BACK TO SCHOOL Edition

If you're looking for ways tech can support your teaching in the 2022–2023 school year, this list is here to help. These top-rated apps and sites -- ranging from instructional supports to organizational tools to social networks and beyond -- help make one of the world's toughest jobs a bit easier. Whether you need to set up weekly or daily SEL check-ins with your students, streamline parent communication, or improve classroom management, you're sure to find a tool or two here to get your year off to the right start.

See them all HERE

A robot designed to grow with students. From icon- and block-based coding to advanced text-based programming, the Finch is a tool for elementary school, AP computer science, and every class in between. This low floor, high ceiling tool includes materials designed for teachers who are new to coding so they can meet the needs of students at all experience levels.

Visit the website

VEX GO is an construction system that teaches the fundamentals of STEM through fun, hands-on activities that help young students perceive coding and engineering in a fun and positive way! They classroom bundle will allow 30 students to participate at once. Good for grades 3-6.

Visit the website

Don't forget about all the great tools, materials, and resources we have available for you to checkout to use in your classroom. Need help deciding or would like a in class lesson demo with your students? Contact Ann to set that up! Visit the website ⬇️

The Power-Up Teaching and Learning Series is a 3 year series designed to meet the needs of new teachers or teachers that may just be looking for some new tools/resources for the classroom. Each course also has an emphasis on integrating technology use and tools in the classroom.

Topics discussed: Effective Communication, Learning Environment, Meaningful Data, Digital Leadership, and Curriculum and Content.

SCECHs = 14+ per year with possibility of in classroom coaching.

Learn more and register HERE

ROX is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating generations of confident girls. The ROX program for girls is a 20-week evidence-based small group curriculum. The focus is on addressing the non-academic barriers that impact girls’ achievement as well as the unique needs facing girls (i.e. confidence, social media, communication, conflict, ‘drama’, stress/pressure, healthy relationships, leadership, interpersonal safety, career development)

Join us for one of the two sessions on September 21st at the LISD to learn more about the ROX program and how to become a ROX facilitator.

Learn more and register HERE

The energy and excitement of a new school year is here. Get off to a great start with REMC September courses. You can take advantage of this great professional learning from the convenience of your home and earn free SCECHs.

Registration deadline is Thursday, September 8th, each course begins on Monday, September 12th. Through the support of REMC SAVE’s vendor partners, all courses are FREE and there are no SCECH fees. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn, connect, collaborate and grow with REMC courses.

Check out September 2022 courses here:

• Applying Google Apps for Education in Chrome

• Assessment Tools for the Classroom

• Game-based Learning to Build Student Understanding & Engagement

• Inquiry and Questioning: Igniting Student Curiosity with Technology

• Social Media: Strategies for Designing Learning Experiences

• Tech Up Your K5 content with MITECS

• Transforming Education - Maker Movement

Register by Thursday, September 8th. You will receive a welcome email with the course login and other information prior to the course start date. If you have questions or need further assistance with your course registration, please click here.

The REMC Microcredential Program provides educators with digital, shareable acknowledgment of professional learning. Earning a microcredential certifies that you have learned new skills and applied them to positively impact your teaching practice and student learning in your classroom.

Ways you might use a microcredential include:

• Demonstrate qualifications in a non-certifiable teaching area, such as Computer Science
• Provide evidence of continued mastery in the profession of teaching, which is often shared and documented during the evaluation process
• Exhibit application and reflection of learning within classroom practices

Visit the website to learn more!

The Personal Purchase Program is back this year! Several awarded vendors are offering discounted devices for staff, students and families. Individual purchases can be made through September 30th. You can find information about the program HERE

The 47th Annual MACUL Conference Call for Speakers is now open! We want you to present this year! You are the key to making education better. Share your ideas, share your knowledge. Whether you have presented lots or a little, educator’s and their content is the key to growing all of us!

Never presented before? We have campfire sessions that are only 10-15 minutes of talking followed by discussions to get you started. We would love for you to test out the waters on how to make education better.

Apply HERE

CSforMichigan is excited to bring to you the annual CSforMichigan Summit. This year’s rendition will take place in Grand Rapids, MI on November 3rd and 4th. MACUL, MDE and MiSTEM are excited to bring together a statewide network of partners, stakeholders and contributors to Michigan’s CS Landscape. We will be featuring two unique opportunities this year with CSforMichigan Leadership Summit on 11/3 and the CSforMichigan Education Conference on 11/4. Attendees should save the dates and be on the lookout for more information in the coming weeks!

Thanks for taking time to visit the LITT Network newsletter! My name is Ann Smart, I am the EdTech Consultant for the Lenawee ISD and REMC 19W Director. I also serve as a MACUl Board Member and act as co-project manager for the REMC Classroom Maker project. Prior to my current position, I worked as an EdTech Consultant for Jackson County ISD, Instructional Coach for Adrian Public Schools. I have also taught Reading and PE in Silverthorn, CO, Deming, WA, and Adrian, MI

I am passionate about educational innovation, maker-centered learning, STEAM educations, student-centered learning, and of course technology integration. I believe that every child should have the chance to inquire, create, innovate, and play every day.

How can I support you or your district:

• Consulting and Resources- Provide an opportunity for a brainstorming session to bounce ideas off of one another. Hunt for resources and activities to match the needs of your school or classroom.
  
  

• Team Teaching Experience-After planning cooperatively, teach a lesson together involving an innovative idea, technology, STEAM, or makerspace.
  
  

• Co-planning-Collaboratively plan a lesson or series of lessons that use technology, innovative idea, STEAM or makerspaces, and meets best practice.
  
  

• Demonstration Lesson-Demonstrate a makerspace or STEAM activity, or a piece of technology in your classroom while you observe.
  
  

• Classroom Engagement and Customization Support-Help design and implement engagement activities and design technology choice assignments or tiered activities.
  
  

• New Teacher Support- Assist new teachers in topics such as classroom management, classroom engagement, innovative teaching ideas, understanding and handling student behaviors, how to manage stress, mentor/mentee relationships, curriculum expectations, and network support.

Email: ann.smart@lisd.us
Website: https://sites.google.com/lenaweeschools.us/litt/home
Phone: (517)920-1714
Facebook: facebook.com/LISDPDCenter
Twitter: @AnnSmart17