New Look for Student Resources Page!

You may have noticed that the PSI Student Resource Page has a new look!!!

I decided to use Weebly for this important portal to our resources.
I tried to make sure that everything transfered over from the rSchools site....but of course I am sure I have missed something.


This is how the page looks now!

• I need to hear from First, Second and Third grade to be sure that I link the right page for your "Grade Level Links", so let me know and I can do that. 
•  I decided that 4th and 5th grade students probably use the grade level links under your classroom tab.  If that is NOT the case, let me know and I will add a link.

I do want your feedback, so let me know what you think!

Have A Great Week!

Random Stuff Worth Knowing!

Fall Map Testing is over.....making me feel like doing a Happy Dance....

That also means that the computer labs are once again available for the "good stuff"!

Hope to see you there soon and often!

Please remind students that they are NEVER supposed to log in to their own network accounts!

All computers need to be logged in as guest!
The username is:  guest
There is NO password!

IXL now has an APP which has been added to all 30 student iPads!
This opens up some interesting possibilities for small group activities in your classrooms!

We will be adding first grade to the IXL subscription very soon!  I will let you know when that is.


If you would like help with setting up your classes in IXL, let me know!

 

Link to Hooda Math

 This is a website and an APP!

There are a wide variety of math games to explore (sorry, they are all in English)!

I even found one where I had to shop and exactly meet the targeted budget!

Well worth a look!

I will add it to the Math section of the Student Resources!

 

Remember to think of me when you find a Writing Craft lesson that needs a read-a-loud book that is not available in Spanish!  I am happy to read those to your class!

 

Have a Great Week!

 

Media News Sept. 23-27

More MAP Testing this week!  Here is the Schedule!

As you can see it is all about Math....and the kids need lots of time to complete the test!

In the meantime...I purchased a great little Spanish Language App...it is the FEED ME App that we have been using, but the full Spanish Version.

It is great for first and Kindergarten!



So...remember if you can't use the lab....the iPads are a way to use technology with the kids!





This week during Book Choice time...as often as I can....I will focus on using the library catalog with 3-5th grade....

In K-2  there will be stories read when I can be there....and that will be a treat for ME!

Many of you know the troubles we have been having with the circulation system, so be patient while we try to work through that!

Have a Great Week!

Media News Sept. 16-20

Monday is the start of MAP testing.

This will last for the next 3 weeks.

Luckily, now that we have the doors installed to close off the computer labs from the library, we can continue book choices as usual!

Well.....almost as usual!  I will need to be available to help with testing sessions, so I will probably miss a few book choice times.  I will let you know ahead of time if your class is one of those affected.

Lisa will always be there to help with check-outs!


This is the testing schedule for this week!

 Sorry about it running off the page....but I thought you would want to be able to read it!!!

The Computer Schedule reflects the test schedule!

Kindergarten Computer times may need to be adjusted because of the tests...or we can use the iPads!

Just a reminder that many of the document cameras are still available to check out!


Just let Lisa know and she will check one out to you for your classroom!









I know this is a busy week with our Parent Information Nights....so good luck all with your presentations....I know you will all be STARS!

Have a Great Week!

This Week In the Media Center

AND SO IT BEGINS!

This week begins regular Book Choice for all classrooms.

I will be going over the "Rules" and "Procedures" with each class.

Students with overdue materials from the past will only be allowed to take ONE book until those materials are returned!

It will be a pretty jam packed week....so please make every effort to come on time so that your kids have plenty of time to choose those new books!!

If you need my help with a computer session, be sure to check the book choice schedule when you sign up!  I will not be able to leave those sessions to help you!  You should pick a time when there is NO library book choice on the schedule.

 

Would you believe that MAP testing starts NEXT MONDAY!!!

YIKES!

I will be working on the schedule and sending it out to 2-5 grade teachers.

If you have any "special events" on your schedule for the testing window...

Sept. 16-Oct. 4

I need you to let me know ASAP!

 

Here are a couple of fun websites you might want to take a look at!

School Girl Style

This blog is one that Judy Contreras shared with me...

All about fun decor for the classroom!

Rockalingua

This site has great short videos with basic Spanish themes.

I think they would be great transition activities for the early grades!

Kim Wieber and I are thinking about holding a little work session on Wednesday after school for anyone interested in learning how to create a BLOG in WEEBLY.

More info will come by email when we actually have a plan.

If you have been thinking about moving to the BLOG format for your weekly newsletter...this might be a workshop for you!

Have a Great Week!

Headphones and Earbuds in the Computer Lab!

Rumor has it that almost all grade levels put Headphones/earbuds on the supply list! 

Hurrah!

I know you will set up great routines and procedures for managing these when you come to the lab!

The school owned headsets WILL NOT be put out at the computer stations. 

We will store a basket of headsets in the lab for kids to use on a casual basis.

Remind students who use these to return them to the basket at the end of the session.

Julie Yakes emailed me the info that there are 30 donated headsets in Deb Probst's office for students who did not/are not able to bring their own!

I certainly won't miss this view!

Have a Great Day!

Computer Lab Details!

Both of the computer labs are open for business!

