Save Your Google Doc as a PDF

Your Google Doc can easily be converted into a PDF with just a few clicks. 

To save any document or file as a PDF, simply click File --> Download As --> PDF Document

Just pay attention to where your downloaded files are saved so you can retrieve it. That's it!

Create a Custom Search Engine for Your Students

Creating your own search engine is an easy way to limit the sites students search. If you're teaching young students you may want to use a search engine that uses only a limited number of websites that you've vetted for content, safety, and quality. Fortunately, Google makes it easy to create a custom search engine. Find the sites you'd like students to search and follow the steps below.

Try the custom search engine below by visiting the URL created with the three science sites below. Search for a "sciency" word. You'll notice that only the websites provided in the custom search will appear in the search results.
https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=001767721112283538564:h8nbvngkyyi

1. Go to  Google Custom Search
2. Click “New Search Engine”
3. Add the sites you’d like to the students to be able to search from.
4. Give your Custom Search Engine a title
5. Click Create
6. Select Public URL (It will be long!) 
7. Copy and share this link with students 

Pro Tip: To further customize your search engine using the basics tab. 

Wonder- What is Augie Thinking?

I noticed the book Wonder on a teacher's desk today just as the day was getting started. Within moments of the bell ringing, her class was on task, focused on the math workbooks they pulled from backpacks and desks. In the front of the room, she projected the directions for the morning work which clearly set expectations for her students. 

It was the book, however, that prompted me to think about an idea to start a student's day or to start or end a lesson. I'll call it "What is ______ thinking?" 

I took a Google Slide, added a background image, a textbox and then duplicated the slide about 30 times- one slide for each student. If the presentation is posted in Classroom with editing rights enabled for all students, each student can add his or her own content to the speech bubble in his or her own slide. Imagine what teachers can learn about a student's understanding with this simple activity! 

Take a look at the template here. To make your own copy, click on Use Template on the upper right corner. 

Classroom Timers & Executive Functioning

Executive functioning skills are the self-regulating skills that we use to perform the ordinary-  but essential- daily tasks.  We need executive functioning skills to plan, organize, make decisions, control our impulses, prioritize, manage time, and more. As classroom teachers, we know that students who find school challenging often have deficits in their executive functioning skills. Current research indicates just how important these skills are. "Students who have poor executive functioning skills ...are missing out on learning."    How are we helping our students to develop these skills?

If you Google "Executive Functioning Teaching Strategies" you're sure to come across thousands of articles with ideas, approaches, and research. The amount of content can be overwhelming, but one strategy at the top of many of the lists is the use of a timer. Classroom timers can be beneficial to everyone in the classroom, not just those with time management issues.

Benefits of a Visual Timer

Transitions: Time on task is among the most important components of learning. As students transition from one task to the next, a visual timer can minimize transition time from one task to another.

Staying on task and Stamina: Time management can be a challenge for many learners. By using a visual timer in class, students can gain a better understanding of how long tasks take which can, in turn, help students better make decisions about how they use their time.

Establishing Clear Expectations: Timers prevent teachers from becoming the arbitrary enforcer of time. A visual timer provides clarity for students.

Digital Timers to Try 

YouTube: Try searching 5 Minute Timer in YouTube and you'll be shocked at how many there are to choose from. The videos timers have a number of features from background music to countdown frames. Find one that works for you and project on your screen in the classroom.

Tip: You can always embed a timer in a Google Slide Presentation so that it's ready to go. Imagine your students are engaged in a discussion about something they read in class. Put a timer directly in a slide to help keep students focused and on task.

Google Omnibox: In the Chrome search bar, type in "# Minute Timer" and Google creates an instant timer for you. So easy.

Online Stopwatch- This free, easy to use online timer offers a variety of online timers to help kids visualize time. Things like burning candles and sand timers can help young students with the concept of time.

Timerr.Com- This tool offers two visual timers- an egg and egg timer. Both are easy to use and allow for a clear visual for students.

Resources:

“Time-on-Task: A Teaching Strategy That Accelerates Learning.” FEAweb, feaweb.org/time-on-task-a-teaching-strategy-that-accelerates-learning.


“Why Executive Function Is A Vital Stepping-Stone For Kids' Ability to Learn.” KQED, 15 Dec. 2016, www.kqed.org/mindshift/46956.

Is there a way to do REN learn on the IPads?(Answer: Yes)

Renaissance Learning: Adding the Link to your iPad

Students can take their Ren Learn Assessments on an iPad. If you're already using iPads in your classroom, your students will be familiar with the testing interface. You will want to create a shortcut to Ren Learn on the iPads. (For a printable version, click here.)

