Kindergarten

Kindergarten students typed color words for their typing warm up making each color word in the actual color.  This taught them how to change font color.  We also learned how to do a google search for PBS Kids and selected the right website from the search results.  Normally I have a short cut on the desktop for them to click on but felt like it was a great search opportunity do a google search.  The students absolutely LOVE PBS kids, so make sure you bookmark it for some summer computer fun!

Wordle Part 2 for First and Second Grades

This week we worked hard in typing our word list for wordle.  We had to type all classmate names and then make a wordle out of them.  They made some great designs!  Remember Wordle is free and a great way to practice typing!

 

Wordle Example

Wordle - First and Second Grades

First and second graders had fun practicing their spelling words by making a wordle.  This website allows you to type in text (or copy and paste) and then it will great a design using the words.  You can vary the size of your text by typing in the word more than once to create a bigger word.  It's a great site and a wonderful way to practice spelling words!

 

Kindergarten Websites

We spent some time in kindergarten class working with letter and letter sounds.  Students listened to a fun video about the ABC's.  Then we went to some fun websites!  Here are the links to the websites we visited.  Enjoy!

ABCya ABC's

Alphabet Zoo

Learn your Letters

Leo Loves to Spell

iPads for Parents

The Wamego iTech Center is offering an “iPads for Parents” session where elementary teachers from USD 320 will demonstrate iPad apps they use with students in their classroom.  Parents are invited to see demonstrations, play with the apps, and find out how teachers are using the iPad to reinforce learning in the classroom. 

When?  April 2 OR April 9 OR April 23 (All Mondays) 

Time? 6:30-7:30 pm

Who?  Parents of elementary age children

Where? Wamego iTech Center located in the library at Wamego High School.  Come in the front doors of the high school.

Cost? $5 a session

How do I sign up?  Fill out the form, attach payment, and turn it in to the office at either Central or West Elementary Schools.  Checks should be made out to Wamego Technology Center, Inc.

Questions?  Contact Barbie Norton at nortonb@usd320.com

Second Grade - My Favorites

Second graders went back to working on their My Favorites PowerPoint.  I love this project because I get to know what they like!  Some of the slides ask for favorite store, favorite book and favorite thing to do with their family.  We learned how to find images on the internet so we could have an image of the exact book they like as well as store logo.  We will finish these up and I will post examples next week. 

First Grade - Doubles Rap

In computer lab this week, we revisited our Double Rap projects after taking time out to view education city and enjoy some St. Patrick's Day games.  Students continued to type out the words to the rap and added pictures to signify the number sentence.  We had fun choosing pictures to go with the concept.  We will continue with this project next week to finish up!  I will post examples when we finish.

Kindergarten - Counting and Numbers Websites

The kindergarten classes worked on number concepts this week in technology class.  We typed our numbers 1-10 for our typing warm up, then we visited several games re-enforcing number sense by going to the internet. 
We had time to visit games 1-9 during class.  One of the games is a subtraction bowling game which is a concept some are not ready for, so I encouraged them to stick to the other games if they did not want to try it.   Please visit these games at home - they are good practice for computer skills and math skills.

Counting Games
 

Education City

Students explored the Education City this week in computer lab.  Education City is curriculum content delivered online.  The site has games, testing features and can track student progress.  I am not sure whether we will purchase the program, but I wanted students to give me some feedback on the website.  They really enjoyed the games and I liked the fact it is tied to state and common core standards.  You can actually request a trial version to try at home.  Just got to Education City and sign up.

Second Grade - Week of February 20

The second graders learned how to search for images and copy those images for a PowerPoint on "My Favorites".  I made a template PowerPoint and they added their favorites and used the the internet for images. For instance if they have a favorite team like K-State or KU, I taught them how to place the logo on their PowerPoint.  They had a lot of fun finding just the right image for their favorite book, movie or restaurant!  This project will take a couple of class sessions to finish, but when they are finished I will post an example.

First Grade - Week of February 20

The first graders worked with math concepts this week in computer lab.  During typing warm up we had a contest to see who could type the most numbers.  Our record was 134 by a student in Mrs. Stallard's class.  Our question of the day also focused on numbers.  Where do you see numbers and what do we use numbers for?  Lots of great answers including speed limit signs and numbers on team uniforms.  
In their classrooms, they are learning "The Doubles Rap" to help them recall double math problems such as 5 + 5 = 10.  So we are in the process of making PowerPoints to help reinforce what they are learning in the classroom.  This project will take more than one class period to complete, so when it's finished I will post some examples.  Next week we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss for Read Across America, so the following week we will finish our Doubles Rap project.

Kindergarten Week of February 20

We focused on numbers this week in computer lab.  For our typing warm up we typed the numbers 1-10.  Then we enjoyed a story called "One Duck Stuck" on tumblebooks through the Manhattan Public Library.  If you have a library card from their library you can access  books online.  Just click on the tumblebooks icon toward the bottom of the page, enter your user id number and password and enjoy books online.  The following links were the websites we enjoyed during class.  Most of them start out easy and then get harder as they work through the levels.  Enjoy!

