Breakout EDU

When You Need Answers, We're On the Case Breakout EDU Challenge"The Case of the Missing Moai"
Students from Ms. Boyle's grade 6 social studies classes used their collaboration skills, worked together and never gave up! Using their background knowledge teams worked efficiently without anger or frustration.  They were challenged to use clues, critical thinking, common sense and collaboration to solve puzzles and open a variety of locks on the BreakoutEDU boxes. The theme was "The Case of the Missing Moai" and this mysterious race against the clock sure put these young minds to work!

Check out the Case of the Missing Moai hook video.Lots of clues to be found here!

Technology Essential Questions
Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can an "escape room" experience motivate students and inspire active participation?How can an "escape room" experience inspire critical thinking, collaboration, communication & creativity?

Celebrating Computer Science Education Week

HOUR OF CODE2022

In celebration of Computer Science Education Week (December 5 - 9, 2022)) classes at Spofford Pond Elementary School participated in an Hour of Code.  Hour of Code is a worldwide phenomenon that reaches tens of millions of students in almost 200 countries. Spofford Pond’s school wide coding event is just one of thousands that takes place during this week around the globe.

After kicking off our Hour of Code with a video message from the astronauts aboard the International Space Station, every Spofford Pond student got the chance to spend an hour trying various coding activities from our Hour of Code Choice Board.  Students learned computer science skills, math skills, problem-solving and perseverance in each coding activity. They worked collaboratively and creatively to solve the puzzles and move through the programming lessons.

It was an exciting week of amazing discoveries, fun creations and confidence building exercises.

Check out these photos of future software engineers, developers and designers!

SPS is on the Map!
Hour of Code Events Worldwide

SPS Hour of Code Choice Board Activities

Technology Essential Questions:
What are the fundamentals of computer programming?
How are algorithms used in coding?
How can you use computer programming to complete a task?
How is computer programming useful in real life?
How might you use computer programming in your future career?

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

3-5.CT.b; 3-5.CT.d; 6-8.CT.b; 6-8.CT.d

Digital Escape Rooms & More

Gobbling Up These Thanksgiving Digital Breakouts & Google Slides Activities

Challenged Accepted!Students at Spofford Pond School were tasked with Digital Breakout Choice Boards to complete prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday.  Choice Boards are a fun and engaging way to test students' reasoning abilities and critical thinking skills.

Additional Choices for Digital Activities:

Figuring out the cost of a Thanksgiving Meal (NEED.org)

Creating Thankful Slides (Eric Curts)

"Disguise a Turkey" Google Slides (Kelley Costa)

"Build A Turkey" Google Slides (Beth Kingsley)


Technology Essential Questions:How does offering students voice and choice create more engagement in learning?How does offering choice help students connect with their strengths and boost motivation?How can this digital tool provide personalized learning and differentiation?
2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
3-5.CAS.a.3: 3-5.CAS.a.5; 3-5.CAS.c.4; 3-5.CAS.c.5; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b; 3-5.DTC.c.4; 3-5.DTC.c.5; 3-5.CS.a

Play Well

WITH LEGO WEDO WE DO CODING WELL

Design Challenge Accepted!  Over the course of two weeks, students at Spofford Pond School were given time to test their design skills.  Students worked in partnerships to build and program a variety of robots to complete various tasks.
We are engineers!  We are programmers!  We are the future!

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?

What is coding and how can you use coding to create?

How does the engineering design process relate to problem solving and critical thinking?

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

Tech-xpectations

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP OVERVIEW & The Spofford Pond School A.U.P.

During the first few weeks of school students reviewed the Spofford Pond Digital Citizenship rules.  After going through our Acceptable Use Policy (A.U.P.), examining some rules and watching some safety tip videos, students signed a digital citizenship contract, pledging to follow the rules.  Grades 5 & 6 also got a special presentation on Internet Safety from guest speaker, Katie Greer.  Be sure to check out her website.   Digital Citizenship is an important piece of technology use and it is a subject that we will be investigating throughout the year in all classes.

Spofford Pond School Handbook/Acceptable Use Policy(A.U.P. can be found on page 23)
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; 3-5.CAS.b; 6-8.CAS.a; 6-8.CAS.b

Digital Citizenship Week

CELEBRATING DIGITAL CITIZENSHIPOCTOBER 17 - 21, 2022(AND BEYOND!)

"Digital Citizenship Week is a week-long celebration promoting digital well-being within K–12 schools, advancing Common Sense’s mission of helping students thrive in a world of media and technology. Learning never stops, and neither does digital citizenship. Teaching our students digital skills and inviting them to reflect on how media and technology affect their daily lives is essential to helping them connect with the world around them. Digital Citizenship week is the perfect time to engage our students around these essential life skills using resources from Common Sense Education."

commonsensemedia.org
At Spofford Pond School we promote digital citizenship everyday.  In classrooms around the building students are not only expected to follow our acceptable use policy rules but also to adhere to good digital citizenship.  Digital Citizenship is a set of rules and responsibilities that inspire the responsible use of technology, digital devices and online accounts. Part of being a digital citizen at Spofford Pond School requires one to make good choices when using technology.  The idea of digital citizenship is that it is truly a life skill that empowers the user. As digital citizens, students will acquire knowledge about the role they play when they use technology in the classroom and beyond.
You may wonder, how can you help at home?  Here are some resources for families:

Help your student balance their time:

Talk with your family and sign a Family Media Agreement.

Check out some of these videos:What Does it Mean to Be a Digital Citizen?#Devicefreedinner

Common Sense Media Parent Concerns

Collaboration, The Key to Success!

GRADE 4'S FIRST BREAKOUT EDU!

