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.

MassCUE 2024

This week, several educators and administrators from Tritown School Union attended MassCUE at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA.

MassCUE, the Massachusetts Computer Using Educators conference, is a premier event for educators, technology specialists, and leaders in K-12 education. It offers a dynamic platform for professional development, collaboration, and sharing best practices in educational technology. With hands-on workshops, innovative presentations, and the latest tools in edtech, attendees can explore strategies to enhance teaching and learning through technology. MassCUE 2024 provides an invaluable opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, discover new digital resources, and stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving landscape of education.

Digital Citizenship Lessons in Middleton Public Schools

Students in Middleton Public Schools learn digital citizenship skills starting in Kindergarten and continue through sixth grade. We embed these topics in our day-to-day lessons as well as full lessons in library classes. Our Digital Learning Specialist Dierdre Baker works closely with librarians Eileen Mulligan and Rachel Grodman. Teaching digital citizenship to students in grades K-6 is essential as they start using digital devices and the internet for learning and personal use. Our digital citizenship programs include topics such as:

Respectful and responsible behavior using the devices and taking care of them.

Online Safety: Understanding safe online behaviors, like not sharing personal information (name, address, phone number), recognizing suspicious links or messages, and knowing to inform an adult if something feels off.

Privacy and Security: Learning basic privacy rules, understanding passwords, and respecting personal boundaries online.

Digital Footprint: Teaching that what they post online can stay online forever, including how their actions online can affect their reputation.

Respectful Communication: Fostering positive interactions, understanding kindness and empathy in digital communication, and avoiding cyberbullying.

Research and Information Literacy: Encouraging kids to question and verify information they find online, recognizing trustworthy sources, and identifying misinformation.

Screen Time Balance: Understanding the importance of balancing online activities with offline life, including healthy screen time habits and taking breaks.

Early exposure to these concepts helps students develop good habits, critical thinking, and responsible behaviors for when they are older and their online activities become more independent.

October 2024 EdTech at Fuller Meadow by Dierdre Baker

Digital Citizenship by Dierdre Baker

We had Katie Greer, a nationally recognized expert in internet safety. speak to our 5th and 6th grade students as well as our parents to teach about safe digital practices.

Learn more about Katie Greer.

Starting the 2024-2025 School Year with Seesaw Learning Portfolio

A Seesaw Learning Portfolio is a digital platform where students can document and showcase their learning process, progress, and achievements over time. At Fuller Meadow, we use Seesaw with Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. Here’s how it works:

Student-Centered Portfolio: Each student has their own portfolio where they can upload work, photos, videos, voice recordings, and other media to document their learning journey.

Interactive Features: Students can create content in multiple formats like drawings, text, or videos, making it highly interactive. Teachers often assign tasks directly through the app, which students can complete and submit within Seesaw.

Parent and Teacher Engagement: Teachers and parents can view students’ portfolios to see their progress and provide feedback. Teachers can leave comments, and parents can "like" or comment on their children's work, fostering a home-school connection.

Reflection and Growth: The platform encourages students to reflect on their learning by creating posts that show how they solve problems, their thought process, and what they’ve learned. This helps with self-assessment and growth over time.

Tracking Progress: Teachers can use Seesaw to track students' progress across subjects and over time, which can help in identifying areas where students may need additional support.

Seesaw supports different teaching styles, including project-based learning and flipped classrooms, and aims to make learning more visible and engaging.

I had the opportunity to introduce Seesaw to our newest Kindergarten learners. The first activity that we worked on uses the "Drag tool" where the students dragged each letter in their name to one box then the rest of the letters to the other box.

Students in first grade explored most of the tools in Seesaw. They typed their name using the text tool, drew a picture with the pen and marker tools, used the shapes tools to create a picture of a house, and took a photo and video. In this lesson, students are creating a picture using shapes.

By second grade, students are fluent in using the digital tools in the program. Students are using Seesaw to record their goals for this school year.

End of the School Year Resources for teachers and student

Reflecting on the 2023-2024 school year for elementary students is a great way to wrap up the school year. Here are several digital resources that students can use to share their experiences.

