March Madness in the Lab!

Now that we are in the heart of NCAA basketball's March Madness, some of the mania is creeping into the computer lab.  Many of the classes are involved in projects that extend beyond the lab and into the classroom.  The students have begun connecting, communicating and collaborating by skyping, blogging, and sharing with other classrooms.

Classrooms in Projects

Kindergarten is participating in Building Bridges, a Flat Classroom Project where they will connect and share a common theme.  They have met some of their partners through Skype and are creating introductions of our school and a "View from Our Window".  Mrs. Kaput is working on the project with her class while Ms. Bava and I work with hers.

Mrs. Kaput's Room 200

• Click to view my tale.
• 

Ms. Bava's Room 203

Grade 3 is participating in another Flat Classroom project called, A Week in the Life, where the 3rd graders will give a snapshot of a week in their lives according to various topics.  The 3rd grade teachers, Ms. Kinsella and Mrs. Hinthorn, are also involved in the project.

Mrs. Buhr's class in Grade 2 is enjoying the Edmodo Pen Pal Project where each class posts a series of questions per week and the other classes respond.  There are 4 classes in each group and we are now in Week 2.  Lots of great questions and conversations happening!

Global Projects

The students in Grade 6 have been working on their missions in Quest Atlantis.  They are now at the stage where they can see other students in the world and can communicate with them.  They follow the IBURST rules when they communicate:  

The 4th graders are working on the Student Blogging Challenge.  Each week the students have challenges to choose from to build their blogging skills and communicate with students around the world.  They are learning to properly comment, write in paragraph form, and create posts.  Check out their blogs here:  http://kidblog.org/Classof2017CSRN/.


The 2nd graders in Mrs. Ratajczak's class and 6th graders are participating in the Draw/Describe Project in Kidlink.  They are partnered with another class and each student writes a paragraph description of themselves from the shoulders-up.  The partner then draws the description and both the paragraph and drawing are posted in the Kidlink site.  The students draw the portraits with Mrs. Latz in the Art room.  The 2nd graders are paired up with students from Russia and the 6th graders are paired up with students from Illinois, Russia and Virginia.

Global Hero Project
The 5th graders begun their project for the global hero Voicethread project where they choose a hero to write about and describe their hero on this Voicethread where it will be shared and expanded with schools around the world.

Educational Skills and Fun

The 7th and 8th graders are working on Diocesan Assessments in Word Processing, Spreadsheet, and Presentations.  Although not as "fun" as the global projects above, students are learning and applying their knowledge of important fundamentals of these applications.

Grades Preschool - 1

The students in Preschool to First grades are learning math, drawing and typing skills using the following sites:

Preschool:  Number games
PreKindergarten:  Keyboarding 
Kindergarten:  Kerpoof
Grade 1:  ABCYa Keyboarding Kids Korner

Thank You!

I'd like to take a moment to thank the students, parents, staff and community for their kind thoughts and words when they heard of the award I received from the Joliet Chamber of Commerce.  I am humbled and honored to be one of the 16 educators who received the "Great Teacher" award.  Thanks again!

Technology Fun in February

We are having "fun" in the lab - and learning at the same time!  It's rewarding to see the students playing a game or activity, concentrating and enjoying their success.  Lots of fun times!

It was exciting to see the Early Childhood students playing on the Chromebooks this week.  They have their own headphones so they aren't distracted by their neighbor and they are understanding how to move the mouse and click on the large touchpad.

From:  www.digitaltrends.com

They played games from PBS Sprout.

Kindergarten students worked on their typing skills on ABCYa while playing  Keyboard Zoo and Typing Rocket.  They are working on typing with their left and right pointer fingers.

Grades 2, 3, and 5 started practicing their basic math and spelling skills on the World Education Games site.  They "verse" other students around the world and in their own class: 

Grade 1 students practiced keyboarding and then played other educational games on ABCYa.  The keyboarding site took a long time to load, so few students practiced on that site.  They did play the Cup Stacking game to practice typing skills on ABCYa.

Grade 4 students are continuing to blog and learn how to properly comment.  Kathleen Morris, a grade two teacher in Australia created this poster on how to write a comment on a blog:

A grade 3 teacher, Linda Yollis, created this great video on how to comment as well:

Grade 6 students are continuing to work on Quest Atlantis and their missions.  They are gaining "lumens" for their good work and are working towards pieces of their "shardflower".

Grade 7 students practiced their Digitween presentations as well as wrapping up any assignments that needed to be turned into Edmodo.

Grade 8 students evaluated and researched Google extensions to help support learning.  Extensions "live" next to the Omnibox (where you type the url) and enhance the learning experience for students and internet users of Google Chrome.  Once complete, they will present their findings to a live global audience.

