Level Up is a virtual enrichment opportunity that allows students and families to make the most of their PCS Connects digital learning devices and to help them remain connected to learning. There are a variety of enhancement options for all grade levels including STEM, virtual history museum tours and ACT and SAT preparation courses.

Click here to Level Up: This Week, May 3-7, 2021

 Scroll down to view upcoming Level Up activities.

English Language Arts

Taking Middle School Reading Demands from What? To Wow!

Middle school students and parents will practice a 5-step process for reading and understanding grade level text. Participants will engage in Socratic Seminar and receive tips on how to transfer the 5-step reading process to any text including those in standardized reading assessments. The session will be facilitated by the 2013 Pinellas County Teacher of the Year Joanne Wright, Reading teacher at Palm Harbor Middle School. March 4, 6-8 p.m. via Teams. · Where: Virtually on Microsoft Teams: Join here. View additional resources:

• Five Step Reading Process presentation
• Five Step Reading Process
• Teenagers should be sleeping before class, not during it

A Few Writing Tools

This series of short writing videos is designed for 4th and 5th grade students as they hone their informational and opinion writing skills. In the video series, we offer simple and practical tips and share advice from writing experts such as Lucy Calkins and Dr. Roy Peter Clark. Students can watch the videos for writing tips, ideas, and reminders such as writing with a “teacher voice” and “going big and going bold.”  Each video segment will feature a writing tool and ask students to apply that tool by using the text sets provided along with the videos. Students will add to their toolbox of writing strategies as they work their way through the series. Watch videos and view other writing resources.

Writing introductions and conclusions

This interactive session will give an overview of the writing process, with a focus on how to construct an introduction and a conclusion in both an informative and argumentative essay. Students will have opportunities to engage in writing parts of a good introduction and conclusion and be given information on a Canvas Module they can use for extra practice beyond the learning session. Parents are welcome to join their students for this hands-on learning session. March 8, 5:30-6:30 pm. via Teams a for 6^th graders. Join here. View addtional resources here. It will take you to your Canvas dashboard. Scroll down and click the Love to Learn module.  March 9, 5:30-6:30 p.m. via Teams 7th and 8th graders. Join here.

Math/Science/STEM

 Middle School Science Session

Middle school students are invited to a live Teams event where some commonly misunderstood science concepts will be demonstrated. Students will also be challenged to think outside the box when it comes to science. If you're in middle school or a parent of a middle schooler, this event is for you! This free session will be held 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, May 4. Join the session here. https://tinyurl.com/MS-Science-Level-Up

Virtual Science Field Trips for K-5 students

Students and families are invited to a one-hour virtual field trip to learn about different animals. In our first three-part series, students will engage in Estuary EDventures with Tampa Bay Watch.  Students will explore the Tampa Bay estuary and learn about the variety of fish species found in the Tampa Bay. During the grand finale of the series, students will meet Palm, the resident diamondback terrapin while learning about turtle adaptations. Tampa Bay Watch tours are limited to the first 1,500 families registered, so be sure to reserve your spot.

• April 13 – Estuary Dynamics:  Delve into the habitats and explore the biodiversity within the Tampa Bay estuary. Register here.
• April 27 – Fish Adaptations: Learn the basic anatomy of different fish species found in the Tampa Bay estuary and discuss the strategies that make fish successful in their environment. Register here.
• May 11 – Talkin’ About Turtles: Meet Palm, our resident ornate diamondback terrapin, in this presentation about terrapins and basic turtle biology. Observe Palm up close and learn more about his unique adaptations! Register here.

All sessions begin at 6 p.m.

10 Things to Know Before the Biology EOC

Both live sessions of 10 Things to Know Before the Bio EOC Level Up event went well with 390 students participating from 17 high schools to get tips, tricks and a review of critical content for the highest possible score on the Biology EOC exam. Your student can access the materials used in the sessions by clicking here. Students should select the appropriate link based on their high school and should log in to the Nearpod using their Microsoft O365 account (r2.d2 and password).

Math Support for Seniors

This districtwide and centralized math course on Canvas is designed to help support high school seniors who have yet to pass the FSA Algebra 1 EOC for their graduation requirement. Two of the district’s best math teachers will work with the seniors who will be tutored and offered practice with PERT and ACT content. This work will help students receive a concordant score for their FSA Algebra 1 EOC.  January-Ongoing and students can enroll here.

Math Tutoring for 3-5 grade students

Mathematics tutoring is being provided to third through fifth grade students at schools across the district.  More than 320 teachers received training on the strategic use of Dreambox Learning's Assignments feature and the district-created Spiral Review PPTs.  Tutoring began in January and will continue through the FSA.

Virtual STEM Parent Night

A two-hour (6-8 p.m.) virtual STEM event held to teach parents/caregivers what affordable, educational and fun STEM learning can look like at home. The event is for parents/caregivers of students in grades two thru eight. Breakout sessions will help parents determine what STEM activities they would like to participate in based upon the grade levels of their children. The STEM activities will demonstrate how parents can help their children utilize technology resources (PCSB laptops, iPads, tablets) to further enhance their STEM content knowledge. A link will be provided at the end of each session with overviews of the STEM activities presented, resource links to support the use of technology at home and much more! Monday, March 29, 6-8 p.m.  Join here.

