Malchow's Tech Bytes 10/24

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Malchow's Tech Bytes~ January 3rd, 2022

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EpicPals~ December

December's EpicPals boards are open and ready to go! Click on the EpicPals tab above to access the links!

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The titles chosen for each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at least one read-to-me book so everyone in your class will be able to participate successfully on some level. Like last year, I will also create a Bitmoji classroom with links to the books and the coordinating Padlet boards. You can read more about this on the EpicPals page of the blog.

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

This month's EpicPals board and bitmoji classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab. Click here to access these downloads.

Malchow's Tech Bytes👩🏻‍💻 ~ Nov 29th

 

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Malchow's Tech Bytes~ Nov 8th 👩🏻‍💻📰📱

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FALLing back into another year of EpicPals! 🍁📚

 

Happy Fall Y'all!! Ready for another Epic year of EpicPals?

For those that have used EpicPals in the past, WELCOME BACK! So sorry for the delayed start this year! Things in my neck of the woods have been crazy busy as I started in a new building this year and have been playing catch up for a few months already in addition to puppy training, football games, being sick the whole month of September and general mom craziness and taxi service. To those that are new and checking out EpicPals for the first time, Welcome! I'm so glad to have you join us and hope that you and your students will find EpicPals to be a fun and engaging way to read and respond to a variety of literature! 

Just as in year's past, you will find each month's EpicPals board and bitmoji classroom link posted on the #EpicPals page of the blog. I'll also post a reminder post on the main page of the blog and send out a tweet using the #EpicPals hashtag.

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The titles chosen for each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at least one read-to-me book so everyone in your class will be able to participate successfully on some level. Like last year, I will also create a Bitmoji classroom with links to the books and coordinating Padlet boards. You can read more about this on the EpicPals page of the blog.

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

This month's EpicPals board and bitmoji classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab. Click here to access these downloads.

Epic Pals-May

 

⬇︎ Scroll down to access this month's Google Doc and Bitmoji classroom ⬇︎

*~ N E W ~*        *~N E W ~*        *~ N E W ~*

IMPORTANT UPDATE RE: BITMOJI CLASSROOM LINK

I'm always working to try and improve EpicPals and to make things as easy as possible for our youngest learners (and you as the teacher). After a recommendation from an EpicPals teacher, I've made a small tweak to the Bitmoji classroom which will simplify things for classrooms utilizing Epic Books on the web. 

When your students access the Bitmoji classroom they can now click on the book cover to access the book directly on Epic. I've also added a Padlet icon that will take students to the coordinating Padlet board. 

Please Note: If your students utilize the Epic app, you will still need to assign the collection located on the bottom of the Google doc as the direct link will not work. 

As always, you'll find the link to the Bitmoji classroom on the bottom of the EpicPals Google Doc and on the #EpicPals page on the blog! Simply share the link with your students in Seesaw, Google Classroom or in an email. The Bitmoji classroom will open on the web full screen and without ads!

This month's EpicPals board and Bitmoji Classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab! Click here to access these downloads

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The other change this year is that there will only be one #EpicPals document created each month with 6 titles each month. The titles chosen each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at one or two read-to-me books so that everyone in your class can participate successfully on some level. I'm also working to incorporate English and Spanish titles when I can.  You'll also find the Epic collection linked at the bottom of the Google Doc. I hope this will make getting the collection out to our students easier.  

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

Malchow's Tech Bytes ~ March 8th ☘️

 Hi all! I'm excited to share that my weekly Tech Bytes is back up and running!  Thank you for being patient as I took some time away due to my dad's illness. My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in late October and mid-January we found out that continued treatment was no longer an option. With that news, my siblings and I rallied together to help take care of my dad for whatever time he had left. Unfortunately, from the time we found out until the time of his passing was less than a week. It's been a rough few months of many ups and downs as we are all learning to live in this new normal of dad not being around and helping mom to navigate unchartered territory. There has been a lot of soul searching and reflecting on the importance of family and work/life balance over the past couple of months and while my intent is not to write a novel or get too preachy, I will simply say, that life is too short... enjoy all of the moments you have with your loved ones.

With that said, I am working to get back in the swing of things and to keep the weekly newsletter and monthly EpicPals projects running. Thank you so much for sticking with my through this difficult time and for helping me to get through this time with your continued support, emails, texts and kindness! It has been soooo much appreciated!!! 

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A Wee Bit 'O Fun with #EpicPals

⬇︎ Scroll down to access this month's Google Doc and Bitmoji classroom ⬇︎

*~ N E W ~*        *~N E W ~*        *~ N E W ~*

In an effort to try and keep things simple(and fun!) for our youngest learners, especially in a time when so many of us are teaching virtually, I've created a Bitmoji classroom that will link your students to the Padlet boards by simply clicking on the book cover. You'll find the link to this new feature on the bottom of the EpicPals Google Doc and on the #EpicPals page on the blog! Simply share the link with your students in Seesaw, Google Classroom or in an email and it will open on the web (full screen and without ads)!

This month's EpicPals board and Bitmoji Classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab! Click here to access these downloads

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The other change this year is that there will only be one #EpicPals document created each month with 6 titles each month. The titles chosen each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at one or two read-to-me books so that everyone in your class can participate successfully on some level. I'm also working to incorporate English and Spanish titles when I can.  You'll also find the Epic collection linked at the bottom of the Google Doc. I hope this will make getting the collection out to our students easier.  

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

Tech Bytes 👩🏻‍💻 ~ Jan 11th

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Malchow's Tech Bytes~ Jan 4th, 2021

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Ring in the New Year with EpicPals! 🎩 🎉

  

*~ N E W ~*        *~N E W ~*        *~N E W~*

In an effort to try and keep things simple for our youngest learners, especially in a time when so many of us are teaching virtually, I've created a Bitjmoji classroom that will link your students to the Padlet boards by simply clicking on the book cover. You'll find the link to this new feature on the bottom of the EpicPals Google Doc! Simply share the link with your students in Seesaw, Google Classroom or in an email and it will open on the web (full screen and without ads)!

