If I Were a Wizard: Coding for Littles... And More!

Last week, I was delighted to find this book delivered in my mailbox from Amazon. 

"If I Were A Wizard" (hardback) by Paul Hamilton

At first glance, it looks like another delightful children's book, doesn't it? In actuality, "If I Were a Wizard" by Paul Hamilton teaches readers young and old all about computational thinking and coding concepts. And it does this without intimidating terminology (and yet provides connections at the end). 

When I talked with Paul this July at the 2018 Apple Distinguished Educator Institute, I was amazed by his humility. It struck a chord with me when he mentioned that humans are drawn to story, but true connections are made via characters. Thus he created Hazel. And Hazel is more than a beautiful mouse on the pages of the book or the digital swipes in iBooks. Hazel is a relatable comrade for all those who get to know her. Students can "meet" Hazel and experience her world through Augmented Reality with the free app Wizard AR. While exploring this magical world, teachers like Katie Gardner can capitalize on creative writing opportunities. Or simply enjoy an original title track performed by a beautiful young vocal wizard. Teachers can build closer relationships with Hazel by visiting the wizardcodingbook.com website and downloading the numerous free educational resources-- writing, math, art, and even more beyond just coding. It is clear to see that Paul has created more than just a coding book!

https://www.wizardcodingbook.com 

It is hard to debate the value in teaching coding concepts in today's primary classrooms. With "If I Were a Wizard" young children of all ages and backgrounds will be inspired to consider today's reality-- that they, too, can code.  And I will continue to be inspired by the author's dedication to education that matters. 

Music Teachers Collaboration Day

2017 Music Teachers Collaboration Day was held at ESU 8 on Monday, February 13, 2017.  Some key takeaways may be beneficial to share beyond this local group.

1) Blended Learning : Station-Rotation model

Participants learned through a station-rotation blended learning experience.

BlendEd in the Music Classroom:
“Find Your Rhythm with Blended Learning”

Key Resources:  

• Music Memos (free iOS app)

• GarageBand Live Loops (feature in updated GarageBand app for iOS)
• GarageBand Starter Kit (free book for iBooks from Apple Education)
• Building Blocks of a Song (free iTunes U course with activities)

Additional Technology + Music Education Resources:

• From Pachelbel to iPad: Student-Performed GarageBand Concerts (free book for iBooks)
• Three Little Notes: Musical Composition on iPad (free book for iBooks)

2) Movement + Music : Inspiring Music Educator Kristin Lukow

We connected via Zoom with +Kristin Lukow from Adams Central. She inspired us with her energy and ideas for incorporating movement and multiple learning modalities into her music classroom. We all tried "Bouncing to the Beat" of one her elementary student routines. 

• Nebraska Loves Public Schools - Bouncing to the Beat
• Musical Musings with Mrs. Lukow
• Noteflight - Online Music Notation
• Tennis Balls - Stars and Stripes Forever
• Bouncing to the Beat 2016 - We Got the Beat

Everyone Can Code!

Everyone Can Code!

an ESU 8 Wednesday Webinar from Katie Morrow

Everyone Can Code is an initiative recently launched by Apple to make coding with the Swift programming language even more accessible to all. Learn about Swift Playgrounds, a free app designed for middle schoolers on up, accompanying Teacher’s Guide, and related resources to give even novices more opportunities to reach students interested in coding. 

View the webinar here

and check out the Links and Resources below:

Everyone Can Code (and Swift Playgrounds)

Wednesday Webinar 10-5-16

Katie Morrow, ESU 8

http://www.apple.com/education/everyone-can-code

Swift Playgrounds app

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swift-playgrounds/id908519492?mt=8

*Requires iOS 10.0 or later

Designed for Middle School Students

Swift Playgrounds Teacher Guide

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/swift-playgrounds-learn-to/id1118578018?mt=11

App Development with Swift

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/app-development-with-swift/id1118575552?mt=11

Designed for High School or College Students

App Development with Swift Teacher Guide

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/app-development-with-swift/id1118577558?mt=11

Additional Resources

• NY Times article about Apple’s ‘Everyone Can Code’
• How to Learn to Code in Swift on a Chromebook - blog post by Kelly Croy, Wired Educator (and other blog posts related to Swift here)
• Swift Playgrounds video playlist from Paul Hamilton

Coding STEM kits available for check out through the ESU 8 Media Center

• Parrot Rolling Spider mini drones
• Sphero SPRKs

Tickle app (free, but requires newer iPad)

Ozobot for pre-coders

Coding for Kids blog post by Katie Morrow from last year

Digital Citizenship resources from Common Sense Education... Teachers, get them NOW!

