Media class consists of technology and library lessons. While the majority of time will focus on the digital aspect of media, not all media is digital, and students will receive instruction on the library as well.
All students come to my class at once a week. During class students are encouraged to be problem solvers, explorers, creators, and be an active participant in their learning.
Students will learn skills that they need to be successful digital learners such as mouse and navigation skills for younger students. Typing practice for grades 2 - 5. This is something they have access to at home as long as they are logged in with their PSD account. It may also include learning how to utilize Google Apps for Education, simulations, video productions tools, and coding to name a few. Students need to learn how to utilize digital tools to access learning and show what they have learned while interacting in a digital environment with understanding and ethical behavior.
Kindergarten has 44 minutes for technology.
Our first goal in tech will be becoming familiar with the Chromebook. Students will be learning how to sign on using their password, sign out, and shut it down. Once logged on they will be learning how to navigate to the student tab on the Werner Website. They will learn how to access the sites available. The site includes academic games, games that will improve their mouse/trackpad skills, and sites that provide reading materials.
Unfortunately, we have been having various issues with the Chromebooks. Therefore we are transitioning to using the desktop computers in the lab. This means students will learn to use a mouse and will need to log in with a Username and Password.
First Grade has 45 minutes for technology.
Our first goal in tech will be becoming familiar with the Chromebook. The Chromebooks are the devices they may be using in the classroom.
Students will be learning how to sign on using their password, sign out, and shut it down. Once logged on they will be learning how to go to the student tab on the Werner Website. They will learn how to navigate to the sites available.
We will discuss how so many jobs in the world use technology in some way. Actually, almost all jobs do. We start diving into some different fields that use technology. The first one is art. People create work with a computer and/or can create work for a company. Graphic arts is a very big field which includes technology. Students have been trying some different drawing sites to see what they can do as an artist. Students will begin block coding because coding is also something that many people utilize into today's world. Coding also involves great problem solving and resilience.
Second grade students start by using the desktop computers in the lab. This is a good way to transition the students from using Chromebooks in class this year to being familiar with the Windows PC's next year. Students will always practice their typing skills using the program Typing Club at the beginning of class. Please remember I only see your child once a week. This is not much time to learn and practice typing. This is something that your child can practice at home. The goal is for second graders to be able to type 10 words per minute (wpm) by the end of the year. What is more important than words per minute is learning how to use the home row keys, using all fingers, and looking up when typing.
The second graders will learn how to go use Google Classroom to find materials and assignments from their teacher. They will also be learning more about Google Apps, coding, and using robots.
Third graders will be continuing growing the skills learned last year. One of our first focuses will be continuing with Typing Club. We only practice 10 minutes a class, so any practice they can squeeze in at home would help. The goal is typing 15 words per minute by the end of third grade; however, their biggest goals are using all fingers from the home row base and not looking at their fingers while typing.
We have gone over a student contract for technology use. This addresses the proper way to treat their device, how to always be polite online, how to treat one another, using only what the teacher has said to use, keeping personalization to a minimum, and some online safety tips. We will continue discussing these topics throughout the year. The student have all "signed" a Google form that says they understand the contract and will use technology appropriately. Here is the link to the contract. The first page is more in depth for parents. The second page is what was discussed with students.
Students will be honing their partner working skills, problem solving, and design thinking with various activities.
We have been working on Google Apps for Education. We have already dug into Google Docs. One goal is for students to be able to type, format, and perform basic editing. The other goal is for students to be able to explore the tools and find what they need all on their own.
As forth graders, students will be continuing the skills learned last year. One of our first focuses will be continuing with Typing Club. We only practice 10 minutes a class, so any practice they can squeeze in at home would help. The goal is typing 20 words per minute by the end of forth grade; however, our biggest goals are using all fingers from the home row base and not looking at our fingers while typing.
We have also gone over a student contract for technology use. This addresses the proper way to treat their device, how to always be polite online, how to treat one another, using only what the teacher has said to use, keeping personalization to a minimum, and some online safety tips. We will continue discussing these topics throughout the year. The student have all "signed" a Google form that says they understand the contract and will use technology appropriately. Here is the link to the contract. The first page is more in depth for parents. The second page is what we discussed.
As fifth graders, students will be continuing the skills learned last year. One of our first focuses will be continuing with Typing Club. We only practice 10 minutes a class, so any practice they can squeeze in at home would help. The goal is typing 25 words per minute by the end of forth grade; however, our biggest goals are using all fingers from the home row base and not looking at our fingers while typing.
We have also gone over a student contract for technology use. This addresses the proper way to treat their device, how to always be polite online, how to treat one another, using only what the teacher has said to use, keeping personalization to a minimum, and some online safety tips. We will continue discussing these topics throughout the year. The student have all "signed" a Google form that says they understand the contract and will use technology appropriately. Here is the link to the contract. The first page is more in depth for parents. The second page is what we discussed.