If it is green, we've been using it in the lab for some cool green screen projects! Pizza boxes painted green, green playdoh, green paper, even an old train table painted green... all to bring imaginations to the screen. "Fantasy Football" with stop motion dragons and unicorns? Why not? Anything is possible with the green screen. A Lego minifig driving a motorcycle into a volcano? Sure! I told students they had 45 minutes, tons of supplies, and the freedom to make any video they wanted. It is so exciting to see what they create. I love watching them brainstorm, create, solve problems, and inspire one another.
0 Comments
First graders are working on a super secret project based on the book My Garden by Kevin Henkes. We can't tell you much about it until it is all finished, but enjoy this short outtake: Our newest members of the hive have been so busy in the Tech Lab! Each week, classes have had a chance to do some cool STEAM challenges, practice using a computer mouse, and learn a new iPad app. They've also been introduced to two different robots: Hexbugs and BeeBots! Mouse SkillsFor kindergartners, one of the biggest challenges they face at the beginning of the school year is learning how to use the computer mouse. They have worked with two different websites to help develop those fine motor skills that pointing, clicking, and dragging require. Check out Bees and Honey or Sand Art at home! QuiverQuiver has quickly become one of the kindergartners' favorite apps! It uses augmented reality to bring coloring sheets to life. Quiver is free and is available on any mobile phone or tablet. Go to www.quivervision.com to download coloring pages. Bots and CodingHexbugs and BeeBots are a great way to introduce robotics and coding concepts to younger students. The kids have had a blast exploring with Hexbug mazes and BeeBot ten frames. Very soon they will be writing full programs for their robots.
We're in a new lab this year and it has so much light! My old lab didn't have any windows, so it was pretty dark. Working with the green screen was always a challenge because of the darkness. In this new lab it is so easy to make really cool green screen videos. As I was looking for some green screen inspiration over the summer, I found this project and knew it would be a great back to school activity. Third and Fourth graders have been making word clouds (using ABCya) and taking pictures in front of the green screen. With the DoInk app, they are combining the two images and uploading them to Google Drive. Here are some examples:
5th grade teachers, here are the direction for Wednesday morning's Goose Chase!
It's the most wonderful time of the year... for Technology students (and teachers)! Kids in all grades will be using these websites, some cool apps, and fun devices to celebrate Hour of Code! Check back here for pictures and updates throughout the month of December!
One of the most versatile documents in the Google Apps for Education is Google Sheets. We can use Sheets to learn or do ANYTHING. This year, 3rd graders will be using Sheets for a few different projects and I wanted a fun way to introduce them to students. Alice Keeler is the QUEEN of Google Sheets and she shared just the kind of project I was looking for - Pixel Art! FMES tudents are using Sheets to create some amazing digital artwork while exploring and getting comfortable using Sheets. Check out some of their masterpieces below:
I like starting out the school year with STEM stations because it lets students get a preview of some of the things we'll be doing throughout the year. It also lets them get their hands on some of the new equipment purchased with school or PTO funds. Why have cool new Osmos and wait to use them? No way! We want to get started immediately! During the first five weeks of Technology, students have been exploring STEM concepts with Graph Club, Bee Bots, Legos, ChatterPix (iPad app), and Osmos.
Our students have been super excited to use our new Osmos that were purchased with our STEM funds! Osmos let students create, play, and work with actual objects in conjunction with an iPad. Hands-on learning experiences are extremely important for all learners, particularly those in elementary school. Osmo offers several apps, such as Numbers, Letters, Tangram, Newton, Masterpiece, Monster, and Coding. Check out the video below to see more! |
FMES Tech
What's happening in the lab at Fort Mill Elementary? Find out here! Archives
October 2017
Categories
All
|