Read our school's newsletter for more information about Technology class activities.
Spring Break is here! Enjoy your vacation but don't forget to practice your technology skills. Kindergarten and Grade 1
Digital Art - Color, Draw & Paint Typing - Cup Stacking, Typing Rocket Jr. Dragging and Dropping - Feed Freddy, Fuzz Bugs Grades 2-4 Coding Practice - code.org Grade 6 RCX Programming - Sensors & Motors NXT Programming - Sensors & Motors, Khan Academy Program a virtual robot - RoboMind Kindergarten: Students are learning to use the skills they learned since the start of the new year to type and illustrate sentences. They are practicing typing their typing skills. They are learning to locate letters, numbers, and special keys on their keyboard. They have learned to:
Grade 1: Students continue to practice word processing skills. They are learning to use conventional typing rules by typing one space after each word and punctuation. They also continue to format their text to appeal to their audience by changing the font style, color, and size when necessary. Students also work on using shift or the caps lock key to type capital letters to begin their sentences or to type proper nouns. These skills were put to use when students had to explain how technology makes live easier. Students can practice word processing skills online at Toy Theater. Grade 2-4: Students continue to explore coding online at code.org. They are learning to use loops for repetitive sequences. They are also learning how to calculate angles to draw shapes with code. Please visit the class pages on this site to see students' shared projects. Grade 6: Students continue to explore the various sensors on their robots. They work in small groups to program sensors to detect light (light sensor), travel a certain distance or turn a specific number of degrees (rotation sensor), and detect objects (ultrasonic sensor). Please visit your child's class page to view how these sensors work and how programs are created. See examples of students work with the NXT and RCX robots.
Kindergarten: Students continue to learn how to navigate educational websites. A favorite website among Kindergarten students is ABCya.com. This is a great website to learn about letters, counting, drawing, and typing. As part of Common Sense Media's "Internet Safety" curriculum, students also learned the rules for using the Internet safely:
Grades 1: Students completed a NYCDOE's mandated lesson on Internet Safety. They learned about Sending emails and drafted a class email to send to their classroom teacher. Students were excited to learn about how emails work and were thrilled to read their teacher's response to the email sent. They used Pixie 2 to draft a 'pretend' email to a family member, a friend, or even a superhero! Grades 2-4: Students completed a NYCDOE's mandated lesson on Internet Safety. They created a poster or a comic (in Pixie or PowerPoint) to teach others what they learned. The following topics were covered:
Grade 6 (Robotics): Students continue to learn how to control their robot using computer programming. They completed their first 'challenge' by programming the robot to maneuver around an object. Students shared their successes and challenges on Edmodo. Students have also begun lessons on Internet Safety. They are learning how to talk safely Online and to recognize Online scams. If you have not joined our Edmodo group, please ask your child to share the parent code with you. Examples of student work Kindergarten: Students continue to learn how to hold and use the mouse properly. They accessed and navigated online educational games such as Starfalls.com and ToyTheater.com. Students have begun using Pixie 2 to create simple images.
Grades 1: Students have completed lessons on caring for the computer and identifying computer parts. They used Pixie 2 to label and explain the uses of specific input and output devices. Students are now using Pixie's art tools to illustrate ideas. Grades 2-4: Students completed lessons on classifying computer parts as input and output devices. They used two software to create a presentation to show what they learned. They are learning to use correct typing conventions (for example, the use of capital letters to begin sentences and proper nouns, using one space between sentences and after a punctuation). They are also learning to format text and add images to Pixie 2 and PowerPoint presentations. Students in Grades 3 and 4 continue to spend a few minutes each class practicing their typing skills at typing.com. A letter was sent home explaining how students can access their typing account at home. Grade 6 (Robotics): Students learned to distinguish between machines and robots. They are currently learning to use Robolab software to program LEGO Robots to perform basic tasks (moving forward, reversing and turning). Students are very excited to watch the robots obey their commands! Students have also created Edmodo accounts (ps153q.edmodo.com). They are learning to follow netiquette rules to collaborate online and develop digital citizenship skills. Remember, students are only able to post comments if parents have joined our Edmodo group or returned the signed permission slip. Our Technology classes are in full swing! Here's a brief overview of what we've accomplished so far... Kindergarten: Students have been learning how to care for their computers . They are learning how to follow the computer rules, hold the mouse properly and navigate online mouse skills activities. Two of the sites visited were Starfalls.com and ToyTheater.com. Grades 1-4: Students have been learning or reviewing how to care for their computers. They are also learning or reviewing the different parts of the computer. You can visit the Tech Knowledge page to learn more about the computer. Students in Grades 3 and 4 have also begun using typing.com, a free typing site that allows students to practice keyboarding. A letter will be sent home soon that explains how students can log in from home to sharpen their keyboarding skills. Grade 6: Students are learning to identify what makes a machine a robot. They have also created Edmodo accounts and are learning how to follow netiquette rules (digital citizenship). Edmodo is an educational site that promotes learning outside the classroom. Students will only be able to post comments if parents sign and return the permission slip. If your child lost the permission slip, you can contact me or send me a signed note indicating you want your child to continue to use Edmodo to collaborate with our class.
I encourage parents to join our Edmodo class group to follow our class progress. Parents will also be able to see how their child is performing in class and can send messages to me through Edmodo. |
AuthorMs. Clarke Archives
October 2016
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