

Tools of the Week...

Google Classroom Tricks

Group Work & Differentiated Instruction (plus Remediation!)

How to Create a Class Template in Google Classroom

Sharing Google Classroom Content

Keyboard Shortcuts (You Likely Didn't Know)

Time to think about...

I just added an “Apple Software” page to my website with resources for iMovie as well as how to convert from Pages to Google Docs.
Hour of Code is coming during CS Education Week, December 9-15th. Inspired by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Hour of Code will highlight how we can all use CS to make a positive impact on our world. Let me know if you want to plan a lesson together!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

"These days, there is no greater opportunity than to change the world through technology."

—Hadi Partovi

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! “Overcoming Your Fears (and Helping Kids Do It Too)” by Tara Martin, posted on August 3, 2019 (1:10) P.S. Tara is one of the keynote speakers at MassCUE this week.

Heading to present at

MassCUE in Gillette Stadium on Wednesday!

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Oct. 15, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

The Theory of Relativity

New Expeditions are released all of the time and this is one of their latest additions from Vida Systems. Although I always wish that Vida System graphics were better, the content is still pretty interesting and can spur on lots of thinking during the tour.

Check this out!�Priority & Workspaces in Google Drive!

I have become obsessed with using Workspaces in Google Drive this year. Even if you feel like your Drive is really organized, this takes it to the next level and makes things so much quicker to access. To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

Control + A

Shift + Command + 5

Command + ,

on Twitter @mistiburmeister

Time to think about...

Last week I presented on Merge Cubes (I have 30 of them!), Google Classroom for beginners, AR/VR in science classes, how to create Google Expeditions, and our 3D printing journey while I was at ACTEM. Interested in learning more about any of those? Let me know!
Do you create screencasts with Google Slides? Did you know it can automatically generate captions for you while you present? It’s so cool!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“The key to effective feedback lies in our intentions, not our methods. Your intentions must be about helping others, not just yourself.”

—Misti Burmeister

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator” will leave you (and maybe your students) in stitches as you ponder your own procrastination monkey and why we work the way we do. (Thank you, Stephen Avery, for sharing it with me!)

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Oct. 8, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Mount Everest

Last week I took four classes of 6th graders to Mount Everest to look at landforms and the history of the mountain. It is one of my favorite tours because it is so visually stunning and packed with information. AirPano, the tour creator, takes their images from a drone! You definitely want to check this one out.

Check this out!�Media Bias Chart 5.0

Although not really tech integration, I LOVE referring to the Media Bias Chart when looking at news sources. How biased is your favorite news source? To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

Instagram Accounts to Follow

The Tech Rabbi

innovatedlearning

drbradjohnson

Time to think about...

Looking for support with Naviance @ BEHS or Liveschool @ BEMS? I have tons of resources under the “Learn” menu on my website!
10 ways to use Google Earth in the Classroom - It’s Not Just for Social Studies
Having problems printing outside of Chrome on your Mac? Try downloading/installing Mobility Print and you should be good to.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Technology must be viewed as a catalyst for materializing our imagination rather than a method to digitize the status quo.”

—The Tech Rabbi

Friday’s keynote speaker at #ACTEM19

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Watch this! “Make the First Day Count” by Tom Murray, posted on August 3, 2019 (1:10) P.S. I’m seeing him on Thursday at ACTEM! Think about joining me for ACTEM20.

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Oct. 1, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Freeform Expedition for Creative Writing!

This is one of my favorite ways to use Google Expeditions. Basically, I take your students to incredible places around the world and we use the locations for creative writing prompts. Intrigued?! Make an appointment with me for “Planning” and lets make it happen!

Check this out!�Matt Miller’s�Ditch That Textbook Youtube Playlist

I have been enjoying looking around Thingiverse and exploring how 3D printing is being used across every subject. There are TONS of inspiring ways to put our 3D printers to use. To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

Free Google Slide Themes

Slide Carnival

SlidesGo

SlidesGala

Time to think about...

Are you guilty of any slide presentation mis-steps? Jennifer Gonzalez has some tips for easy improvements.
Please review your Google Calendar working hours in your settings (or turn them off completely).
5 Ways to Make Your PLN Work for You by TL Editors
I LOVE the idea of using emojis in the classroom and this article has great ideas for doing so in social studies classes.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“In a world filled with so much instant information,�it is important to teach students to ask even more questions as they seek possible answers.”

— Michael Gorman�from Tech & Learning Magazine, Sept. 2019

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this!�Cult of Pedagogy Episode 129: Let’s Make Slideshows Better by Jennifer Gonzalez, posted on September 9, 2019 (23:00)

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Sept. 24, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Into the Cell

This is BY FAR the most popular Expedition I have ever done in the district. It takes you where you really can’t go (without the Magic School Bus) and that’s into plant and animal cells. I’m looking forward to taking a new group of 7th graders on this trip tomorrow!

Check this out!�Thingiverse Education

Tools of the Week...

Google Drive Tricks

/present

/copy

.new

Twitter Hashtags Worth Following

Time to think about...

Have you started to set up your gradebook yet? If not, PLEASE MEET WITH ME so we can get you up and running before you fall too far behind.
I just got access to Rubrics in Google Classroom through their beta program! Let me know if you want to check it out or read this article for more information.
Hold down the “Option” key on your computer before clicking the green circle to maximize your window size instead of going full screen.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“‘Engagement’ is more about what you can do for your students. ‘Empowerment’ is about helping students to figure out what they can do for themselves.”

— George Couros�on Twitter

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Listen to this! 60 Second Science: “Kids Not Hurt By Screentime” by Jared Rizzi, posted on September 16, 2019 (3:02)

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Sept. 17, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Full Steam Ahead? Energy Of The Past And Future

“Since the Industrial Revolution, power machinery has had a massive influence on the way people live and work.” Check out this Expedition to go to five scenes that show energy from steam to wind.

