K-2

Kindergarten through 2nd Grade work on a variety of print and digital literacy projects throughout the year. Here is a list of some of the items we have or will be working on:

• Nutmeg Book Award Reading Program - we aim to read 3 or more of the CT Nutmeg Nominees and vote for our favorite in April. We focus on the Elementary Category.

• Charter Oak Children's Book Award - K-2 also participate in the Charter Oak Book Award, we read nominated books during the last quarter of the year and evaluate these books based on established criteria, then we end the year by voting for our favorite.

• Google Apps for Education - 2nd grade is introduced to Google Drive and Google Classroom, we do some work with Docs and Slides.

• Computer skills and Keyboarding. A focus on computer skills and keyboarding prepares our K students for our digital world. Students learn how to logon, access allowed programs and use the keyboard properly.

• Digital Citizenship - While digital citizenship skills are embedded into all our technology lessons both in the classroom and learning commons we focus on specific lessons throughout the year using Nearpod and lessons guided by Common Sense Media.

• Literacy support- ELA skills are supported through shared readalouds, book selection and projects.

• Coding - We participate in the Hour of Code every December but incorporate coding in makerspace activities throughout the year.

• Makerspace- STEM skills and creative design process are incorporated into activities utilizing our makerspace. While our physical Makerspace is going to rest this school year, the creativity and ideas will follow from class to class! Digital escape rooms, coding, robots and STEM activities will still be a part of our lessons in MAKERSPACE ON THE MOVE!

• Author Visits - We welcome authors to visit with us and also utilize Skype. Author Theresa Miller has visited to share her book A Cat for Cathy. This year we welcomed Shanda McCloskey, author of Doll e 1.0 and T-Bone the Drone to our school! We will be using Skype in the classroom and virtual author visits in the unique 20-21 school year!

• Special Events we incorporate into our year:

  • • International Dot Day

    • Multicultural Children's Book Day

    • Hour of Code

    • Digital Learning Day

    • Read Across America

    • National Poetry Month