Celebrate Computer Science Week with Hour of Code

Register Now!! October is the time of year you can officially register your class or students for Code.org’s Hour of Code annual challenge during Computer Science Education Week in December! This world- wide learning event December 5-11 includes one hour tutorials & challenges in various languages showing students the basics of coding while helping them understand how easy it can be!


It is time to spotlight the impact and importance of computer science on our world today! The computer science skills learned during Hour of Code provide students with an introduction and experience that can lead to a future career in technology. Not only can students participate in the Hour of Code, but there are follow up activities to continue learning!

                                     

Students in Kindergarten and up can navigate through activities across multiple devices through coding with familiar characters from Minecraft, Cartoon Network, PBS Kids, Barbie, Star Wars, Disney, The Grinch and so much more!!

Search activities by grade level and beginner/comfortable filters. Grade ranges are pre-reader, grades 2-5, grades 6-8, grades 9+, You can also filter by what type of technology available in your classroom or no devices at all!!! Choose your subject area and the amount of time you want to spend, and get the students started!!

Self guided or Teacher led challenges open up endless possibilities for how you would like to experience Hour of Code in the classroom setting. It doesn't even have to be a school group. Any group of students and adults can take advantage of this coding opportunity!

Code.org is a non profit organization who has been promoting computer science through the Hour of Code since 2013. Their website

https://hourofcode.com/us walks you through every step from learning about Hour of Code, planning, spreading the word, and celebrating your event! https://hourofcode.com/us/how-to

Make sure to celebrate your community, school, and students completion of the Hour of Code on all social media using the hash #HourOfCode @Code.org



“The 'Hour of Code™'/'Hora del Código®' is a global initiative by Computer Science Education Week [csedweek.org] and Code.org [code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”

It's Digital Citizenship Week - How Can You Make a Difference?

We are arriving in your inbox early this week - Monday instead of Thursday. Why you ask??? Because it's Digital Citizenship Week! 

Two weeks ago we posted about some great Digital Citizenship Activities in Nearpod - read that post here. 

Today, we wanted to bring you a few other interesting #DigCit resources that might be useful for highlighting the vital topic of Digital Citizenship. Every opportunity we as teachers, librarians, coaches, counselors, administrators and parents have to teach digital citizenship skills helps build digital leaders for the future.

Here are three free tools for #DigCit Week. Give one of them a try!

☝️  Everyday DigCit by Nancy Watson 

This resource is so easy to use and requires no copies, no student devices, and no previewing curriculum. The only thing you need as the teacher is your phone! Nancy has created questions and talking points for you and your students. 

1️⃣. Click on the Everyday DigCit link and scan the QR code on the page to get the app or use from your web browser.

2️⃣. Choose the level of your students - Primary, Intermediate, Middle or High School. 

3️⃣. Next choose a DigCit area of focus:

• Safety and Security
• Communication
• Information Literacy
• Curriculum Connections
• and more! 

4️⃣. Finally, begin a great discussion around the #DigCit questions and talking points you find!! (Think 4 corners, think-pair-share, Philosophical Chairs, etc.)

✌️  Social Media Test Drive by Cornell's Social Media Lab

This resource, targeted for middle school students, is simply amazing. Social Media Test Drive simulates realistic digital dilemmas and scenarios that students might encounter in the real social media world. Currently, there are 12 modules in the areas of Accounts and Passwords, Shaping your Digital Footprint, How to be an Upstander, and more! 

1️⃣. Start at the Social Media Test Drive Modules.

2️⃣. Choose a module for your students and share the link with them through any learning management system. 

3️⃣. Each module has 4 sections: 

• Learn
• Practice
• Explore
• Reflect 

⭐️My favorite part of this resource is that students are actually practicing skills in a social media feed. So cool!

It is important to note that there is no login or class option for Social Media Test Drive; therefore no data is stored in the platform. However, students are prompted to 'Print' (or save to PDF) their answers allowing for a turn in option. 

👌  Be Internet Awesome by Google

This resource, targeted for 2nd-6th graders, has long been one of my favorites. Be Internet Awesome includes a full digital citizenship downloadable curriculum with ready-to-teach slides, printable activities, posters, family engagement resources, certificates, badges, coloring books and the Interland digital citizenship game! 

