Into November!

We've been busy in the computer lab, just having finished week 2 of a 10 week program in computer coding with our small group of 3rd and 4th grade pioneers. It's too early to say, but I'd say we will have a good solid number of them completing the code.org work by the end of the CodeCamp. If your child is in the camp, and if you have online access in any way, they should be able to work anytime at http://studio.code.org. Don't just allow that--encourage that!

This week has been all Halloween all day in our lab. I added a Holidays folder to http://www.tizmos.com/scottmerrick and we have been playing games. Playing games, you say? Yes. These games help develop thinking skills, mouse dexterity, and hand-eye coordination, in varying ways with varying games. Visit our Tizmos and click Halloween then go to "Interactive Sites for Education," the very first item in the folder. Here's the direct link: http://interactivesites.weebly.com/halloween.html

I'm particularly fond of the "Marble Lines Halloween" game, down toward the bottom of the screen, which promotes focus and hand-eye work to make high score and travel through the increasingly difficult levels. With my 4th graders, we talk about why this is a good game--what makes it that?

http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/marble-lines/marble-lines-halloween.swf

 Also in the lab, Mrs. Sandler and I have adopted a group of 4th graders who are pioneering in another way. Our Reading Intervention strategy with these students is based on ReadingPlus, a scientifically designed, results-proven, program used all over the world. Read about its success with Dade County students here.  This is a pilot program I was lucky enough to win at last summer's International Society for Technology in Education conference in Denver, Colorado. I go every year but rarely any of the many many sweepstakes drawings, but this year I got lucky. So did my students!

So stay tuned! As we gear toward the next calendar benchmark, Thanksgiving, we'll be exploring more and more interesting, challenging, and productive opportunities to learn about technology!

And, btw, click to check out our lovely Jack- o'-Lanterns from K, 1, and 2 classes last week!