Exciting Times

January has been a busy month with much excitement! I am expecting to go out on maternity leave within the next two weeks and as a result have been working to get in one final lesson with many teachers and provide them with professional development they can use to continue their technology integration while I'm gone. I've supported teachers in their use of PicCollage, SMART Boards and Notebook 14, Seesaw, Kahoot, and navigating the new TestNav 8 software that students will use to take their SOL tests beginning in May. Additionally, I've worked to get student iPads on our new management system so that hopefully they can be more easily maintained while I'm out and limit the number of password and update pop ups that students have been experiencing. Oh, and we can't forget the three snow days! Below are some of the lessons I've been fortunate enough to be a part of this month.

Map Skills
Second grade teachers have been working to incorporate social studies and science content into their reading centers. As a result, I've created a couple of webquest type activities that help students explore these concepts further and deepen their understanding. I worked with Mrs. Davidson's second graders on a map webquest where they looked at how a legend, compass rose, and title provide information for a map. Students used Google Earth to locate major geographical features in the United States such as the Appalachian Mountains and Great Lakes. Students compared the location of major mountain ranges and practiced labeling features on maps.

Story Retelling

First grade students have been working on retelling stories by identifying the beginning, middle, and end of books they have read during guided reading. I had the opportunity to work with Mrs. Ahladas' and Mrs. Dingman's classes helping them create digital retellings in Seesaw. This learning experience allowed the teachers to hear each student retell a story and share the work with families. Additionally, saving the work to Seesaw allows teachers, families, and students to revisit the work throughout the year to monitor student progress.

Passion Projects

Mrs. Davidson's second graders have been working on their passion projects for several weeks now. This month they finished up their presentations - which range from posters, to Pixie projects, to booklets - and will have the opportunity to share with others next week. I loved being a part of this project because providing students with this opportunity built on their natural curiosities and created an experience that made learning meaningful for them. 

A student working on her Pixie presentation

Students working on their final products

Digital Citizenship

Four of the five fifth grade classes have completed their three digital citizenship lessons with me where we've focused on Acceptable Use, Private Information, and Netiquette. Students should now be aware of the impact sharing information digital can have on themselves as well as their family and friends. I've emphasized the notion that information shared digitally is easily spread. Students have been encouraged to err on the side of caution when sharing digitally and to consider if they would like the information they're communicating shared publicly. We've also explore the importance of clarity in digital communication. Without the help of body language and voice it can be challenging to interpret the tone of a digital message. While our lessons are "finished" these are concepts that students need continual reminders of at both school and home. 

Graphing

Kindergartners have been learning how to create tally charts and bar graphs to represent a set of data. To practice these skills independently, Mrs. Sinsabaugh and Mrs. Wagner's classes were given a series of winter images and a blank tally chart which they took a photo of in Seesaw. They then drew on top of the chart to create a visual representation of the data. After creating the tally chart, students then followed the same steps and created a bar graph. Using the information they recorded in the bar graph, they included an audio recording sharing information. A student sample can be found here. 

A tally chart in progress

A student constructs a bar graph

Animals and Ecosystems

Mrs. Hanneman's third graders have been learning about animals and the ecosystems in which they live. To apply concepts such as habitat, community, population, and environment and practice their writing skills, students conducted a brief research project where they learned about the ecosystem of an animal and then wrote a paragraph sharing their learning. Students were required to include some of the key terms to deepen their understanding of these concepts. Additionally, they practice paraphrasing while taking notes and developing thoughtful endings to their paragraphs. Here is an example of student work.

Students typing their paragraphs as a caption in Seesaw

Hard at work

Geometry Scavenger Hunt

Mrs. Gillam's fourth graders applied what they've learned about geometry to the world around them by completing a geometric scavenger hunt. Students were given a list of terms studied in class to find examples of in their classroom and the courtyard. They created PicCollages that included photos of the terms with the example highlighted and a label. Here are two examples of completed student work Student Sample 1 and Student Sample 2 This was a great way for students to review the terms and make connections between the content learned in class and real world. Additionally, it was a formative assessment for the classroom teacher to determine what concepts students had a firm grasp on and which needed additional instruction. 

Searching in the courtyard

Drawing on a photo to identify a term

Skip Counting

In younger grades, learning how to count is a basic skill that is essential to future math development. But how does a teacher have time to listen to 20 or more students count by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s? Seesaw provides a great platform for students to practice their counting skills that their teacher can review during planning or even while relaxing at home. First grade students took a photo of a hundreds chart and then used the drawing and record feature to demonstrate their ability to skip count by 2s, 5s, and 10s. Here is a student sample. In addition to providing a formative assessment for students, sharing the work with families on Seesaw allows them to see how they might be able to provide additional support to their children. All work, even that with mistakes, was saved so that student progress can be monitored over time. 

