Embedded Files
Canton Elementary Technology Has a New Website!
June 2020
So proud of all of you. Over the past year you lived and breathed technology!
Using technology, you conducted online classes in all your subjects; math, science, social studies, ELA, art, music, library, physical education and health. You opened, read, responded, turned in, reflected, edited, formatted, and typed numerous documents. You created pictures, songs, watched webcams, coded, listened to audio recordings, books and poetry. You engaged with your teachers and each other using video conferencing. You got a “taste” of what technology can do AND gained skills that you will use all the way through college!
You put what you’ve learned about digital citizenship into action! Words cannot express how proud we are, (parents and guardians included, because we could not have done it without the support of our families!)
Whatever the future brings, we will be re-inventing the way we use technology. More exciting learning to come!
Have a healthy and safe summer!
Mrs. Foley
February/March 2020 Newsletter
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
The year is going quickly and the students have been working hard in the Innovation Lab! Grades 2-5 are now enrolled and actively working on proper typing technique using Typing Pal.
Grade 3-(Our World) and Grade 5-(Walking Tour of Boston) created Google Earth Projects that are saved in their Google Drive. Grade 5 used pictures to explore Figurative Language in Google Slides.
Grade 4 used Google Slides to create a presentation on Parts of Speech and learned about “Board Builder” in Discovery Education while creating interactive bulletin boards on February Celebrations.
Students continue to explore video creation using imovie. Several Grade 1 students were selected to present in a video on Social Awareness and our some grade 2 students are creating a video on animal books they wrote!
Grades 2 students are using Google Drive and Google Classroom for many projects (Valentine’s Day, Cities and Lunar New Year.)
Grade 1 has been logging into Google Drive and have created a Google Drawings using shapes! They are working on alphabet and phonic skills in Starfall and ABC Mouse.
Kindergarten students learned about Picasso and created some Picasso heads They are doing a great job finding the alphabet letters on the keyboard and using the mouse to browse back and forth to different educational websites. They are also using Starfall and ABC Mouse’s Kindergarten Links.
Both Kindergarten and Grade 1 are using Unite for Literacy to read online books.
We (Grades 3-5) will begin preparing for MCAS soon using this link: MCAS PRACTICE to allow students the chance to use the MCAS online tools and practice using examples of the types of questions that will be on the test.
We appreciate all the support you are giving your children. We hope you continue to encourage them to practice their typing skills at home and practice good digital citizenship when online.
Thank you again for allowing me to be involved in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org
JFK January 2020 Newsletter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to 2020! Classroom teachers continue to use technology blocks to reinforce their curriculum topics and broaden student’s technology skills.
Kindergarten students have become very good at using their CLEVER BADGES, identifying their alphabet by selecting the letter online and finding it on their keyboard, using the mouse, opening and closing applications and playing the educational games we provide for them.
Grade 1 began to explore Google Drawings by logging into their own Google Accounts using the Clever Badges. They will use Word Art in their Google Drawings too!
Grades 2 have been using TYPING PAL to practice all the typing skills and good ergonomics and posture. Students have created a winter poem using virtual magnets. They are working on Continents and Oceans games to supplement their classroom instruction.
Grade 3 will be using Google Slides to create snowman.
Grade 4 worked on Digital Citizenship T-Shirts.
Grade 5 We will also be reading non-fiction articles (New Year, Shrek…) and answering questions relating to the articles. Grade 5 students created a “Star” in Google drawing using and x and y axis grid.
In January, Grades 3-5 will continue making movies on the ipads that were purchased for the JFK by our CAPT. We already created a Digital Citizenship video and one on Space Science. One class will create a Martin Luther King, Jr. Video and some grade 1 students will create a video on “social awareness”. We will be using the ipads to showcase the learning that is taking place in the classroom in a visual way! Our hope is that the students will edit and share with you!
We continue discussing Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety as well as snow themed topics.
Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s education.
Sincerely, Mrs. Julie Foley,~foleyj@cantonma.org (JFK)
Nov/Dec 2019
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
What a great start in our new Innovation Lab! Students are working hard in technology class!
I am working with classroom teachers to assist students to work on computer programs aligned with the curriculum such a Math, Reading, Typing Pal, Discovery Education and Study Island.
We have begun to introduce students to video creation via our ipads and green screen! So excited to bring classroom content into this new media! Grades 2 and 3 learned how to animate objects during STEAM Week. Other grades are working on weather, math, patriotic memorials and eco-friendly topics.
