Hello All,
We have been certainly keeping busy here in the lab! Here's a recap:
Kindergartners have started our robotics unit with the BeeBots. I'm sure they have told you about our friendly yellow bees in the lab. The students programmed an actual, not virtual, robot to move using simple commands in a repetitive motion such as forward, back, left and right. The challenge was to move the robots anywhere on the mat but they must come back to it's original spot. They had a ball trying this. Please ask them about it. Next we will take this concept and watch our BeeBots move virtually. Stay tuned!
First Graders completed their self portraits and they are now hanging up in the lab. It's a joy to see the artwork. They are now into our programming unit in which they are programming a virtual turtle and creating an animated picture. They have learned to program with simple commands to watch their picture come to life. I can honestly say that we have a hidden programming talent in all of our 1st Graders. They are so clever! Ask them about the turtle's backpack and what's in it.....
Second Graders are wrapping up their slide show project and will begin to share it with their peers using the smart board. They can't wait for this. Some students have really challenged themselves and added sound effects and amazing transitions to their slides. If you have KidPix at home, please let me know that I can email you the file or just pop in here when you get the chance. I'll be happy to show you their creation!
Third Graders are wrapped up their short story using our book publishing software. They did a fantastic job sharing their stories and watching them come to life on the SmartBoard. It was great to see them use just about all the tools the program has to offer. That was the point of this so that they can delve into an unknown software and create something animated and magical. Students got an introduction to our new software called Pixie. It's so much fun. I would say it is a cross between KidPix and PowerPoint. So you can see the kind of fun they will have with this program. Stay tuned!
Fourth Graders are having a ball with SketchUp. If you have not downloaded it, please do, so that your child can continue creating 3-D structures. They've been introduced to the 3-D Warehouse so that they could download components into their dream home. Students are really creating some virtual futuristic homes. Ask them about their dream homes...you may be surprised by what they say!
As always, please feel free to contact me anytime. Take care.
Rasha Sachdeva
