The K12 Zone Report

Need a fast answer about the Zone? We’ve built a one-stop How-To Smore packed with short, clear videos that walk you through nearly every tool and feature — from creating a classroom zone, to scheduling in Canvas, to running a Talent Show.

👉 Bookmark or favorite it today so you’ve always got answers at your fingertips!

Here’s just a sample of what you’ll find inside:

• How to Save Your Zone

• How to Create a Classroom Zone

• How to Schedule a Class with Canvas

• How to Create a Teleport Directory

• How to Approve Friendship or Gratitude Garden Posts

• How to Add User Groups, Private Zones, or Admin Permissions

• How to Run Events (like Talent Shows or Scavenger Hunts)

• And much more — over 30 quick how-to clips!

💡 Your Input Matters
Do you know of a video that would be helpful to add? Email me at nhoover@k12.com and I’ll make sure it gets added to the collection.

📌 Access the full How-To Smore here:

Looking for the perfect way to introduce your students to the K12 Zone? The new Jungle Orientation Zone is now live — and available on every student’s Available Worlds page!

✨ Why Teachers Should Use It:

• Always Open: It’s a silent zone, so you can bring students in any time without scheduling.

• Engaging Walkthrough: Students learn by exploring — watching short videos, playing interactive games, and practicing navigation.

• Fun Activities: Emote unlocks, balloon popper, polls, quizzes, and teleport portals to other worlds.

• Skill Builder: Helps students practice movement, interaction, and tool use in a low-stakes environment before diving into class activities.

📌 Tip: Kick off the year by taking your class through Jungle Orientation. It’s the easiest way to make sure every student feels confident navigating and engaging in the Zone.

Teachers and staff can now build and run their own zones instantly — no form required! 🎉

✅ Create Your Zone:
Click the orange ➕ button → choose a template → name your world → assign your students.

✅ Find Your Zone Anytime:

• Favorite or bookmark your Zone link.

• Or log into any Zone → My Account > Worlds > My Worlds > View All to see all you’ve created.

✅ Update Student Access:
Need to adjust which students can enter? Use Managed User Groups to add or change access with just a few clicks.

🌐 Access the K12 Zone:
Students and staff can reach the Available Worlds page two ways:

• 🔗 Direct Link: zone.k12.com/t/auth/sso-worlds?autosso=true

• 📚 Via Canvas: Login → Canvas Dashboard → Resources > K12 Zone

📅 New! Schedule a Class in Canvas:
Teachers can now create calendar events in Canvas and link them directly to their Zone. (Full PowerSchool + Canvas integration coming this fall!)

Check out the videos below:

The Social Hub has moved — and teachers now have access to a powerful new User Drawer, your one-stop shop for managing your classroom in the Zone.

Here’s what you can do directly from the new drawer:

• 👥 See who’s in your world — get a quick headcount at a glance.

• 🎯 Spotlight a student or yourself — keep the focus exactly where it needs to be.

• 🎙 Control mics & cameras — grant or revoke access for everyone or just one student.

• 👯 Manage breakouts — launch and control small group sessions in seconds.

• 🚨 Take safety actions — remove or ban users quickly if needed.

In short: the User Drawer puts all your classroom tools in one place, making it faster and easier to manage your Zone.

🎥 Watch the walkthrough video below to see the new User Drawer in action!

Want to see how other teachers are setting up their Classroom Zones? Jessica Bishop, an amazing POC at OVCA, shared a presentation full of real classroom examples to spark ideas and show the many different ways a Zone can look.

Inside you’ll find:

• Snapshots of drafted classroom worlds from OVCA teachers

• Notes on each slide explaining why that design stood out and how you might adapt the idea for your own classroom

• Things to consider as you design (instruction vs. free time, group work, adding games, linking Canvas resources, fostering community, etc.)

• Tips for visiting other classrooms and collaborating with peers

We’ve streamlined how parents give consent for students under 13 to access the National K12 Zone.

What’s new?

• Consent is now collected directly during the K12 enrollment process—no more third-party sites or extra steps for new families.

• Parents create an account in the Enrollment Portal and complete consent as part of enrollment.

• Existing families can update or provide consent anytime by logging into www.consent.k12.com using their enrollment credentials.

• The process is simple: Parents go to My Account > Student Consent, select their student, and save changes.

This easier process helps ensure students get timely access to safe, social learning environments in the Zone

It’s never too early to start planning your first-week fun in the Zone! We’ve created a list of 80 ready-to-go activities, organized by grade band — 20 for each (K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12).

💡 From emote games and classroom scavenger hunts to virtual murals and Connect 4 tournaments, this collection makes it easy to build excitement and connection right from day one.

👉 Use the tabs at the bottom of the doc to explore by grade level — and start planning now!

Our K12 Classroom Showcase is back! This is your chance to inspire other educators by sharing how you use your classroom zone.

We’re looking for teachers who already have a classroom zone and are open to letting us visit and film a short walkthrough or lesson. Your example could help others see what’s possible — and as a thank-you, you’ll receive a $50 gift card if selected.

✅ Requirements:

• Must have an existing classroom zone

• Be willing to allow a short virtual walkthrough/filming session

👉 Interested? Fill out the form below to apply!

Mark your calendars! The next National Zone Game Jam is set for Wednesday, August 27th, and it's going to be another epic after-school event packed with games, fun, and friendly competition.

📍 Where: 6–8 National Zone
📅 When: Wednesday, August 27
🕓 Event Begins: 4:00 PM EST
⏰ Login by 3:30 PM to ensure students are ready

🕹️ This interactive experience is all about building community and connection in a fun, game-filled space. Make sure students register ahead of time! Registration Link

⚠️ Note: Students age 12 or under must have a signed parent consent form on file to participate.

👇 Check out the flyer below for full details:

If you’re unable to attend the K12 Zone 101 Training for Teachers, no worries! You can catch up anytime by watching the recording linked below.