Grades 2-5 are able to log into their accounts via their usernames and passwords. They have created a paper “take home” copy of their user names and passwords for home use. If your child doesn’t know where their copy is, please reach out to me.
Grade K-1 have begun to log into computers using the Clever Badges. They will soon be educated on Google Drive and use Docs and Drawings to compliment classwork.
We continue learning the fundamentals of keyboarding and ergonomics/posture and the students are getting proficient at using the home row. Students are using their Google Drive for Docs, Drawings and Slides, practicing using the tools and inserting images (Kiddle), text boxes, tables and formatting skills.
Grade 5 completed Spooky Saga Writing pieces and 51 of our grade 5 kids submitted their 100 word documents for consideration to be published in a book! Good Luck everyone! Some are typing their narratives and working on videos.
Grade 4 created Google Slide Show “All About Me” and a table on Hispanic Heritage Flags, Turkey/and Native American Symmetry.
Grade 3 worked on Harvest Poetry, Hispanic Speaking Countries/Maps Poster, Skeleton Poster as well as Veteran’s Day poster and Wampanoag Wetus!
Grade 2 has been busy learning about home row and the proper technique of Keyboarding from Typing Pal. Their goal is 10 Words a minute. They also created Posters for Patriotism and Cornucopias.
Kindergarten & Grade 1 are learning mouse skills, ABC skills and work on curriculum and season- based games and activities. Grade 1 have been busy on Teach Your Monster to Read phonics role playing game as well as Starfall activities!
Digital Citizenship: All students will participate in discussions on Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship. Grades K-1 will be seeing a video and talk about three basic rules to follow. (1. Tell adult when going online, 2.Don’t talk to Strangers and 3. Go to Websites for Kids). Our grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 have created posters and grade 5 comic strips based on Digital Citizenship. Students are reminded to T.H.I.N.K. before posting anything online (Is it TRUE, Is it HELPFUL, Is it INSPIRING, Is it NECESSARY, Is it KIND?)
The month of December will be our “Hour of Code”. Computer Science Education Week is December 9-15. All students will also be given opportunities to compare other programming sites as well, during the “Hour of Code”. Some students will be using the program Scratch, from MIT-Massachusetts of Technology, which is a kid-friendly, free, open-source program that teaches Computer Coding using drop blocks https://scratch.mit.edu/ The animations and projects they will create will allow them to explore basic programming skills.
Both Kindergarten and Grade 1, will help program our Bee-Bots. Bee-Bots are little simple robots . Students are given Bee-Bots a set of instructions (algorithms) to move to a certain shape, map location or color.
Busy months ahead! I am so thankful to be a part of your child’s education. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley~foleyj@cantonma.org
JFK September 2019 Instructional Technology Newsletter
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
Welcome Back! It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and school has begin! We hope that you all enjoyed a fun and relaxing summer!
The JFK now has a new Innovation Lab! Students will now come to the lab to explore innovative projects in the lab! We will continue to align our curriculum with our new Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards (DLCS) using chromebooks. We also have added an area for a "Green Screen" for the creation of students created videos using our ipads!
Our first month will be spent making introductions, class rules, chromebook safety, username and password tables, ergonomics, typing skills (Typing Pal-/2-5), and mouse and ABC skills.(K-1)
Our 1st through 5th graders will be using Google Drive and “Google Apps for Education,” (GAFE) which is a series of computer applications that Google offers for schools.
We will be learning about good “Digital Citizenship” and teach all our students how to be safe online.
As a parent or family guardian, you can support your child by asking them to log into their accounts at home and share with you what they are working on during computer time. (They will be creating a paper copy at school and generate an electronic copy of their usernames and passwords so they can access at home.)
Once again, we look forward to a successful 2019-2020 school year in Instructional Technology. Thank you for allowing us to be involved in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org, (JFK)
_______________________________________________________________________
June 2019
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS at the JFK,
June is here! Summer officially begins June 21st...our last school day for 2018-2019 school year! We are so proud of our JFK students. What a year it has been!
Kindergarten students end their school year knowing the alphabet and finding the keys on the computer keyboard through a literacy program. They have become proficient in using the mouse or touchpad.
Kindergarten and Grade 1 have been enjoying books online through the Unite for Literacy.
Grades 1 and 2 were introduced to the Google Apps for Google Drive (Google Drawings, Google Docs and Grade 2-Google Slides).
Grade 2 completed their animal research projects in Google Slides and they did a great job!