Check this out!�Dotstorming

“Dotstorming takes the process of dot voting online to allow groups of people to collaborate on a topic.” You get 1 free board, but I think that would still work for quick, in-class voting or if you are reusing one board for multiple “sessions”. To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

#edchatme

#dailyedupic

#BonnyEagle

Google Chrome Tab Management

Keep in mind...

I’ve recently been told I’ll be in the Beta group for Assignments from Google. It’s supposed to allow you to “Quickly and securely create, analyze, and grade coursework, while helping students learn more effectively.” Express your interest in it at this link or stay tuned as I share what I find when its release. And, if you are interested in other Google Classroom early adopter offerings, check out this list! So much cool stuff in the works!
New to Google Classroom? Check out this deck from Alice Keeler for the 5 different types of assignments you can set up and how to use them!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“The more kids focus on figuring out the task, the less brain power is available to understand the content, and the more they will rely on you for support.”

— EduProtocol Field Guide�by Marlena Heburn & Jon Corippo

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Book I’m reading for FREE from Overdrive thanks to my $20 ACTEM membership. See me if you want to take a look at it (or learn more about how you can read awesome books for free.)

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Sept. 10, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

9/11 Memorial & Museum

This one is helpful for both students and teachers. If you have never been to the Memorial or Museum, this Expedition will take you there. “An educational guide on the history of 9/11. The design of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, and some of the artifacts preserved in its collection.”

Tools of the Week...

Wakelet

OneTab

TabSuspender

Start of Year Organization Tips

Check this out!�Digital Planners w/ Google Keep & Calendar

A teacher asked me for tips to help students create a digital planner. And guess what? It’s awesome for teachers, too! This screencast shows you how to use Google Keep with Google Calendar to keep track of everything. To check it out... click here!

Time to think about...

Last spring I shared how to embed audio files in Google Slides. The latest from Google is that they are having problems with the rollout. So we’ll have to be patient.
Miss Lanschool? I CAN HELP! Book me to come in when you have students to set up Apple Classroom.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“If we create a culture where every teacher believes they need to improve, not because they are not good enough but because they can be even better, there is no limit to what we can achieve.”

— Dylan William

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

I would LOVE to help you convert any Apple documents to their Google equivalents. I swear it’s easy! And better to do it now than in a panic later.

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Sept. 3, 2019

Expedition of the Week...

Geography of the United States

See the US from space and then take a look at many of the things that makes the U.S. what it is. From Crow Fair in Montana to Philly, New York City to the Grand Canyon, this tour is a great way to show more of our country to our students who might not have been far from home before.

Check this out!�SimmonsClassroom.com

Why? Shameless plug. It’s my own website! From learning about 3D printing to exploring Google Expeditions and even MAKING AN APPOINTMENT with me, you can find it all right on my website. To check it out... click here!

Tools of the Week...

3 easy strategies to organize your Google Classroom

Game Changing Google Drive Tips for Teachers!

8 tips for dealing with the overwhelming mess that is your Gmail inbox

Or click here for Apple’s directions.

It’s worth thinking about...

If you are still working with documents in Apple Pages/Numbers/Keynote, please connect with me ASAP so we can work together to migrate your materials to Google Drive. It’s easy. I promise!
If you are new this year, it would be worth checking out my page on Google Expeditions. There are over 1K different VR tours available, so I bet there is one that matches at least one of your lessons this year.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“If students are sharing their work with the world, they want it to be good.�If their just sharing it with you, they just want it to be good enough.”

— Rushton Hurley

Susie Simmons�6-12 Tech Coach�

Make an appointment at...�SimmonsClassroom.com

Easy directions for “Getting Started” with Apple Classroom, which replaces Lanschool.

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2018-19 School Year

Weekly Tech Tips

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June 13, 2019

America’s National Parks

Not physically traveling much this summer? Go on a virtual one! This Expedition goes around to National Parks and makes you feel like you went there. (Trust me, it’s true. My 7 year old went to the Great Wall with Expeditions and has proclaimed that she’s been there). It’s so cool!

I’m enjoying... Creating Podcasts with Google Slides!

Why? This one comes from Greg Kulowiec. I was blown away at its simplicity! This is a fantastic way to create a podcast in your own classroom or have your students do so. It also keeps the content as private as you want since everything can stay hosted in Google.

To check it out... click here!

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June 6, 2019

Paris, France

I “went” to Paris with a couple HS classes this week and their oohs and ahhhs will never ever get old. And I totally don’t blame them with this incredible tour from AirPano (my fav tour creator) to see the gorgeous city. I feel like I’ve been there now!

I’m enjoying... Creating Podcasts with Google Slides!

To check it out... click here!

Twitter in 60 Seconds

“Twitter for Educators: A�Beginner’s Guide”

The Educator's Guide to Twitter�(Tools, Tips and Hashtags)

Here is what I’m thinking about...

If you use Stickies on your Mac and just had to save them all manually, have you thought about using Google Keep instead? It’s the Google equivalent AND all of your notes are saved online so you won’t lose them if/when you computer fails. Click here to learn it in 10 minutes.
I LOVE the tips in this article with 10 ways to go this summer. There are so many good ideas that I’m already looking forward to digging into several of them.
Like BreakoutEDU? Have you heard of Digital Escape Rooms?
Remember to set up “Backup and Sync” after your computer was restored so you don’t need to panic if you computer dies or needs to be reset.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

“Would [you] want to be a learner in your own classroom? … if worksheets were handed out as professional learning, some teachers would be bored to tears, yet, in many cases, we do the same thing to our students.”

From “The Innovator’s Mindset” from George Couros

With two weeks left and a couple days of laptop collecting, appointment slots are few and far between.

Make an appointment with me at�SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

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May 30, 2019

The Modern World

I LOVE the content in this one! It covers the global economy, the developing world and modern cities as well as environmental issues, modern tech, earth and space. There is a LOT of content here that will surely get the kids thinking more about the world around them.

