Washington Tech Tidbits

Students all around the world are using ScratchJr to practice coding and apply the 4Cs (creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking). This free app*, developed by researchers from MIT and Tufts University, is specifically aimed at students ages 5-7. Here is a list of ScratchJr activities, from simplest to most difficult, that you can try with your students. Feel free to contact me if you plan to use ScratchJr in your classroom--I'd be happy to support you!

*The ScratchJr app is available on all 1st grade, 2nd grade, and cart iPads at Washington.

If you're working to keep your New Year's resolution or simply want to set a daily or monthly goal for yourself, try out the free Google Calendar app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device* to increase accountability. Here are steps for how to create a goal in Google Calendar.

*Be aware that, although you can view, edit, and defer goal sessions from your desktop or laptop, you cannot create new goals from these devices.

I'm still looking for 2 teachers to join me at ICE this year!

The Illinois Computing Educators (ICE) Conference will be taking place February 28-March 3, 2017 at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles. I will be attending one day that week (exact date TBA) and have the opportunity to bring 2 Washington teachers with me. If you are interested in this opportunity, please email Steph and me.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is Monday, January 16. Head over to BrainPop for various resources, quizzes, games, and activities about this important historical figure and the civil rights movement.

Newsela has also adapted Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech to meet the varying lexile scores and reading abilities of our students. (Free account required.)