Tuesday Tips, November 22, 2022

 This week, a bit of gratitude and sharing of two of my favorite things: my favorite phone game and a fabulous book!

TECH TIP:  Blockdoku:  It's Tetris and Sudoku all in one game!

The fact that I'm a Tetris fan probably gives away my age (well, the gray hairs that I try to hide might also do it...) but Blockdoku is my favorite phone game.  It combines the block combing skills of Tetris with Sudoku, where you can also just clear a square.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do, can't wait to hear your score!  I like to do the daily challenges, too.

BOOK TIP:  Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

   The Amazon Book Editors just announced Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zeviin as their book of the year and I couldn't agree more.  I finished this book just two days ago and loved it.  It is a sweeping novel following the lifetime friendship of Sam and Sadie.  They go on to become video game designers and form a business, but underlying it all is their friendship, with all its ups and downs.  It is about connection and staying with those who lift you up.  

Tuesday Tips, October 18, 2022

 TECH TIP:  Save a Google Doc to Multiple Folders Quickly

Ever have a Google Doc that you want to be in multiple folders?  Use these keyboard shortcuts to do that quickly!

First, highlight / click on the Google doc file and paste it using Ctrl + C

Second, highlight / click on the Google Folder you want the document in and place it in the folder using Ctrl + Shift + V.  Do this for each folder you want the document in.

That's it!

BOOK TIP:  Beauty Mark:  A Verse Novel of Marilyn Monroe

   To connect with the Netflix movie Blonde, this novel in verse takes you through Marilyn's whole life, from her traumatic childhood to the glitzy days of Hollywood stardom.  A lot of pain behind that beautiful smile.  If you are fascinated by her and want a quick read, this book is for you.  

Tuesday Tips: October 4, 2022

 TECH TIP:  Check out the safety of an unknown link at Google Transparency Report

If you ever get sent a link that you are unsure of, check out its safety status BEFORE you open it using Google's Transparency Report.   To do this, copy the link BEFORE opening it by right clicking on it and selecting Copy Link Address

Then paste that link into Google's Transparency Report and see if it is a safe link to open. 

BOOK TIP:  #booktok

  Tiktok is a platform that our students spend a lot of time on.  It is also responsible for a huge growth in the number of young adult readers, as books go "viral" on the platform unde the hashtag: #booktok.   It is a good way to keep up with what books students are wanting AND reading.  Check out the new display in the library that highlights some of these current hot reads!

Tuesday Tips, September 27, 2022

 TECH TIP:  Avatar Maker

This is just one for fun, but maybe you need a picture for your Google profile.  Simply add in the Chrome extension Avatar Maker and make your selections!  Then save and upload!

BOOK TIP:  Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer

Jon Krakauer is one of my favorite non-fiction writers and this is one of his older ones that has been made into a recent Hulu series.  The book focuses on the double murder in Utah by Mormom fundamentalists.  But it is more than just a true crime novel, it delves into the history of Mormonism and what led to these murders.  Powerful, captivating, totally readable non-fiction.

Tuesday Tips, September 20, 2022

 TECH TIP: Make a Podcast at Anchor

  I worked this week with Gordie Soule's 9th graders on creating podcasts.  We used Anchor, which is a very easy to use podcast creation tool.  It is owned by Spotify.  Students created their account, and then it is a simple click and record.  You can record multiple clips, and add in transitions and music.  

Since it is owned by Spotify, if students actually hit Publish, it will go out to Spotify.  However, they can save their podcast as a Draft and then play it just for you and the class.  

BOOK TIP:  The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow

   When students come in looking for a book, the genre I am asked most for is mysteries. Inspired by the novels of Agatha Christie, The Agathas by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson, features Alice and Iris, who are out to solve the disappearance of Brooke Donovan.   A bit Nancy Drew, a bit thriller, a whole lot of fun.

Tuesday Tips, September 13, 2022

 TECH TIP:  How to change text to ALLCAPS (or vice versa) quickly

Have you ever copied something that is in ALLCAPS or want something to be in ALLCAPS?  It is very easy to reformat in Google Docs.  Highlight the text you want to change, go to Format -> Text -> Capitalization -> pick what you want.  That's it!

BOOK TIP:  Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

 A royal romance in honor of the passing of Queen Elizabeth.  The first son of the United States and the Prince of Wales fall in love, but what will this relationship cost them and their families?  How will the world react?  And can this be a moment of change?  It's funny and uplifting.  

Tuesday Tips, September 6, 2022

TECH TIP:  How to Get Your Daily Calendar Agenda Emailed Each Day

You can get your Google Calendar daily agenda emailed to you each morning.  It comes in around 5 AM.  This will show you in one email all that is one your calendar for the day.  Here is how to set it up:

Go into the Settings for your Google Calendar:

Then, on the left hand side, scroll down to Settings for My Calendar and click on your Calendar:

Finally, scroll down to the section titled Other Notifications and under the Daily Agenda, change it to Email. You can also disable any of the other settings in there if you don't want those notifications.

BOOK TIP:  West With Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge

I read a LOT this summer, but West with Giraffes by Lynda Rutledge was hands down my favorite.  I  this book.  Set in Depression era America, it is the fictionalized account of the true story of two giraffes   and their driver as they drive across the country to their new home at the San Diego Zoo.  Smart, thoughtful, hopeful and original.