Digital Citizenship

Empowering Sixth Graders: Navigating Communication, Digital Footprints, and Media Literacy in the Digital Age

As the digital world continues to evolve, so too must our approach to educating young learners about responsible digital citizenship. In sixth grade, students stand at the threshold of adolescence, making it an opportune time to equip them with the essential skills needed to navigate the complexities of digital communication, understand the implications of their digital footprint, and critically evaluate news and media sources.

Communication in the Digital Age:

Digital communication has become ubiquitous, shaping the way we interact and connect with others. Sixth-grade students are introduced to the nuances of digital communication, including the importance of clear and respectful online interactions.

Managing Digital Footprints:

In an age where every click, like, and comment leaves a digital trace, understanding the concept of a digital footprint is paramount. Sixth graders explore the notion that their online actions can have lasting consequences, both positive and negative. They learn strategies for managing their digital footprint responsibly, including safeguarding personal information, thinking critically before posting, and understanding the permanence of digital content.

News and Media Literacy:

With the proliferation of news and media sources on the internet, sixth-grade students are taught to approach information with a critical eye. They learn to discern credible sources from misinformation, identify bias and evaluate the reliability of news stories. By honing their news and media literacy skills, students become empowered to navigate the digital landscape with discernment and confidence.

Empowering Tomorrow's Digital Citizens:

Sixth-grade digital citizenship education serves as a foundation for fostering responsible digital citizens. By equipping students with the skills to communicate effectively, manage their digital footprints thoughtfully, and critically evaluate news and media sources, educators empower them to navigate the digital world with integrity and resilience. As these young learners embark on their digital journeys, they do so armed with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Parents' Ultimate Guide - Common Sense Media

Technology Essential Questions

What are our rights and responsibilities as digital citizens, and how do they influence our online behavior?

How can we use digital platforms to contribute positively to our communities while avoiding harmful behaviors such as cyberbullying or spreading misinformation?

How do we distinguish between credible and unreliable sources of information in the digital age?

What steps can we take to safeguard our personal information and privacy online?

What are the long-term consequences of our digital actions, and how can we make informed decisions to shape our digital identities positively?

What strategies can we employ to navigate digital platforms effectively while maintaining positive online relationships?

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

6-8.CAS

iPads in the Classroom

4th Graders CanExplain Everything

As part of their science unit on human internal and external structures, students in the Hive (grade 4 Davis/Valzania) used the iPad app, Explain Everything, to record a scientific argument that explains how these structures support survival and growth.
Explain Everything allows the user to import images, video, and audio.  It is a whiteboarding platform where users can share ideas with clear visuals.
Here is one to check out:

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.DTC.a.3,3-5.DTC.b.1, 3-5.CT.e.3

Tech Skills

"When you teach typing, the goal isn't speed and accuracy.  The goal of keyboarding is that students type well enough that it doesn't disrupt their thinking."- Jacqui Murray, Ask a Tech Teacher

Recently, Spofford Pond has added Typetastic to its digital subscriptions.  Students in all grade levels have the opportunity to spend some time practicing their keyboarding skills and working their way through a variety of fun games using Typetastic.
Sending students on a

Technology Essential Questions

Which fingers belong on which keys?

What happens when you don't use the correct finger to reach the correct key from the home row?

What is the correct posture and technique for Touch Typing?

How does bad posture affect your keyboarding skills?

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

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

Tech Skills

Grade 3 Tech Skills

Students in the third grade have been learning new tech skills.  They practiced learning how to split their screen.  This skill comes in handy when you are trying to view two windows at the same time.  For example, when doing reading response exercises students can have one window open to an online article and another on a Google Doc where they can write their response to the reading.
This exercise teaches new tech skills like maximize, minimize, pull tab, and toggle.  It also allows students to practice their listening skills and their ability to follow directions.

Technology Essential Questions:

Technology is always changing and improving. How can we know what skills to learn?

How do we choose technological tools to use for a particular task?

How can we learn to adapt to new technologies?

