Sites to Explore
Applied Digital Skills lessons the NEW Google for Education Learning Center is live
Free Norman Rockwell Museum Virtual Field Trip access to a curated digital exhibition, along with ready-to-use, standards-aligned lesson plans.
Vol 5, Issue 18 5/30/2025
Summer Tech Care
Protect tech from damage during summer cleaning.
Know where they are in September!
Customize Chrome!
Open a new Chrome Tab.
Tap More (3 dots) at the top right of the window
Select More Tools
Select Customize Chrome
Appearance
Edit the Theme & Appearance
Choose which buttons show on your Toolbar
Toolbar
Toggle on/off tools and actions including Delete browsing data, Print, Translate & many more!
Staff & students: Add the Chrome extension
We have a trial to the Unlimited subscription!
Reading
Reading Mode
Simplify web pages and remove distractions.
Auto Scroll
Effortlessly set your scroll speed to slow, medium, or fast and navigate through websites at your own pace.
Writing
Note Organizer
Keep track of notes, highlights, and text easily. Access edit, and organize notes from any device, helping you stay productive and focused.
In-Browser Document Editor
Create, edit, and manage your documents right in your browser. Export to Google Docs, Markdown, and more
Word Prediction
Write faster and with fewer mistakes by suggesting words as you type. The tool learns your writing habits for more personalized suggestions.
Accessibility
Customizable Overlays & Tints
Make websites easier to read. Adjust brightness, contrast, and colors to reduce glare and ease eye strain.
AI Corner
Information for Families
Empowering Families To Explore AI Together (Toolkit)
PD Opportunity
MagicSchool AI PD Certification courses for staff & students
Sites to Explore
Botanic Atlas Explore Google Arts & Cultures
interactive world map with over 30,000 species.
Chat Animator free tool to create fake text chat animations. Export to .gif, or .mp4 video.
Have students imagine and write a
conversation between historical figures
or characters in their current book.
Upload images, change text & colors
Jigsaw Planet Up to 300 pieces, great for
presenting on the board to do collaboratively.
Vol 5, Issue 17 5/16/2025
End of Year Chromebook Procedures
Have some extra time and want to help students organize?
Drive: Set up a folder for the 2024-2025 School year. Have students review files they have created; a great way to prepare a portfolio. Delete files that may have been drafts or just blank files. Select and drag to the new folder.
Downloads: Scroll through the Download folder and drag any “keepers” to My Drive. Delete unnecessary files.
Clear Cache & Cookies: Control-Shift-Backspace
is the shortcut to open the settings.
Delete from All Time
Bookmarks: To delete old Bookmarks, right
Click (two-fingers) on the Bookmark and
select Delete from the menu.
Classroom: Unenroll from old Classes by
tapping the three dots at the top right of the
class card and selecting Unenroll.
Google Read Along (K-3)
Google Read Along provides a reading buddy, Diya,
who uses Google's advanced text-to-speech and voice recognition technologies to listen and respond to students with real-time feedback and encouragement as they read aloud.
If assigned via Google Classroom, select from lexile or grade level texts in 9 languages and the teacher receives accuracy, comprehension and progress data.
10 Tips for Using AI Responsibly in the Classroom By Med Kharbach, PhD
Keep Student Data Private: Avoid entering student information into AI tools.
Don't Trust AI Outputs Blindly: Always
review & revise AI generated content.
Be Transparent with Students: Inform students when you've used AI to create materials to foster honest conversations.
Teach Students to Question AI: Help them evaluate AI content critically, considering accuracy, bias, and missing voices.
Use AI to Support Thinking: Let AI spark ideas, but guide students to build their own understanding and reflections.
Always Cite and Acknowledge Sources: Show students how to give credit, even when using AI-generated content.
Personalize with AI, Don't Standardize: Use AI to tailor content to different learning needs, not to flatten your instruction.
Don't Use AI to Grade Students: Recognize that grading needs nuance, and AI can't understand context, growth, or effort.
