In this episode, we talk about some great digital activities to start off a new school year. We recognize that we are all starting the school year differently – face to face, remote, or even a hybrid model that involves both!

These activities will help you to get to know your students, build community and get your students comfortable with however they will be learning for the year.

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News and Updates

• Wakelet Spaces
• Jamboard - shapes and text boxes have arrived! Also integration with Meet is being rolled out!

Featured Content

• Are you starting fully remote, hybrid, fully in class? We'd love to hear how your district is approaching this new school year
• Planning for hybrid learning - allow for student choice of path and place, embrace the blended learning approach!

Start with Relationships & Community Building

• Getting to know the tools with scavenger hunts, escape rooms
• Slides - students create a slide show about themselves
• Adding a personalized profile picture to Google account - have this as a conversation starter with community building discussions
• Identity Chart activity from Facing History - try out this template
• Getting to know you survey with Google Forms - George Couros questions
• Two truths and a lie in a synchronous Meet - Jamboard template here
• This or That - Would you rather type questions in Jamboard
• Virtual meet the teacher event - invite student/parents/guardians etc.; consider flipping it too
• Newsletter via Google Slides (download as a PDF) or Wakelet
• Face-to-Face learning for collaborative activities, flip your direct instruction to video/EdPuzzle
• Explain your why to students & parents
• John Meehan - Edrenaline Rush website & Gamifying your class syllabus - Class is Lava and setup with various Google Meet rooms
• Ditch That Textbook - 10 Jamboard Templates for Distance Learning
• Erica Taylor - see pages 3 - 17 for both chemistry games
• Scavenger Hunt - Think big and take it school wide!
• Informal spaces for discussion - Google Chat Rooms
• Check Ins -

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