Tales of 3rd Grade Tech

How do these resources inform, fit into your current practices in digital citizenship in your classroom school?  These resources were beneficial because they helped paint a more clear picture of what exactly it means to be a digital citizen. While I knew a some of the components such as access and communication, there were a few elements that I have not thought a lot about such as commerce and health and wellness. The Digital Citizenship License  was the tool that I found to be most helpful in informing my instruction and current practices. While I may not show my class the material, it helped me as the teacher come up with ideas for how to present the content to my students and talk about it with them. These resources also showed me that I do not need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to teaching digital citizenship. There are many tools out there that I can share with my students that will not take larg...

 This week I was able to review the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship   and reflect on how I incorporate them in my classroom.  Digital Access: Access to technology has been something that has changed a lot over the past year. Prior to Covid my class was at a 4:1 ratio with technology and while many students had access to internet at home a lot of my families were sharing one computer for the whole household. At the beginning of year I always send home a survey for families to fill out so I can get to know their student, one of my questions is, do you have access to internet and a computer at home? Any family who does not have access, I make sure to send hard copies of newsletters home and send notes home with their students as oppose to an email. Additionally, to make it equitable for all students no homework assignments ever required a computer. Any online work that needs to be completed could be done at school.  My students access to technology has gone up q...

  This week I looked at Holly Clark's blog   Infused Classroom   and her review of Chrome Extensions.  What are some beneficial Chrome Extensions?  This week I looked over 10 Chrome Extensions that Holly Clark suggested on her blog. All of these extensions can help enhance your use of technology in the classroom and are free to add on Chrome. Clark points out that these tools can be utilized by both Google and Microsoft users. I highly recommend checking out the link above. In her descriptions of the different extension she has linked TikTok videos on how to use the tools, great for visual learners like me! Below of the 10 extensions that she highlighted.  Color Zilla:  Allows teachers to click on a color they want to match and then it saves it to their clipboard.  Bit.ly: Teachers can customize links and check to see how many people viewed their link.  Crafty Text: Allows teachers to type in a box and when they click enter it will appear acr...

  What is a Virtual Calming Room ?  This week I wanted to share a tool that I have been utilizing in my classroom. I typically have a "relaxation station" in my room during a normal year. Students can go to the relaxation station to take a 5 minute brain break when they begin to feel anxious, nervous, upset or frustrated. In school I typically fill up the desk with sensory toys and calming strategies. The virtual calming room can bring the advantages of a relaxation station to an online classroom. This tool is very user friendly and your students will love it! How does it work? When students click on the link to the calming room they are taken to the homepage. On the homepage they are able to click the type of break they are looking for. The website has options such as movement, sounds & music, coloring & creativity, animal cams and more. When students select the category that will best help them calm down they are taken to a page with a variety of options and videos....

   This week I looked at Holly Clark's blog   Infused Classroom   and her review of breakout rooms.  What are Breakout rooms?  While breakout rooms have been apart of Zoom and Google Meets for quite a bit of time they are a relatively new feature on Microsoft Teams. I have appreciated Clarks blog this week providing teachers with ways they can continue to enhance breakout rooms in their classroom. Breakout rooms are valuable for educators because they can either randomly or specifically assign students to different rooms and allow teachers to control the size of the groups. This gives students the chance to interact in a small group setting. I have found that break out rooms greatly enhance collaboration and gives me a better understanding of students knowledge because I get an opportunity to hear every students thoughts.  Can I use Breakout rooms in the classroom?  I found Clarks blog helpful this week because I just found out that I will be a re...

  What is Embarc ?  If you use Eureka math or Engage NY than this website can be a huge game changer for you! Embarc is a math website designed to support users of the Eureka and Engage NY curriculum. Embarc was originally created to help support teachers with this curriculum at a local level. However, since it provides such great resources it is now being used nation-wide. The best part is that everything found on this website is free. In addition, the website aligns with the common core standards. Making is a great tool even for teachers who do not use the above curriculums.  How does it work? On the Embarc website the information is organized based on grade level. When teachers find their grade level, they can use the pull-down tab to navigate to the home page, general information page or each module within the curriculum. If a teacher were to select a specific module than the top of the page offers resources that can benefit the teacher and students for the whole...

   This week I looked at Holly Clark's blog   Infused Classroom   and her review of the tool Book Creator's Comic Strips.  What is Book Creator  and its new feature: Comic Strips? This week in Holly Clark's blog I learned about a tool called Book Creator. While reading her blog I decided to learn more about what Book Creator was before I looked into the comic book feature. Book creator is an app that allows students to use tools to creator digital books with images, video and audio!  The best part is that teachers can create a free account! Recently, Book Creator has added a comic strip feature that Clark talks about in her blog. Clark suggests that teachers offer creating a comic strip feature to help engage students more in writing summaries. She also talks about the importance of students getting opportunities to share the work they have created!  Can I use Book Creator's comic strip feature in the classroom?  I wish I had known about this...

  What is Readworks ?  Readworks is an online tool that brings a wide variety of texts, activities and assessments to students. When students use Readworks they have access to texts at their reading level on topics related to STEM, poetry, holidays, literary fiction and more! In addition to a wide range of text, Readworks makes it easy for teachers to differentiate. Audio versions of the readings, StepReads (less complex versions of the original passage) and ELL and SPED supports are all available to meet every students needs. This website is easy for teachers to implement in their classrooms because it is free to use for educators and schools.  How does it work? There are many different ways that teachers can incorporate Readworks into the classroom. If you look at the picture above teachers can specify exactly what they are looking for. Teachers can narrow their search by selecting the type of content they want their students to see, if they want it to have audio, the t...

 This week I looked at Holly Clark's blog   Infused Classroom   and her review of the tool Jamboard.  What is  Adobe Spark ? I am not sure about anyone else but this year has been overwhelming trying to learn and implement so many new technologies an apps. This is why I chose this tool because Holly Clark emphasizes how SIMPLE it is to use! This a free easy to use tool that focuses on letting students create. Adobe spark offers three tools for creation: Post, page and video. In her blog Clark shares that all students have to do is, "Combine text, videos, graphics and add music to create learning centered projects." Students can use pre-made templates or blank outlines to create different projects. What is great about adobe spark is that it can be integrated into almost any subject and can allow your students to show their understanding in a unique and creative way.  Can I use Adobe Spark in the classroom?  My students love to create! I really like Adob...

  What is Prodigy ?  Prodigy is an adaptive video game style math platform. It has been a huge motivation for my students and they love the fact that it takes place in a fantasy world. This tool is amazing because it engages all of my students and I know they are working on skills they need at the same time. The platform aligns with with common core standards for K-8 grade students making it an easy decision to implement in your classroom.  How does it work? After teachers set up accounts for their students implementing Prodigy requires very little work. Students can create their wizard and then they begin their placement test. The placement test helps identify where students math abilities are and then they are asked questions to best fit their needs. Students have the ability to travel to different worlds and battle either their classmates or the computer. When students go into battle in order to cast a spell to win they need to answer multiple math questions. What is g...