Did you know Santa had a secret penguin spy? Today Dewey elementary students learned all about this technology savy little guy, named Ziffle. Nicole Cagle, a children's book author in Kansas, read her story to Dewey students and answered the (many!) questions they had about the writing process. Students went back to their homeroom classes with a follow-up activity designed to help Ziffle build a new technological device that would help him with his duties. Students drew out their ideas and then wrote a creative or informative piece about their invention. Now Dewey students are left wondering.... "Is Ziffle watching me!?" :)
(Scroll to the bottom to see pictures of the Skype!)
Purchase the book at:
Barnes and
Noble online: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/. All you need to do is put
the title of the book in the search bar.
Overview of book:
Ziffle is not just any penguin. He is a
secret spy sent by an agency to help keep an eye on boys and girls expecting a
Christmas Eve visit from Santa Claus. Ziffle needs to know just one thing-which
children in the world are being naughty and which are being nice.
Ziffle is no elf. Armed with a cell phone
and a direct line to Santa, he does not need a train, plane, or even wings to
deliver his message. Ziffle can just text a name! But all the boys and girls
know that if their mom or dad has to tell them twice, Ziffle has another secret
spy device that allows Santa to see the entire human race from the comfort of
his big chair at the North Pole.
In this enchanting holiday tale, a secret
penguin spy partners with Santa to ensure that children around the world learn
that it is always better to be nice than naughty!
About the Author: Nicole Cagle, a devoted wife and mother of 3 girls (and another child on the way) resides in Kansas City where she is a photographer and children's book author. Nicole also owns and manages POUR coffee house in Olathe, KS.
4th grade classes were a part of an exciting Mystery Skype today! We were able to locate both class skypes. One was in New Jersey and the other was in Georgia! Way to go guys! Watch our video below which highlights the learning (and fun) we had!
The night zookeeper (www.nightzookeeper.com) is built around the premise that there is a zookeeper that cares for magical animals. In the website, students are encouraged to draw magical animals, write stories and problem solve. It is a platform for parents to play along, enjoy student's work and reward their efforts. Dedicated to improving student's literacy they also have free curriculum for parents and teachers. Their goal is to help students be imaginative, being the creator instead of the consumer of electronics. What a wonderful mission! Follow him on Facebook or Twitter @nightzookeeper.
Carter's story of the Abominable Clause: Once in the magical Night Zoo…we found Santa, that's right ole Saint Nick, but he was fighting a abominable snow man. The abominable snow man through a snow ball. Not a small, but HUMONGOUS snow ball. Ole Saint Nick fell down the mountain snow, rolling, rolling, and rolling and snow is forming all around him. He's turning into a huge snow ball when he finally stopped he got out…but he has snow body parts!?!?!?!?!?!?! So that's the story of abominable clause.
Today I introduced Mystery Number Skyping to Mrs. Newland and Mrs. Beam's 2nd grade classes! We had a great time skyping with Kansas and Ohio! Our students asked well thought out questions with academic vocabulary such as "Is your number an even number?", "Does your number have a 4 in the tens place", or "Is your number greater than 50?". These inquisitive questions allowed both classes to successfully determine the other class's mystery number!
Coding teaches abstract thinking, problem solving, and persistence?
Coding helps prepare students for an unknown career future.
There are projected to be 1,000,000 more computer science jobs than students by the year 2020.
Computer science is a top paying college degree, and the field is growing 2x the national average.
Coding is only 1 (small) area of computer science
60% of the math/science jobs available are for computer science, but only 2.4% of students in will graduate with a degree in computer science.
Of that 2.4%, only 12% of computer science degrees are awarded to women.
Credit for research given to Kristen Tanner, Limestone Technology Academy
Message From our President:
The initiative and push for 'Hour of Code' during Computer Science Education Week is working to flip those numbers around and steer more students towards coding and rewarding future careers.
This week, students were introduced to code.org.
Students returning from Christmas break will be given a code.org safe student sign in account that they can work on at school and home at their own pace. Although computer science week is just this week, we have dedicated a portion of November and the entirety of December to learning how to computer program! Students have been having a great time learning to code for our Sphero class robots.
