Tuesday Tips, December 13, 2022

 TECH TIP:  The Google Year in Search

One of my favorite moments of the year is when Google releases its Year in Search.  It encapsulates those moments that captured our common attention.  For a two minute feel good moment, watch the video:

Google — Year in Search 2022 Author: Google https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WXs3sKu41I

If you want to go down more rabbit holes, you can also take a look at what was trending both nationwide or locally.

BOOK TIP:  An Article on Faculty Supporting Student Mental Health

This article from Inside Higher Ed Training Faculty to Support Student Mental Health included some good specific things teachers can do to help students who might be in distress.  The article referenced a guide that Boston University and the JED Foundation put together for faculty to support student mental health.  It is 9 pages, a quick read.  I've attached it to this email if you are interested, as these can be difficult times for many of our students (and us).

Tuesday Tips, November 29, 2022

 TECH TIP:  Use Yippity to make quick study questions

Yippity is a site that uses AI to create quick study questions based on whatever you content you input.  You can enter in either a link to a webpage or copy and paste in your notes or content:

Once you hit submit, it will then create questions which appear on the right hand side of the screen, and your original content on the left.  It also gives the answer to the created questions, which you can toggle on and off.  

This could be a good site to share with students who aren't sure how to study.  

BOOK TIP:  I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

  My kids (and many of our current students) grew up watching Nickeodeon's iCarly.  Jennette McCurdy starred on that show, playing Sam.  This is her memoir about breaking into show business and becoming a child star.  You often hear of the controlling mothers behind child stars, and McCurdy's mom might just win the prize for the most controlling.  An honest, funny, at times difficult and sad, memoir.  I especially recommend the audiobook of this, as McCurdy herself does the narration. 

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.