I’m enjoying... Their Own Devices Podcast

Why? “Join Marc Groman, an Obama White House tech and privacy adviser, and David Reitman, an adolescent medical doctor, for candid discussions and helpful tips about screen time, social media, sexting, privacy, online gaming, and other challenges facing parents today.” Although geared towards parents, I think it’s very helpful for teachers, too.

To check it out... click here!

Showcasing Student Work

Digital Gallery Walks

Use Digital Portfolios to Showcase Student Work

Showcase Student Work during Project-Based Learning

Here is what I’m thinking about...

Do you have Google Classroom connected to Synergy? Hopefully you saw Tonya’s email in staff talk because there are lots of setting options now.
Remember Google Glass? It’s back in the headlines again. Check out this article about their use with children with autism and t his one about how they are being used in manufacturing jobs. Either one got me thinking about how we prepare kids for life after school.
Just because we work in education or because you’ve seen other do it doesn’t mean you can ignore copyright laws. This school district did and now they are paying big for it.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Panicked about backing up? Tyler Patten, the HS technician, prepared this AWESOME Google Doc with directions for how to backup to Google Drive, save your bookmarks, and export your contacts. P.S. If you are only worried about this, what would you have done if your laptop died any time prior to now?

Reminder…

It’s important to book me to ensure I’m available when you need me. My appointment calendar is filling up. Please be sure to book enough time with me for what you need because I am often running in between schools this time of year and often cannot run over your “slot”.

Make an appointment with me at�SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

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May 23, 2019

Making our own Expeditions!

I’ve been working with the other tech coaches to put the finishing touches on our own Google Expedition tour of the district. The 5th graders will use it as part of their transition to the MS. Want to make a tour? I can help!

I’m updated... Google Slides Interactive Notebooks

Why? A MS teacher asked about interactive notebooks and this awesome webpage shows you how to use Google Slides for them. I’m a huge fan of using tools we already have readily accessible rather than getting something that does one task.

To check it out... click here!

Google Calendar

Get Started with Calendar

Create a Special Calendar

12 Google Calendar Tricks You're Probably Not Using

3D Printing Lessons on Thingiverse

Here is what I’m thinking about...

If you are a night owl or otherwise find yourself drafting emails during less than ideal times to send them, you can always schedule them to go out later through Synergy or Gmail. Ask me how!
If you haven’t migrated your website to the new version of Google Sites, lets get that taken care of ASAP so you don’t run the risk of having to change mid-stream next year.
I like this list of 5 questions that students should ask about media to "help kids think critically about the media they consume and create.” Good stuff for us ALL to think about.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

If you are moving on from Bonny Eagle after this school year, think about what electronic files you have and what you might need to take with you. Should you want help with migrating, make an appointment with me!

Reminder…

I’m offline with the girls’ Pathfinder team this week! Our students are so lucky to have such an awesome opportunity! And I am excited to be a part of it.

Make an appointment with me at�SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

We’re also making one of our Pathfinder trip this week!

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

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May 16, 2019

Egypt

This week I’ve been going to Egypt with 8th grade math to meld history with math by looking at the scale of the pyramids and their volume. AirPano, my absolute favorite tour creator, made this Expedition which gives you a perspective you will likely never have in any other way.

I’m loving... Learning Math w/ Your Face

Why? This one is so fun! What a great way to engage students with math ratios and use Google tools all at the same time. (Plus Eric Curts always has loads of awesome content on his site!)

To check it out... click here!

By Subject

6-8th Grade Lesson Plans

9-12th Grade Lesson Plans

Here is what I’m thinking about...

Are you moving classrooms next year? Still lugging around a file cabinet worth of paper? I CAN HELP! From digitizing paperwork with the scanners to recreating them in digital format that you can share electronically… I’m here to support you!
Did you know that I have a robotic iPad base, called a Swivl, with an iPad that you can sign out? From recording your lessons to classroom presentations to discussions, it has loads of potential applications.
Laptop collection is coming! But that doesn’t mean you can’t use tech in lessons. I have loads of ideas for how to utilize the devices in the Google Expeditions kit to keep kids engaged even if you don’t find a tour you like.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

I’m going to be away on the Pathfinders trip next week and won’t be available for appointments nor will I have internet access to get your emails. But I’ll still be sending you a Techie Thursday message! Wonder how I can do that? I’ll teach you!

Make an appointment with me at�SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

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May 9, 2019

Pollination

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, I don’t need to tell you that pollen everywhere this time of year. This Expedition does a great job covering the pollination process and how it plays a vital cole in the reproduction of plant life.

I’m updated... my techie tool list!

Why? The Padlet I used in the past was getting to be a bit too unwieldy and was having issues. So I transferred everything into a Google Doc to make it easy to search for what you are looking for. Let me know what you think!

To check it out... click here!

YouTube in the Classroom

YouTube Video Essays

10 Way to Use YouTube in Your Classroom

8 Extensions to Help Folks Learn Better on YouTube

Here is what I’m thinking about...

Did the changes to Google Classroom make you stop using it? I’d love to show you how I’ve been using it with Pathfinders and why I actually like it better than the old version now.
If you have ever wanted to share a copy of a Google Doc WITH the comments, you can find a tutorial of how to do it here. You don’t need to use Classroom to do it!
If your students would benefit from some time learning about online safety and digital well-being, I am happy to come in a co-teach with you! Google has loads of lessons lasting as little as 45 minutes.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

I’m already planning ahead to next year! What would YOU like to see changed to make these more valuable for you? Should Techie Thursday become Techie TUESDAY? Would you rather see something once a month?

Happy Mother’s Day! I know that I’ve been called “mom” at school at least a few times over the years even before I had my daughter!

Make an appointment with me at�SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

I’d LOVE to help you & your students with video essays!

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

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May 2, 2019

America Expands West

This week I spent 2 days in 7th grade social studies taking their students to Fort Mandan in North Dakota. We all learned LOADS and the kids were very engaged. It was a fun way to change up the pace and we’re already planning to go on more “tours” before the end of the year.

