Literacy in the Time of COVID-19

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

Today, September 8th, is International Literacy Day.  This day was founded in 1966 to keep the importance of literacy in the forefront of local communities. Tremendous progress has been made in the years since, however, illiteracy remains a world issue. This month’s resources aim to help teachers continue to close the literacy gap even in their new virtual roles.

  • Check out Storyline Online to stream videos featuring celebrities reading children’s books.
  • Explore Kids National Geographic for access to a wide variety of reading material.
  • Browse the CommonLit Library with over 2,000 high-quality free reading passages for grades 3-12.
  • Engage your audience with Magic Blox’s large and growing collection of eBooks.
  • Trying to grow your classroom library and not sure what to buy? Seek advice from The Children’s Book Review who publish reviews and curated book lists among other great resources.
  • Acquire excellent reading comprehension skills using Into the Book’s eight research-based strategies.

Mapping out your back to school plans? Join us on September 10th at 4 PM ET for the EVERFI Back to School Webinar. Come explore the latest digital resources, best practices for supporting student learning, and methods to build a strong classroom culture, whether remotely or in-person.

The new school year is here and that means so is the annual Back-to-School Educator Giveaway! To celebrate all that educators, do, Edmentum is giving one lucky educator a $500 Target gift card.  Click here for your chance to win.

The Educate Team had a great time at the EdCamp with many Step Up schools in August.  Please check out the participant feedback to see what teachers and leaders are saying about their experiences.

Through EdCamps, Educate develops learning opportunities to prepare teachers going back to school with essential skills for online and hybrid learning. These learnings are flexible for participants and all webinars are curated into a site for participants to review and revitalize with all resources provided. Some of the services include school-wide transformational coaching, workshops and webinars for teachers and leaders, EdCamps, parent webinars, and school leadership development.

Contact Lisa Lawrenz, llawrenz@educatellc.com or Julie Emory-Johnson, jjohnson@educatellc.com to set up customized coaching opportunities, go over the feedback from the EdCamp, walk through a needs assessment for your school, and plan the next steps of support for your school this year.

Still Curious?  Watch our Who We Are video

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Planning for the New School Year

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

Planning for this new school year will be unlike any other. Teachers will no doubt be juggling discussions and expectations around social distancing, remote learning, and the social emotional needs of their students. This month’s resources aim to help teachers plan for an uncertain year while still creating welcoming and exciting learning environments for their students.

 

 

Join hundreds of other educators and the University of Florida Literacy Institute for this FREE six-part webinar series.

Click here to register!

 

 

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Tutorials & Set Up Help for Online Learning

Erica Peron School Leadership Resources, Teacher Resources for Success

Many teachers have been asking for ideas, tutorials, and support in setting up their digital classrooms. We’ve answered some of the frequently asked questions below.
How can I send materials, lessons, & communications to students?
  • The following FREE online platforms are some of our favorite user-friendly options for setting up online learning. Click the link below for set up tutorials!
    • Schoology (attendance tracking feature)
    • Google Classroom
    • Zoom
    • Canvas (attendance tracking feature)
    • Class Dojo (attendance tracking feature)
    • Remind
    • Padlet

* Click here for tutorials & set up help for all of the above online platform options.

How can I record lessons or videos?
How do I find resources for the grade level & subjects I teach?
  • The links below are sorted by subject area and are broken down into elementary and middle & high school levels. Remember, you can link the resources you find here into a digital classroom (see tutorials above)!

  • The site, WideOpenSchool.org, was created by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that rates education and entertainment content for children, with help from dozens of partner educational companies. The site brings together content from some amazing companies to help students, teachers and families find free, quality resources while school buildings are closed.

Who can I reach out to about purchasing devices for my students?
  • Demand is high for devices at this time. We will update this section with more contacts as we find them. Check back in regularly to see what options are available.
    • HP®-Click here to join the Step Up for Students HP® Private Store. Fill out the registration information to gain access to exclusive offers on HP® Computers, Printers, Accessories and Original Ink & Toner. Sale pricing going on now!
      • Enjoy free standard shipping site-wide and a 30-day hassle free return or exchange policy.
      • For large order requests or unique inquiries please contact stepupforstudents@hp.com to be connected with a dedicated Account Manager.
    • Microsoft®- Email Dave.Patel@microsoft.com to inquire about devices & pricing options from Microsoft as well as free licenses for Office 365 Education that include Microsoft Teams!
Questions or Need Assistance?

