Just dropping into the blog to note that we are making progress with our technology knowledge and skills, and that the Spring semester change to Professional Learning Communities schedule has given me the opportunity to offer extended ixl.com time to my "class," the K, 1, 3, and 4 homerooms that meet with me at the end of the day once a week in computer lab (while their homeroom teachers spend quality time planning and conferring over data toward improving student learning).
It is beginning to pay off for these children and I'm of the believe that it will do so at testing time. Though I'm not a big fan of standardized testing I realize it has its place as a formative assessment tool, and ixl.com practice will ensure that our kids with that experience are more familiar with online testing and thereby will have an edge come testing day(s).
Just look at this certificate that flew into my inbox just yesterday:
Now, this certificate will live on the wall in our computer lab until it is replaced by one recognizing even greater achievement. We're getting them ready, and we appreciate your sending them to us with positive attitudes and a yearn to learn. On good days during PLC time, we end the sessions by venturing out to the playground for some extra outdoor recess, something else our kids really need. It's a win-win!
We are rolling out the Structured Learning computer lab curriculum in our lab, gently. Revising the launch for our students so that they are not overwhelmed, but also so that they begin to understand the transformative potential of learning as much about technology as they possibly can, I'm doing a serious (re)introduction to computer keyboarding. Please talk with your child about how practicing this important skill toward learning it--the goal being to learn to type without looking at your hands, both quickly and accurately--can open up their future to be more comfortable and successful both in school and in life after school. I have a few students who seem unwilling to put forth the effort to do so, and I trust that hearing it from you might just help!
Kindergarteners, 1st-ers, and 2nd graders learned a bit about the difference between input devices and output devices on a computer this week. This is an essential concept for them to understand and most of them worked through the online tutorial at ABCya.com very well. Next week we are slated to work on basic problem-solving skills--how exactly can you solve a problem if you don't immediately know the solution?
I have a few pictures of students working in the computer lab, along with their work, of which they are always proud once its completed.
Hello, parents, guardians, students, and family members,
Well, we're gearing toward the final week of January and things are hoppin' at Warner Enhanced Option Elementary School. We lost a week of lab exploration to a week (+) of testing online for our 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. We only did the online math test, not the online reading one, but by and large our kids did well. Many are struggling in math, and there are a few "I can't do this" attitudes, but we are systematically working to overcome those issues and embed a Can Do attitude into our students' lives. I even have a reminder on my door:
We will be rolling out implementation of a highly respected computer lab curriculum in early February. The program, called "Structured Learning," is amazingly well-constructed. This will be new to me as I'm well-versed in making it up as I go, a week or weeks at a pop. I do have a respect for the standards (excepting that they are "standard," but I have preferred over the years to work to create a fun, valuable, and exploratory computer lab environment where kids can exercise their curiosity and decision making without all that much "structure." I feel I've been pretty successful at that. However, in this day and age of standardized tests and Common Core, I understand the need to work in a structured way. Engaging students in the more formal way the SL curriculum requires will also build a strong legacy of expectations and performance in the computer lab, a good thing for that day I decide to retire and move away from full-time teaching. Let's do it!
Meanwhile, as I dive into understanding and planning the rest of the year, I have K-2 students all walking their avatars along their own "Learning Paths" in the wonderful ABCMouse, I posted a few weeks ago about this marvelous program, and I want to remind you that if you want to follow along as your child learns, email me at scott.merrick@mnps.org and I'll send you a code to use for your child to work at home or at the library. It's fun!
3rd and 4th graders are plowing into the challenging work of computer coding, using the free version of Tynker.com. If they want to work at home on that, they only need their login for Tynker, and you can call me and leave a message at 615576-0252 for that. I think most will actually know the login in a week or two after class sessions of using it.
Why teach coding? Think of this: In China every student learns computer coding. In the U.S., only 5% of schools include it in the curriculum. By 2020, there will be a need for over 440 million computer programmers in every walk of work. At the rate we are turning out qualified, capable coders, there will only be around 120 million of them. If we are lucky. Need more convincing? Watch this, and have a great week:
Among other topics and skills, we're introducing computer coding in the computer lab to make young minds aware of the possibilities. "Why would you not..."? Just watch:
I feel blessed to be coming to work at Warner Enhanced Options Elementary School every day, but I have to admit that this two week Winter Break is a very welcomed event. And while I'll be back at school for Teacher Planning Day or Tuesday, January 3rd, then attending for a Professional Development day on Wednesday, you'll be bringing your child back to school for a brand new semester on Thursday, January 5. It's a new beginning, and based on the amazing progress we made as a community of learners over the first half of the year, it's full of promise.