Another great week in the lab!
Next week we'll prepare for global projects:

Kindergarten:  K-2 Building Bridges Project
Grade 3:  A Week in the Life Project

Grade 5 and 7:  Landmarks game
Grade 6:  Draw/Describe

Technology Update - January

What a great way to end the month of January with Catholic Schools Week (CSW). The students enjoyed the fun activities that go along with this special week as well as fun collaborations in the lab.

8th Grade
The students connected with another 8th grade class in Pennsylvania to share their favorite foods using Google Drawing and Google Hangout. More is written here by Mr. McNulty, their technology teacher:
(from: https://sites.google.com/site/todayincomputerclass/8-b)

Online Collaboration Project: Each student used a blank Google Drawing that was provided by the teacher to make a Venn Diagram of their favorite foods. Their partner for this project was an 8th grade student from the computer class at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Catholic School in Joliet, Illinois. You can view the example that was used explain the project here. This project was an example of what online collaboration might look and feel like in the future. All students printed and submitted their finished Venn Diagrams. Click here to enlarge the project description.




During the collaboration project we used a Google Hangout to
give our students a "window" into each other's classrooms.

7th Grade
The 7th graders are preparing to present to different grade levels about their Digitween Action Projects. The links to the projects can be found here:
http://digitween12-2.flatclassroomproject.org/Class+7-1+Action+Project+-+CSRN
and
http://digitween12-2.flatclassroomproject.org/Class+7-2+Action+Project+-+CSRN


6th Grade
Quest Atlantis - the students are learning how to play the virtual world of Quest Atlantis. They are starting their first mission and need to understand coordinates and read the tasks they need to do. They will also be able to chat with other players around the world. This is an example of what missions and quests look like:

image found: www.questatlantisblog.org

5th Grade
GAFE - the students just received Google Apps for Education accounts that includes Google Drive, Calendar, and Sites. They created folders in their Drive accounts and next we'll get Google Cloud Print enabled. Students will be able to use their accounts on the Chromebooks in their rooms and finish at home if needed.

image found: www.uky.edu

4th Grade

Kidblog - The students are learning to blog with their own!  They each have a blog using the Kidblog platform.  Their blogs are here:  http://kidblog.org/Classof2017CSRN/.  Next they will learn how to comment properly and they would love to receive comments from YOU!  :)

Visit us at kidblog.org/Classof2017CSRN

2nd and 3rd Grades

Typing practice - Stretch those fingers!  Students are practicing their typing skills using Dance Mat Typing, a fun and engaging way to learn proper typing skills.  They are learning to keep their hands on the keys and practice memorizing where the letters are on the keyboard.  

image captured:  http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

When they complete a level the students play games on PBS kids.

1st Grade
Keyboarding games - The first graders are also playing Dance Mat Typing.  After a time, they played Dinoventures and Math activities.

Kindergarten
Educational games - The kindergartners enjoyed playing Dinosaur Train, PBS Kids, and Math activities.

Pre-Kindergarten
Educational games - The students loved playing Dinosaur Train and PBS Sprout games.  There are some fun Valentine's day games the students liked to play on Sprout.

Early Childhood
Chromebook fun!  The students are learning how to maneuver the mouse using only a touchpad on the Chromebooks.  They played Sesame Street games and Dinosaur Train.

As January ends, February begins!  You can see what the students are doing on my school site:  https://sites.google.com/a/csrn.org/cathedral-of-st-raymond-catholic-school/staff/faculty/mrs-allen.

Reflection - Workshop Presentation

I am sitting in my room, the computer lab, after a 2.5 hour workshop I hosted and presented about Classroom Blogging.  My room is empty and the school is quiet.  This was the last day of Catholic Schools Week, a week filled with fun, exciting activities and crazy times in the classrooms.  I know it wasn't easy for the teachers to come and sit for an afternoon, but they did and they listened, asked questions, and thought how they could implement blogging in to their classrooms.  They also said it was a bit overwhelming since they only post grades and homework on sites.  But, listening to the many great educators who took the time to present to our teachers and other educators world-wide, and seeing the opportunities they have as teachers and for their students, the blogging world looked a bit less daunting!

THANK YOU Effie, Louise, Paula, Joe, and John who presented live through Google Hangout On Air.  Thank you Karen, Anne and Larissa who posted videos about how they blog in their classroom because time zones and other commitments wouldn't allow them to present live.  Thank you to my staff who listened attentively on a Friday afternoon - the end of Catholic Schools Week!

All links/resources can be found on the EVPD wiki.  We had an awesome backchannel, too on Today's Meet.  This is the Google Doc of the backchannel.  The video was recorded and can be viewed on my YouTube page.

#EVPD Classroom Blogging Workshop - Join Us!

This was also posted in the Global Classroom Project blog:

Join us in attending this insightful virtual workshop hosted by technology teacher and Global Classroom Project member, Theresa Allen. Educators from around the world and from the Global Classroom Project will demonstrate excellent ways to blog in the classroom.  Details are below:

Educator Virtual Professional Development

Blogging in the Classroom

February 1, 2013

Watch for links to session soon on the EVPD wiki:  

http://educatorvirtualpd.wikispaces.com

Learn from several veteran bloggers around the world about ways to blog in your classroom!

