Back to School Icebreakers for 2020

Whether in person, online, or a hybrid model, school is sure to look different this year. For teachers and for students, it’s crucial that routines and expectations remain as normal as possible. Some of that normalcy includes the importance of back-to-school rituals; among them is building rapport between students and teachers. Icebreakers are fun games and activities that are intended to create a comfortable environment for everyone.

Regardless of the educational model, there are plenty of creative ways to engage and get to know your students.

In-Person:

The Number Game: In a small group, or as a whole class, sit in a large circle. The goal is the count to ten aloud, and that each number is spoken by a different student. Anyone is able to call out a number, but if more than one person speaks at the same time, the game starts over. Repeat as many times as is necessary to reach 10, and then try for a larger number.

“What Am I?” Game: Provide students with sticky notes with names of every day items, famous people, books, or movies. They’ll team up with a partner, and then the partner will give clues about their mystery item. If the guesser correctly identifies the object, they get a point. Take turns with different notes.

Letter to Yourself: Have students compose a letter to their future selves. Prompt them to talk about their interests, strengths, and hopes for the year. Keep the letters in a special location and give them back on the last day of school.

Virtual:

Show and Tell 2.0: Get creative with video conferencing! Students can be instructed to share their favorite object in their room, give a room tour, or even introduce a pet to their classmates. 

Desert Island Share-Out: Project a picture of a desert island, and then ask students to identify (and share) two items that they would want to bring. The items can be for survival, or even just for fun. Either way, this is a entertaining and creative way to get to know students.

Head and Shoulders: For this game, all students should be visible on individual screens. Prepare trivia questions beforehand (ones that have a clear yes or no answer). For “yes”, have students put their hands on their heads, and for “no”, students will place hands on shoulders. Observe the movement and enjoy the laughter that will ensue!

In-Person or Virtual:

Names Word Search: Help kids learn each other’s names with this non-intimidating activity. Using Puzzlemaker, create a custom word search filled with names of classmates.

About Me Backpack: Using this awesome resource from Teachers Pay Teachers, have students fill a “backpack” with small items that best represent themselves. Have them take turns sharing their objects in small groups, partners, or with the whole class.

For educators or students looking to upgrade their technology this year, HP has released the Chromebook 11A G8 EE. Built specifically for educational purposes, the G8 is durable, convenient, and affordable. With its spill-resistant keyboard and battery life of over 13 hours, this machine is perfect for the demands of the school year, no matter the circumstances.

The Ten Best Apps for Education

Among the challenges of the 2020-2021 academic school year will undoubtedly be the need for teachers to implement creative forms of instruction. Luckily, the technological world is brimming with interesting and effective resources. Below are ten of the best, most effective educational apps; there’s something for every age and every subject.

• Google Classroom is one element of Google’s G Suite for Education. It provides teachers with an easy to use and very well organized forum, and students enjoy the ability to easily view and access assignments and other resources. Discussion forums and teacher-student messages provides an opportunity for collaboration or extra help.
  

• Let little ones learn through play with Kids Academy app. The app, created by experts in early education, is aimed at children pre-K to third grade. The features include handpicked interactive activities, plenty of entertaining game-like lessons, and weekly performance reports.
  

• Khan Academy is a robust, free, personalized learning resource for students between Grades 3-12. The engaging instructional videos and practice exercises allows students to study at their own pace. In addition to test preparation (such as SAT, Praxis, and even the LSAT), subjects include math, science, computing, history, and art history.
  

• Designed to strengthen communication and connection, Edmodo’s learning app helps teachers reach their students while achieving better educational outcomes. Parents are also able to create accounts, giving them the opportunity to check on their child’s assignments, grades, and calendars.  
  

• The preschool curriculum by ABCmouse focuses on skills in Reading, Math, and a Social Studies and Science combination called World Around Us. Each game or interactive activity is intended to strengthen knowledge and understanding of basics, such as sounds, numbers, shapes, and alphabet. Parents and kids love the fun that ABCmouse has to offer.
  

• ShowMe Interactive Whiteboard is perfect for teachers who may be instructing remotely or with a hybrid model in this upcoming school year. It allows teachers (and students) to create presentations and share them- either individually or to an audience. In the presentation, the user can record helpful voiceover, making it simple for students to follow along.
  

• Nearpod lets teachers design interactive lesson plans, presentations, and assessments. The lessons themselves are composed of slides, which the teacher creates; these can include text, video, websites, polls, and other features. This gives students the option of using their own devices on their own time, or teachers can lead a synchronized session in real time. This app is ideal for middle or high school students.
  

• Quizlet offers 21st century students a modern way to study. Choose an existing Quizlet, or you can create your own to perfectly fit the content. Kids can compete for high scores and play study games. It’s a great way to encourage collaboration at a distance.
  

• Introduce your students to another world with NASA App. They’ll navigate the universe through photos, videos, live feeds, and unlimited text information. Whether the topic is Mars, the International Space Station, or Black Holes, young astronomers are sure to find what they’re looking for.
  

• Duolingo is a highly rated English language app for beginners. It’s friendly and gamified, giving users a fun and non-intimidating setting for learning a new language. The lessons are twenty minutes long, and are created around a topic and seven related vocabulary words.

Which apps do you love to use with your students? Leave us a comment below.

Four Ways to Keep Kids Academically Motivated During the Summer

Summer Slide- the term used to describe students losing academic growth- is a concern shared by parents and teachers. It’s unfortunately not uncommon for students to lose up to 25% of their school-year gains over the course of the summer break. Especially after the challenging spring semester, it’s especially crucial for students to be adequately prepared for their next grade level.

