Getting I.T. Right @ CeVMS!: Gaming in 7th grade ELA

Ms. Dugan's and Ms. Costa's 7th Grade ELA classes visited the computer labs to complete their how-to assignments. While here, students were instructed to create an educational game for one of their core subject areas. They had to research to find questions that were appropriate to the subject area, different game techniques, and board designs. Then, as a team, they had to design an electronic instruction sheet for their newly created game using Prezi, PowerPoint, ReadWriteThink's Printing Press, or Smore. The real test of their skills as game designers and technical writers came as the groups rotated through the each others' games and used the electronic versions of the instruction sheet to learn how to play the game. If the instructions for the game were well-written, the teams then had time to learn a little in each of the content areas.

Insider's tip: The teachers had students turn in their electronic products using a digital drop box like the one seen here. This makes it really easy for the teacher to capture all of the project URLs in one location--it's even sort-able!

Check out their process below:

Researching the time period to create the game in a subject area

Designing the Instructions using Prezi

Designing the online instructions with Smore

Finalizing the instructions for the game Waropoly

Playing the game using the provided instructions

Playing the game in class--Look at those props for the game Word Nerds!

A finished instructions product using ReadWriteThink's Printing Press

Referencing the printed version of the instructions to play the game during class.

Getting I.T. Right @ CeVMS!: 6th Grade Science

Ms. Midkiff elaborates on classroom procedures for integrating technology seamlessly into the classroom. By utilizing tools such as Google Forms and Wallwisher/Padlet, her students are able to spend more time focused on the content and less time unfocused as she loads the next presentation. Additionally, she doesn't have to spend time reformatting student submissions for presentation. Now that's a good example of "never working harder than your students." Thank you , Ms. Midkiff for talking about the how of instructional technology.

"Sixth grade science students researched nine energy resources. They turned in their energy research to my wallwisher (one for each class period) that was embedded on my teacher website. While each student presented, the others completed a Google Response to Presentation form where they wrote questions for the presenter. The Wall Wisher let me run the slides in sequence without copy/pasting them into one PowerPoint, and the response form helped them to focus critically on the presentations." --Kim Midkiff, 6th Grade Science Teacher

A screenshot of Ms. Midkiff's response form.

A screenshot of Ms. Midkiff's wall.

TechKNOWLEDGEy Tip: Flubaroo

As we get closer and closer to final exams, we are always looking for ways to shorten the amount of time spent grading. Flubaroo is something that we've talked about here on campus in small groups. Some of you may not be aware of it. Click on the picture for a step-by-step how-to for using Flubaroo for self-graded Google Forms.

Feature Me! -- Getting I.T. Right @ CeVMS

Fuel Up to Play 60

According to their website, "Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council (NDC) and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives." Students and staff at Cedar Valley are joining the Fuel Up to Play 60 movement. In the past few weeks, almost every student and staff member has signed up to be a part of the effort put forth by the Athletics, Wellness, Health and Physical Education team at Cedar Valley. Students have pledged to be active at least 60 minutes a day.

CeVMS PE and Athletic students in the lab signing up for Fuel Up to Play 60.

Why is this making the Getting I.T. Right! Blog? Because the tracking portion of this program is online! You can sign up to be part of Cedar Valley's effort as a supporter. You can help your students track their progress. You can use this site as a resource to become a healthier you.

Eat healthy. Get Active. Make a difference.

Moore than Just Social Media

Ms. Moore's 8th Grade History class was caught "Fakebooking" in class! Thanks to Ms. Dowd and the yearbook editors for finding this great project. Here's what they had to say about Ms. Moore's project: "She is having her kids create a [Fakebook] page for a famous person from the Revolutionary War using a classroom learning tool that looks like Facebook...the project is a huge hit!" 

Take a look at some of the awesome projects that were turned in by Ms. Moore's class:

http://www.classtools.net/fb/1/QDSkdm

http://www.classtools.net/fb/51/NjRB4c

http://www.classtools.net/fb/82/YeL9AD

http://www.classtools.net/fb/82/34N2TX

Taking Polling to the People

Ms. Dowd's yearbook and journalism classes want your opinion. At least, that is what they told 6th grade dance attendees. In an effort to get more information straight from the horse's mouth, the yearbook and journalism classes are taking the polls directly to the Cedar Valley Student body. The 6th grade dance poll was the first of many that will pop up this year as the journalism students prepare for their submission dates to the yearbook. This week, 8th grade students cast their votes in a mock presidential election with a BYO Device in their US History Classes.

Poll Results from Google Form submissions to questions asked at the 6th grade dance.

Do you want to know the full results? You'll have to purchase a yearbook!

On the Prowl for Energy

Ms. Thomas's 6th grade science classes are on the prowl for examples of potential or kinetic energy. They captured their examples with Flip Cams and presented their findings to the whole class. Using technology allowed them to get out of the classroom and experience the types of energy in real world settings.

Ms. Thomas caught some of her class in action as they rolled down the ramp.

Remind101 in Action

Ms. Deitch is harnessing the power of a text message with her 8th grade math classes. Ms. Deitch used the information provided to teachers from this Tech Tip over Remind101 to get her classes signed up.

Check out some of the messages that help her class (or friendly neighborhood ITSs) come prepared:

Messages sent by Ms. Deitch to people subscribed to her class.

A digital portfolio in your pocket: BYOD in action

Ms. Ehman's project was turned in to Feature Me! by a fellow art teacher, Ms. O'Leary, who in turn stole the idea for her own class. 6th Grade art students were told that they could bring their electronic devices into class to take pictures of their artwork to create a digital portfolio to take home and show off. This is a great way to expose parents to what is happening in the class and allow the artwork to stay on display at school. Both groups benefit from allowing the students to bring in their own devices to capture the pictures digitally.