Differentiation with Technology

Fluency Tutor for Google

In two after school workshops, Spofford Pond teachers learned how to use the app and extension, Fluency Tutor for Google.

"Fluency Tutor helps students of all ages and ability levels become avid, engaged and confident readers.  What's more, it gives educators a clear picture of every child's reading attainment and progress over time." (Texthelp, Fluency Tutor).

Participants took their new skills to the classroom, introducing Fluency Tutor to students, assigning reading passages and even assigning FT work through Google Classroom.  Apps and extensions such as these can help teachers differentiate as needed and can help students build confidence

across subject matter.

Technology Essential Questions:

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

interests and abilities of students?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CS.d

Digital Citizenship Week

Common Sense Media
and
Spofford Pond Students
Celebrate
Digital Citizenship Week
October 16 - 20, 2017


Students in several classes spent some time celebrating good digital citizenship this week.  We looked at several resources from the Common Sense Media website and learned some best practices for being safe online.  Students even signed a pledge to behave responsibly and safely online!

Technology Essential Question:

What can students do to keep themselves safe when working online?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:

3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.b.2; 3-5.CAS.b.3; 3-5.CAS.b.5

Grade 6 Gone Global

Flat Connections

Students in Mrs. Valzania's grade 6 homeroom are participating in Flat Connections.  Flat Connections is a collaborative project for students.  Mrs. Valzania's students have joined the "A Week in the Life Project".  This project is available for students grade 3 - 6 around the world.  The objective of the project is for students to "connect, communicate, explore global topics and issues and share ideas and solutions through co-created digital artifacts." (flatconnections.com).

This week, Spofford students joined their Edmodo study groups and create digital handshakes using Flipgrid to introduce themselves and to meet their global classmates.  Students also learned about being good digital citizens, digital footprints and their digital legacy.

Participating schools, including Spofford Pond, are:  Yeh Wah School, China; Singapore American School, Singapore and Parkland District School, Pennsylvania, USA.  That's a total of over

150 students!  I am fortunate to be a co-teacher with Mrs. Valzania on this project as well.

Here are a few pictures of our sixth graders working on their Digital Handshakes:

Using Flipgrid to create a digital handshake with students around the world

Technology Essential Questions:

How does this digital tool help improve collaboration and/or communication?

What is your digital legacy?

What does it mean to be a global citizen?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework
6-8.CAS.a.4; 6-8.DTC.a.2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.DTC.b.3