Luckily, there are abundant resources at our fingertips. Here are some ideas designed to keep young minds learning. 

Read. Research shows that independent reading for 20 minutes a day is enough to maintain comprehension and decoding skills. At this rate, elementary students should complete about six books during summer break. 

• Choosing age appropriate books- those which are not too easy or too hard- is the sometimes a challenge. To do so, seek recommendations from friends, your local librarian (most likely, digitally), or your child’s teacher. 
  

• GetEpic is a vast digital library for young students. Books are grouped by age, interests, language, and award winners. With over 40,000 titles available, there is something for everyone. The website offers a free 30 day trial to get started.
  

• Audio books are great for substituting “read aloud” titles: books that a teacher would read to the class, but that may be above students’ individual reading levels. Listen to a book during long car rides, or make cuddling up on the couch an evening tradition for the family. 

Write. Typically, kids aren’t excited about recreational writing, which is just the reason to get creative. 

• Gift your child with a fun summer journal to document the day’s activities and thoughts. Consider using a daily question to prompt a few sentences.
  

• Put a positive spin on social distancing by helping your kids discover letter writing. Arrange with a friend or family member to become a pen pal. Your child will continue to practice writing, and they’ll love getting mail.

Discover. Depending on your location and circumstances, travel may be limited this summer. Visiting different areas is a great way to keep brains occupied, and the good news is- you can still go (from the safety of your living room).

• Countless destinations are offering free, virtual tours. Choose a place such as Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, the British Museum, or the San Diego Zoo. After the tour, talk to your kids about what they saw; color a handmade postcard, or find a corresponding book to read.

Practice. Many academic skills are already there, but they need to be practiced in order to stay retained.

• The Homer app, created for kids ages 2-8, offers personalized learning related to reading skills and success. They offer a free 30-day trial, and the monthly or yearly subscriptions. The app is well loved by kids, is easy to use, and has been featured in several renowned publications.
  

• Put a summer spin on any simple concept by adding chalk. Whether your child is practicing lower case letters or solving a long division problem, colorful chalk and some sunshine makes it fun and different.
  

• Bring measurements and math to life by baking a recipe together. It doesn’t feel like homework, and there’s a delicious payoff. 

When it comes to maintaining academic skills, consistency is key. These tips will help you find some creative ways to keep your young ones learning.

The Next Crop of Chromebooks

Chromebooks are the go-to edtech tool for classrooms across the country. They are durable, rugged, ultra-portable, easy-to-use, have a long-life battery and, most importantly, affordable. Many Chromebook options land in the $200 to $300 price range with the next performance level up costingabout $500 to $600. 

With so many new options, school administrators should easily be able to find one to meet their students’ needs and budget just in time for fall semester. 

Dell Education Chromebook  

Dell’s Chromebooks 3000 series is dedicated to education by being designed to endure the entire school day. It features tamper- and spill-resistant keyboards and ports that are covered and secured with reinforced brackets so students can connect and disconnect over-and-over. The New Chromebook 3100 features an 11-inch screen and up to 14 hours of battery life and a low price of $249. The 3100 also comes in the 2-in-1 option for a bump in the price tag. The New Chromebook 3400 is a 14-inch laptop that offers an optional, expansive full HD display that boots up in less than 10 seconds. It starts at $329.  

HP Chromebook x2 

While at the top of Chromebook’s price range ($599), the HP Chromebook x2 is the first Chrome Detachable PC and comes with high-performance specs; it is HP’s most powerful Chromebook yet. It features a long-lasting, 12-hour battery life and dual-core Intel M3 processor. It features front and rear facing cameras, audio by B&O Play and the durable Corning Gorilla Glass display. 

Lenovo Chromebook 500e (2nd Gen) 

Lenovo offers several Chromebooks for classroom use, including the 500e, the brand’s top model. It blends on-the-go technology with powerful processing and a premium classroom experience. With a 360-degree hinge, it can be used in four ways and includes a digital pen for on-screen writing and notetaking. It also features two HD cameras and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protective screen that resists chips and scratches. Depending on features, it costs anywhere from $279 to $329. 

Samsung Chromebook 2 & 3 

Samsung’s Chromebooks for education offer options in size and affordability. The Chromebook 3 features an 11.6-inch screen starts at $199. It offers schools a way to embrace 1:1 digital learning with a limited budget. This economical solution still delivers a rugged design, built-in education software and up to 11 hours of battery life. The Chromebook 2 offers a bigger screen, faster performance and a full HD 1080 display for $399. The increased lightning-fast performance reduces battery life to 8.5 hours. 

Questions about Chromebook? We can answer them. Contact us today. 

The Best Tech for Summer

The school year’s end is an exhausting but rewarding time. Both educators and students experience the mixed feelings that accompany the conclusion of their grade levels and classes. Due to the unprecedented challenges caused by COVID-19, the end of this school year is particularly bittersweet.

Still, the summer season is always a welcome occasion for rest and renewal. In addition to keeping busy with physical activities and lots of outdoor adventures, it’s equally important for students and teachers alike to continue to exercise their brains. The following tech tools aim to blend playing and learning.

• In the world of convenient devices, HP’s Probook x 360 11 is top notch. This versatile machine is perfect for writing, drawing, reading, and creating. The durability provided by the Probook makes it practical and user friendly, and its spill resistance makes it Popsicle friendly.
  

• The Windows 10 operating system has always been fast and reliable and it also boasts new features that are fun and unique. With just the touch of a few keys, you can talk instead of type. Finding photos is quick and easy with automatic added tabs. Maximize your time by snapping apps side by side.
  