Digital Storytelling

Students in Ms. Hoggan's second grade class have been learning about the elements of fairy tales and crafting their own stories. I was fortunate enough to join them in class and teach them how to use the app Toontastic that they'll work with to tell their original tales. This learning opportunity was especially powerful to some of the reluctant writers in her class. They are excited about crafting a toon that will showcase their writing. Additionally, with the ability to create their own characters in the app, students are excited about putting themselves into their stories. 

Creating original characters

More original characters

Developing Communication Skills

Across the grade levels, developing communication skills was a common theme in the lessons that I supported teachers with over the last two weeks. Students have been working to improve their written and verbal communication not only in reading and writing, but also social studies, math, and science. 

Most classroom teachers are using the app Seesaw as a way for students to create as well as a communication tool between school and home. It's amazing to see how much even our youngest students can do when we give them the opportunity! 

American Symbols

First graders are learning about American symbols including the Statue of Liberty and bald eagle. To share what they've learned and become familiar with the app Seesaw, students drew a picture of their favorite symbol and then recorded themselves sharing their new knowledge.

Did you know using a plastic container can help block out background noise and amply a student's voice when recording?

The Statue of Liberty

Where in the World?
Third graders should now be able to locate the seven continents. As an informal assessment, students took a picture of a world map and then created short videos showing where each continent is located. This was a great review of content while teaching students how to use Seesaw. Afterwards, the classroom teacher could use the recordings to guide future instruction.

Labeling the Continents

Going on a Sound Hunt

Kindergartners are learning about letters and the sounds that they make. To help reinforce this skill, students went on a beginning sound hunt around the classroom. They took pictures of different objects that started with a specific sound and either recorded themselves sharing what they had learned about the letter and its sound, or created a Pic Collage of several pictures of objects beginning with the same sound. 

Books starts with "B"!

Recording a Finding for the "T" Sound

Students Creating Pic Collages of Objects that Start with the Same Sound

Fact Families
Second grade students reviewed their knowledge of fact families by rolling a die twice and then using unifix cubes to create a number "train" with those numbers. Afterwards they used Seesaw to take a photo of their train and then write down the four facts associated with their family. For example, if they rolled a four and seven their facts were 4+7=11, 7+4=11, 11-7=4, and 11-4=7.

A Student Writes Facts on His Photo

I Wonder... 
Have you ever wondering how big the largest piece of hail was? Or maybe where the biggest hurricane was located? As an introduction to a unit on weather, fifth graders brainstormed questions they have about the topic. They then used the app Shadow Puppet to create a short video of their "wonders". Work was then shared with families and classmates via Seesaw. As they dive deeper into their study of weather they'll hopefully be able to answer their questions.

The Weather was Great, so We Worked Outside

Students Used Library Books in the Creation of Their Projects

Writing with Google
Our district "went Google" last year giving students access to the Google Apps for Education suite. This week fourth graders logged into their accounts for the first time and learned the basics of word processing. They learned about features unique to Google apps, like not having to save your work and the revision history, as well as traditional features like how to indent a paragraph and center your title. As the year progresses, students will share their work with others and receive constructive feedback on their Docs.

Behind the Scenes

Writers at Work

A Gingerbread Man on a Pirate Ship...

Second grade students worked on identifying a character and setting through creative story telling this week. They selected a character and setting from a stack of cards and then developed a short story which include a problem. While writing can be cumbersome for some students, this activity allowed them to voice record their stories so that they could focus on the elements of the story. Students developed some unique stories that they'll be able to share with their families and classmates through Seesaw. 

Recording a Creative Story

Good Citizens 

What makes a good citizen? First graders considered this question as they were introduced to Seesaw. After completing a sentence about what they can do to be a good citizen, they photographed their work and then recorded themselves sharing their thought. Students worked on their writing and verbal communication skills while considering how they could contribute to their classroom and school. 

Photographing Work

We're Back!

This school year has started off with a bang! It's been excited to see familiar faces and meet new friends. Many teachers are committed to getting their students familiar with technology tools as they establish classroom routines. Below are just a handful of the ways students at JGES and HCES have started using technology in the learning process during these first two weeks of school. Stay tuned throughout the year to see how students will use these tools to redefine their learning experiences.

Third Grade is Going to be Awesome!
Third graders got to know their classmates better through the use of Seesaw. Students took a selfie and then recorded information about themselves, including things they were excited about for the new school year and worries that they still had. After recording students listening to one another's work to better understand their peers and build a stronger classroom community.

