Book Creator & Drawing Pad

Grade 3 Digital Authors & Illustrators in the House!

Students in Mrs. Coates's and Mrs. Guido's third grade class recently spent time learning to use two iPad apps:  Book Creator and Drawing Pad.They used Book Creator to write digital "How To" stories and then used Drawing Pad to create illustrations to go along with their instructions.  They "app smashed" the two apps together to come up with a finished book.

Completed work has been sent to their editors (Mrs. Coates & Mrs. Guido) for review.
Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for these published masterpieces!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

How can we use this software to 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.1; 3-5.CAS.b.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b

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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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Google Slides

Stop Action Animation with Google Slides

Google Slides is so much more than just a backdrop for your presentation.  It can be used in many other ways as well.  Recently, students in third and fourth grade practiced using Google Slides to create stop action animation.Stop action animation with Google Slides is a great way to express creativity, practice simple digital skills like cut, copy and paste, and learn the basics of storyboard planning.  Stop action animation can be used in any subject area as these short films can demonstrate understanding of all types of concepts and curriculum.

Grade 3 students used stop action animation to create "Pun-y" virtual Valentines.

Click this LINK to see N.R.'s animated short, "Valentine":

Grade 4 students used it to create conversations where one character attempted to persuade another.

Click this LINK to see J.R.'s animated short, "Why I Want a Dog"

Click this LINK to see C.W's animated short, "Work is Reward"

In all classes students rose to the challenge and produced projects worthy of an Oscar for Best Animated Short Film!

Technology Essential Questions:

How can digital storytelling foster critical thinking skills?

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.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.3

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Podcasting

Spofford Pond Podcast:  New Episodes!

The Great Polar Bearier Riff is excited to announce we have recently added new episodes.Students in Ms. Davis's grade 4 classroom are proud to share their math knowledge with you in their series called "Math Matters"Check out this episode:Students in Ms. Boyle's grade 6 classroom are thrilled to share their expertise in a series called:  "Topic Masters".Check out this episode:Students in Mrs. Medugno's grade 3 classroom present their "Dear Anthony Letters".Check out this episode:The Great Polar Bearier Riff podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify 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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Back to School, Back to Technology

Busy Digital Citizens in Grades 3 & 4

Over the past few weeks we have been very busy helping students get reacquainted with their Google accounts.  Third graders have been learning to log in and out of Google, join Google Classroom, and practice their keyboarding and trackpad skills.  Fourth graders have been unenrolling from previous Google Classrooms and enrolling in new ones.  Technology skills, rules and routines are being established and students are getting comfortable using a variety of devices in classrooms.

Our youngest students are off to a great start!Super Digital Citizen Video from Common Sense Media

Technology Essential Question:

What can students do to keep themselves safe when working online?
How can we use technology as a tool for learning?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework3-5.CAS.a.1, 3-5.CAS.a.3, 3-5.CAS.a.4, 3-5.CAS.b.1

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iPad Apps

Our Favorite iPad Apps Get Busy!

Students in Mrs. Hartley's and Mrs. Coates's third grade classes have been very busy using iPads to create their own digital stories.  Students wrote their stories using one of our favorite apps:  Book Creator.  This app allows for easy input of text, images, sound and color.  When complete, stories can be converted into movies.Illustrations for these digital books were created with Drawing Pad, another all-time favorite, especially in grade three!  Drawing Pad is an iOS app that really brings out the user's creative side.  Using the Drawing Pad drawer full of digital drawing tools like crayons, colored pencils, pencils, and markers, students produced some beautiful masterpieces!
Authors and Illustrators in Action:

Grade 3

Drawing Pad Illustrations:

Book Creator Books:

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

How can we use this software to 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.1; 3-5.CAS.b.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.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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Grade 3 Google Drawing

Mrs. Holt's Grade 3, Google Drawings and a Spotlight in the Tri Town Transcript

Third grade students in Mrs. Holt's classroom are continuing to sharpen their skills with Google Drawing.  Last week they created "Opinion Posters" about which animal makes the best class pet.  Lucky for them, Wendall Waters, a reporter from the Tri Town Transcript stopped by to check out their terrific digital projects.
Here is the link to the newspaper article:"Up in the Cloud: Boxford Third-graders Become Digital Citizens"
Way to go future-ready learners!

