CCHS Tech October Newsletter
October
Gemini Gems
Creating Gemini Gems (10 min Video)
EduGems - Pre-built Gems
Lightspeed
Lightspeed is the CCHS classroom management software that helps teachers effectively limit distractions, and engage students in learning. Some key features include:
Monitor and control student screens
View, lock, and record student screens
Get notified of unusual browsing
Restrict web access
Close off-task tabs to minimize distractions
In order to use Lightspeed, students need to turn it on. Here is a Slide that provides the instructions. In addition, here a link to the Lightspeed page on the CCHS Tech Website.
Google Classroom Practice Sets
Have you ever tried Google Classroom Practice Sets? Here are a few reasons why you may want to give it shot:
- Instant conversion: Educators can quickly turn existing PDFs or Google Forms into interactive digital assignments.
- Auto-grading: The tool automatically grades multiple-choice and short-answer questions to cut down manual grading hours.
- Actionable insights: Teachers get automated performance analytics showing class-wide trends, highlighting which specific concepts or questions need more classroom instruction.
Learn about Practice Sets in Google Classroom here.
App of the Month - Wordwall
Touch View Interactive Panels
Gen6 TouchView Panel Tutorial (New Panels for 3rd floor)
Explore TouchView Interactive Panels (Gen5 - 4th Floor)
The Reflection Connection
When you open a blank lesson planner, where does your brain go first? Most of us naturally lock onto what we are teaching, but transformative instructional design usually hinges on three specific checkpoints long before we choose an activity, pick a slide deck, or print a graphic organizer.
As you map out your upcoming units, take a moment to pause and audit your own planning flow against these core questions:
Where are we going? (Objectives & Standards): Are the learning targets crystal clear, or are they playing second fiddle to a great-looking activity? Defining the exact destination first ensures every task serves a purpose, rather than just filling a time block.
Where are they starting? (Student Entry Points): Students rarely arrive at a concept at the same starting line. What prior knowledge, language strengths, or background contexts are your learners bringing into the room that you can anchor to?
What might get in the way? (Learning Barriers): From dense academic vocabulary and high working-memory demands to physical constraints or executive functioning hurdles, what obstacles could stall a student? Identifying these upfront lets us design proactive pathways around them, rather than retroactive accommodations mid-lesson.
Reflecting on these three lenses is not about adding extra friction or paperwork to your prep time, it is about proactive accessibility. When we map the destination, honor the starting points, and anticipate the hurdles, we build learning experiences where every single student can access the rigor. Try running your next lesson plan through this quick three-step filter and see what subtle shifts happen.
