Green Screen

TITANIC SURVIVOR INTERVIEWS

Students in Mrs. Sitak's fourth grade class recently completed their study of of the H.M.S Titanic.  One part of the project asked students to step back in time and conduct interviews with real-life survivors.  Student "reporters" researched and asked appropriate questions.  Student "survivors" researched a real-life Titanic survivor and answered the questions as they imagined that person might have answered them.Using the Green Screen app and iMovie we created video versions of these mock interviews.



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 we use this software to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

Read More

Grade 4

Titanic News!

Student in Mrs. Viviani's social studies classes are using Google Slides to create digital newspapers.  "What's the Scoop?", you want to know?The Titanic Has Sunk!Big headlines screamed the news of this devastating event as students become reporters, editors and newspaper formatters of The Daily News.  Using a variety of digital skills and writing skills, these fourth graders got the word out as the unsinkable ship's fatal outcome went down in history.

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?

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

Read More

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

Read More

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?

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

Time to Breakout!

Students in Grades 4 & 5 UseGrowth Mindset Skills to BREAKOUT

Several fourth and fifth grade classes recently experienced BreakoutEDU with their classmates.  The challenge was to use clues, critical thinking, common sense and collaboration to solve puzzles and open a variety of locks on the BreakoutEDU boxes.  The theme was "growth mindset" and this competition against the clock sure put these young minds to work!Do you think you could BREAKOUT?

Technology Essential Questions:
Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can an "escape room" experience motivate students and inspire active participation?How can an "escape room" experience inspire critical thinking, collaboration, communication & creativity?

Read More

Happy New Year

Digital Citizenship Review

Digital Citizenship is a vital part of using technology.  Upon returning from the December break, during library/media classes, Mrs. Boulay and I reviewed the importance of being good digital citizens with all students in grades 4, 5 & 6.
Some of the topics we discussed included:  the Spofford Pond School Acceptable Use Policy, the privilege of having a school Google account for educational purposes, taking care of school devices,  protecting personal information, keeping passwords safe, collaborating online with respect, plagiarism, copyright and fair use.  
After reviewing expectations and fielding questions, we asked students to pledge to be good digital citizens by digitally signing a class agreement, a sample of which you can see here:

 


The internet is vast and a powerful tool for learning and discovery.However, as said throughout history and most recently made popular in Stan Lee's 1962 Spiderman comic book "Amazing Fantasy #15":
"With great power comes great responsibility."

(https://www.finder.com/uk/dell-rejigs-inspiron-as-a-gaming-laptop-for-ces-2017)

In the online universe, always be responsible digital citizens.

Digital Citizenship Resources for Families:What is Digital Citizenship?Common Sense MediaCommon Sense Media Parent ConcernsGoogle's Be Internet AwesomeCyberwise
Spofford Pond School Handbook/Acceptable Use Policy

Technology Essential Questions:

What does it mean to be a Digital Citizen?
What are our rights and responsibilities as Digital Citizens?

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; 3-5.CAS.b; 6-8.CAS.a; 6-8.CAS.b

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

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?

Read More

Grade 4 Green Screen

Titanic Survivor Interviews

Students in Ms. Sitak's fourth grade class recently completed their study of of the H.M.S Titanic.  One part of the project asked students to step back in time and conduct interviews with real-life survivors.  Student "reporters" researched and asked appropriate questions.  Student "survivors" researched a real-life Titanic survivor and answered the questions as they imagined that person might have answered them.Using the Green Screen app and iMovie we created video versions of these mock interviews.

Grade 4 Behind the Scenes

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 we use this software to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

Read More

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:

Read More

Genius Hour

Ms. Davis's Grade 4 Daily Genius Hour

Over the past two weeks, students in Ms. Davis's class have been given the opportunity to spend one hour each day to research any topic.  These topics could be something the students were passionate about or just wanted to learn more about.
Students were required to convince teachers and interns that their chosen topic was worth researching.  Students were also tasked with coming up with a "mile-deep" question to answer based on the topic.
Students completed research using the internet, conducting surveys with Google Forms, organizing and recording interviews, asking questions via Twitter, Live Chats and in Google Hangouts (these last few with teacher help of course!)
Some examples included:Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream:  "Why should I buy Ben & Jerry's brand?"Matchbox & Hot Wheels Toy Cars:  "Why are they still popular today?"Celebrities:  "What is the difference between being famous and going viral?"Smart Phones & Computers:  "How has technology changed the way we live?"
Final projects were presented in many forms including Google Slides presentations, a mock newscast, a replica newspaper, tri-fold presentations and even ice cream samples.

students researching and presenting

Introduction of a daily Genius Hour in the classroom is part of the personalization of learning:

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we implement a Genius Hour to help students create original, innovative works and ideas?

How can a Genius Hour 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.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c

Read More

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

Read More

Grade 4

Renewable Energy Infographics in Ms. Davis'sGrade 4 Science Classes

4th Grade scientists in Ms. Davis's classes used Google Drawing to create infographics about renewable energy sources.
Some students worked collaboratively in small groups to create an infographic as a team.  Other students worked independently.  In both cases everyone used their understanding of renewable energy sources, their research skills and their technical skills to create these masterpieces:

Way to go 4th graders!

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

Read More

Grade 4 Hyperdocs

Hyperdocs with Mr. Duffy's 4th Grade Class

This week students in Mr. Duffy's 4th grade class had their first lesson in using a Hyperdoc to complete various activities for a reading selection.  Mr. Duffy was excited to transform his lesson with technology and the students were excited and engaged when completing the tasks.  I can tell there will be more Hyperdocs in their future!

Mr. Duffy's Class Hard at Work

What is a Hyperdoc?

 A hyperdoc is a Google Doc or Slides with interactive links that connect to classroom content, expand material, and inspire students to create, collaborate and communicate.  They are engaging multimedia lessons that allow students to build background knowledge, explore subjects, flip their learning, use collaborative online tools or create independent digital projects.

(resource:  Hyperdocs)

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?

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

Read More

Virtual Reality Redux

Volcanic Virtual Reality in Grade 4 SparksGreat Conversations & Collaboration

The Google Expeditions kit at Spofford Pond School has seen a lot of action lately - this time in the 4th grade.  As part of their studies of "Forces of Nature", science teachers used the kit to enhance the experience of understanding volcanoes.  Students could follow or lead the expedition. The expeditions took students inside volcanoes, around the Pacific Ring of Fire, into Volcanoes National Park in Hawaii and other volcanoes around the world.Immersed in the virtual world, I heard students exclaim "Wow!"  "Awesome!"  "I feel like I am right on the edge of the volcano!"  "I wonder what those hot springs would feel like or smell like?" "Did you see the size of that caldera?"  "That scientist is really close to the lava flow!"Focused on successfully leading their followers through the expedition, I heard guides learning Russian, Icelandic, Amharic and Hawaiian on the fly.  We decoded foreign proper nouns like:  Karymsky, Kamchatka, Dallol, Grimsvotn, Kilauea, Halema'uma'u and Pu'u Loa.We stepped out of the virtual world to ask questions like:  "Where is the closest volcano that I can visit?"  "What type of scientist studies volcanoes?"  "Where is the biggest volcano?"  "Which volcano had the world's biggest eruption?"Students came to this event with background knowledge based on their science studies.  Students came out of this event as if they took a field trip around the world.  How great is that?

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

Read More

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

Read More