Grade 5

5th Grade Biomes Experts have accepted the challenge!

After investigating the biomes of the world, students in Mrs. Bouffard's grade 5 science classes rose to the occasion and agreed to help a small community of individuals move from the comfort of their deciduous forest into another one of the Earth's biomes.
Here is the challenge:

Here are SPS 5th graders working hard to "sell" their biome as the perfect alternative:

Students used both print and online resources to research their biome.  Then, they used Tour Builder to create tours of their biomes and give accurate information about cities, landmarks, landforms, flora, fauna and the food chain!  They offered plenty of information to help these forest dwellers make a good decision about where to relocate.

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?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework: 3-5.CAS.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b

Grade 4

Titanic News!

Student in Mrs. Viviani's social studies classes are using Google Slides to create digital newspapers.  "What's the Scoop?", you want to know? The Titanic Has Sunk! Big headlines screamed the news of this devastating event as students become reporters, editors and newspaper formatters of The Daily News.  Using a variety of digital skills and writing skills, these fourth graders got the word out as the unsinkable ship's fatal outcome went down in history.

Technology Essential Questions:

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?

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

We'll Take That Ride!

Grade 4 Takes the Ultimate Road Trip!

Students in Mrs. Viviani's 4th grade class were recently met with a challenge.  As individuals with great knowledge of the states that make up the American West, they were asked to create the ultimate road trip.  Using Tour Builder, students created tours of three western states, highlighting the state capital, two National Parks, two famous landforms and a hidden gem from each state. Completed tours were shared with others and viewed in Google Earth.  The, using street view to enter a virtual map our tours really came to life!

Oh!  And did I mention?  We used this hook video to get our students excited and ready for the journey!

Music by The Talking Heads, "Road to Nowhere" image:  quikcars.com

Specialists' Night 2019

Great Fun at Spofford Pond Specialists' Night

Spofford Pond School had a nice turn out for Specialists' Night 2019.  Families spent an hour with their children checking out all the great things our Teacher Specialists do with students throughout the year. The D.I.Y. Den was hopping with Boxford community members as they investigated our Green Screen technology, took a virtual tour though a few National Parks with our VR goggles, listened to episodes from The Great Polar Bearier Riff (our school podcast) and left video messages on Flipgrid. It was wonderful evening for all involved!

Book Creator & Drawing Pad

Grade 3 Digital Authors & Illustrators in the House!

Students in Mrs. Coates's and Mrs. Guido's third grade class recently spent time learning to use two iPad apps:  Book Creator and Drawing Pad. They used Book Creator to write digital "How To" stories and then used Drawing Pad to create illustrations to go along with their instructions.  They "app smashed" the two apps together to come up with a finished book.

Completed work has been sent to their editors (Mrs. Coates & Mrs. Guido) for review.
Be on the lookout in the next few weeks for these published masterpieces!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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.a.1; 3-5.CAS.b.1-4; 3-5.DTC.a; 3-5.DTC.b