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Reflection of a Grade Changer

10/14/2016

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Submitted by Karen Norton-Smith
​ First Grade Teacher, Church Lane Elementary School
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​I have taught kindergarten for 8 years at Church Lane Elementary Technology.  Our Lighthouse Status and one-to-one devices have opened doors to new and exciting resources.  During the 2015-2016 school year, our kindergartners received their devices.  My teaching team headed full-force into small group instruction to implement them into the classroom.  The students showed such amazing knowledge with computers and programs.  Many students were able to teach me new things and, therefore, teach their peers.  We call these geniuses, “Device Managers.”  This enabled me to focus more on interventions and small group instruction.  By the end of our school year, devices were being used in various ways across curriculum – with research, writing, publishing, learning activities, and, etc.
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This school year, I moved to 1st grade; it has been a great transition due to several factors.  First, I know where the students are coming from, the knowledge they have gained and the curriculum instruction they have received; they have also had an entire school year of learning how to use our devices and programs.  This has made settling into our routines faster and easier.  With little-to-no reminders, students are getting into programs on BCPS One and on their desktops with ease.  Even our two new students are easing into use of devices and programs so much so that they are becoming Device Managers as well.  This is enabling me to assess students, instruct in small groups and intervene for students who are approaching grade level.  We have approached and tried new programs, like Classflow and Board Builder together.  As we use these new programs, we discuss our successes, the best ways to use them and how to solve problems together.  It seems as if our growth this year could be endless.
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MakerSpace at Rodgers Forge Elementary

10/7/2016

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Submitted by Katie Schmidt
5th Grade Teacher, Rodgers Forge Elementary
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Rodgers Forge Elementary unveiled its new “MakerSpace” at the start of the 2016-2017 school year.  Students and teachers alike were incredibly excited to get in and make use of the new location in which students are encouraged to explore, problem-solve, collaborate, create, engineer and more…all while making real world connections!
 
The room is filled with a variety of materials for students to use as they explore concepts and/or create projects.  Some examples include cardboard, foil, clay, rubber bands, littleBits®, soda bottles, milk jugs, old CDs, small craft supplies, pipe cleaners, and coffee filters just to name a few.  Many of the items used in the MakerSpace are reusable, which ties in with our Green School initiative as well. 
 
“I really like the MakerSpace because it gives you a chance to use your creativity,” explains fifth grader Amelia Bolin.  “If you have an idea during class, you don’t have to just think about it anymore, you can actually go to the MakerSpace to build it!” 

 
Megan Patton, resource teacher at Rodgers Forge Elementary, has been doing introductory sessions in the MakerSpace for various classes.  "We have been having so much fun getting to know our new Makerspace,” Patton shares.  “We read The Most Magnificent Thing and students were given mystery bags filled with random items that they used to create something new. As we move forward, we will be building and testing what we have built. Stay tuned for some fun fall activities in the Makerspace."
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    Reflections from teachers, administrators, and students at the Lighthouse Schools.

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