End of Year, 2019

Summer has come to lure you away from your computer and entice you to dance in the fresh grass, dig your toes into the sandy beaches, soak up the sun and relax!
Enjoy your vacation!Sincerely,For Spofford Pond School community summer resources and current information about the up-coming 2019-2020 school year including information about the school calendar, supply lists, summer reading, summer math and more, please visit:  The Spofford Pond School Summer Site

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Specialists' Night 2019

Great Fun at Spofford Pond Specialists' Night

Spofford Pond School had a nice turn out for Specialists' Night 2019.  Families spent an hour with their children checking out all the great things our Teacher Specialists do with students throughout the year.The D.I.Y. Den was hopping with Boxford community members as they investigated our Green Screen technology, took a virtual tour though a few National Parks with our VR goggles, listened to episodes from The Great Polar Bearier Riff (our school podcast) and left video messages on Flipgrid.It was wonderful evening for all involved!

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Spofford Pond School Podcast

The Great Polar Bearier RiffNew Episodes are Now Available!

Be sure to check out "Cronin Crew Convos" as third graders investigate what it means to be a community leader!Here is one episode you may enjoy: Andrew has a heart to heart conversation with Dr. Castonguay in "I Love My Job!"

Podcasting behind the scenes

For more episodes, follow this link to find our podcast directly at Anchoror you can search for "The Great Polar Bearier Riff" and listen to our podcast on:

Podcasting Essential Questions:

How can we infuse classroom curriculum with technology that is easily accessible

and simple to use?

How can we use this technology to delve deeper into subject matter?

How does this technology strengthen research, writing and collaboration skills?

How does this technology strengthen speaking and listening skills?

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Skype and Sketchnotes

Skype and Sketchnotes at Spofford

Students in all grades have had two fun experiences this week.  One experience absolutely relied on technology and the other did not.  However, in both cases students gained new information and new skills.First,  many classrooms participated in a Skype session with Dr. Jane Goodall.  Dr. Goodall spoke about her life as a scientist, her experiences in the field and her current foundations, the Jane Goodall Institute and the Roots & Shoots program.  Classes had the opportunity to ask questions during the Live Chat and even got to take a selfie with Dr. Goodall as well.Congratulations Everyone!  You are now changemakers!

Students also spent time this week learning how to Sketchnote.  Sketchnotes are rich visual notes created from a mix of handwriting, drawings, hand-drawn typography, shapes, and visual elements like arrows, boxes, and lines (definition from Mike Rohde, The Sketchnote Handbook).

We spent some time learning the how-to's of Sketchnoting by watching YouTube videos by Sylvia Duckworth.  Then we practiced on our own!

Technology Essential Questions:How can technology help us participate in the global community?

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

How can we leverage a tool like YouTube to increase engagement and learn new skills?

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Our Very Own Podcast

Spread the Word!Spofford Pond School Launches a Podcast!

Spofford Pond School's podcast, "The Great Polar Bearier Riff",  has officially gone public with its first episodes.  Over time we plan to add episodes from more classrooms and grade levels covering subjects and topics pertinent to our learning community.Currently we are airing five episodes from the student created, "Colonial Chatterbox".  Created and produced by students in Mrs. Valzania's social studies classes, each episodes delves into the 17th century lives of colonists as they establish their communities in the New World.

Here is their first episode:For more episodes, follow this link to find our podcast directly at Anchoror you can search for and listen to our podcast at:

Pocketcasts, Breaker, RadioPublic and more!

Podcasting Essential Questions:

How can we infuse classroom curriculum with technology that is easily accessible

and simple to use?

How can we use this technology to delve deeper into subject matter?

How does this technology strengthen research, writing and collaboration skills?

How does this technology strengthen speaking and listening skills?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
3-5.CAS.a.3: 3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.CAS.c.5; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.4; 3-5.DTC.c.5; 3-5.CS.a

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November Technology Updates

So far, November has been a busy month of technology integration in all grade levels.  Teachers and students use a wide variety of devices in dynamic ways to foster student engagement in all subjects.Here are a few highlights:The Polar VorTechs video club created videos exploring ways to be mindful when using technology: Students in grade 5 social studies classes, in conjunction with their studies of the thirteen colonies, started the initial process of creating a podcast about their learning (be sure to watch for more to come on this!):

Classes in grades 4 & 6 used Skype and Google Hangouts for a mystery challenge with a class in Calgary, Canada & to hear from Astronaut Terry Virts through a National Geographic Live Speaker session:

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

How can we use this software to create original, innovative works and ideas?

 

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.CS.b.2; 3-5.CS.b.3; 3-5.CS.d.1; 6-8.CAS.a.4; 6-8.CAS.c.4; 6-8.DTC.a

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Global Read Aloud: One Book To Connect the World

Global Read Aloud Sparks Mystery Skyping & Hanging Out
Classrooms around Spofford Pond School have been busy with the Global Read Aloud.  Using apps like Skype and Google Hangouts to place video calls, students are connecting with classrooms across the U.S. and other countries to discuss their read aloud books.

