We'll Take That Ride!

Grade 4 Takes the Ultimate Road Trip!

Students in Mrs. Viviani's 4th grade class were recently met with a challenge.  As individuals with great knowledge of the states that make up the American West, they were asked to create the ultimate road trip.  Using Tour Builder, students created tours of three western states, highlighting the state capital, two National Parks, two famous landforms and a hidden gem from each state.Completed tours were shared with others and viewed in Google Earth.  The, using street view to enter a virtual map our tours really came to life!

Oh!  And did I mention?  We used this hook video to get our students excited and ready for the journey!

Music by The Talking Heads, "Road to Nowhere"image:  quikcars.com

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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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Grade 6 Ready to Publish!

We Are Bloggers

Sixth Graders are officially published authors!

Students in Mrs. Sierpina's, Mrs. Magee's and Ms. Osowski's grade 6 classes are getting ready to blog!  First, we spent time discussing blogging and writing for an audience outside of school.  Then each student setup a blog using Blogger.  Students learned to set permissions, comments, layout, theme, format, and sharing and then published their blogs on the internet.Next steps will include posting their writing, adding images and links and responding to comments.According to George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset, there are at leastfive great reasons students should blog (article).Blogging:allows for "open reflection".helps to "develop literacy through different mediums".
"gives students a space for their voice to be heard".
creates "an open archive of learning".
"develops a positive digital footprint".Stay tuned for more about this exciting opportunity and be sure to watch out for our students' blogs as they flourish over the next few weeks.

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we use this digital tool to create original, innovative works and demonstrate a student's unique voice?

How can we use this digital tool to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

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

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

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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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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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Technology Use In Full Swing

Spofford Students Are Keeping Busy with Technology

Students in all grades at Spofford Pond School have been keeping our technology in heavy rotation as we glide through our first months of school.  One highlight of the week happened when5th grade science explorers in Mrs. O'Brien's classes tested their knowledge of matter using Kahoot!.
Kahoot! is a method of online quizzing that gamifies content in a fun and encouraging manner.  Check out these photos:

Other students got to try their hand at coding during extended studies:

We also kicked off the Global Read Aloud by delivering books (A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold and Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed) and helping classes make global connections through technology and use online resources associated with this world-wide event.

 Technology Essential Questions:How does gamification impact learning?How can you use computer programming to complete a task?How can we use technology to make global connections?

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Google Drawing

Creating Infographics for the Sustainable Development Goals

Students in Ms. Stewart's grade 6 class have been studying and researching the Sustainable Development Goals.  As part of their investigation, students were tasked with writing an informative essay based on their findings and creating an infographic to visually represent the data they found.Students searched the internet for "free" images and then used Google Drawing to create these attractive posters. Using Google Drawing, students inserted and modified images, text fields and backgrounds.  Students learned to arrange objects on the page and group them appropriately. Check out these impressive images:

Grade 6 Creating Infographics

Technology Essential Questions:

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?

How can this digital tool help us create a project that sparks curiosity?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.DTC.a.1-3; 6-8.DTC.b.1; 6-8.DTC.c

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Blogging

Using Technology to Write for an Authentic Audience

Students in Mrs. Valzania's grade 6 homeroom are getting ready to blog!  Last week, we spent time discussing blogging and writing for an audience outside of school.  Then each student setup a blog using Blogger.  Students learned to set permissions, comments, layout, theme, format, and sharing and then published their blogs on the internet.
Next steps will include posting their writing, adding images and links and responding to comments.
According to George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset, there are at leastfive great reasons students should blog (article).Blogging:allows for "open reflection".helps to "develop literacy through different mediums".
"gives students a space for their voice to be heard".
creates "an open archive of learning".
"develops a positive digital footprint".
Stay tuned for more about this exciting opportunity and be sure to watch out for our students' blogs as they flourish over the next few weeks.

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we use this digital tool to create original, innovative works and demonstrate a student's unique voice?

How can we use this digital tool to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

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

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

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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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Global Reading Event

Read Across America!Read Across the World!Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Today Spofford Pond students participated in Read Across America, "an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss.
Additionally, students shared book reviews on a global Flipgrid classroom.  Students left video book reviews (complete with #shelfies) of their favorite books and the reasons why they would recommend it to someone else.  This global Flipgrid classroom has over 4000 participants and is still growing!Click here to check it out.
What a great way to share a love of reading on a global platform!

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 leverage a tool like Flipgrid to increase engagement and amplify student voice?

How can we share our ideas on a global scale?

