kids technology

Here is a fun tip I learned from Kami Butterfield ! Set an image as a background in Doodle Buddy , trace it, then get rid of the image! Such a simple and easy way to support your students' as they draw characters, animals, etc. digitally. The steps are listed below. Happy drawing!

Here is a great collection of math apps for K-2nd grade, compiled by myself and primary elementary TILT teachers from Billings Public Schools! If you have one to include, please email me !

Click the image to download a PDF.

Click the image to download a PDF.

Jennifer Paterson, wonderful Breakout guru from Ponderosa, and Ann Brucker, wonderful TIS Breakout guru, had a FANTASTIC idea to create our very own sandbox for all of those Breakout games BPS teachers have been creating! This is a place where BPS teachers will be able to share and find games created by each other! Find one, play one, create one, submit one... this site is yours to use for all of it. Click the image above to visit the BPS Breakout Edu site , or visit breakoutedu.com to find out more about this engaging learning activity! If you have a game (either physical or digital) you have created, PLEASE submit it so that we can see how this is going to work. Going by Google's principle of "Ship & Iterate," Ann wants you to know that this is a work in progress. There will certainly be things that need to be fixed on the site; let Jen or Ann know what you want added or changed, and we'll get 'er done! :-)

Join me for a book study centered around Kids Deserve It! by Todd Nesloney and Adam Welcome. This 5 week book study will begin April 3rd, and will feature weekly reading passages, reflections & posts via Seesaw: The Learning Journal. This will be a fun online Professional Learning Community centered around what is best for kids, and pushing the boundaries of conventional teaching in our classrooms. I'll be reading right along with you, and I'm excited to dive into this book! Register for the book study at bit.ly/2no2uIP  - be sure to complete a credit approval form in order to receive step up for this course. PLEASE NOTE: You are also responsible for purchasing your own copy of the book, which is available on Amazon for $24.95. Email me with any questions!

Starting March 28th, Billings Public Schools teachers can earn OPI renewal units for participating in Seesaw's awesome PD in Your PJs sessions! You'll need to sign up and participate in at least TWO of the PD in Your PJs trainings (they need to be at least 45 minutes long, the "sprint" sessions won't work for this). Then, sign up for the BPS PD in Your PJs course at bit.ly/BPSPJsSignUp . After you've completed your Seesaw webinars, you'll complete a reflection form, apply something you learned in your classroom, and provide certificates of attendance from the PD in your PJs trainings. Once all items are received, you'll get 2 OPI renewal units for your work. This is a great opportunity to receive top notch Seesaw training, plus OPI renewal units for your hard work! Email piltzt@billingsschools.org with any questions and check out the upcoming PD in your PJs schedules at bit.ly/SeesawPDinPJs

Click the image to download a PDF.

Here is a collection of some of my favorite word work apps for K-2 students. Some are free, some are paid. Click each app to find out more and see the price. Remember to watch for app discounts or apps gone free during Teacher Appreciation Week in May!