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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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