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 4 Green Screen

Titanic Survivor Interviews

Students in Ms. Sitak's fourth grade class recently completed their study of of the H.M.S Titanic.  One part of the project asked students to step back in time and conduct interviews with real-life survivors.  Student "reporters" researched and asked appropriate questions.  Student "survivors" researched a real-life Titanic survivor and answered the questions as they imagined that person might have answered them. Using the Green Screen app and iMovie we created video versions of these mock interviews.

Grade 4 Behind the Scenes

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?

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

Grade 4 State Fair

4th Grade presents:

Spofford Pond School State Fair

Students in grade 4 have been studying the U.S. States over the past several weeks.  In a culminating project, they create a presentation including everything they have learned about their State.  Families, teachers and other students are invited to the State Fair to see their discoveries. This year, the State Fair also included this fun Midway Game: Using Flipgrid, each student left a video recording that included two truths and a lie about their State.  Fair participants were encouraged to leave a video reply, trying to guess which statement was the lie. In this scenario, everyone was a winner!
Flipgrids: passcode:  B0xf0rd* State Fair Fun:

Students also created a sing-along to Renald Francoeur's "Tour the States". Check it out:

Grade 3 "How To" Videos

Creating "How To" videos using Explain Everything, Drawing Pad and the Camera

Students in Mrs. Holt's grade three classroom recently used the iPad apps, Explain Everything and Drawing Pad, and the iPad camera to create "How To" videos.  Students chose a topic such as, "how to make a sandwich" or "how to play checkers" and then wrote a script of steps that could teach the skill to someone else.  They used Explain Everything, Drawing Pad and the camera to turn their scripts into videos.  Here are a few examples:
How to Paint a Rock Pet How to Paint Your Nails

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?

Grade 3 Common Core Standards: W.3.2, W.3.3, W.3.5, W. 3.6, SL.3.4, SL.3.5, SL.3.6 2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework 3-5.DTC.a.2; 3-5.DTC.a.3; 3-5.DTC.b.1

The American Southwest - Grade 4

Mrs. Viviani's Social Studies Classes Students have been studying the American Southwest.  As a culminating project, they were tasked with creating an "Explain Everything" screencast to show what they have learned about this incredible region of our country.  Students used print and digital sources to research the topic and presented their findings digitally.  Check it out!



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?

Grade 4 Common Core Standards:  RI.4.10; SL.4.4; SL.4.5

Grade 4 Explain Everything

Students in Mrs. Macelhiney's grade 4 class were tasked with creating screencasts to explain everything they know about the United States.  Each student researched a U.S. State and created their tutorials using the iPads and the app, Explain Everything. Check it out:
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?

Grade 4 Common Core Standards:  RI.4.10; SL.4.4; SL.4.5; 

Green Screen in Grade 5

Technology Integration with Mrs. Wiles-Stasko's Social Studies Classes Students have been studying explorers during social studies over the past few weeks.  As a culminating project, they were asked to "interview" a famous explorer. Here is the assignment criteria:

  

Next students spent time creating and memorizing their skits:

 

Then it was time to enter the Green Screen Studio and tape their skits.  We had camera operators, directors, set managers and talent working collaboratively to make it happen!  "Quiet on set!"

Finally, we took our segments to the editing room and used Green Screen and iMovie to put on the final touches.
Enjoy!

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?

Grade 3 Penguins

Students in Mrs. Estella's 3rd grade have been studying and researching penguins. They have been reading books about penguins and doing online research using Kids InfoBits They recently used the app "Book Creator" to create eBooks to show what they know. Enjoy!

Click to view: Technology Essential Question: How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

Grade 5 Explorer Holiday Proposals

Grade 5 Social Studies Students use Explain Everything

 Students in Mrs. Medugno's and Mrs. Bouffard's social studies classes have recently finished creating Explain Everything screencasts explaining why certain

explorers of the past deserve a holiday.

Students researched an explorer and then presented their facts and gave reasons why they believe their explorer should have a holiday in their honor and how it will be celebrated. Check it out: 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?

