Hour of Code

This week Bryant students are joining tens of millions of students in over 180 countries in a one hour introduction to Computer Science. Students will learn the code behind programing in their favorite video games and applications. They will work through tutorials created by professional programmers that teach the basic fundamentals to writing code. After completing their introduction lesson, students will receive a certificate from Code.org.

Students who enjoy the introduction can go on to additional tutorials and programs. Code.org provides additional resources through their site for anyone who wants to learn the art of coding!

Hour of Code

Code.org

Students watched the tutorials and worked through puzzles to write code. The code moves the character through the game using the actions the “programmer” chose.

Anna and Elsa were popular with the girls in their coding tutorials. “Programmers” were given challenge puzzles and directions to send Elsa and Anna around the screen.

Tutorials intermixed with coding activities made the Hour of Code fun and engaging for students.

Students had several gaming options in their tutorial choice. This students chose Flappy Bird.

You can see the program uses blocks that fit together similar to Lego blocks to create code.

Here is a sample of one set of code blocks  designed to send Elsa along a grid.

After finishing the introductory Hour of Code, programers were presented with a certificate of completion! Congratulations to our future gaming and app programers!!

Becoming Digital Citizens

Moving to the Common Core State Standards has brought technology to the forefront of education in our classrooms. Throughout the standards, students will be presented with tasks requiring digital tools and online collaboration. With this shift, the need to teach students to use technology in an appropriate, respectful, and meaningful way has become a priority. To do this, RUSD has implemented a digital citizenship program for all grade levels. 

Over the last month, Bryant students worked with Mrs. Austin and their teachers during “Technology Specials" to learn how to responsibly use the technology they are surrounded with at school and at home. 

Kindergarten students were introduced to digital safety through short BrainPop videos, stories, and activities. 

They shared favorite games they enjoy at home on iPads, iPods, laptops, and phones. 

Students in 4th grade learned that they have responsibilities that reach farther then just themselves when using digital tools. They brain stormed how they can use technology responsibly when interacting with their peers, teachers, and the global online community we now live in. 

Rings of Responsibility Activity in 4th Grade

Throughout the year, students will be challenged to be good Digital Citizens when working with technology. It is our vision to create students who can contribute to the global community in a responsible, positive way!

iReady… are you ready?

This week we rolled out our personalized learning platform, iReady, to students in grades 3-6. Each student will have access to online lessons personalized to their individual learning needs in reading and math. Students began this week by taking diagnostic assessments in both areas during their “Technology Specials” rotation with Mrs. Austin. These diagnostic assessments will create a learning plan tailored to each student. Students will then have access at school and at home to online lessons on the content they need. Just as no two students are alike, no two personalized learning plans are alike! 

 iReady is an adaptive program that increases or decreases in difficulty to meet the needs of each student. As a placement level is reached in each area, lessons are selected to work toward grade level mastery of a content area, or beyond. 

 After working through a portion of the diagnostic assessment, students are given games as “brain breaks” before beginning the next section. Here a student navigates with her study buddy through a maze. 

We will complete all diagnostic assessments next week and are excited to see the growth our students will make with access to this program. Please encourage your 3rd-6th grader to log into iReady at home!

The beginning…

As I reflect on our day, the staff at Bryant, and the leadership of our school, my anticipation for the 2014-2015 school year grows. Today we came together as a staff, set sail on a new voyage, and have amazing adventures in our sights. Teachers embraced the motto, “Teach like a Pirate” and spent the day exploring what that really meant. In a technological age teachers have to work harder to ‘hook’ and engage students with meaningful learning experiences that develop the deeper learning that the Common Core State Standards set. We have committed as a staff to personalizing learning to meet the needs of all students on the path to learning. Teachers had the opportunity today to dive into many technology applications, devices, and websites that will enhance learning experiences for Bryant’s students this year. Follow us on our voyage as we teach with the passion and enthusiasm that can only be found at Bryant!

Kobe “Bryant"

Dr. Nelson, Miss. Sanchez, & Miss. G.

Pirate Treasure Hunt

Mrs. Broadnax, Mrs. Gonzales, & Mrs. Nielsen 

Mr. Brennan leading his crew through the treasure map

Teachers learning how technology can enhance learning

The use of a QR code to send ‘selflies’ of monkey faces

Taking selfies 

Working collaboratively to crack the pirate code

Puzzles to the next location on the map

Using Snapguides for learning

Miss. Fithian’s group successfully used a Snapguide to make a foldable

Selfies

Selfies

Selfies

Selfies

Selfies