Students really embraced the project and watched their film come alive. Towards the end of the project, grade 3 learned how to create a 'silent film' with character dialogue, and add a variety of media components, such as music | While classroom teachers study characters within the common core curriculum, I am working on a project with characters that works with stop animation. This is a take on the book "Flat Stanley". So far, with the discussion of creating stop animation, students have learned and compared this to the writing process, in addition to having a lot of fun! |
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Cooking up codes is coming on March 25 at Fort Monmouth Recreation Center. Ages 5-7 will be cooking a Fruit-Kabob by first creating an algorithm, then cooking their recipe. Afterwards, we will get a chance to move onto a laptop computer where we will be working on different coding exercises.
Looking forward to it! Lately, I've had the pleasure of infusing technology with coding and also utilizing the Engineering Design Process to a maker space. With inspiration from teacherspayteachers, a workshop on makers space, and imagination; I've incorporated fairy tales and popular literature, making the connection of some of our favorite storybook characters.
Pictured above, students designing a way for Jack from "Jack and the Beanstalk" to get down after the Giant had pulled a "weed" from his garden (the beanstalk). Each group was given different supplies. They went through the Engineering Design Process: 1. Ask 2. Imagine 3. Plan 4. Create 5. Reflect What I noticed immediately was the enthusiasm for the projects. Students were immediately becoming problem-solvers, using specific materials to apply practical applications to a problem. Not only is this linked to NJ Technology Standards, NexGen Science Standards and Common Core, it is just FUN for EVERYONE! Suddenly, engaging discussions were being had amongst the students. Students were using each others strengths, learning to work as a team. I'm looking forward to the other stories! Fun and interactive. Before I approach PowerPoint I always try to talk to the classroom teacher first to connect the lesson. It's important to have a plan in mind. Post-it notes offer a great way to get going. I like to have the sentence on the post-it note, and the picture behind it. This way, students already have a keyword in mind when you are showing them how to image search.
There's always a day when technology needs updating, or something just doesn't go the right way. Tech class can still be fun without the tech! A big question is how can I connect the lesson I intended to use technology with, in an 'unplugged' manner.
With proper planning, imagination and use of great resources like code.org; you can create or use their materials. Some of these ideas are spins off of the code.org sight. Others created to further develop the understanding of computer science with kids. Above are images of this experience. I dare you to give a child a camera and see what happens. Instantly, they are captivated with the responsibility of using this for of technology. Once they learn how to use it.... Watch out! You'll have one creative literary photographer on your hands...
The first thing i noticed during this activity was how it captivated interest and helped students instantly begin a story. In the photography unit, students create, photograph, and compose a written piece of work on their own. My classroom book allows for each student to create any kind of story.... Fiction, non-fiction, poem, and many more. Here the student is the author, illustrator, and photographer. I have to say how impressed I am with the results. Each student really created something unique, and we will create a digital portfolio of these works in the upcoming future. This week and last I was given the pleasure to host and co-host, 'Hour of Code' workshops throughout my school district with my fellow Digital Literacy Teachers and District technology coordinator.
While this was my first year hosting the workshop, I couldn't help but notice how excited parents were as they watched their children understand computer science concepts, such as algorithms, and practice them, creating programs that actively demonstrating their knowledge of the topic. In addition, this particular program in my district touches upon every subject, intertwining itself within Math, Science, Literacy, and Social Studies I'm beyond excited to have been quoted through Piscataway Township's local news website tapinto. what a wonderful experience celebrating computer science week! https://www.tapinto.net/articles/randolphville-elementary-celebrates-computer-scie In addition, my school's Grandview and Knollwood elementary are also featured on the district website front page: (check it out!) http://piscatawayschools.org/cms/One.aspx Algorithms. We use them everyday. Simple steps to solve a task. Well, Algorithms can be taught from mid-year Kindergarten all through the various grade levels. I just tried this lesson on algorithms from code.org with my 3rd graders where they needed to cut out steps and put them steps in order to successfully make a paper airplane. All of us had a wonderful experience, and walked away having lots of fun, with understanding the importance that algorithms had in everyday life, and computer science. (I highly recommend the code.org website and its materials!)
When I took a step back from it, I started to make a connection with not only mathematics, but literacy as well. When students begin to write "how-to's" they are writing 'algorithms', or they learn the steps to solve an equation (yes....algorithms!). They can apply this with computer science at a young age, beginning to see that technology can be helpful in every asset. Knowing what the connection is to real life algorithms and lessons we learn in the classroom can really hit home with children. Technology has the power to make anyone become productive. Within our education system, there are a variety of learners with which teachers can reach by utilizing these electronic devices. Not to mention with PARCC and NJ Education system seeing re-vamping, along with the common core; schools that have not had large access to technology, have now become encompassed with different forms of electronic media, and we are starting to see more and more integration. That's where I come in. Hello, I'm the Digital Literacy Teacher!
As a Digital Literacy Teacher, my subject offers a supplemental support of every subject a classroom teacher ELA, Science, Social Students, and Math. I will teach the same concepts from the classroom, trained the same way a traditional classroom teacher teaches, but now I get to work specifically with technology and show the students how to take their current classroom concepts and bring them into technology. I understand the fact that certain concepts or skills need to be taught without technology, and I would like to make it known that I support those concepts and understand their importance within the education system. This simply isn't the topic at hand. Digital Literacy in an elementary setting is introducing even more skills and concepts, that when taught properly under supervision, can help a learner as they move to higher grade levers create something unique, which expresses the lesson a traditional classroom teacher has taught in a different way. To sum this up, it's project-based learning. You're traditional shoe-box projects are becoming no more. Scary as that may seem, education is doing their best to help students incorporate this 'new way to learn'. I'm not saying the traditional, technology-free projects did not boast a variety of importance, skill, and cognitive recognition. It also is understood in this classroom that some families may not have the means to support technology at home. Parent communication with this is key. We work through that. I personally will schedule after school days, the public library can also become a valuable option. Without fail, the student, with teacher and parent help, will receive the support needed to complete the project. Many times, these projects are completed in class to support the students, because they were simply so excited to learn with this tool. minimal is done at home, although I am more than willing to send things home to have parents support the curriculum. :-) photo credit: http://smartblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/digital-literacy.jpg (thank you for the borrow!) Throughout my journey in the education field, I notice changes in the way I present information to students. Last year, 2012-13 school year was my first year as an elementary computer teacher, all grade levels K-5. My experiences have shifted a few of my beliefs and I have altered my website accordingly.
This winter break I was fortunate enough to back-date and log some of my past research with my time at University of Phoenix. I found myself re-reading and appreciating how much I have grown and reflected on my own practices. One thing I definitely plan on doing the rest of this school year is cataloging my experience further. I look forward to further reflection after the school year. Best, Lindsey |
Lindsey PietrocolaSince 2010, I've been incorporating technology (in some form or another) into a classroom as a teacher. Archives
April 2019
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