iOS8

Last week Apple came out with a new operating system, iOS8.  If your family has multiple apple devices, installing this upgrade comes with many features to bring your family closer together and to help parents control purchases.  Start by upgrading your operating system (Settings>General>Software Update).  After the upgrade you turn on Family Sharing  up to 6 family members can enjoy the following features:

• Access each other’s apps, music, movies, tv shows and books
• Use the Shared Family Album and instantly update all family devices with the latest pictures and videos
• Create a Shared Family Calendar where everyone can add events to one calendar and reminders can be sent out to multiple devices.
• Pay for family purchases with a single credit card.
• Enable “Ask to Buy” to require children to get permission before making iTunes, iBooks, and App Store purchases.
• Make Apple IDs for children under 13 years old so they can personally be part of the “Ask To Buy” feature.

Find out more the other cool features iOS8 contains!

Math Apps form the Chrome Store

If you are using a Chrome browser and you are signed in,

you can get apps from the Chrome Store.

Chrome apps are actually just links to websites.  You can add any of these links to your own website for your students to use.   You do not need a chromebook to use these apps.  Many of these sites also work in internet explorer.

Here are some Math Apps that are pretty cool!

Sokikom - 30 Day Trial…

Common Core Aligned Math for Grades 1-6

Usually I don’t get excited about free-trials, but I think this one is worth it!

• Super teacher friendly interface
• Quick and easy online teacher tour
• Pre-assessment assigns appropriate lessons
• Lessons, instructional help videos, and games

If you want to wait a month and see whether it is worth it or not, Mrs. Suchecki is using my 30 day trial.  So we will know more in 30 days!

Splash Math - 30 Day Trial

Common Core Aligned Math for Grades 1-5

• Interactive Math Lessons
• Fun, engaging games
• Monitor your class with a quick glance
• Easy-to-generate class reports

Hundreds Grid - Customize, color and play with a hundreds chart!  Love it!!!

Math Jong...fun game you can play with your kids (grades 3-5).

SmartKids Maths - free lite version… cute math games for k-2.

Numbers Game - 1-4 players… make 24 with given numbers and operations.

Hidato -Math a path through the bee-hive with this Logic game.

SharpSchool Columns

Is your web page looking a little drab?  Try moving around your portlets and adding columns!

Moving Portlets

Place your cursor over the arrow in top left corner of the portlet.  When the cursor turns to cross-hairs, you can click and drag the portlet to a different place.

Adding Columns

1.  Under Advanced, click Page Layout

2.  Chose the layout you like.

3.  Use the arrows to move your portlets into different columns

4. Click Update Page.

SharpSchool Upcoming Events Portlet

Upcoming Events Portlet

1.  Under Advanced, Click Switch  to Design Mode    

2.Find the Upcoming Events portlet under the collaboration tab and drag it to a place on your page.

3.  Connect the portlet to your calendar (or any other school calendar)

• Click edit on the Upcoming Events portlet

• Next to the place for a calendar name, click browse

• Use the + signs to open and search for the calendar you want

What Should You Put On Your Website?

How do you get parent's to visit your website? One way is to keep the information fresh and relevant. Post, Post, Post!

Need some ideas to jazz up your website? Try adding a portlet for one of the ideas below.

Due Dates  (Upcoming Events Portlet)

Need everyone to bring back a permission slip by Wednesday? A book report due Friday? Add an “Upcoming Events” portlet to your page and everything you add to your calendar will be featured!

Relevant links (Document Container Portlet)

Links for students to learn more about content and links that make your subject more fun.

Notes Home (Document Container Portlet)

Anything important that you hand out in class can be posted online.

Class Rules and Guidelines  (Content Portlet)

Homework (Document Container Portlet)

Upload homework so no one has the “I forgot it at school” excuse!

Biography (Content Portlet)

Tell parents about your academic and professional background.

Your Favorite Sites (Document Container Portlet)

Share the educational sites or student-centered sites that you visit the most.

Information for Parents (Document Container Portlet)

• Links to relevant parenting or educational articles/websites
• Links for educational websites that can be used with their children
• Tips for helping their children succeed in school
• Information about the units you are teaching and the standards you are focusing on currently.