Digital Resources for December

Monthly digital programs and digital libraries offer elementary students dynamic and engaging ways to explore learning beyond the traditional classroom. Digital programs, such as coding challenges, virtual field trips, and interactive storytelling sessions, provide students with fresh, skill-building activities tailored to their age and interests. Meanwhile, digital libraries grant access to a wealth of resources, including eBooks, audiobooks, educational videos, and research databases, fostering a love for reading and independent exploration. Together, these tools support diverse learning styles, enhance digital literacy, and encourage curiosity while making quality educational content accessible anytime and anywhere.

Click HERE for Resources

Merge Cube for Computer Science Week

This week is Computer Science Week, AKA Hour of Code. We are urging students to participate and we have an incentive. If a student completes at least one hour of code, they will put in the drawing to win a Merge Cube.

The Hour of Code is an initiative designed to introduce elementary students to the world of computer programming in a fun and accessible way. Typically held during Computer Science Education Week, this global movement encourages students to spend at least one hour engaging in coding activities, fostering a foundational understanding of computational thinking and problem-solving skills. The activities are designed to be age-appropriate and engaging, utilizing games, puzzles, and interactive platforms to make coding accessible even to those with no prior experience. The goal is to demystify coding and inspire an early interest in technology, encouraging students to see the creative and problem-solving aspects of programming. The Hour of Code aims to equip elementary students with the skills and confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world and consider future pathways in STEM-related fields.

Go to the Hour of Code website, and work for at least an hour. https://hourofcode.com/us/learn

Then, fill out this Google Form to be entered into a raffle to win an AR/VR Merge Cube.

The Merge Cube is a hands-on cube for augmented and virtual reality. It lets you hold digital 3D objects, enabling an entirely new way to learn and interact with the digital world. All you have to do is download Merge Cube apps to your phone or iPad and you are in for a fun time.

Check it out: https://mergeedu.com/cube

Holiday Gift Ideas for STEM and Digital Technology

Here are holiday gift ideas for students in grades K-6, incorporating engaging STEM and digital technology options tailored to different age groups.

STEM Kits and Toys

Grades K-2:
1. Building Sets
*LEGO Education Kits (e.g., LEGO DUPLO Steam Park or LEGO Classic Creative Bricks).
*Magna-Tiles or PicassoTiles for spatial reasoning.

2. Coding Toys
* Bee-Bot or Blue-Bot (beginner-friendly robots).
* Botley 2.0 Coding Robot (screen-free coding).
* Code & Go Robot Mouse.

3. STEM Kits
*KiwiCo Panda Crate for hands-on learning.
*GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope for early science exploration.

Grades 3-6:
1. Advanced Building Sets
*LEGO Technic or LEGO Education SPIKE Essentials.
*K’NEX STEM building sets.

2. Coding Robots and Tools
*Sphero Mini or Sphero Bolt for programmable robotics.
*Makeblock mBot Starter Robot Kit for beginner robotics.
*Wonder Workshop Dash Robot (ages 6+).

3. STEM Kits
*Thames & Kosmos Kids First Science Lab for experiments.
*LittleBits Electronics Kits for modular electronics projects.

4. Engineering Challenges
*Marble Runs like Gravitrax PRO.
*Rube Goldberg machine kits for creative problem-solving.

Digital Technology Tools

Grades K-2:
1. Headphones
*Kid-friendly, durable headphones (e.g., LilGadgets).
2. Drawing Tablets
*Boogie Board LCD or Fire 7 Kids Tablet for art and games.
3. Interactive Learning
*Osmo Genius Starter Kit for hands-on play with tablets.

Grades 3-6:
1. Advanced Drawing Tools
*Entry-level graphic tablets like Wacom One or XP-PEN Star G640.
*Apps for creating digital art and animations.
2. 3D Printing
*Beginner 3D pens like 3Doodler Start+ for creative designs.
3. Wearable Tech Kits
*Circuit Playground Express for learning programming with wearables.