Start by pulling up the correct Ren Learn Link: https://hosted74.renlearn.com/371373/default.aspx The easiest way to access the link is to go to Safari- www.loomisusd.org -select the Ren Learn button

Tap "I'm a Student

In the upper right corner, tap the  “share” icon

Tap “Add to Home Screen”

Shorten the title by tapping in the text box.  Tap Add

You now have a shortcut on your iPad. Yay

Beginner's Guide to The Hour of Code

The Hour of Code is here and it is bigger than ever! 

Our world is changing. The way we communicate, gather, and think about information in the digital age requires a different set of skills for both teachers and students. Consider this: The U.S Department of Labor predicts that 65% of today's students will be employed in jobs that don't exist today. 

What are WE doing to give our kids the skills they need to prepare for the unknown? Where do we start?

Let's Start with the Hour of Code

The Hour of Code started as a one hour introduction to computer science and the movement has taken over the world. With a tiny bit of preparation, classroom teachers without any coding knowledge can introduce students to the world of coding. 

Ready to Participate? 

Here are Four Easy Steps to Bring the Hour of Code into Your Classroom 

1. Sign Up at Hour of Code 

Sign Up Here: This is optional, but by signing up you will be able to access additional resources for you students 

2. Choose a tutorial for your students from Hour of Code- Click here 

There are hundreds of free interactives to bring the Hour of Code into your classroom. I've compiled a list of activities to try with your students if you are new to the Hour of Code. See the chart below. 

3. Try the activity yourself for a few minutes. Spend a few minutes exploring the activity just to get a feel for what your students will experience. 

4. Schedule some time during the week of December 4th (or any time you want) with the Chromebooks and 

That's it!

There is much more that can be done during the Hour of Code, and if you're ready to explore the possibilities, feel free to explore the Hour of Code website at https://hourofcode.com/us

Title	Description	Tips/Tricks	Teacher Resource Page
Write Your First Computer Program	Learn the basic concepts of Computer Science with drag and drop programming with Angry Bird	Easy to use! Students can easily build code with this program	Teacher Resource Page: Write Your First Computer Program
Candy Quest Tynker	Design your own candy troll character and go on a multi-level quest for candy to eventually help your character find its way home. You'll solve coding puzzles to navigate your character through the human world, while avoiding obstacles and collecting gumdrops and mints.	No need to sign up for an account, but teachers can create an account, set up student accounts, and track progress.  Works on iPads, too!	Teacher Resource Page: Candy Quest Tynker

Digital Citizenship Week 2017

Digital Citizenship week is just around the corner! As we put devices into our students' hands,  we should remember to ask ourselves the essential guiding question:

As our schools continue to innovate teacher practice and provide students with devices, how do we ensure students are thinking critically, behaving safely and participating responsibly in our digital world? 

Digital Citizenship Week is a time to focus on the skills, habits, and knowledge our students need in order to remain safe in world dependent upon technology. Our Curriculum & Instruction department compiled some ideas and resources for our schools, teachers, and students to explore during the week.

  Click on the image to see some ideas

Additionally, this is the perfect time to think about becoming a Common Sense Media Certified Educator. If you're teaching  lessons from Common Sense Media, you are already on your way to becoming certified. If you're curious about the additional steps, visit Common Sense Media's website or come to our Curriculum & Instruction After School PD on October 11 to find out more. Click here to sign up.


Resources: 
https://www.commonsense.org/education/digital-citizenship-week http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/et/dc/wkovrvw.asp

"If Digital Citizenship were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten."

As a history teacher, I can assure you that there is truth in the quote from Ruyard Kipling that reads, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Storytelling does something to our brains, making us more likely to remember and make meaning of what we read and hear.

I am convinced that one of our second grade teachers must believe this, too. In fact,  she might change Kipling's quote to read, "If  Digital Citizenship were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." Over the past few weeks, she has been on a book buying frenzy! Below are some of the books she has been reading with her class to provoke meaningful discussions and reinforce what it means to be a good digital citizen.

