Being Safe and Responsible with Technology

Boone kindergarten, first, and second grade students sign into their Google accounts by scanning QR codes called Clever badges. This provides students a secure way to access great learning tools without needing to enter usernames and passwords. Students practice early digital citizenship skills by keeping their Clever badges safe and secure, not sharing their badge with anyone, and staying on the website the teacher directs them to.

Second, third and fourth graders at Franklin practice digital citizenship skills by learning how to post appropriate online responses and communicate in an online discussion. This takes place using Google Classroom, a safe secure area for our students to practice with their teacher's guidance. Students learn to consider their audience as well as purpose for communication. They also learn the importance of creating a positive digital footprint.

Plastic Bag Upcycling

During library STEM days, Franklin fourth graders enjoyed the book One Plastic Bag. They were then challenged to design and create something from plastic shopping bags. There were many revisions and redesigns as students collaborated on the details of their projects. Many students even voluntarily missed recess to spend more time on their projects! 

They reflected on their work and shared about the process by making videos with  Flipgrid.

Programming with Botley

Boone kindergarten and first grade students are learning the basics of computer programming with Botley robots. They worked together in small groups to determine the path for Botley to travel, then laid out programming cards to represent blocks for lines of code.

Next, they entered the code into Botley's remote control and watched him go! Sometimes Botley didn't travel the way they expected and problem-solving conversations followed to get him back on the right path.  This was a fun way to practice cooperation and problem solving skills!

Stop Motion with Stikbots

Third graders created stop-motion green screen videos using Stikbot Studio, a great tool for creating short animations.

Students developed problem solving skills and critical thinking as they took a simple action verb and broke it down to dozens of small movements.

They chose a green screen background, then took a series of photos of their Stikbot figure to create the short animation.

Students worked collaboratively using trial and error to solve problems they encountered.

Click here to watch a sample of their creativity!

Augmented Reality Animal Hunt

Boone's tiniest Toreadors know that ipads are tools for learning in their classroom, not just devices for playing games. Preschool students at Page and Lincoln recently learned to use Augmented Reality while practicing letter names. Using the app AR Flashcards, they searched the classroom for special animal cards corresponding to alphabet letters. When they scanned the card,  a 3D animal popped up on the screen. Students could tap the screen to hear the name of the animal and the corresponding letter. 

Students marked the letters they found on an alphabet recording chart. It was a fun and engaging way to learn letter names!

Introducing Chromebooks to Little Toreadors

Boone's youngest students, our Little Toreadors, are learning how to use Chromebooks. First graders have learned a password to login and are practicing trackpad skills like scrolling, pointing, clicking and dragging. They learned how to select and go to a website from the bookmark bar and how to close tabs. Being a good digital citizen means staying on the website the teacher gives them and taking good care of our devices. They are off to a great start! 

An Introduction to 3D Printing

4th graders in Mr. Doty's class got an introduction to the concepts and the process of 3D printing during a study of inventions. To begin, they researched inventions of the past and predicted inventions for the future. Students found that solving a problem or filling a need is the motivation behind inventions.

They spent time designing and creating their own invention based on a need that they have observed. Then they practiced persuasive writing in order to "sell" the concept of their invention. These young inventors built with Legos and other building sets. Many discovered that specifically designed pieces are often necessary to make an invention function according to plan.

The class was then visited by Dwaine Williams, a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur, who demonstrated the use of his custom-built 3D printer. He also shared many of his recent projects, including the working parts of a life-sized robot being constructed.

Each student got to watch the 3D printer in action as it printed Boone Toreador personalized ornaments.