Sketch & Tell EduProtocol

Why?

• Helps scholars with concept development, information retention, and developing writing skills
• Quick, easy & impactful

How?

1. Scholars read, watch a video, and/or experience a concept- ANY subject, ANY topic, ANY grade level
2. Scholars create an original visual image of the concept- paper & pencil or digital sketch note (Works great in Pear Deck!)
3. Scholars Think-Pair-Share with a partner to explain the meaning of their image
4. Scholars write their own explanatory paragraph
5. Have a Gallery Walk (or review the collaborative slide deck) to let all scholars see each other's work to enhance their concept development

Templates & Resources

• EduProtocols Wakelet: scroll to the bottom, drag the gray bar at the bottom to the right until you see the Sketch & Tell column and the templates it contains
• Sketch & Tell Drive Folder: open the template you want to use then click File>Make a Copy
• How to Sketch on a Google Slide for Sketch & Tell: informative video by Melissa Hero, unblocked so scholars can view

April is Citizen Science Month!

Citizen Science is when members of the general public collect data and contribute to a collaborative project with professional scientists. You can become a citizen scientist- & so can your scholars! Check below for some helpful resources.

*Source: Discovery Education

• Find a Citizen Science project for scholars from this searchable list made by the SciGirls.
• Grades 2-5 can go on a Citizen Science Virtual Field Trip with Discovery Education (Educator Guide & activities below the video) and here is a matching Activity Board for scholars.
• Looking for Citizen Science ideas for grades 3-12? National Geographic has got you covered.
• Search for a Citizen Science idea in the SciStarter site. There are many ideas that are online only- so they are easy to do from anywhere. Or click here to look at featured Citizen Science projects.
• Check out Science Near Me to find local Citizen Science projects!
• Check out 20 Citizen Science ideas for scholars of all ages from the Experiential Learning Depot. 
• You can gather scientific data for NASA with a simple app download. Click here to learn more.
• If you are excited to learn more, want to join the Citizen Science community, and/or start your own project, visit the citizenscience.gov site. 

Create a Scene in GoGuardian

Create a Scene in GoGuardian

• Click the SCENES tab in the left column.   
• Click on CREATE LIST under Allowed Websites or Blocked Websites.                                                            

• Customize the SCENE name, color and/or description & click NEXT

• Add sites to your list and click SAVE

• Your SCENE will appear under the appropriate panel (Allowed or Blocked). You can now sort scenes by alphabetical order, recent or last modified.

• If you need to make adjustments to your SCENES, click on the cogwheel/gear & select the appropriate action.  Click SAVE,  once any changes have been made.

START your SCENE as appropriate to allow/block sites to keep your scholars on task.

*Optional: The website will automatically open at the start of a scene if you add it to the Auto-Open Tab.  You can also limit the number of tabs allowed to be open per scene. Note: Make sure you have selected more than 2 tabs. 

 Wordle Mania

Have you heard of Wordle? Want a fun way to play a word game with your scholars?

• Wordle Choice Board courtesy of Judith Conforti- just make sure to click File then Make a Copy to make it your own!
• Click here to make a custom one word Wordle you can share with your class
• If you click here you can add a list of vocab words for scholars to guess
• Click here for an editable Sheetle (Wordle in Google Sheets for Littles) by Erin Flanagan
• Spello (Wordle for Spelling lists- will show them how close they are to the correct spelling)
• Click here for a Musical Wordle 
• Wordle in Espanol (spanish version of Wordle)
• Nerdle (math version of Wordle)
• Oodle (fill the math grid)
• Primel (guess the prime number)
• Dordle (solve 2 words at once)
• Quordle (solve 4 words at once)
• Semantle (guess the word, based on semantics)
• Worldle (geography version of Wordle)
• Wordle Unlimited- Have multiple student groups throughout the day? Use this version to play unlimited times.
• Click here for a Wordle Brain Break- it's a video with exercises based on which letter you guess!

 Promethean Math Tips

Pi Day- March 14  This day is used to celebrate the mathematical constant. See what activities are in store for you.

Promethean Board Rulers (see attached video)- 

• There is a 360-degree protractor. 
• Protractor- Measure the angles 
  
  
  
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  Ruler- measure and line or distance.

Dot Plot- Use dots to timeline, line plot, graphing, and coordinate plot. Let your mind think of other creative ways to use them. The possibilities are endless!

 MathReps EduProtocol

What is a MathRep?

• Scholars take a number through a series of math concepts and standards at one time. The focus is on creating cohesion within a strand of algorithmic skills.
• MathReps are digital OR paper/pencil- whatever works best for the math concepts/standards & specific class needs. 

SOURCE: This is an example of a 6th grade MathRep.

How?

Where to get free K-12 MathRep templates?

• MathReps.com
• MathReps Facebook Page

Academic Goals:

• Scholars gain confidence with essential math skills and build towards more in-depth learning. 
• Spiral review of previously learned math concepts.

Teacher Tips:

• Mastery of math concepts is the main focus of MathReps.
• Build understanding of the math concept before introducing the MathRep.
• Build class culture by actively focusing on the class progress & percentage- as a teacher, you can still track individual progress- but we want to whole class to progress.
• Immediate feedback is essential. Check the MathRep together daily then spot-check a chosen area when you collect it. 

ACT, SAT, OST- OH MY!

Test Taking Tips to Help Your Scholars!

Testing is always stressful, for both teachers and scholars. One way to alleviate that stress is to prepare the scholars, but not just before the test, there are things you can do during the test to help relieve stress. 

Before the test:

1.  Leverage your data

Look at class data and individual data to find where scholars are scoring. Bring your scholars into data conversations to make sure they are aware of where they need to progress in order to score well on the test.  Make sure to review the testing items or standards to identify where scholars are struggling and correlate them to the district map. When is the standard taught? Is it after the testing window? How many times do you review the standard? 

2. How to access the tools

Teach your scholars how to navigate the online test. Scholars will not remember how to navigate the site if they only use it once a year. Model for them the tools you would like them to use. 

3. How to answer certain questions types

Each type of question given on the test has a way to best answer the question. For example, scholars should be aware that multiple-choice questions usually contain 2 completely wrong answers. If a scholar is taught to use strikethrough, they can eliminate 2 answers they know are wrong. This will increase the probability of getting the question correct. 

4. Create a positive testing environment

Celebrate the little successes during practice sessions in order to model a positive culture to scholars. An empty stomach is very distracting so making sure scholars have eaten or give snacks before the test.  Also, sitting for a long period of time can distract scholars. Teaching students seated stretching techniques can help them when they cannot take a break during the test. These practices can relieve testing anxiety when testing days occur. 

5. Test Stamina

Make sure the scholars have the stamina to sit and take the test for over 90 minutes. Just because scholars sit and play videos games for hours without moving does not mean they will have the same stamina for school-related online tests. You must practice this for scholars to understand how long they will need to focus to complete the test.  For ready-made practice tests from Edcite CLICK HERE

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