I’m loving… this podcast episode

Why? This short (<10 min) episode covers some of the benefits that teachers reported when they worked to reduce their paper use. And, yes, it talks about some of the challenges, too. Lots of good points to consider.

To check it out... click here!

Keep Them Engaged!

Deck Toys (Freemium)

Breakout EDU Digital (these are free!)

Increase Student Engagement with Tech

Here is what I’m thinking about...

Did the changes to Google Classroom make you stop using it? I’d love to show you how I’ve been using it with Pathfinders and why I actually like it better than the old version now.
Last weekend I moderated the 3D Printing Forum in Portland. There were LOADS of ideas for every single grade/subject. Click here to check out all of the presentations and get inspired! I’m already planning to make a carrot whistle.
If you are planning to incorporate Expeditions into your lesson, please BOOK ME ASAP as my schedule is already filling up for the rest of the school year.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

96 of 125

April 25, 2019

America Goes West

This week might have included Earth Day, but this expedition takes students to the surface of several planets and moons in our solar system. The digital renderings are beautiful and there is a ton of information about each stop.

I’m loving… YouTube Full FILL extension for Chrome

Why? A spin off from my last shared tool, this extension will give you a link to the full screen mode of a YouTube video. Makes it nice when linking to videos in your lesson plans.

To check it out... click here!

Peer Feedback

Suggestion mode in Google Docs

Peer Grade

“I noticed” and “I wondered” classroom strategy

Things to think about...

Presentation proposals for ACTEM19 are due April 30th. Want to present? I’m here to help!
How are you (and your students) staying engaged as the weather gets warmer? I can help tweak things to keep you all on board!
My non-teacher husband shared this post about a teacher refusing to confiscate cell phones. Lots of good points. What do you think?
Interested in Google PD this summer? AppsEvents is doing a session in Biddeford and I’ll be presenting three sessions. Might be worth looking into it.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

What would YOU like to see changed to make these more valuable for you? Should Techie Thursday become Techie TUESDAY? Would you rather see something once a month? Perhaps a different or alternate format? How about a short podcast instead? I’m looking for suggestions so I can make it valuable for you!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

This time of year is perfect for VR/AR, like Google Expeditions, to boost engagement. Let me know if you want to co-teach a lesson!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

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97 of 125

April 11, 2019

The Civil War

The Civil War starts on April 12, 1861. This Expedition visits several of the key locations on the War as they are seen today including a Civil War era submarine, Fort Sumter, and Gettysburg.

I’m loving… Sharing Google Slides in Presentation Mode!

Why? A HS teacher asked me how to do it and it’s pretty easy! It makes sharing your slide decks a lot neater and easier for the viewer to follow and interact with.

To learn how... click here!

Spring Cleaning!

Scholastic’s Spring Cleaning Tips

Give Yourself a Digital Spring Clean

Digital Declutter Checklist

Video Recording Options for Students

Listening to these podcast episodes over break...

Is your lesson a grecian urn? (21 mins)�Critically think about what you are doing with your students and how it connects to your standards.
Google for Enrichment & Free Time (36 mins)�Lots of great options to give to your kids, instead of farting around online or playing games (yes, students claim they have permission), when you have down time in your class.
Unstoppable Learning (51 minutes)�This TED Talk Radio Hour about the different ways we learn is from 2013, but it is still one of my favorites.
Improve Your Teaching by Doing a Few Things Well (10 minutes)�Short, but awesome interview with

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Anyone who responds with feedback/improvements on these emails can come get a prize! Custom badge holder for you, awesome BE SWAG, a prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

98 of 125

April 4, 2019

Paul Revere’s Ride

April 18th marks the anniversary of Paul Revere’s famous ride. Explore this exciting event in American history by following Revere’s route to Lexington and discover the real story of what happened along the way.

I’m loving… Answer tables in Google Docs

Why? I’ve been using this technique for years, but Jake Miller quickly demonstrates how to make it easier to find student’s answers in a Google Doc with this simple formatting “hack”..

To check it out... click here!

Swivl video robot (I have one!)

Quicktime Player

Green Screen with Photo Booth

Things to think about...

Digital Promise has released a pile of new microcredential badges including “PBS-Certified Media Literacy Educator” and “Making Media for Classroom Use: Audio and Video”.
A fellow teacher passed along this article written by Jessica Lahey, the author of “The Gift of Failure”. Although geared towards parents, I think the messaging about letting students fail and learn from that is powerful.
If you didn’t catch this feel good story of the HS robotics team who customized a toy car for a 2 year old, it’s worth a read. Behold the power of 3D printing, robotics, and coding!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

99 of 125

March 28, 2019

Gold Coast Mansions of�Gatsby’s Long Island

I love discovering tours that bring novels to life for our students. This one takes you to visit the mansions of The Great Gatsby and “to take a peek into the lives of the families who lived there and the story they inspired.”�Click here to see a preview of it.

I’m loving… Tune from Alphabet!

Why? This is an experimental extension for Chrome that lets you control the “volume” in the comments on YouTube, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and Disqus comments. I see several ways for this to be helpful in schools.

To check it out... click here!

Sheet Formula Basics

The 7 Most Useful Google Sheets Formulas

Google Sheet Function List

Google Sheets 101: The Beginner's Guide to Online Spreadsheets

Thinking of going paperless?

Things to ponder...

Be on the lookout for printable PD from “Ditch That Textbook”. Lots of good content! Here is the sign from March.
Vacation on your mind? Check out Google Flights and use their comparison tools. I’d also love to see students use it to think about economics, supply/demand, and the world around them.
This is a pretty interesting article about “Smart Tech Use for Equity”. Lots to think about!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Tools of the Week

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

100 of 125

March 21, 2019

The Jamestown Colony

This week I brought a couple HS classes to visit Jamestown and get a feel for what life was like during the Colony era. From inside one of the ships to a Powhatan village an active archaeological site and cellar excavation… this tour covers it all!

