Published Authors in the House!

WE ARE BLOGGERS

Sixth Graders are officially published authors!

Students in grade 6 classes are blogging!  First, we spent time discussing blogging and writing for an audience outside of school.  Then each student setup a blog using Google Sites.  Students learned to set permissions, comments, layout, theme, format, and sharing and then published their blogs on the internet.  They created forms to collect and display feedback from viewers.
Next steps will include posting additional writing, adding images and links and responding to comments.According to George Couros, author of The Innovator's Mindset, there are at leastfive great reasons students should blog (article).Blogging:allows for "open reflection"
helps to "develop literacy through different mediums"
"gives students a space for their voice to be heard"
creates "an open archive of learning"
"develops a positive digital footprint"
Stay tuned for more about this exciting opportunity and be sure to watch out for our students' blogs as they flourish over the next few weeks.

Technology Essential Questions:

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

How can we use this digital tool to create original, innovative works and demonstrate a student's unique voice?

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

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

6-8.CAS.a; 6-8.CAS.b; 6-8.DTC.a.3; 6-8.DTC.a.4; 6-8.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. Stewart's class have lots of opinions that reflect who they are as people.  Tune in to hear their thoughts, ideas and experiences.  Take a moment to find out just what they believe. (Based on the "This I Believe" website and podcast)
Here is a glimpse into grade six's "This I Believe" series:
"What Ellie Believes", season 5, episode 5"What Jayden Believes", season 5, episode 6"What Tyler Q. Believes", season 5, episode 17

Behind the Scenes Moments:

For more episodes, follow this link to find our podcast directly at Anchor or you can search for "The Great Polar Bearier Riff" and listen to our podcast on the following apps:

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?

B.E.S.T. Grants

Sphero the Coding Heroa classroom experience made possible by

Thanks to the generosity and continued support from the Boxford Elementary Schools Trust (B.E.S.T.), students at Spofford Pond School are experiencing what it takes to program robots to complete tasks.  In this preliminary activity using the Sphero Bolt, sixth graders were charged with first "getting to know their robot" by teaching it to move around a designated area.  Then they were given activity cards and asked to write programs to fulfill a specific task.  For instance, some students had to start their Bolt on planet Earth and then travel the solar system, stopping at three additional space objects.  Students found success but also quickly discovered that not all programs work on the first try.  For some of our programmers it was back to the drawing board when Bolt veered off course!
Opportunities like these at Spofford Pond School would not be possible without grants that are funded by B.E.S.T.  Everyone involved really appreciates their contributions to our learning environment.
Watch out for more from Sphero in 2023 as we plan to expand this adventure to other grade levels as well!

Technology Essential Questions:How can you use computer programming to complete a task?What is coding and what can you use coding to create?What is Sphero and how can it be used to solve real world problems?How does computer science relate to everyday life?Do robots have an important place in our world?