Boucher Recipe Book 2017

A tradition in Mrs. Boucher's class in the month of December is to gather holiday family favorite recipes.
Around Thanksgiving, the students are asked to find a favorite recipe when their family is gathered together. They then create a google doc and add a picture of that food. After editing and editing, they are then ready to enter their recipe in the shared google slide project.
Click on the pages below to find a new recipe to add to your holiday meal.

Happy Baking


Tech Tip: Begin a google slide template and share with the class. Students duplicate the template slide and copy and paste from their doc.

Friends of ISHI

Happiness Ambassadors
What started out as the reading of a simple book titled ISHI turned into a mindfulness project filled with deep thoughts on how to make the world a better place.

Students in Mrs. Boucher's fifth-grade class each brought in their own rock. The new friends were created and named.

We are ready to spread happiness and kindness.

Picture on the green screen ready for the final project.

Students had one slide on a shared google slide project to add their own thoughts. Click through the book below and help us spread the word.



Tech Tip: We used a shared google doc to select our emotion before we completed the book.
Template

Hours of Code 2017

In early December students began exploring coding skills. We utilized the site code.org and learned to code with millions of people around the globe. It was a busy week filled with new discoveries, problem-solving, creating, and confidence building as problems were solved. Tere also was a lot of FUN!

"Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science," code.org

Click on the video below for a wrap up of our learning.

Here is a hyperdoc students in grade 4-6 used. This year we called it Hours of Code because so many students continued beyond the one hour.

My google doodle

Grade 4 Projects Grade 5 Projects Grade 6 Projects
Technology Essential Questions:
What are the fundamentals of computer programming?
How are algorithms used in coding?
How can you use computer programming to complete a task?
How is computer programming useful in real life?
How might you use computer programming in your future career?


2016 Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) Curriculum Framework:
3-5.CT.b; 3-5.CT.d

Google My Map

A part of the Grade 4 Social Studies curriculum is the study of the United States. Students learn the states and capitals as well as the regions. Mrs. Gibbas introduced the idea of collecting data from her students and families about where they have lived and visited in the United States. They then used Google My Maps to add their own pins to represent the data.

Mrs. Gibbas is sharing her locations.

Take a look at Team Gibbas Map
Use the + and - to adjust the size.
Click on an icon to learn more.
Click on the map and slide it to a new spot.

Taking a closer look at the class map.

I was so inspired by their work I had to create my own map. Tech Tip: Try creating your own map.
My Maps 
Template of Data Document

Disguise a Turkey

Happy Thanksgiving!
It is always an exciting experience when students work together, share their creativity and produce a new project as a class.

First, students listened to the story Turkey Trouble by Wendy Silvano.

Click on the picture to hear the story.

Mrs. Rogers' Kindergarten students worked collaboratively and helped disguise a turkey and then wrote a story about their new turkey friend.

Click below to see their creation.



Mrs. Gouzie's First Grade Class also worked as a group to design a new turkey and write a shared story.

Click below to see their creation.

    Mrs. Dunn's First Grade had so many ideas while writing their shared story I am certain there will be another chapter soon.

Click below to see their story. Tech Tip: Use the shortcuts for copy (ctrl+c) and paste (ctrl+v).
Try one on your own.
Disguise a Turkey Template

A New Twist on Reading Logs

A big part of students' homework is to read at home. Teachers want to encourage all readers to discover the Love of Reading.

While talking with teachers, I discovered there are many varied homework assignments for reading homework. This got me thinking: How can we encourage reading while also fostering creativity? The answer is in something called a HyperDoc. Students are still reading but they are now given choices on how to share their reading. The Reading Response HyperDoc is set up in grid form where students may select the ones that interest them. Click on the image below to view the November Reading Board.

