NetSmartz

First Graders have met Clicky, the memorable yellow robot who teaches us about internet safety.

To quote Clicky, if students ever have concerns when online,
they should "Ask an adult!"

We've learned about keeping personal information private, using kind words when using technology, and only looking at images and websites that are good enough for kids to use.

Keyboarding

Second and Third graders use Dance Mat Typing
( http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr )
once a week during the second trimester,
to build and strengthen keyboarding skills.

We focus on proper technique: fingers resting on
home row keys, using correct fingers for
letter keys. We discuss how accuracy is more
important than speed. Speed will come later!

Hour of Code Week

The computer lab was filled with focused, busy, challenged, helpful, persistent problem solvers during Computer Science in Education Week, Dec. 5-9.

Overheard:

"I did it!"

"That was awesome!"

"This cow won't move."

"I wish computer class lasted two hours."

"I finished it!"

"I can do this."

"I love code."

"The first one isn't that complex, but it's fun."

"Oh, that's how..."

Students at every grade level chose from coding activities linked to our school page:

http://www.hermones.org/index.php/20-news/177-code-activities

See links for additional activities to try at home. 

Scratch!

Third and Fourth graders have had an introduction to Scratch, and we're exploring animations that can be made by connecting/editing blocks to create a script for each character. Scratch can also be accessed online - with your permission - at https://scratch.mit.edu/

When I ask for volunteers...

 ...virtually all hands go up! And they don't even know what they're volunteering for, yet. Turns out, they were asked to estimate the biggest number a computer can understand. We then had a quick intro to binary code; few hands when up when asked if they wanted to do math in binary code!

Making Good Choices with Technology

The usual perches for our Penguins and Crab have been empty the past two weeks, while Second Graders have posed them for photos to show how to make good choices with technology. After watching an animated video on Cyber safety rules, students planned how to show the big ideas of safety, responsibility, respectfulness and the importance of being kind and caring as we use technology. They captioned their photos, which were then added to class slide shows. They tell an important story, and will be shared with younger students as well. 

There It Is!

First graders have learned how to change their Linux account's desktop picture by accessing a folder just for them. They are both surprised and happy to see their picture choice at any computer they log into, here in the computer lab. They have come such a long way since Kindergarten!