What's+happening+in+the+lab?

April 2013: Hello Ayers and North Beverly Families!

Where has the year gone? This is a brief update of our computer lab learning by grade level.

__Grade 1:__ We explored MSPaint during those bleak winter days. Students completed pictures using various geometric filled and unfilled shapes and multiple line and brush sizes. Rather than use the eraser tool, we focused on reflecting after each paint action and using the undo tool as needed. This is a difficult but very important habit to develop, and it is particularly hard given the the "goodies" computers offer. The children have done a wonderful job! They are planning their pictures, problem-solving, and developing their hand-eye co-ordination. We also introduced //**Inchworm**//, a popular maze game they can access when their work is done. //__**Inchworm**__// reinforces these same habits of thinking in steps, problem solving, and reflection. After spring vacation we will try simple programming using Turtle Pond.

Grade 2:

We began our winter activities with our "Draw Like Jan Brett" activity. I am old enough to remember "Drawing With Capt'n Bob Cottle" on TV. We watched a Jan Brett video and followed along step by step as we completed a drawing of Jan Brett's favorite character, Hedgie the Hedgehog. I would not miss this activity! The children are amazed by what they are able to accomplish! I hope you all enjoyed the drawings they brought home.

Next, we tackled our "Introduction to Animation" unit. We explored simple flipbooks and gave them an updated twist using Hyperstudio to make our own cel animation. Students completed stacks on the life cycle of a seed and then a volcano. Finally, we took a look at simple digital animation as we completed a school of fish.

After spring vacation we will begin to tackle simple online research using //**Little Explorers**//.

Grade 3: We began January using Inspiration idea webbing software. We practiced organizing our ideas using the topic of animal families. Then we started working on "All About Me" in preparation for our PowerPoint presentations of the same name. They are using text boxes, saving images to files, inserting images, and adding animations and transitions. The hardest lesson here is "less is more." (That's probably the hardest lesson for us all!) After we finish up our PowerPoints, we will begin formal keyboarding instruction. They have practiced all year using a few online games, but Type to Learn 3 will take them sequentially starting with F and J in the home row. I tell them they will have their keyboards covered. They can't yet imagine how successful they will be without looking at the keyboard, but prepare to be amazed!

Grade 4:

Students completed a post test on //**Word**// in early January. They all improved tremendously since the pretest! I hope you have enjoyed seeing their documents. If you have Word at home, ask your student about many of the formatting choices. We also tried inserting simple tables and, of course, clip art.

Then we began to explore simple spreadsheets using //**Excel**//. Students having been working in pairs to produce simple representations of data in columns, rows, and bar graphs. We have also practice the autosum function. Next, we will build upon our Powerpoint skills from last year.

December 2012:

Hello Ayers and North Beverly Families! <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">I am adding this page to our Hotlist in order to give you a quick look at what we are doing each month in the lab. <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">__Grade 1:__ <span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">We spent October focusing on lab rules and procedures. We also explored several sites that offered mouse control practice in a fun setting. I have noticed over the past two years that our fist graders seem a bit uncomfortable with the mouse. I believe that is probably due to the fact that many home desktop machines have been replaced by laptops and tablets. [I have observed my own grandchildren (ages 6 and 3 and a half) are quite skilled with a touchpad, but awkward with a mouse. ] I am happy to report that our practice sessions have truly paid off!

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">In November we explored a variety of websites and programs to stretch our math muscles. We are also now comfortable opening and closing websites, navigating to the correct screen, and using the scroll bar.

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">When we return from our holiday break we will explore MSPaint. You will be amazed at what your first grader will produce!

<span style="color: #0000ff; display: block; font-family: 'comic sans ms',cursive; text-align: left;">__Grade 2__: <span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We began October reviewing lab rules. We explored some of our favorite math websites. Students were excited to access //**Arcademic Skillbuilders**// for the first time. They enjoy competing against one another as they practice their math facts. These sites are our "go-to" activities when we finish our lesson of the day.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">At the end of October we completed a unit on bats which included the reading of **Stellaluna**, viewing two Nat Geo short videos, and completing several Smart Board activities.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In November we began writing stories using //**Storybook Weaver**//.This program will become another of our "go-to" favorites as the year progresses.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Last week we began our Jan Brett unit. She is a remarkably talented author and illustrator. We study her art, read her stories, and explore her website. When we return in January, we will complete a "Draw like Jan Brett" lesson that the kids will love! I save it for early January to combat those back-to-school January blues.

__<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grade 3: __

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We began October reviewing lab rules and procedures.Then we returned to //**Little Explorers**//, an on-line picture dictionary / encyclopedia. Students were introduced to //**Little Explorers**// at the end of second grade. In third grade we explore the concept of "drilling down" through the levels of the website. We also practice skimming and scanning headings to zero in on the particular information we seek. This is a first step toward using the web for research.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We have begun our review of //**Storybook Weaver**//. Third graders will begin to craft more sophisticated stories as we explore concepts of plot, setting, and the use of dialog. //**Storybook Weaver**// will become one of our independent work activities as the year progresses.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We will hit the ground running in January as we begin working with //**Inspiration**// and //**PowerPoint**//.

__<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Grade 4: __

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">After reviewing lab rules and procedures, 4th graders dusted off their keyboarding skills using play and practice mode in //**Type to Learn 3**//. They will continue to use //**TTL3**// for independent work throughout the year.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Currently, we are finishing up our introduction to simple //**MSWord**// documents. The number of toolbars and buttons available can be overwhelming. We are focused on standard, formatting, and picture toolbars currently for the next few weeks. We will begin adding tables to our documents soon.

<span style="color: #0000ff; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">We will soon begin working with //**Excel.**//