“Going Paperless: Advantages & Challenges of the Paperless Classroom”

“20 features of a great paperless classroom”

Lanschool Basics

I’m loving… Applied Digital Skills!

Why? Google has LOADS of free lessons available with durations from 45 minutes to 9 hours and topics range from creating a presentation to resumes and budgeting. Even better, all of the “how tos” are laid out for them already!

To check it out... click here!

By request, tips to going paperless...

Google Classroom has been revamped LOTS lately. This 2 minute video will get you all caught up and help it all make sense.
Did you know that you can collect assignments in Synergy? Enable the “Assignment Drop Box” when you create a new assignment to set it up. You can collect anything with it!
LessonVUE on Synergy gives you an easy place to host materials for classes.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

It’s 3rd Trimester!

Expedition of the Week

Tri 3

101 of 125

March 14, 2019

Nuclear Disaster Aftermath

This week I’m exploring lots of places with Ms. Corbett’s science students. One of my favorites on the docket is this tour which takes us to Pripyat, a city in Chernobyl’s exclusion zone. It’s so fascinating to see what is left!

Happy Pi Day!

18 Way NASA Uses Pi

FREE Pi Day Digital BreakoutEDU

Collection of Pi Day Themed Kahoot!

Productivity & Focus�Helpers for Chrome

I’m loving… the latest Google Expedition update!

Why? It makes it super easy to do tours that WE CREATE! Interested in making a VR tour? I CAN HELP! Let’s get together and make a plan. I have everything we need!

To check it out... click here!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

“Where joy hides and how to find it” on TED Talks includes lots of good thoughts about schools and bringing joy to our spaces.
I love this “60-Second Civics” daily podcast as a starter activity in history/civics classes.
Have you seen these lesson plans from OK GO Sandbox? SO AWESOME! Lots of engaging content for science and art.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

102 of 125

March 7, 2019

To the Moon with the Google Lunar XPRIZE

This week I’m heading to the moon with Julia Bemis’s students at BEHS! It is a great Expedition that combines history with science. And Expeditions are a nice change of pace this time of year especially!

ReCall Study Time

Time Blocker

Marinara: Pomodoro® Assistant

I’m loving… Museum Viewer for Merge Cube

Why? Students get to “hold” 20+ ancient artifacts thanks to augmented reality. It’s pretty fun and a fun hands on activity. I have 30 phone/cube sets available!

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

The Power of In-House Professional Development by Lauren Porosoff with National Association of Independent Schools
From TED Talks: “Forget multitasking, try monotasking” (less than 3 minutes long)
Easy, 33 question “Your style under stress™ assessment” that can help you be mindful of how your react under pressure

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Anyone who meets with me for an appointment gets a prize! Custom badge holder for you, awesome BE SWAG, a prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Share these with your students!

Expedition of the Week

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103 of 125

February 28, 2019

Bacteria

With President’s Day upcoming, there are a plethora of tours available surrounding past Presidents and the government. This tour is an example of that and takes you on a drive by of the homes as they exist today.

Map Tools

Smarty Pins

Land Lines

Google Maps in Space

I’m loving… Body Synth

Why? It’s a super fun way to get the wiggles out and create music with your movement. Change the instrument, chord, and even control it with your voice. No account needed, too!

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration?�I’m here to help!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

The Problem with “Learning Styles” from Scientific America
Screen time and social media with kids: We might be doing it wrong, parents by Kristen Chase with Cool Mom Tech
I would highly recommend checking out the FREE 3D Printing Forum that is happening at USM next month. Lots of good info to learn! (And all of our schools have 3D printers you can use.)

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

104 of 125

February 14, 2019

Home of the United States Presidents Part 2

Read to ME

Google’s Talk to Books

Magnetic Poetry with Google Drawings

ngrams viewer with Google Books

I’m loving… Retrieval Warm Ups from Retrieval Practice

Why? The no-stakes warm ups are easy to use for entry tickets, writing prompts, ice breakers… lots of different ways! The slide deck has each question broken out onto a separate slide, which makes it super easy to incorporate them into your routine.

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration?�I’m here to help!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

3 ways to incorporate the 4 Cs into any class
Submit ONE for Feedback looks like an awesome way to incorporate peer feedback and boost their Google Slide skills
LOVE these ideas for 10 time savers for teachers. How many of them do you already do?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Head over Twitter or Instagram and use #bonnyeagle to get a PRIZE! Custom badge holder for you, awesome BE SWAG, a prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

105 of 125

February 7, 2019

Robben Island

Nelson Mandela was freed from jail on February 11, 1990. This Expeditions takes you to Robben Island where he was imprisoned for 18 of the 27 years he spent behind bars. Click here for a free lesson plan with this Expedition.

Cartoon Strip Creation

Storyboard That

Canva Comic Strips

MakeBeliefsComix

I’m loving… Stories on Planet.com

Why? Find a location around the world and create a timelapse of satellite images taken from there. Easily exports into a video! See my example on Back Cove to the left or click here.

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration?�I’m here to help!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Did you know that your students can scan QR codes with their computers?
Have you seen “This Week in History” from EnglishClub.com? Looks like an awesome way to easily blend history into ELA classes.
Check out this awesome list of “no registration required” web tools. Lots of good ones on there!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

106 of 125

January 31, 2019

Tour the International�Space Station

I dare say anyone would be engaged by this one! This is your opportunity to go to the ISS and explore (most) of the modules and see Earth from space. It’s really fun!

Creative Commons

Google’s Advanced Image Search

Fair Use Guidelines For Educational Multimedia

Favorite Chrome Extensions

I’m loving… School Messenger

Why? Creating an account on it lets you customize how you get notices from school and see what was sent to you. If you feel like you missed something (like the plans for next year message), check your settings here first!

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration?�I’m here to help!