Congratulations to our Grades 3-5 in taking the Math and ELA MCAS tests and Science MCAS was conquered by our 5th Graders!
Grades 3-5 students are working towards their Typing Pal goals.
Grade 5-(25 words per minute/wpm),
Grade 4-(20 wpm)
Grade 3-(15 wpm)
We will wrap up the rest of the year revisiting our coding sites and Scratch and other lessons relating to the curriculum.
We appreciate all the support you are giving your children and we really hope you encourage your children over the summer to practice “Good Digital Citizenship.”
An EXTRA "Shout-Out" thank you for all the volunteer parents that helped with the Chromebook Carts this year. Your help was so appreciated!
Have a safe and enjoyable summer,
JFK - Mrs. Julie Foley / foleyj@cantonma.org
March/April/May Instructional Technology Newsletter 2019
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
Grades 3-5 were busy practicing technology tools necessary for the MCAS online testing as well as practice tests for the MCAS testing April and May. To access click this website: http://mcas.pearsonsupport.com/student/ .
Students used writing prompts, Study Island and "Digital Readworks" and other articles to help prepare for reading and writing comprehension testing. Additionally, Math websites were being accessed to help improve, support and connect to all areas of study. We will be threading some additional activities, spring poetry, Earth Day and inspirational/motivational posters and "biocube" biography (grade 4) in Google Drawings for the school hallways.
In October 2018, our 5th grade students were challenged to a “Spooky Sagas” 100 word essay to the Young Writers Contest. Many of our 5th graders were selected for publication. Congratulations! The book has arrived! We have a copy here at our “JFK Library” and there will be one made available at the “Library of Congress” in Washington. (I am currently working on getting a complimentary copy for the “Canton Public Library.”) We are so proud of all our 5th grade writers! So exciting and spooky at the same time!
Kindergarten students begin class with a video or listening to an online book sitting on the rug and then onto a “Type the Alphabet” activity. Our students are amazing as they use the Chromebooks and the navigation tools to get back and forth into various educational websites!
Grades 1 have mastered logging into their Chromebooks and use Xtra Math, Spelling City and Teach your Monster to read to support their subjects. They recently joined the technology Google Classroom. Worksheets and links can be posted there.
For grades K and 1, we have recently been using "Unite for Literacy", free on-line books where our younger students can select books of their choosing.
Grade 2 students have been using Google Drawings to create posters on themed based topics, and working in math practice on 3D Shapes and coins. We will begin writing in Google Docs. We will reinforce topics with other websites as well. Ask your child to share their digital work with you!
We appreciate all the support you are giving your children at home regarding Digital Citizenship, as well as keyboarding practice. I would also like to thank all the parents and guardians who come in to help with the chromebooks during our weekly technology time. You are appreciated!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org
JFK February 2019 Newsletter
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
We are so proud of all our JFK Students and their hard work!
Grades 2-5 are now enrolled and actively working on proper typing technique using Typing Pal.
Our 3-5 grades spent time reading non-fiction articles and answering questions in Google Classroom and Digital Read Works. We also learned about “Board Builder” in Discovery Education and created interactive bulletin boards on Martin Luther King, Jr., Animals or Weather and Erosion.
Our generous donation of ipads from CAPT have allowed the students to explore video creation using imovie. Some students in Grade 5 have created a movie about their science experiment “Chemical Reaction” and a Kindergarten class was selected for a movie about the art work of Picasso. Both of these topics were connected to the technology lesson. Our Winter Concert showcasing our music students was created using imovie as well. We are beginning to create student inspired videos to compliment our morning meetings.
Our 5th graders who participated in the “Spooky Sagas” Writing contest were rewarded with bookmarks and many of our students were selected for the book’s publication! Congratulations to all who entered! The publication will be out soon! There will be a book available in the JFK library for students to read! The students selected, were given a letter to go home to parents providing information on how to give permission and consent. YOUNG WRITERS CANNOT PUBLISH STUDENT WORK WITHOUT THIS. If you want your writing to be published in the book, get the permissions in as soon as possible. All directions are in the letter. Entry deadline is February 15, 2019.
Grades 2 students are getting very good typing using Typing Pal. They are using Google Drive and Google Classroom for Landforms, River, Mountains and Poetry projects.
Grade1 has been logging into Google Drive and have created a Google Drawings using shapes! They are working on math using Xtra Math as well as alphabet and phonic skills.
