Shepard students have superpowers!

Our students have been learning how to program in JavaScript using tools on The Hour of Code website. This website encourages people of all ages to try computer programming and see how fascinating and easy it is. I like how it teaches logical thinking and planning, and problem solving! The students have been able to create and move characters and explore new environments for those characters - truly feeling the super powers of computer programming! If you would like to check The Hour of Code website out for yourself, go to "code.org/learn" and try it.

Computer Programming

Our students have been exploring computer programming in the classroom! We checked out the Code.org website which hosts several programming opportunities like Minecraft, Star Wars, and Frozen to use blocks of Java Script code to make characters move through puzzles. The students used amazing logic skills to create houses in Minecraft world, help Elsa and Anna create ice patterns in skating, and help BB-8 collect scrap metal while avoiding storm troopers.

"We are programming a robot!"

Our classes have had the opportunity to use the iPads this week. The students used an app called Lightbot to program a robot to move and "light" certain tiles. This problem solving app was very popular, and the students figured out how to use it very quickly. The tasks got harder and harder, and I was very impressed with the coding skills of our children!

We also tested out Scratch Jr., another programming app. This app allowed the students to use their imagination to create a cartoon world and make characters move. We will explore MIT's Scratch program in the next few weeks. 

Keyboarding practice

Our students continue to practice keyboarding skills this week. The goal is to become familiar with letter location on a QWERTY keyboard and reduce "hunt and peck" typing habits. Keeping your fingers on the home row will greatly improve speed of typing as well. Our current bulletin board enforces this idea as it will demonstrate for students the amazing things you can create in writing when looking for letters on the keyboard is not something you are concentrating on.

Our third graders will help to decorate our board with creative figures 😀!

Signs of Fall and Typing Goats!

This past week our students used Word to type "Signs of Fall", changing the font type, size, and color to one of their choice. They then inserted pictures of what they like about fall: Autumn leaves, scarecrows, pumpkins, etc.

They also practiced keyboarding skills with a typing Scottish goat 😀.

IPads on Wednesday and Thursday

Here are pictures of our students using iPads in the lab on Wednesday and Thursday.  It was fun using the QR code app to read and compose "Would you rather" questions, and Scratch Jr coding was challenging!

QR Code Tuesday!

Here are questions our students made up themselves:

"Would you rather be 7 feet tall or 1 foot tall?" - Isaiah

"Would you rather be stuck in space or stranded in the desert?" - Fatimah

"Would you rather eat spiders or ghost peppers?" - Paige

"Would you rather be a tree or a fish?" - Benjamin

Our classes continue making up "Would you rather?" questions to turn into QR codes and share with friends:

QR Codes Monday

Today we did work with iPads! We learned how to use QR codes to read "would you rather." questions, and then we learned how to create our own QR codes. Later we did a little coding work using Scratch Jr apps.

Friendly Letters and Puppies 😀

Our classes have been practicing typing skills by writing friendly letters to their teachers or to me.  Letters that they wrote to me will be kept for future reference because I asked them to tell me five favorite things. We will use those favorite things to work on research and PowerPoint projects later in the year.

We also had our first assembly!

Our kindergarten classes are still practicing using the mouse on the computer.  Joshua, a fifth-grader, made a wonderful smart board project for our kindergarten students! He covered pictures of puppies with layers of "paint" , and the students each took a turn at uncovering the puppy by erasing the paint with the mouse. Then, each student got to erase the paint another time using the smart board eraser. Good fun and good practice!

Joshua, our smart board hero!

See you next week!

Testing and Typing!

Our older students took the STAR Math assessment and did a great job! We then moved on to practicing keyboard skills and typing in Word. As a reward for working so hard, the classes watched a short video of "Bad Dad Jokes😄". Ask your student: "How many tickles does it take to make an octopus laugh?"

Our younger students also practiced their keyboarding skills. The focus is on letter placement on the keyboard and not speed.

We all enjoyed watching butterflies flying outside our lab window as well! 

Netiquette and MyON

Netiquette is the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the Internet. Our older students learned the importance of netiquette as they start communicating through blogs and websites.  

Our younger students learned about the Cyber Five: rules to abide by when you go out on the Internet.  When in doubt about something you see, tell an adult immediately.

The students in grades 1-5 then logged into MyON to read.  MyON is an online digital library that our students access. MyON has an exciting way of encouraging your child to read for more than just a few minutes - be sure to check it out at home! MyON can be found on the Shepard website.

Our Kindergarten friends heard a story about a "Shelf Elf" who lives in the library and helps take care of books. Our students were reminded to take good care of their library books, too 😀. They then worked again on mastering mouse skills on the computer while learning about the alphabet.

Nice work!

Cyber bullies 😕

This week our classes learned about cyber bullies and what they do. Cyber bullies can gossip online, impersonate another person, or threaten another person online. All of these actions are unacceptable, and our students learned what to do if it happens to them.  (Hint: start by telling a trusted adult!). 

Our students want to be good digital citizens 😀

Digital Citizenship

Digital citizenship is the norms of appropriate, responsible behavior with regards to technology use. This week our classes talked about being good digital citizens by being careful not to give out our YAPPY (Your name, Address, Phone number, Password, Your plans) on the Internet.   3rd grade discussed different digital footprints; 4th grade watched a video of Professor Garfield; and 5th grade watched a video called Tracking Teresa.  Always be safe on the Internet!

2nd grade watched the adventures of Faux Paw the cat who found trouble when she was not being safe surfing the internet; 1st grade watched a video of Molly who asked what exactly is the "Internet" and what information do I give out from my "castle"?; and kindergarten classes worked more on their mouse skills😀

The students all had the opportunity to then get on the computers and practice what they had learned. A good week!

Computers and Passwords...

Our first week of class in the computer lab was super!   It was great to see friends again, and the students noticed some changes in the room, especially the nice new windows!

Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders discussed the rules of the computer lab and how to take care of the equipment.  Sharon Salmons, the Shepard Media Specialist, joined us to discuss the importance of creating good passwords. These students then logged onto the computers and made a new password that they will use each time they come to the computer lab.

Our 1st and 2nd grade students learned about the computer lab rules as well before they logged into the computers.  These students use the passwords assigned to them by Columbia Public School, and do not create their own yet.  It was a little tricky remembering how to log in after a long summer break, but each student was successful.  Good job!

Our Kindergarten friends came in for their very first visit to the computer lab 😀. Because the kindergarten classes started two days later, only two of the classes came in this week. Next week, the next two classes will visit.

We read a book to the kindergarten students, and then they moved on to the computers. Our 1st graders were kind enough to keep the computer program up, so the kindergarteners did not have to log in yet. We practiced using a mouse and clicking for a game to start!

It was a great start to the school year!