Media/Tech Updates - Week of February 22

Media Center 

The media center space is beginning to be used more as we're back in the building. This is wonderful as we've missed the hustle and bustle of the space! 

If you need the space for teaching, a meeting, testing, etc., please email me so I can put you on the calendar. In the past we've able to "make" space as needed, but now we'll need to closely monitor who is using the space to keep it safe. Thanks for your help!

Media Center Calendar

If you'd like to add the Media Center calendar to your Google Calendar, here is the link - Media Center Calendar

Presenting...Dunston's Domain! 

Tech savvy Mr. Dunston is sharing his knowledge with staff in Dunston's Domain! His tips are ALWAYS a BIG HIT (and super helpful)! Go here to check out the first issue of Dunston's Domain - Dunston's Domain Issue #1.

Smart TV's

We have 3 large brand-new Smart TV's, similar to the one we use in the media center, that can be used in classrooms (in place of Smartboards.) Ms. Weed is using one in her room if you have any questions about pros/cons. If you would like to try one of these TV's, let Andrea know. They will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

Freebies for your Classroom Library

Everybody books, chapter books, and more! These will be out in the library until Thursday, 2/25. 

#ReadAcrossUnderwood

Let's celebrate Read Across America (formerly Dr. Suess Day) the week of March 1 - 5! The purpose is “....to help motivate kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel valued and welcome.”   (National Education Association)   

Check out these ideas for participating at Underwood - #readacrossunderwood  Feel free to add your ideas to this collaborative document!

Specialists will be doing #readacrossunderwood Bedtime Stories this week!  Please share this doc with your families - #readacrossunderwood Family Information

Dunston's Domain - Issue #1

 Hey hey! Hope everyone has had a great week. So I've been asked (challenged) to create short videos with tips about whatever your tech needs may be. So here is my first attempt at that so everyone be gentle in the comments with you feedback 😂😂! 

The video is on how I use the Q&A feature in Google Meet. If you find yourself constantly posting the link in the chat bar for kids to join throughout the meet this video will show you how I no longer have that issue. 

If you have questions about the feature, anything else, or possible topics for future videos. Please send me an email or comment below and I'll do what I can to help you out. Also if you have a cool feature that you use that saves time please pass it along or reach out. TOGETHER WE CAN ACHIEVE MORE! 

Media/Tech Updates - Week of February 15

 

Chromebooks for on campus students

• Chromebooks used only at school are labeled with students' names in blue painters tape. These devices stay at school. The media center is not collecting these each weekend.
• Chromebooks used at school by students in the fall were not turned into the media center. These devices should be in the classroom where the student was last assigned. 
• If you have a student who needs an at-school device on a weekly basis, please email Andrea. It may take a day or two to process requests. 
• We are down to our last 10 Chromebooks. If these devices are distributed, we will no longer be able to replace broken devices and students at school would possibly have to share devices. 
• If you have students who no longer need the at-school device, please turn it in to the media center ASAP. 
• We may or may not have devices available for when a student does not bring his device to school. 

#ReadAcrossUnderwood

Let's celebrate Read Across America (formerly Dr. Suess Day) the week of March 1 - 5! The purpose is “....to help motivate kids to read, bring the joys of reading to students of all ages, and make all children feel valued and welcome.”   (National Education Association)   

Check out these ideas for participating at Underwood - #readacrossunderwood  Feel free to add your ideas to this collaborative document!

NCTIES 

If you've never had the opportunity to go attend NCTIES, this is the year for you! There are numerous sessions on wide-ranging and relevant topics related to technology in education, as well as education innovation. With a $15 NCTIES membership, you will gain access to live sessions, edcamps, and recorded sessions. Registration 

For more information, go to https://www.ncties.org/ and follow @ncties and #ncties21 on Twitter. Let Andrea know if you plan on attending. 

Media Updates - Week of February 8

 NCTIES

If you've never had the opportunity to go attend NCTIES, this is the year for you! There are numerous sessions on wide-ranging and relevant topics related to technology in education, as well as education innovation. With a $15 NCTIES membership, you will gain access to live sessions, edcamps, and recorded sessions. Registration 

For more information, go to https://www.ncties.org/ and follow @ncties and #ncties21 on Twitter. Let Andrea know if you plan on attending. 

PebbleGo

Have you had a chance to peek at PebbleGo (k-2) or PebbleGoNext (3-5)? If not, here's a quick tour - PebbleGo Tour. We also have a subscription to PebbleGo Spanish, which translates articles into Spanish. 

#ReadAcrossUnderwood

March 2 is Read Across America Day (formerly Dr. Suess Day). Be on the lookout for fun (and simple) ways to celebrate #ReadAcrossUnderwood. 