Second Grade Poetry Books Using Book Creator

In a 2nd grade poetry unit aligned with Massachusetts standards, incorporating Book Creator can enhance students' engagement and creativity. Students use Book Creator to write and illustrate their own poems, integrating text, images, and audio. This digital tool allows them to experiment with poetic devices like rhyme, rhythm, and alliteration in a multimedia format. They can record themselves reading their poems, adding an auditory element that reinforces their understanding of rhythm and expression. By creating a digital poetry book, students collaborate, share their work with peers and parents, and develop both their literacy and technological skills in an enjoyable, interactive way.

Blogging in the Tri-Town

Sixth graders in Boxford and Middleton are working together in their ELA classes to make their writing authentic. When Digital Learning Specialist, Samantha Kosakowski, at Spofford Pond School asked me to work with her on this project, I was beyond excited. I know how important it is to make our students feel connected to others and to make their work meaningful by sharing it outside of their school. The students in Boxford created a Google Site as the platform to display their work as a blog. "A blog is an online journal where one can represent a record of activities, thoughts and beliefs." (Brittanica.com) They added different writing projects that they created and created a Google Form to collect comments from their readers. Because Google for Schools is secure, we paired students together at both schools and allowed them to view the work. I worked with the Howe Manning students on the etiquette of writing blog comments.

Teacher Grants thanks to our MPTO - Howe Manning

This Spring, our Middleton PTO offered teacher grants for our elementary schools to enrich classroom experiences. These grants aim to support innovative projects and educational resources that enhance student learning. We are very appreciative of their support for our students and staff.

Art

This April, Ms. Nasser had the opportunity to attend the National Art Education Association's (NAEA) Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The NAEA Conference is the largest gathering of visual arts education professionals in the world. Ms. Nasser attended sessions, workshops, events, and exhibits designed by and for art educators. She also had the opportunity to share and present the unique ways that she is bringing robotics into the art room. Thank you to the MPTO for partially funding this grant so Ms. Nasser could attend this conference. She can't wait to bring back what she learned to her Middleton students!

Library

The title of our grant for the Library is: Empowering Young Minds: Enhancing STEM and Coding Literacy in Our Howe Manning Elementary School Library. The MPTO funded a collection of books that will enhance our library's collection of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Coding books to inspire and empower our students to become future innovators and problem solvers. By enriching our elementary school library's collection with STEM and Coding books, we aim to ignite a passion for exploration, discovery, and innovation among our students. Through hands-on learning experiences and exposure to diverse role models in STEM fields, we will empower our young learners to become critical thinkers and problem solvers equipped to tackle the challenges of the future. With this grant, we can create a library environment that cultivates a lifelong love for learning and prepares our students for success in a rapidly changing world. Mrs. Mulligan, our librarian, will create and implement pre and post tests for students’ attitudes and interest in STEM and coding. She will create book displays and themed reading challenges to promote engagement and excitement around STEM and coding literacy.

Ms. Klipfel's 4th Grade Class

Waste Warrior Grant: Thank you so much for funding the Waste Warrior project through your Think Big Grants and allowing these 4th graders to tour the Waste Management recycling facility. Students were truly fascinated to see the process of how recycling goes from our recycling bins to bales of recycling. Students arrived back at school as true waste warriors ready to help tackle proper recycling at Howe-Manning.

HM Garden: Thank you so much for helping to fund the HM Graden project through your Think Big Grants. Through your support, we were able to get compost delivered for the garden. In conjunction students from Howe-Manning and Essex Tech worked together to redo beds, weed, and get the compost in. We will be planting lettuce seeds next week to host our first-ever Howe-Manning Salad Day.

Teacher Grants thanks to our MPTO - Fuller Meadow

This Spring, our Middleton PTO offered teacher grants for our elementary schools to enrich classroom experiences. These grants aim to support innovative projects and educational resources that enhance student learning. We are very appreciative of their support for our students and staff.

1st Grade

The first grade team was able to use the grant money to give students an enriching educational experience! We purchased nonfiction books for students to read and explore as they chose an animal to learn about! Every student became an expert on their animal and we are currently creating our own research-based book to share with the school and our parents! At the end of this project, we will also tie in art standards to create a clay figure of our animal and a habitat diorama. Thank you so much for your support in creating meaningful experiences for our students!