Students in the fourth grade got to use their collaboration skills and their map skills when they were faced with this Breakout EDU challenge.  They were challenged to use clues, critical thinking, common sense and collaboration to solve puzzles and open a variety of locks on the BreakoutEDU boxes. The theme was "Map Skills" and this competition against the clock sure put these young minds to work!

Technology Essential Questions:
Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can an "escape room" experience motivate students and inspire active participation?How can an "escape room" experience inspire critical thinking, collaboration, communication & creativity?

WeVideo

INSPIRED BY REAL TO REEL

In order to learn the basics of the video editor, WeVideo, students in The Hive (grade 4, Ms. Davis & Mrs. Valzania) were tasked with creating a book trailer for Cynthia Lord's Rules.  Students created storyboards, learned about the preview pane, investigated stock media and layered audio, video, images and titles in the scrubber to create their final projects.  What a great project for beginning film writers, producers, editors and technicians.

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

Welcome Back, Fall 2022

Hello Spofford Pond Community and Welcome Back!
I look forward to working with all of youthroughout the upcoming school year.
Sincerely,

Summertime!

Wishing you all a summer of sunshine and happiness!See you in September!

Play Well

With Lego WeDo We Do Coding Well

Fourth graders are at it again!  This time with Lego WeDo.  Students worked in partnerships to build and program a variety of robots to complete various tasks.
We are engineers!  We are programmers!  We are the future!

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

State Projects

Students in Mrs. Cronin's 4th grade class have been studying the fifty U.S. states.  As a culminating research project, each student chose a state to investigate.  After learning about their state's history, geography, landmarks and fun facts, students were then tasked with "selling" that state to potential customers.  Using Canva to create a real estate flyer and business cards, as well as filming a short product infomercial, students came up with the ultimate sales pitch.  Finally, students from grade 3 came to the sale and got to place offers after the much-ballyhooed real estate extravaganza.

Now it's your turn to come on down and check out the deals before third grade makes their final bids:

Texas On Sale!  Just ask for Sydney...
 
Nevada on Sale!  Just ask for Xavier...


Ayla's Five Fun Facts:

Max's Five Fun Facts:

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

Specialists' Night 2022

GREAT FUN AT SPOFFORD POND SPECIALISTS' NIGHT

Spofford Pond School had a nice turn out for Specialists' Night 2022, our first time back in two years.  Families spent an hour with their children checking out all the great things our Teacher Specialists do with students throughout the year.The cafe was busy with Boxford community members as they investigated apps like Padlet, Drawing Pad and Book Creator, 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!

Graphic Design

Canva in the Classroom

Students in grade six library-media classes recently learned to use Canva, a graphic design site.  Tasked with a community service project to update the library category cards and to also create displays to highlight or recommend some of their favorite books to other patrons, these sixth grade designers really rose to the challenge.  Using programs like Canva, students build their visual literacy and digital creativity skills as well as learn different ways to present content.

Technology Essential Questions:
How can technology help us create projects for others in our school community?

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

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

How can we leverage a tool like Canva to increase engagement and learn new skills?

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

6-8.DTC.a; 6-8.DTC.b;

iPad App Highlight

Fun with Drawing Pad

Students in Mrs. O'brien's 4th grade and Ms. Sitak's 3rd grade recently got to use the iPad app, Drawing Pad, in their classrooms.  Drawing Pad is a "drawing app with an impressive array of features that can transform your iPad tablet into a portable art studio and virtual canvas. Developed by Murtha Design, it is the perfect how to draw app for kids and adults." (apppicker full review)

Mrs. O'brien's class used Drawing Pad to illustrate their Google Slides poetry writing journals.  Ms. Sitak's class used Drawing Pad to create illustrations of animal adaptations and springtime inspirations.  In both cases everyone's inner artist came to the forefront.

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

School Podcast

New Episodes Have Dropped!BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE SPOFFORD POND SCHOOL PODCAST:

 The Great Polar Bearier Riff (link)
Students in Ms. Osowski's 6th grade science classes have been studying body systems.  A few students decided to share what they learned by creating a podcast.  Creating podcasts empowers students to express their ideas and connect with the world.
Be sure to check it out:
Body Systems:  The Circulatory System with Kay Zee, Maddie & Logan
Body Systems:  The Circulatory System with Lincoln, Morgan & Emily


Podcasting Essential Questions:

How can we infuse classroom curriculum with technology that is easily accessible and simple to use?

How can we use this technology to delve deeper into subject matter?

How does this technology strengthen research, writing and collaboration skills?

How does this technology strengthen speaking and listening skills?

Grade 4 Digital Biographies

Grade 4 Biography Projects Get a #Reboot

Students in Mrs. Cronin's class have been reading biographies.  In order to show what they know, they have decided to create F-Instagram (fake Instagram) accounts for their chosen person of study.  Students read about and researched information on their subject and then, using Google Slides, Britannica Online and the app, Drawing Pad, built a F-Instagram account complete with images, information, an artist's rendition caricature and even hashtags.
Check out their caricatures and F-Instas to see what's #trending!

(Mobile users click here for the caricature video)


F-Instas:
@blackbeardthepirate by CR


@The_French_Chef by EO


@chimpsareus by MR




@pple by CW

Technology Essential Questions:

How can digital storytelling foster critical thinking skills?

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

App Smashing

Grade 4 Comic BookIt's a bird!  It's a plane! It's..... a Mathematical App Smash!

Students in Mr. Duffy's grade 4 classroom were recently challenged to create a comic book that teaches a math concept.  Students used iPads and two apps:  Drawing Pad & Book Creator to accomplish this goal.  

Check out their creations:

(Mobile users click link below video image)

Maya the Math Hero





Face Man





Measuring Hero

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