The collaboration, refection, and sharing are all embedded in many of the student choices. The other documents are view only to classmates.
Here are a few examples:

FlipGrid

Padlet

MassCue 2017

I was thrilled to attend MassCUE (Massachusetts Computer Using Educators) this year at Gillette Stadium. It was two jam packed days of learning along with other inspiring educators where we discussed ways to enhance learning with technology.

The choices for keynote speakers, workshops, breakouts, exhibitors, and vendors all had me thinking of new and creative ideas to bring back to my teachers and students.

One session that was a new experience for me was using Google Expeditions. Students wearing a set of googles go on a virtual field trip to explore the world while the teacher leads them on the journey.

The keynote speakers always leave the audience wanting for more. One key component of all the speeches was using Innovation in our daily work with students. We were challenged to open the students' minds to new and bigger possibilities and engage students to become leaders in their own learning, by giving choices and encouragement.

Steve Guditus, Director of Educational Technology for my district was awarded a Path Finder award.

I was lucky enough to enjoy lunch with Karen Miller from DoInk, green screen app. We had a thoughtful conversation about the future of this marvelous app.

And of course I found lots and lots of FREE items to bring home.

FlipGrid Fever

Flipgrid fever is here!
Over the summer I won a year's subscription to FlipGrid and we have been having a lot of fun with it. On this video discussion board students are able to share their thoughts, reflections, and answer questions.

"Bring the back row to the front and engage all of your students. Together! Flipgrid helps all learners define their voices, share their voices, and respect the diverse voices of others. Empathy. That’s what it’s all about! Flipgrid has the most powerful, quick, and easy-to-use recorder in the industry"

Mrs. Ragan's class last week shared their own creative ideas for Halloween this year.
Visit their FlipGrid and even add to it. All posts are moderated.

Build A Jack O Lantern

Who doesn't love a Great Pumpkin design?
Boo! Guess Who?  Me! I love a great jack o lantern!
The month of October brings out our spooky and creative sides.
Using the template for Build a Jack-O-Lantern from Eric Curts that I found on Twitter, students have been creating their own personalized Jack-O-Lanterns.

Here is the collection from Mrs. Corliss' Third Grade Class.



Click in the slides below to view Mrs. Ragan's Second Grade Class


Here is the template:
Click on the slides below to view each original creation.




Teacher Tip:

To get your own copy click HERE. This link will force a copy to your own google drive.
Share your finished Jack O Latern in comments.

FlipGrid

Welcome to FlipGrid!
Over the summer I won a subscription to FlipGrid and have introduced many class to this engaging format of reflecting and sharing.
This week on Twitter I came across a Global Reading Project. People around the world were challenged to read one page from the book, Oh, the Places You'll Go! 
Click on the first picture below and listen to the story read aloud. It will automatically play after you click on the first square. Under each picture you will see where it is being read from. Be sure to look out for page 19.
 

September is Over!

The life of a Technology Integration Specialist in September is like a Talented Juggler.

September brought everyone back to school well rested and eager to learn.
New technology arrived, student and teacher accounts were created, spreadsheets shared, devices labeled, teachers trained, calendars updated, passwords created, students logged in to google, folders organized, digital safety discussed and so much more!

Take a peek into September 2017:

New Chromebooks for both schools.
Creating new accounts.
What is my password?

Organize Google Drive Folders
Create a Grade Level Folder and Share with teacher.

New J Touch TV by InFocus in Grade 5
I know that I can share my computer screen for our new science program.

Google Classroom is set up and ready for student assignments.

Learning Google Doc skills
Where is the Backspace?

Joining Science Class

There is a font named after me! Georgia!

Green Screen is waiting to create magic!

 And this video says it all:

Welcome Back!

Welcome Back!

A new school year has begun.

Excitement is in the halls and classrooms as students return to school.

The buses arrived.

Lunch was prepared.

The fire department visited.

Our challenge this year is to Dream Big.

Click on the padlet below and add your own Big Dreams.

Tech Tip:

Double click on the padlet wall.

Add your first name for the Title.