Count the Cubes
More or Less
How Many Fish?
Numerical Order (Monkey Game)
Connect the Dots 1-40

Kindergarten - I Love...

Students in kindergarten used the stamps in Tux Paint to show what they love.  

 

First Grade - I Love....

Does anyone remember the old Tom T. Hall song, "I love"?   

I love little baby ducks, old pick-up trucks, slow-moving trains, and rain
I love little country streams, sleep without dreams, Sunday school in May,
And hay
And I love you too

I love leaves in the wind, pictures of my friends, birds in the world, and squirrels
I love coffee in a cup, little fuzzy pups, and i love you too

I love honest open smiles, kisses from a child, tomatoes on the vine, and onions
I love winners when they cry, losers when they try, music when it's good, and life
And I love you,  too!

After listening to the song, students created their own "I Love.." PowerPoints.  It's fun to see all the ways love is in their lives!
Here is a link to a sample of their project.  If you would like me to email a PDF of your child's project to you, please email me at nortonb@usd320.com.


Sample of I love... Project

Second Grade - Love Is

Students in second grade created PowerPoint describing what love is.  I loved reading all their answers.  Please click on the link below for a sample of this project.  If you would like to me to send you a PDF of your child's project, please email me at nortonb@usd320.com.

Love Is....

Students practiced their PowerPoint skills of adding new slides, adding text and clip art to their projects.  Happy Valentine's Day!!

Second Grade - Kansas PowerPoint

The second graders created a PowerPoint about Kansas symbols in celebration of Kansas' 151st birthday.  They added new slides, added pictures from a file and typed text.  They also could manipulate text if they had time.  By adding the pictures from a file, they could see how our files are set up here on the server.  

Kansas Day Symbols PowerPoint

First Grade - Kansas Project

The first graders completed a PowerPoint on Kansas symbols in celebration of Kansas Day.  I made the shell of the PowerPoint with pictures and students typed the words on the slides.  Here is an example of their work.  They also learned how to manipulate text by changing font styles and colors.  They did an awesome job!

Kansas Symbols PowerPoint

Kindergarten - Kansas Projects

Kindergarten students illustrated pictures of sunflowers in celebration of Kansas' 151st birthday.  They created their sunflowers using Microsoft Paint, which you most likely have on your computer at home.  Here are some examples of their creations.  Enjoy!

 

Second Grade - All About Me

Second graders had a chance to voice their opinions on what they like and dislike in their latest PowerPoint project.  By doing this project they learned how to edit and add text in addition to adding and manipulating clip art.  They did a great job and I loved reading about their likes and dislikes!

If you would like a PDF file of your child's project, please email me at nortonb@usd320.com.  


Here is an example of the project.
 

First Grade - Rhyme PowerPoint Project

Students in the first grade technology classes learned how to edit and type text as well as review how to add pictures by doing a PowerPoint on a few nursery rhymes.  Students filled out the rhyming words in "Five Little Monkeys" and "Humpty Dumpty" and then added clip art to complete their project.  They did a great job with this project in addition to getting some good practice reading rhyming words!

Here is a sample of their project.  If you would like a copy of your child's project emailed to you, please send an email with your child's name and class to nortonb@usd320.com.  It will be in a PDF form that you can view on any computer and print for a keepsake.


Rhyme PowerPoint Project

Kindergarten - Week of January 9 and January 16

The kindergarten technology classes explored shapes by going to several websites.  

Shape Websites

The following week we used Microsoft paint to make shape designs.  Microsoft paint is a program that you probably have on your computer, however, sometimes it's hard to find.  Look under All Programs and locate the Accessories folder.  It should be in there. 

Here are a few examples of their designs.  They are a very creative bunch!

 

First and Second Grade - Week of January 4

Both first and second grade classes spent time working on their keyboarding skills by practicing typing their first and last names.  I play two songs for them to listen to while they type their names.  This equals about five minute of practice time for typing.  At this level the focus is to type using their left and right index fingers.  Every class period begins with some kind of typing warm up to give students time to gain awareness of letter location on the keyboard.  

Because of the short week, not all classes came to technology class.  So we visited the ABCya websites to investigate letter and number games.  The students really enjoy the games on this site so bookmark it on your home computer and also check out the apps available for your mobile devices.  

ABCya Website

Kindergarten classes enjoyed hearing the story The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.  I like to use the website We Give Books to show books on the Promethean board.  Please check out this great website at home to share quality books with your child.  You can also help other children enjoy the love of reading by visiting the site.  Read the details about Pearson's literacy donations here.  Students enjoyed creating a picture from the story using Tux Paint. 

We also visited the lettering and number games from the website  ABCya. This is a great site for having games that are age appropriate.  They also have apps for those of you that have mobile devices, so check out this great site!