MC Digital Blog

Back up your Google Drive by using www.google.com/takeout

Spring is in the air! That means testing is not far away. Non-fiction reading skills are critically important for students to succeed. This week's resource is FREE and gives access to Lexile leveled non-fiction articles based on current events.  Teachers can quickly create classes and assign articles and quizzes to their students. To get started, visit:  http://newsela.com/ Click on the sign in/register link in the top left corner (you can view 4 articles without registering). Click on the appropriate tab and follow the instructions to register. Creating classes is super fast and easy, just type in the class name and grade level. You are then given a unique code for each class. Students will use this code to register for their accounts (or you can register for them if desired). Now you can explore the site, click on one of the categories across the top to view different articles available. Each article is available in different lex

Have you ever logged into Google on a computer or  device and then left, forgetting to log out first  but remembered when you went to log in somewhere else? I have and if you have.... Here's a super easy way to log out remotely from any device! Log into your Gmail    2. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and click on "Details"     3. Click on "Sign out all other sessions" That's it! No more wondering or second guessing... You can also set up alerts from this page if you think someone may have your account information.

If you don't already know, now you know! I will guide you step-by-step on how to clear your downloads so you will have more room on your drive to view files. 

This is a great read to touch base with the Google generation.  10 Ways Teacher Planning Should Adjust To The Google Generation

Glove and Boots tackle the differences between "its" and "it's," "your" and "you're," and the proper uses of "there," "they're," and "their." Check out their video HERE .

I want to share an excellent communication tool for parents and students called Remind 101. Remind 101 allows parents and students to subscribe to classroom updates via text message. It hides both your personal data as a teacher as well as the students and parents cell phone numbers.It is a very simple and easy to use communication tool. In a nutshell: --The service is free. Standard text messaging applies, which I guess could be a concern for anyone without unlimited texting. --It provides one-way text messaging (teacher>student group) to students who sign up for it (also email for students without text-capable phones) --Cell phone numbers are anonymous. Students never see your cell phone number... you never see their number. --You can establish up to 10 message distribution groups  To get started, you will need to go to:  https://www. remind101 .com/ You will need to create an account before you can use the service: Once your account is created, y

Do you like to tinker with electronics? The series of four posts by Gizmodo   features videos explaining things like resistive sensors, LEDs, diodes, volts, amps, and electrical pressure. You can find the posts in sequence  here ,  here ,  here , and  here . The first video in the series is embedded below.    

Practical Money Skills  hosts a series of eight online games designed to teach students some money management skills.  Financial Football  has students answer questions about budgets, savings, and spending to move their football teams down the field against another team. The games use real NFL team logos. Financial Football takes at least twenty minutes to play. 

Our JCS Digital Learning Grant came through for additional digital books in eFollettShelf . As our collection grows, please remind students to use this resource to read digital books. Students login using the same username and password as they do to login on to the computers at school. Students can search for books and then drag the book to the Reading List or Checkout bar. Click HERE for the Follett Shelf and save as a bookmark on your browser for future reference. It can also be found at www.johnston.k12.nc.us/instructionaltechnology and our school library site.

This week,  Pamela Batchelor is introducing Geostories  from National Geographic.  GeoStories , is a publishing  format that combines maps, multimedia, and narrative to take viewers on tours of places and topics.  GeoStories  are like map-enabled slideshows that incorporate dynamic maps, pictures, video and sound, with captions, links and social sharing.  The  GeoStories  span multiple topics including social studies, science, mathematics, and arts based topics. Each GeoStory has questions and vocabulary to go along with the presentation. Additional resources and links to related topics are also included. For this GeoStory on Earth's Extremes, you can see how user friendly the site is and easily identifiable information such as key concepts and related materials available. I hope you explore  GeoStories  and think about using this great free resource with your students!

Mark your calendar for February 13 @ 8:45 am - NC Science Museum Hangout for Middle/High students (Bird of Paradise exhibit).  Information on the virtual tour: Join museum staff at the NC Museum of Natural Science to learn about what extremes animals will go to find the perfect mate. From peacocks to crabs, animals throughout time have modified their appearance, sang out in chorus, and even danced to gain the attention of another. We will explore the benefits and consequences of these behaviors and how scientists are studying them. Click HERE to join the hangout (you must have a Google + account to participate).