Technology in the FSL Core classroom

In the FSL Core classroom we have been able to utilize technology in a couple of ways that has helped the students with their learning.  Having the IPad as a tool for every other student has allowed us to have word reference at our fingertips.  This application assists with definitions/words and helps students determine if a noun is masculine or feminine.  Using technology for this process alone has freed up students to concentrate on their work for longer periods of time as it is much easier than trying to find the word in the dictionary and then realizing the word in not even in the dictionary that they have.

Students that have completed work and are waiting on peers, have the ability to utilize applications such as Duolingo to further develop their French skills.  The application will work as is, with no need to sign in or sign up, or you may sign in and track your progress through the various stages of difficulty.  There has been a lot of eagerness to use these applications and they have fostered some very positive conversations with students about the French language that has not been teacher directed.

Plant Excitement!

Very excited to be measuring how much our plants grew over the weekend as we make our 

observation notes! 

Plant Inquiry is Alive in Grade 3!!

Lots of questions about how things grow in grade three. Why not try a little bit of everything! Come visit our greenhouse!

Diagnostic Brainstorming

Began our new plant unit today. We took some time to brainstorm some of the different ways we use plants. The students then sorted their ideas into categories they created and added their work to our master wall. It was a great exercise...I was blown away by how well they sorted their ideas independently. 

Math + Habitat = Mabitat

Grade 4 is nearing the end of a special 10-week project designed to enhance math achievement. Students selected an endangered Ontario animal.  Each Thursday a different measurement challenge was presented.  Using the iPad for research and journaling (with Google Classroom) was definitely engaging!  Personalized feedback and sharing using Apple TV helped me to monitor student understanding and depth of understanding.

Using I-Pads For Student Feedback In Empower Reading Intervention

In September. January and May I used the I-pad to record student feedback on the knowledge and application of five reading strategies taught in my Empower Reading Intervention Resource Class.

In March Using The I-Pad In. Gr. 7/8 Three Part Lesson

In March I assisted gr. 7/8 teacher Mr. Wayling in a three part Math Lesson focussing on the Pythagorean Theorem. Students manipulated triangles to come to an understanding of the definition of The Pythagorean Therom. Student work was projected onto the smart board for class feedback and discussion.

Using The Show Me App

In April, I  introduced  some grade four students the Show Me App on the I-Pad as a tool to explain their math thinking related to their " Mabitat" animal research project.  Students were required to show the length of their animal by comparing their length to another object or to themselves. The  Show Me  App allowed students to use the writing pen to explain their thinking using

numbers while they also recorded their explanations using words. Students were very proud to project their math thinking video onto the smart board to share with their peers!

Grade 7 and 8 Goes Hollywood

We have recently been using iMovie to make movie trailers as a culminating task for our MacBeth unit. The movie trailers were expected to visually portray one or more of the themes found in the play. What an incredible experience for the class!  Using Apple TV allowed my class to present their trailers to the whole group in order to receive valuable peer feedback, which is an important component of the AFL process. 

Grade 7/8 Has Become A Google Classroom

Recently our students have been using Google Classroom to submit their responses to a number of learning goals and engagements.  Google Classroom is such a powerful tool because descriptive feedback can be provided to students in a timely manner.  As a teacher, I can literally provide feedback while a student is working on their response.  This was an invaluable tool to use while my students were reading MacBeth.  With so many complex themes being explored throughout the plot, having an efficient way of providing direction and feedback really improved my students' understanding of the play.  This would have been very difficult to achieve without the technology to support this innovation.

Apple PD

On April 1st , as part of our TLLP project, we hosted an Apple PD day. The focus for the day was IOS creativity. Our Apple educator Paul introduced us to iPhoto, Garage Band and iMovie. The @StMaryPVNC staff had a great day exploring these Apps and learning how to use them in the classroom.

OTF workshop webinar: Using Gaming in Math class

I just finished an hour and a half webinar that shared information on the power of using games to teach math. We all know Angry Birds is good for angles, but now I have some interesting things to do with Fruit Ninja, Plants vs. Zombies etc.  OTF (Ontario Teacher's Federation) has a lot of great webinars coming up so here's the link if you want to watch this archived Gaming one, or find out info on upcoming webinars.  I think when June hits, using games for math will be super fun.

