English Language Arts

All you need to know about concordant scores on the road to graduation

This Math and ELA Level Up to Graduation virtual workshop will introduce students and parents to an ELP course in Canvas where students can get support toward earning a concordant score on the ACT or SAT. Students’ concordance scores will be reviewed, there will be a tour of the Canvas course and an explanation on how students can engage in the options to improve their chances for earning a concordant score. Target Group: Grades 9-12. Click here to watch the session.

Overview of services for parents with students new-to-gifted students

Parents of students who have recently been identified as gifted will be invited to attend a session that will overview the types of services, supports, curriculum, and resources available in Pinellas County. Parents will get an invite with their gifted eligibility paperwork. Target Group: Students in grades K-8. Quarter 1, Sept. 17, 2021; Quarter 2, Nov. 12, 2021; Quarter 3, Feb. 25, 2022; Quarter 4, May 13, 2022. All sessions are noon- 1 p.m. and will also be recorded.

At home decoding and phonetic skills practice

This session will give parents the opportunity to learn the Elevate marking system so that they will be able to support their children with decoding words at home. Target Group: Parents of students in grades 6-8. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. Virtual link to come.

At home Nearpod for step-by-step informational essay

This session will walk students through a hands-on practice of each step of the informational writing process. Parents can also participate with students to gain knowledge of how to practice the process. Target Group: Students and Parents, grades 6-8. End of October. Virtual link to come.

Discover resources for research assignments and projects 

When students are assigned research-related projects, where do they begin? This session will be a brief overview of the FINDS Research Model, the state research process for grades K-12, as well as some of the available resources in Clever to assist with finding credible sources of information. Target Group: Students in grades 6-12. Late September. Specific date, time and virtual link to come.

Read-at-home video series

These monthly videos will offer parents fun and engaging tips to support literacy in the home with a focus on oral language, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.Target Group: Parents of students in gradesK-2. Monthly October-May. Specific dates, times and links to come.

"Hey Did you Know" self-paced enrichment Nearpods on a variety of topics are available on an open Canvas course

Students have a button in Clever titled "Hey Did You Know." Here, students can access self-paced mini-courses in a variety of topcis and content areas. They can also suggest new topics. The mini-courses can be accessed in class as "early finishers" or from home any time. This feature is designed for gifted and talented learners but are accessible by all district students. Four new topics will be added each month starting at the end of September. Target Group: K-5 Gifted.

Math/Science/STEM

All you need to know about concordant scores on the road to graduation

This Math and ELA Level Up to Graduation virtual workshop will introduce students and parents to an ELP course in Canvas where students can get support toward earning a concordant score on the ACT or SAT. Students’ concordance scores will be reviewed, there will be a tour of the Canvas course and an explanation on how students can engage in the options to improve their chances for earning a concordant score.Target Group: Grades 9-12. 6-7 p.m. Watch the session here.

Middle School Mathematics: What Does the IXL Diagnostic Score Mean and What are the Next Steps?

The results of the initial IXL Diagnostic will be explained and parents/guardians will gain assistance in understanding their child's Diagnostic Action Plan.  In addition, parents will learn how IXL can help their student fill in any math learning gaps. The session will also support current learning. Target Group: Parents of students in grades 6-8. 6-7 p.m. Watch the session here.

Critical Content for Quarter 1 Algebra 1 & Geometry

Algebra 1 & Geometry Quarterly Climb - Part 1: This session will guide students through an asynchronous review and practice of critical content from Quarter 1 of Algebra 1 & Geometry to prep them for Cycle 1 Assessments. Target Group: High School Algebra 1 and Geometry students September 27 - October 14, 2021. Geometry link: Cycle 1 Extra Practice Review.   Algebra 1 link: Cycle 1 Algebra 1 Extra Practice Review.  If a student is having trouble joining the Nearpod reviews, they can go to join.nearpod.com and the code for Geometry is F8E7M and the code for Algebra 1 is UQ8ZB. Nearpod links to come.

Critical content for Quarter 1 of Biology

Biology Quarterly Climb- Part 1: This self-paced Nearpod session will guide students through a review and practice of critical content from Quarter 1 of Biology. Target Group: High School Biology and Pre-AP Biology students. Available Monday, Oct. 4-20, 2021. Click here for Biology and click here for Pre-AP Biology.