2nd Grade

Project Description: In the spring at Fuller Meadow, 2nd grade students participate in a unit titled “Global Geography: Places and Peoples, Cultures." In studying these topics, students apply grade 2 standards for reading informational text, writing, and speaking and listening, and learn vocabulary and concepts related to history and social science. Students build on their Pre-K to grade 1 learning by concentrating on global geography, looking at reasons why people move or settle in particular places, how they keep cultural traditions alive, and how they use resources. They study these topics by exploring questions such as “What can people and cultures of other parts of the world teach us?” and “What do people do with the money they earn?” The MPTO purchased mentor texts that students used as a teaching tool for this unit.
Student Impact This grant enhanced our 2nd grade students' understanding of US and World Geography through an innovative approach utilizing mentor texts aligned with Massachusetts Social Studies Standards. Through this project, students engaged with diverse literary works that intertwine storytelling with geographical exploration, fostering a deeper understanding of cultural diversity and global interconnectedness. By integrating mentor texts into the curriculum, students will not only develop essential literacy skills but also gain geographic knowledge crucial for navigating an increasingly interconnected world. Through hands-on activities, discussions, and collaborative projects, students will actively explore geographical concepts such as continents, countries, oceans, and landmarks, while also developing critical thinking and analytical skills. This project aligns closely with Massachusetts Social Studies Standards, ensuring that students not only meet academic benchmarks but also develop a broader understanding of the world around them.

After researching their chosen country, students wrote reports, created hands-on models, and presented their country report to others in our school community. Thank you to our MPTO for making this happen.

Online Digital Resources for Animal Research

LINK to Resources

Digital Resources for May

May the 4th Be With You Star Wars Library Cinco de Mayo Library Memorial Day Library May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Spring Library

Google Slides at Middleton Public Schools

Students at Fuller Meadow and Howe Manning use Google Slides to share the information that they gather during research in all classes. Using Google Slides for presentations in elementary school is a fantastic idea! It's user-friendly, offers creative options, and can make the presentation process more engaging for both students and teachers.

Here's a simple guide on how to use Google Slides for elementary school research presentations:

Creating a New Presentation: Log in to your Google account and navigate to Google Drive. Click on the "+ New" button and select "Google Slides" from the dropdown menu.

Choose a Theme: Google Slides offers a variety of pre-designed themes. Students can choose a theme that suits the topic of their research or simply select a playful theme that appeals to them.

Adding Slides: Each slide should focus on a specific aspect of the research. Common slides include title slide, introduction, main points, facts, images, and conclusion. Click on the "+" button to add new slides.

Research Content: Students can type or copy-paste the information they've gathered from their research onto the slides. Encourage them to use bullet points, short sentences, and visuals to make the content easy to understand.

Visual Elements: Google Slides allows students to insert images, videos, and even audio clips to enhance their presentations. They can use this feature to include relevant pictures, diagrams, or even short video clips related to their research topic.

Formatting Text and Images: Teach students how to change font styles, sizes, and colors to make their text more visually appealing. They can also resize, crop, and arrange images to fit the slides neatly.

Practice and Rehearse: Once the slides are complete, students should practice presenting their research. Encourage them to speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and use gestures to engage the audience.

Collaboration: Google Slides allows multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously. Students can collaborate with their peers, teachers, or parents to gather feedback and make improvements to their presentations.

Sharing: When the presentation is ready, students can share it with their classmates, teachers, and parents. They can choose the sharing settings to allow viewing or editing access as per the requirements.

Presenting: On the day of the presentation, students can use Google Slides' built-in presentation mode to display their slides fullscreen. They can navigate through the slides using arrow keys or by clicking on the screen.

Using Google Slides not only helps students develop their research and presentation skills but also introduces them to valuable digital tools that they can use in their academic and professional lives.

The Solar Eclipse is coming - Get your resources

The next solar eclipse is this Monday, April 8, 2024. In order to engage elementary students with the wonder of a solar eclipse, providing digital resources can offer an interactive and educational experience. Through carefully curated online platforms, students can access a variety of materials including videos, simulations, and informative articles tailored to their age group, allowing them to grasp the science behind this celestial event in an accessible manner. Interactive maps illustrating the path of totality, live streaming of the eclipse, and virtual reality simulations can transport students directly into the phenomenon, fostering curiosity and understanding. Additionally, incorporating interactive quizzes or games can make learning about eclipses both fun and informative, encouraging active participation and retention of knowledge. By leveraging digital resources, educators can enhance students' learning experiences, making the solar eclipse a memorable and enriching event in their academic journey.