• Microsoft OneNote is ideal for the fast-paced brain of a teacher, and perfect for when you’re inspired with a great lesson idea. Spend a few August afternoons jotting down some lesson plan ideas and getting organized for the coming year. OneNote’s multi-user collaboration allows for sharing ideas with colleagues.
  

• With most summer vacations being put on hold, take an exploratory yet educational adventure with Google Expeditions. Create one to fit the needs of your students, or take an exciting tour created by one of the world’s most well known institutions. 
  

• Keep your mind sharp while having a great time! Geoguessr is an enjoyable way to blend the lines between work and play. The game places you in an unknown location. Using Google Street view, the player will begin to navigate their way home with the help of logic, clues, and the world of technological tools.

What tech tools do you love for summer? Drop your suggestions in the comments!

Learn More

Digital Resources for Learning At Home

The novel coronavirus is forcing people all over the world to change the norms of their every day lives. One of those norms is traditional in-school learning. Extended spring breaks that turned into indefinite closure periods have transformed most of the country’s schools into online forums. 

Parents and teachers are going to be tasked with the continuation of education in the home. Even for tech-savvy educators who are well versed in digitized tools are going to face challenges in the coming weeks. During this unpredictable time, many organizations and websites are offering free educational resources. These online opportunities allow learners the ability to continue to explore the world (and expand their minds) from the comfort of home. 

• Scholastic’s Learn at Home is providing 20 days worth of active educational material. It includes cross-curricular journeys to keep students engaged.  

• Students can embark on free, virtual field trips though Freedom Homeschooling. From Buckingham Palace to the San Diego Zoo to Mars, there is a relevant and interesting location for almost any unit. 

• Explore the Louvre, Sistine Chapel, and Guggenheim museum while remaining cozy on the couch. The Washington Post thoughtfully curated a list of historic sites that are offering virtual tours.  

• Tours of other iconic museums are available through with Travel + Leisure’s online offering. Peruse Van Gogh’s work up close at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam or “stroll” through the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. 

• For as long as schools are closed, Audible is providing free story listening. The collection of audiobooks is available to stream on desktops, laptops, phones, or tablets. 

• Over 3,000 e-book titles are available to borrow through the New York Public Library. From Winnie the Pooh to Atlas Shrugged, there’s something for every age.  

School closures are difficult for all. These resources will help combat loneliness by providing a lens into the wonders of the world.

Six Key Tips for Protecting Your Child’s Data

The downside to being a 21st century kid is obtaining an online presence long before you’re able to make fully informed decisions. Through smart phones, tablets, computers, and games, children amass a large amount of data. According to Wired, 92% of the children in the United States will have a digital footprint before they turn two years old. The ramifications of this only increase in importance as children grow up and use technology more frequently and more independently. 

When people consider the consequences of young people and the Internet, their essential concern is social media. Their fears focus on the idea that short-term pictures can cause long-term problems. Sound social media decisions are undoubtedly important, but they aren’t the sole worry of online privacy violations. When security breaches occur, the hackers are mining for both personal and consumer information.  

Fortunately, there are several safeguards that parents can employ (along with their kids) to help protect their safety and security online. 

Start the conversation.  

For young children, especially, the thrill of using a fun new app or device surpasses any concern (or knowledge) of risks. Discuss with them the importance of privacy; that passwords shouldn’t be shared with anyone other than a parent or teacher, and that an authority figure needs to approve an application before it’s purchased or downloaded. 

Check privacy settings.  

After a new app’s initial set up, go back and make sure you’ve handled the privacy settings. Disable location sharing and the application’s request to post on other social media platforms. For apps that include messaging ability, make sure to choose “friends only” to filter users who are allowed to send your child messages.  

Disable location sharing. 

This one has can lead to serious repercussions, but it’s often overlooked when setting up a profile. Be thorough with reviewing the location settings on your kids’ devices and apps. Likewise, set expectations for photo sharing as it relates to location; it’s not prudent to publicly broadcast a vacation, for example, due to home security reasons. Young people need guidance to make prudent choices. 

Read the fine print.  

Terms and conditions are tedious, but they’re key to understanding what you’re agreeing to. Read the T&C together with your kids, modeling meticulously good online habits. This way, if something appears that you don’t feel comfortable with, you can cancel the download without unintended consequences. 

Use parental blocks. 

Parental blocking technology is designed primarily to protect children from illicit material and unknown Internet dangers. It’s important to keep your own information safe as to not accidentally provide your kids with administrator access. While there is no replacement for vigilant supervision from real parents, a parental block can help provide another layer of protection. 

Establish a VPN. 

If you’re interested in greater Internet anonymity, you may want to consider a Virtual Private Network. There are two primary benefits to using a VPN. The first is that all of your family’s data will travel through an encrypted virtual tunnel, making you less susceptible to cyber attacks. The second benefit is that this tunnel also hides your IP address (the online equivalent of a postal address). This provides you with more anonymity and less vulnerability. 

The Internet provides countless advantages. But with more interconnectedness and information sharing, the importance of privacy intensifies. These precautions will help you and your children enjoy the use of your devices while knowing you’re protected.  

How to Get Kids Excited About Reading

Among the many healthy habits that parents hope to instill within their children is a life-long love of reading. In addition to the emotional and recreational benefits of reading, the academic advantages are innumerable. While most parents are in agreement about its importance, many parents and teachers struggle to motivate their reluctant readers.  

Luckily, there are plenty of creative strategies that adults can employ to help cultivate kids’ love of literacy. Below are five ideas about how to get children excited about reading. 

