Technology work paralleled classroom curriculum units focusing on student research. Kindergarten students learned about Bats by reading an online article published on the National Geographic Young Explorers website. After researching Bats and taking notes on interesting bat facts, students used Microsoft Word to write up their findings. Grade 1 students used the Enchanted Learning website to research the Armadillo. After researching the Armadillo, students completed an online graphic organizer, summarizing their findings. Students also learned the tools and created artwork using MS Paint. Grade 3 students received instruction on how to find reliable internet sites. Students in Mr. Kent and Mrs. Baniaga's classes received instruction on Microsoft Publisher. Student began their work on creating brochures summarizing their states research. Students in Mrs. Kluch's and Mrs. Gordon's class learned Comic Life software and created comics summarizing their learning about selected sports.

Students at all levels continue to build on existing technology skills to complete more sophisticated technology projects. Kindergarten students incorporated knowledge of symmetry to create drawings of bugs using ABCya Paint. Bug drawings were printed in color and used to make bookmarks that were distributed in the school library. To complement their classroom learning, kindergarten students also went on a 3-D Shape Scavenger Hunt using the stamps available in Tux Paint. For their last project before the break, kindergarten students created comic strips that outlined steps in planting a garden using Arthur Comic Creator. Grade 1 students completed several projects that helped them to solidify skills working with images, cut, copy and paste. Students designed their own super solid and were required to describe the properties of the solid and also it's super powers. They created posters using Powerpoint to present their solids to the class. Through this project and others, they learned techniques for copy and pasting images and text. Grade 3 students finished their Native American websites. They sites can be viewed at the TPES Student Webpages Viewing Page. The access password is "student". Students also took the first steps in creating projects that will showcase their 3rd Grade research projects. Students in Mr. Kent and Mrs. Baniaga's class will be creating brochures of states based on their states research reports, while students in Mrs. Gordon's and Mrs. Kluch's classes will create comics to complement the sports that they have chosen to research. 

February was another busy month for technology at Torrey Pines. When I wasn't preparing lessons, teaching, troubleshooting /repairing equipment, I was loading software, setting up internet access and testing 28 new netbooks that the Foundation acquired through HP at a discounted price only available to HP employees. The netbooks have finally been deployed to Mrs. Keating and Ms. White's 4th grade classroom and students are thrilled to have them available. Dragon Naturally Speak was also installed on multiple laptops. Students that were expected to benefit from the software were trained on its use and are happy with the results. Here is a brief summary of what has been happening in the other grades. Kindergarten students wrote letters to Mrs. Dailey, our librarian, using a really cute software program that lets students type in a message and select and animal to read aloud the message. Students wrote to Mrs. Dailey and told her about their interests and the type of books they would like for her to order. Students in Kindergarten also made Bingo cards using a site called Bingo Baker of their sight words and enjoyed playing a few games of bingo. Student in Grade 1 have been studying Solids and Liquids. They brainstormed to develop a brand new Super Solid. They were asked to create a poster that displayed basic information about the properties of their solid, and also insert clip art to describe the solid. Kids loved this project and really let their creativity shine. Grade 3 worked on their Native American websites. Students quickly learned the in's and outs of the website software and created some beautiful sites.

Torrey Pines students continued to build their skills in technology during the month of December. Students in Grade 3 completed their Planets Powerpoints and then created holiday coupon books for loved ones utilizing their Powerpoint skills. While creating their Powerpoints, students gained expertise in adding WordArt, clipart images and slide transitions. They also gained experience in collecting images from the internet, animating text and much more. Grade 3 students continued to work on their keyboarding skills using the online program "Typing Club" after completing their work on Powerpoint. Grade 1 students began a new unit on word processing. So far, students have learned how to type in text as well as learned a few basic editing commands. For practice, students edited a short paragraph and also typed a letter to Ms. Isom using Word. Students were reminded to continue practicing their Keyboarding skills and were given classroom time to practice. Kindergarten students were especially busy during the month of December. During classwork time, students read a book called Mrs. Wishy Washy. Students discussed the main personality characteristics of Mrs. Wishy washy (tidy, grumpy) and were then asked to illustrate a personality characteristic of themselves using Tux Paint. Students did a fantastic job using various features of Tux Paint. They also leaned about the "undo" command as well as other features of the Paint program. Kindergarten students were given more practice using Microsoft Word and asked to type a very short piece. 

November was a short month for technology due to the Thanksgiving break and parent/teacher conferences. Students in Grade 3 were introduced to the World Book Online Encyclopedia resource and also learned to conduct a  general search on the Internet. Third grade students in Mrs. Kluch's, Mrs. Gordon's and Mr. Kent's class continued to work on their Planet Powerpoint presentations, while students in Mrs. Baniaga's class began working on their Powerpoint ABC books. Students in Grade 1 continued to learn more about Microsoft Word. Students learned several editing commands such as the procedures for centering and bolding text. Next, they used their keyboarding, writing, editing and Word skills to create a personalized bookmarks with the help of a website. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, Kindergarten students used Microsoft Word to write letters to Ms. Isom thanking her for teaching them Science. Students printed their letters and drew pictures for Ms. Isom. The letters were assembled in a booklet and delivered to Ms. Isom. 

We are off to a fantastic start with technology at Torrey Pines Elementary! After dusting off the cobwebs that had accumulated during the summer and firing up the equipment for the new school year, we are off and running. Students in grades 3-5 have been using technology as part of their daily curriculum. "Technology Time" visits to grades K-3 have begun. Students in Kindergarten were introduced this month to our school laptops as well as the thin clients. Kindergarten students completed several activities designed to help students gain confidence and experience with using a laptop mouse. They also learned how to turn on the internet on their laptops, as well as proper equipment handling. Grade 1 students began their keyboarding unit. They have been introduced to the home row keys through classroom instruction as well as to their keyboarding program "Dance Mat Typing". Grade 3 students were introduced to their classroom netbooks this past month and were introduced to their online keyboarding practice site "TYPING CLUB", a typing program designed to help students develop speed and accuracy when typing. 

Welcome back everyone! Technology at TPES is here to stay and I am excited to be bringing technology into the classrooms for another year. This year, I will be providing technical support and working with students on special projects. I will also be helping students to build their keyboarding and research skills. Our district is in the process of phasing in technology based modules that require critical thinking and technology skills. We want our students to be ready for these modules and therefore will be integrating technology into everyday learning. 

So many technology projects, so little time...could have been the motto for the month of May. May was actually a time when many technology skills learned during the year were pulled together to create some stunning projects. Students in Kindergarten used reviewed skills they had learned during the year as they earned badges for the Technology Time Badge book. Both technology skills and skills in math and literacy were used to earn badges. Grade 1 students used their keyboarding, research, writing and digital arts skills to put together some very charming animal webpages. Grade 2 students created Animal Powerpoint presentations, published animal reports and created Animal Digital Stories for which they wrote content, provided narration, illustrated pictures and even created their own music. Grade 3 students learned Microsoft Publisher and used it to create brochures on their states. They also finished their American Indian webpages. Grade 4 and Grade 5 students used their netbooks and the laptop carts to research and type up a number of papers. Despite their heavy use, the laptop carts survived the flurry of activities much to my relief! It was definitely a busy but exciting month!