With the first grading period nearly over, our Tigers have been hard at work using the wonderful technology available to them. Kindergarten has been sorting pictures by color using Kidspiration, stamping patterns in Kid Pix and using Mega Math, the game program that came along with our math adoption. Kindergarteners are so proficient with technology, I am able to give minimal instruction and let them get right to work. Some of the upcoming lessons will include: letter review, more sorting, and keyboarding (yes, KEYBOARDING)!
The first graders have been working very hard on drawing using Kid Pix (it is much harder than you think). They have created webs using Kidspiration, used Mega Math to practice their math facts and used the Internet to practice reading. We will be working toward being able to publish writing in Microsoft Word and being able to select a picture to compliment their writing. In the meantime, first graders are assessed using the STAR reading assessment to help you and your teacher select the right books to make your child a better reader. This information will come from your teacher.
Second graders have been practicing math facts in Mega Math, creating storyboards in Kidspiration to show what they know about a book they have read (characters, setting and main idea), and some have even published writing using Microsoft Word. Upcoming lessons include: plural practice using the Internet, inserting pictures into documents, and keyboarding practice with correct finger placement.
Our third graders have jumped right in with PowerPoint. They have created a presentation called "All About Me". This age group is not scared to try anything new when it comes to technology and they most always teach me something new. Third graders have been working on creating personal narratives in class, creating webs in Kidspiration to show what they know about Rocks and practicing math using the Internet and Mega Math. Some of the things they can be looking forward to are creating Venn diagrams and sorting information using Kidspiration, working on their multiplication facts using Mega Math, Kid Pix and the Internet and continuing to fine tune their keyboarding skills.
Fourth graders colored a map in Kid Pix. It sounds very easy, but they were given a set of instructions to identify various places using different colors, draw the shortest street route, and using the compass rose, find a location. They all did a wonderful job. Many fourth graders are still working on keyboarding, which will make their fifth grade teacher VERY happy! Others have created PowerPoint presentations or published writing using Word. Most students at this stage are comfortable using their own student login, saving work in their student folder and printing with some instruction on how to select a printer. We will continue these skills for the remainder of the year, as they will become very important in fifth grade.
The fabulous fifth graders are hard at work finishing various projects about the Civil War, Earthquakes, and/or publishing their writing in Word. By this time, they have mastered how to login in with their student ID, saving and retrieving their work and printing to the correct printer. Fifth graders will continue to get lessons in the media center on how to research topics using the tools available from our school district and kid friendly search sites and they are able to practice these skills when they come to the computer lab. Please encourage your students to use these same tools at home.
All Grade 3-5 teachers were given information on how to login to the online textbooks for Math, Science and Social Studies. If your teacher has not passed this information along to you, then they may have determined that it is unnecessary for their students.
Please continue to check the school website for grade appropriate links to enhance what your child is learning in their classroom. The teaching staff works very hard to make sure that your child has plenty of resources available to practice their new skills.
I consider myself very fortunate to work in such a supportive environment with willing and eager learners. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have questions about any of the online resources available to students at Tritt.