1️⃣. Go to Be Internet Awesome

2️⃣. Check out the Units on:

• Be Internet Smart
• Be Internet Alert
• Be Internet Strong
• Be Internet Kind
• Be Internet Brave

3️⃣. Utilize the Lessons, Slides, Activities and digital Interland Game to teach amazing digital leadership to students!

 Now, go have an amazing #DigCit Week!

 

 

The Tech Tool Formerly Known as Flipgrid

Student voice and choice are so important right now. The pandemic and pandemic learning left so many students struggling and behind academically, socially, and emotionally. One struggle is the fear students have to speak up. The fear of having the answer wrong, someone making fun of them, or they feel they have nothing to contribute has created a silence reverberating through our classrooms. Let's not go backwards! We had made so much growth with the explosion of applications and web tools that made instruction engaging and fun for students. Those tools are still out there! Let’s use them to ReEngage our students using the newly branded FLIP (previously known as Flipgrid)

You can sign into FLIP with your SSO with Microsoft, Google, and Apple, or you can sign in with an email address.


Logged in you will see your dashboard with any groups or flips you have previously created. If this is your first time, WELCOME, and your dashboard will be empty.


Start by adding any groups or joining a group! In the top right corner you have the + Group option as well as Camera to just record and your profile circle with more options.



                 

Click on + Group to add a group or join a group. Create a group for your classes or small groups. You can also create groups across classes for a more varied point of view! Use this with teachers in professional development, or have a group wishing a friend Happy Birthday!

You can also click on Camera at the top right of your dashboard to record videos from 15 seconds to 10 minutes for free! There are so many options with the FLIP camera!





The amazing add ons make flip so exciting and engaging. Down the right side you can add text, write, add stickers, add gifs, add frames, change the background and so much more!!! There is also an option to upload a picture if students are camera shy. They can upload a picture and still speak their truth!


Previously known as Flipgrid, Flip has been rebranded by Microsoft and has so many cool updates coming or already here! Visit their site to read about all of the fun things here and on the horizon.


https://info.flip.com/blog/product-updates/flip-rebrand-features.html?ocid=inapp_web_fliprebrand


Want to be inspired? Ready to give students a voice and choice but not sure where to start? Flip has amazing resources like their blog https://info.flip.com/blog/tips.html, their Educators Tool Kit https://info.flip.com/about/educator-toolkit.html, and even Flip Events that are hosted by famous and inspiring people! https://info.flip.com/events.html


Ideas for utilizing FLIP in your classroom setting:

Get to Know Yous

Daily Check Ins

Response to Reading

Debates

Discussions

Explanation

Record Instrument, Vocals, Physical Ed challenges

Demonstrate a skill

Demonstrate Foreign Language

Share and Present Work

Reflections

Exit Ticket

Aha Moments

Read Aloud practice

Flip Pals (Like pen pals)

And soooooooo much more!!!



Please remember COPPA and FERPA Laws when utilizing Flip in your classroom. Flips Terms of Use states, “Student Members of any age, including Student Members who are Children, may only use the Service at the invitation and under the supervision of a School Lead who has agreed to these Terms and obtained parental consent.” Please be mindful of your district's AUP and guidelines when using web tools in your classroom.


Ready to go? Let's get this party started!

#DigCit Week is Almost Here!

It's finally OCTOBER and time for all things FALL: cooler weather, pumpkin everything, sweaters, Friday night lights, apple cider, marching band, hayrides, candy corn and... 

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP WEEK!

#DigCit Week is October 17th-21st this year. What a great time to teach about digital citizenship skills including:

• using devices safely
• becoming a responsible digital leader
• social media and your digital footprint
• cyberbullying
• information literacy
• and so much more!

Where can you go for great #DigCit content? In Keller ISD, you've got an amazing tool in your back pocket!! And if your district does not subscribe to Nearpod, you can utilize free content from Nearpod. 

Nearpod Digital Citizenship Week

Here is how you can plan some solid #DigCit activities including lessons, activities, videos and more during Digital Citizenship Week:

1) Sign in to KCloud > Nearpod

2) Search 'DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP'

3) Filter by grade level

4) Find a treasure trove of lessons, activities, games and video learning opportunities on #DigCit for your ALL students! (Some lessons can be found in Spanish as well.)

🌟Let's teach our students to be GREAT Digital Leaders!