Link to lower elementary resources

Link to upper elementary resources

Link to resources

Teaching Resources for the Eclipse

STEM in Kindergarten

In our kindergarten classes, our students engage in hands-on STEM activities. In March, we had the challenge of constructing bridges capable of supporting a cup filled with shiny pennies. Armed with colorful pipe cleaners, clay, and an abundance of creativity, these budding engineers delved into the realms of science, technology, engineering, and math. With giggles and determination, they experimented with different designs, applying basic principles of balance and stability. Through trial and error, they learned the importance of structural integrity and problem-solving, all while fostering a love for STEM that will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors. As their bridges took shape, so did their confidence, as they celebrated each success and embraced each setback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Indeed, in our classrooms, the foundations of innovation are being laid, one cup of pennies at a time.

Digital Resources for April

April is Poetry Month Easter Digital Library Earth Day is April 22 For more digital resources, check out our website.

Tri-Town School Educators Participate in Professional Development

This week during early release days, our Instructional Assistants in the Tri-Town School Union participated in PD for technology. Elementary school educators engaging in professional development for Google, edtech programs, and smartboards are equipped with essential tools to enhance their teaching methodologies and engage students in innovative learning experiences. Through these programs, educators learn to leverage Google's suite of educational tools, integrate educational technology seamlessly into their curriculum, and maximize the potential of smartboards to create interactive and dynamic lessons. Such professional development not only empowers educators to adapt to the evolving educational landscape but also fosters creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among students, preparing them for success in the digital age.

3D Design with Tinkercad in 5th Grade

Fifth graders at Howe Manning are collaborating with each other in their Artovation and Innovation classes. They are working on building “Food Trucks'' with a partner using innovative designs and activities. To further extend their project, they are using Tinkercad, an online 3D modeling program, to design some awesome wheels for their cardboard creations! Think of Tinkercad like a digital playground where ideas are brought to life. Mrs. Nasser taught the students how to use different shapes, tools, and colors to design wheels that are just right for the cardboard projects. Once they designed their perfect wheel, it was printed using a Prusa 3D printer, turning their digital creation into a real-life object ready to roll!

To learn more about Tinkercad, click HERE.

Canva in 6th grade ELA classes for PSAs for Charities

I had the opportunity to work with our 6th grade students in the ELA classes at Howe Manning to show them how to create projects in the educational technology program Canva. Their task was to research their favorite charity and create a PSA to share with their classmates for their Persuasive In an inspiring display of creativity and compassion, sixth-grade students have harnessed the power of Canva to craft compelling PSA videos aimed at supporting a chosen charity. With enthusiasm and determination, these young minds utilized the user-friendly design platform to convey heartfelt messages and raise awareness for their cause. Motivated by a desire to make a difference, the students dedicated their time and effort researching information then created impactful videos to compel others to contribute directly to the charity through donations, showcasing their commitment to philanthropy and community service. Check out some of the videos.

The Northeast by Isabel

Bibliography by McKinley

Digital Resources for March

St. Patrick's Day Resources

Women's History Month

Kindergarten Meteorologists

Hello everyone! Today, we're meteorologists! We're going to talk about severe weather, like thunderstorms and tornadoes, using our cool green screen by DoInk. We've researched severe weather and how you can prepare for it. Thunderstorms have loud sounds and bright flashes of lightning, but we stay safe indoors until they pass. Tornadoes are very strong winds that spin in a circle. They can be scary, so it's important to know what to do if one comes near us. Let's learn more about weather and how to stay safe together! Watch our Kindergarten meteorologists in Mrs. Newton's class.

