I hope everything makes sense in this post. I walked full on into my bathroom doorway at 2am and I think I have a mild concussion. But the fog is slowly lifting. Share time: I've been working with one of Lori's kids over the the last month. If you have happened to walk in the library when I'm on with her, it's probably no surprise that those 15 minutes are a highlight of my day. It's made me remember how fun it is to see students grow. You all work so hard and do such great things for students! I hope you all have a relaxing winter holiday. Now keep reading!
PebbleGo Next
PebbleGo has been available for our school for some time. If you aren't familiar with PebbleGo, it's a database of information geared towards the lower grades. CPS now has access to PebbleGo Next which is designed for grades 3-5. It's available through Classlink. Just open the PebbleGo icon in Classlink and choose the tab for PebbleGo Next.
We have now distributed 50 STEAM kits to families over the last two months. Students have submitted 43 activities via SeeSaw demonstrating what they created. I have nothing to compare it to, but I think that's pretty good. I understand we're only serving a small number of students, mainly the ones whose families can bring them in. But it's given me a chance to see how the program can run and I'm looking forward to being able to hand them out to all students when they return in 2026.
Grade Level Maker Activities
I have been working with kindergarten the last few months to distribute maker activities to students. Last month we passed out "Balloons Over Broadway" float making kits and next week we are passing out "Snowman Circuit" cards. The turnout has been good because it's an initiative from the classroom teachers. I'd be happy to collaborate with other grades and put together kits for you as well. We'd just need to determine an activity, promote, and then pick an evening to pass them out to families.
Book Groups
I have had the pleasure to work with fourth and fifth grade classes this last month on the Mark Twain Award nominees for this year. There are five active groups with the challenge to read all 12 this year. I'd love to start some with students in second or third grade next month. I would have to pick books I've already read because reading 3 new ones right now is killing me! We can set it up with students from different classes or grade levels. So think of students who'd like a challenge or a change of scenery and let's get it going.
Charging
A fellow media specialist posted a tip I hadn't heard. She said that in order to refresh the iPad battery, you should shut down the iPad (holding the power button and then sliding across the screen) before charging overnight. I can't confirm if it truly works, but what we got nothing to lose.
Have an excellent break!