Check for Bias and Misinformation: Be aware that AI can produce incorrect outputs, so fact-check & challenge its results.
Blend AI with Human Judgment: Remember that AI is a tool, not the teacher. Your experience, values, & insight are essential.
Sites to Explore
Emoji Kitchen Running out of emojis? Combine them
to create unique collections. Have students use them
to describe how they are feeling or to write a creative
story using them. Just a little end of year fun.
Digital Snacks A padlet of 100+ brain breaks for students-physical, humor, relaxing, social, creative, etc.
Would You Rather Math Engage students in math
based conversations, filter by grade levels.
Vol 5, Issue 16 5/2/2025
Multiple Desks in Chrome
Add desks to organize your windows and multi-task.
Think of them as separate workspaces on your screen.
*Improved Organization: separate tabs by class, task, role, personal, committees, presentations
*Enhanced Focus/Productivity: see only those tabs for the work at hand, no distractions
*Seamless Task Switching: don’t hunt through a jumble of open windows, quickly switch between your pre-organized desks
*Reduced Visual Clutter: for those of you who often have 20+ open tabs, tab titles are visible
To access your desks, press the "Show windows" key
Tap to create a new desk
Click the name to rename it
Tap on any desk to switch to that desk
Slides Sidebar
What’s new? Quick access to:
Increased collection of customizable templates
Professionally designed lists, collages & statistics
Millions of free stock images, GIFs and stickers
Quick access to Drive
Create Videos within Slides
Speaker Spotlight-record yourself within your presentation
AI Updates
President Trump's recent executive order, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth," aims to:
*Integrate AI literacy into education at all levels
*Establishes a task force to coordinate federal efforts
*Creates the "Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge" to foster student innovation
*Prioritizes teacher training in AI, with a focus on public-private partnerships to develop educational resources
*Emphasizes expanding AI-related apprenticeships and leveraging existing federal grant programs to support AI education
Luckily for us, we have been doing work around AI and our protocols seem to be aligned.
I’d love to come to PLC’s and highlight an AI tool that might be useful to your specific group. We are all still learning about AI and I am here to support staff use as well as that of our students.
Resources to Explore
Day of AI-Updated lessons for K-12 students,
created by MIT, which can be used anytime
Teaching responsible use of AI Google’s Lesson Plan
30+ Ways to Use Gemini in Education Slide deck
Why Gemini Slide Deck & Webinar
Google’s AI Responsibility Checklist
YouTube playlist: How to use Gemini Education
Accessing Gemini
Or visit https://gemini.google.com
Vol 5, Issue 15 4/11/2025
Chatting with Gemini
Use natural language- Talk like you would a colleague.
Create an activity on cellular structures for 6th-grade bio.
Be clear and concise- Provide 12 thoughtful questions to ask an educator interviewing for a high school art position.
Provide Context- Write a job description for an elementary principal, including the required skills and experience, as well as a summary of RSU 21 and the position.
Use relevant keywords- Create a project plan for training educators on new Chromebook AI features ahead of the next school year.
Gems
What are Gems? They are essentially shortcuts you create which can be used to set instructions/prompts you regularly use. ex: You are a lesson plan creator for a 9th-grade history class. I will provide you with a historical event and learning objectives. Generate a detailed 65-minute lesson plan, including an engaging introduction, interactive activities, and assessment methods. Ensure the plan incorporates diverse learning styles and suggest relevant online resources.
To create a Gem
In Gemini, tap Gem Manager icon in the left menu
Tap
Give the Gem a name and complete the instructions.
Use Gemini to refine your Gem
Coming Soon
By the end of April, Gemini will interact with Calendar, Docs, Drive, Gmail, Keep and Tasks, providing more context to your prompts.
Looking forward to seeing how this addition creates new opportunities for staff.
Google’s Pro Tips for Prompt Writing
Answer like you are a middle school science teacher
Create a step-by-step list
Reference this lesson plan (upload example from Drive)
Sites to Explore
Radio Garden listen to local radio stations from all
over the world.