Online & Remote Learning Options for Teachers

Erica Peron School Leadership Resources, Teacher Resources for Success

Due to the unprecedented situation nationwide, we know you are most likely in the process of exploring & implementing online and remote learning options for your students in the coming weeks. To help with this planning, we’ve compiled resources that may help you to navigate these uncharted waters. Feel free to walk through the steps below as you and your school decide what plan will work best for your students & families.
*Please note: We will continue to update the links below as we find new information and resources. (Updated on 9/10/20)
Step 1: What should I know about online learning before I jump in?
Step 2: What platform do I want to use to communicate with my students?

    *Use the survey to let us know what you are looking for so that we can reach out with support!*

Step 3: Once I’ve chosen my communication platform, how do I find resources for my grade level & subject area?
Step 4: What resources can I share with parents to help support them with technology & many other issues during this difficult time?

To view all previous Teacher Resources for Success postings, click here.

Resources to Leap into National Reading Month & Women’s History Month

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

March is National Reading Month as well as Women’s History Month. This month we wanted to provide resources in celebration of both! We’ve also added a section this month with professional development resources & support for students with special needs. Check out the awesome resources below!

National Reading Month & Women’s History Month
PD Resources for Teachers
Resources for Students with Special Needs

 

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Engage Students with Critical Conversations during Black History Month & Every Month!

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

Today is the first day of Black Lives Matter at School week and the first week of Black History Month. We know that teachers are working toward representation and inclusion every day in their classrooms. Here are some resources to help you foster critical conversations in your classroom and continue to create an inclusive environment in your school. We hope you can use these resources all year long!

To view all previous Teacher Resources for Success postings, click here.

Start the New Year with Resources for Student Goal Setting!

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

Explore these goal setting resources to start the New Year on the right foot:
Consider setting your own classroom management goal to help you start the year off right!
Don’t forget! Registration for the 2020 SUFS Choice in Education Conference opens January 28th. Click here to learn more.
Rising Stars Award Nominations close on January 31st! Click here to learn more and nominate today.

5 Time Management Tips & Resources for Teachers

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

With holiday parties, parent nights, school-wide performances, and end of term exams coming up, it’s easy to get buried under a mountain of grading and planning this month! We’d like to share some strategies that will ease the stress of grading and help you make the most of your planning time all year.

5 Time Management Tips & Resources

  1. Plan at Least a Week Ahead
  1. Use a To Do List & Set a Timer
  • Create your to do list the day or night before. During your planning time, choose 2-3 items you know you can get done and set a time limit for each. Use the timer on your phone to keep yourself on task. Shut the door and get things done!
  1. Don’t Try to Grade Everything
  • There is a purpose for every assignment or activity in your class, but that does not mean every assignment or activity needs to be recorded for a grade. Consider checking some assignments for understanding, while grading and providing detailed feedback on others. Consider providing quick feedback via a sticky note rubric- click here to learn more!
  1. Utilize a Copy Box
  • Use a folder or an inbox on your desk to place the master copies of the pages you need for the next week. Resist the urge to go make copies as soon as you finish one lesson. Collect your copies during your planning time and then save 5-10 minutes at the end of your time to go make the copies.
  1. Choose One Day to Stay Late
  • As teachers we are notorious for coming in early and staying late. Consider choosing just one day a week to stay late. During this time, you can work after students are gone, distraction free, to finish any grading, planning, or copying that needs to be done for the following week.

Teachers: Have you heard about Algebra Nation?

Teachers, School Administrators and Principals:

You’re invited to join the Step Up For Students SuperFans program. Become a social ambassador for Step Up and help us spread awareness of our scholarship programs.

When you sign up, we will send you our most exciting news through email to share with your friends and followers. You choose where you share our content. You can share it through email, on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or all of the above. Sharing our posts helps not only spread the word about Step Up to those who need it most, but it could also benefit your private school.

The best part? The more you share and participate, the more points you’ll earn towards a monthly giveaway. This month we’re giving away a $20 Target gift card and one Step Up’s new promotional items of your choosing (from a selection).