A Student Records

Students Listen to their Classmates' Work

All About Our Class
Second grade students created picture collages of aspects of their classroom that were important to them using the app Pic Collage. The collages were then uploaded to Seesaw to share with their parents the different components of their learning environment.

Pic Collages in the Works

How to be "Paw"some
Second grade students shared how they would be "paw"some tigers this upcoming school year. They worked in pairs to record themselves in Seesaw so that they could share their ideas with their families and classmates.

"Paw"some Tigers Helping One Another

Shapes
Even the youngest tiger cubs have started learning to use the app Seesaw to share what they know. This week a couple of kindergarten classes used the drawing and recording features of the app to illustrate squares and triangles and record the names of and defining characteristics of the shapes.

Tiger Cubs at Work

Recording What She's Learned about Shapes

Beauty is Everywhere
Fourth grade students have been looking to find the good in one another and the world around them. During a walk around the building, students took photos of sights that exemplify beauty when examined closely. With keen eyes students found cicada shells, patterns in tree bark, uniqueness in pipes, and much more. Using the app Seesaw students recorded what they thought was so beautiful about the ordinary object they observed.

Cicada Shells were Found in this Tree

Sharing their Findings

Curiosity
Fifth grade students had a chance to share their curiosities by creating Shadow Puppets of questions they had about objects in our courtyard. They've been working to develop questions that could be used to guide scientific investigations. Students used what they've learned about developing these questions to use as they developed questions about everyday objects. For example, do certain types of soil make trees grow taller? The projects were then shared with families via Seesaw.

Scientists at Work

I Wonder if this Tree... 

Developing Good Digital Citizens 
Fifth grade classes have continued to engage in digital citizenship lessons aimed at teaching proper "Netiquette" and keeping students safe. Parents, it's not too early to start talking to your parents about their digital interactions. Do you know what apps your child is using to communicate? Are you monitoring their interactions? What about your own interactions? Are you sharing private information that could put you at risk? Talk to your child about your digital lives.

Students Discuss a Scenario to Determine if it Demonstrates Good Digital Citizenship

Creative Storytelling

Third grade students developed their creative storytelling skills by planning and creating a cartoon. We used the app Toontastic which gives students a structure for adding backgrounds, characters, and the ability to record voice. Students loved working on the iPads while cartooning. They learned about the parts of a story (setting, problem, resolution, etc.) and improved their storytelling skills through this lesson. 

A Student Places her Characters

A Student Records and Moves His Characters to Tell a Story

Book Trailers

One class of fourth graders has been working to create book trailers aimed at developing excitement for reading. Each student worked to plan a narrated slideshow with the app Shadow Puppet that includes images relevant to the story, without giving away the ending, related to the book they chose. This was a fun and creative way for students to practice their summarizing skills. Stayed tuned as projects will be housed on a website to be enjoyed by the entire JGES community! 

A Student Selects Images for her Book Trailer

Learning at All Levels - Tech Take-Out

While most of my focus in this blog has been at the school level. ITRTs are also responsible for district initiatives and trainings. This week our ITRT team spent a day at the school board office to help district leaders with their technology use. During this "Tech Take-Out" day we worked in one-on-one and small group settings to share what we know about Google Apps, Microsoft Programs, Twitter, Facebook, and more! 

One of the Twitter Sessions Led by Tamara Letter

Love is in the Air

With Valentine's Day approaching kindergartners used the app Seesaw to share what they love. Students used the drawing tool to illustrate something that they love and then added a caption with a sentence, "I love...". Students were able to practice their writing skills through this Valentine's Day inspired activity. 

A Student Draws a Picture of her "Mommy"

Students Work on Their Illustrations

Comparing and Contrasting Seasons

Many first graders have used iPads to take photos illustrating and explain the signs of fall and winter. One class, expanded on those activities by completing a Venn diagram which compares and contrasts fall and winter. After a brief group brainstorming session, students set off to work. I was impressed by their ability to think of many different things affected by season change including clothing, animals, foods, plants, and more!

Students Work on Their Venn Diagrams

An Example of a Completed Venn Diagram

Students as Creators

From kindergarten to fifth grade, students have been using iPads to create and share their learning.

Tying Facts into Fiction

After learning about the layers of the Earth, fifth grade students created a machine that would allow them to travel to the center of the Earth. Using the app Seesaw, students drew their device and audio recorded the special features that allow their machine to get past obstacles like rock, melted metals, and intense pressure. Here is an example of a student's work! This was a great way for students to develop their creativity skills while tying in their understanding of the Earth's layers. 