Polypad a virtual manipulative tool has moved from Mathigon, which still has activities and lesson resources, to Amplify which houses Desmos .
Frankenstories A creative writing game for the whole class. Students write in timed rounds, vote on their favorite submissions, and see the winning
responses stitched together into a story.
Spark Studio & IXL
IXL has partnered with Spark Studio, a creative workspace for teachers, powered by AI. Any staff member who has access to IXL can log into Spark Studio by tapping the “My IXL” tab and clicking->
Create choice boards, exit tickets, interactive games & more!
Vol 5, Issue 14 3/28/2025
Google Vids PD
Interested in learning more about Google Vids? It’s Google’s newest online video creator and editor. It is much less sophisticated than WeVideo and has a maximum 10 minute video length. It might be perfect to use to quickly put a lesson together for a sub or to limit the distractions of students’ creating videos. Check out the 45 minute self-paced course. Sign up here.
PD For Staff Comp Day
Get a head start on earning FOUR hours of approved PD to make up for our recent snow day! Many options focus on technology, so don’t hesitate to reach out if you need any assistance. There are several Google and Common Sense Media resources that are relevant for all staff. Informational Document.
National AI Literacy Day
Today, March 28, is a nationwide day of
action focused on exploring the question, “What is AI?”
Resources Search by grade level and length of activity.
Synchronous PD throughout the day
or scroll to the end of the page for
last year’s recordings.
Also check out the Asynchronous PD
section to learn more about AI.
Are your students using AI?
Be clear about your expectations.
Sidebar To-do List
Digital Sticky Notes! Go directly to Tasks or create a task
in Calendar by tapping +Create and selecting Task.
In Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, and Gmail
simply look for the Tasks icon in the sidebar - - - - - - - >
In Gmail, select a message and tap Add to Tasks at the
top menu as an alternative to marking a message unread or starring it. This puts the message on your To-do list which is accessible from many apps.
Sites to Explore
Make My Drive Fun Enter your starting
and end point and Make My Drive Fun shows intriguing places along the way that might be worth a stop.
Classroom Zen Noise management, Breathing Exercises, Brain Breaks
PPT Mon Free Slides templates to diversify your presentations, similar to Slides Carnival, Slidesmania, or Slidesgo
Canva for Education
Though we do not pay for a subscription, Canva provides a premium Education license to all verified teachers.
Navigate to https://www.canva.com/education/
Tap Get Verified.
Sign in with Google using your rsu 21 email.
Vol 5, Issue 13 3/14/2025
WeVideo PD
30 Minute PD opportunities:
Teach World Language with WeVideo
Teach Literature & ELA with WeVideo
If you do not have a license to WeVideo click here
If you, or a student, created a free account and want to join our paid subscription, use this code: E7SA23AN9MO7
Cybersecurity Incident & Experian
Did you sign up for credit monitoring? If not, search your gmail for the Subject: PowerSchool Cybersecurity Incident
• Ensure that you enroll by May 30, 2025 (Your code will not work after this date at 5:59 UTC)
• Visit the Experian IdentityWorks website to enroll: https://www.experianidworks.com/plus
Paste the code provided in the email
Games in the Classroom
Gamify your classroom using these templates & AI
Soundboard Game show sounds
Buzz In Create a link for students to join and buzz in from their devices
AI Prompt to create questions: Generate 30 (Insert Game)-style questions that match (topic or unit of study) for my (grade level) students. Include a variety of difficulty levels and answers.
MEA Benefits Trust
Virgin Pulse is now Personify Health. For new staff who may not know, the MEA Benefits Trust has a wellness program that rewards members for activity
and a healthy lifestyle.
Shout out to Meghan Hubacz and Chris Bisson for suggesting this post!