The Technology Tail: A Digital Footprint Story by Julia Cook Don't be mean! That's the sage, straight-to-the-point advice "Screen" has for young readers who are active on social media. Whether tapping out messages on their computers, tablets or phones, Screen wants kids to know their words the kind and the cruel will follow them for life, or at least a very, very long time. Every post creates a digital trail that can't be erased. So any snarky putdown or unkind comment can come back to bite them, bury their relationships and batter their reputations! Written for children in grades 1-6, this storybook uses rhymes and colorful illustrations to grab their attention.
But It’s Just a Game by Julia Cook Meet Jasper! A young boy who is totally absorbed with playing video games… "With my game controller in my hands, I'm the boss of my whole world! I can be who I want and do as I please. I can get the highest score. I get all the chances that I need. If I make a mistake it's ok. Everyone thinks I'm 'it on a stick!' And the bad stuff all goes away." Video game addiction is on the rise, but it can be prevented. This creative story book teaches both kids and adults how to switch out their game controller for a "life controller." Video gaming is becoming a part of our culture, and we must be strategic in creating a healthy gaming balance.(Recommended grades 2-6)
Cell Phoney by Julia Cook After much anticipation, Joanie Maloney finally gets her very own cell phone! Knowing that owning a cell phone requires responsibility and sound judgment, Joanie's mom requires her to complete a Cell Phone Safety Course. Mom, it s a phone... its not a weapon! Joanie exclaims. Along with Joanie, children will learn the six rules of cell phone usage which are designed not only to keep them safe, but also to keep them from being tempted to hurt others. By knowing the rules, children can become masters of their cell phones and avoid becoming a Cell Phoney!
Once Upon a Time Online by David Bedford Once upon a time, a laptop arrived in Fairy-tale land... A happily ever after is only a click away! Find out what happens when our favorite fairy-tale characters receive a laptop and learn a lesson in online safety.
When Charlie McButton Lost Power by Suzanne Collins Charlie McButton likes computer games so much, he never plays with anything else. When a thunderstorm knocks out the electricity, his tech empire comes tumbling down, and his whole world loses power. Charlie needs batteries?FAST! But the only triple- A?s he can find are in his little sister?s talking doll. Will he resort to desperate measures and cause his sister to have a meltdown of her own? Or will he snap out of his computer craze long enough to realize his sister might be fun, even if she doesn’t  come with batteries? Collins and Lester team up for a hilarious and timely tale that will crack up young computer addicts and those who love them!
Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd In a bright buzzing room, in the glow of the moon-and iPhones and Androids and Blackberries too-it is time to say goodnight... Modern life is abuzz. There are huge LCD WiFi HD TVs and Facebook requests and thumbs tapping texts and new viral clips of cats doing flips. Wouldn't it be nice to say goodnight to all that? Like the rest of us who cannot resist just a few more scrolls and clicks, you may find yourself ready for bed while still clinging to your electronics long after dark. This book, which is made of paper, is a reminder for the child in all of us to power down at the end of the day. This hilarious parody not only pokes loving fun at the bygone quiet of the original classic, but also at our modern plugged-in lives. It will make you laugh, and it will also help you put yourself and your machines to sleep. Don't worry, though. Your gadgets will be waiting for you, fully charged, in the morning.
If you Give a Mouse an iPhone by Ann Droyd If you give in to temptation and give a bored little mouse your iPhone, even for ten minutes, he’s probably going to beam to some faraway place beyond time, space, and the sound of your pleading voice. And if he’s that far gone, he won’t have any idea what’s going on around him, and he might end up missing out on all the real fun.
Webster’s Em@il by Hannah Whaley One click, and Webster's email is on its way... but where will it stop? Webster's Email is a wonderfully witty rhyming story that gathers pace as the little spider begins to regret emailing a funny picture of his sister. Count with Webster in this number book as his email reaches more and more people, while gently introducing young readers to the vocabulary and etiquette of email technology. One of a collection of picture books about technology for children which introduce topics about online safety, over sharing, email, meeting strangers online and using computers responsibly. Appropriate for a young audience (ages 3-8) they are a perfect tool for parents, teachers and librarians to teach children about digital issues or for new readers to explore themselves.

"That ConnectEd link just won’t turn blue on Google Classroom! Grrrrr "

The title of today's post comes from a determined teacher who was trying to use the power of the "About"page in Google Classroom to make materials and links easily accessible to her students. She was doing everything perfectly except for one small step (see steps 3 and 4).

If you've never explored the "About" page, think of it as a central hub for students to easily find frequently used materials, links, and other classroom resources. Once you and your students start using it, you'll see how helpful it can be.

To post a link to the "About" page in Classroom, just follow these steps: 

1. Go to Google Classroom and select About 

 2. Click Add Class Materials 

3. Type in the title of the link - you can title it whatever you want. If you past the link here, it "won't turn blue". 

 4. Click the link icon 

 5. Be sure to click Post 

6. Now it's ready for students to access! 

Google Read & Write - Super Power #1 - Vocabulary Tool

The Google Read & Write Super Power #1 is the Vocabulary Tool. Learn how to use the Vocabulary Tool in the two minute tutorial below.