Kindergarten students learned about Picasso and created some Picasso heads or colored in an interactive coloring book! They are doing a great job finding the alphabet letters on the keyboard and using the mouse to browse back and forth to different educational websites.
We will begin preparing for MCAS soon, using this link: MCAS PRACTICE to allow students the chance to use the MCAS online tools and practice using examples of the types of questions that will be on the test. We continue to work together to incorporate all classroom subjects using the Chromebooks to complete math, science and writing activities, (Google Drive/Classroom, EnVisions/Math, Journey’s/Think Central, Typing Pal, Discovery Education, Study Island and Xtra Math)
We appreciate all the support you are giving your children. We hope you continue to encourage them to practice their typing skills at home and practice good digital citizenship when online.
Thank you again for allowing us to be involved in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org
JFK January 2018 Newsletter
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Welcome to 2019! Classroom teachers continue to use technology blocks to reinforce their curriculum topics and broaden students technology skills. Students are learning that “practice makes permanent”.
Kindergarten students have become very good at typing their alphabet, using the mouse, opening and closing applications and playing the educational games we provide for them.
Grade 1 will be starting to explore Google Drawings by logging into their own Google Accounts after the first of the year!
Grades 2 will be beginning TYPING PAL by logging into their accounts to practice all the typing skills they have learned so far.
In December, all of our students worked on various Coding websites to explore the world of programming! They used the Scratch Computer Science Program from MIT-Massachusetts of Technology, which is a kid-friendly, free, open-source program that teaches Computer Coding using drop blocks. https://scratch.mit.edu/ as well as Hour of Code websites, provided for free to support all levels. The animations and projects they create will allow them to explore programming skills and acquire the skills they need for the future.
In January, we will begin creating movies on the ipads that were purchased for the JFK by our CAPT. (THANK YOU CAPT!) We will be using the ipads to showcase the learning that is taking place in the classroom in a visual way! Our hope is that the students will edit and share with you!
We will also be reading non-fiction articles and answering questions relating to articles as well as writing activities in Google Classroom. We continue discussing Digital Citizenship and Internet Safety.
I am thankful for all our parent volunteers who come to help with our technology classes! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your child’s education.!
Sincerely, Mrs. Julie Foley,~foleyj@cantonma.org (JFK)
JFK Instructional Technology-December 2018 News
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
I look forward to all that the month of December has in store! Classroom teachers and I have been working together using the Chromebooks and programs that reinforce curriculum using math and writing activities. (EnVisions/Math, Journey’s/Think Central, Typing Pal, Xtra Math, Discovery Education, Study Island and Google Drive applications.)
In November, all students participated in a discussion on Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship. Grades K-1 watched a video and talked about three basic rules to follow. (1. Tell adult when going online, 2.Don’t talk to Strangers and 3. Go to Websites for Kids). Our grades 2, 3, 4 and 5 have created posters and grade 5 comic strips based on Digital Citizenship. Students are reminded to T.H.I.N.K. before posting anything online (Is it TRUE, Is it HELPFUL, Is it INSPIRING, Is it NECESSARY, Is it KIND?)
The month of December will be our “Hour of Code”. Computer Science Education Week is December 3-9 and students will be using the program, Scratch, from MIT-Massachusetts of Technology, which is a kid-friendly, free, open-source program that teaches Computer Coding using drop blocks https://scratch.mit.edu/ The animations and projects they will create will allow them to explore basic programming skills. All students will also be given opportunities to compare other programming sites as well, during the “Hour of Code”.
Kindergarten students will be using Alpha-Bots and Letter-Bots as a way to connect to the world of robots! Both Kindergarten and Grade 1, will help program our Bee-Bots. Bee-Bots give introductory practice into the world of programming and by children giving the Bee-Bots a set of instructions (algorithms) to move to a certain shape, map location or color.
We are so thankful to be a part of your child’s education. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley~foleyj@cantonma.org , Mr. Justin Martin~martinj@cantonma.org, &
Eamonn Kelly kellyea@cantonma.org
JFK Instructional Technology-November 2018 News
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I have enjoyed meeting and working with your children these past few months. They are working hard in technology and come eager to learn!
I am working with classroom teachers to assist students to work on computer programs aligned with the curriculum such as EnVisions/Math, Journey’s/Think Central, Typing Pal, Discovery Education, Study Island and Xtra Math. In addition, we use other online resources to teach Mapping-Google Earth, Math and Reading skills.
Grades 2-5 should now be able to log into their accounts via their usernames and passwords. They should have created a paper copy as well as an electronic copy of log-in information which is located in their Google Classroom (Grades 3-5) for home use.
