Students are visiting the school's computer labs. This year our students will be "smart" users of technology by using the computer as a tool to create, collaborate, examine and present their knowledge. Encourage your child to share how the computer lab is being used to enhance classroom curricular areas. I look forward to an exciting year with your student!

     Kindergarten

     Ask any student in Mrs. Lovingood's room about properties of objects and they can tell you!  She and her class have been roaming the school looking for objects with specific properties. Next, they used the digital cameras to capture their finds. Then, after students imported their own pictures into iPhoto, each student created a Keynote slide to present their findings...showing their pictures and word processing their properties. Finally, each child used iChat to transfer their file to their teacher's computer account so that a class slide show could be created and shared. A collaborative project by all!!!

     Our current project is measuring winter objects (gloves, scarves, snow boots, snow bibs, and toboggans) using standard and nonstandard units. Students worked together to measure objects using cubes, links, and rulers. Data has been collected for each unit of measure for each object. Next, students will be visiting the computer lab where they will learn about spreadsheets. We will input data into cells and create graphs. Finally, we will draw conclusions about our graph as to why the bars change lengths depending on the numbers.

First Grade

     First graders have just completed creating graphic organizers based on various versions of The Gingerbread Man. Using Kidspiration, students input information about the different stories into the correct place in the Venn Diagram. Our next endeavor is to learn about word processors and use our skills to create documents using Pages.

     Students in first grade used Wimba to ask questions about holiday traditions in the Netherlands. Mrs. Overcash's daughter, Kayla, was an exchange student there and filled us in on all the traditions celebrated there this time of the year.

Second Grade

     Second graders (in conjunction with Christmas Around the World) used iPhoto to create holiday cards. In addition, we used Wimba to talk with Kayla Overcash about holiday traditions in the Netherlands. Comparisons were made between holiday traditions there and those we observe in the United States.

Third Grade

     Third graders have been making observations of the moon. We have used Inspiration, Google Earth, and Kidpix to make observations of the moon and show our understanding of the phases of the moon. Next, we will be looking at patterns of stars as they seem to move across the sky. We are going to use interactive Sky Maps and look at time lapse videos of the stars to make generalizations that stars seem to move across the sky. We will also complete a mini research project where students look for information on constellations, use Kid Pix to re-create a constellation, and finally show their knowledge by creating a Constellation Trading Card incorporating both text and pictures.

Fourth Grade

     Many fourth graders have begun studying calories and carbohydrates. We have used spreadsheets to look at the amount of calories we burn depending on the type of exercise we do. In addition, we have completed webquests about carbohydrates and are showing our new knowledge of carbs by creating a Comic Life document to show our information.

Fifth Grade

Fifth grade students have visited the computer lab to work on a variety of different things.  Students have completed Frayer Models on landforms, analyzed poetry with Comic Life, used word processors to publish their own writing, and used Kidspiration to learn about fractions.  Busy bees they are!!!                                                                                                                                                                                  

Copyright Free Sites that can be used for projects:

Awesome Clipart for Educators:  http://www.awesomeclipartforeducators.com/

Pics4Learning.com

http://www.pics4learning.com/

Classroom Clipart

http://classroomclipart.com/

FreeStockPhotos.com

http://www.freestockphotos.com/

FreePhoto.com

http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

timtim

http://www.timtim.com/

Dorling Kindersley

http://www.dorlingkindersley-uk.co.uk/static/cs/uk/11/clipart/

Sites to help you with your keyboarding skills:

http://www.freetypinggame.net

http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html

Staff Development

     Teachers are beginning to use Kid Pix Deluxe 3D to create slides which use path-based animation. In addition, teachers will use EDU 2.0 to post their curricular ideas to an ongoing wiki so that we can easily share ideas on the use of Kid Pix. 

     On the agenda...Keynote and iMovie. We will have a wiki that teachers can post ideas for using these pieces of software in the classroom.

     Finally, the curriculum coach and I will be creating a wiki to post curricular websites that teachers can share with students and with each other. We hope that this will become a valuable resource for all!

As you visit our school, please encourage your child to show you our computer labs.

Disclaimer:

The school district retains control over what links will be placed on district-related websites: however, linked sites themselves are not under the control of the school district, its agents or its employees. The school district is not responsible for the contents of any linked site, any link contained in a linked site or any changes or updates to such sites. The school district provides links as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement of the site by the school district. The school district reserves the right to remove or restrict any links.