Students were also introduced to several coding apps on our class iPads such as Tynker
The 'Hour of Code' takes place Dec. 4-8 and is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week andCode.org to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming. Through the month of November, Mrs. Henley's classes have been learning basic coding vocabulary and have already started preparing for the big week! Students have been getting familiar with Sphero Robots. These robots are fun and interactive, but more importantly have apps (Macro Lab and orbBasic) that allow them to enter code to control the robots. At our ages, I think that it is important that students gain direct feedback from their robot as they code allowing them to see the changes they are making. We are so thankful for our Sphero Robots that bring fun and coding to our classroom! November 22nd, Mrs. Henley went to an all day professional development in Sand Springs to learn more about coding as well as network with other teachers who are introducing coding to their students. I learned a lot, gained resources, and am excited about our future plans! Week of December 1st. Students are writing their first macro (computer program)~! Yes, I said THEY are actually writing it! Thanks to our Spheros and the free "Macro Lab" app, students created their first multi-color (rainbow) code. Students were challenged to create a macro and to name their macro something that would inspire their color choices. They were then instructed to plan out a 12 step algorithm that began with Loop Start and ended with Loop End. Students were challenged to use RGB to create their own colors, as they learned hands on that the mixing of these colors could create any color including white! If they accomplished this mission, they were encouraged to go back and edit their algorithm to change any steps that did not function as planned and then explore what other things they could make their sphero do by coding! Here are Monday/ Tuesday students showing off thier programs.
Today I helped Mrs. Dye & Mrs. Baughn's class both participate in a Mystery Location Skypes today. Students had a great time asking yes and no questions until they were able to find the state of the classroom they were talking to!
We learned that the high in Minnesota was 21 degrees today and they said that was warm! They also had 6 inches of snow outside their classroom! What a great day learning our mapping skills! Mrs. Belong's classes will have a chance to Mystery Skype when we return back from the break!
In tribute to Mrs. Nelson, the GT coordinator of years past we had a computer programming Golf-a-thon :) Students familiarized themselves with our Sphero robots and worked on learning how to set their directions, speed, and distance.
We discussed computer programming vocabulary such as Algorithm (a set of instructions), Degrees (setting direction for a robot using coding), and Macro (a computer program).
I am MORE THAN EXCITED that after Thanksgiving Break, students will create a Macro of their choosing by determining an Algorithm for it to follow. But until then, here is a video of 6th and 8th graders playing golf using a computer programming template :)
A MYSTERY NUMBER SKYPE is a Skype call where two classrooms connect with each other. Each classroom chooses a secret number in advance. The two classes then meet up over Skype with number boards and expo markers in hand. The classrooms take turns thinking critically and asking the opposing classroom yes or no questions that might help eliminate the numbers on their number board. We discuss with our classmates and try to pick the best questions that would eliminate the most possible answers. Question by question, students on both sides of the Skype are able to eliminate possible numbers until….WAHLA! Their faces light up… excitement is present and we realize: We have found the other classroom's mystery number!
This week second graders worked hard to find the mystery number of two separate classes. We used mathematic academic vocabulary and practiced the life skills of manners and speaking in complete sentences when we asked and answered questions. Watch our video to see all the fun!!!
Last Friday, November 14th Dewey Public Schools came together for professional development. This PD was based around giving teachers training in the area of technology. Teachers started the day learning about Augmented Reality. Augmented reality is a growing trend in education that allows students to see abstract concepts, far away landmarks….. or almost anything….. in a 3D/4D experience.
The general session, "Augment Me" ,was designed to give educators knowledge about currant AR technologies out there that might benefit or enhance their current curriculums. After the general session, teachers were given the opportunity to choose the next two technology classes they felt would best benefit them. "Augment Me Twice!" was offered to teach teachers how to create their own Augmented Reality in their classrooms. Other classes offered included sofwares such as "Reading Eggs" and "Study Island" as well as classes over STI, Turning Point Presentations, Powerpoints, Advanced Powerpoints, and how to integrate the app iMovie into curriculum.
