Beyond Four Walls: Mrs. Smith's Tech Blog

The fifth graders at Farmdale Elementary participated in a webcast today with R.L. Stine.  During the presentation, the author shared information about how he became an author and came up with ideas for some of his books.   He answered questions from the live audience, as well as those sent in by students viewing the webcast remotely.   Farmdale students answered questions online that were used by R.L. Stine to compose a ghost story during the webcast.    Students will have the opportunity to enter a contest where they will write their own ending to a story started by Mr. Stine about a zombie or choose from another story starter.  The winning story will receive signed books, audiobooks and other prizes!   Additional information on the contest can be found at http://www.scholastic.com/goosebumps/webcast/

Farmdale Fifth Graders Meet R.L. Stine

As we settle in the the new school year, students are beginning to use Study Island to build skills that are needed in order to be successful on spring PSSA testing.   Although most teachers are familiar with the program and have been using it for a few years, some may be new to it and/or need a refresher on it.   Use the resources and videos below to obtain more information on the program.   Also don’t hesitate to submit a tech integration tech ticket to request help in using the program with your students and interpreting reports.

Study Island Video Tour (PA) Check out this excellent video tour of Study Island, which explains how the program is set up, as well as information on using it with students in the classroom.

Video Interview with Study Island CEO (please note that you will have to authenticate with your password to view this video)

Study Island - Reports for Teachers This video was created by tech support at another school district.  It is very well done.  If you have questions about how to log into Study Island as a teacher at Hempfield, please refer to your Study Island Survival Guide.  (please note that you will have to authenticate with your password to view this video)

Creating Classes in Study Island Watch this video tutorial to learn how to create classes in Study Island

Video Games Help Students Learn This news clip explores how Study Island games are an effective way to reinforce student learning.

Mrs. Swarm’s third grade class participated in a videoconference event on May 7th with the Hands On Museum in Ann Arbor, Michigan.   Students discussed the three states of matter, then combined ingredients to create two mystery “slime” substances.   They used four of their five senses to describe their slime to the activity leader at the museum and attempted to identify whether it was a solid, liquid or gas.  Each student took a small container of slime home with them for further experimentation!

Click on the link below to see pictures from the event on the HSD Videoconferencing site!

http://einstein.hempfieldsd.org/videoconferencing/

30 astronauts, 3 moon bases, only one moon, and KC2035. What will happen?  Ready to go by 9:10 on this early Friday morning. Nervousness is filling the room. Stress might be visiting the teams as they are working.  The word “over” is ringing in my ears.  Mrs. Grimm and Mrs. Smith say there will be lots of commotion once the mission’s starts….Now.

Click on the link below to listen to a podcast that CES sixth grade students made about the simulation they participated in on May 1st.

e-mission Intro

Read the full article and see photos at http://einstein.hempfieldsd.org/videoconferencing/

Elementary teachers from Hempfield attended and presented at an Elementary Technology Conference at IU13 on April 15th.  It was a day of sharing how technology is being used in K-6 classrooms.  Here’s what some of our teachers had to say about the sessions.

Today I used the projector and Word to go over our reading pages.  The kids thought it was so cool that I used that instead of the blackboard.  A student shouted out, “I just love this digital classroom!”  Since the conference I have been using the projector everyday in more creative ways.  The students love it.  I enjoy it too!     - Christine Ruhl, FES Grade 1

I was amazed at what primary kids are doing with technology. I am so looking forward to trying out things with my first graders next year!    -Missy Paup, FES Grade 1

The Moodle and NetTrekker sessions were super. The NetTrekker session was good because it was something that could  be used and integrated immediately.    -Ronda Miller, LPC Grade 3

I learned a lot at the conference and even started a wikispace for one of my writing classes to try to incorporate an online journal of their writing piece for the 4th MP.  -Ian Daecher, FES Grade 6

The day provided  A LOT of ideas. The actual classroom teachers presenting were able to present as a “tried already” idea with much insight to what might need to be adjusted in the classroom. It was hard to choose between presentations. This should definitely be an annual conference!

-Cheryl Plotner, EPES Grade 3

Mrs. Bauer worked with Centerville students on writing and publishing poems in April. Mrs. Mowery’s first grade class wrote “Clue Poems” and Mrs. Chester’s second grade class wrote “String Poems”. Click on the link below to see their poems. The students would love to hear your comments. Click on the Comment link on the main page of the Technology Blog to tell them what you think!

http://einstein.hempfieldsd.org/technology/centerville-poems/

Student technology projects are now available for viewing on the Technology Blog!   So far it it just the Farmdale First Grade Digital Stories listed there, but there is more to come.  Check back often to see what students are doing with technology across the district.

Link to main blog     http://einstein.hempfieldsd.org/technology/

Direct link to FES Digital Stories   http://einstein.hempfieldsd.org/technology/fes-digital-storytelling/

Digital Storytelling

There are many ways to publish digital stories.   Some teachers use iPhoto, while others prefer PowerPoint or Keynote (Apple’s presentation software), iMovie, or Garage Band.   Click on the Digital Story link in Pages on the left to learn more about doing a digital storytelling project in your classroom!

Third and fourth grade classes work together to prepare clues on a mystery animal of their choice prior to this event.  On the date of their video conference, classes from other states try to guess what the animal is based on the clues that may describe the animal’s habitat, behavior, or physical characteristics.  We will provide support to participating classes on the video conferencing aspect.   YOU MUST REGISTER FOR THIS THROUGH MYSELF OF SUE ALLEN SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THE EQUIPMENT IS AVAILABLE!   We can only take one class in the district per available date (there are 3).  If multiple classes express interest, we will select a class based on a lottery system.   Click on Projects & Opportunities page to the left for more info!

Discovery Education and 3M are sponsoring a national science competition open to students in grades 5-8.  Individual students must submit a 1-2 minute video on a particular science topic to demonstrate and understanding of the concept.  They have until May 20, 2009 to submit their videos, which will then be reviewed over the summer to select finalists next fall.   For more information on this opportunity, go to the “Projects & Opportunities” page on the left and click on the links for this competition.  Contact me if you have questions or would like assitance with this project!   This is not something that has to be done at school, so if you have students who would like to participate we can see that they have the information that they need.