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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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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Thanksgiving Fun

Students at Spofford have had opportunities to use our technology for some fun Thanksgiving activities this week.

Students received a Google Slides assignment through Google Classroom where they watched a video reading of Turkey Trouble by Wendi Slivano.  Next, they used Google Slides to disguise a turkey and write their own story.

Here they are in action:

Click here to watch and hear the story.

Here is a sample from a student's slide presentation:

Students in Mrs. Cronin's class collaborated on illustrating and recording the poem "The Turkey Shot Out of the Oven" by Jack Prelutsky.  They combined their Explain Everything projects into iMovie to create the following:

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we use this software to address the different needs, learning styles,

interests and abilities of students?

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; 3-5.DTC.b

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Specialists' Night 2017

Specialists' Night 2017
Thank you to all members of the Spofford Pond Community who came out to Specialists' Night last Tuesday, May 23rd.  We had a great turnout!  It is wonderful to be able to share student projects with you and show off their hard work!
In the DIY Den attendees saw projects created with Explain Everything, Book Creator and Drawing Pad.  They also got to see how the Green Screen studio and app works.

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Hanging Out & Hi-Def Tutorials

Ms. Boyle's Grade 6&Ms. Estella's Grade 2present...Hanging Out & Hi-Def Tutorials

Google Hangout with Grades 2 & 6, Explain Everything

6th Graders used the app Explain Everything to create video tutorials of the life cycle of a chick.  Tutorials were shared with their 2nd grade buddies.Enjoy these samples!

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:6-8.DTC.a.3; 6-8.DTC.a.4; 6-8.DTC.b.1; 6-8.DTC.b.2

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iPad Apps with Grade 3

Ms. Johnson's Class:Drawing Pad, Explain Everything and the Camera App

Students in Ms. Johnson's grade three classroom recently used the iPad apps, Explain Everything and Drawing Pad, and the iPad camera to create "How To" videos.  Students chose a topic such as, "how to make a sandwich" or "how to play checkers" and then wrote a script of steps that could teach the skill to someone else.  They used Explain Everything, Drawing Pad and the camera to turn their scripts into videos.  Here are a few examples:

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?

Grade 3 Common Core Standards: W.3.2, W.3.3, W.3.5, W. 3.6, SL.3.4, SL.3.5, SL.3.62016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework3-5.DTC.a.2; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b.1

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Grade 3 "How To" Videos

Creating "How To" videos using Explain Everything, Drawing Pad and the Camera

Students in Mrs. Holt's grade three classroom recently used the iPad apps, Explain Everything and Drawing Pad, and the iPad camera to create "How To" videos.  Students chose a topic such as, "how to make a sandwich" or "how to play checkers" and then wrote a script of steps that could teach the skill to someone else.  They used Explain Everything, Drawing Pad and the camera to turn their scripts into videos.  Here are a few examples:
How to Paint a Rock PetHow to Paint Your Nails

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?

Grade 3 Common Core Standards: W.3.2, W.3.3, W.3.5, W. 3.6, SL.3.4, SL.3.5, SL.3.62016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework3-5.DTC.a.2; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b.1

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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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Grade 4 Figurative Language: Life is Good!

Students in Ms. Davis' fourth grade have been studying figurative language.  Students created stanzas using figurative language in conjunction with the Life is Good themes.  Here are two examples of stanzas merged together into metaphoric poems about compassion and openness.

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.1, 3-5.DTC.a.3, 3-5.DTC.b.1
Grade 4 Common Core Standards:L.4.5

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Grade 3 Nature Stories

Recently, in Mrs. Gibson's third grade class, students were challenged with finding "props" in nature to inspire their story writing.  Students brought in their items, created a nature scene and wrote a short story.  They then used Explain Everything to bring their story to life.  Check it out:The Four Things of Nature by BlaiseApple Picking for Happiness by KatherineGrade 3 Common Core Standards:  W.3.3, W.3.6

Technology Essential Question:

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.2, 3-5.DTC.a.3, 3-5.DTC.b.1

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Grade 4 Explains Everything!

Students in Ms. Davis' math class recently used the app, Explain Everything, to demonstrate a math standard.  Students were challenged with the task of creating a video tutorial (Khan Academy-style) for a 4th math standard.  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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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 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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Ms. Viviani's Social Studies Classes

Digital Postcards from the USAStudents in grade 4 created digital postcards to tell theirfriends and family back home all about their virtual trip to a U.S State.Check it out!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?

Grade 4 Common Core Standards:  RI.4.10; SL.4.4; SL.4.5

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Grade 4 Explain Everything

Students in Mrs. Macelhiney's grade 4 class were tasked with creating screencasts to explain everything they know about the United States.  Each student researched a U.S. State andcreated their tutorials using the iPads and the app, Explain Everything.Check it out:
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?

Grade 4 Common Core Standards:  RI.4.10; SL.4.4; SL.4.5; 

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Technology Demo Slam for Parents

Thank you to those who attended and a big thanks to the Polar VorTechs for helping!

Presentation:

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Green Screen in Grade 5

Technology IntegrationwithMrs. Wiles-Stasko's Social Studies ClassesStudents have been studying explorers during social studies over the past few weeks.  As a culminating project, they were asked to "interview" a famous explorer.Here is the assignment criteria:

  

Next students spent time creating and memorizing their skits:

 

Then it was time to enter the Green Screen Studio and tape their skits.  We had camera operators, directors, set managers and talent working collaboratively to make it happen!  "Quiet on set!"

Finally, we took our segments to the editing room andused Green Screen and iMovie to put on the final touches.
Enjoy!

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?

Read More

Grade 3 Penguins

Students in Mrs. Estella's 3rd grade have been studying and researching penguins.They have been reading books about penguins and doing online research using Kids InfoBitsThey recently used the app "Book Creator" to create eBooks to show what they know.Enjoy!

Click to view:Technology Essential Question:How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

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Grade 5 Explorer Holiday Proposals

Grade 5 Social Studies Students use Explain Everything

 Students in Mrs. Medugno's and Mrs. Bouffard's social studies classes have recently finished creating Explain Everything screencasts explaining why certain

explorers of the past deserve a holiday.

Students researched an explorer and then presented their facts and gave reasons whythey believe their explorer should have a holiday in their honor and how it will be celebrated.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?

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Grade 3 Google Slides

Grade 3 Students:Discovering How to Collaborate DigitallyUsing Google Slides...
Students in Mrs. Holt's third grade have been studying weather.Recently, they were tasked with reading books about various weather subjects andthen working in collaborative groups to share what they learned.Student groups each created a Google Slides project andpresented it to their classmates. Students were able to work individually on their own laptop on ashared digital presentation, in real time.Wow!  Google Slides and The Power of Collaboration!

Finished Slide Presentation:
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?

Read More