October 31, 2016

TIS AND THAT Volume 5, Issue 7

Imagine Academy What is Imagine Academy? Imagine Academy (formally known as Microsoft IT Academy) provides technology skills in the digital world. According to the Imagine Academy website, "the Microsoft Official Academic Course (MOAC) series delivers a complete learning and teaching framework developed specifically for use in an academic setting, provides unlimited access for more than 400 courses, offers ready­ to­use, customizable lesson plans, and includes links to relevant Microsoft Online Learning and free demos and videos. The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum provides essential computing skills for learners new to computing."

Microsoft Imagine Academy also has many certification opportunities for students! "Microsoft Certifications differentiate students in today's competitive job market and broaden their employment opportunities." Some of the certifications offered include the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) exams, the Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) exams, and the Microsoft Certifications Solutions Associate/Expert (MCSA/MCSE) exams.

In this issue...

Imagine Academy........1 ZipGrade......................2 Kids Korner..................2 Upcoming.....................3 Plickers........................3 Contributors.................4

http://trainingahead.com.au/mos/

ZipGrade Grade Papers Instantly!

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to grade papers? ZipGrade allows you to do just that! With the ZipGrade app, which is available for both IOS and Android, you can scan free­to­download answer sheets in multiple sizes within seconds. ZipGrade can provide students with instant feedback and can be used for multiple types of assessments, such as exit slips, quizzes, and formative assessments. ZipGrade offers a free version that allows up to 100 scans per month. ZipGrade also offers unlimited scanning for a small fee of $6.99 per year.

KIDS KORNER Pumpkin Pie Playdough Here's a nice and easy craft idea that can make the stretch to Thanksgiving fun! Recipes can also be a good way to teach kids conversions! Below are some apps that can help with the process!

Convert Any Unit Free ­ Units & Currency Converter & Calculator app is free for IOS devices and has been called "a dream for cooks". http://tinyurl.com/j3twf8h Unit Converter is free for android devices, easy to use, and can be used without an internet connection when downloaded! http://tinyurl.com/jq6ylhy

Non-Edible

* Prep Time: 2 mins * Total Time: 9 mins * Serves: 1, Yield: 1 play dough

Ingredients 1 cup flour 1/2 cup salt 2 teaspoons cream of tartar 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 cup water of food coloring ( 6 drops of red and 15 drops of yellow)

Directions 1. Combine the dry ingredients in a nonstick saucepan.

2. Add the oil, water, and food coloring and whisk until smooth.

3. Stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, cook the mixture over medium heat until it forms a ball, about 3 to 4 minutes.

4. Turn the dough onto a counter, let it cool slightly, then knead the dough until it has a smooth texture, about 1 minute.

5. The dough will keep up to a week in a ziplock bag.

http://www.food.com/recipe/pumpkin­pie­play­dough­non­edible­ 337002

UPCOMING

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Plickers

AND CONFERENCES

Digital Formative Assessment to Engage your Students Monday, November 07, 2016 ­ Friday, December 16, 2016 Web Tools to Encourage and Support Reading and Writing Monday, January 09, 2017 ­ Friday, February 17, 2017 Digital Creativity and Collaboration to Enhance Student Projects Monday, February 20, 2017 ­ Friday, March 31, 2017 See http://tinyurl.com/hx5h92h for more information.

Future of Education Technology Conference, Orlando, FL January 24­27, 2017: http://fetc.org/ NonProfit Technology Conference, Washington, DC March 23­25, 2017: http://www.nten.org/ntc/ HDI 2017 Conference & Expo, Washington, DC May 9­12, 2017: http://www.hdiconference.com/ ISTE Conference 2017, San Antonio, TX June 25­28, 2017: https://conference.iste.org/2017/ WVSTC, Morgantown, WV July 18­20, 2017: http://www.wvstc.com/

Do you need a simple, immediate feedback resource for your classroom?

Plickers is a free resource available for Android and IOS devices and will work on any device with a camera! Plickers website describes using Plickers "for quick checks for understanding to know whether your students are understanding big concepts and mastering key skills."

Set up is easy. After creating your classes and rostering students, you just need to add questions and create cards (you can even purchase a set on Amazon)!

Plickers works similarly to how a device scans a QR code. After the app is installed on your device, student's will hold their card with their answer at the top. All you have to do is scan!

With Plickers on Live Preview display, students can see whether their Plicker card has been scanned or not, and teachers can allow students to see if they got the question right or wrong.

There are several reporting options available as well! You can view by day, by week, or create a custom range.

Do yourself a favor and make your classroom simpler with Plickers!

Contributors

I am Debra Helman, Third Grade teacher at West Virginia School for the Deaf. I've been working there for 16+ years. I taught preschool for 13 years before teaching Second Grade for one year, then Third Grade.

This is my third year teaching third grade. I have been married to my high school sweetheart, Ralph, for almost 38 years. We have two sons, Sam and John. Both are married and live close by. We have three adorable grandchildren: Uriah­3 years; Avery­19 months, and Evelynn­3 months.

My name is Cassandra Campbell....Cass or Cassie for short. I teach Special Education at Burlington Center School. I started here in November of 2015. I'm a late bloomer in the world of teaching. I started in 2006 with OIEP. Prior to teaching, I have been a sale facilitator for a local real estate company, manager of Wendy's in LaVale, crew manager at the Keyser McDonalds, and a stay­at­ home mom. My favorite job to date is stay­at­home mom by far! I have three grown children and two grandsons. I also have two rescue dogs that I couldn't live without!

I'm Celese Lewis and I am a second year teacher at Montcalm High School. I graduated from Concord University in December 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and I am the first to graduate college in my family! I teach Business and Library classes along with my daily TIS duties! I live with my husband and two cats.