HeathcoteTech has moved!

HeathcoteTech has moved!

Scarsdale students are now building blogs on the CampusPress platform. CampusPress is a managed service that uses Wordpress as it's engine but allows teachers to have administrative control over student blogs.

Since I will be teaching students how to build and curate their own CampusPress blogs I have decided to move HeathcoteTech to that platform as well.

You can find the new HeathcoteTech at:

blogs.scarsdaleschools.org/HeathcoteTech

Looking forward to another great iteration!

Cultural Tour comics - 3C

It was the beginning of June and Ms. Conklin and I met to talk about a final project. A project the students could have a lot of fun with through the last month, but also a project that would also incorporate their cultural universal unit of study.

We decided to take their research on a location and turn it into a comic book style travel guide. A comic book they create from the ground up and build collaboratively...

Animal Adaptations - 2-C

The following items are animated books created using Google Slides with Ms. Citron's class...

From Ms. Citron:
The students in 2C researched a variety of animal adaptations, wrote introductions and created drafts of their findings.  These presentations reflect a variety of interpretations of this assignment, and builds on a year long curriculum, devoted to this concept.  Students are encouraged to continue to add to this body of work. 

The books...

(student projects listed alphabetically by first name)

Animal Adaptations - 2-O

The students of 2-O researched animals and the adaptations that are crucial to their survival.

After researching the adaptations and creating paper-based rough drafts of books the students used Google Slides to create dynamic, digital representations of their books. These books include all of the research and writing the students compiled as well as the creative elements such as call-outs and animations the students added at the end.

The books...

(student projects listed alphabetically by first name)

Stand-alone Presentations - 5th grade

One option for Capstone is to do a "stand-alone" presentation. By "stand-alone" we mean using a tool such as Google Slides to convey your information, without presenting it in person. "Stand-alone" means the presentation has to teach the viewer about your topic, convey your learning, without you there to verbalize the experience.

Whereas an in-person presentation will have a few, minimal, clean slides a "stand-alone" presentation will be much more detailed and will include far more slides than an Ignite or TED presentation. The presentation has to tell your story without you being there.

As 5th graders you have done similar things in the past with the rocketry unit.

Here are a few examples of "stand-alone" presentations that convey the experience without the need for someone to personally present it:

Video story telling styles - 5th grade

5th graders,

As you think about how you are going to tell your Capstone story, one tool you might use is video.

The most common use of video is iMovie. But iMovie is just a tool to tell a story. It's not that you use iMove, but how you use iMovie that matters.

One of the best things to do when thinking about how to tell your story with video is to watch others, to see examples. Some of the best examples of video story telling are 60 Minutes and Real Sports with Bryant Gumble. These are two "news magazine" shows that combine research, interviews, and sites visits into short stories that tell compelling stories.

If you are planning on using video in your Capstone project it is highly recommended you use your own device. iMovie files are not able to be shared and when making a movie you need to use the exact same computer every time. The school computer you have access too might not always be available to you when you need it. iMovie can be used on iPhones, iPads and MacBooks.
You can also use WeVideo to make a movie through Chrome

Your Capstone project is a compelling story, here are some examples to get you started:

Heathcote Chickens 2016!

Every year the 1st Graders get eggs and learn about the process of chickens hatching.

We are live streaming the eggs and the hatching process!

Point of reference, some seem to have hatched a few days early, which is why some of these live feeds have more chicks then eggs, and others more eggs then chicks.

Enjoy watching the process...

Presentations (Igntite/TED) Styles - 5th grade

This year we will do Capstone a bit differently. The tri-fold boards are no more. We are presenting our projects in more engaging ways...

Two modern presentation styles are TED Talks and Ignite Presentations. TEDs are usually 18 minutes and have very little visuals or slides. Ignites are 5 minute presentations with slides auto-advancing every 20 seconds. TEDs are more conversational, Ignites are more fast paced. Use the links below to read more about each style as well as watch various examples...

Blogging with 2H

2nd graders,
You have been doing a great job posting comments on this blog.

Here is the link to your buddy class:
blogs.scarsdaleschools.org/acooper

Click on the link above...

Then find your buddy on the left side of Ms. Cooper's site.  Click on your buddy's blog and read one of their posts. Then leave them a comment!

Enjoy!

3C - Text Structures in Padlet

Students of 3C,

Today we are using your book clubs and Padlet to explore different text structures. Mrs. Conklin has made a Padlet for each of the structures you have been discussing in class:

• Boxes and Bullets
• Similarities and Differences
• Cause and Effect
• Chronological Orders
• Problem - Solution

Click on text structure Mrs. Conklin has assigned you and add your thoughts. Remember:

• double-click to add a sticky
• use your first name only as the "title" which will appear in red
• add your thoughts as the "write something" which will appear in black

Have fun!

2nd grade - The History of Typography

2nd Graders,

When we are typing we are entering our text using a particular font, or style of writing. But fonts aren't just fonts, they are "typography" or the art or technique of arranging type in order to make language visible.

Before computers there were typewriters and before that, handwriting. In order to make writing universally legible there needed to be typography.

Watch the video below and answer the questions as comments...

Padlet wtih 3C - Constellations

Students of 3C,

Here is your new Padlet:

http://padlet.com/ccasal/idnqrs516yl

You will be answering a question related to your recent study of astronomy:

• what is your favorite constellation?

