PPS Instructional Technology

Skyward Teacher Course Recommendations                                           1. From the Home Screen, select the Gradebook for which you would like to make course recommendations. Step 1 2. Once inside the Gradebook, click on ‘Other Access’ (Note: If you hover over ‘Other Access’ you can then click on ‘Recommendations’ from there and move on to step 4.) Step 2 3. On your left menu, click on ‘Recommendations’. Step 3 4. Once in Course Recommendations you can now create/modify recommendations for your entire class. Click on ‘Modify for Entire Class’ Step 4 You now have two ways to proceed: Recommendation by Class Recommendation by Student Recommendation by Class 5. You can see what class you are currently in at the top of the n...

What is Phishing? Phishing is the practice of sending emails, that look like they are from a reputable company or person, in order to get the recipient to reveal personal information like usernames, passwords, or credit card informations.  This is why you always here people caution against clicking on a link in an email if it "doesn't look right". How does the New Gmail Phishing Scheme Work? Recently, we learned about a new phishing scheme making the rounds.  This new one is very tricky because, unless you know what to look for, everything seems normal.  The way the new attack works, is the hackers will send you an email to your Gmail account.  That email will look like it is coming from someone you know (this person has probably had their account hacked using this same technique).  It may also include something that looks like an image of an attachment you recognize from the sender - for example, a google doc they would share with you.  When you click ...

Many of our students have a hard time learning their multiplication tables, but have no problem learning the lyrics to their favorite songs.  Well, what might happen if we were to rewrite their favorite songs so they sing their multiplication tables to the tune of their favorite pop song?  Well apparently this isn't a new idea...Mr. DeMaio has beat us to it!  Check out his Multiplication Song Playlist here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb7Q5jsm9eh_fdDPQmVpyp4XRu-raUbHc Using music to help with learning is not a new idea.  We have shared many posts with you on this very subject.  Some of our favorites include: Dr Lodge: 50 State Project and Kinesthetic Learning Videos Flocabulary: Think before you Post (Digital Citizenship) Scholastic StudyJams Also, remember that PPS has our very own YouTube scrubber that will eliminate all the distractions that accompany a typical YouTube video. What are your favorite learning resources that incorpora...

The beauty and the burden of Google is that they are always making changes and improvements.  The latest updates to Google Classroom will definitely fall into the beauty category.  Yesterday, Google announced the ability in Google classroom to assign work to individual students instead of just the whole class.  WOW!  We've been waiting for that feature.  Now when you are doing small group work, you can assign the post to just the students in that small group.  Have a student who needs extra, targeted practice?  No problem, post an assignment and assign it to just that student.  I can't wait to start using this feature.  To learn more, check out this post from Google's Keyword Blog .

There are certain historical figures who have, through their own actions and feats, earned a place in history which warrants annual recognition so that their deeds and works won't be forgotten.  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of those people.  This year MLK day falls on January 16, 2017.  Many educators like to take an opportunity to honor Dr. King with their students.  I have shared numerous teaching resources in the past , but have found a few more treasures to help us celebrate and remember. Scholastic has created a collection of resources specifically for MLK day including lesson plans, and videos, focussed around the theme: The Spirit of Service .  They have broken the lesson plans down by grade level for 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.  They also have classroom resources for MLK day and Black History Month. Tynker is also helping students remember the life of Dr. King.  They have created a A Coding Project to Honor MLK Day  in which students ca...