Make an appointment�with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

3 ways to incorporate the 4 Cs into any class
Submit ONE for Feedback looks like an awesome way to incorporate peer feedback and boost their Google Slide skills
Imagine how engaged your students could be if they created virtual reality book tours! What a fun project!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

107 of 125

January 24, 2019

Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Last week I took a clan of 7th grade ELA students to interesting places around the world to inspire them with their creative writing. The Mosque was one of our favorite stops. It gave us all the (false) sense of warmth!

The Great Suspender

Share to Classroom

GIPHY for Chrome

Extensity

I’m loving… 4 EdTech Ways to Differentiate in a Student-Centered Classroom

Why? Easy to follow blog post with four different areas that can be differentiated with the use of technology as well as what apps you might want to consider for each one. Lots of good ideas!

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Can you (and your students) spot when you are being phished? Take this quiz from Google to find out!
I would highly recommend getting acquainted with issues surrounding student data privacy. It’s been a hot button issue lately and will impact you in the future.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time! �

Tools of the Week

Head over to Twitter and tweet using #bonnyeagle to get a PRIZE! Custom badge holder for you, awesome BE SWAG, a prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

108 of 125

January 17, 2019

Global Environmental Issues

From population growth to food supply, climate change and energy resources, this expedition covers a wide range of topics that our students need to be aware of and are topics comm

Writing/Text Tools

Hemingway App

Rewordify

Text Compactor

I’m loving… Kialo

Why? It’s a versatile and FREE platform for student debate and analysis. “Students can learn about social and political issues while practicing digital citizenship and engaging in thoughtful debate.

To check it out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Did you know that students can create things in 2D and then 3D print them? A 6th grade class has been doing just that this week!
Uncertain about your gradebook? I’ve been looking over several of them this week with teachers to make sure they are good to go.
How Powerful Use of Technology Can Increase Student Engagement

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Book an appointment with me to plan or co-teach a lesson to get a PRIZE! Custom badge holder for you, prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

No accounts required!

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

109 of 125

January 10, 2019

The Civil Rights Movement

This is the perfect way to make your students more familiar with why we have a long weekend coming up. Photos of the current location are overlayed with images from the past. Tons of great information, too!

Digital Task Cards

Strategies for Using Task Cards in the Secondary Classroom

Digital Task Cards on Google Classroom

9 Ways to Use Task Cards

I’m loving… EDU in 90

Why? Quick hit teacher tips in <4 minutes an episode. New videos posted twice a month. Great way to get tips quick! And will often give you a look at new features as they come out.

To check them out... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

With MLK Day coming up, I found this awesome resource to virtually help your students understand the Civil Rights movement.
Give faster feedback in Google Docs with keyboard shortcuts.
Want students to actually pay attention to and use the feedback that you give them?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

First 5 people to enter their website in my Google form get a REWARD! Custom badge holder for you, prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

110 of 125

January 3, 2019

Word Clouds

Jason Davies Word Cloud

Word Art

WordItOut

The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks

Alaska became a state 59 years ago today. Visit the Kenai Fjords National Park and four other national parks with this expedition. Also useful when talking about the impact of the current partial government shutdown.

I’m loving… tool specific Airplay

Why? If you only need to show a YouTube video, play music from iTunes or other specific apps, look for the Airplay symbol built into them so that you only stream what you need to. It will reduce lags and hopefully make the experience better for you.

To learn more... click here!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

I’ve started to regularly use the Stop, Breathe & Think app (free for educators) I mentioned earlier this school year. Some of them are 3 minutes long and I bet could be useful for with students. Here are 12 science-based benefits of meditation.
“In High School, the Kids are Not Alright” by David Tow has been making the rounds on Twitter lately.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Have your students upload a project they did with tech in your class on Flipgrid (Code MSAD6TECH). REWARD! Custom badge holder for you, prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

111 of 125

December 20, 2018

A Dickens Christmas

As you head home for the holidays, I recommend downloading the free Expeditions app or click here to check out this tour. Join this Expedition to the Charles Dickens Museum and take part in some of the family cheer.

Holiday Fun with Tech!

Google’s Santa Tracker

NORAD Tracks Santa

Holiday Themed 3D Printable Goodies

Closed Captioning Made Easy!

I’m loving… LMS Pages on LessonVue

Why? I highly recommend having at least your contact information and a link to your real website set up on a LMS page that is shared with all of your classes.

To learn more... check out this slide deck from our LMS training last spring or make an appointment with me!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

As you recharge for 2019, I highly recommend checking out this article with tips and tricks from fellow teachers for digital organization and saving time.
While researching something for a teacher, I came across this article on how to create interactive Google Drawings. I think it’d be awesome to use with students!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Have your students share how they have used tech in your class on Flipgrid (Code MSAD6TECH). REWARD! Custom badge holder for you, prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

112 of 125

December 13, 2018

I’m loving… Profiles in Chrome!

Why? Many of you likely have multiple accounts logged in to your Chrome browser. But did you know it causes conflicts, sharing issues, etc.? Profiles will fix it for you!

Learn more... here

Automatic Captions in Google Slides
Automatic Captions in YouTube
A Rising Tide: How Closed Captions�Can Benefit All Students

Geography of China

This expedition is a great way to give students context for current events. You will see China from above, then zoom in to the limestone towers near Guilin, the mountains and lakes of Jiuzhaigou National Park, then visit the Great Wall, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

If you have a unit you want to bring VR to but don’t know how… let me know! A HS physics class went on roller coasters designed by Purdue students this week and had a blast!

Do you know how many email accounts your browser is logged in to? I ask because a lot of teachers are logged in to more than just one (and sometimes student’s accounts) and they don’t know it.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

Just email me back with ONE THING you’ve learned and used from the past 13 weeks of Techie Thursday emails. REWARD! Custom badge holder for you, prize from bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!), or I’ll come in run a Google Expedition with your kids FOR YOU (you get to kick back and experience it with them).