We came back together for an intruder training using ALICE techniques. This ALICE component made so much sense to me and will be such a benefit for the future DPS students' safety. Enjoy our video. Pictures taken from the "Augment Me" general session class.
Augment Me Notes:
Nov. 14th
AUGMENT ME!
My favorite 4 introductory to Augmented Reality Apps:
DOWNLOAD THESE TOP 4 FREE APPS.
You will not need to print anything off. I have the materials for you; however, if you ever wanted to use them in your classroom you could come back here to find the direct link to print.
BELOW:
I have include the photo in the first column, so you would be certain you are looking at the right app.
In the second column, there is a link where you can click to find info on how to download the app from iTunes or google play.
Augmented life cycle of a butterfly. Teacher resources as well as a pop up style writing book with student sample work as a student product follow - up.
AR Flashcards are a new way to interact and make Flash cards more entertaining for elementary school students. With AR Flashcards Space, learning is fun! When you point your device at the printed flashcard a beautifully rendered 3D planetary object will pop up on the screen. Tap the planetary object to hear the name. Tap the info button to hear interesting facts!
Download the magic camera and hold it in front of the special Baby Sign and Learn Flash Cards to experience baby signing in magical augmented reality for the very first time.
Instructions for use: • Download and open the free app • Hold it in front of one of the Baby Sign and Learn Flash Cards • Press the Play button and watch the animated babies come alive • Amaze your children and be the first to share the fun with friends! -- itunes
The Getty Museum offers a neat way to view art through augmented reality. As employed by The Getty, augmented reality creates 3D displays of art from printed PDF codes displayed in front of a webcam. The example that The Getty provides in the video below is a 3D display of one of the cabinets of curiosities created by Albert Janszoon Vinckenbrinck. If you want to try it for yourself after watching the video, the directions are available here. youtube demo here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UGkFU-ahFo
Make amazing and beautifully constructed augmented timelines. I have not downloaded this, and I would definitely research it before I spent 10.00 on it, but if you see students creating timelines of historical events, this might be the app for you!
Chemistry provides a new learning experience for both the student and the teacher, transforming the classroom into a laboratory thanks to Augmented Reality.
More apps in the works. *Bio, *Solar System, *Plants, *Physics all currently being developed.
Chemistry 101
I happened to download this last summer. I can't find the link now. If you do,
You may have to sign up for a free "demo" account. You can upgrade if you determine you like the app.
Click "Test" and then look at one of the markers. You can combine markers to create molecules using the periodic table. This is pretty amazing! This looks to be going away and turning into the Arloon Chemistry (above). I emailed Arloon and they said they are still working on the AR features, but they should be done in the next few weeks.
Explore 4D in your classroom with inspiring and useful chemistry lesson plans, crafted by a group of talented teachers. Work Elements 4D into your curriculum today.
http://elements4d.daqri.com (scroll down and see lesson plans for elementary , middle school, and high school using the app and cubes-- or click below)
Now you can tour the Tamar estuary in 3D using augmented and virtual reality to explore the habitats, flora and fauna, and issues affecting the health of the estuary. You will find swimming seals, flying eagles, big-bellied seahorses, and fish hiding in the kelp forests and sponge gardens.
TamAR is an augmented reality app version of the 2012 report card produced for the Tamar River estuary in Tasmania, Australia. The report card describes the health of the estuary and provides a grading from A to F for five zones along the 70 km estuary.
The Atlas Robot is a two legged robot that was built primarily for search and rescue tasks. DARPA, the United States Department of Defense, was primarily responsible for its production and design." --from iTunes Store. Print the marker here: http://traclabs.com/hercules/images/atlas.png
ENGLISH/ READING
Be inspired by the above. Use the augmented experiences to research, summarize, timeline, write about :)
See the world in your language: instantly translate printed words using your built-in video camera, in real time! (PLEASE NOTE: language packs must be purchased separately from within the app.)
My slideshow from today :) Click this link to be redirected or see the slideshow beneath
.PNG)