Our computer lab will also be a much cleaner environment for all of us! On our final half-day this past Friday, I took in our monster vacuum cleaner, a Shark, opened all the computer towers, set their cover plates aside, and vacuumed out each and every one to remove the dust that at the very least threatened to overheat the computers. Here are some before and after snapshots:
And here's how the lab looked with all the covers off and ready for cleaning (click to enlarge):
I feel we're ready. Now over the next couple of weeks let's stay healthy, surround ourselves with family, and rest up toward fulfilling all that promise the second semester holds for our learning!
This week we have been exploring beginning computer coding as part of the Computer Science Education Week's "Hour of Code" program.
Why is it evermore important that we get kids interested in coding? As far as reasons, I have 10 of them! Watch...
Our kids, grades 2, 3, and 4 will kick off a lifelong awareness of (and perhaps interest in) how computers are directed to do everything from open up an email to run a refrigerator, a.k.a. "coding!" We'll start at Kodable.com, a fantastic set of exercises that offers several levels of learning from its subscription based collection for this year's National Computer Education Week's "Hour of Code."
Students will work as far as they can as "anonymous student" then exit and save, whereupon they will receive a brief random alphanumeric password that will get them in to pick up where they left off next week. during the Spring months, we'll begin learning some more advanced coding and stick to it. Will anyone be creating computer games by the end of May? It's possible! Stay tuned.
Try it yourself! Click "Play Now" beneath "Students - Get Started!"
This week and next, Kindergarten and 1st graders will login to ABCMouse.com to work at earning tickets toward purchasing virtual clothing, pets, and furniture. This is catching on as more students experience the option to shop, a great motivation for them to complete the fun, interactive, colorful, alphabet-based lessons. They need these! And most of them enjoy playing, reading, and singing at the site. Visit https://www.abcmouse.com to explore yourself.
In this time of winter holidays, may yours be wonderful and surrounded with loved ones. Snuggle up, Winter is here!
Here are some pics of kids learning:
Hour of Code at Kodable.com and ABCMouse.com successes!
ABCMouse fine motor work and collaboration at Kodable.com
We returned from Thanksgiving Break ready to learn and work, and learn and work we did.
Kindergarten and 1st graders signed into their new accounts at ABCMouse.com for the first time last week, and by the end of this week most were well on their learning pathways beginning with the letter "a." Each activity they complete along the way rewards them with a digital ticket, or 2, or more; and they are able to go visit shops built into the platform and "spend" those tickets on items such as pets, clothing, and toys.
Sure, these "purchases" are all digital, but you wouldn't know that from the gleeful expressions on my wee ones' shining faces when they add a new shirt to the costume their customizable avatar is wearing! ABCMouse is a tremendous learning tool for them, and an excellent teaching tool for the computer lab. Visit yourself! Or better yet, have your child take you to see how it works. They won't be able to login to their school account from home, but if you send me your email address (to scott.merrick.mnps.org) and let me know you want that access, I can send you a code to allow you to access from home or library.
The 2nd through 4th graders all got a shot of Internet Safety information this week, first by whole-class viewing of "The Netsmartz Generation and "It's Okay to Tell," two short videos at Netsmartz Workshop. Then they were tasked to go watch at least one other video at the site. The 2nd graders were asked individually about the movie they watched and commented to me one-on-one. 3rd and 4th graders visited a customized Padlet.com page and typed (or in some cases, dictated to me) their comments. Armed with the password "warner," you can visit the page and see your child's work. Many chose only to enter their name and a very few words, so next time I'll up the ante with a minimum length requirement. Still, as preparation for future learning experiences with Padlet, it worked pretty well. Go visit at https://padlet.com/smerrick/zt7paq6u6yqf.
Here are a few images from our week in computer lab:
