Technology in Education: Notes from the Closet

Digital Safety Digital Citizenship Week takes place in October. Although every teacher in every grade in every subject should be weaving in conversations about responsible online practices this is nevertheless a good time to teach some specific lessons on the topic.  Following are the resources I'm exposing K-6 learners to when they visit the computer lab this month. Kindergarten-2nd Grade Common Sense Media has a fantastic scope and sequence of lessons that have already been created to use with students. To make the lessons a bit more engaging for our little learners I have created presentations around two of the concepts featured in the scope and sequence, embedded and linked below.  I've also created review Kahoots for 1st and 2nd grade that are free to duplicate. Direct Link:  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1_lUc3CzlYXpozgLyoRVX-Kk0Gse5-wOS9CaxQLO5ElE/edit?usp=sharing Direct Link: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/12GC8bjh3Trdau7xkI66orS...

Kindergarten-3rd Grade: As we continue practicing our mouse skills using ABCYA.com and Starfall.com  we will also keep practicing how to cut and paste objects and change the font , size , and color of our names in Microsoft Word.  Last week we used a "living and non-living things" template provided by the awesome author of this website .  This week we are brushing up on our lady bug addition and subtraction!  Here's an example: Students in various classrooms in grades 1-3 are beginning to work in Studyladder.com .  Studyladder allows teachers to set up free accounts for each of their students to practice math and literacy skills.  There are activities available for 10 subjects as well as resources for teachers including print materials and tutorials.  Student activity can be tracked for progress.  While I am providing guidance and time for Studyladder in lab, the teachers set up their own classroom accounts so they can monitor what skil...