To join now, click on the link below and connect with one of your social networks.

JOIN STEP UP FOR STUDENTS SUPERFANS

To view all previous Teacher Resources for Success postings, click here.

 

5 Easy Ways to Get Started with STEM

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

For most teachers, tackling STEM in the classroom can be a daunting endeavor. What is STEM? Where do I begin? How do I find lessons, activities, and experiments? How long will it take?

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math. Three of the most important components of a good STEM lesson include:

  • Problem Solving or Challenge Based Learning
  • Real World Applications
  • Integration of Multiple Disciplines

The goal of STEM activities is to put students in the driver’s seat and encourage them to think critically to solve real world problems using ideas and concepts from many different subject areas while reflecting on their successes and their challenges.

It turns out incorporating STEM in the classroom can happen in all kinds of ways, not just in the form of complex experiments. November 8th is National STEM Day and we’ve dedicated this month’s post to helping you get started with STEM using 5 easy to implement ideas.
1. Start with a Book or an Article
  • Unsure of where to begin? Find a short book or an article that touches on a problem or STEM career you wish to highlight. Reading this story aloud with students can be a wonderful starting point to get students in the problem-solving mindset.
    • For Elementary Students- Consider books like Rosie Revere Engineer, by Angela Beaty, or The Dot, by Peter H. Reynolds.
    • For Secondary Students- Consider starting with this PBS article about a 15-year-old student who invented a new test for the early detection of pancreatic cancer.
2. Create Maker Time and Maker Space
  • Set aside an area in your classroom for students to build and create. STEM Bins are an easy way to organize materials for students to build with.
  • Create your own STEM Bins from many everyday items found in your house. Popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, straws, plates, magnets, etc. Click here for a step by step to create your own!
  • Feeling more ambitious? Consider a STEM subscription kit like this one! You’ll get new age appropriate STEM activities in the mail each month for students of any grade level!
3. Promote Challenge Based Learning & Activities
4. Plan a Field Trip
  • No budget for field trips? Try Skype in the Classroom! You can take your class on a digital field trip to museums, national parks, laboratories,and even to the ocean floor!
  • Do you have hands on learners? The National Park Service offers “Traveling Trunks” that are filled with artifacts and hands on materials to learn about over 100 different topics and locations!
5. Expand on Careers & Real-World Workplaces
    • Have you heard of EVERFI? Step Up for Students is excited to share our continued partnership to bring EVERFI’s digital learning platform to your school at no cost. These Lessons are student-paced, grade themselves and come with supplemental lesson plans.
    • The courses address topics such as Character Education, Financial Literacy, Bullying Prevention, STEM education and many more.
    • Your school is already set up and has full access. 1) Visit EVERFI.com/register 2) select Florida 3) type in the first part of your school name to get started. EVERFI also provides training and support to your teachers cost-free. Contact Liam Obrien at lobrien@everfi.com or 241-886-0690 with questions or to schedule a training for your staff.

To view all previous Teacher Resources for Success postings, click here.

*Giveaway Alert* 4 Ways to Increase Classroom Engagement without Breaking the Bank

Erica Peron Teacher Resources for Success

We know teachers spend a lot of their own money buying supplies and resources for the classroom every year. We want to help offset some of that cost for you and #clearthelist by giving away four $25 Amazon gift cards! Click here to enter to win!!

Our post this month aims to provide you with some low cost ideas to increase classroom engagement! We’ve also partnered with a couple of educational companies that are offering discounts to our schools through September 30th. Check out the offers from Reading A-Z and Edmentum here!

4 Ways to Increase Classroom Engagement without Breaking the Bank

Meaning: To create buy-in, students first need to know why they are doing an activity.
  • For help communicating the objectives of your lesson or activity, check out this FREE printable poster that can be laminated and displayed in your classroom. Update it with each new goal!
  • To find ideas for designing meaningful lessons, explore this article from Texas Tech University.
Movement:  Sitting still for hours during the school day completing book work does little to engage students. Find ways to add movement to your lessons!
Meet-ups: Allowing students to collaborate with their peers helps them process new information and apply what they’ve learned.
Monitoring Learning: Students need to know where they are in relation to their goals. Help students monitor their learning through formative assessments.

 

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