Tuesday Tips December 14, 2021

 Two things to end 2021 with that will lift your spirits and warm your heart.  The first is Google's annual video round-up of the top searches of the year.  And what a year, no wonder we are all stressed.  

And guaranteed to make you smile are the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards from Smithsonian magazine.  This one, titled Tree Hugger, is how I feel on Monday:

And this one, part of a series called The Joy of a Mud Bath, is me running to the parking lot on Friday lol!

Be sure to check out the full collection, they're great.  

Tuesday Tips November 23, 2021

 TECH TIP:  Turn a picture of writing into text (or translate it!) using Live Text

As part of the iOS 15 update on iPhones, you can now take a picture of writing, copy it, and turn it into text!  First, go into your camera's settings and turn on Detected Text.

Then take a picture of some writing (can be typed or handwritten), and then click on the indicator icon in the lower right corner (it will show up in your camera screen).

You can then select the text you want and copy it into a document.  With handwriting, it's not perfect, you will need to make some edits.  

BONUS:  When you select text, you can also translate it into several different languages!

BOOK TIP:  Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

  A student took this book out as part of a book talk for their English class, and read it one night.  One of the authors, Yusef Salaam, is one of the Central Park Five and has now devoted his life to prison reform and fighting against wrongful imprisonment.  This is a fictionalized account of his story told powerfully through verse.

Tuesday Tips, November 9, 2021

 TECH TIP:  New Citations Feature in Google Docs

I worked with Tara Birkett's 9th grade classes this week on creating their Works Cited pages.  We used the new Google Citations feature that is built into Google Docs.  You can find it under Tools -> Citations.  It makes the process so smooth, even students said, "That's it?  That was so easy!".  I'd love to show your classes how to do this, too. 

BOOK TIP:  All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson

A powerful memoir of a young queer Black man told through a series of essays about his childhood, his family, and the triumph and trauma of his coming of age.  It is a story for those looking to be allies and understanding, and a support to those also dealing with these issues at a personal level.

Tuesday Tips, October 25, 2021

 TECH TIP:  Great Wall of China Interactive 

Google Arts and Culture is a great resource for interactives, games and amazing visuals for world museums, historical events, people and major landmarks.  The newest installation is about the Great Wall of China, and has a great 360 "street view" tour of the Wall.  If you've ever dreamed of going there, now is your chance!

BOOK TIP:  New York Times Best Book of the Last 125 Years

  The New York Times Book Review is turning 125.  They want your opinion on what the best book of the last 125 years is.  Fill out this survey with your vote for the best book.  

Tuesday Tips October 18, 2021

 TECH TIP:  Setting Up Your Google Meet or Zoom Link

For Parents Conferences, you can select which format you would like to use:  Google Meet or Zoom.  On Wednesday, during the afternoon PD, Tom and I will be going over how to use youcanbookme.com to set up your ten minute slots.  

Prior to that, you will need to have set up your Google Meet or Zoom link.  This video will show you how to do that:

Creating Google Meet or Zoom Link in Calendar Author: Kara Staunton-Shron https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mywmh3bUa2Q

BOOK TIP:  Graphic Novel Section

  The graphic novel section has moved to right as you walk into the library from the H wing side.  The collection has expanded and these are the most circulated items in the library right now! There are some great ways to use these in classes as well.   Students could read ones or make their own for a project.  

Tuesday Tips, October 12, 2021

 TECH TIP: Turnitin: Plagiarism Detector and Feedback Studio

  A reminder that you all have access to Turnitin for your classes.  Turnitin is a plagiarism detector and it also has a full suite of tools called Feedback Studio, which gives students suggestions on grammatical errors.  

These tools together can be a great part of the revision process.  Turnitin can be fully integrated with a Canvas assignment or as a separate individual assignment.  See me with help in setting up assignments through Turnitin.

BOOK TIP:  A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

  It seems like this would be a good book for my Halloween display, but it is an incredibly powerful book of loss, love and grief.  A student who I recently gave this book to told me it was the best book she'd ever read as it really resonated with her.  Conor's mother is sick, and ever since she began treatments, he has the same dream every night.  It is, though, in this dream, with this monster, that Conor is able to come to grips with what is happening in his life.  Be sure to have tissues handy. 

Tuesday Tips, October 4, 2021

 TECH TIP:  Syncing Grades to Powerschool from Canvas

This is a reminder about how to sync any grades you have in Canvas to Powerschool.  There are a few steps to this, so follow the directions in the following documents (all of which include video tutorials as well).

Step 1:  Bring over grade categories from Powerschool 

Step 2:  Syncing grades to Powerschool from Canvas

Step 3:  Any grade sync issues?  Check for these possible issues

BOOK TIP:  The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

 One of my favorite books of the summer!  Jacob Finch Bonner is "one hit wonder" of a novelist, relegated to teaching creative writing at a community college.  In this class, a student shares an incredible plot for a novel, one guaranteed to be a success.  Years later, when Jacob finds out that student has died, he writes the novel based on that plot.  One day, Jacob gets a note that says, "You thief".   And how far will Jacob go to protest his story?  A great, fast paced read.