5th Grade
This year, we have created some pretty cool projects in the 5th grade. The 5th graders started off the year by making movies of themselves, using pictures they used on Google Images to represent themselves, and adding both text and audio. After that, the students were given gmail accounts through the APS domain, and learned how to use email as a productive tool. In October, the entire class went on a 3-day field trip to Buena Vista, and brought along 9 iPads. When they returned from their trip, the students created movies/slideshows of their trip on iMovie, and presented these to the rest of the class.
With the email accounts, the students are now creating their first ever website. This has been their greatest endeavor so far. In collaboration with the 5th grade teachers, the students are creating a timeline using the website prezi.com. This interactive and visual presentational software is relatively new, and very engaging for the students. The timelines can include videos, images, and 'paths', which connect one event or date to the next. These will be presented to the parents on Friday, November 18th. Examples of our students' projects will be here in a few weeks.
4th Grade
In 4th grade, we started off the year by making Power Point presentations about our lives and interests. We learned how to save files on the server, shortcuts, and numerous skills that can be applied to other software programs. The 4th graders also received a gmail account, which they used when learning how to email, and like the 5th grade, will use when creating websites. We then learned about podcasts, and made simple podcasts using GarageBand on our iPads.
When the students got back from their field trip to the Colorado Springs Zoo, we used the iPads to create slideshows of their trip on iMovie. These were then presented to the rest of the class. The students included videos, still photos, text, and sound. The students are, in mid-November, going to create a presentation on grey wolves, possibly using prezi.com.
3rd Grade
The 3rd grade, like the 4th, started off the year by creating projects about themselves using PowerPoint, while also learning numerous transferable skills. We then conducted two webquests about the respiratory system, and then created a non-smoking poster using MS Publisher. We are now using Google Earth to learn about maps and the different areas of Colorado. In December, we are going to start using a brochure program to make brochures on these regions.
2nd Grade
In the 2nd grade this year we are focusing on keyboarding skills. We have been using the website typingweb.com. There are some great exercises on this site, and it does allow for you to create an account to track your progress, but our students have yet to do this. Our goal is to have our students learn where each key is this year, so that we can create even more dynamic projects next year.
1st Grade
At the beginning of 1st grade, we created a couple of projects using Kidspiration (see examples here). We then used Starfall.com to help the students learn sight words, phonics, and the letters of the alphabet.
In November and December, the students are going to learn the basics of word processing, which will allow them to type simple stories and print them.
Kindergarten
At the beginning of the school year, we had the Kindergarten students learn how to use a mouse by using MS Paint. We then used several apps on the iPad, which allowed the students to draw the letters of the alphabet. The students have also used starfall.com, which allows them to understand the alphabet and hear examples of each letter and group of letters.
