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 what they want to be when they grow up and they can tell you! We just finished "researching" the career we think we might want to explore as we get older. Students ventured through various resources to come up with the one they were interested in. Next, the place where you would go to work and what you would need to wear were investigated. Finally, students took pictures using Photo Booth of these places and items and created a multimedia document using Comic Life.

First Grade

     First graders have been exploring path-based animation as they used Kid Pix. Students learned about backgrounds and animations. Students were required to incorporate path-based animation as a part of each slide. In addition, they also learned how to put a speaking text box with either their own voice or a computerized voice. Students then learned how to create a slide show with their slides.

Second Grade

     Second graders are learning how to collaborate with their classmates without ever talking to them. Mrs. Basinger's class learned how to blog about the stories they were reading in class. As a surprise, a "Mystery Stinger" blogger conversed with them about their books. Students discussed the importance of internet safety when someone they do not know tries to communicate with them online. 

     Other second grade classes have been creating multimedia presentations about biographical figures. Students learned how to import pictures into their iPhoto and how to use the Media Browser to insert them on to a page. In addition, students used their word processing skills to edit text boxes on each slide.

Third Grade

     Third graders have been creating podcasts using GarageBand. Pairs of students worked together to "interview" a historical figure as they learned about biographies. Students then assumed the role of a reporter and a historical figure as they created their interview podcast. In addition, students used iPhoto and Photo Booth to  capture pictures for their podcast.

     Ever wondered which water fountain in our school has the coldest water? Third graders worked with their teachers to discover this answer. While learning how to read thermometers, students measured the temperature of each water fountain in the school. Students visited the computer lab to create a spreadsheet and graph to organize and present this information. In case your wondering, the water fountain nearest the computer lab is the coldest at 49° Fahrenheit...brrrr.

Fourth Grade

     Fourth graders have been visiting the lab for many different reasons. Mrs. Cox's class is currently working in jigsaw groups to explore our many North Carolina symbols. Each group is responsible for researching 3 symbols and taking notes on them using Inspiration software to create a graphic organizer of their findings. Upon completion of research, each group will create a Keynote slide for each symbol to present their information. All group slides will be added to create a presentation of NC symbols which they can use to learn about all symbols.

     In addition, students have created line graphs using Numbers software to compare population trends of Rowan County over the last 50 years. We have also read the graphs to explain the trends.

     Finally, students are using technology to explore rocks. We have used WallWisher to collaboratively list our thoughts about how people use rocks in their daily lives. We, then, created a document to list those uses. Our next project is to use a North Carolina Geological Map to locate which region(s) rocks are found and then to tell how these rocks are used in everyday life.

Fifth Grade

     Fifth grade students have visited the computer lab to explore various biomes. Student groups were each assigned a biome. Students created a storyboard to take notes and map out a Keynote multimedia presentation.  Groups are currently presenting their presentations in a "walking gallery" fashion where they will visit all 6 biome presentations. Students are then responsible for using Inspiration to take notes on each of their classmates' biome presentations.                                                                                                                                               

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 will soon be using iMovie to create presentations that include movies, photos, voice-overs, music, transitions, and title and ending credit slides. Of course, we can't forget the green screen... they will be using that too! Teachers have already created iMovie trailers which were shard with many of their students. What a FUN way to show our learning!

     The curriculum coach and I are creating a wiki to post curricular websites and ideas of how to integrate all software packages we have focused on this year. Teachers can share these ideas 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:

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