How We Use Technology

It is our philosophy that our students are best served by integrating technology in a meaningful way. We teach our students to use it purposefully to enhance and refine their curriculum and learning. We do not believe in using technology simply for the sake of technology or that it should be used as a reward or for busywork. Technology makes further exploration more accessible, refines and enriches projects, and develops critical thinking skills. Additionally, adaptive and individualized online programs like Reflex Math improve students fluency and make rote learning more fun.

We are pleased to share a snapshot of some of our favorite grade-level projects with you.

Grade Level & Subject	Project	Higher-Order Thinking
8th Grade ELA	Character Interview – Students design and produce a video interview of a character from “The Good Earth” using Green Screen and iMovie.	Analyze a character from the novel Design interview questions and answers based on evaluation of the character Draft and edit an interview script Develop a production plan Select images, video, or space for a setting Create a movie of the interview
7th Grade Math	Geometric Dilations – Students use spreadsheet formulas to produce coordinates and graph enlargements and reductions. Students also complete the process in reverse – graphing first then determining coordinates and dilations.	Develop spreadsheet formulas Analyze data to make a conjecture Apply mathematical processes to various shapes
6th Grade Science	3D Model of Earth’s Spheres – Create a model of Earth’s layers, geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere or atmosphere. Students choose to create a physical model (using common objects) or a digital model (using Tinkercad).	Engineer a 3D model Evaluate the effectiveness or limitations of the chosen model
MS Art	Jackson Pollock-esque Painting using Sphero – Design and program a painting path for the robots in order to generate a painting.	Generate and conceptualize artistic work Organize and develop artistic ideas and work Refine and complete artistic work
5th Grade Social Studies	Map of Aztec, Inca and Maya Sites – Research sites important to the Aztec, Inca and Mayan cultures, then create a customized map in Google My Maps with location markers, photographs and descriptions.	Search for information using a variety of sources and create a summary Select Google images labeled for noncommercial reuse Produce a custom multi-layered map with location markers
4th Grade ELA	Dragon Cinquain – Choose a character, Saint George or The Dragon, and justify their actions in a cinquain poem. Create and illustrate the cinquain using a digital application.	Create a visual poem Analyze verse and explore meaning Appraise and justify the character’s actions and choices Weigh a variety of descriptive adjectives and adverbs Render a digital drawing that illustrates and enhances the poem
3rd Grade Math	Counting Coins Spreadsheet – Create a spreadsheet that shows the quantity and value of a random set of coins.Graph the data and summarize it.	Assess the value of various quantities of coins. Create a pie graph and discuss what it represents. Select relevant, representative colors Describe mathematical data in plain English.
2nd Grade Social Studies	Pioneer VLogs – Using Seesaw and Chatterpix create a Video Log to a family member from the perspective of a pioneer traveling west. Include multiple challenges faced on the journey and the possible influence they might have on the traveler.	Develop a Video Log Draft a script Select and edit an image Create an audio version of the script
1st Grade Science	Habitat Green Screens – Using Green Screen and their Animal Habitat Diorama, students produce a video where they star as an expert in an animal habitat they have designed and created themselves.	Research a particular animal and its habitat using a variety of sources Draft and edit a descriptive narrative Shoot digital photos and video Perform a narrative using a Green Screen Produce a video Present the video to an audience
Kindergarten Reading	“Be Quiet” A Read Along Digital Story – Using Seesaw, students will view the illustrations and read along with the narrators page by page. They will use the drawing tools in the application to render an illustration of their favorite scene in the story and then add audio describing their recollection of the scene in their own words.	Model expressive, fluent reading Decode vocabulary Predict what happens next Make connections to their own lives Render a digital illustration Create an audio description

If you have any further questions, please contact Dawn Bartlett.