We continue learning the fundamentals of keyboarding and ergonomics/posture and the students are getting proficient at using the home row. Students are using their Google Drive for Docs, Drawings and Slides, practicing using the tools and inserting images (Kiddle), text boxes, tables and formatting skills.
Grade 5 completed Spooky Saga Writing pieces and have enrolled in Prodigy (free math based role-playing game.)
Grade 4 have been busy learning about the Parts of Speech by creating Google Slide Shows.
Grade 3 worked on Harvest Poetry as well as given an opportunity to complete a “Pawesome” Table relating to our “Boosterthon” Character traits.
Grade 2 is beginning to get enrolled in Google Classroom and have been busy learning about home row and the proper technique of Keyboarding from Dance Mat Typing.
Kindergarten & Grade 1 are learning mouse skills, ABC skills and work on curriculum and season- based games and activities. Grade 1 have been busy on Teach Your Monster to Read phonics role playing game.
I want to thank all the parent volunteers who come out every week to help with our students during technology time! (You have no idea what a help that is!)
I am thankful to be a part of your child’s education. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JFK October 2018 Instructional Technology Newsletter
Dear PARENTS AND GUARDIANS,
Welcome Autumn! What a busy start we’ve had in technology classes!
Our students began their year learning about the care and safety of our Chromebooks (Thank you CAPT and CPS District!) Students are practicing logging into their accounts using their usernames and passwords. We will be “threading” the RUP (Responsible Use Policy) and other important Digital Citizenship Lessons throughout the year.
We have tested most of the usernames and log in information that the school will be using this year. This will enable students to have access to the programs aligned with the curriculum such as, EnVisions/Math, Journey’s/Think Central, Typing Pal, Discovery Education, and Study Island. Some of the teachers may also have added Ten Marks Math, Xtra Math and Digital Read Works for extra practice.
Kindergarten students are using Chromebooks and practicing mouse and keyboarding skills, while learning their ABC’s and Numbers. They are doing an amazing job!
Grade 1 is “Typing the Alphabet” practicing mouse and keyboarding skills and are practicing phonics using Teach Your Monster To Read program. Students can log in at home. (Ask them for their username. If they cannot remember it, email me and I can provide for you.)
Our Grade 2 students have begun “Dance Mat Typing” and are learning the fundamentals of keyboarding and ergonomics of keyboarding. We will move them into Typing Pal after that is completed. Grades 3-5 are using their Typing Pal accounts with their new WPM (words per minute) goals. (Grade 3-15 WPM, Grade 4-20 WPM and Grade 5-25 WPM.) We are encouraging all students to keep their hands on HOMEROW, sit properly and practice good typing techniques. The students are doing great in class, but we need more practice at home!
In addition to all this, Grades 3 will be creating Autumn Poetry in Google Docs. Grade 4 will be doing a “Parts of Speech” Google Slide Show and our Grade 5 is participating in a spooky saga writing contest from www.youngwritersusa.com (100 words!)
Thanks again for all your support in your children’s education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JFK September 2018 Instructional Technology Newsletter
DEAR PARENTS & GUARDIANS,
It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and school is about to begin! We hope that you enjoyed your summer and we welcome your children back feeling refreshed and recalibrated!
We wish a warm welcome to Mr. Eamonn Kelly, our new Instructional Technology Teacher for Grades K-5 at the Luce School, Mr. Justin Martin at the Hansen, and me, Mrs. Julie Foley at the JFK! We are so excited to be working and collaborating together on our K-5 Instructional Technology Curriculum. We continue to align our curriculum with our new Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards (DLCS).
Our first month will be spent making introductions, class rules, ergonomics, typing skills (Typing Pal), and mouse skills.
Our 1st through 5th graders will be using Google Drive and “Google Apps for Education,” (GAFE) which is a series of computer applications that Google offers for schools.
We will be learning about good “Digital Citizenship” and teach all our students how to be safe online.
As a parent or family guardian, you can support your child by asking them to log into their accounts at home and share with you what they are working on during computer time. (They will be creating an electronic copy of their usernames and passwords so they can access at home.)
Once again, we look forward to a successful 2018-2019 school year in Instructional Technology. Thank you for allowing us to be involved in your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Julie Foley, foleyj@cantonma.org, Mr. Justin Martin martinj@cantonma.org
Mr. Eamonn Kelly kellyea@cantonma.org
Report abuse