Massachusetts Science Technology and Engineering Learning Standards Kindergarten: Earth and Space Sciences K-ESS3-2. Obtain and use information about weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, different types of local weather. ISTE standards for students

Canva in 3rd Grade Science - Prepare for Extreme Weather

In 3rd grade science class, students are utilizing Canva to creatively prepare for severe weather. By incorporating vibrant visuals and simple text, children crafted informative posters illustrating various types of severe weather phenomena such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or thunderstorms. Students depicted safety measures like staying indoors, creating emergency kits, and identifying safe spaces in their homes or schools. Through this interactive approach, students not only enhance their understanding of severe weather but also develop essential skills in communication and preparedness, ensuring they are well-equipped to face any potential dangers that may arise.

Makenna's Severe Weather Project by Makenna Patti

Teresa's Severe Weather Project by Teresa Ciovacco

A Digital Day in the life of a 4th Grader at Howe Manning

I got to spend a day in Ms. Thompson's 4th grade classroom at Howe Manning to see what types of lessons and activities they were doing. As the Digital Learning Specialist for Middleton Public Schools, it was a great way for me to see what the teachers are already using for digital learning as well as to see how I can help guide the teachers and students in their use of devices and the digital programming that we offer. Integrating digital learning into a 4th-grade classroom is crucial for preparing students for the increasingly digital and interconnected world. Digital tools not only enhance traditional teaching methods but also cultivate essential 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and digital literacy. Interactive educational software and online resources offer personalized learning experiences, catering to individual student needs and pacing. Additionally, digital platforms facilitate real-time feedback, allowing teachers to assess and adapt their instruction promptly. Exposure to technology at an early age fosters technological fluency, preparing students to navigate a future where digital proficiency is integral to success in academia and the workforce. By embracing digital learning, 4th-grade classrooms can empower students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a dynamic and tech-driven society.

The Student Information System (SIS) that we use in Tri-town Schools is "School Brains". This program allows the teachers to take attendance and get the lunch orders to the cafeteria digitally. We also use School Brains for our report cards.

Every classroom in our schools has a Smartboard and all work is presented on it. To begin the day, Ms. Thompson posts a morning message for her students with a "Do Now" that will start their Social Studies class. The students are learning about the Midwestern states as a part of the entire United States and Regions study. Our 4th and 5th grade Social Studies curriculum incorporates the TCI SS program. Students gather information from this program and complete different styles of questions and lessons.

Our schools use Epic Books and Sora to read digital books. Reading online books in elementary school is crucial for fostering digital literacy skills, as it exposes young learners to diverse online platforms and navigational tools. Additionally, it enhances their engagement and comprehension by incorporating multimedia elements, making the learning process more interactive and enjoyable.

For Reading and Writing classes, students are learning about Poetry. In a fourth-grade reading class, learning about poetry rhyme schemes helps students develop a deeper appreciation for the rhythmic and melodic aspects of language, fostering a heightened sensitivity to the musicality of words. Understanding rhyme schemes also cultivates analytical skills as students decode the structure of poems, enhancing their ability to interpret and express ideas creatively within the framework of poetic forms.

In writing, students are learning to create cinquain poems, a concise and structured form of poetry that enhances their language skills by encouraging thoughtful word selection and a keen awareness of syllabic patterns. They will record their poems in a digital writer's notebook created by fellow 4th grade teacher Julie Klipfel. Ms. Thompson wrote a sample cinquain poem about our Howe Manning therapy dog Howie. Students will also use edtech programs, IXL and Boom Cards to practice their poetry.

For math, Ms. Thompson used the digital devices and programs in her classroom to show her students how to solve improper fractions. They used the Smartboard and interactive components of that program to write, highlight and move fractional parts around. They worked out of their textbook and blended in edtech programs such as IXL math and Math Fact Lab.

In science class, students are harnessing the power of LEGO Education Spike kits to seamlessly integrate engineering design thinking and coding into their learning experience. These innovative kits provide a hands-on approach to science education by combining physical building with digital programming. Through collaborative projects, students not only construct intricate models using LEGO bricks but also delve into the world of coding to bring their creations to life. This immersive approach not only fosters creativity and problem-solving skills but also introduces young minds to the fundamental principles of engineering and computer programming, laying a solid foundation for their future STEM endeavors. These kits were purchased thanks to generous donations from parents and grant organizations.

As you can see, we had an amazing day in Ms. Thompson's 4th grade classroom. The edtech integration is impressive and students are continuously engaged.