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

113 of 125

December 6, 2018

Student Created Podcasts

Anchor (100% free)

Synth

50 Ideas for Student Created Podcasts

Astronomy

This tour is a great way to talk about what we know astronomy, how we know it, our solar system, and the phases of the moon. With NASA’s announcement of returning to the moon, it’s a great way to get kids interested!

I’m loving… Add to Tasks!

Why? If you are in your email, click on the three dots to add the email to your Tasks list, which makes it easier to keep track of what you need to do and when.

To learn how to use tasks... click here and then check out Zapier’s guide to tasks on this webpage!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

7 Ways Innovative Teachers Use Instagram
From NPR: “Teachers Turn Lessons Into Instagram-Worthy Photos”
“In an increasingly automated world, skills such as creativity, synthesis, and problem solving will be in great demand in the workplace (Pew Research Center, 2014).” How are you preparing your students for their future?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Find me on Instagram at…

@BonnyEagleMiddleSchool

@SimmonsClassroom

and use #bonnyeagle!

Prize time!

Tools of the Week

*For BEMS/BEHS Staff Only*

Expedition of the Week

Tri 2

114 of 125

November 29, 2018

HOUR OF CODE ACTIVITIES

The Grinch: Saving Christmas with Code

Health: DNA (Vidcode)

Play That Tune App

“Computer Programming”

What a fun way to get introduced to computer programming! It’s a very basic look at the common terms used and gives students a look at what programming actually is like. Click here to preview it.

I’m loving… Hour of Code!

Why? They have been used to increase student engagement and given them choice within an easy to understand set of guidelines.

Find it... here!

Tools of the Week

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

I can find a Hour of Code activity for practically any subject you teach. Just ask and I’ll give you all the options!
You can use Lanschool to lock the students into using only Synergy when giving an assessment. It worked great at the HS!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Make an appointment with me to come in and co-teach a hour of code session and I’ll 3D print a custom badge holder for you or let you chose a prize from my bag of conference goodies (webcam covers, Pop Sockets, USB powered lights and more!).

RECOMMENDED CERTIFICATIONS

Tri 1

115 of 125

November 15, 2018

Google Teacher, Level 1 & 2

Apple Teacher

Flipgrid Certified Educator

SeeSaw Ambassador

“A First Look at College”

Although made by UNC Chapel Hill, this tour is designed to familiarize students with college life with broad strokes to show them what many colleges have to offer. It’s a good first step for students just starting to look at their future options.

I’m loving… Google Tasks!

Why? It’s integrated right into the GSuite platform and lets you set due dates, sub tasks… it’s awesome! Much more powerful than Keep for to do lists (minus the ability to share a list with someone).

Find more info... here!

Tools of the Week

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Yale’s Most Popular Class Ever: Happiness
Not necessarily tech specific, but this is pretty awesome: This school partners students and entrepreneurs, giving kids tools to one day run a business
Have you encouraged your students to use Google Scholar for their research?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Highlight of the week: Shout out to the high school PE team who met with me to set up a department wide assessment on Synergy during the late arrival and put it to use THAT DAY! We had a TON of students access StudentVue for the first time as a result.

Tri 1

116 of 125

November 8, 2018

PODCAST RECOMMENDATIONS

So We’ve Been Thinking (SWBT)

The 10-Minute Teacher Show

Ditch that Textbook

Google Teacher Tribe Podcast

I’m loving… Flippity!

Why? You know I love Google Sheets! Flippity takes your Sheets and gamifies them with ease. It’s been huge on Twitter lately!

Find it... here.

“Using Statcast to Break Down a Baseball Play”

You might have spent A LOT of time watching baseball recently. This expedition breaks down the math behind the game and is an awesome way to look at a real life application of lots of concepts/terms.

Tools of the Week

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

If you use Google Contacts a lot, the “new” version will be the only option as of February 12, 2019.
This article on “The Dangers of Distracted Parenting” from the Atlantic.
Check out the “Habits of Work & Guiding Principles Self Assessment” that I built for you on Synergy!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Quote of the week about coaching: “I would say it’s to help people reach their maximum potential or capacity. So, within an education context I would say that coaches are there to help you become your best self not only as an educator but also as a colleague, a thinker or reflector, anything that we hope teachers are for the generations that we’re teaching. So I think they’re there to support and help you realize who you can always be.” ~ Reid Wilson at NIST International School in Bangkok on Eduro Learning’s #coachbetter vodcast

Tri 1

117 of 125

November 1, 2018

PODCAST LISTENING

Podbay

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Listening Notes

“U.S. Elections”

With the elections happening next week, this Expedition goes from the Roman Forums and Environs to President Obama’s Inauguration Parade and visits key locations to our elections from over the years and why they matter.

I’m loving… ClassroomScreen.com

Why? Loads of build in classroom tools, but my favorite is the sound meter that monitor the sound in your classroom and can sound an alert when it’s too loud.

Find it... here!

Tools of the Week

Are you on Pinterest? Check out my boards for loads of ideas on technology integration, 3D printing and more!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Did you know that suggestions from our district have dramatically improved Assessments on Synergy since last spring?
If you have joined #bonnyeagle and #msad6tech on Twitter, check out this link for a crash course on Twitter chats.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: The tech coaches are thinking of more ways to share the good that we do. More of us are creating school profiles on social media and using #bonnyeagle to create a positive message. I’m on Instagram at SimmonsClassroom now, so follow me if you have a school account, too.

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October 25, 2018

GREEN SCREEN

Photobooth

iMovie

Green Screen in the Classroom (article)

“Salem Village and the 1692 Witch Hysteria”

You might have visited Salem, but have you been to the Rebecca Nurse Homestead? This tour shows students what life was like during the Witch Trials and visits the Victims’ Memorial.

I’m loving… Crowdsourcing Concepts

Why? This was the presentation from one of the sessions I attended at MassCUE. There are lots of good ideas to be found!

Find it... here!