A student draws his machine

Social Studies & Science
First grade students combined what they've learned about timelines in Social Studies with what they've learned about the life of a penguin in Science by creating a timeline of a penguin's life. Students used the app Timeline to include photos illustrating the various stages of a penguin's life and include information. For example, at the beginning of the timeline students had a picture of a penguin egg and a label for the photo. As they continue to work on the project, students will import their timelines into Seesaw where they will include voice recording that gives information they've learned about the stages of a penguin's life.

A student writes a label for his timeline

Skip Counting
Using the app Seesaw, first grade students practiced skip counting by 2, 5, and 10 on a hundreds chart. Students were able to mark on the chart while counting and they audio recorded their counting as an informal assessment. Afterwards, students incorporated their knowledge of patterns by explaining any patterns they observed in their counting. This was a great way for teachers to hear all of their students skip count which can be difficult during a school day with a full classroom.

A student skip counts in a quite spot

Five Senses

This week another class of kindergartners created illustrations that went along with one of the five senses. After illustrating, students audio recorded an explanation of their drawing as well as what they knew about the sense they associated with it. While I've blogged about this activity before, I was so impressed with this class's verbal skills in their explanation and their excitement for sharing what they've learned - I had to share a photo! 

Animal Inventors
Fourth grade students used their knowledge of adaptations and habitats to create a fictional animal. Using the app Seesaw, students illustrated their animal and then recording information, including physical and behavioral adaptations, habitat, predators, and prey.

A student draws his marine animal

Students at Work!

What an awesome week of technology integration at JGES and HCES! From book reviews to rhyming words to learning about explorers, students were busy learning and using technology in purposeful ways. 

Book Review Blogging

Fourth graders blogging

Last week I taught one class of fourth graders how to use Kidblog (a blogging platform) to write book reviews for their classmates. Students are writing the reviews which include a brief synopsis, character description, and opinions. In addition to being a great resources for finding good books to read, the blog enable students to develop their writing skills for an authentic audience - their classmates! 

The beginning of a student's post

Digital Storytelling
In science, first graders have been busy learning about bats, owls, and apples. After reading several books about bats, each student used the app Educreations (allows students to including drawings as well as voice recording) to draw a scene from one of the books and retell that part. In addition to sharing what they learned about bats, this form of digital storytelling had students practice their listening comprehension and verbal communication skills.

A student works on her bat illustration

Story Problems
In math, first graders have been working to solve addition and subtraction story problems. However, with the use of iPads and the app Educreations, students created their own story problems and then recorded themselves explaining how to solve the problem and write the number sentence that represented the story problem they created. Students wrote problems about cats, sharks, hats, mermaids, and much more! Through the creation of these story problems and explanation of how to solve, students used higher level thinking skills that demonstrate a deep understanding of the process of addition.

Two students creating their story problem

Explorers 

What do you know about Christopher Newport, Christopher Columbus, Juan Ponce deLeon, and Jacques Cartier? I'm sure these two classes of third graders at JGES can teach you something! After researching one of the four explorers, students created a ChatterPix that included the country that sponsored the explorer, what the goals of the explorer were, where he traveled, and other interesting facts. 

Students were excited about using the app and quickly picked up on how to take a photo of their explorer, record themselves sharing the information they learned, and save it to Dropbox for sharing. They demonstrated great teamwork by helping one another through the steps. 

A student shows another how to use ChatterKids

Two students view a ChatterKid

A student carefully considers what he'll say before recording

Taking photos of Christopher Newport

A student records her ChatterKid

After creating their ChatterKids, students saved their work to Dropbox. This allowed students to view their classmates' projects. Finally, they each shared something that they learned watching the videos using Padlet. Padlet is a digital "cork board" that allows users to post comments and view what others have posted. It's a great tool for sharing and communicating. Enjoy the pictures below of students watching one another's projects!

Letters, Beginning Sounds, and Rhyming Words
All kindergarten classes have been introduced to the iPads. These students are pros at handing the iPads properly and are learning how to search for apps. Of course there's more behind these lessons that just technology!

Students using Chalk Draw to practice writing their names

A student shows a classmate how to search for the Sound Sorting app. Students sort pictures based on beginning sounds. 

 A student practices sorting rhyming words as a SMART Board center

 

Owls are Interesting Creatures
Another way that first graders have shared what they've learned in science is by creating a PicCollage. On the collage, students include a picture of an owl puppet they each made in class and three facts about owls. This was a great way to tie science into writing!

A PicCollage Example