20Q and Whomp

Third grade students are using two interactive web sites this week: 20Q and Whomp! With 20Q the computer uses its database to ask yes or no questions and narrow down the possibilities until it comes up with an answer. Whomp is a Boggle type game where you try to make more and longer words than the monster you are playing against. Both activities help reading and cognitive thinking skills.

I Spy

Last week second grade students created I Spy pictures. Each child brought something to computer class for the picture and helped arrange the items. They wrote sentences to go with their picture. You can see their work by clicking here.

Graphing M&M's

Fourth grade students recently used spreadsheets for the first time. They used the program Microsoft Excel to create a graph of how many M&M's they got. Student entered their data into cells, selected the information, and chose what kind of graph they wanted.

Come On and Play With Kid Pix

Kindergarten students are starting on one of my favorite programs: Kid Pix. It is a creativity application that all ages love to use. Last week kindergarten students experimented with the Color Picker, the Start Over button, and the different drawing tools: pencil, chalk, crayon, and marker. This week students learned how to use the straight line tool and how to make lines thinner and thicker.

Keep Safe, Keep Away, Keep Telling

In third and fourth grade students are allowed to browse school appropriate web sites on the Internet after turning in a signed Acceptable Use Policy. This doesn't mean that students don't go on the Internet until then. Instead of browsing, they get to go on sites chosen by teachers.

This week first and second grade went on the Internet. First grade used the educational sites found on K2 Links. Second grade students browsed the Charlevoix Public Schools web site. Both grades discussed safety on the Internet and to remember Keep Safe, Keep Away, and Keep Telling. Students should keep safe by not typing their name or any other information on the Internet. They should keep away from strangers on the Internet and never meet them anywhere. Finally, they should keep telling parents and teachers about anything strange on the Internet.

Student Laptops are Getting Closer!

All of the carts are now here for the laptops. Each classroom is getting a cart with four wireless mini-laptops. I will soon assemble the carts and then help Mr. Mays get the laptops ready!

Getting SMARTer!

Today was day three of SMARTboard certification training. It was great and I cannot wait to pass on what I learned (and what I already knew but forgot) to the staff, not to mention use it all in my classroom. Right now I am trying to absorb it all and organize my thoughts. In the meantime, here is a great resource I found out about: Teachers Love SMART Boards! Be sure to check out the categories in the left hand column.