Sites to Explore
Lab Xchange Free, interactive learning materials from Harvard University. Science, Math, Econ, CTE
Retro Report Access hundreds of free lesson plans, student activities and videos created by an independent nonprofit newsroom
News Literacy Project lesson plans, activities, infographics, quizzes, and videos for educators teaching news literacy
Geogebra More than just a free, online calculator! Curated lessons and resources for Gr 4-12
Described & Captioned Media Program streaming library of accessible education videos, teaching tools, and professional development opportunities
Helperbird vs Read & Write
Helperbird is an alternative to Read & Write, currently available in RSU 21. It is full of reading, writing and accessibility features for staff and students.
Add the Chrome extension to check it out! We have access to the Unlimited subscription for a trial!
Some of the amazing features:
*Reading: Autoscroll, Simplify, Dictionary, Guides, Text-to-Speech, Line/Letter/Word Spacing
*Writing: Annotations, Note Organizer, Word Prediction, Summarize Pages
*Accessibility: Color Blindness Support, Page & Text Magnifier, Overlays, OCR/Screenshot Reader
Vol 5, Issue 12 2/28/2025
Template Treasure Trove
Slides Comic Strip 6 cells & a variety
of speech bubbles or Canva template 3 cells
Math Icon Board A great place for students
to explain their solution and thinking to a
mathematical or scientific problem
Art Gallery 4 picture frames and an assortment of icons
Amazon Product Page Place for an image,
description, price, ratings, review
Google Classroom Banner-Canva
Smart Searching
Whether students or staff are researching,
make the most of your searches with these tips!
“Google” Like a Pro Improve your search results and zero in on what you’re looking for more quickly.
Searching beyond Google:
*Google Scholar scholarly articles and credible research
*Wolfram Alpha fact-based answers, perfect for math, science, and research projects
*Perplexity AI AI-powered search engine that provides direct, cited answers
*SweetSearch a search engine for students
*Kidtopia Google custom student safe search
*Kiddle visual search engine for kids, safe
kids web, image, and video search
Sites to Explore
C-SPAN Classroom Free video-based
materials for social studies, ELA, even STEM teachers
Polypad If you are looking for online math manipulatives, check this out
Time Portal Daily time travel, guess where you’ve landed! See four AI-generated videos that help recreate a historical event.
Daily SET Puzzle Find all 6 SETs from the 12 cards. Here are the directions
Valentine’s Magnetic Poetry in Drawings
Phones in Schools? Pros & Cons
by Jim Moulton, Blog on RSU 1’s Ban
Cell Phone Use in Maine MPA Data Collection
Phones at School: A Thing of the Past?
Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Cellphone Use in Schools Harvard Graduate School of Education
Common Sense Media Guide for Parents & Caregivers
IXL K-8 Resources
Did you know that IXL has Math and Reading instructional videos for student use?
To find the list, hover on the Learning tab
Select Videos
Select Grade tab from the left
Search Videos by topic
Vol 5, Issue 11 2/7/2025
Create Student Groups in GC
Create to finalize your group.
Subtitles in WeVideo
We have access to WeVideo for students and Staff.
To join our district subscription tap here
and sign in with Google.
To generate subtitles complete a video project in WeVideo and then follow these directions.
Digital Learning Day: Feb 13, 2025
Sharing the Love of Learning, Teaching, and Innovation
This year’s focus is on how technology connects us, transforms education, and brings “heart” into learning.
*Try a new digital tool or resource.
*Plan a DLD event, ideas here
*Google Applied Lessons for DLD 2025
Sites to Explore
Teacher Tools Including Ten Frame, Word Type Highlighter, Paint Tool, Simple Mindmap, Word-search Maker, Pixel Art Creator and more
Grouper Sync to Google Classroom and randomize, customize, or group students by attributes
Chinese New Year Activities Digital Breakout,
Lucky Words and Lunar New Year Trivia
Celebrating Black History & Culture Explore videos, media galleries, lesson plans, and more for students
Mastery Connect Resources
Updated Dashboard Overview 20 minute video
MC Basics Guide Online FAQs
RSU 21 MC Guide Directions to setup account, create trackers, & assign assessments
RSU 21 How to Create an Assessment Create an exit ticket or formative assessment with MC
IXL Math Screener
The assessment used in the Snapshot changed this fall.