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

3-5.CAS.a.3; 3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.b.1; 3-5.CS.C.4; 3-5.DTC.b

6-8.CAS.a.4; 6-8.CAS.a.5; 6-8.CAS.b.6; 6-8.DTC.a.1; 6-8.DTC.b

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Safari Live!

Grade 6 Students Go on Safari!

Social studies students in all three of Mrs. Valzania's 6th grade classes had a unique experience this week.  They travelled to Africa and rode on safaris in Kenya's Maasai Mara and South Africa's Kruger National Park.  Safari Live allows teachers and students to flatten the walls of their classroom and travel virtually alongside real life safari guides.Through Skype, students can ask the guides questions in real time throughout the expedition.  Questions get posted live on the safari video feed and the guides speak directly to students to give their answers!SPS 6th graders saw elephants, lions, monkeys, water buffalo and zebra during their trip.  They asked great questions and had transparent interactions with the safari guides.
How fantastic is that?

Technology Essential Questions:

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

Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can a global, real-time experience motivate students and inspire active participation?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.CAS.c.1; 6-8.DTC.a.1-2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.CT.e.3

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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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Virtual Reality

Spofford Students Travel the World with Google Expeditions

 Thanks to a grant fulfilled by the PTO's Teacher Wishes program, several classrooms had a unique technological experience with virtual reality goggles. 

Using our new Google Expeditions kits, students are able to break through the four walls of the classroom and visit places like the San Diego Zoo in California and Moscow, Russia.  Sixth grade students got to tour the home of a Syrian refugee family as they adjust to their life in Lebanon.  And that is just the beginning.  Currently there are over 600 expeditions available for viewing, complete with guided scripts.  Several expeditions come with lesson plans as well.

Through the use of the virtual reality goggles and the read-aloud guided tour from Google Expeditions, teachers are able to supplement what is being taught in the classroom.  Virtual reality goggles immerse students in an interactive, three dimensional learning environment that makes you feel like you're really there.

I guarantee this kit will be well used by classrooms all around Spofford Pond!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can a virtual reality experience motivate students and inspire active participation?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.CAS.c.1; 6-8.DTC.a.1-2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.CT.e.3

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Celebrating Computer Science Education Week

Hour of Code 2017

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week (December 4-10, 2017) all classes at Spofford Pond Elementary School participated in an Hour of Code.  Hour of Code is a worldwide phenomenon that reaches tens of millions of students in almost 200 countries. Spofford Pond’s school wide coding event is just one of thousands that takes place during this week around the globe.

Spofford Pond teachers and students spent one hour trying various coding activities from the Hour of Code website and with iPad apps like Lightbot and Lightbot, Jr.  Teachers and students learned computer science skills, math skills, problem-solving and perseverance in each coding activity. They worked collaboratively and creatively to solve the puzzles and move through the programming lessons.

It was an exciting week of amazing discoveries, fun creations and confidence building exercises.

SPS Padlet of student feedback about the event:

See media coverage:  Tri Town Transcript - Boxford Wicked Local

Technology Essential Questions:
What are the fundamentals of computer programming?
How are algorithms used in coding?
How can you use computer programming to complete a task?
How is computer programming useful in real life?
How might you use computer programming in your future career?

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

3-5.CT.b; 3-5.CT.d; 6-8.CT.b; 6-8.CT.d

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Grade 6 Gone Global

Flat Connections

Students in Mrs. Valzania's grade 6 homeroom are participating in Flat Connections.  Flat Connections is a collaborative project for students.  Mrs. Valzania's students have joined the "A Week in the Life Project".  This project is available for students grade 3 - 6 around the world.  The objective of the project is for students to "connect, communicate, explore global topics and issues and share ideas and solutions through co-created digital artifacts." (flatconnections.com).

This week, Spofford students joined their Edmodo study groups and create digital handshakes using Flipgrid to introduce themselves and to meet their global classmates.  Students also learned about being good digital citizens, digital footprints and their digital legacy.

Participating schools, including Spofford Pond, are:  Yeh Wah School, China; Singapore American School, Singapore and Parkland District School, Pennsylvania, USA.  That's a total of over

150 students!  I am fortunate to be a co-teacher with Mrs. Valzania on this project as well.

Here are a few pictures of our sixth graders working on their Digital Handshakes:

Using Flipgrid to create a digital handshake with students around the world

Technology Essential Questions:

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

What is your digital legacy?

What does it mean to be a global citizen?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework
6-8.CAS.a.4; 6-8.DTC.a.2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.DTC.b.3

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