3rd Grade & Google Drawing

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we use this software to create original and innovative projects?

How do I use the ideas/images of others legally?

Are there some ideas/images I just cannot re-use?

What can students do to keep themselves safe when working online?

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

3-5.CAS.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.3

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Grade 3 Google Drawing

Biographies, Facebook and Google Drawing:Innovation in Grade 3!

Mrs. Holt's third graders have been reading biographies.  As a culminating project, students were asked to choose a famous person, read their biography and then create a Facebook page as if they were that individual.Students used Google Drawing to create their Facebook pages.  Important skills like inserting text and images were in full use.  Students also had to arrange items on the page and be sure to use only items that are labeled for re-use.  Students created posts using that person's voice and included topics that may have been trending in their lifetime.3rd graders had a great time creating Facebook pages for individuals like Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller and Albert Einstein.
Check out their finished projects:

By Z.C.

By C.H.

By L.D.

By Z.C.

Technology Essential Questions:

How can we use this software to create original and innovative projects?

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

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

What basic skills should students know about this digital tool?

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

3-5.CAS.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.3

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Google Drawing

Grade 3 Gets Creative with Google Drawing

Mrs. Holt's 3rd grade classroom recently completed their study of the regions of Massachusetts.  As a culminating project, students were asked to choose a region and based on their knowledge of the area create a digital poster that might draw families with young children to investigate the area.
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.  Completed posters were submitted to their teacher using Google Classroom.
Way to go grade 3!What an awesome display of digital design skills!

Some new vocabulary students learned in this lesson:

Grade 3 Hard at Work

Google Drawing 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?

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

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

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

3-5.CAS.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a.2; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2

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Grade 3 Winter Poems

Mrs. Cronin's Class Chills in Front of the Green Screen with Winter Poems

Mrs. Cronin's third grade class used the space to perform their Winter poems.  Actors arrived in costume with their lines perfectly prepared, their set design chosen and

snowflakes flying.

Check out a few of their frosty poetry readings!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

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

3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b.1

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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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Third Grade Movie Makers

Fun in the Green Screen Studio

The Spofford Pond School Green Screen studio has seen a lot of action recently.

First, Mrs. Cronin's third grade class used the space to perform their Halloween poems.  Actors arrived in costume with their lines perfectly prepared, their set design chosen and

their masks decorated.

Check out a few of their spooky poetry readings!

Then, Mrs. Holt's third grade class used the space to demonstrate their yoga skills.  Yogis took the stage to create a wonderful video of the mindful exercises they practice in their classroom.

Check out a few of their peaceful stretches!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

Why is creation an important part of learning?

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

3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b.1

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DIY Den In Action

Grade 3:  Making Science Models in the DIY Den

Students in Mrs. Holt's grade three class put their model building skills to work last week in the Spofford Pond DIY Den.

Students were challenged to build two models using items found in the DIY Den that each represented a type of motion.  Models demonstrated back and forth, zig zag, straight and circular motion.

Motion Models in Action:

Essential Questions:

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

How can a makerspace change our learning experience?

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Going Google

Going Google in Grade 3Grade 3 students at Spofford Pond School are beginning to learn how to login and use their school Google accounts.  In conjunction with the classroom teacher, the library media specialist and myself we have begun to teach the basics of Google, cloud computing, and keyboarding/track pad skills.  Students are also being introduced to the concepts of good digital citizenship.

Grade 3 Exploring Google Cloud Computing

Super Digital Citizen Video from Common Sense Media

Technology Essential Question:

What can students do to keep themselves safe when working online?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework3-5.CAS.a.1, 3-5.CAS.a.3, 3-5.CAS.a.4, 3-5.CAS.b.1

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