The sign-up sheet is on the counter like it always is.

If you want my assistance with your projects, please note that in the center column!!  But it never hurts to also let me know face to face what your project is and how I can help!

I am going to try to be better at noting times when I am not available to help out...but you know how that will probably go!!!

NEW GUEST LOGIN!!!!

You might have noticed that the log in for the guest account has changed!!!!

It is NO LONGER     guest account

NOW it is simply the word    guest in lower case with no password needed.

We are in the process of changing the signs in the lab....there ARE stickers on the machines with the new info on them.....

If you would like stickers for your classroom machines, they are in the document holder by the door to the center.  Help Yourself!

REMEMBER!!!  All students should be logging into the computers as guest 

If you need to have something saved and aren't using GoogleDocs, come see me and we can make a plan!

A Helpful Hint When Scheduling Lab Time for Activities Involving the Printer!

If you are planning a project that will be printed.....the easiest thing for you is to sign up for the large back lab.  The computers in that lab default to the color printer with no extra step for you.

If you try to print from the computers in the center lab, they default to the small black and white printer and you will need to have the kids pull down the printer list and choose the color printer.

I KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO!!!!   More often than not, if the back lab is already spoken for, the person will probably be willing to switch with you....just ask them!

You might want to hurry and sign up.....Why???
MAP Testing will begin on September 15th....taking up an awful lot of lab times for 3 weeks!

Before you bring your students into the lab....please have a discussion about taking care of the spaces.

 Schedule a couple of minutes at the end of the session to straighten up the lab for the next group!

Some classrooms have an assigned "helper" who goes around and checks this.

• DO NOT HAVE STUDENTS LOG OUT of the guest account when you leave...this saves time for the next group!
• Remind students to NEVER turn off the computer unless they are instructed to do so!!

Hope to see you soon!

iPad Protocols

So many iPads......

30 for kids to use.....

5 For Teachers to use... 




I thought this would be a great time to review the procedures for checking out and using the iPads at PSI!

The 30 Student use iPads work like this:

15 of the iPads are kept on the top shelf of the iPad cart.  This is considered a set and are numbered 1-15.  

 




The OTHER 15 iPads are separated into 3 sets and stored in red crates in my office!  

Sometimes a crate will be there with no iPads in it.  That is because those iPads are on the cart charging.  We will leave a note to that effect.


To reserve either the iPad cart or a set of 5 iPads, you will need to put your name on the calendar in your GoogleDocs.  It is called iPad Sign-out and can be found at this link.

IPAD SIGN OUT LINK



Now it gets a little complicated....

To take the cart....just make sure you have reserved it....

To take a set of 5 OR a Teacher iPad you need to follow a couple more steps!

Notice the Notebook sitting on the counter below the cupboard with the iPads!

Please help yourself to take the iPads you have reserved!

NO NEED to ask us to get them for you!

BUT....and this IS important!

Please make a note of which crate/set you are taking on the notebook.  (who and when)

Sometimes students are using single iPads for a project (short term....) 

and they are signing them out on this notebook too!

The reason for this is to keep track of items that might need to be saved on a specific iPad.

When you take a teacher iPad (in the boxes).....just put your name on a post it note and put that on the chart that is hanging inside the cupboard door!  It wouldn't hurt to write that down in the notebook as well.

Last Spring an ad hoc group decided on some general guidelines for using the iPads in shared setting.

THE COMMANDMENTS FOR USING iPADS AT PSI!

1.
Thou shalt 
always check out the iPads on the calendar or notebook!

2.
Thou shalt 
always return the teacher iPads in a reasonable time!

3.
Thou shalt 
return the iPads to the proper slot in the cart and plug them in!

4.
Thou shalt 
return the sets of iPads to the cupboard at the end of the day and cross off your name!  

5.
Thou shalt 
return the teacher iPads fully recharged.

6.
Thou shalt 
Download any pictures or videos to your laptop or Youtube before returning the teacher iPad!

7.
Thou shalt 
remind students to use NOT to sit on the floor and use the iPads!

8.
Thou shalt 
NOT let students move the iPad cart or carry the sets of iPads!

9.
Thou shalt 
Make a note and attach it to any iPad that has an ISSUE!

 

 But....no matter how hard they are to manage...just one look at the engagement and possibilities for learning....I am thinking it is worth the effort!

     

Sign Up For A Book Choice!

Here is the first PSI Media Medley for 2013/14!

Welcome Back!  

I am excited to get started with the year!

Just a note:  I have added the ability for you to send me a comment via email.  In the past, the comment tool on the Media Medley was difficult to manage.  Just fill out the info and submit any question or comment!

It's time to let me know your choice for Library Book Choice!

I have waited to send this because I need to see how the various schedules in Fifth Grade and Kindergarten work so that I can block in my fixed schedule!

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING 

BEFORE

You tell me your top 3 choices for a time!

• Try to give options that are other than the same time on different days.  
• Pay attention to the times that I am not available to be with you.  Even though you come with your class for book choice, I often do lessons that your class will miss if I am scheduled with other things.
• Lisa's Hours:  8:15 to 2:15....that means that it is hard for us to be ready for ANY class until at least 8:45 and she will be unavailable to help with check-out if your class comes after 1:45.

