CurTech93

Common core math standards, student engagement and collaboration - oh my! During a recent visit to a 4th grade classroom, students were demonstrating their knowledge of the common core math standard “solving multiple step word problems” (OA.A.3) by working in small groups and explaining their thinking as they worked. Each student in the group received a short word problem that required multiple steps to solve it. As each student read their word problem out loud, the other members of their group listened closely, asked for clarification when needed, and worked on solving the story on a whiteboard - while working out loud. The group came to agreement about the solving of the story. If students had differing answers, they discussed them and ultimately decided on the correct answer. When one word problem was solved, the group then proceeded to work on the next word problem. Students were engaged with the content and with each other. Students were talking with each other, asking each...

District Collaboration Sessions 1-3 have focused on the work the ELA Committee completed during Summer 2014 and writing.  Writing can, and should, be found in any content area at any time.  Writing is no longer a sub-class of ELA taught once during the school day and never addressed again. What does this look like for the non-traditional classroom?  Physical Development/Health, Visual Arts, Music, Drama and Dance all include elements of writing within the curriculum.  The CurTech93 Blog will feature different exploratory classes from around the district that are incorporating writing into activities. Cloverdale School Elementary students at Cloverdale School are setting goals, reflecting and writing using stations during Physical Development. Students are divided into smaller groups (there are usually two full classrooms in the gym at the same time). Prompts are posted on a large pieces of butcher block paper with wordles of key vocabulary terms or c...

Elementary art classes have been experiencing art in a new and interactive way!  Elementary students at Elsie Johnson School and Western Trails School have been using Padlets to view different forms of art, elements of art, and art from around the world.  Students are able to explore and extend their learning on a project at their own pace.  Students can also be introduced to the next unit prior to the start of class, allowing them time to explore and bring questions on day one of the new unit.  This opens the world of art for students to see different art forms, explore at their own pace and see the elements of art up-close and personal. Consider adding interactive Padlets to your class to help students extend their learning! Elsie Johnson: 3rd Grade Still Life Drawings 4th Grade Linear Perspective 5th Grade Leonardo daVinci

A number of people got excited about using iBooks Author while attending Tech Academy last summer. Here is a link to a fabulous blog that speaks of making not just a book - but an EXPERIENCE - using iBooks Author! If you want to try something like this, fill out the PLS on Curtech93 and Becky or Karen will be happy to work with you! Page Spreads in iBooks Author