Parents' Night In: At home resources to support the learning of mathematics

Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program that will help your child become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. Parents will receive ideas and resources to use at home to support their child's learning of mathematics. In addition, parents will explore how Learning Games provide mathematics fluency and skills practice in a way that develops internal motivation while encouraging productive struggle. You also will be able to get answers to frequently asked questions.  Target Group: Parents of students in grades K-5. 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. or 6:30 -7:30 p.m, Tuesday Oct. 12 or Thursday Oct. 14, 2021. Click here to join a session.

Elementary Science Virtual Field Trips

Tampa Bay Watch - virtual presentations engage students in exciting topics and activities related to the Tampa Bay Estuary. Join in on a walkabout through estuarine habitats and meet some of the charismatic animals of the bay, or have an upclose interaction with our resident diamondback terrapin and learn about his unique adaptations. Target Group: Families. TBD.

Testing

Being ready for the AP Spanish, French, or German Language and Culture Exams

Being ready for the AP Spanish, French, or German Language and Culture Exam is very important. Attend this virtual session and learn what you can do to be ready and at your best for exam day. Tips about each section of the exam, as well as some general success tips, will be offered. Any student taking an exam this year or planning to take one in the future and/or parents should attend. Watch the virtual session here.

Early Childhood

Tiny Topics for Early Childhood

Yackety-Yak!  Please Talk Back!  

Oral language lays the foundation for the reading and writing skills children will develop as they progress through school.  Join us for some oral language fun! Watch the recording here.

Logos, Signs, and Symbols:  Reading the World Around Us  

Opportunities for reading are all around us.  Learn how to use logos, signs, and symbols to teach early reading skills. TEAMS Meeting Link:  Watch the recording here.

Learn more information about Early Childhood Education at www.pcsb.org/early

Social Studies

Online Civic Reasoning: Researching online responsibly

We ask students to conduct academic research online, but are we mindful of the pitfalls and common problems? This series of three self-paced Nearpod presentations will engage students with research-based lessons to evaluate online information that affects them, their communities, and the world. Students who complete all three presentations will earn a certificate. Target Group: 6-12 grades. Open now and closes October 31. Click here for the flyer and links to get started.

Night at the Museum: U.S. History EOC Review!

This collaborative with community partners Tampa Bay History Center, The Florida Holocaust Museum, The James Museum, and St. Petersburg Museum of History will provide virtual tours and presentations from a museum historian/ content expert for high school U.S. History students in preparation for the End-of-Course exam. 

• The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• Tampa Bay History Center, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• St. Petersburg Museum of History, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• The Florida Holocaust Museum, Watch a recording the event.
  

Performing/Visual Art

The James Museum Virtual Art Field Trip

Indigenous stories and artmaking. Interactive presentation with content that is unique to the James Museum. Grades 4-8; 6-7 p.m, Tuesday, Oct. 27. Virtual link to come.

Musical Instrument Museum Artist Performance

Join Grupo BombAZo and special guests Ivelisse Diaz and Marién Torres López as they explore Puerto Rican bomba. Students will drum, dance, and sing as they learn about the history and legacy of one of Puerto Rico’s oldest genres. Target Group: Familes of students in grades 6-8. November- December. Specific date, time and virtual link to come.

Discover Free Online Art Activities

Parents and students will learn about producing art online at home. They will learn about exciting free online art learning and making applications that can be accessed with PCS Connects devices at home. Grades 4-8. Watch the Discover Free Online Art Activities session.

Physical Fitness

Bucs Fitness Drills. In partnership with the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, monthly physical fitness drills to get families moving will be provided via video. Each "Fitness Drill" video will include nutrition and various health tips. Target Group: K-12. Monthly. Link to come.

Industry Certifications/CTAE

Measuring 101: At home Nearpod

This Nearpod will give parents and students the opportunity to learn how to measure ingredients properly using the correct measuring tool. After learning how to measure properly, we hope students will help the family to prepare in cooking a meal. Target Group: Students and Parents in grades 6-12. October. Join the session here.

Culinary Chemistry: At home Nearpod

This Nearpod will give parents and students the opporunity to recognize how they have experienced chemical reactions in real life by exploring the chemistry of cooking, including the Maillard reaction. Students will realize chefs are chemists in disguise! Target Group: Students and Parents, grades 8-12. November. Join the session here.

Learn and enhance coding skills at your own pace using Code.org Express Course

Learn computer science by trying the lessons below at your own pace! Learn to create computer programs, develop problem-solving skills, and work through fun challenges! Make games and creative projects to share with friends, family, and teachers. Note: Express courses are available in English, Hindi, Italian, and Spanish. [code.org] Target Group: Students in grades 6-12. First Semester.