December 🎄

The Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week. Which is held annually, typically in December, in recognition of the birthday (December 9, 1906) of computing pioneer Admiral Grace Murray Hopper. This year it will take place December 5-11, 2022.

People around the world join in the Hour of Code celebration during CS Education Week when the latest tutorials and activities are released. But you can do an Hour of Code any day of the year!

Visit Hour of Code

Preparing for your Hour of Code Activity!

• Be sure to provide Internet-connected devices. Or try an unplugged activity!
  
  
• Make sure to test tutorials on student computers or devices to ensure they work properly on browsers with sound and video.
  
  
• Have low bandwidth? Plan to show videos at the front of the class, so each student isn't downloading their own videos. Or try the offline tutorials.
  
  
• Make sure students have headphones for your class.
  
  
• Don't have enough devices? Use pair programming. When students partner up, they help each other and rely less on the teacher. They’ll also see that computer science is social and collaborative.

Clinton 2nd and 3rd Grade students and Madison Christi Vanover's students read Melissa Sweets book "Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade" then enjoyed creating their own parade balloons and attaching them to one of our codable robots to become the "puppeteer" for the robot.

Drew VanSickle's First grade students at Adrian Alexander used augmented and virtual reality to kick off their unit about the moon. Students used AR to make their moon and space colorings come to life on the iPad. VR viewers were used with 360° video to allow students to "walk" on the moon and explore the moon's surface. Green Screen technology allowed students to explain a fact they had learned about the moon in a creative way.

Brandy Opsal a 1st Grade teacher at Adrian Alexander uses Pear Deck as a way to formatively assess her students during math.

Math Consultant John Hill has been busy bringing Prisms to our local schools. Prisms of Reality uses immersive VR to transform the math learning experience.

To learn more contact John or myself.

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 ⬇️

Join us as we examine how digital tools like Padlet, Sutori, Google Sites and Canva can be used to increase student engagement in core classes and technology classes too! Real examples of lessons using these tools will be presented as well as a sneak peek at how to differentiate in a technology class and get students excited about it. REGISTRATION

MACUL has partnered with Forward Edge to provide 100 SCECHs for educators. We are looking for Michigan’s best & brightest to join the Edge•U badge program! $85 will provide access for one full year. You can choose from different micro-credentials that are self-paced and give you an entire year to complete. The Edge•U Badges Program by Forward Edge provides professional learning flexibility; anytime, anywhere.

REGISTRATION

Student-Centered Learning Across Michigan is a six-week, mostly asynchronous series to build a blended learning framework that makes it easier for educators to meet the needs of all students - even when they are absent. This series will train teachers, in any subject area, grade level or school, to implement three core, research-based practices that have been proven to impact student and teacher outcomes. LEARN MORE HERE

Join fellow school leaders for a deep dive into systemic, school-wide Universal Design for Learning implementation on 12/12. REGISTRATION

Outside of the Classroom is back for a winter edition! This popular event promotes project based learning and focuses on the connection, not the content. Come enjoy STEM/Maker activities and have a S'more. Register here: https://bit.ly/smoreremc

REMC courses offer new skills to help you in and out of the classroom. Improve your productivity and learn skills to engage and enhance teaching and learning. You can take advantage of courses from the convenience of your home and earn free SCECHs.

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 December 2022 courses here:

• • • Creating Instructional Videos for the Classroom

    • Deeper Learning through Developing Master Students of Collaboration and Communication

    • Developing Student Media Literacy

    • Dynamic Presentations

    • Engaging Students in a Personalized Classroom

    • Fostering the 4Cs with Literacy and Technology Integration

    • Learning to use Open Educational Resources on #GoOpen Michigan

    • More Professional Presentations, Part 2

    • Multimedia Tools to Engage Students

    • Practical Differentiated Instruction

REGISTER HERE

Any questions contact Ann Smart. APPLICATION

We are excited to release the information and guidelines for the 2023 Award Nominations. Current MACUL board members, Learning Area Delegates and Sponsors are not eligible for the MACUL Awards. We hope that these procedures will encourage people to nominate themselves or others for:

• Innovative Teacher– (must be a certified PK-12 classroom teacher)

• Innovative Leader – (must be a non-classroom educator, such as an ISD employee, technology or curriculum staff in a district, tech integration coaches, caregiver or student, etc.)
• Innovative District – (must be a district within the realm of PK-12)
• Innovative Technology Professional – (must be a non-classroom employee working in an educational setting, such as an ISD employee or technology staff)

All nominations are due by Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 5:00 PM EST.

Links to Important Info:

• Here is the official Nomination Form that must be completed
• Previous winners

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