September's Innovation Newsletter
What's happening in Mrs. Kimball's class
Check out what we are learning!
It has been great spending this first month of school getting to know your students! We have had a great start to the school year and I am excited to share some of the lessons that your students have been working on.
Pre-K: We started the year off by going over the different parts of a computer such as the mouse and keyboard. We also learned that we can do some amazing things with the computer like traveling all over the world. We also learned how to be safe when on a computer and practiced on the keyboard by typing out our names.
Kindergarten: In class we started by talking about safety on the computer when we visit different websites. We also learned how to tell if a website is safe. We also have been working on letter recognition by learning how to search for things online. We also have been practicing letter recognition through typing games on the computer.
First grade: Our first graders have been learning about what technology is and how we use it in several ways in our daily life. We have also learned about digital safety. Then they learned what their digital footprint is and ways they can develop a digital footprint safely.
Second grade: The second graders have been learning about traveling safely on the internet by using trusted websites and how to spot a trusted website. We have also been learning about how to treat others while enjoying time online. Lastly, we have been learning about strong passwords, why we need them, and how to create them.
Third grade: I worked on getting to know the third grade students as they worked on a review of the different parts of a computer. We have also been learning about the starting steps of programming. We learned that you have an algorithm within a program that helps complete a task.
Fourth grade: In fourth grade we learned about the processes of sequencing by using puzzles through code.org. We then practice putting sequencing together by coding our classmates through a dance.
Fifth grade: We started the year by getting to know your students by seeing how much they remember in a review where they had to build their own laptop in an activity. Then we learned about functions and why they are important when coding. Then we practiced giving functions through Minecraft puzzles.
Graph Paper Programming
Dancing in Sequence
Typing Practice
All About Our STEAM Project!
What's Next?
What's Next?
Pre-K we will be moving on to learning what the internet and a website is. Then using letter recognition to search for different items on a website. We will also use an online children's dictionary to help explore the many different words that are created using letters.
Kindergarten we will be moving on to talking about what privacy is and why it is important to keep information private online.
First Grade: They will be introduced to the concept of using movement to program others through an activity.
Second Grade: They will be introduced to the beginning steps of programming through an unplugged robotic activity.
Third Grade: They will be introduced to online coding puzzles in class through code.org and other coding sites. They will start with programming puzzles.
Fourth Grade: We will learn about loops and how they can be more beneficial than manual repeats. Students will be able to explore this through coding activities online.
Fifth Grade: We will be working with Sprite Lab to learn about the creation of new characters or objects that can manipulated through programming.
Resources!
For the younger students in Pre-K and Kindergarten during letter recognition we used the children's dictionary on enchantedlearning.com. This is a website that has tons of great tools for building those skills.
For the older students that are being introduced to the world of coding or already familiar with coding, https://scratch.mit.edu/ and https://www.scratchjr.org/ are great resources to help build on to those skills that I will try to incorporate more into class.
For all grades, I would look into typing practice at home with a real keyboard, not touch screen, if possible. There are several sites that are great tools for helping build those fine motor skills and help lead to proficiency. Some of the sites that I recommend are https://www.typing.com/ and https://www.typingclub.com/
If you would like to help your students with research on their STEAM project at home they have been using Google Scholar and National Geographic to better their understanding of the natural disasters.
Class Wish List
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1X85SFGU559HU?ref_=wl_share