Ready Classroom Mathematics Virtual Parent Night

Ready Classroom Mathematics is a robust mathematics program that will help your child become a strong, independent mathematical thinker. The program uses a different approach to math instruction than many of us experienced as students.

• Learn how Ready Classroom Mathematics works to help your child build essential mathematical skills
• Get ideas and resources to use at home to support your child’s learning of mathematics
• Get answers to frequently asked questions about Ready Classroom Mathematics

Dates: Wed, March 31, or Thurs, April 1, 202, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Join here.

Social Studies

 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, 7 p.m., Thursday, April 8. Watch a recording of the event.
  
• Tampa Bay History Center, 7 p.m.,  Thursday,  April 15, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• St. Petersburg Museum of History, 7 p.m., Wednesday,  April 21, Watch a recording of the event.
  
• The Florida Holocaust Museum, 7 p.m.., Wednesday, April 28, Watch a recording the event.
  

Who's Behind the Information? Analyzing Online Sources

In this one-hour session students and parents are invited to participate in an activity to learn why and how to become critical readers on online information. Who published it and why are two very important pieces to becoming an active and responsible citizen. April 13, 6-7 p.m.Watch the session here.

Early Childhood

Tiny Topic Tuesdays

April 6, 2021

Yackety-Yak!  Please Talk Back!   5:30-6:15 p.m.

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! Wath the recording here.

April 13, 2021

Logos, Signs, and Symbols:  Reading the World Around Us   5:30-6:15 p.m.

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.

April 20, 2021

The Magic of Story Time:  Bonding Over Books   5:30-6:15 p.m.

Story time is a special time for children and families.  Cozy up with a good book and some new strategies to help your child fall in love with books. TEAMS Meeting Link:  https://bit.ly/3rEcFcG

April 27, 2021

Rhythm and Rhyme – It’s Listening Time!   5:30-6:15 p.m.

Language and word play is fun, but it’s also important to support early literacy development.  Join us for some rhythm and rhyme and a good ol’ time! TEAMS Meeting Link:  https://bit.ly/3dlPqiu

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

Engaging Early Learners with Language Development at Home

This workshop is for parents on how to utilize strategies at home to increase vocabulary and language development for early learners and early learners with developmental language delays. Examples will be provided to parents with strategies on how to engage in language development in the home on a day-to-day basis. ESE Early Childhood, PreK-K;  5-6 p.m., April 29  Join here.

Career Technical Education

 Industry Exams Practice

Students can practice their skills and take practice exams for Industry Certification exams for their CTE classes. Grades 6-12, April- End of school.

After School Enrichment Labs

Culinary, Early Childhood Education, Nursing and EKG content practice. After school enrichment lab skills days in small group that target online students and provided hands-on and certification skills. March 8, 2021, Middle and High School students.

Industry Exams Preparation

Students will have opportunities to "catch up" preparing for and potentially pass industry certifications and/or complete necessary coursework. This can help students get to their ultimate educational goal such as a state license. April 2021, Grades 9-12.

Testing

Positive Behavior

Low Prevalence team will provide training to families on how to work with their children to promote positive behaviors within the home aligned to their behavior plan. Positive behavior intervention plans focus on teaching the desired behaviors while at school through explicit instruction, practice, and positive reinforcement. A strong partnership between the home and the school can provide families with ideas on addressing on behavior in a similar way at home too. Prek-12, April 14, 2021 6:30 p.m. Join here. Learn more at www.pcsb.org/ReadyTest

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. The virtual session will be held 3-4 p.m., April 8, 2021. Join here

Learn from ACT teacher-expert in these twice-weekly sessions!

Want to improve your ACT score? Then join Deborah Guinn, a veteran district educator with proven results, twice a week for free ACT coaching sessions. Guinn has helped hundreds of students this year and is ready to help more. You will learn test taking strategies and gain exposure to the right kind of practice.

This free virtual opportunity is available to all district high school juniors and seniors who are planning to take the ACT.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2:00-4:00 PM on Canvas. Students can self-enroll here.

Ready Test Go: Mindful Test Taking Strategies

This session will focus on supporting students in grades 6-12 who are preparing for the FSA, ELA and Math. Sessions will include topics such as FSA preparation, managing test anxiety and test taking strategies and will be led by secondary instructional staff developers 5:30-6:30 p.m., March 31, 2021. Join here.

Performing/Visual Art

Overcoming Stage Anxiety

Stage Anxiety: The elephant in the room that no one wants to talk about but everyone experiences. We will explore the numerous physical and mental reactions that musicians experience when performing and will build a toolbox of ways to manage and handle the stress. Grades 6-8; May 10, 2021, 7-8 p.m. Join Zoom Meeting. Meeting ID: 883 3119 4369 and Passcode: stage

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, March 30, 2021, 7-8 p.m. Join here. Meeting ID: 912 6616 3497 | Passcode: 673834. View a flyer about the session.