Sept. 21, 2015

Engaging & Effective iPad Practices

Here are some ideas and sample lessons that come from all grade levels in GCISD including Specials!  (PE, art and music this means you too!) Please remember, you must be logged into GCISD Schoolwires to access the links.

GCISD-Elementary 1:1 iPad Initiative  is a Google site that contains all of the resources used for 1:1 iPad professional learning used throughout the district.  This Google site has a plethora of information but today I want to highlight the “Sample Workflow Lessons”.   You will find the link in the right column near the bottom.  Select your grade level and then your just click through the samples for all subjects.  Here is a 3rd grade example:

Another amazing GCISD resource is a blog that our instructional technology coaches write.  Each week the blog has relevant connections to your classrooms.  Be sure to subscribe to the GCISD LEAD with Technology blog TODAY if you are not already receiving weekly emails with their current blog post. 

http://gcisdleadwithtechnology.blogspot.com/

October 27, 2014

team·work noun \ˈtēm-wərk\- the combined action of a group of people, especially when effective and efficient.

During extended planning, the fourth grade team was wanting to find something that truly highlighted the integration of science, math and social studies for their Family STEM Night focus. That conversation lead to "soil elements, capacity and clay making" that served a purpose for Native Americans. At a spur of the moment request, we asked Deborah to come into their planning meeting during her conference time. She DELAYED her team meeting to help out fourth grade and is now planning to co-teach pottery to accommodate their idea. She has art TEKS she is able to incorporate, as well as supporting 4th grade TEKS. 

Kudos to Deborah Highfill for being a flexible, excited team player who was thinking outside of her "plans" to meet the needs of our scholars! Our Specials teachers are eager to support STEM learning in all grades, don't forget to consider how they can support your content(s) as you are designing learning!