Technology Integration in the Primary Grades

The students and teachers at the RSD6 elementary schools have been doing some exciting things with technology. Over the past few months of the 2012-2013 school year, teachers have been upgrading their classroom websites to improve school/home communication and utilizing Google Docs to collaborate with colleagues.

The students have been engaging in a variety of digital-age learning experiences. Here are a few examples of how the primary teachers are promoting creativity, communication, and collaboration in the classroom.

Mrs. Maiolo's second graders have been using the Fotobabble app to publish poetry and practice reading fluency.



 Each of the kindergartners in Miss Gleason's class created a Voki to publish their writing pieces about their favorite season.


First graders in Mrs. Williamson's class have been working with the Puppet Pals app on the ipad to demonstrate their learning in Reader's and Writer's Workshop.


Students in Mrs. Carpenter's second grade class illustrated their understanding of 'doubling' using the free online tool, Kerpoof.

After each student designed his or her human self, Kindergardeners in Mrs. Brady's class went wild using BuiLD YouR WiLD SeLF.  

Kindergarden and First Grade students read the book, Little Cloud by Eric Carle in Art Class from a YouTube video. They dialogued about seeing various shapes in clouds and painted their own clouds with white paint on blue paper.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGrGjkPiCmc

Studucate

STUDUCATE...A night when students educate parents by sharing how they use technology to enhance their own learning.

Students taking ownership for their own learning is one of the most important aspects of 21st Century Learning. When that occurs pride, leadership, self-confidence and true understanding swell to the surface. In this technological age of learning those who truly grasp the benefits of these times realizes that it really isn’t about the technology at all. What really matters is how and why it is utilized. Providing students with opportunities to communicate, collaborate, use creativity and critical thinking not only engage students on a higher level of learning, but will help to build a strong foundation for their future. On March 1, 2012, the students of Warren School participated in a very special event that held them to a highly unique standard. We called this event Studucate. Studucate was a night when students educated parents by sharing how they use technology to enhance their own learning. Students were highly motivated to take on this challenge. 70 of our 89 students of Warren School, K-6, presented at Studucate. Students owned the night. Throughout the evening, parents and friends rotated from class to class as groups of students in each grade presented 10-minute lessons to those in attendance. Those not in attendance for each presentation--the classroom teacher. Teachers let the students truly embrace the experience. It would be difficult for teachers not to intervene when their students came across technical difficulties or lesson mishaps in the midst of presenting to a room full of adults.

Each presentation was equipped with a support system. This support came in the form of the senior students in the school, the sixth grade. As hosts, the sixth graders introduced the presenters and provided guidance as necessary. These eleven and twelve year olds were wonderful at providing the assurance that help was there if needed, but allowed time for groups to take the initiative to problem solve issues that arose. Student presenters were placed in the position to trust in themselves and their partners to work through the lesson together. The outcome....mission accomplished.

The following day students were given time to explain what they felt about Studucate. Their reactions were priceless, not to mention extremely insightful. They expressed the importance of teamwork, communicating thoughts clearly, and being able to work through problems that presented themselves during their lessons. For many, the experience made them realize that they have the ability to take on challenges, step out of their comfort zone, and accomplish something that leaves a feeling of pride difficult to match. These expressions were informally captured on an iPad and merged with footage of Studucate to create a 13 minute iMovie video that was e-blasted out to parents and friends. The VoiceThread created the night of Studucate was included as well.The following day students were given time to explain what they felt about Studucate. Their reactions were priceless, not to mention extremely insightful. They expressed the importance of teamwork, communicating thoughts clearly, and being able to work through problems that presented themselves during their lessons. For many, the experience made them realize that they have the ability to take on challenges, step out of their comfort zone, and accomplish something that leaves a feeling of pride difficult to match. These expressions were informally captured on an iPad and merged with footage of Studucate to create a 13 minute iMovie video that was e-blasted out to parents and friends. The VoiceThread created the night ofStuducate was included as well.

"It felt like you were in charge and your teachers didn't help. It wasn't the teachers telling you how to use a program, it was you teaching the parents."

"If you work together, you can get things done. We were a great team together."