Global Read Aloud: One Book To Connect the World

Global Read Aloud Sparks Mystery Skyping & Hanging Out
Classrooms around Spofford Pond School have been busy with the Global Read Aloud.  Using apps like Skype and Google Hangouts to place video calls, students are connecting with classrooms across the U.S. and other countries to discuss their read aloud books.

Grade 4 Mystery Skype:  Guess Where Our Classroom Is

Grade 3 Meeting a GRA classroom to discuss "A Boy Called Bat"

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 technology help us participate in the global community?

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

3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.CS.b.2; 3-5.CS.b.3; 3-5.CS.d.1

Digital Citizenship

Becoming Responsible with Technology

Digital citizenship is an important aspect of learning to use technology as a tool, especially in an academic setting.  Students at Spofford Pond are expected to follow our school's acceptable use policy as well as understand what is means to be a good digital citizen, even when not in school. The rules of digital citizenship are reiterated whenever students use technology in any classroom.  Students get additional information on the topic in their library-media classes with Mrs. Boulay. Recently, fourth graders had a refresher course when they worked on a hyperdoc called "Digital Citizenship Superhero!"

Grade 4, October, 2018

Digital Citizenship Resources for Families: What is Digital Citizenship? Common Sense Media Common Sense Media Parent Concerns Google's Be Internet Awesome Cyberwise

Technology Essential Questions:

What does it mean to be a Digital Citizen?
What are our rights and responsibilities as Digital Citizens?

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

Technology Use In Full Swing

Spofford Students Are Keeping Busy with Technology

Students in all grades at Spofford Pond School have been keeping our technology in heavy rotation as we glide through our first months of school.  One highlight of the week happened when 5th grade science explorers in Mrs. O'Brien's classes tested their knowledge of matter using Kahoot!.
Kahoot! is a method of online quizzing that gamifies content in a fun and encouraging manner.  Check out these photos:

Other students got to try their hand at coding during extended studies:

We also kicked off the Global Read Aloud by delivering books (A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold and Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed) and helping classes make global connections through technology and use online resources associated with this world-wide event.

 Technology Essential Questions: How does gamification impact learning? How can you use computer programming to complete a task? How can we use technology to make global connections?