Here are some tips to find the available Data.
From the teacher Dashboard:
Tap Assessment
Select Level Up Assessment Overview
*Tap View strand data and Check Show strand scores
*Tap on any student’s name to see their
Select Level Up Strand Analysis
*See suggested groupings
Tap Progress
*Select Progress and Growth
*Shows the change in Diagnostic levels
Students step into the Arena to update data
Vol 5, Issue 10 1/24/2025
Read & Write
The R & W Extension should be pushed
out to all students & staff, if not tap the link.
To manage extensions, click the puzzle piece
in the menu bar, top right.
Tap the Pin to set or remove extensions
What can it do?
*Read text aloud from Google Docs & websites
*Convert text to an MP3 audio file
*Word prediction in writing
*Talking/Picture Dictionary
*Screen Masking
*Highlight & Collect text
*Simplify webpages
Feature Tour Short videos that explain each feature
How to Articles written explanations
Student Practice Template for students
Sites to Explore
Anatomy Zone 3D Anatomy tutorials
Unicef Kid Power Library of movement and mindfulness videos
Teacherserver AI tool provider-no ads or fees, just create a free account and let it work for you.
Stopbullying.gov This link is specific to cyberbullying resources, but there are other resources to check out as well.
DownDog Free yoga resources with use of school email account.
Bridges Webinar (PK-2)
Observational and Work Sample Assessment
in Bridges Third Edition.
Tuesday, January 21, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Register here even if you can’t attend, you'll receive a link to watch afterwards.
Previous webinar: Formative Assessment in Bridges
Sample AI Prompts
Want to experiment with AI, but not sure how to start? Edit one of these prompts from educatorstechnology.com:
*Act as an experienced classroom teacher and structure a 60-minute lesson plan on [topic]. Suggest activities for each segment, time allocations, and transitions to keep students engaged and minimize disruptions. Include strategies for managing group work and addressing
diverse learning styles.
*I am teaching a lesson on [topic] to a class of [level] graders that includes students with dyslexia and ADHD. Suggest activities that use visual aids, step-by-step instructions, and opportunities for hands-on engagement to support their learning.
AI Prompt Library Slide Outlines, Assessments, Summaries
AI for Education Communications, PD, Lessons, SEL
More Useful Things Instructor Aids, Student Exercises, Other
Vol 5, Issue 9 1/10/2025
Inauguration Day
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC) photographs, manuscripts, campaign posters, letters, and inaugural speeches
Library of Congress Inaugural Materials
PBS Life of Jimmy Carter (Gr 9-12)
Presidential Inauguration Online Activities
iCivics Sign in and look for the First 100 Days (Gr 6-12)
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Resources from PBS can be shared via Google Classroom.
PBS Learn About MLK with The Sawyer Show (K-2)
PBS Who Was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?(3-8)
PBS Explore the Significance of the Civil Rights Act (6-12)
PBS From Past to Present: The Impact of
MLK at Gee's Bend (9-12)Gee's Bend (9-12)
Sites to Explore
Anatomy Zone Guide to human anatomy. Over 200 video tutorials.
ELL-Bits a non-profit website with classic novels, novellas, and short stories written text and audio.
Lead4ward Instructional strategies playlist includes detailed descriptions for low-prep/high-yield instructional strategies. PDF of Strategies
Animation Using the templates provided, students drawing can become gifs/animation
Short Cuts
Right Click on a Chromebook = Ctrl & Click
Mirror Chromebook
3. Reset Zoom to 100% Ctrl & zero
Increase Zoom Ctrl & +, Decrease Zoom Ctrl & -
Close ALL Windows at once Ctrl & Shift & W
Open Last Closed Tabs (up to 10) Ctrl & Shift & T
Picture in Picture Timer
Trying to keep your class or yourself on track?
