Virtual Reality

Spofford Students Travel the World with Google Expeditions

 Thanks to a grant fulfilled by the PTO's Teacher Wishes program, several classrooms had a unique technological experience with virtual reality goggles. 

Using our new Google Expeditions kits, students are able to break through the four walls of the classroom and visit places like the San Diego Zoo in California and Moscow, Russia.  Sixth grade students got to tour the home of a Syrian refugee family as they adjust to their life in Lebanon.  And that is just the beginning.  Currently there are over 600 expeditions available for viewing, complete with guided scripts.  Several expeditions come with lesson plans as well.

Through the use of the virtual reality goggles and the read-aloud guided tour from Google Expeditions, teachers are able to supplement what is being taught in the classroom.  Virtual reality goggles immerse students in an interactive, three dimensional learning environment that makes you feel like you're really there.

I guarantee this kit will be well used by classrooms all around Spofford Pond!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

Why is exploration an important part of learning?
How can a virtual reality experience motivate students and inspire active participation?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.CAS.c.1; 6-8.DTC.a.1-2; 6-8.DTC.b.2; 6-8.CT.e.3

Grade 3 Winter Poems

Mrs. Cronin's Class Chills in Front of the Green Screen with Winter Poems

Mrs. Cronin's third grade class used the space to perform their Winter poems.  Actors arrived in costume with their lines perfectly prepared, their set design chosen and

snowflakes flying.

Check out a few of their frosty poetry readings!

Technology Essential Questions:

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

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

Why are exploration and creation an important part of learning?

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

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

Google Drawing

Six-Word Memoirs

(as written by book characters)

Recently, students in Mrs. Valzania's 6th grade classroom put their Google Drawing skills to work to create six-word memoir titles.  In just six words, students were asked to come up with a title for a memoir that might be written by one of the characters from the novels their literature circles just read.  Additionally, students had to include a image symbolic to the story or character.

Using Google Drawing, students inserted and modified word art and clipart, changed backgrounds, arranged objects on the page and grouped items appropriately.

Check out their finished projects:

By A.H.

By C.D.

By L.C.

By R.O.

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 this digital tool help us create a project that sparks curiosity?

2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
6-8.DTC.a.1-3; 6-8.DTC.b.1