Getting the Most Out of PebbleGO

Agenda for Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Collaboration November 8, 2013 Milford Elementary School, Marietta, GA Linda Johns, Facilitator Overview PebbleGo is a collection of databases targeted toward emergent readers in grades K-3rd to build research skills. The subscription-based collection is produced by Capstone Digital, a division of Capstone Publishing, well-known and respected producer of childrens fiction and nonfiction. According to their website, Each database features expertly-leveled text and navigation specifically
designed for your beginning researchers. Enriched with spoken-word audio, text highlighting and audio and video clips, PebbleGo builds a foundation of research skills for every learner. This lesson will increase teachers awareness of what PebbleGo has to offer them and their students. Target Classroom and support teachers for grades K, 1st, and 2nd. Learning Outcomes Participants will become more aware of technology standards as presented by ISTE. Participants will discover new opportunities and strategies to implement PebbleGo resources into their standards based lessons. Participants will practice using a variety of resources available through PebbleGo in order to use them confidently and seamlessly in their classroom instruction. CCGPS Alignment for Students Specific CCGPS standards addressed in this workshop align with those taught in Social Studies and Science in the 3rd Nine Week Period in Cobb County. They are listed on the 3rd 9 weeks handout for each grade level under the appropriate database. ISTE Nets for Teachers 1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. d. Model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual environments 2. Design and Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences and Assessments Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessment incorporating contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETSS. a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity

b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their own educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources d. Provide students with multiple and varied formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use resulting data to inform learning and teaching 3. Model Digital Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. a. Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation d. Model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools to locate, analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning 4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices. a. Advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright, intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources b. Address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information 5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital tools and resources. a. Participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning. Materials teacher laptops, 3rd 9 weeks handout, Sample lesson plan handout, Sample reproducible handout, collaboration form, agenda, Promethean board and internet access. Differentiation The first part of the agenda was the same for all three grades; however, beginning with the 3rd nine weeks content and standards alignment, each grade level had its own handout and games and resources were chosen accordingly. (All grade specific content presented for this assignment is from the 1st grade workshop.) Procedure Review accessing PebbleGO through MackinVIA Walk through the steps to login to Pebble GO from the on campus desktop

Destiny icon----MackinVIA link--- User name: XXXXXXXX; Password: XXXXXXX. Select databases from the left menu Scroll down to pebble go in the alphabetical list Click on Open Now Review accessing PebbleGO through Cobb County Homepage (off campus) www.cobbk12.org ----- select Cobb Digital Library from the bottom of the left menu bar Click on the MackinVIA icon or highlighted ink User name: XXXXXXXX; Password: XXXXXXXXX Select databases from the left menu Scroll down to pebble go in the alphabetical list Click on Open Now Overview of the four databases Animals The original, dont forget to look at the habitat and classificaitions. Earth and Space (expanded) Seasons includes animals and plants in each season, which is coming up in 3rd and 4th nine weeks grading periods. Biographies (expanded to include many more names) Social Studies (newestincludes careers and holidays) Making connections to the third nine weeks grading period content and standards Distribute handout Go through each database, pointing out the sections highlighted on the handout that correlate with the 3rd nine weeks grading periods standards. Allow time for teachers to explore each database. Allow time for questions and answers. Games In the Earth and Space database, demonstrate the Dress for the weather game. In the Animal database, demonstrate the Habitat game. Allow time for teachers to explore these and other games independently. Allow time for questions and answers. Educator Resources Using the Biography database, demonstrate how to find the information about content and standards alignment using the toolbar. Using the Biography database, demonstrate how to access lesson plans, using the Biography Scavenger Hunt link on the toolbar. Offer suggestions on how to use this as a part of emergency sub plans or by adapting the reproducible to fit the individuals they want to review. Distribute copies of the Cloud lesson plan as a sample of a lesson plan from a different database. Using the Biography database, demonstrate how to access reproducibles. Distribute master copies of handouts pertinent to 3rd nine weeks standards and content. Suggested uses early finishers, sub plans, review near end of year Allow time for teachers to explore these and other resources independently. Allow time for questions and answers. Wrap-up All teacher resources are on the schools T-Drive for easy access

Copies of worksheets are on the side table Sign up for master copies to include in their sub-folders Distribute and explain collaboration work forms Reminder: I am available for collaboration before, on or after the third nine weeks pre-planning day, November 12. Questions and Answers Assessment The workshop will be assessed formatively by the instructor.