If you are trying to display a site or presentation and a timer, you can use the Picture in picture capability.
1. Search the length of the timer you need on YouTube.
2. Start the timer then perform a double-right click on the video (the first right-click will bring up a menu, but it's not the one you want...just right-click again but not too quickly.)
3. Select "Picture in picture" from the menu.
Now, you'll have a timer playing in a floating
window that's always on top of whatever
tab you switch to!
Vol 5, Issue 8 12/20/2024
AI Courses for Educators
Common Sense Media Chat GPT Foundations for Educators free, self-paced online course
Code.org AI 101 for Teachers Video series
Grow with Google Generative AI for Teachers learn how to use generative AI tools to help you save time on everyday tasks, personalize instruction, enhance lessons
New Year/Winter Theme
PBS Kids K-2 New Year Reflection
PBS Kids K-2 Winter: Mittens and Gloves
PBS Gr 3-8 Surviving Winter
PBS PK-5 Weather activities
New Year’s Goals from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
New Year’s Storyboard Canva template
New Year’s Resolutions Canva template
Substitute Edition-Creative solutions to give tech access when you’re out of the class.
Sites to Explore
Suno AI site for song creation. Prompt content, song style, grade level, etc and Suno will create lyrics & music and produce a song. I do NOT encourage student use as there is a sharing component of the site that could be inappropriate. Example: “Create a rap style song for 5th graders learning about states of matter.”
Teacher Server Free, no ads, similar to
MagicSchool AI. It has the prompts already for
pk-12 lesson ideas and generation. Maybe there is something here that can be left for a sub?
Google Winter Magnetic Poetry Assign on Google Classroom. Use as is or create a similar but content related scene and add content specific vocabulary.
Kami App Extension Needed to use Google Classroom and Kami Assignments.
Kami
Kami or Create a new document for sub plans
that can include audio and video of your instructions to the substitute or to students.
QR Codes
Create a QR code from any link: site url to visit, a link to a shared document or slide presentation.
The substitute can then sign in to a device or chromebox and use the camera to scan the QR code and navigate to the url.
For a Site, Tap the 3 dots at the top right of the screen
Select Cast, Save & Share > Select Create QR Code
Download it to print out for the sub.
Bit.ly can also create a short url or QR Code for
any link.
Vol 5, Issue 7 12/6/2024
Guest Login
Leaving your device for a sub? Do not
give them your password. Teachers must
sign out of their Chromebook or shutdown. When the Substitute opens the device, they click “Browse as Guest” and can navigate anywhere on the web or use the camera to open a QR code.
Sites to Explore
Canva Whiteboard Still trying to find the right program to replace Jamboard? Try Canva.
CRAFT-Classroom-Ready Resources About AI
for Teaching (Grades 9-12)
Discovery Education Virtual field trips
Spotting Email Scams
Tips from Google:
submit-just delete the email
Canva Can Do That?
Charts:
Accessibility check:
Hour of Code--Ignite, Inspire, Code!
December 9-13
Join us in our 12th year of participation! Advisory, Math, STEM, anytime! Prek-Adult
Hour of Code Activities Select grade level, Classroom Tech: Computer, Activity Type: Self-led, Length: 1 Hour, Accessibility Options available
Resources Handouts, Videos, Posters, etc
Vol 5, Issue 6 11/15/2024
New: Google Forms Rating
A new type of question is being introduced-Ratings! Responders provide a rating from 3-10 using Stars,
Hearts, or Thumbs up!
Sites to Explore
A Soft Murmur Ambient sounds to wash away distraction
C-SPAN Election Night Coverage Guides & Activities
Inside a Genius Mind Google Arts & Culture-Explore Leonardo Da Vinci’s personal notebooks with the help of AI
Unzoomed Daily map challenge. 6 guesses to identify a city, zooming out with each incorrect guess
Data Nuggets Free classroom activities, designed by scientists & teachers to bring research and authentic data into the classroom.