Grade 3 Google Slides

Grade 3 Students: Discovering How to Collaborate Digitally Using Google Slides...
Students in Mrs. Holt's third grade have been studying weather. Recently, they were tasked with reading books about various weather subjects and then working in collaborative groups to share what they learned. Student groups each created a Google Slides project and presented it to their classmates.  Students were able to work individually on their own laptop on a shared digital presentation, in real time. Wow!  Google Slides and The Power of Collaboration!

Finished Slide Presentation:
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?

States of Matter - Grade 3

Grade 3 Students in Mrs. Gibson's Class Topic:  The States of Matter

Grade 3 working hard!

Students used the App Explain Everything to explain the three states of matter.
Check out their finished projects:
Massachusetts Physical Science (Chemistry - Physics) Standards, Grades 3 - 5: Standard 2:  Compare and contrast solids, liquids, and gases based on the basic properties of each of these states of matter. Technology Essential Question: How can technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

Radical Readers Recommend: Grade 3

Mrs. Holt's Grade Three Students have been very busy!

Here are some highlights from their most recent technology-integrated project. All students were asked to read a book of their choice and write a review. Students then turned their review into a script and memorized it. Next,  we filmed their reviews in the Green Screen Studio:

Students used the Green Screen App to create backgrounds and edit their videos:

All Digital Music was created by the class during Music with Ms. Horgan using GarageBand and

added to the students' reviews using iMovie. 

Enjoy!

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?

4th Grade Persuasive eBooks

Mrs. Macelhiney's 4th Grade Creating Opinion eBooks Recently, 4th graders have been writing persuasive essays.  Upon completion, they were asked to create an illustrated eBook to highlight their opinion and compelling reasons.
Do you think Boxford should have sidewalks? Click below for Caroline's reasons why it should.  Enjoy!

Mrs. Macelhiney's 4th Grade Class

Technology Essential Question: How can this technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

Online Research and eBook Presentations

Martin Luther King, Jr - by Grade 4 Students were tasked with: 1.  Using Kids InfoBits (online database) to research at least five facts about Martin Luther King, Jr.
2.  Creating online notes and summaries of their research, send to Google Drive
3.  Creating citations for the resources they used, send to Google Drive
4.  Compiling their findings by creating an eBook about M.L.K., Jr. for a young audience using Book Creator

Researching Martin Luther King, Jr

Creating an eBook

Click on images to view finished projects:

Click here for a sample of Research Notes

Click here for a sample of Citations

Common Core Standards for Grade 4:  Reading Informational Text: RI.4; RI.4.9,
Writing:  W.4.2; W.4.4; W.4.7; W.4.8; W.4.9, Language:  L.4.1; L.4.2; L.4.3

Technology Essential Question: How can this technology be used to enhance a project and communicate knowledge?

Grade 3 Winter Poems

Grade 3 Winter Poem Books In December, students in Ms. Hartley's third grade class spent some time creating Winter Poem books using iPads and an app called Book Creator. 

Click on the image below to check out their collaborative effort:

Technology Essential Question: How can we use this software to create original collaborative projects?

Grade3 and the Outdoor Classroom

The Outdoor Classroom

Students in Mrs. Holt's Grade Three Class recently visited the Outdoor Classroom.
They used iPads to take pictures of what they discovered outside.
They compiled their pictures in an Explain Everything screencast and described their experiences.

They discovered iPads can be used for things other than selfies!

Grade Three students working hard!

Grade Three students helping each other!

Finished Project:

Essential Questions:

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

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

Scenes from the Hour of Code

Spofford Pond School

Hour of Code

Dec. 7 - 11, 2015

Click on pictures below to watch scenes from our Hour of Code week. 23 classes (over 430 students and teachers) participated and discovered The Power of CODE!

Third graders proudly displaying their Technology Award

Here are a few games students created:

by C., Grade 4

by A., grade 3

Code Behind the Scenes, Snapshots:

Hour of Code Lesson Essential Question: How can we use software to create original, innovative works and ideas?
Also, check out my iPad Apps page.  I have added a few links and app suggestions for coding.