This month's EpicPals board and Bitmoji Classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab! Click here to access these downloads

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The other change this year is that there will only be one #EpicPals document created each month with 6 titles each month. The titles chosen each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at one or two read-to-me books so that everyone in your class can participate successfully on some level. I'm also working to incorporate English and Spanish titles when I can.  You'll also find the Epic collection linked at the bottom of the Google Doc. I hope this will make getting the collection out to our students easier.  

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

🎄❄️ Tis the Season for EpicPals December!! 🎄❄️

 

*~ N E W ~*        *~N E W ~*        *~N E W~*

In an effort to try and keep things simple for our youngest learners, especially in a time when so many of us are teaching virtually, I've created a Bitjmoji classroom that will link your students to the Padlet boards by simply clicking on the book cover. You'll find the link to this new feature on the EpicPals blog page! 

This month's EpicPals board and Bitmoji Classroom are now posted on the EpicPals tab! Click here to access these downloads

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The other change this year is that there will only be one #EpicPals document created each month with 6 titles each month. The titles chosen each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at one or two read-to-me books so that everyone in your class can participate successfully on some level. I'm also working to incorporate English and Spanish titles when I can.  You'll also find the Epic collection linked at the bottom of the Google Doc. I hope this will make getting the collection out to our students easier.  

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

Malchow's Tech Bytes 👩🏻‍💻~ Nov 2nd

 

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Malchow's Tech Bytes~ October 12th

 

To access the links and view the deck in a larger format, click the image above.

Happy Fall Y'all! EpicPals is back!

Click here to access the EpicPals blog page with this month's download.

Happy Fall Y'all!! Ready for another Epic year of EpicPals?

For those that have used EpicPals in the past, WELCOME BACK! To those that are new and checking it out for the first time, Welcome! We're glad to have you join us and hope that you and your students will find EpicPals to be a fun and engaging way to read and respond to a variety of literature! 

Just as in year's past, you will find each month's EpicPals board info posted on the #EpicPals page of the blog. I'll also post on a reminder post on the main page of the blog and send out a tweet using the #EpicPals hashtag.

This year's EpicPals will run the same as it has in the past with just a few small tweaks. This year, just like last, all posts will be moderated for student safety. Please see information below about posting. The other change this year is that there will only be one #EpicPals document created each month with 6 titles each month. The titles chosen each month will be appropriate for 1st through 3rd graders depending upon their reading ability and will always include at least one read-to-me books so that everyone in your class can participate successfully on some level. 

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **

Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. Please know that ALL posts are moderated. This means your students will not see their posts until I have approved them. Please also know that posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links will be deleted.

As always, please encourage your students to read and learn from other students' posts. If they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

Malchow's Tech Bytes (Virtual Learning) Edition~ 4/20 👩🏻‍💻

Ahhhhh..... what a difference a week makes! Although it was still a super busy week with lots of techie things to do, I feel like I was able to breathe a little more easily and found a bit of time to get some of the things on my own to do list done! Sweet Success!!!! 

So with that said, this week brings both my normal Tech Bytes newsletter as well as the newsletter info that I am putting together for my colleagues. 
My building newsletter this week has tips to support using Google Meet for video conferences while my normal newsletter brings you integration ideas for remote learning. 

I hope you can find a resource of two to help you out this week! 

Simply click either of the pictures to go to the Google slidedeck where you will find 

both of this week's slides as well as all previous editions of my Tech Bytes newsletters.

Click the image to access

Click the image to access

Remote Learning with April's EpicPals 📚🌍

Click the image to access the Google Doc (need pdfs due to remote learning? See below)

The April's EpicPals collections are ready and waiting for you. 
(Please see important note below re: student posts)

Need this month's boards in PDF format so you can easily share with your students?

 Click here for the primary board 
Click here for the intermediate board

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **
Due to recent issues of several students leaving inappropriate content in their posts and the fact that many of our students are now learning from home,  Bobbi and I are now fully moderating all posts and will delete ALL posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links for students safety. This simply means your students will not see their posts until we have approved them. 

We hope that you and your students will continue to post and enjoy using EpicPals during the coming months of home learning.  

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New to EpicPals? Head over to the #EpicPals page at the top of the blog for additional information to get you started!

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If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Bobbi or myself. You can find both of us on Twitter- @smalchow (primary boards) and @bhopteacher (intermediate boards)

Malchow's Tech Bytes~ March 2nd

Click image to access clickable links

A wee bit of fun with March's Epic Pals!

The March EpicPals collections are ready and waiting for you. 
(Please see important note below re: student posts)

** Important Information re: Student Posts ~ Please read **
Teachers, please chat with your students about posting responsibly. We've had several issues recently of what we think are 3-4 students that are leaving inappropriate content in their posts. Due to these issues, Bobbi and I are now fully moderating ALL posts and will deleting ALL posts with inappropriate language, .gifs, and links.  This means your students will not see their posts until we have approved them. We're sorry that the actions of a few have ruined it for many. 

As always, please encourage your students to read others' posts and if they like their post, have them click on the heart at the bottom of the sticky note or leave a comment if comments are turned on. Being reflective and having an authentic reason to like something is a great first step towards leaving meaningful and authentic feedback. 

------------------------------------------------

New to EpicPals? Head over to the #EpicPals page at the top of the blog for additional information to get you started!

------------------------------------------------

If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to Bobbi or myself. You can find both of us on Twitter- @smalchow (primary boards) and @bhopteacher (intermediate boards)