Books and Activity Guides

Grades K-2:
STEM Storybooks
*"Ada Twist, Scientist" by Andrea Beaty.
*"Rosie Revere, Engineer" by Andrea Beaty.

Activity Books
*STEM-themed coloring or sticker books.
*"Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding" by Linda Liukas.

Grades 3-6:
STEM Chapter Books
*"The Wild Robot" by Peter Brown.
*"Nick and Tesla" series by Bob Pflugfelder.

Experiment and Coding Guides
*"The Big Book of Maker Projects" for DIY STEM activities.
*"Girls Who Code: Learn to Code and Change the World" by Reshma Saujani.

Circuit and Engineering Kits

Grades K-2:
*Snap Circuits Jr. for basic circuitry.
*Squishy Circuits (play dough that conducts electricity).

Grades 3-6:
*Arduino Starter Kits for advanced learners.
*Circuit Cubes for building powered creations.

DIY STEM Kits
For all grades: Create small, age-appropriate kits including:
*Craft supplies for STEM challenges.
*Build-your-own flashlight or motorized toys kits.

Grades 3-6 additions:
*Solar-powered car kits.
*Coding challenge cards paired with mini robotics tools.

Using Minecraft EDU to Build Multiplication arrays in a 4th Grade Math Class

Mr. Husson is using Minecraft EDU in his 4th-grade math classes to learn about prime numbers. Students are building multiplication arrays to show the factors of each number on a hundreds chart. It lets the students identify prime and composite numbers. Using this digital program makes learning this concept both interactive and engaging. In a virtual Minecraft world, students can gather materials and build structures that represent different numbers, breaking them down into their prime factors. For instance, students might collect blocks to form a certain number and then "factor" it by arranging groups that represent its prime factors. By building and visually seeing how numbers are constructed from prime components, students develop a deeper, hands-on understanding of factorization. Using Minecraft EDU engages students and fosters problem-solving and critical thinking in a fun, immersive environment.

Digital Resources for November

Check out these amazing digital resources for students and teachers to use during the month of November. Click HERE for a Veteran's Day Digital Library

Click HERE for a digital library for Thanksgiving

Click HERE for a Thanksgiving activity in Google Slides

Seesaw Learning Portfolio for Parents

Parents use Seesaw to view their child's learning portfolio, see updates, and communicate with teachers. Here’s how parents can make the most of Seesaw:

Sign Up & Connect
Parents receive a unique code or link from the teacher to connect to their child's Seesaw journal. They can create a free Seesaw Family account, or log in to an existing one, to get started. The app is available for both iOS and Android, or they can access it from a web browser.

View Activities & Assignments
Once connected, parents can see their child's posts and activities, including drawings, photos, videos, and notes, all of which represent what they're working on in class.

Receive Notifications
Parents get notifications when their child posts something new or when the teacher comments or sends messages. They can adjust notification preferences to stay updated in real-time or receive daily updates.

Like & Comment on Work
Parents can "like" and leave positive comments on their child’s work, fostering encouragement and support. Teachers moderate all comments to ensure appropriateness.

Messaging with Teachers
Seesaw also allows parents to communicate directly with teachers through the messaging feature, helping to stay informed on their child's progress and any classroom updates.

Access Learning Progress Over Time
The portfolio in Seesaw gives parents a clear picture of their child's growth throughout the school year, making it easy to see progress and milestones across different assignments and projects.

Downloading your Seesaw Portfolio
Students will not be using Seesaw at Howe Manning and their portfolios will not be available after July 1st. Student portfolios can be archived at any time. Click HERE for instructions.

This digital portfolio approach allows parents to stay involved and support learning from home effectively.

Raz Kids supports foundational skills for Science of Reading

The Science of Reading (SoR) is an interdisciplinary body of research from fields like cognitive psychology, neuroscience, education, and linguistics that focuses on how the brain learns to read. It provides evidence-based practices for reading instruction, especially for young or struggling readers, emphasizing the importance of phonics, comprehension, and early intervention. Here’s how the Science of Reading principles align with foundational reading instruction, and how tools like Raz-Kids can support this approach:

Key Foundations of the Science of Reading:

1. Phonemic Awareness
Definition: Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. It is an oral skill and is the first step in learning to read. Application in Raz-Kids: Early-level books in Raz-Kids emphasize simple phonemic patterns (like CVC – consonant-vowel-consonant words) to help students practice sound manipulation and recognition.