For parents: 

1. Start them young.  Studies show that exposure to a vast spoken vocabulary in infancy helps young ones with language development.  While it may feel silly at first, reading books to brand new babies is important; they are absorbing not just words, but the sound and cadence of your voice. The good news is that babies aren’t picky, so you can read aloud whatever you want.  
   
   

2. Set an example. Children will emulate what they see, so if you want to raise a reader, be a reader. When parents open up the newspaper or a new library book, they send cues to their kids that reading is an important use of time. Create a Saturday morning family routine where everyone spends 30 minutes reading silently in the comfort of the living room; carving out special time shows that reading is something to be prioritized. 
   
   

3. Change the format. Sometimes, a change in medium can pique kids’ interest enough to keep reading. There are countless tech toys that are both fun and educational: The Touch and Teach Word Book and LeapStart 3D Learning System are two great choices or younger children. Kindles ebooks work well to provide efficiency, choices, and fun for older children. For kids of all ages, audiobooks provide a different way to enjoy stories. 

For teachers: 

1.  Credit their opinions. Like everyone, kids love to share their perspectives. Allow them to assume the role of Book Reviewer for their peers. Designate a visible place in the classroom where students can display their book reviews, or carve out a spot on Google Classroom specifically for this purpose. Students will feel like their opinions are heard, and their reviews can help other kids choose a book that is well rated and loved by friends. 
   
   

2. Start a tradition. Create a classroom culture that values books and celebrates their value. One way to do this is to start a tradition based on the excitement brought by a book. After finishing a book as a class, think about hosting a movie event; spend time afterwards comparing and contrasting the upsides to the book and movie versions of the same story. Another fun tradition is a “read in”. Designate an afternoon for silent reading only; encourage students to bring in a cozy blanket and a book of their choice. Oftentimes, these simple, extra details work well for nurturing that extra bit of enthusiasm.

Motivating young readers, although sometimes challenging, is worth it. With a little creativity, parents and teachers can encourage a life-long love of reading. 

The Device to Upgrade in 2020

The beginning of a calendar year means that it’s time for out with the old and in with the new. In the educational and business worlds, the adage applies to the ongoing need to assess the efficacy of technologies. Although most quality devices are designed to last for several years, it’s still prudent to evaluate how well they are meeting the user’s needs. 

For teachers, middle-of-the-year technological changes (especially to their own device) can be difficult to integrate. When the year is in full swing, lesson planning and grading take precedence over navigating a new gadget. Because of this, it’s best to consider implementing the upgrades at the close of the school year. Summer will provide some time to become familiar with the upgraded technology, allowing for comfort and confidence in the new device just in time for school to begin.  

As you’re looking ahead and preparing for the upcoming year, take stock in the efficacy of your computer. If it’s not meeting the needs of yourself or your staff, here is the upgrade we recommend for 2020. 

The Elite Desk 705 is the latest and greatest desktop model from HP’s Z Lineup. Its lag-free performance allows for more productivity in shorter time. And just like teachers, the Elite Desk 705’s strength is multitasking. Windows 10 Pro3 with advanced security, collaboration, and connectivity helps the user effortlessly power through the day. 

With students’ interests in mind, its multifaceted capabilities are designed to handle the best STEM software including SolidWorks, AutoDesk AutoCAD, and AutoDesk REVIT. And with the potential to expand to more bays and slots, it’s the perfect investment that will meet the needs of the upcoming decade. 

Discover more about the Elite Desk 705 and the entire Z by HP Lineup here. 

Best of 2019: This Year’s Favorite Blogs

At the end of the year, it is said (or sung) that old acquaintance should be forgot. But as we prepare to close out the calendar and delve into a new one, we’re focused on what should be remembered from 2019: lessons learned, skills acquired, and relationships built.  

Our end-of-year reflections also include the informational impacts made from the year’s blog posts. Below is a collection of our favorite Arey Jones blogs from 2019. 

Most Popular Devices of 2018 topped the list of most popular blogs. Its comprehensive guide gave shoppers, educators, and administrators an inside look the latest and greatest in Chromebooks. The feature comparison between several different brands helped readers discern which model would best fit their needs. 

Intended for teachers, It’s Time to Redesign Your Learning Spaces, explained how EdTech is challenging the norm of classroom design. The blog also offered helpful and practical suggestions for changing up classroom layout in an effort to increase collaboration and efficacy.  

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with technological clutter. That’s why Clean Out Your Electronic Files Like a Pro was a hit with readers. This piece provided detailed instruction aimed at helping computer-users simplify and organize their documents.  

In the spirit of March Madness, The Biggest Players in Tech highlighted two major tech companies and their respective, successful products. Looks like a win-win to us! 

The struggle to stay organized is one that all educators bear. Teaching Tips: How to Stay Organized All Year provided teachers with valuable advice and practical tools for effectively and efficiently completing workday duties (so that they didn’t become evening and weekend chores). 

So here you have it: Arey Jones’s favorite blogs of the year. What content would you like to see highlighted in our 2020 blogs? Comment below! 

The Tech-Lover’s Holiday Wish List and 2020 Classroom Must-Haves

As silver white winters melt into spring, many parents complain of the already-forgotten holiday things; toys have been discarded, and gadgets are broken or low on battery. That’s why, when selecting a gift, it’s crucial to consider the long-term engagement potential and usefulness. The perfect gift is one that captures the recipient’s interest for months or years to come.

As leaders in the field of technology, we’re familiar with hundreds of noteworthy and interesting devices. For the end-of-year holidays and for 2020, here are a few of our favorite things.

For babies and toddlers.