Tools of the Week

Are you on Pinterest? Check out my boards for loads of ideas on technology integration, 3D printing and more!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Hour of Code is coming the first week of December! I’ll be sharing resources here, but would like to plan a lesson with you for it!
Is there a Google Expedition you’d love for your classes? We can make our own now!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

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October 18, 2018

VIDEO/AUDIO RESPONSE

GoSynth

Flipgrid

Seesaw

“Explore the Maxis Studio: How Sims Are Made”

How many of your students want to do something in tech in the future? Do they know what that is really like? This tour takes them through the company that makes The Sims. It’s pretty interesting!

I’m loving… HackLead!

Why? There are “10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love”.

Find it… here and the companion book here.

Tools of the Week

This week I’ll be traveling to #MassCUE18 at Gillette for the first time to learn lots and present a session on automation. I can’t wait to share when I get back!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

If you click on the Apple and then “About this Mac” and see 10.11 under the version, you REALLY need to update. I can help you with it!
If you are on social media, use #bonnyeagle to share the awesome stuff we are doing here. Lets make our presence online a positive one!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: I met with a teacher this week and she show me some of her daily processes. We worked together to simplify it all to get her the same result with A LOT LESS WORK! It was awesome! I would LOVE to help more teachers/staff work smarter not harder.

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October 11, 2018

TWITTER TOOLS

Tweetdeck

Nuzzle

IFTTT

“Friction”

I’m not normally a huge fan of the VidaSystem expeditions, but this one on friction looks like a fun one to introduce students to how it was discovered as well as what it is in the first place.

I’m loving… Learning Menus & Choice Boards!

Why? They have been used to increase student engagement and given them choice within an easy to understand set of guidelines.

Find Examples… on this Pinterest Board

Tools of the Week

Are you on Pinterest? Check out my boards for loads of ideas on technology integration, 3D printing and more!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Are you doing something with tech that you think others should know about? Think about presenting at ACTEM19! I’m looking for co-presenters for next fall.
Did you know we can make our own VR tours for Google Expeditions?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: I missed posting this on time because I was attending the ACTEM18 conference. Joe Sanfelippo, a superintendent, gave a VERY inspiring keynote on Friday with a focus on improving moral in schools. He made me want to move to Wisconsin. Check him out!

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October 4, 2018

MINDFULNESS TOOLS

Stop, Breathe & Think

GoNoodle

Fablefly on YouTube

“Conservation International Film: Valen’s Reef”

With the devestation in Indonesia from the earthquake and tsunami from on our minds, take your students to Raja Ampat Islands to see what life is like in the region from the eyes of a conservation.

I’m loving…Flipgrid

Why? It’s a 100% free video response system for student engagement and formative assessments. Join in our district wide Flipgrid!

Find it… here

Tools of the Week

Are you on Twitter? Join in the conversation! Check out #msad6tech to see what’s happening with tech integration in SAD6!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Have you assessed your GPs/HOWs yet this trimester?
Have you looked at your tech integration according to the SAMR model? Click here for a 2 minute introduction on YouTube.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: I worked with two teachers this week to update their Google Sites to the new version. We also worked to ensure that the site is useful, relevant, and does not take more time to manage than it should. I love helping folks work smarter!

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September 27, 2018

DIGITAL POSTERS

Google Slides

Canva

Adobe Spark

“Solar System” by VidaSystems

Gone are the days of the understanding the solar system based on photos, models, etc. This one puts students into the solar system so it feels like they are floating in space. So cool!

I’m loving…Lanschool

Why? Because it enables teachers in grades 6-12 to monitor their students laptops to help them focus on success in class

Find it… here

Tools of the Week

Are you on Twitter? Join in the conversation! Check out #msad6tech to see what’s happening with tech integration in SAD6!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

How much time would you gain by not hanging out with the photocopier? How much paper would you save?
Don’t forget to check out https://flipgrid.com/msad6tech to share how you use using tech in class.

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: The tech coaches want to see how you’re using technology in your classrooms! This week’s Flipboard to post a 90 second (or less) video of what you are doing with tech is https://flipgrid.com/msad6tech

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September 20, 2018

TIMELINE TOOLS

Google Slides

Timeline JS from knight lab

TimeGraphics

“Into the Cell”

This is one of the most popular tours we’ve done in the district and it’s SO COOL! A teacher at the high school brought her students inside a cell this week. How many cell parts can you name?

I’m loving…Tweetdeck

Why? I can easily follow important hashtags and and keep track of all the good stuff being shared on Twitter in one window!

Find it… here

Tools of the Week

Are you on Twitter? Join in the conversation! Check out #msad6tech to see what’s happening with tech integration in SAD6!

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

If your website is on the “old” version of Google Sites, have you started to move it to the new one yet?
Did you know that messages sent to parents/students through Synergy will actually have replies come back to you now? Yipee!

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: Did you know that Flipgrid in now 100% free? The tech coaches want to see how you’re using technology in your classrooms! Share a video clip (up to 90 seconds) to show us how you’re using tech! https://flipgrid.com/msad6tech

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September 13, 2018

CONCEPT MAP TOOLS

Lucid Charts

Canva

Google Drawings

“Flight 93”

Viewed by 7th grade social studies students as they reviewed the events of September 11th. The tour was created by high school students! (And, yes, we can create our own, too.)

I’m loving…Google Keep

Why? It’s like virtual stickie notes, reminders, and to do lists that you can easily share access to.

Find it… here or click on the waffle in Gmail

Tools of the Week

I’m Susie Simmons, the tech coach for grades 6-12 here at Bonny Eagle.

Want assistance with your technology integration? I’m here to help!

Make an appointment with me at SimmonsClassroom.com!

Things to ponder…

Is your computer being backed up to Google Drive?
Have you entered grades in Synergy yet?
Do you want to start building your assessments on Synergy?
What are your students doing with technology that isn’t possible without it?

I’d love to know your thoughts!

Popular topic from the week: One teacher I worked with has created several formative assessments on Synergy and LOVES that they automatically go into their gradebook and thus keeps parents and students informed in a timely manner as to how to are doing in class.