OTF gaming webinar archive

Sharing on the Smartboard

Student finished his picture and story in his journal and asked for it to be air-played on the Smart Board

so he could receive feedback from his peers.

 

Time to Shop

The grade 2/3s took their iPads to ValuMart the other day as part of a math activity. Students had to create a grocery list that included items their parents would need to buy in order to make their lunches for the week. The real life extension really helped them to see how much food cost, and just lunches alone! We walked around the store to take pictures of their product with the price. We then returned to school created a pic collage of all our items and then calculated the total cost! Next step......learning how to shop smart by looking for sale items first!

Using iMovie for the First Time!

The Grade 2/3 class is very excited to be using iMovie for the first time! For our media unit we explored what 'persuasion' was and practiced using lots of different strategies to convince people to either do something or change their mind. For our culminating task, students got to create their own commercial that would 'persuade' someone to do something, using at least 4-5 of the strategies we learned in class. Unfortunately we cannot post any because the file size is too large. Come visit us if you want to watch! They turned out awesome! We definitely have some future movie makers in our midst!

Using Lego Movie Maker to Recreate "Jesus Heals the Paralyzed Man'

Building Nets for 3-d Solids in Grade 1/2

Using 2-D Pattern Blocks to Determine Area (and the thinking behind the choice) in Grade 2

Retelling a story using 'Lego Movie'

J, an FDK student, loved his library book so much that he wanted to make a movie of it! He gathered all the props and used Lego Movie to film his retell.

Using 'Lego Movie' to Recreate Jesus' Miracle Stories

The grade 2/3s have been busy writing, planning, and filming their animated retell of a choice miracle story from the bible. Looking good so far.  Almost ready for voice, music and sound effects! Filming to wrap by Friday!

Grade 2/3s Teaching Grade 5/6

The grade 2/3s were busy the other day teaching the grade 5/6 class how to use 'Show Me,' as well as how to both air drop and airplay their work! It was a great experience! We followed it up the next day by teaching the grade 7/8s how to use google classroom!

Using Skitch

Student using IPad, Apple TV, and Skitch to identify 3-D solids with specific geometric attributes

Using Geometric Attributes to Sort 3-D. Solids

Using geometric attributes to sort through the solids in a venn diagram (student generated).

Grade 4 Waste Audit

Today Gr. 4 welcomed Peterborough Green Up. We conducted a waste audit together.  This allowed us to practice our estimation and mass measurement skills.  Now we are ready to set goals to be an even greener school!

Using Google Drive During Parent Teacher Interviews

I have always found that sharing samples of student work during parent/teacher interview time has been a beneficia practice. The classroom IPad has allowed me to easily access electronic copies of student work that have been stored in Google Drive. This has been very useful because it has given me an opportunity to highlight key observations at the click of a button.  Sharing these observations with parents and communicating the chosen direction of a student's individualized goal pathway has been very well received.  I think this may be an excellent way to start delving into Student-Led Conferences in the future. Very excited to have this method of communication accessible to my students and parents.

Gr. 4 Stop Action Action

We are exploring Stop Action movie making using Lego MovieMaker.  Students were very engaged!  We plan to use this app again soon.

Hollywood,here I come!

I am now a movie producer, thanks to the power of Lego Movie Maker. We have been using this fun and interactive app to share our learning in Science. Students have made stop animation movies of their body systems. This has been fun and engaging but also a great tool for students who struggle with written tasks as they have a polished piece to share that they can be proud of. We are still figuring how to add sound, so right now I am going for the Oscars in the Silent Film categories. Next stage of the learning curve may get us an Oscar for Best Film

overall.

Using Pic Collage

In September my Empower Reading students established reading goals that gave them a purpose for learning to become better readers. Pic Collage was an easy and fun tool to post their goals!

Oral language: Core French

For the students that are apprehensive to present to the class, they are given the opportunity to present orally for the teacher through the iPad.  This has worked well for many in the grade 7/8 level.

Exploring symmetry

Using 2-d shapes to show symmetry.

Creating Storage Files

Today I learned how to create teacher files. I then learned how to drop my prep and post Empower assessment spread sheets , student reading goals created on pic collage and student assessment feedback videos into Ms. Brioux and Mrs. Kupers's files. 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Sometimes we just take pictures for fun! Happy Valentine's from the grade 2/3 class!