Why Teachers Need to Know about Incognito Mode

Google Chrome's Incognito Window is a powerful feature that is easy to use and can help answer some common questions. When you're in Incognito Mode, Google thinks that you're a new user and you're able to view websites, documents, and links the way students, parents, or other users would view them.




To access an Incognito Window, click on the three dots and select New Incognito Window.

Here are a few frequently asked questions that be answered by using an Incognito Window:

💡 I'm getting ready to share a link to a Google Doc. How can I check make sure that others will be able to access it?

💡 My student needs to access his Google account on my teacher computer. How can I allow him to sign in to his account without having to sign out of my Google account?

Tech Tip- Pinning Your Tab

There's a  simple trick to prevent yourself from accidentally closing a tab in your Chrome Browser. Just pin your tab!

Right-click on the tab you want to keep open. Select Pin Tab. That's it.

                 

To unpin your tab, it's almost the same process. Right-click on the pinned tab and select Unpin Tab.

Formative Assessment Feedback - Done in Two Minutes with Google Forms

A teacher came by my office the other day and said, "I graded this in two minutes- I love Google Forms!"  You can see her excitement on Twitter.

Since I'm sure others will ask how she made that magic happen, I'm inspired to repost a blog when Google Forms added the Quizzes feature.

Google apps are always updating, and some of the newest features in Google Forms might make some of you fall in love (if you're not in love already). There are several recent changes, but you may want to take note of this:

 You now have the option to make your form into 

an instant quiz with feedback! 

Here's how: 

After clicking on settings, you'll notice that there is a setting for quizzes. After selecting "Make this a quiz", you can customize some additional options including when to release the score and what students can see after submitting their responses. 

When creating the quiz questions, you can assign unique point values to each question. (Don't forget to mark the correct answer on the answer key!)

Depending on your settings, students may have the option to view their scores. 

Students can review their answers and see their scores quickly and easily. 

Teachers can few responses easily and quickly under Responses. 

Google Classroom Updates You Will Love ❤

Update 1- View a Single Student's Work at Once

Google Classroom now has a feature that allows you to a single student's assignments in one simple view. If you're not sure what this means, just trust that you will love this update. 

1. Open Classroom and open the class you want to view

2. Click Students and select a student's name

3. You can view and filter for the following: 

• The list of the student’s assigned work for the class—assignments, questions, or quizzes—with the due date, if there is one.
• Whether the work is assigned, turned in, done late, or missing.
• The student’s grades for work that’s been graded.
• If the student attached any files. You’ll see File  and the number of attachments next to the work.
• If the student sent you a private comment. You’ll see Comment  next to the work.

Update 2- Display a Class Code in Full Screen 

Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference. When asking students to join your class with a code, be sure to use the drop down menu next to the code and choose Display. Everyone will be able to see the code in full view. 

Chromebooks 101 Resources

During our  Chromebooks 101 Training, we covered a lot of information. We touched on the following topics:
1. Chromebook Hardware
2. Student Google Accounts
3. Classroom Management
4. And more

If you're looking for resources from the session, some of them they are shared below:

• Chromebooks 101 - Checklist of skills to use for yourself or with students
• Chromebook Student Use Agreement- Use this to set the tone and expectations for Chromebook use in your classroom
• Google Classroom Overview- If you're just getting started with Classroom, this presentation provides a few essentials

If you haven't used the Google Explore Tool, you're missing out!

You may have noticed the Explore button in the bottom right corner of your screen when using Docs, Sheets, or Slides. This new Explore Tool offers some powerful features that can help us create our best work. There is a lot to uncover with these new features, but below is a quick glimpse.

The Explore Tool in Google Docs:

• Offers suggestions of topics to learn about based on the content of your document
• Helps you search for other documents in your Drive 
• Has much more to offer when it comes to research  

The Explore Tool in Google Slides:

• Makes it easy to polish a slide layout
• Offers design suggestions for layouts and more 

The Explore Tool in Google Sheets can:

• Suggest formatting for your data
• Automatically add charts to your Spreadsheets
• Analyze your data
• Answer questions based on data 
• Do so much more! 

Only for LUSD Employees Who Love to Check Emails!

Several of you have asked how to add your Outlook email to your iPhones and iPads. Watch this video for step by step guidance. If you have any issues, submit a tech ticket on LUSD Educators.