Common Sense Education, longtime advocate for digital citizenship practices in schools, has just announced that their very popular iBooks textbooks will begin to cost money.

While this is disappointing news, it is encouraging that teachers have one whole month to still download any of the Digital Citizenship series for free. Better yet, all textbooks have just been updated! So if you have ever downloaded them in the past, be sure to update them sometime before October 1, 2016.

Below are the direct links to the four interactive student workbooks for iBooks along with the accompanying teacher's editions.

Grades K-2 Curriculum (Teachers Edition): Digital Citizenship Curriculum 2016

Grades K-2 Student Workbook: Digital Citizenship 2016

Grades 3-5 Curriculum (Teachers Edition): Digital Citizenship Curriculum Common Sense Education

Grades 3-5 Student Workbook: Digital Citizenship Common Sense Education

Grades 6-8 Curriculum (Teachers Edition): Digital Citizenship Curriculum Common Sense Education

Grades 6-8 Student Workbook: Digital Citizenship Common Sense Education

Grades 9-12 Curriculum (Teachers Edition): Digital Citizenship Curriculum 2016

Grades 9-12 Student Workbook: Digital Citizenship 2016

A final reminder to also consider last minute registration to send a team to the Nebraska Digital Citizenship Symposium, being held at various locations across the state on September 27, 2016. Read more about the details at this site: 

http://nebraskadcs.wikispaces.com/Registration

As always, don't hesitate to reach out to the Technology Integrationists at ESU 8 to answer any of your digital citizenship questions or needs. 

#bethekey

ESU 8 Midwinter Workshop held January 14, 2016

The 2016 Winter Workshop was successfully held on Thursday, January 14 by ESU 8 and Norfolk Public Schools.

Dave Weber launched the day in the Johnny Carson Theater with a rousing keynote address entitled, "STICKS & STONES EXPOSED: The Truth Behind Words & Relationships" or also known as "Some Days You're The Pigeon... Some Days The Statue".

Dave spoke of the importance of relationship building and the direct correlation with academic success. Humor and sensible advice framed the talk, and all who attended felt motivated to improve social skills with colleagues and students.

Standing ovation for Dave Weber in Norfolk's Johnny Carson Theater

Following the keynote address three different time slots offered over 90 different break-out sessions throughout the Norfolk High School building. Presenters traveled from across the state to share with ESU 8 educators and the quality of content presented was top-notch. Session descriptions and related resources are linked on the event webpage which can still be accessed here:

  http://esu8winterworkshop.weebly.com

For those who attended, be sure to complete the feedback form linked to the site and check out resources of the sessions you weren't able to attend.  Likewise, if you weren't able to attend, this site can serve as a rich source of information on a wide range of relevant education topics.

A huge shout of appreciation goes out to the ESU 8 and Norfolk Public Schools planning team and all those who contributed to make the 2016 Midwinter Workshop such a successful experience. 

SMARTer Teaching with SMART Boards

Here I have collected various resources for teaching with SMART Boards.

1) First, an intro/refresher course otherwise known as SMART Boards 101.

Katie’s Notebook files for the presentation:

10 Quick and Easy Tips for Integrating SMART Boards (Notebook file)

Additional links:
21 Ways to Integrate SMART Boards in the Elementary

YouTube video series from Adam Bellow

• How to set up a SMART Board
• 5 tips and tricks
• New features in SMART Notebook

What’s New in SMART Notebook 14

What’s New in SMART Notebook 15

Educator2Educator series on YouTube

namely, SMART Exemplary Educator (in English) Notebook Uses by discipline

2) Next are some links for a follow-up presentation to help users go a little bit further:

Katie’s Notebook files for the presentation:

Turning up the HEAT with SMART Boards

(Notebook file)

Higher-order thinking

Engaging

Active learning

Transparent

Additional links:

What’s New in SMART Notebook 14

What’s New in SMART Notebook 15

Touch Recognition from SMART

3) Finally, here is the Notebook file from a group "make and take" workshop held recently so that teachers could better build Notebook lessons.

Make and Take SMART Boards (Notebook file)

Creating Classroom Content with iBooks Author

The following resources are from a workshop with teachers on creating classroom content for iBooks with iBooks Author.  Explore the resources and don't hesitate to inquire more about these exciting possibilities for your classroom.

Digital handout for Creating Classroom Content with iBooks Author

Also, specific projects are pointed out on this blog post:
http://teach42morrow.blogspot.com/2015/09/ibooks-authoring-in-schools.html