Grade 4 Mystery Skype:  Guess Where Our Classroom Is

Grade 3 Meeting a GRA classroom to discuss "A Boy Called Bat"

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

How can technology help us participate in the global community?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.CS.b.2; 3-5.CS.b.3; 3-5.CS.d.1

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Google for Education

We Are A Google for Education School

For those of you who may be new to the Spofford Pond School community I thought I would take a moment and write a bit about the technology we have available at our school and what it means to be a Google for Education school.
Spofford Pond is fortunate to have the support of many people and organizations that have allowed us to make great advancements in procuring a variety of technical tools for staff and students.  We have equitable access to devices like Chromebooks, tablets, laptops, green screen and virtual reality tools just to name a few.
However, it is important to understand that beyond the hardware we have, the software and apps that we use most frequently are part of the Google for Education G-Suite.
Google for Education provides our staff and students free access to a tremendous amount of technology resources from word processing, to digital drawing, to creating presentations and video.  Our school Google accounts truly allow us to make the most of our devices in a collaborative and creative way.  Chromebooks are a standard tool in the classroom and used daily for enhancing content engagement and innovative projects.
You can read more about Google for Education and the opportunities it provides for teachers and students alike on the Google website.  (link)
Just a List of the Apps We Regularly Use:Google DocsGoogle SlidesGoogle DrawingGoogle SheetsGoogle FormsBloggerGMail (staff)WeVideoGreen ScreeniMovieExplain EverythingBook Creator

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Dear Spofford Pond Community,
I am looking forward to a new year of school with a technology twist!Please check this blog often for updates on how we use technology as a tool for learning.
Sincerely,

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2017-2018 End of Year

Reflection

As we begin summer vacation, I wanted to take a moment and contemplate the year from a technology standpoint.  In fact, in terms of technology, Spofford Pond School had what I would consider a banner year.Thanks to continued support from the Boxford community, School Committee, BEST, PTO and many more, access to technology in a variety of forms, from iPads to Chromebooks and laptops has become much more equitable across grade levels.  With easier access to tools, teachers and students embraced new technologies with fervor.   Technical experiences and creations ran the gamut throughout the year.  Here are just a few highlights:Google Ambassador Visit & Augmented RealityFlipgrid FeverGoogle ClassroomG-SuiteHyperdocsGoogle HangoutsBreakout EDUGenius HourVirtual Reality with Google ExpeditionsiMovie/Green Screen Mash-up ProductionsHour of CodeMystery SkypeWorld Read Aloud & Read Across AmericaSteve Jobs once said, "Technology is nothing.  What's important is that you have faith in people, that they are basically good and smart, and if you give them tools they'll do wonderful things with them."  I think Spofford Pond School just proved it.Hope your summer is safe, happy and filled with lasting memories!

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Grade 4 Hyperdoc Genius Hour

Students "Bee"-come Honey Bee Experts

Students in Ms. Davis's 4th grade class recently read The Hive Detectives:  Chronicle of a Honey Bee Catastrophe by Loree Griffin Burns.  They worked in groups to complete the supplementary hyperdoc, "Truth Bee Told".Hyperdoc:Boxford BeeKeeper, Marty Jessel, visited the classroom and brought in an observation hive (complete with a Queen Bee!), a bee suit, a smoker, lots of books and information to add to their study of honey bees.

Marty Jessel wows the crowd.

Finally, students will work in groups to collect, organize and share all of their information about honey bees.  Small groups will produce a digital project about the importance of the honey bee and its role in the world as a whole.  Some project proposals include Green Screen/iMovie infomercials, Book Creator comic books of information and Newscast simulations.

Technology Essential Questions:

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

How can we leverage technology to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

How can we use this software to create original, innovative works and ideas?

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Grade 4 State Fair

4th Grade presents:

Spofford Pond School State Fair

Students in grade 4 have been studying the U.S. States over the past several weeks.  In a culminating project, they create a presentation including everything they have learned about their State.  Families, teachers and other students are invited to the State Fair to see their discoveries.This year, the State Fair also included this fun Midway Game:Using Flipgrid, each student left a video recording that included two truths and a lie about their State.  Fair participants were encouraged to leave a video reply, trying to guess which statement was the lie.In this scenario, everyone was a winner!
Flipgrids:passcode:  B0xf0rd*State Fair Fun:

Students also created a sing-along to Renald Francoeur's "Tour the States".Check it out:

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Internship Opportunity

Masconomet Senior Internship, 2018

The IT department was fortunate to have two Seniors from Masconomet Regional High School, Nate & Ryan, working with us over the past few weeks.  Professional and reliable, both Nate & Ryan were wonderful additions to the team.  They approached every task with enthusiasm and confidence!  They helped us re-stage equipment, run the green screen studio, guide students within the G-Suite, advise students through their Genius Hour research, set up BreakoutEDUs and so much more!We were so appreciative of their hard work!

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Fun with Specialists

Please enjoy a few pictures from our Specialists' Night, 2018

Families and students that stopped by the DIY Den got to see many of our digital tools in action, including Flipgrid, Padlet and Green Screen.It was a fantastic night!

Ready for visitors!

Leaving a Flipgrid video response

Performing in front of the Green Screen

Performing in front of the green screen

Check out this video produced by BCaTV for highlights from the entire event!

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Specialist Night 2018

Hope to see you there!

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Snow Day!

Spofford Pond StudentsLive Snow Day Weather Reports

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

How does this digital tool share student voices and ignite discussions?

How can we use this digital tool to create original, innovative works and ideas?

How does this digital tool address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CAS.a.3; 3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.DTC.b

6-8.CAS.a.3; 6-8.CAS.a.4; 6-8.CAS.a.5; 6-8.CAS.b.4; 6-8.CAS.b.6; 6-8.CAS.c; 6-8.DTC.b;

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World Read Aloud Day 2018

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day 2018 with Spofford Pond School!
Today is World Read Aloud Day.  In celebration, students in several classes used Flipgrid to read one of their favorite storybooks aloud.
Click on the links below to enter the class Flipgrid.  Then click on the videos in the grid in order to hear the story.
We hope you enjoy our read alouds!
I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff, as read by Mrs. Cronin's 3rd Grade

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, as read by Ms. Davis's 4th Grade

Bully by Patricia Polacco, as read by Mrs. Medugno's 5th Grade

The Three Questions by Jon Muth, as read by 6th Grader Caroline Valzania

World Read Aloud 2018 has given us a case of #FlipgridFever!

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