Grade 3 Google Drawing

Mrs. Holt's Grade 3, Google Drawings and a Spotlight in the Tri Town Transcript

Third grade students in Mrs. Holt's classroom are continuing to sharpen their skills with Google Drawing.  Last week they created "Opinion Posters" about which animal makes the best class pet.  Lucky for them, Wendall Waters, a reporter from the Tri Town Transcript stopped by to check out their terrific digital projects.
Here is the link to the newspaper article: "Up in the Cloud: Boxford Third-graders Become Digital Citizens"
Way to go future-ready learners!

3rd Grade & Google Drawing

Technology Essential Questions:

How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

How can we use this software to create original and innovative projects?

How do I use the ideas/images of others legally?

Are there some ideas/images I just cannot re-use?

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.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.3

Grade 3 Google Drawing

Biographies, Facebook and Google Drawing: Innovation in Grade 3!

Mrs. Holt's third graders have been reading biographies.  As a culminating project, students were asked to choose a famous person, read their biography and then create a Facebook page as if they were that individual. Students used Google Drawing to create their Facebook pages.  Important skills like inserting text and images were in full use.  Students also had to arrange items on the page and be sure to use only items that are labeled for re-use.  Students created posts using that person's voice and included topics that may have been trending in their lifetime. 3rd graders had a great time creating Facebook pages for individuals like Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Helen Keller and Albert Einstein.
Check out their finished projects:

By Z.C.

By C.H.

By L.D.

By Z.C.

Technology Essential Questions:

How can we use this software to create original and innovative projects?

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

How can this technology be used to enhance this biography project and communicate knowledge?

What basic skills should students know about this digital tool?

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

3-5.CAS.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.2; 3-5.DTC.c.3

Safari Live!

Grade 6 Students Go on Safari!

Social studies students in all three of Mrs. Valzania's 6th grade classes had a unique experience this week.  They travelled to Africa and rode on safaris in Kenya's Maasai Mara and South Africa's Kruger National Park.  Safari Live allows teachers and students to flatten the walls of their classroom and travel virtually alongside real life safari guides. Through Skype, students can ask the guides questions in real time throughout the expedition.  Questions get posted live on the safari video feed and the guides speak directly to students to give their answers! SPS 6th graders saw elephants, lions, monkeys, water buffalo and zebra during their trip.  They asked great questions and had transparent interactions with the safari guides.
How fantastic is that?

Technology Essential Questions:

Are there technological solutions or enhancements to supplement what is being taught?

Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can a global, real-time experience motivate students and inspire active participation?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.CAS.c.1; 6-8.DTC.a.1-2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.CT.e.3

Google Sheets

6th Graders in Mrs. Sierpina's Science Classes Collect Data Using Google Sheets

For the beginning steps of their Science Fair projects, students in Mrs. Sierpina's science classes got an introduction to Google Sheets.  Students setup tables to collect their science experiment data.  Then, with the help of Google Sheets, they turned their data into charts so as to have a visual representation of the information they collected throughout their experiments.
For many students, this was their first experience with Google Sheets and digital data collection.  Until the Science Fair, students will continue to add information to their tables and charts, in preparation of presenting their findings at the fair.
Good Luck Grade 6 Scientists!

Google Sheets Essential Questions

How can this technology be used to enhance this science project and communicate knowledge?

What basic skills should students know about this digital tool?

How does this digital tool help students manage data?

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

6-8.CT.c

Grade 4 Hyperdocs

Hyperdocs with Mr. Duffy's 4th Grade Class

This week students in Mr. Duffy's 4th grade class had their first lesson in using a Hyperdoc to complete various activities for a reading selection.  Mr. Duffy was excited to transform his lesson with technology and the students were excited and engaged when completing the tasks.  I can tell there will be more Hyperdocs in their future!

Mr. Duffy's Class Hard at Work

What is a Hyperdoc?

 A hyperdoc is a Google Doc or Slides with interactive links that connect to classroom content, expand material, and inspire students to create, collaborate and communicate.  They are engaging multimedia lessons that allow students to build background knowledge, explore subjects, flip their learning, use collaborative online tools or create independent digital projects.

(resource:  Hyperdocs)

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

How can we use this software to create original, innovative works and ideas?

How can we use this software to address the different needs, learning styles, interests and abilities of students?

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

3-5.CAS.b.1-3; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b

World Read Aloud Day 2018

Celebrate World Read Aloud Day 2018 with Spofford Pond School!
Today is World Read Aloud Day.  In celebration, students in several classes used Flipgrid to read one of their favorite storybooks aloud.
Click on the links below to enter the class Flipgrid.  Then click on the videos in the grid in order to hear the story.
We hope you enjoy our read alouds!
I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufman Orloff, as read by Mrs. Cronin's 3rd Grade

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, as read by Ms. Davis's 4th Grade

Bully by Patricia Polacco, as read by Mrs. Medugno's 5th Grade

The Three Questions by Jon Muth, as read by 6th Grader Caroline Valzania

World Read Aloud 2018 has given us a case of #FlipgridFever!