NEA has excellent resources for celebrating Read Across America year-round. Check out their website for resources to CREATE and CELEBRATE a nation of DIVERSE READERS -  https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/read-across-america

Media Updates - Week of January 18

Need Tech Help?

Student Chromebook

• If acting "quirky" (not loading Chrome, freezing frequently, logging out randomly, etc.), have student wipe/reset the device. Instructions here - Chromebook Wipe
• If screen is broken or wipe/reset does not work, have student submit a WCPSS student heat ticket

Staff  - Device or software performance, connectivity, etc.

• Submit a help desk ticket (icon found on Rapid Identity.)

Student and staff heat tickets come to me. If I can help, I will reach out ASAP. Otherwise I will push the ticket on to WCPSS tech services. 

Access to books for remote learners

Destiny Collections

Elizabeth has put together some AMAZING resource collections that can be found on Destiny Discover. To locate, go to Follett (Destiny) on Rapid Identity. On Destiny Discover, scroll to the bottom of the page.  Click here for a tutorial.

Recent collections include Black-focused literature and award winners. Check it out and share with your students! 

Book Checkout

Continue to encourage your students to check out library books....let's keep improving our circulation numbers! For instructions - Underwood Book/eBook Checkout. Consider sharing this document in your Morning Meeting, during ELA, or on your Classroom. Elizabeth and Andrea are always willing to join you class to share the book checkout process. Email us to schedule a time.

Media Updates - Week of January 11

Student Devices - home care

Please take time this week to talk with your students about being responsible with their devices while at home. Students can keep their devices safe by doing the following:

• closing device while moving it from one place to another.
• carrying device with two hands. 
• setting device down on a flat service where it cannot easily fall (ie. not near the edge.)
• storing device and charger in a safe place away from pets, younger siblings, etc. 
• being careful about placing device in a book bag. (Device is easily broken when bag is dropped.)

We are fortunate to have replacement devices, but our supply is quickly diminishing as devices are being broken. Thanks for your help!

Student Devices - when back at school

As students come back into the building, let me know if a student needs a device to use daily at school. (This would be students who have a device at home, but cannot bring it to school.) 

If students are borrowing an Underwood device to use only at school, the device is labeled with blue tape. These devices are to stay in the classroom. If a student is no longer using a device, please turn it in to the media center. 

Destiny Collections

Elizabeth has put together some AMAZING resource collections that can be found on Destiny Discover. To locate, go to Follett (Destiny) on Rapid Identity. On Destiny Discover, scroll to the bottom of the page.  Click here for a tutorial.

Recent collections include Black-focused literature and award winners. Check it out and share with your students! 

Book Checkout

Continue to encourage your students to check out library books....let's keep improving our circulation numbers! For instructions - Underwood Book/eBook Checkout. Consider sharing this document in your Morning Meeting, during ELA, or on your Classroom. Elizabeth and Andrea are always willing to join you class to share the book checkout process. Email us to schedule a time.

Lunch and Learn  - Wednesdays 11:30 - 12:30

Lunch & Learn sessions include a mini lesson, work time with DLC assistance, and time for questions and discussion. Participate live or watch a recorded session. All session recordings and materials are posted here - https://bit.ly/3i4bcJx  

This week's topic is Student Engagement through Station Rotation. It is facilitated by Tanya Churchill, Jennifer Underhill, and  Kurt Hurelbrink.

Known Screen sharing issue in Meets

When presenter clicks on "Share this tab instead", he is being kicked out of the share screen feature completely. There are also instances where students only see the letter of the presenter's name and not the screen being shared. 

WCPSS and Google are aware of this issue, which is being caused by the latest Chrome OS update. They are working on a fix.

Media Updates - Week of December 7

Book Fair

Continue to talk about the Book Fair with your students and families. Please share the Mission Possible Book Fair 2020 website in your communications this week - bit.ly/UnderwoodBookFair2020. Also, consider showing the Book Fair intro video to your class ...this will help to build excitement.  Students will need to create an account with their families in order to browse or shop. 

It's not too late to create a wish list! For detailed information on creating your teacher wish list, participating in Moonlight Reading, and other fun activities - Mission Possible Book Fair 2020 Staff Info. 

Let's keep Moonlight Reading alive! All staff and students are invited to record themselves reading a favorite picture book or chapter from a book.   Moonlight Reading Flipgrid   A BIG shout out to Ms. McKenna for being the first person to record a read-a-loud!

Circulation

We have settled into a routine with our new "curbside pick up" circulation procedures. Books reserved by Tuesdays at noon can be picked up on Thursdays from 8:00am to 4:00pm (virtual and remote students) or will be delivered on Thursdays (to at school students).

If you would like for Andrea or Elizabeth to visit your class to help your students check out books, please reach out. 

For more information - check out books remotely  Regular books eBook instructions