Native American Heritage Month
Smithsonian Resources include Events, Articles, Podcasts
Booklist (Gr PK-5)
Teachers Guide Government site with a
variety of resources
PBS Where Words Touch the Earth (Gr 3-12) Student interviews elders provide Native American perspective on climate change and its effects
PBS Indigi-Genius (Gr 3-8) Scientific and cultural impact of Indigenous creations
Kami Spotlight
Kami is an amazing resource
when a sub is needed!
*Create a document and save it as a PDF
*Open it in Kami and add Audio or Video directions to complete the assignment
*Save the PDF with annotations and save to Google Classroom
The sub does not need tech access and students
get instruction directly from their teacher.
Ditch That Textbook Templates
Matt Miller has a collection of free Slides templates to
Interactive Activities include virtual field trips, interactive maps, and a comic strip template
Graphic Organizers try the sticky note brainstorming, storyboard and Frankenbot template to help students analyze AI feedback
Vol 5, Issue 5 11/1/2024
Undo Send in Gmail
Change your mind about sending an email?
Lengthen the amount of time you have to decide.
Open Gmail
In the top right, click Settings > See all settings
Next to Undo Send, select a cancellation period of 5, 10, 20, or 30 seconds
Scroll to the bottom, click Save changes
District Resources
Cornerstone Transcript Report Directions to download a completed PD list in Cornerstone
Cornerstone User Manual All things Cornerstone
ADP Pay Statement Deduction Codes Find out what is being taken out of your Gross pay
Sites to Explore
Piece By Piece Lego Movie came out 10/11, create personalized minifigs and have students write
their own Lego adventure story.
PBS Gross Science Timely lessons for grades 6-12
PBS Halloween Collection scare-free science videos, math activities, and lesson plans!
MagicSchool Tools to check out: Lesson Hook, Report Card Comments, AI resistant Assignments,
Helpful Shortcuts
Ctrl-Shift-b Toggles the bookmark bar on and off.
This may have defaulted to off with the new devices.
Ctrl-full screen Mirror to a projector or external device. This shortcut toggles mirroring & extending.
Research Information
The available Digital Maine Library databases have undergone significant changes. Please see the Crosswalk of Databases that compare previous resources with what is available now.
Chromebook Maintenance for the Week
Keep your device running smoothly.
Restart device
Check for updates until:
Empty Downloads
Open folder and drag files to save to My Drive
Highlight the rest and Delete
Vol 5, Issue 4 10/18/2024
Elementary Resources
Pebble Go is a go again! K-5 Research database on Animals, Science, Health, Social Studies and Biographies. Login is RSU21, see your librarian for the password.
MysteryScience Turn on the Anchor Layer to see more robust 3 dimensional applications of the lessons. This does add time to each lesson so pick and choose when you want the anchor layer visible. General Info
Resources: Alignment Guide, Pacing Guides, Storylines
Secure Print to Copiers
When printing a confidential or sensitive document that you do not want sitting at the copier, select a printer that includes
(Secure Print) in its name.
Dialogue box appears on the screen with
User & PIN-remember them!
At the Copier:
Select User Box > System> Secure Print
Doc ID = type User
Userpassword = type PIN, tap OK
Select the document(s) to print and tap Print
Select finishes and options, if needed
Tap Start
October is Cybersecurity
Awareness Month
XXXX
Sites to Explore
Make Math Moments Problem based investigations, 3 act math tasks, visual number talks, consolidation prompts and purposeful practice worksheets.
NewsQuiz Weekly 15-minute current events series for students. This episode explores the process of electing a U.S. president.
PBS Electoral Decoder Use this cartogram to explore presidential elections from 1789-2020.
FigJam
Missing Jamboard already? Check out FigJam!
FigJam is a free, online, collaborative whiteboard.
To learn on your own, check out the Intro Webinar
& Advanced Webinar or contact Sheila for assistance.
AI prompts can create timelines, organizational charts, and mindmaps. Utilize Sticky Notes, Stickers, Templates, Timers and Widgets on each page.
