TechBytes
December 10, 2024
It's the 12 Days of Paper!
Paper's first prize drawing for teachers will be this Friday! They'll select winners for the first half of 12 Days of Paper! Be sure to fill out this Google form every day you use an activity for a chance to win a $50 dollar gift card! If you've been entering daily, you'll have a greater chance to win!
For Grades 2-5 & 6-8
This week, the focus is on reading comprehension and writing skills. Students will review and practice these foundational skills through a mix of Paper’s features. Most activities will include the Teacher Assign feature, making it easier for teachers to assign tasks and monitor students’ progress as they work through the exercises.
For Grades 9-12
This week, the focus is on final assessment preparation. Activities will help students organize their work and review key concepts, with options for different instructional needs. All activities will use a variety of features and most will incorporate the Teacher Assign tool, making it simple for teachers to create personalized tasks and track student progress.
Stay tuned for more fun activities as we continue 12 Days of Paper!
Pivot Interactives for Secondary Science Courses
Pivot Interactives is a useful online tool for secondary science courses, where teachers can actively engage students with a platform for them to explore REAL scientific phenomena and develop their skills in the science practices.
Middle & High School Science teachers, stay tuned for info on PD from Pivot in 2025 and check out the informational video below.
i-Ready Diagnostic K-12 ELA and Math
Please be aware: Per secondary teacher feedback, the i-Ready diagnostic window will be opening early on 12/16 for high school students to complete during finals week.
Because it is opening before winter break, if students do not finish it before the end of day on 12/20, it will reset over the break. This means, if students begin the diagnostic before break, they need to complete it before they leave on 12/20. Otherwise it will be reset before they return to school on 1/6. The diagnostic window closes for elementary & secondary on 1/31.
*Elementary teachers should not administer the diagnostic until after break.
LearnPlatform Launching January 2025
Our new App Library and App/URL requesting platform is coming soon and will be launching January 2025!
This tool comes with several features that Pasadena Unified School District will begin using, including the ability to have a more user-friendly library of resources. In the past, ITS, EdTech, and Academics would vet new online tools from a privacy and security standpoint and teaching and learning reviewing the instructional connection and then post those tools on a spreadsheet to be shared on our website.
As PUSD teachers and staff members, you will now be able to access this database from anywhere and identify the tools approved, pending approval, denied, as well as, see which ones are intended for elementary and secondary schools. As shared above, this library will allow you access to our curated district library, as well as explore the larger LearnCommunity library where you can search for new tools and view feedback from other educators. Lastly, in our district library, you will be able to find resources attached to these tools, such as PD videos or login information.
Hapara Chat
Overview
The Chat feature in Hāpara Highlights allows teachers and students to build supportive and collaborative relationships. These positive relationships enhance student learning by helping develop executive functioning skills and digital citizenship. With the Chat feature, teachers can initiate 1:1 conversations with students during instructional time.