Not At ISTE

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a nonprofit organization that serves educators interested in better use of technology in education. The jam packed conference this year was held is San Antonio, Texas.

As a member of the private google+ community (1,969 members) I discovered the group NOT AT ISTE17.  I soon was involved in all things ISTE but from home.

I loved the challenges posted daily.

First challenge was to create an introduction badge with ribbons.

I plan on using this idea with students in the fall using google drawings.

Live streaming made me feel like I was right there as I learned new things in the tech field.  How inspiring!

I was even a winner of a door prize while at home!

Another challenge was to connect with someone who was attending ISTE.  I sent MASS CUE president elect, Rayna Freedman a twitter request and she so quickly and kindly obliged.

' 

Getting ready for my #googlekeep workshop #iste17 @mrsklipfel

Thank you to everyone in the google community and everyone in the tweeter #notatiste17 feed.

I has been a blast learning along with you.

Nonfiction Text Features

What do you know about nonfiction text features?

Click on the chart below to see a nonfiction slide show from Teaching Made Practical.

Mrs. Corliss' class jumped right into many nonfiction books and would like to share what they have learned.
Click on the short videos below:


Caden
Addison
Molly
Ayla
Liam
Delaney
Nico
Elise
Ella
Lance
Emma
Max
Jamason
Olivia
Joseph
Kaleigh
Mason
Seri
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.5
Use text features and search tools (e.g., key words, sidebars, hyperlinks) to locate information relevant to a given topic efficiently.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.3.7
Use information gained from illustrations (e.g., maps, photographs) and the words in a text to demonstrate understanding of the text (e.g., where, when, why, and how key events occur).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.4.7
Interpret information presented visually, orally, or quantitatively (e.g., in charts, graphs, diagrams, time lines, animations, or interactive elements on Web pages) and explain how the information contributes to an understanding of the text in which it appears.

All About Us in a Word

Using the site tagul.com, students in Mrs. Surprise's class made word clouds all about themselves. Working in a google doc the students were tasked with compiling a list of at least 10 words about themselves. Even the chosen shapes gives you a peek into their personalities.

Tech Tip:

These word clouds make a great cover for student's portfolios.

It's a Mystery!

It's a Mystery! Mrs. Boucher's fifth grade class has been studying and enjoying the genre of mysteries. The elements of a mystery are character, setting, plot, clues, distractions, and structure. Working in small groups, students wrote their own mysteries in a shared google doc to include all the elements of mysteries. After editing, the stories were transferred to a shared google slides where pictures were added for the final version.
The Crime Scenes were all set up around Proctor School!

Click on the stories below. 

Can you solve the mystery before you get to the end?

Tech Tip:

Mystery Elements Writing Guide

Rubric for this project.

Mystery Elements

BioPoems

What do you get when you mix research, poetry, green screen, and chatterpix? A FUN CREATIVE project!
Mrs. Surprise's Third Grade Class have been reading biographies and learning more about a famous person. This research led to writing a BioPoem.
The next step was to draw a Bobble Head style picture of the person. Using the iPad camera, pictures were taken on a green paper background ready for the DoInk GreenScreen app.

The Chattepix app gave voice to these famous people.

Click on the videos below to learn more from our research.

Tech Tip:

Free Template for BioPoem from Teachers Pay Teachers

Screencastify

HelpDesk students have been exploring the google extension Screencastify. 
"Screencastify is a simple video screen capture software for Chrome. Screencastify is the easiest way to Record, Edit, Annotate, Store, and Share video screen captures. Record a specific tab, or your whole desktop at the click of a button. And your whole experience is synced with your G-Suite."

Ava reviews her recording.

In the video below Ava uses screencastify to teach others how to organize their google drive.

Try using screencastify and share your video with others.

Tech Tip:

First add the extension screencastify to your google chrome account.

You will be prompted to allow the microphone and webcam.

Allow your videos to be synced to google for easy access.

When you are on the TAB view, you will have access to the other tools for recording.