· Anyone with kids knows that everything farm-related is a huge hit with the little ones. Leapfrog’s Sing & Play Farm contains several fine motor-enhancing features to push, pull, and switch. Paired with five play areas and animal sounds galore, this toy is sure to keep their attention.

For young children.

· Vtech’s Touch and Learn Activity Desk features dozens of educational, interactive activities. Four double-sided cards introduce letters, numbers, animals, and people. From vocabulary words, to an easel and chalkboard and musical melodies, there is always something new to explore.

· Let their imaginations run wild with these KidiGo Walkie Talkies. These two-way radios are kid safe and keep conversations secure from other radio users. The backlit, LCD screens also allow for the exchange of messages. Talk about endless entertainment!

For middle and high school students.

· Give the gift of gaming adventure with the Xbox One S Two Controller Bundle. The system, which includes two controllers, 3-month trial of Xbox Game Pass, and a 14-day trial of Xbox Live Gold, has impressive 4k Resolution. And with over 1,300 games to choose from, it will truly take your gift-ee to another world.

· Whether it’s for a backyard birthday BBQ or a classroom dance party, this HP portable Bluetooth speaker makes getting the perfect tunes for any event, easy.

For any age.

· ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is sleek, stylish, and boasts an amazing 87% screen-to-body ratio. It’s no wonder that this beauty has attracted countless positive reviews from across the Internet universe.

· The SmartThings Hub provides the user with connectivity to all of their devices, such as lights, locks, speakers, and thermostats. Additionally, the SmartThings outlet, directed via app, gives the user the ability the control whatever is currently plugged into the outlet. Both of these make the perfect gift for a practical tech aficionado, or a husband who’s tired of turning the car around to make sure the hair straightener is off.

· Anyone will feel like an incognito Inspector Gadget with Google’s Wear OS watch. Keep track of fitness goals, get reminded of meetings, and become notified about texts and calls all from one smart piece of jewelry. Choose one to go with every style, and read more about the countless ways a SmartWatch can help simplify life.

For classrooms.

· Teachers have enough to do without having to answer a million, repeated questions. A Digital Vision Viewer Document Camera is a game changer in this regard; teachers have the ability to project a physical document for the whole class to see. Whether it’s modeling a complex math problem, or projecting answers for a trade and grade, this helps save the teacher’s voice (and sanity).

· With up to 14 hours of battery life, this Chromebook 3100 Education by Dell is durable, practical, and affordable, making it the perfect match for the classroom.

Here’s hoping that one of our favorite things will also become a treasured belonging to one of your favorite people.

How to Celebrate the Holidays While Staying on Task in the Classroom

When the holiday season nears, weather gets cooler, schedules become busier, and students have a more difficult time staying on the “nice” list. But who can blame them? The anticipation of winter break beckons. Staying focused is so much harder when there are snowmen to be built and cookies to be decorated. For teachers, too, the weeks preceding holiday break are challenging; the list of curriculum to cover is long, but students’ attention spans are awfully short. 

Instead of beginning a countdown to the calendar year’s end, consider bringing the holiday magic into the classroom with a few of these ideas. 

Add more decor. 

A little bit of celebratory spirit goes a long way when it comes to decorating your classroom for the holidays. Surprise your students with some sparkly lights around the whiteboard or with a bulletin board lined with colorful fall foliage. For added coziness, use your SMART board or projector to display a long video of a crackling, tranquil fireplace. There are plenty to choose from on YouTube, and your students will love the calming background during independent work time. 

Incentivize celebrations. 

As your excited students become sillier and squirrelier, get creative with your classroom management by rewarding good behavior with festive activities. Younger students will love making digital snowflakes, all while reinforcing basic geometric vocabulary. For older students, grab some cheerful props and use an app (like MonaCam) to turn your Chromebook into a photo booth. Students of any age will enjoy a hot cocoa or apple cider bar on a chilly afternoon during silent reading time. Positively reinforcing great behavior will go a long way during these long weeks. 

Incorporate merriment into instruction. 

To keep minds from wandering during class time, think about integrating themed elements into your instruction. For example, try using holiday-related words in math problems (such as turkeys, dreidels, or pies). Take a virtual field trip to the “North Pole” by studying the arctic through the National Geographic Kids or World Wildlife Fund websites. Take your little astronomers on a venture into space to learn about the Winter Solstice. Encourage students to study different cultures by writing about and sharing their own, unique, family traditions and beliefs. 

Give back. 

Channel the generous spirit of the season by planning a meaningful mission with your students. Take on a service project, write thank you cards to support staff, or commit to doing random acts of kindness around the school. 

During those chilly, busy months when everyone is ready for a break, it’s important to keep your classroom running smoothly. Combining fun festivity with student learning helps make the season calm and bright for all. 

The Best Tips & Tricks for Fall Semester

Fall semester is in full swing and if your teachers are already feeling overwhelmed, implementing some of our favorite edtech tools and techniques from our partners could be the answer.

Boost Productivity 

When there’s not enough time in the day, get more done with tech hacks designed to simplify your life. 

• Microsoft Outlook offers productivity and time management tools in its Calendar features. Use it to set appointments, reminders and even organize your schedule by day, week or year. Block out times when you’re unavailable – lunches, personal development time and vacations – to keep your staff updated about your schedule.  

• If your school uses Google and Gmail, Google Tasks is the equivalent to Outlook. Google Tasks allow you to create multiple task lists, organized by grade, department, team, however you choose. You can reorder tasks, add subtasks and notes and even switch between multiple accounts (like your work and personal accounts) if you need to take some work home with you. But probably the biggest time saver is being able to create tasks from a Google search. Google “t your task” and press enter. Google will add whatever you type after “t” as your task, like “buy new Chromebooks.” 

