Update from the Mouse Pad!

Hello All,

I can't believe this year is winding down. A reminder that I will keep all TTL4 accounts active if your child is a returning student. I will upgrade them to the next grade level so they will need to take that initial pre-test to see where the program places them. If your child finishes their grade level over the summer and wants the next grade level access, please just email me and I'll be able to bump them up.

Kindergartners this month got to explore the SmartBoard tools. They've seen it in action but this time they got to explore with the actual software. They created pages in a single document, used tools such as text, color, lines, fancy pens, shapes and their most favorite, the magic pen. Be sure to ask them about it. This was a great introduction to the tools as they will surely be using the SmartBoard in their homeroom classrooms in the future years.

First Graders got to explore with MS Word. They created documents and added clipart, wordart, colors, borders, copy/paste function and the wonderful spellchecker! It was great to see how they inserted pictures to size and they were amazed to see that clipart held so many kinds of images.

Second Graders were introduced to MS Excel. We took an ice cream survey and we created a simple but useful chart on our results. For your information in both classes sherbet was the most favorite and strawberry was the least. Students then took their chart knowledge and created charts themselves. They took surveys on favorite colors, foods, animals and sports to name a few. Students also got a quick introduction on PowerPoint. We will go in dept with a project of their choice in Third Grade but this year, they got to see how powerful presentations are made!

Third Graders were introduced to a popular simulation called SimSafari! Here they are safari owners and they must run a successful safari to survive. They have three zones which must run successfully, the park, the camp and the village. This simulation uses all their knowledge on math and the sciences. The goal is to obtain 5 stars and many are well on their way. Ask them about it!

Fourth Graders are busy making animated videos using their account on GoAnimate. They love being able to log on from home as well to continue their videos. All students got a lesson on ground rules for videos before posting on our platform (note, only myself and OWS 4th Graders can view the videos). GoAnimate lets you create skits from their apps, create characters and make a full blown video using all the bells and whistles. Be sure to ask your child about it and log on using their ids. I will remove their access sometime over the summer to prepare for the new Fourth Graders.

As usual, if you have any questions, please just send me a quick email! Take care.

Rasha Sachdeva

Update from the Mouse Pad!

Hello All,

We've had a very busy April month. All of K-4 have started new projects. Here's a recap:

Kindergartners are continuing with their TTL4 practice. Many have downloaded this wonderful program at home and are continuing their typing practice. If you haven't yet, I strongly encourage you to download TTL4. The instructions are on your child's teacher's website under the document section. In addition to typing, they were introduced to the MS Paint program. They learned to zoom in on a page and create wonderful abstract art in which they learned all about in Ms. Leggit's classroom. I loved seeing the great designs created. They are pretty much a pro on the program as they used most of the tools such as paint bucket, shapes, text, paint brush strokes and the paint dropper.

First Graders were introduced to a great software that lets you create home pages. Ask them about it! They learned about tabs and links and dividers. They created a home page of their favorite topic. I was amazed to see so many animal home pages especially dogs (my all time favorite animal). Many used text to explain their topic and used voice recordings to introduce their topic. This program only allows 3 seconds to record and you should have heard how fast these 1st Graders can talk!

Second Graders were introduced to video animation. We went on a wonderful site called domo animate and they created 30 second videos. They had a blast using the functions to create several scenes. They added background, chose characters with various actions (you must ask them about some of these actions), props, music and speech bubbles to name a few. In order to save work, this web 2.0 tools needs user logins. I did not create individual logins but advised the kids that if they wanted to continue at home and save their videos, they needed parent permission to set up an account and to continue this wonderful program at home. Please ask them to show you the site.

Third Graders were introduced to digital storytelling. We use a web 2.0 tool called Story Creator 2 and they are writing great myths and legends. They have their own accounts and are free to continue their stories at home. This program is absolutely free and amazing. Creator lets them create chapters, add background, tons of characters, props and voice recordings that they can create or take from the program's library. The site is totally secure. They have their own login name and password and only I can publish stories on the internet. Please ask them to log on and show you what it is all about!

Fourth Graders were introduced to Logo programming language. They love this program as they can create wonderful geometric designs using real code. The user controls the turtle by inputting various commands. You can also edit the turtle into whatever you like. They used background color and then created beautiful geometric shapes such as pentagons, hexagons, septagons, and decagons to name a few. They loved using the 'define procedure' utility to simplify their code which is what programmers love to do!

As you can see a very busy April month. Stay tuned for the next update to find out what else your child has been learning here in the Mouse Pad!

Regards,
Rasha Sachdeva

Update from the Mouse Pad!

Hello Everyone,

We've had a busy month completing projects and starting new ones! Here's a recap. As usual if you want further details or want to see your child's work on our server, please stop by and I'll be happy to show you.

Kindergartens are really getting into our school wide web based typing program, TTL4. I'm so happy that many of you have downloaded this program at home so that your child can continue their typing practice. If you have not yet downloaded this program, I highly encourage you to do so. It is free as the school has paid for the subscription and the directions to download are on your child's homeroom teacher's website under the document section. The kids love getting to the different lessons and completing the typing games. Ask them about 'Security Check' and 'Big Ideas'. Please let me know if you have any questions downloading this program.

First Graders completed their web project using Kidspiration. They used various symbols, fonts and colors to describe who they are. They also had the chance to record on each symbol. They loved this and some even sang a song on their recording. It amazes me as to how confident these kids are. All the students got a chance to share their projects using the smart board and they loved tapping on their recordings.

Second Graders completed their web using Inspiration, which is a step up from Kidspiration. Here the webs get more detailed and they were able to insert their own photograph. In doing so, they got lots of practice resizing and rearranging their project. They got a kick out of seeing their picture in their digital project! Please ask them about it.

Third Graders completed their Scratch projects. These projects were graded and sent home. If you have not seen it, please ask them about it. They were graded on meeting certain criteria and presentation skills. They all did a fabulous job. It amazes me how much more detailed and complex these projects get each year from my 3rd Graders. I know we have many future programmers in the making. Please encourage your child to continue programming at home with Scratch. The site to download is listed on the right.

Fourth Graders were introduced to a wonderful word cloud generator called tagxedo. The cloud they generated depicted their positive character traits. They used various shapes, sizes, colors, orientation and fonts. I've displayed them in the classroom and you may have seen them coming home. They were amazed to see how simple text can be organized so beautifully. Please ask them about it. The site for tagxedo is listed to the right as well.

As usual if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Take care.

Rasha Sachdeva

Conferences

Hello,

I will be available Thursday March 22 for conferences if you would like to stop by before or after your scheduled time with your child's homeroom teacher. If I'm not with anyone, please come on in.

Thanks,
Rasha Sachdeva