Max Is At It Again!

Max, our energetic fourth grader, has created another great Google Presentation.  This time he has created a Math Presentation of the basic math processes: adding, subtracting, decimals, and fractions.  Please view and learn.  He has started our brains rolling because students are going to start creating other Google Presentations displaying visuals for students to learn other basic math skills.  These will help as they practice for the STAAR testing this spring.
Max's Math Presentation 

Student Shares a Personal Project with ITS

Max is a fourth grader who just received his Google account for email and Google Drive, along with a very quick training on Thursday by the Instructional Technology Specialist (ITS), Mrs. Barnard.  Over the weekend, he used his knowledge of the Water Cycle to practice all the features of creating a Google Presentation on his own.  The ITS has been corresponding with Max in Google Mail to be sure he always cites his resources, as well as sharing a new place in the Google Image Search where he can be sure to get copyright safe images. His teacher, Mrs. Waddill, and Mrs. Barnard are very proud of his tenacity and independence to complete this assignment by himself after receiving training only a day before!  Max's Water Cycle Google Presentation

Students Receive GMail Accounts

This year RRISD has introduced Google Apps for Education, GAFE, for elementary students in grades 2-5. These accounts give students access to an email account and Gooogle Apps that include Google Drive, Google Calendar, Google Sites, and the Chrome Store. 

At school, student activity is monitored using a tool called Gaggle which will let teachers and administrators know if problems arise. Student accounts are for educational purposes only.
 
Students may use their Google Drive accounts to work on some of their assignments at home and to work collaboratively with their peers. Teachers can communicate easily with students and give them specific and timely feedback.
 
Here are some of the capabilities:

• Gmail: Students may email their teachers. Currently, student to student email is disabled, and students cannot be emailed by anyone outside RRISD.

• Google Drive: Students can create, edit, and collaborate on documents, presentations, spreadsheets, and drawings with their teachers and peers. Google Drive is available anywhere the student has access to the internet.

• Google Calendar: Students may create and use electronic calendars.

• Google Sites: Students may create web sites that are managed by RRISD.

• Chrome Store: District approved apps and extensions are available in the Chrome Store. These educational apps may be added to enhance productivity and student achievement.

The fun part of all this is to see the students' total involvement when we introduce it to them.

Math Measuring Concepts Demonstrated by Kindergarten

" Scavenger Hunt" and "Sole Mates" videos go with the following Kindergarten Math Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS):

K.10A Compare and order two or three concrete objects according to length (longer/shorter than, or the same)

K.7B Compare two objects with a common measurable attribute to see which object has more of/less of the attribute and describe the difference

K.10C Compare two containers according to capacity (holds more, holds less, holds the same)

Kindergarten classes worked on Measuring, how and why we measure and had two activities.  First they went around the school on a scavenger hunt to find things to measure by comparing.  Next they compared their feet with others in the class to find a foot that was shorter, longer, and the same size.  This is what they shared.  
Mooney's Class / Rivera's Class

Mooney's Class / Miller's Class

Reflecting Through Writing

Our kindergarten class this past fall learned about the Thanksgiving Holiday and why we celebrate. Kindergartners wrote about why they were thankful and displayed through PaperSlides using their class document camera.
Mooney's Class


They also started out this new year and learned about Martin Luther King and how he made a difference. Again the students were writing on how the world could be a better place.  Both of these activities go with their Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills on History K.2:
The student understands how historical figures, patriots, and good citizens helped shape the community, state, and nation.
Kindergarten loves to share with families and friends through videotaping the kindergartners to see their growth in learning.
Mooney's Class / Rivera's Class