Pearson enVision Math Video Error 12/05

Pearson Video Error
A few teachers have experienced this (or similar) error message when trying to open videos from the Pearson enVision Math online program. (see image)

If you see this message, you might try doing the following to correct the problem.  Disclaimer: There are no guarantees that these tips will correct the problem.  But they have proven successful in several locations.

NOTE: This seems to occur specifically when using Google Chrome, and the instructions below are specific to Chrome.

Although this is not a "scientific" 100% across-the-board solution to the Pearson Video error issues, we have found more times than not that the videos work better in Internet Explorer.  As a result, you might consider following the instructions at this site to set IE as your default browser and then make other links that require Chrome (Waterford, for example) open specifically in Chrome.
See instructions at this link for information on how to do this:

http://etnpisd.blogspot.com/2014/09/shortcut-that-opens-in-chrome-even.html

If this doesn't work, consider trying these options in Chrome to see if it works.

Clearing Chrome Browsing History

Why would I want to do this?  - In Think Central and Pearson enVision Math, there are (among other media files) Virtual Labs in Science and Lessons in Math that have videos.  When using Chrome, these videos sometimes will appear, but never fully load for the user.  Or you may see the error message shown above.  Following these steps may correct this problem and allow the video to load.

1.       Click the Options icon located at the top right corner of your Chrome browser (looks like 3 horizontal/parallel lines)

2.       Click Settings near the bottom of the menu that appears

3.       Scroll to the bottom, and click Show advanced settings

4.       Under Privacy, click the Clear browsing data button. 5.       From the Obliterate the following items: drop menu, click The beginning of time 6.       Make sure that the four top boxes are checked (these are checked by default), and then click Clear browsing data NOTE: This might take a few seconds/minutes. The window will close automatically when it is done.

7.       Close the Chrome browser by clicking the Red X at the top right. 8.       When you open Chrome again, check to see if the videos will play.

Websites of the Week! - Celebrating the Winter Holidays! 12/05/14

Winter is almost here! 

Check out these fun holiday websites.

Click here:

Celebrate Winter!

Websites of the Week! Celebrating the Rekenrek and the Protractor 11/28

Interactive Rekenrek (Math Rack) 

Rekenrek is a math rack (similar to an abacas) that is used to develop number sense by allowing students to make visual images of numbers.

Here are some interactive versions of the Rekenrek that can be used with interactive whiteboards or for student workstations using computers:

http://www.ictgames.com/brilliant_beadstring_with_colour.html

http://www.mathlearningcenter.org/web-apps/number-rack/

http://www.ronblond.com/MathGlossary/Division01/Rekenrek/REKENREK/index.html
(requires Java)

Interactive Protractors 

4th Grade math will be using protractors during the 3rd Nine Weeks (specifically Bundle 8).

• 4.7A Illustrate the measure of an angle as the part of a circle whose center is at the vertex of the angle that is "cut out" by the rays of the angle. Angle measures are limited to whole numbers. 
• 4.7B Illustrate degrees as the units used to measure an angle, where 1 / 360 of any circle is one degree and an angle that "cuts" n / 360 out of any circle whose center is at the angle's vertex has a measure of n degrees. Angle measures are limited to whole numbers. 
• 4.7C Determine the approximate measures of angles in degrees to the nearest whole number using a protractor. 
• 4.7D Draw an angle with a given measure. 

Interactive Protractors for use with whiteboards or at student computer stations:

http://www.emaths.co.uk/images/tutorials/geometrytoolbox.swf

http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/online/angle.swf

http://www.glencoe.com/sites/common_assets/mathematics/ebook_assets/vmf/VMF.swf

http://www.henryanker.com/Math/Measurement/Estimating_Angles_Set_3.swf

http://www.mathplayground.com/manipulatives/MeasuringAngles.swf

http://www.teacherled.com/resources/anglemeasure/anglemeasureload.html

http://media.abcya.com/games/measuring_angles/flash/measuring_angles.swf

http://www.amblesideprimary.com/ambleweb/mentalmaths/protractor.html

http://www.visnos.com/demos/basic-angles

Math Tutorial - Angles and the Protractor:

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/mesg/html/math6web/index.html?page=lessons&lesson=m6lessonshell16.swf 

Office 2013 For Home Use! 11/28

You have several options for getting Office 2013 to install on your HOME COMPUTER at no cost.


Option 1:  Check this out!!

A teacher and/or administrator from PISD can go to this website, find out if they are eligible and sign in. Once they do that, they can download Office at home.

1.       Go to this site http://office.com/teachers

2.       Click Find out if you’re eligible

3.       Enter email address

4.       Click Sign up

5.       Click Continue

6.       Enter appropriate network credentials

7.       Click Start

Option 2:

• Go to the Networking Department at the Orozco Complex on Beltway 8 and Pasadena Blvd.
• Check out the Microsoft 2013 CD (Suggest that you call beforehand to make sure they have one available for checkout.)
• Take it home and install.
• Return the CD to Networking Department.

Programming Made Easy! 11/28

Try these sites with Elementary and Middle School students.
Learn how to create animations, games, etc. using programming language and logic.


Hour of Code

http://code.org/learn

Tynker

http://www.tynker.com/hour-of-code/

Kodu

http://www.kodugamelab.com/about/

http://csamarktng.vo.msecnd.net/kodu/pdf/kodu_curriculum_math_module.pdf (Math Curriculum Information)

GameStar Mechanic

http://gamestarmechanic.com/

Math Programming (formerly known as Logo)

http://www.mathplayground.com/logo/Logo_New_secure.swf

Computer Science Unplugged

http://www.ncwit.org/resources/computer-science-box-unplug-your-curriculum

Get students up and moving ......and learning about programming at the same time!

Scratch

http://scratch.mit.edu/

Better suited for the bigger kids.

Think Central Isn't Working! Is It Them or Us? 11/28

You wake up one day, and Think Central isn't responding?  Ever wonder if it is Think Central's or PISD's problem?  Or is it a problem with your computer?  

Try these two things to see if you can diagnose this before calling someone:

     Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 
     Online Application Status Page

This site shows the "Service Availability" of HMH's online applications, including Think Central.

Istation Update: ISIP Español Tier Adjustments 11/21

Important Istation Update

ISIP Español Tier Adjustments:

As previously announced, Istation has added additional items to the ISIP Español comprehension subtest for the 2014-15 school year. These items target students in pre-kindergarten through 1st grade. We have been making adjustments this year to tiers and in October noticed an issue with Fonética and Vocabulario that was not present in September. We waited until November to verify this issue, but going forward we will be adding Fonética and Vocabulario to the list of adjusted tiers.

Adjustments will not change the students' scores, just the tier assignments. All Overall, Comprehension, and other scores are valid and are not affected by this action. Delay reporting tier assignments externally until after the middle of each month.

Istation is making the following adjustments:

• Remove instructional tier goals for Overall Reading, Fonética, and Vocabulario for pre-kindergarten through 1st grade for future assessment periods. (Removing the instructional tier goals for future periods will prevent tiers from being assigned at the time of assessment.)
• Publish updated instructional tier goals for Overall Reading, Fonética, and Vocabulario by the third week of each month and update related reports.