Day 1 of the Hour of Code in Intermediate School

During Day 1 of the 'Hour of Code', 132 students from Grades 4 and 5 were thoroughly engaged in coding activities provided by code.org.
Why are we getting our students involved in the 'Hour of Code'? Coding helps to develop computational and critical thinking skills, and, as pointed out at code.org, it shows students how to create, not simply use new technologies.
One grade 5 student summed it up on his blog post: "...it is important to know how to code because coders are the rulers of the future!"

Day 1 with Grade 5

Minecraft Math

What a great way for my Grade 3 students to incorporate math, technology, and their love of Minecraft. Students created and modeled stories - incorporating their understanding of multiplication, addition, and subtraction. This was by far the easiest thing I've done to encourage them to write to explain!

Grade 3 iPad Launch

Students in three third grade classes and their parents recently embarked on a voyage of learning and discovery. 66 iPads were handed out to some very excited students and they immediately went to work showing moms and dads what to do.

Here are some pictures of the exciting event.

Along with being responsible for managing their own iPads, students and parents were shown the following video highlighting just a few of the reasons we're using iPads as a tool for learning. 

What First Graders Say About Blogging!

What a year it is has been. I never thought as first grade tech coach we would have been blogging with first graders but I can honestly this: first graders get it! They can blog. 

A big thanks must go to the two teachers Mrs. Derksen and Mrs. Joyce who travelled on this journey with me. Blogging was tech integration at its very best. Students and teachers collaborated, communicated and created. 

In the second to last day of school, Mrs. Joyce had her first grade class state what they liked about blogging. Check out what they have to say in their final posts for the 2012-13 school year.

http://sasp215.blogspot.sg/

Dear Ms. Fraction

Fourth graders worked on Dear Ms. Fraction stories using iMovie. It was a great way for them to integrate technology and model their mathematical thinking in the context of real world application.

3rd Grade Fractions

It has been exciting to watch my 3rd grade students become so engaged in fractions.  Using manipulatives to model their mathematical understanding, journaling their thoughts with words and pictures, and putting the two of them together in an iMovie gave proof of their deep understanding. Check it out!

Piper's iMovie About Fractions

HS Demo Slam Presentations - April 30

Special Thanks to Eric B, Kris K, Virginia S, Jean R, Dan S., John J. for showing your stuff!