Cherie Anderson

Now Registering: Code.org Training (March 2020)

February 2020Josh Whiting

Notice: Session Dates Have Been Moved to March 18 and March 25, 2020*

Hey, did you know that well paying, exciting jobs in Computer Science go unfilled in Utah? Did you know that Code.org can engage your K-5 students and give them a basis in those computer science standards, using online coding games and unplugged lessons? Did you also know that the content is easy to access, follows the best pedagogy practices, and requires minimal teacher prep time? Did you know it’s free? Click Here to sign up for Code.org teacher PD in March 2020.

[Read more…]

Upcoming Event: FIRST LEGO League Granite District Qualifier, January 25, 2020

January 2020Josh Whiting

Granite’s FIRST LEGO League event is coming soon! On Saturday, January 25, 2020, thirty-five student teams representing twenty-seven schools will gather at Granger High School to show what they have learned and invented, as well as compete in Robot Games. Eleven of these teams will qualify for the Utah North Tournament at Weber State University on February 1, 2020.

Volunteers Needed

This will be a full, fun-filled day for student participants, as well as the amazing coaches and volunteers who make the event possible. We could use more event-day volunteers! If you are interested, please contact Cherie Anderson in the Educational Technology Department to learn how to get involved. Please browse our highlight posts from the 2019 and 2018 district events to learn more about Granite’s event and find out what to expect.

Parent Information and Schedule

Parents can visit the event at any time but should be aware that their students will be engaged in rotations of closed judging sessions and robot game heats, with practice and break times staggered throughout the day. Judging begins at 9 A.M. Robot Games start soon after in the gymnasium and continue until 2 P.M. The event will conclude with a parade and closing ceremony in the gymnasium beginning at 2:45 P.M.

FIRST LEGO League Challenge: City Shaper

This year’s challenge is City Shaper. From the FIRST website description,

Students will observe how cities and buildings grow, thrive, and change. They’ll create new, innovative solutions to help shape an optimal future, using our environment and modern-day tools and technology to make it last. They can use what they learn to help us plan a strong, sustainable, and inclusive FIRST City.

Questions?

Visit the FIRST LEGO League website to find more general information about the program and this year’s challenge. If you have any additional questions about the FIRST LEGO League program in Granite School District, please contact Cherie Anderson in the Educational Technology Department.

Photos from previous Granite events courtesy of Tom Sparks, school technology specialist and freelance photographer.

Now Registering: Code.org Training, November 13 and 20, 2019

November 2019Josh Whiting

Do you want a fantastic activity that is mostly self-directed, teaches reasoning, critical thinking and persistence, as well as fundamental Computer Science concepts for your students in small group rotations?

Come to the code.org training on Nov. 13th and 20th from 4:30-7:30 for a fun, fast-paced, easy training with resources, and even swag. You’ll leave with your students all set up in the code.org site, a teacher’s manual, and some cool swag.

Now Registering: Code.org Training (April 2019)

March 2019Josh Whiting

Granite Presentations at UCET 2019 & UELMA 2019

March 2019Josh Whiting

Earlier this month the Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET) and the Utah Educational Library Media Association (UELMA) held their annual conferences. Many teachers, school technology specialists, and library media educational technology specialists from Granite presented at these conferences, and we collected links to their presentations in the table below. [Read more…] about Granite Presentations at UCET 2019 & UELMA 2019

Highlights from the Granite FIRST LEGO League 2019 Event

February 2019Josh Whiting

Post by Cherie Anderson, Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader. Photography and video by Tom Sparks, School Technology Specialist at Morningside Elementary and Spring Lane Elementary.

On January 26, 2019, Granite School District held a regional qualifying event for FIRST LEGO League teams. Check out the photos and videos in this post for highlights from the event. Congratulations to all the Granite School District FIRST LEGO League teams who participated in the regional and state tournaments!

Group photo of Granite teams advancing to state competition from district qualifying event.

Now Registering: Code.org Training

January 2019Josh Whiting

Upcoming Event + Volunteers Needed: Granite FIRST LEGO League Tournament, January 26, 2019

January 2019Josh Whiting

Post Author: Cherie Anderson, Educational Technology Specialist and Team Leader

Students compete in a robot games round during the 2018 Granite FIRST LEGO League competition. Photo by Tom Sparks.

An amazing event is coming to Granite School District, and we need some volunteers!

The FIRST LEGO League Tournament for Granite School District will be on Saturday, January 26, 2019 at Granger High School. It is an all-day event and we need judges, referees, stagers, runners, and table re-setters. If you would like more information on what the event is and what volunteering would entail, contact Cherie Anderson at canderson@graniteschools.org or 385-646-7112. You can also see photos and videos from last year’s tournament here.

Begin the volunteer registration process by following this link:

https://www.firstinspires.org/ways-to-help/volunteer