Thomas' Tech News and Tools
Keeping up with the latest technology news at WPS
How Have Teachers and Students Been Using the Learning Commons?
Students who have been "Caught Being Kind" each month can purchase a Maker's Space reward which allows them to eat lunch in the Learning Commons and engage in Makers Space activities of their choice.
Lunch 'n Learn Professional Development
WPS received a Virtual Reality Kit for all teachers and students to use as a way to engage in their curriculum. Staff members who were interested in learning how to run a virtual reality experience in their classroom came to a VR / Google Expedition Lunch 'n Learn. The teachers were just as excited as the students!
Virtual Reality
First grade students came to the Learning Commons to experience virtual reality and wrap up their Penguin unit of study. Students "explored" Antarctica and the penguins who reside their. The expressions on their faces and the excitement in their screams are what teaching is all about. Needless to say, they will certainly be back to experience more Google Expeditions created for Virtual Reality.
Second Grade Technology
These students have been integrating technology into their reading menus and one of those menu items is Flipgrid. Students will read a book on Epic, or research on PebbleGo, and provide a reading response via Flipgrid video. Peers in the class are able to watch these video responses and comment on them if they have any feedback to provide. The second grade team will wrap up their Habitat unit by visiting the different habitats via Google Expedition.
Stay tuned next month to see 2nd graders reporting on their habitat "from" their habitat dioramas using green screen technologies.
1st Grade Technology
In addition to exploring virtual reality for their penguin unit, students have increased their researching skills by exploring topics of interest on PebbleGo and Epic books. They continue to increase their typing speed and accuracy as they type and edit sentences in Google Docs. Also, many classes have decided to use Flipgrid or Seesaw to share what they learned, provide video responses as opposed to written responses, and improve their presentation skills along the way.
Kindergarten Technology
Students in Kindergarten are getting more proficient with the computer mouse which allows us to focus on keyboarding skills. Students started typing all letters of the alphabet on the keyboard and are already showing an increase in speed. Kindergarteners are going to ABC Mouse, Teach Your Monster to Read, and a number of other websites which reinforces the standards they are working on in the classroom.
Home Connection Tech Tool
Bedtime Math App
Download the Bedtime Math app and spend some quality time each night developing your child's math skills. This app (for both iOS and Android) will provide you with a "wacky" new math problem each day. It begins with a funny story and then you choose which age range your child is (geared for ages 3-9) to choose the appropriate type of question about that funny story problem. Watch as your child's problem-solving skills improve from this quality math time.
Teacher Spotlight
Recently, Miss Alswede started using Seesaw which is a digital online portfolio for students to keep track of their learning throughout the year. Students can take pictures of their work and record their voice explaining that piece of work. Students can record themselves explaining a new math or reading concept they learn and can reflect on their learning along the way. Submissions are not allowed to be posted without teacher approval and parents can connect to their child's digital portfolio to keep up-to-date with the wonderful things being done in her classroom.
Because of this technology integration, Miss Alswede's students are always enthused about learning something new. They are risk-takers and problem-solvers and always willing to help their peers if they are not sure how to navigate the computers or specific programs on them. Keep up the great work Miss Alswede!
Mrs. Christina Thomas
Email: cthomas@sd925.org
Website: https://canalitisthomas.weebly.com/
Twitter: @thomastechteach