Schedule:

(time and date link)

12:05-12:25 Blogging to Motivate and Engage Learning
(Effie Kyrikakis, principal of Winners Education and #globalclassroom educator)

12:30-12:50 Blogging Platforms Intro - Blogger, Kidblog, Edublogs, WordPress, Posterous, Google Sites, Edmodo
(Theresa Allen, Technology Teacher and #globalclassroom organizer)

12:55 - 1:15 How to Blog Weekly with Writing Activities and to Connect w/ Other Classrooms
(Louise Morgan, 2nd grade teacher and #globalclassroom organizer)

1:20-1:40 Blogging as Reflective Math Journals w/ 4th Graders
(Paula Naugle, 4th grade teacher and global educator)

1:45-2:05 (TBA)

2:10-2:30 Bloggin' to Reach Parents and the Community (Joe McNulty, Technology teacher and global educator)

2:35-2:55 Blogging and the Common Core (John Miller, 7/8th grade Science teacher and global educator)

*There will also be pre-recorded presentations from educators who couldn't present live, but wanted to share their knowledge and experience with us:

Larisa Tarasevich - Studying Different Cultures through Blogging (English teacher and global educator)

Karen Lirenman - Kidblogs as Digital Portfolios and Windows to the World (Grade 1 teacher and #globalclassroom educator)

Dana Racanelli - Blogs for Student Support  (Junior High Social Studies teacher and global educator)

Anne Mirtschin - Basic Essentials of a Blog (ICT teacher and #globalclassroom educator)

Claire Buist - Class and Individual Blogs - Engaging the Learners (ICT and #globalclassroom educator)

Looking forward to a wonderful day of learning and sharing - hope you can join us!

Weekly Update - Technology at CSRN

Tech Updates:

• Over the holidays new wireless access points were installed around the school.  This allows classrooms the ability to have more wireless devices on at the same time.  
• Since the addition of a cart of Chromebooks last year, teachers are finding it easier to add lessons that involve technology to enhance their curriculum.  Recently, there were a handful of devices that had minor damages.  After a few messages and calls to Google, they were replaced at no charge.  Google's customer service is excellent!

Tech Needs:

• Many printers in the classroom and for multiple staff use have broken down this year.  Thanks to parents, some of the teachers received a "gently used" one to use in the classroom.  They have been working well!
• Empty toner and ink cartridges are needed as a fundraiser for technology supplies or equipment.  They can be dropped off at the office.

Computer Class Update

All activities can be found on my Class Site.

Students in...

• Early Childhood explored the Chromebooks and playing fun, educational sites like Curious George and Dinosaur Train. 
• Pre-Kindergarten explored some of the games on Dinosaur Train.  They use the lab's laptops to play.
• Kindergarten and Grade 1 explored GPBKids where they played time, geometry, measurement, and money games.
• Grade 2, Mrs. Buhr's class, watched and reflected on the Christmas Around the World voicethread with notes from each table:  1, 2, 3, 4.  The students narrated pages starting at #38.
• Grade 2, Mrs. Ratajczak's class, started a poem using Microsoft Office about Jack Frost.
• Grade 3 created pictures and added a description about something they did over Christmas break using Kerpoof and shared it in Edmodo.
• Grade 4, Mrs. Gambino's class, created a spelling list to play on Spelling City and also worked on typing skills on Dance Mat Typing.
• Grade 4, Mrs. Molskness' class and Grade 5 participated in mystery skype sessions:  Grade 4 notes; Grade 5 notes.
• Grade 6 learned about Quest Atlantis and finished incomplete assignments in Edmodo. *Permission slips need to be returned by Jan. 16th.*
• Grade 7 worked on Digiteen Action Projects for 7-1 and 7-2.
• Grade 8 reviewed the Tech Pre-Assessment, created Google profiles and added educational apps.

Looking forwared to another great week!

Global Virtual Book Club - Join Us!

This Monday begins a virtual book club discussing the book by Julie Linsday and Vicki Davis, Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds.  I'm happy to be co-moderating the club for Kyle Dunbar, who actually began the book club for her colleagues, but expanded it to any educator who is interested in learning more about flattening their classrooms.

Find more information on the book club on Kyle's blog post.  Hope to "see" you on Monday (6:30pm Central time)!

Schedule:

Tuesdays at 00:30 GMT (Mondays 7:30pm EST)
Find the time zone for you here

Dates:

Jan. 7:  Meet the Flat Classroom Ch 1-2
Jan. 21 - Connection and Communication Ch 3-4
Feb. 4:  Citizenship, Contribution, and Collaboration Ch 5-6
Feb. 18:  Choice and Creation, Ch 7-8
March 4:  Celebrating, Designing, Managing a Global Project Ch 9-10
March 18:  Rock the World