Improve Communication 

Eliminate the need to run down the hall every time you need to connect with a staff member.  

• Microsoft Teams can keep everyone on the same page. Microsoft Teams, which comes with Office 365, allows your staff to instantly message each other and even set online meetings. The chat threads can be grouped so the administrative staff and the English department can all have their own thread. You can even set alerts so you know when someone has added a new comment or reached out to you directly.  

• Take Teams one step further by using Flipgrid and OneNote. Flipgrid is a video discussion platform that allows students to share their ideas, wonderings, projects and questions in new and creative ways. This social learning app is supported by OneNote, Microsoft’s digital notebook. Teachers add the topics, students respond with short videos, and everyone engages. The grids are communities built by educators and each has its own special code, which teachers can share with students. Educators can prompt students to engage with discussion topics or questions and also allow students to respond to their peers. 

Save Time 

It takes massive amounts of coordination, not to mention time, to plan field trips and even professional development outings. Save the hassle by using the classroom and staff room as home base. 

• Skype in the Classroom’s guest speakers bring learning to life for your school’s students. There are hundreds of volunteer guest speakers from around the world that are available to speak to your classrooms about an endless amount of topics from ancient Greece and desert exploration to the science of mosquitoes. These guest speakers are experts in every subject area you can imagine as they are authors, scientists, engineers, zookeepers, etc. Experts can also be virtually “brought in” for professional development. 

• Immersive technology, like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) use software to help students see through time and space. Scholastic has an entire curriculum dedicated to integrating VR into STEM lesson plans that allow students to travel far beyond our solar system or down to a cellular level.  

At Arey Jones, we partner with the best in the edtech business to provide the latest and greatest in software and educational services for K-12 educators and administrators. Contact us to see what solutions we can provide for you.

Teaching Tips: How to Stay Organized All Year

All teachers can relate. School has only recently resumed, and yet, your desk is buried under stacks of papers and miscellaneous school supplies. Post-it notes containing countless clerical to-dos are everywhere. Between the desk mess, a teeming inbox, and planning for upcoming lessons, it’s difficult to know what to tackle first.  

There’s a reason why disorganization is an issue for most teachers; the profession is incredibly demanding. It requires one to make hundreds of decisions per day, all pertaining to the monumental task of educating children. Because of the urgency of students’ needs and lesson preparation, it’s easy for organizational maintenance to fall to the wayside. 

Instead of adding more hours to your already-busy workweek, incorporate these simple tips to stay organized all year. 

Make the most of every minute. 

It’s certainly tempting to use your breaks linger in the teacher’s lounge, comparing the day’s tales with colleagues. But think of it this way: every unused moment is work time added to your evening. Time is valuable, and many daily tasks only require a few minutes each. So the next time you have a short break (or when your students are working independently), use the opportunity to enter grade book data, arrange instructional materials for the next class, or answer a quick email from a parent.  

Get your students involved.  

Smoothly run classrooms call for everyone to do their part. Kids love to help with daily duties, so use that enthusiasm to your advantage. Ask a student to pass out lesson materials while you get your Power Point into slideshow mode. Assign a few kids each week to take care of a designated area of the classroom; one can tidy bookshelves, the other can organize art supplies or keep staplers and tape stocked. If left only to the teacher, these tiny tasks can accrue. Delegate small jobs to students when applicable, and consider it a learning opportunity. 

Utilize digital tools. 

The technological world is brimming with resources designed for classroom use. In addition to enhancing student engagement, many of these tech tools can also aid in administrative duties. Google Drive allows teachers remote access to files, so they can keep documents in one place, but work on them anywhere. With the ability to submit assignments electronically, mysterious paper disappearances will be thing of the past. Google calendar is another beneficial tool. With it, important due dates and school events become always accessible to students and their families. 

Maintain a clear workspace.  

Because of the busy nature of a teacher’s day, it’s easy for your personal desk to become a “catch-all” location. Sifting through the day’s debris then becomes a daunting afternoon chore. To avoid wasting time merely muddling through the piles, create file shelves so that every unfinished project (such as incomplete grading) has its own place. Having designated locations, and taking the extra few seconds to maintain them, will result in a neat, clean area for when it’s time to get to work. 

Teachers are professional jugglers with a wide range of daily responsibilities. With so much on the to-do list, organization is imperative. This year, implement these routines so that you can spend less time managing mess and more time inspiring intellect. 

School’s Out, Professional Development Is In

Once the last bell rings and the lockers empty out, it’s time for teachers to enjoy some “me” time and fit in a little professional development. There are a lot of avenues to take from conferences and workshops to work-on-your-own certifications.  

Become a Google Certified Educator 

The Certified Educator program is offered at four levels, a Google Certified Educator Level 1, Level 2 and Google Certified Trainer and Innovator. Each level requires varying degrees of dedication on your part. Each of the four levels (Google Certified Educator Level 1, Level 2, Google for Education Certified Trainer and Google for Education Certified Innovators) has a course and exam you must pass to gain certification. Google for Education Certified Trainers and Innovators must also submit an application. You can either work on your own to go through these levels or work with a Google Certified Trainer for face-to-face instruction. 

Bring Coding to Your School 

Code.org partners with more than 120 school districts to bring computer science to your district. Besides teaching students how to code, Code.org offers professional development workshops for teachers and administrators. Workshops can be geared to those without any prior computer science experience. Administers can set up K-12 educator workshops by contacting a regional partner. 