Make sure you add at least 3 posts:

• one with some of your own information
• one with an appropriate and relevent picture
• one with an appropriate and relevent link

Have fun!

Padlet with 3L

Here is the Padlet for today's introduction:

http://padlet.com/ccasal/istcuay38qkr

Fill in what you "Know" about Padlet and what you "Want" to know.

After we play around with it a bit we'll add what we've "Learned"

Have fun!

Padlet with 3C

Here is the Padlet for today's introduction:

http://padlet.com/ccasal/225i34wm9kwu

Fill in what you "Know" about Padlet and what you "Want" to know.

After we play around with it a bit we'll add what we've "Learned"

Have fun!

More Padlet fun with 3M

Students of 3M,

After yesterday's introduction to Padlet (and your Padlet homework) you now have a fair amount of experience with it.

Since Padlet is a digital version of a pencil and paper t-chart or chart paper with stickies, you will compare and contrast the pros and cons of both the digital and non-digital ways to gather ideas.

For today:

• what are the pros and cons of using Padlet to gather ideas? 
• what are the pros and cons of using pencil and paper to gather ideas?

Organize your thoughts on the Padlet below:

http://padlet.com/lmangan/ProsAndCons

Happy Padleting...

Padlet wtih 3M

Here is the Padlet for today's introduction:

http://padlet.com/ccasal/mtme3xji5q0r

Fill in what you "Know" about Padlet and what you "Want" to know.

After we play around with it a bit we'll add what we've "Learned"

Have fun!

Moon Videos for 3rd Grade

Here are some helpful videos to use during the 3rd grade mon journal project:

Answer these questions as comments:

• What new things you learned from these videos?
• What things did these video talk about that you already knew?
• Anything else you would like to add?

Write your comment in full and complete sentences, comment as "Name/URL" with first name only.
Enjoy!

3rd Grade Information Books 2016 - Mrs. Conklin

The following items are animated books created using Google Slides with Ms. Conklin's class:

The third graders created Information Books as a part of our non-fiction reading and writing units.  They started with an "expert" topic, one they already knew a lot about. This topic required little to no research, simply background knowledge.  After the students chose a topic they began developing chapter ideas, elaborating on those ideas and accompanying them with non-fiction text features. The kids worked on several drafts making edits and revisions. Each chapter was placed in a logical order, for some students paragraphs were developed and for all students the writing was organized with topic sentences and supporting details. 

Next came the publishing portion of the project. With support from Mr. Casal, the students used Google Presentation to create slides to display their information. This was a wonderful learning experience. Everything from typing text to inserting photographs to creating transitions was taught and then put to practice.  In the end the third graders created a comprehensive non-fiction information book that can be enjoyed for years to come and across the globe because of its final form, Google Presentation. 

Please note: Scarsdale's Google Drive sharing is limited to users with @scarsdaleschools.org accounts. If you are unable to see the books please have your child log in to their Scarsdale account to view them. Thanks!

The Books:

Koko's Kitten by 2H and 2O

Recently, two Second Grade classes, Ms. Higgins and Ms. Onofri, read Koko's Kitten by Dr. Francine Patterson. 

To extend the experiences and add a technology component we decided to let both classes work in layered partnerships to create their own reflections on Koko's Kitten as a group book. Students worked in teams of two to create a "page" of this new book. Both classes came to the lab simultaneously and each student partnership worked on a single computer, using a single Google Slide. Once each student partnership was finished with their page they were all printed out and the class partnership built an amazing bulletin board to showcase this collaborative reflection on Koko's Kitten.

The board looks amazing...

Parent Coffee - Internet Safety 3-5

How do we keep students safe while still allowing them access to the amazing tools available in 2016?

Today I led a Parent Coffee about Internet (and Technology) Safety geared toward the parents of students in grade 3-5. This was the second in a series, building on last weeks presentation geared toward grades K-2. 

Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend, we had a great conversation. Attending in person is not always possible, so to ensure the entire community has access to the conversation I am posting the presentation for all to share and use...

Parent Coffee - Internet Safety K-2

How do we keep students safe while still allowing them access to the amazing tools available in 2016?

Today I led a Parent Coffee about Internet (and Technology) Safety geared toward the parents of K-2 students. Thank you to all the parents who were able to attend, we had a great conversation. Attending in person is not always possible, so to ensure the entire community has access to the conversation I am posting the presentation for all to share and use...

3rd Grade Information Books 2016 - Mrs. Mangan

This post is a work in progress as students finish & tweak their animated books

The following items are animated books created using Google Slides with Ms. Mangan's class:

The third graders created Information Books as a part of our non-fiction reading and writing units.  They started with an "expert" topic, one they already knew a lot about. This topic required little to no research, simply background knowledge.  After the students chose a topic they began developing chapter ideas, elaborating on those ideas and accompanying them with non-fiction text features. The kids worked on several drafts making edits and revisions. Each chapter was placed in a logical order, for some students paragraphs were developed and for all students the writing was organized with topic sentences and supporting details. 

Next came the publishing portion of the project. With support from Mr. Casal, the students used Google Presentation to create slides to display their information. This was a wonderful learning experience. Everything from typing text to inserting photographs to creating transitions was taught and then put to practice.  In the end the third graders created a comprehensive non-fiction information book that can be enjoyed for years to come and across the globe because of its final form, Google Presentation. - @LindsayCMangan

The books...