Lunch and Learn (#booksnaps)

Is it possible to engage kids in what they are reading? Is there a way to do it without Post-It notes and highlighting in the actual physical book? How do we get them to share beyond book groups? Is it possible to do all of this in a kindergarten room in the morning and a high school class in the afternoon?

You bet! #booksnaps might just be the one idea that transcends every grade level. This one idea can be used in every classroom across the district. This one idea could be used to share out about the learning that is happening no matter what you are teaching.

Why #booksnaps? What makes this worthwhile?

It is fun. We all put way more effort in things that are fun versus things that are the opposite of that.
Free form expression. This allows the student to create something that sparks them and share it out without much effort.
Adds value. Their thinking is public, not Post-It Note private.
The conversation could grow as it does not need to be face to face.
Reflective on my time. I can have time to think and then share.

How does this get them ready for the world?

Teaches the kids how to create a positive footprint.
Creating on their device, not just consuming.
Helps them hone their communication skills. (see State of St. Louis Workforce 2017)
Elevates their personal creativity as they find unique ways to share their thinking.

What are #booksnaps?

Taking it up a notch with Seesaw.

Getting Started
Plan.

Pick a pathway to follow:

#booksnaps
#gratitudesnaps
#artsnaps
#pesnaps
#othersnappystuff

Platform.
There are a bunch of directions you could go, for this post we will show you two pathways.

Seesaw
Pic Collage

Create - Seesaw
The following assumes you are already using Seesaw. These steps will just highlight the #booksnaps aspect of Seesaw.

Start by taking a picture.

Click the Label tool to add text.

1. Text and emojis added using keyboard.

2. Clicking the drawing tool allowed me to add some pop to the page.

3. Recording voice to add value to the snap.

4. Don't forget that on iOS you can use the arrow to help direct the viewer as you talk.

Pro Tip - add a #booksnaps folder to make it easier to find all the snaps.

Create - Pic Collage
Pic Collage
This is a free standalone app that does not require any login. These snaps could be shared digitally or printed out.

Start by clicking Freestyle.

1. Clicking the PLUS symbol at the bottom will always give you this menu option.

2. Click Photo. Use the camera app to take a picture of the text you want to snap.

You have taken the picture and adjusted it to fit the screen.

1. Click the PLUS to add text or a doodle.

Click the PLUS symbol to share the final creation.

Who is emailing me? The Blue Man Group??? (Add an image to your Google account.)

WHY It is always nice to put a face with a name. Sometimes we need a tiny little reminder of what someone looks like because we don't see them very often. Follow these steps to add/change the image associated with your Google account. HOW Open your email. Click your image. It might just be a blue circle if you have not added something already. Click Change . Find an image you like. Your amazing new image will appear. From now on everyone can put a name to a face!

Annotate PDF? How might I do that?

So I have a PDF and I need to edit it. Here is one method that works pretty well for me. Open Word. Click File . 1. Click Open . 2. Click Browse . 3. Find the PDF you want to annotate. 4. Click Open . Click OK when you see this box. Bam! Your PDF now opens in Word. Note: you maybe have to click Enable Editing at the top of the screen. Finished editing and want to turn it back into a PDF? Click File . 1. Click Save As . 2. Click This PC . 3. Pick a location. I usually save things to my desktop. 4. Click Save as type - and choose PDF. 5. Click Save .

Zoom - How to connect to a Zoom meeting.

This post was created to help anyone who is attempting to connect to a Zoom meeting understand how the process works. Click here for a video tutorial on how to get started with Zoom Continue reading for details on how to connect on an iPad/iOS device, Android phone/tablet, Chromebook and a laptop. While this won't solve every issue, it should take care of getting you quickly connected. The post will be longer than normal, just scroll down to the device you are wanting to connect. Most of these steps only need to be done the first time. Joining the second meeting will be much easier, pretty much just click and join. Please note - I made this post super fast. There are bound to be small errors. iPad/iOS We are using an iPad for this demo. I imagine connecting an iPhone will be nearly the same. Start by downloading the Zoom app from the app store. This is the very first thing you need to do if you don't have the app first the process may be more confusing. You...

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