EdPuzzle
New Teacher Sign Up Link.
Chrome Extension for Screen Recording in EdPuzzle
IXL for ML Students
K-8 students have IXL Math access in 50+ languages.
To enable, the classroom teacher:
Open the account menu in the upper-right corner Select Profile & Settings
Under Teacher Settings, scroll down to
Enable Translation Support
Tap the arrow to select the language for each student
Vol 5, Issue 3 10/4/2024
Open Educational Resources
OER Commons is a public digital library. Courses, texts, lessons, notes, labs, primary sources and more!
Book Trailers digital storytelling project for gr 4-9
Memorable Weather Gr K-2 Unit plans answering “What problems (big and small) can weather cause in your life?”
Scan from our Copiers
Press Scan from the home screen
On the left margin, select Direct Input
Choose E-mail and type the address to send the file
Put the document in the top feeder, select 1 or 2-sided
Press the Start button
The document will be pulled through the feeder
The upper right corner of the screen will show “Sending” until it is emailed, then will read “Job List”
October is Cybersecurity
Awareness Month
Sites to Checkout
Daily email with SEL activities for the first five minutes of class: Mindfulness, Quick Connect,
Door Greetings, Daily Memes and more.
World A to Z Daily 9-minute current events videos
Gear Sketch Gear Sandbox!
Press the ? for a demo.
Draw circles to create gears and
ovals to create belts. Drag &
drop to move. Arrows show the direction of the gear
Google Classroom Update
Guardian email summaries guardians can now preview student's Classwork pages, including assigned work and attachments provided by the teacher. From the Classwork tab, teachers can also create shareable links to send to guardians directly.
Create named groups of students to make
assigning differentiated content easier.
From People tab > Students > + Create group
Goal Worthy Tech PD
WeVideo PD Video can be a power motivator for students, an excellent way to utilize students various strengths and a great way from student to share their knowledge.
Edu Protocols Worldwide Saturday, November 23, 2024
12:00 - 4:00 PM, free to register
Google Certification: 15 CEUs, submit test result for reimbursement Beginner Training, Advanced Training
Google AI for Educators Two hour self-paced course
Shutdown & Restart Often
With student devices in storage during the summer and staff devices straight from shipping, devices may be
several updates behind. It is important to
shutdown regularly to initiate updates!
New Staff Device Function Keys
Vol 5, Issue 2 9/20/2024
Hispanic Heritage Month
Google Applied DIgital Skills Develop skills using Google while learning about Frida Kahlo, Papel Picado or researching a topic related to Latinx history.
EdSitement K-12 lessons on history, culture, media, landmarks and migration.
District Resources
to Bookmark
District Technology Resources Website
District Instructional Calendar
Note to New Staff
Welcome to RSU 21! My name is Sheila Wells, and I am the District Technology & Curriculum Integrator. I am here to assist you with all district technology needs, including Google Suite for you and your students, content area technology coaching, and collaborating on lesson planning that incorporates technology. Please feel free to reach out—I look forward to working with you! swells@rsu21.net
Edpuzzle is Back!
To sign up for an account: click here
To sign in, go to edpuzzle.com and use Google
Edpuzzle Originals: 3000+ ready made lessons
Use Edpuzzle to remove advertisements from videos, cut videos, embed questions, keep track of student viewing
Getting Started with Edpuzzle Playlist
Using Edpuzzle with Elementary Students
*Contact Sheila if your PLC wants PD on Edpuzzle!*
AI @ RSU 21
MagicSchool AI Google Labs-Font Creation
AI Prompt Guide Canva Image Generator
AI Literacy for Educators (1 hr PD course)
New Staff Devices
*Stylus- On the underside on the right.
It snaps in and charges when positioned
properly.
*Ports-HDMI, USB-A, dual USB-C
*Sliding Lens Cover on Camera-Green
light means the camera is in use, Red dot
means the slider is covering the lens.
Vol 5, Issue 1 9/6/2024
Chromebook Care
For students and staff...