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Tonight for reading homework students will be reading a story and determining the theme. Please remind student that the theme is the lesson, moral, or central message that the character in the story learned. If your student is struggling please refer to the video under the column "Theme" to help them better understand theme. If you have questions please let me know in the comments!

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Check out these websites and help your student practice digital literacy and STEM

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These tools provide creative ways to integrate coding and digital literacy skills into classrooms across a variety of subjects and grade levels.

As technology evolves rapidly, many schools wonder how to prepare their students for the jobs of tomorrow. Many skills can be built through STEM, such as creativity, critical thinking, innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork, which will help students to be successful in the future. STEM also empowers students with new ways to create, innovate, iterate, and reflect, which are directly related to the skills students will need to be prepared.

STEM is not just about learning science, technology, engineering, and math content, but rather is a way to connect and support learning in all content areas. STEM-focused activities help promote digital literacy skills and provide students with learning experiences that will spark curiosity and prepare them for the fields that are in demand.

STEM resources for the classroom

Birdbrain also offers the Finch Robot, which can also be used in any content area. With the Finch, students can explore AI and robotics using Google's Teachable Machine. Students can write programs that enable the robot to recognize images, audio, or poses and respond. It enables students to take a more personalized dive into AI model creation. There are activities, lesson ideas, and materials available for use with students in grades K through college.

They offer app, game, and web labs for students to learn how to code and study important topics related to sustainability. Courses are available for each grade band, and some are offered in multiple languages. Students can participate in the hour of code and design an app for their class or one based on a project topic, for example.

3. CSFirst from Google: Here you'll find many resources that can help educators get started with teaching computer science and are aligned to the CSTA and ISTE Standards. Some of the options include animation, art, pitching an idea and being an entrepreneur, and storytelling, in addition to other free materials for computer science and ELA courses.

I have used some of the lessons to explore ideas for my classroom and had students use the CS First Unplugged to explore how computer science is used in the world and where we see it. Some of the lessons are available in Spanish. Teachers can participate in distance training and download the lessons and other ready-to-use materials. The variety of options available make it easy for teachers to find a topic that meets student interests and boosts engagement in learning to code.

It also helps students to build coding skills in addition to essential STEM skills, such as critical thinking and problem-solving, as well as social and emotional learning skills. Whether students are in elementary school or high school, Elementari can be used in all content areas.

One unique idea is to have students illustrate a book summary by using the Ozobot. Students program the Ozobot to move around and stop at each point in the timeline to retell the story.

There are many activities available for classes such as algebra, creative writing, earth and space science, math, physical science, robotics, and more. Each lesson has objectives, materials needed, descriptions, and extension activities for students. Teachers can request a free trial of Marty for their classroom.

Scratch and Scratch Jr. are free resources for students ages 8 through 16. They can explore activities for art, games, music, stories, and more. In any content area, Scratch can be used to have students tell a story, create a game, and learn about animation, and to have them connect their program to the specific content. More than 70 languages are available, which helps promote accessibility, and because Scratch is free, it also promotes equity in learning.

With STEM, we provide opportunities for students to drive their own learning. The knowledge gained and skills developed through STEM experiences will enable students to adapt to a changing world of education and work.

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8 Great Tools to Bring STEM Into Any Classroom

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These tools provide creative ways to integrate coding and digital literacy skills into classrooms across a variety of subjects and grade levels.

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I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable summer break. I am so happy and excited to be back with your students. Open house Friday from 3:30-6:00. I hope to see you there!

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We have recently started to discuss finding the theme of a story in class. Here is a great video that might help with homework!

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Talk to each other and me about what is working for your students and what is not. You can also ask questions here! I look forward to collaborating with you and watching your student succeed

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What is Digital Literacy and why does it matter?

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What is Digital Literacy and why does it matter?

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In many classrooms, students demonstrate an enviable tech savviness as they easily navigate new applications with grace and little fear. Need your computer hooked up to the projector? There is a good chance at least one student can do it for you. Need help getting the WiFi booster to work properly? Ask a student.

There is no question that today's schools are filled with digitally savvy children who have grown up with technology and the internet of things. But a discrepancy exists when considering students' digital fluency compared with their digital literacy, and both sets of skills are required in their future.

Recently, EdSurge podcast host Carl Hooker discussed the importance of advancing digital literacy with field experts Rebecca Young, Natasha Adebiyi and Jon Gregori. The webinar, sponsored by Dell, offers advice and reflection on advancing students' digital literacy skills.

