Critical Thinking in Code

Check out a 2nd grader who has completed over 100 levels of code this week.  When looking at his progress we noticed that he had lots of light green circles on his completed levels.  This indicated that he'd used too many blocks.  Watch him go back and fix his work.  He mentally thinks ahead and visualizes his path and goes back to correct his work.  Great work!

In Computer class we often learn how to use technology and apply it to what we learn in the classroom.  It's really amazing to see students now take these beginning skills and start learning how technology works.

The Hour of Code...and then some.

Next week is the Hour of Code.  Across the nation students K-12 are completing an hour of coding.  What is coding? Code is the language of the future.  It is used to create websites, apps, games and so much more.  Code is in EVERYTHING. Watch the short below video to see how the Hour of Code is happening all of the world.

Here at JES we are encouraging students to keep coding, even after school.  In each class the student who completes the most levels will earn a CODE sticker.  The top performing boy and girl in the school will earn a CODE water bottle.  The kids are doing so awesome and are completely enthusiastic.  

Data Data Data

Check out the room while 1st graders work hard to collect and record data from their peers and use the board as a resource for spelling headings correctly in their work.

Now watch one of our students use the SUM formula to add the data in her spreadsheet and then analyze the data to answer some questions. Double click on the video to see it more clearly.

Digital Citizenship and Screencastify

Students in 2nd grade have been learning about what it takes to be a good Digital Citizen. For our final project students are using a Google Slideshow to put the characteristics into their own words and import a supporting picture.  Students then created a video of their presentation using the Chrome extension Screencastify.  

1st Grade-Excel

Students in 1st grade are beginning to use Excel this week.  They are surveying their peers to find out what is their favorite color. They are then analyzing the data and seeing what color was liked the most and what color was liked the least.  Check out the video below for an example.

Welcome to the Lab!

Welcome to the JES computer lab!  I am Sara Stephan, your local computer teacher.  This is my 8th year teaching computers at JES.  Here's a quick background on me, I graduated from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelors in Elementary Education in 2005. In 2013 I completed my Masters in Elementary Education at Montana State University-Billings.  I love teaching new technology to students and seeing their creativity take off.  

In second grade this year we will be using our Google Drive regularly to build our digital portfolio of work we complete.  Second graders will focus on digital collaboration with our peers and what skills it takes to be a good digital citizen: not sharing personal information, respecting others online, having a trusted adult to ask for help, standing up to cyberbullying and balance their time online with other activities.

In first grade we begin the year by collecting data from our peers. We will be looking at how to analyze the data and understand the information it gives us through Microsoft Excel. Later this year we will begin using our Google Drive and transfer the Excel skills to Google Sheets. We will also talk about what information is and isn't safe to share online.

Kindergarteners are just beginning their tech skills.  This year we will focus on being independent learners on the computer who can log in and out of the computer and applications. We will focus on proficiently finding letters on the keyboard and using our mouse properly. In regards to digital citizenship, Kindergarteners will focus on identifying who the trusted adult is to ask for help when using a computer.

Come back to the blog to see what we are doing this week and examples of student work!