Friday, May 24, 2013
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 Pixie. It's a wonderful software where I like to describe it as an adult version of KidPix! Pixie lets them use their imagination and creativity to create slideshows. The kids all made an art show slideshow. They had numerous slides with such great art work with the help of elements such as symmetry, animations, clip art, mixers and transitions. These slides can definitely compete with Jackson Pollock's work!
Second Graders were introduced to 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! They each chose any subject of interest and used many of the programs tools such as inserting pictures, text, animations, transistions, sound and voice recordings to create a wonderful and colorful presentation.
Third Graders were introduced to digital storytelling site called Little Bird Tales. Students wrote fiction, non-fiction, poems or how-to books and then had their stories digitized with a final result of a video. They illustrated their own drawings and incorporated their voice as narration. We have budding authors in the Third Grade for sure! They all love to see their stories made into a video. Please ask your child about and even show you as this can be accessed from home.
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
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
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. 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 have gotten their introduction to MS Word. They each created a document that included adding background colors, borders, wordart, clip art, resizing, use of control functions (delete, copy, paste and save) and using page layouts. They especially loved the clipart and searching for their favorite items. Resizing was a challenge but in the end, they all became pros at it!
Second Graders were introduced to video animation. We went on a wonderful site called domo animate and they created up to 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 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 became entrepreneurs! They were engaged in a simulation where they were owners of a hot dog stand. They initially had a monetary goal that they had to meet. In doing so, they needed to successfully run their stands at various events. This required math and logic skills as well as good common sense. All students started out at the beginner level but soon most students got up to the advanced levels.
Ask your students about the addicting music that comes along with this simulation!
As always, please feel free to contact me if you every have questions
Regards,
Rasha Sachdeva
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. 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 have gotten their introduction to MS Word. They each created a document that included adding background colors, borders, wordart, clip art, resizing, use of control functions (delete, copy, paste and save) and using page layouts. They especially loved the clipart and searching for their favorite items. Resizing was a challenge but in the end, they all became pros at it!
Second Graders were introduced to video animation. We went on a wonderful site called domo animate and they created up to 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 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 became entrepreneurs! They were engaged in a simulation where they were owners of a hot dog stand. They initially had a monetary goal that they had to meet. In doing so, they needed to successfully run their stands at various events. This required math and logic skills as well as good common sense. All students started out at the beginner level but soon most students got up to the advanced levels.
Ask your students about the addicting music that comes along with this simulation!
As always, please feel free to contact me if you every have questions
Regards,
Rasha Sachdeva
Thursday, March 21, 2013
What's Happening in the Mouse Pad?
Hello Everyone,
As usual it's been a busy time in the lab this month. Grades 1-4 have all completed the projects they were working on and have shared their creations to their peers. Here's a brief recap:
Kindergartners are continuing with our school-wide web based typing program Type To Learn 4. All of them can now log on without any help! Some are getting ahead as they have taken advantage and have download this program at home. That means they can practice at home and all changes are saved. The download instructions can be found on your teacher's classroom website under the document section. Please let me know if you have any questions on downloading this program. Happy Typing!
First Graders all completed their Kidspiration projects, All About Me. They shared their projects on the smart board and they all did a fabulous job. Some were a little shy to share initially but as soon as they saw their peers and what respect everyone gave each other, they stepped right up to volunteer. After they shared, the students all discovered something new about someone. Please ask them about it!
Second Graders all completed their Inspiration projects and will share next week (this was due to conferences this week). I took a sneak peek at the projects and I cant wait for them to share. Students used their imaginations and created a wonderful, colorful and detailed web about themselves. Many uploaded multiple photos to include in their presentations.
Third Graders all completed their Scratch projects and shared them as well. Again it was amazing to see the respect the students gave each other during and after the individual presentations. I didn't have a single shy student. The confidence they have at this age always surprises me! The projects contained more than what was expected and many used code that was very complex such as placing the X and Y variables. If you ever want to see their projects just drop by!
Fourth Graders all completed and shared their PhotoStory projects. Many actually created made up stories with their photos. They were very creative. Others gave a tour of the school using PhotoStory. Both were absolutely fun to watch. Students incorporated sounds, text, composed music and brought their own music from home to add to the effect of their presentations. They all know how to make a wonderful video if the need ever arises!
As always please contact me if you ever have any questions. Watch for another update next month on new projects the students will be working on!
Take care,
Rasha Sachdeva
As usual it's been a busy time in the lab this month. Grades 1-4 have all completed the projects they were working on and have shared their creations to their peers. Here's a brief recap:
Kindergartners are continuing with our school-wide web based typing program Type To Learn 4. All of them can now log on without any help! Some are getting ahead as they have taken advantage and have download this program at home. That means they can practice at home and all changes are saved. The download instructions can be found on your teacher's classroom website under the document section. Please let me know if you have any questions on downloading this program. Happy Typing!
First Graders all completed their Kidspiration projects, All About Me. They shared their projects on the smart board and they all did a fabulous job. Some were a little shy to share initially but as soon as they saw their peers and what respect everyone gave each other, they stepped right up to volunteer. After they shared, the students all discovered something new about someone. Please ask them about it!
Second Graders all completed their Inspiration projects and will share next week (this was due to conferences this week). I took a sneak peek at the projects and I cant wait for them to share. Students used their imaginations and created a wonderful, colorful and detailed web about themselves. Many uploaded multiple photos to include in their presentations.
Third Graders all completed their Scratch projects and shared them as well. Again it was amazing to see the respect the students gave each other during and after the individual presentations. I didn't have a single shy student. The confidence they have at this age always surprises me! The projects contained more than what was expected and many used code that was very complex such as placing the X and Y variables. If you ever want to see their projects just drop by!
Fourth Graders all completed and shared their PhotoStory projects. Many actually created made up stories with their photos. They were very creative. Others gave a tour of the school using PhotoStory. Both were absolutely fun to watch. Students incorporated sounds, text, composed music and brought their own music from home to add to the effect of their presentations. They all know how to make a wonderful video if the need ever arises!
As always please contact me if you ever have any questions. Watch for another update next month on new projects the students will be working on!
Take care,
Rasha Sachdeva
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)