The following times ARE NOT available

8:15-8:45 MTWTHF (Grade 3-4-5 Math Jumpstart)

12:20-2:00 Tuesday (Fifth Grade English Intervention)

2:00-2:45 Wednesday (Fifth Grade English Media)

12:20-1:10 Thursday (Fifth Grade English Media)

1:10-2:00 Thursday (Fifth Grade English Media)

In addition: Library Media Meetings are scheduled once a month on Monday mornings from 8:30-10

Submission Form for Library Book Choice

Book Choice will start the week of September 9th.
All Students will be able to check out 3 books beginning that week.
Students with books from last year still on their records will only be able to check out 1 book until this is resolved.

Important Information about BOOK BOXES!

Grades 3-5

• You may sign up for a time to check out Book Box Books beginning September 5th.
• This ALWAYS needs to be arranged with Lisa! Please TALK with her, not just write a note.  Many times there are schedule issues that are not apparent and having a book box class can be a problem if you don't clear it with her.
• Remind students that book box books are due after 1 month.  This keeps the favorite books in circulation rather than "stuck" in one classroom!

I am looking forward to a great year.

PSI Staff Computer Update! Important Information!

Since I talked to you last week regarding the laptop update....

there has been a slight change of plans!

You now have 4 options to choose from to get this done!

Oh my.....choices-choices!!

OPTION 1

There are 16 slots available before school is out!
Four spots on each of these days!

OPTION 2

Keep your computer until the end of the last day (June 11)

Turn it into the office and it will be picked up by IT for the update.

You will then make an appointment to pick your computer up on one of these 2 dates

June 20        or                 June 26

OPTION 3

Keep your computer until the end of the last day (June 11)

Turn it into the office and it will be picked up by IT for the update.

Make an appointment to pick up your computer during Workshop week.

OPTION 4

Say the heck with the whole thing and 

go back to doing everything on paper and chalkboard!

 

For those people choosing option 1:

The update takes 48 hours.  

You will receive a "loaner" laptop for those 2 days!

Any documents you need for those days need to be 
loaded on a flash drive and moved to the "loaner"!
(this is true for those opting for 2 or 3 as well....but that is pretty obvious)
There are no "loaners" for folks choosing Option 2 or 3....but hey those are the first weeks of summer vacation....go outside and play!

REGARDLESS Of the option you choose:

 YOU Need to complete all the items on this check list before you drop your machine off!!! If you don't......the tech folks will send you away until you get it done!

 

I told you that I would "translate" this for you.....

Some steps are pretty easy!

But.... fair warning....this will take some time!

1.  Pretty self-explanatory.  If you put your desktop items in a folder, the best thing is to put that folder in your Documents folder.  I call mine....Desktop Storage!

2.
This item is about all of the "i" stuff.....and the one that takes some time.  iPhotos need to be exported...if you don't know how to do this....ask a friend or me!  Same with movie files in your Movie folder...  the stuff that has .mov or other file extension can just be moved. 

3. Just more about the "i" stuff.....my advice is to just put all this on a storage device unless you have huge amounts of school stuff.  I have lots and still think 16 G is plenty of room. So don't think you have to spend a lot of money on a storage drive!

4. This is pretty simple: Just make a folder name it yournamemedialibrary and put them in there.  Put that in your document folder.

5. If you are like me, you forget to clean out your downloads....look at the stuff that has piled up there....delete the stuff that you don't need and move the other stuff into appropriate folders in your Documents.  Great chance for "cleaning".  Stuff you leave in Downloads will go away!

6. If you have bookmarks in Firefox, Safari or Chrome that you don't want to lose, you need to export them to a file. 

 

For Firefox:

Go to the bookmarks tab at the top of the browser.

Pull down the little star and select Export Bookmarks to html.

This file will go in your documents.

When you get your computer back you will reverse the process.

For Safari

Go to the File tab.

Choose Export Bookmarks

save that file

Put it in your documents

reverse the process when you get your computer back.

7. Open iCal 

 

pull down the file tab

choose Export

an ics file will go to your downloads...

put that in your documents folder

reverse the process and import that file when you get your computer back!

8.  I don't think many people use the address book on their computers, but if so it is a similar process 

This file will be a vcard file...

9.  You can do this....but if you have put the folders in your documents you don't have to.

10.  I doubt many of you have authorized your itunes on your school computer.  If you have and purchase stuff through this...call 7315 and get help if you don't know how.

11.  Do this relatively close to the time of your appointment to turn in your computer.  Allow time if you have LOTS of STUFF!

12.  I assume that if you check YES I use Stickies, they will be preserved!  As a JUST IN CASE....I arrange ALL of my stickies on the desktop and take a screen shot that I save in my documents (rename this photo of stickies).  At least then if they somehow disappear....you have the information.  Just sayin' !!!

13.  Be sure to write down any applications that are specialized to your situation.  If you aren't sure....call 7315 and ask!!!

There you have it.....my best "translation" for getting this long list taken care of without too many questions.

You are Welcome!!!