2. Phonics Definition: Phonics involves connecting the sounds of spoken language to letters or groups of letters in written language (i.e., understanding that the letter "b" represents the /b/ sound). Application in Raz-Kids: Leveled books focus on decoding strategies where students learn to connect sounds to letters and blend them into words. Raz-Kids encourages repeated exposure to phonics through listening, reading, and practice.

3. Fluency Definition: Fluency is the ability to read text accurately, quickly, and with proper expression. It bridges word recognition and comprehension.

Application in Raz-Kids: The ability to listen to fluent readings and then practice reading aloud allows students to improve fluency. The recording feature helps teachers monitor student progress and provide feedback.

4. Vocabulary Definition: Building vocabulary is crucial because students need to know the meaning of words to understand what they read. Vocabulary acquisition happens through direct instruction and exposure to new words in context. Application in Raz-Kids: The variety of texts at different levels exposes students to new vocabulary in context, helping them understand and apply new words effectively. Quizzes also reinforce vocabulary learning.

5. Comprehension Definition: Comprehension is the ultimate goal of reading—understanding and interpreting what is being read. It requires vocabulary knowledge, fluency, and background knowledge. Application in Raz-Kids: Comprehension quizzes after each book assess understanding, and the texts provide opportunities for students to engage with the material deeply, building their comprehension skills through higher-order thinking questions.

6. Background Knowledge Definition: The more background knowledge a student has on a topic, the easier it is for them to understand new reading material. Knowledge-building helps readers make connections and comprehend complex texts. Application in Raz-Kids: Books in Raz-Kids cover a wide range of topics (science, history, fiction, etc.), providing students with background knowledge that supports their ability to comprehend more complex texts as they progress.

Structured Literacy and the Science of Reading

Science of Reading heavily promotes Structured Literacy, an approach that is explicit, systematic, and sequential in teaching essential literacy skills. The steps include:

Explicit Instruction: Direct teaching of skills like phonics and decoding (letter-sound relationships) through clear, systematic lessons.

Systematic Progression: Students are gradually introduced to more complex skills, moving from simple sounds and words to more complex texts.

Sequential Learning: Students build on previously learned material in a structured way, ensuring mastery before moving forward. How Raz-Kids Supports the Science of Reading:

Phonics-Focused Reading Materials: Raz-Kids provides students with books that emphasize phonics, ensuring that young learners receive explicit and systematic phonics practice, which is critical for early reading success.

Engagement with Print and Audio: By combining reading with listening features, Raz-Kids engages multiple senses (visual and auditory), which aligns with the Science of Reading's focus on multisensory learning techniques.

Targeted Fluency Practice: Through read-aloud recordings and opportunities for students to record themselves reading, Raz-Kids promotes the development of reading fluency in line with research-based best practices.

Comprehension Assessments: Post-reading quizzes ensure that students are not just decoding words but also understanding them—an essential component of effective reading instruction according to the Science of Reading.

Differentiated Reading Levels: The leveled books (A-Z) in Raz-Kids provide a systematic approach to reading instruction that aligns with structured literacy principles, allowing students to progress at their own pace.

Core Takeaways of the Science of Reading:
Reading is not an innate skill; it is learned and requires explicit instruction.

Systematic, sequential instruction in phonics is essential for building the foundations of reading.

Early and consistent practice in fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension is key to becoming a proficient reader.

Engaging students with a variety of texts builds background knowledge, vocabulary, and higher-order thinking skills, all of which support comprehension.

In summary, the Science of Reading emphasizes a structured, evidence-based approach to literacy instruction, with a focus on phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Raz-Kids supports this framework by providing interactive, leveled reading materials and tools that promote the essential skills outlined in the Science of Reading, making it an excellent resource for early literacy development.