We're Talking About Online Safety

This week, the 2nd-5th grades have been talking about Online Safety.  We have been watching the BrainPOP video "Online Safety", sharing experiences we've had on computers, tablets and game consoles, and discussing different ways to stay safe when we go online.

The most important part of online safety for elementary age kids is for them to have an adult they trust available when they are online.  You wouldn't send you child out into the middle of Los Angeles by themselves, because it's just not safe; the same holds true for kids wandering around the internet.

We have also been discussing the idea of the Digital Footprint.  What you post to the internet travels far and wide, and does not go away.  It's never too young to be aware of this!

Let the Typing Begin!

For 2nd-5th graders, we are reviewing the Home Row and trying to get the muscle memory in our fingers working for us again with Dance Mat Typing.

1st graders are getting their first real introduction to "touch typing".  We are starting with a game called  Keyboard Climber -- have them try it at home!

Welcome Back, Community!

I can't believe the summer is over, but I'm excited to be back in the Computer Lab working with your kids!

One of my goals for the year is to keep this blog updated so that you can check in to see what we've been up to in Technology for each grade level.

Make sure you check out the links on the sidebar on the right.  Typing practice at home is always a good idea, and I have included links to all sorts of free typing sites.

Looking forward to a great year!

Kirsten

The Hour of Code is Here!

Welcome to the Hour of Code 2014!

Here are your choices on the laptops:

1.  Write Your First Computer Program with Angry Birds, Plants vs. Zombies, & Ice Age
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

2.  Code with Anna & Elsa
     (3rd-5th)

3.  Get Creative with Coding (Scratch)
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

4.  Build Your Own Game (Tynker)
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

5.  Lightbot
     (2nd-5th)

6.  Make Your Own Flappy Bird Game
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

7.  Play Lab
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

8.  Code Monkey
     (2nd-5th, K-1st with assistance)

9.  Program a Virtual Robot
     (3rd-5th)

10. Build a Game with JavaScript
     (3rd-5th)

11. Code Combat
      (3rd-5th)

You can also explore coding on the iPads using:

Daisy the Dinosaur
Bee-Bot
Cato's Hike
Move the Turtle
Lightbot
Code Kingdoms
Cargo-Bot
Hopscotch
Tynker
Hakitzu
Kodable Pro
LearnBinary

Have Fun!!

Hour of Code 2014 Kickoff!!

President Obama kicks off the Hour of Code 2014:

What Most Schools Don't Teach

What most schools don't teach:

We're ready for the Hour of Code 2014!

Welcome Back!

Hello, Community Families!

It's been so good to see all of your lovely children back at school this week!

Enrichment classes will commence the 3rd week of school this year.  Starting the 25th, all classrooms will visit the computer lab at least once a week.

During that first week, we will be sending home the LAUSD Acceptable Use Policy for you and your child(ren) to go over and sign.  This is necessary so that students are able to use the LAUSD network during the school day.  (Students will need to go online to do research, and to have access to learning sites like BrainPop, Everyday Math Online, and Dance Mat Typing.)

We will be starting the year in technology with a heavy emphasis on typing skills.  During our field test of the Smarter Balanced Assessment last year, we noted that the students who were proficient typists were able to more clearly and easily communicate what they knew.  We don't waste brain power thinking about how to hold a pencil, but when students have to stop to locate a letter on the keyboard or to think about how to capitalize, their focus is diverted from whatever question they are actually being asked.

We have lots of other great stuff planned for the year, so be sure to check back in here periodically to see what we're up to!