Defining digital literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to navigate, consume, create and communicate online information appropriately in the digital world. Such skills can include media literacy, visual literacy and technology fluency, depending on the class age and context. Young, a learning specialist and instructional technology coach at Plainfield School District in Illinois, describes digital literacy as "having all the skills that are necessary not only to be safe but productive and successful in the digital world we live in." She continues by suggesting students need to learn how to read a digital room and engage effectively.

Gregori, an innovative learning specialist at Henrico County Public Schools in Virginia, notes that digital literacy is a "modern life skill" that goes beyond digital competencies to include strength in character and citizenship. More than previous generations, students today must learn to think critically and collaborate responsibly as they consume and produce online media.

School districts recognize the need for teaching digital literacy to prepare students for skills they will need to enter the workforce of the future. Adebiyi, an instructional technology specialist at Dekalb County Schools in Georgia, implores schools to "think about the future. There are careers out there not even created yet that we need to prepare students for." We have to think beyond today and think about our students' future.
Watch the full "Advancing Digital Literacy for a Digitally Inclusive Future" webinar on-demand now.
Strategies for developing digital literacy in your classroom

Rebecca Young
Learning Specialist and Instructional Technology Coach, Plainfield School District 202, IL

While some districts have established an intentional focus on teaching students digital literacy skills starting in primary grades, others are just beginning the curricular journey. Regardless of where your school falls on this progression, the key is to keep pushing for advancement one strategy at a time.

Embed technology tools in daily tasks: Like many other districts across the country, Young describes a "panic pedagogy" forced on her colleagues by the pandemic. Many districts scrambled to integrate technology for teachers and students to experience a new normal of online learning. But Young cautions teachers not to fall back to pre-pandemic habits. Instead, embrace the digital advances pushed by COVID and embed new practices into your day-to-day curriculum.

Start small: Adebiyi's advice for hesitant teachers is to "plug in one digital resource and start small." Don't feel pressured to implement multiple digital tools suddenly and simultaneously. Not only is this difficult for teachers to plan and establish, but students can become overwhelmed with learning a variety of new applications all at once. Young makes it her goal to "organically embed" new technologies, striving for authenticity over bedazzlement.

Natasha Adebiyi
Instructional Technology Specialist, Dekalb County Schools, GA

Collaborate with colleagues: Teachers often worry they don't have time to add one more thing to their curriculum, but Adebiyi argues that digital literacy already connects many content areas. Teachers find success in her district by using collaborative planning, adding digital components to competencies already in the curriculum and eventually developing an interdisciplinary, authentic experience for students. Gregori agrees that teachers need the time to collaborate and own their digital literacy development, and students need that same space to build confidence in new skills. His district focuses on communication and multimodal literacy, which allows teachers to continue teaching standards of learning but with enhanced digital opportunities.

Plug into resources: The panelists encourage teachers to reach for the digital literacy tools already established and classroom-ready. Here are a few favorites:

Jon Gregori
Innovative Learning Specialist, Henrico County Public Schools, VA

Create opportunities: Leverage digital literacy in the classroom to build impactful learning. Adebiyi recalls when her third grade students first realized the website they were building could influence the world around them. She introduced a problem-centered movement related to hungry families in the community. With a little guidance, her students took ownership of the mission and raised awareness and funds for those in need. Such opportunities create equity for students, says Gregori. Giving students the space and experience to develop their skills opens more doors for their future.

Partner with parents: Schools need to share with the community at large the importance of digital literacy. Young says the best way to do that is to "meet families where they are." Invite parents to collaborate with faculty on the appropriate use of technology in the classroom and at home. Give parents the tools and skills they need to model digital literacy for their children. And be deliberate about showcasing students' digital artifacts-a great hook for getting parents in the classroom.

Just get started: No matter where you are in the digital literacy journey, Adebiyi suggests the key is to focus on digital citizenship early. Elementary students need to learn how to engage with the digital world. As Young notes, students need to learn about their digital footprint before they create one. If they don't learn in the classroom, they will try to figure it out on their own.
Sponsor's note: We brought together educators to discuss digital literacy, but that was before we started to see Generative AI like ChatGPT show up in schools across the country. Obviously, this will have huge implications for any discussion about digital literacy in the future, and we plan on making sure we broaden the scope of this conversation.

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Advancing Digital Literacy for a Digitally Inclusive Future - EdSurge News

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In many classrooms, students demonstrate an enviable tech savviness as they easily navigate new applications with grace and little fear. Need your ...