Join the Microsoft Educator Community 

Microsoft’s Educator Center offers training and resources, badges and certifications. Take a course, master a Microsoft product, view your achievements and connect with others. There are also options to attend on-demand or in-person training and events.  

Take a Free Digital Media Course 

KQED Teach offers free, hands-on professional learning opportunities that are focused on digital media. You can build skills in digital storytelling, data visualization and critical media. The courses are free, take about six hours and qualify for a PBS Certified Media Literacy Educator. Sign up from the website. 

Sit through a LIVE Webinar 

EdTechTeam, the global network of educational technologists that works with more than 250 contractors worldwide, features both LIVE webinars and archived webinars on its website. Topics covered include “Chromebooks for Tools for Creativity,” “Innovative Strategies for Teaching Science” and “Ok Google, How Safe is My Data.” Most of these webinars run about an hour.  

Have a great idea for summer professional development? Share it in the comments below! 

10 Ways To Take A Real Break This Summer

The last bell has rung, the hallways are clear and the lockers are empty. It’s that glorious time of year when schools empty of students and teachers and improvements begin for the next school year. And while the to-do list may be long, it’s essential for educators to take a real break this summer. 

It is important for our emotional wellbeing to take a pause from our jobs. Work breaks help our brains by preventing decision fatigue, restore motivation for long-term goals, increase productivity and creativity and improve learning. 

Here are 10 things you can do to help relax this summer. 

1. Sleep in or take naps. Replenish your sleep during the summer to help start the next school year well rested. You deserve it! 

2. Have some laughs. Meet friends for coffee or drinks or go to a funny movie. Laughing helps people relax and releases endorphins. 

3. Do some coloring. Coloring isn’t just for kids. Adult coloring books are great for switching the brain from thinking about school, to thinking about what shade of orange you want to use on that butterfly’s wing. 

4. Do some crafts. Many local art centers and museums have summer classes for both kids and adults. Learn origami, throw some pottery or take a painting class. It’s a great way to decompress and learn a new skill. 

5. Read for yourself. Take a break from young reader favorites, e.g., Judy Moody, Greg Heffley and Percy Jackson, and read something just for yourself. It doesn’t have to be Jane Austen (although that’s a great choice), it can be a total guilty pleasure like a steamy romance. 

6. Get a massage. Forget about the cost and allow yourself to be treated and enjoy the many benefits a massage provides. Massages release tension and can eliminate pain in shoulders, back and neck (you know you’ve hunched over a Chromebook for nearly a year), help with insomnia and anxiety. 

7. Spend all day in your PJs. Take a break from the normal morning routine by skipping it entirely! Take the day to just lounge in your pajamas watching Netflix, cozying up with a book or eating junk food on the couch. 

8. Take a long lunch. Relish in the ability to take as long as you want to eat, instead of frantically trying to consume lunch in 15 minutes. Pick a favorite lunch spot and invite friends, partners or even coworkers to join you once or twice a month. 

9. Go for a walk. Grab the kids, the dog or just yourself and take a stroll. A 20-minute walk can do wonders for your health by building strength in your heart, improving your mood and helping you sleep better. 

10. Play with your kids or grandkids. Life feels like a series of schedules during the school year – go to work, pick up kids, make dinner, do homework, wash a load of laundry, go to bed, repeat. Take this time to have some fun with your kids. Go to the movies or the pool, play board games or visit some local museums.  

Once you’ve taken some real “me” time and are refreshed, refocused and ready to think about the upcoming school year again, we can help. We have a whole menu of personalized services for educators who are looking to add new devices or upgrade wireless equipment. And, we perform all imaging, asset tagging, consolidation and laser etching work in our state-of-the-art fulfillment center. Contact us today to learn more. 

It’s Time To Redesign Your Learning Spaces

As school curriculums evolve and adapt to technology, learning spaces are following suit. Stuffy, stodgy classrooms don’t reflect or benefit today’s learner. Instead, schools around the country are transforming classrooms to be more engaging, productive and reflective of the growing use of EdTech. 

Before you run out of room this year’s budget, consider making space for some room improvements. These five tips are a great place to start.  

Considering a space redesign? 

1. Get students involved. Since students are the primary users of the space, build excitement early by asking them how they want their classroom to look. Instruct them to create an inspiration board in their OneNote Class Notebook with photos and points of interests. On the flipside, create a board that showcases what they don’t like about the current space and how it makes them feel. Keep the students involved throughout the process from inception to completion. 

2. Ask questions. Think about how the space currently impedes learning. Do desks need to be mobile? How much hands-on help does the teacher need to provide to students? Brainstorm with teachers about their needs and how their ideal space to meet those needs. Figure out how many spaces you first want to start with, then once learning is improved, you can make a case to the higher-ups to continue revamping. Once again, OneNote Staff Notebooks are a great tool to gather everyone’s input and keep them on the same page. 

3. Get rid of the front of the classrooms. With Chromebooks in front of every student and/or monitors spread about the room, the need to for a front-and-center direct instruction space has passed. Instead, opt for a set up that increases collaboration. Consider classrooms with desks on wheels so workspaces can move into groups or slide closer to monitors. 

4. Say goodbye to traditional teacher spaces. The use of the cloud has made bulky, traditional storage unnecessary. Ridding your classrooms of these obstacles can free up a tremendous amount of space, just think about how much room a file cabinet takes up. Google and Microsoft both have cloud storage options. 

5. Inject color into the space. Studies show there is a direct link between color and positive and negative feelings. Color’s impact on emotions can influence how a student studies and learns. Keep wall colors neutral to avoid overstimulation and use bright colors as accents in the chairs, desks and tables. This is also a great opportunity to clear clutter away, leaving clean lines and decongested spaces.  

