Grade 5

5th Grade Biomes Experts have accepted the challenge!

After investigating the biomes of the world, students in Mrs. Bouffard's grade 5 science classes rose to the occasion and agreed to help a small community of individuals move from the comfort of their deciduous forest into another one of the Earth's biomes.
Here is the challenge:

Here are SPS 5th graders working hard to "sell" their biome as the perfect alternative:

Students used both print and online resources to research their biome.  Then, they used Tour Builder to create tours of their biomes and give accurate information about cities, landmarks, landforms, flora, fauna and the food chain!  They offered plenty of information to help these forest dwellers make a good decision about where to relocate.

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.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.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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Breakout EDU

It's a Revolution!

Students in Mrs. Valzania's grade 5 social studies were recently called upon to bring together the 13 colonies, sign the Declaration of Independence and prepare for war with the British.Working together in teams students rose to the challenge!  But did they have what it took to find and interpret clues to open the locked box and save the day?Be sure to ask your revolutionary how they fared!

Successful Revolutionaries

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?

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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?

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Moon Phases

Over the MoonMrs. Bouffard's Grade 5 Scientists Study Moon Phases

Last week in Mrs. Bouffard's science classes students went on a lunar mission.  Their task was to understand and identify the phases of the moon and how the Sun, Earth, and Moon interact with each other.  
Students were given a choice board of activities to further demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the subject.

Then it was time for take off!Students went on a Google Expedition to the Moon with Apollo 11, Apollo 17 and Space X.What a thrill!

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?

How can we give students voice and choice in their 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

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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

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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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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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Grade 5

Grade 5 ScienceGoogle Slides Collaboration with Mrs. O'Brien's and Mrs. Wiles-Stasko's Students

This week in science, 5th grade students worked collaboratively on a Google Slides presentation to answer the question, "How does the hydrosphere affect the geosphere?"Students were asked to contribute a slide to the class presentation that both showed and explained their answer.
To complete this project, students used technical skills like keyboarding, inserting text boxes, inserting copyright-free images, arranging objects, executing online research, and troubleshooting to solve technical problems.
Students also used future-ready skills like collaborating in real time, communicating ideas digitally, exchanging information digitally,  creating unique digital projects and demonstrating responsible use of technology.
Check out a few of their slides:

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can this technology be used to enhance this science 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.2; 3-5.CAS.a.3; 3-5.CAS.b.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c

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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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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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Fun with Kahoot!

Fifth Grade Science Classes Try

 A Kahoot is a collection of questions on specific topics. Created by teachers, students, business-people and social users, they are asked in real-time, to an unlimited number of “players”, creating a social, fun and game-like learning environment.

Students in Ms. Bouffard's and Ms. Cummings' science classes used Kahoot to review science material.

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration?How can we employ safe practices when using this type of technology?
2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.b.1; 3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.DTC.b.2; 3-5.CS.a.1

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Grade 5 Google Tools for Productivity

Mrs. Medugno's & Mrs. Bouffard's Classes Practice with Read & WriteFifth grade students spent some time practicing using the highlighting feature of Read & Write for Google.  This feature allows students to read online documents and articles, highlight important information and then "collect" that information in a separate Google Doc.  This doc gets automatically stored in the student's Google Drive (complete with citation)to use a source for reporting findings.In these classes, students read articles about the thirteen original colonies, then highlighted facts from the articles based on economy, geography, government and reasons for founding.  Next, using their collected information, students worked in small groups to present their findings in a shared Google Slides presentation.Presentations ended with a brief advertisement for the colony they researched.

Finished Projects:

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 Framework3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c

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Grade 5 Green Screen

Fifth grade students in Mrs. Medugno's and Mrs. Bouffard's social studies classes recently wrapped up their studies of Early Explorers.  As a culminating project, using Green Screen and iMovie, they created an episode of "Family Feud" starring explorers such as Francisco Coronado and Henry Hudson.  Students came up with the questions, modified a script, created props,acted and worked behind the scenes.Survey Says!  It was a blast!

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?

Grade 5 Social Studies Framework 5.3

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework3-5.CAS.b.1, 3-5.DTC.a.3, 3-5.DTC.b.1, 3-5.CS.a.1, 3-5.CA.a.2

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Grade 5 Opinion Writing

Zoos:  The Pros and ConsMrs. Medugno's students have been practicing writing opinion pieces.  Their topic of focus was whether or not zoos should exist.  After choosing a side and supporting it with facts and ideas, students were further challenged to create a screencast that would persuade others of their opinion.  Check out their video below. Did they convince you one way or the other?

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.b; 3- 5.DTC.a.2; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.7

Link to Mrs. Medugnos' Blog

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Polar VorTechs & Green Team

Last month the Polar VorTechs video crew and the Green Teamworked together to create this public service message.Enjoy!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.DTC.b.1, 3-5.CS.a.1, 3-5.CS.a.3, 3-5.CS.a.5

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Grade 5 Interactive Timelines

Students in Mrs. Bouffard's 5th grade recently worked on creating interactive timelines depicting important scientific finds and events.  Students gathered data from online research, input the data into a spreadsheet and with the help of Timerliner JS,  published their data by embedding code into the website's timeline generator.Check out this timeline of events in Physics throughout time....it's awesome!!Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

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Grade 5 Explains Everything!

Students' in Mrs. Cummings Grade 5 math class recently had opportunity to use the app Explain Everything.  Explain Everything is an interactive whiteboard and screencasting app.  Students were challenged with writing a word problem and then explaining how they came up with their solutions.Check it out!

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.DTC.a.3,3-5.DTC.b.1, 3-5.CT.e.3

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The Polar VorTechs interview the Green Team

The Polar VorTechs recently interviewed the Spofford Pond School Green Team.Enjoy!
Technology Essential Question:How can we use this software to create original, innovative works and ideas?

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Polar VorTechs

The Polar VorTechs are Spofford Pond School's Student led IT crew.Twelve students from Grades 5 & 6 meet weekly during theirlunch/recess block to learn about our school's technology.They also use technology to gather information on school happenings andto highlight Spofford community members and groups.
Their first episode includes an ad about the crew members,an interview with the Principal and even some messages from "Mom".
Enjoy!
Technology Essential Question:How can we use this software to create original, innovative works and ideas?

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