Consider implementing a fresh start to your school’s classrooms this spring. Keep us updated on your progress in the comments below! 

Clean Out Your Electronic Files Like A Pro

When spring finally arrives, it’s not just classrooms, lockers and bookshelves that need a good cleaning but electronic devices as well. Just because a laptop case can be closed and a desktop shutdown, doesn’t mean the clutter magically disappears. The good news is the same principles that apply to cleaning physical spaces work in digital ones just as well.

Create a space for everything and put everything in its place.

A well thought-out organization system keeps all your digital files in order. Create new folders in storage spots that you can easily access from anywhere. Google Drive offers free cloud storage for up to 15 GB.

Consider organizing your files in bulk by year, and clearly label each file and folder with its exact contents to save stress and energy. The more accurate your labeling now, the easier the file will be to find next year.

Once you’ve created a system to keep you organized, stick to it. A great organizational system can only save you time and enhance productivity if you use it. 

Open and sort all your mail.

Start cleaning your inbox and then move on to your other folders. Gmail and Outlook both offer lots of ways to sort your email. Set rules to automatically sort emails from your teachers into a specific folder so they’re easier to sort through. Learn how here.

Stock up on cleaning tools.

Microsoft’s operating system comes with a host of cleaning tools, like Disk Cleanup. There are other options available for download, like Microsoft’s Total PC Cleaner, from the Microsoft Store. Google Chrome also offers extensions that can help clear cache and delete browsing history. Try this handy guide if malware or viruses are a problem.

Use the trashcan and use it often.

Don’t forget to trash the files you’re not using anymore. A cluttered desktop is distracting and hard to use efficiently. Random files in their different formats are easily glossed over or even missed. And the icons for PDFs, Word docs and images don’t always show what’s inside. Keep this rule in mind, if you don’t want to store it, don’t keep it! Save only the items you need to find quickly or things you use every single day. Rely on your filing system for the others. Delete the rest.

Arey Jones works with the best partners that provide the latest edtech solutions for your school. Read more about who we are here.

It’s Madness: The Biggest Players In Tech

There’s a lot of chatter this year about basketball, brackets and top-seeded teams but we’re more interested in some of the standout players in the EdTech field. 

These two champions are always coming up with new products, tips and updates to help administrators and educators effectively do the job of teaching students.

Reigning Champs

Microsoft Education has been at the forefront of EdTech since the beginning. The company and its partners are consistently updating products and providing tips for users. For example, Microsoft Education recently released 10 learning tool updates for the new year which includes adding Translator in the Immersive Reader, combining step-by-step solving in Math Assistant and reading aloud in Immersive Reader and page colors in Word Desktop.

Some other Microsoft products that are moving and shaking are,

• FlipGrid – As more schools and classrooms connect through FlipGrid, #GridPals, a spin on penpals, help engage students with peers around the world. This awesome dynamic helps students learn from others, share their love of learning through books and offer support.

• OneNote – Custom tags are now in OneNote! Users can now name the tag and select an icon to create a custom tag that will sync across devices and show up in app search results. Brilliant!

• Skype Classroom - Skype in the Classroom is unveiling all sorts of different PD options educators can use to get more out of the product. The best news is the courses are FREE!

The Cinderella Team

Google For Education has become a major player in the EdTech world. Its powerful yet affordable Chromebooks have helped make technology accessible to all students. Its GoogleEdu YouTube channel regularly hosts product updates and EdTech know-how, like the new gradebook in Google Classroom and lock mode for quizzes in Google Forms on managed Chromebooks. 

Some other Google For Education product updates and tips include,

• Gmail – Customizable keyboard shortcuts, how are we not already doing this? Make your Gmail work for you by creating your own keyboard shortcuts. A couple quick clicks in Settings can change your entire day.

• Google Drive – No Internet, no problem. Google Drive allows users to access stored files without Wi-Fi or any other type of Internet. You can work on the go, edit Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and more when you’re in the dark.

• Google Classroom – Google is rolling out new features in 2019, including allowing teachers to create and assign a forms quiz directly from classroom. This saves time and streamlines the entire process.

The good news is you don’t have to pick a team. Microsoft Education and Google for Education have tons of programs and products that seamlessly work together making the fans the real winners.

Maximize the Immersive Technology in the Classroom

Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) provide students with stimulating environments that add tons of educated value. For example, utilizing these cutting edge educational technology tools allows students to see far off places and visit times they’d never be able to experience in reality. There are hundreds of adventures each classroom can take. Before you decide to add this new tech to your school (and we think you should) check out these ways you can use it in the classroom and beyond to maximize its learning potential and justify the expense.

Use it For STEM Learning

The fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics can be opened way up with VR and AR. Scholastic has an entire curriculum dedicated to integrating VR into STEM lesson plans. These areas are ideal for VR and AR since students can travel far beyond our solar system or down to a cellular level. Concepts go from imagined to real. Imagine being able to teach your science students about how a volcano works then virtually traveling inside one as it erupts.

Use it For Professional Development

The best thing about an exciting new form of learning is sharing it with your staff. Training staff and teachers on VR and AR equipment not only creates buy-in, but they now get to add it to their professional development. Use experts (bring them there virtually with Skype), take webinars, hold onsite demonstrations or use your OneNote Staff Notebooks as a collaborative space and resource library to develop the VR and AR skills throughout the entire school.

Getting excited about new technology is great, but knowing how to implement it to its fullest is even better! Ready to integrate this newest edtech in your school? We can help. Contact us today.