This week, as a belated #hourofcode (which we hosted in December), the Early Years 1 classes explored BeeBots for the first time. BeeBots is basically a programmable robot where arrows and a ‘GO’ button tell the BeeBot where to move. Introductory Video from Youtube: What is it? How does it work? The class teacher decided to take…
Introducing Google eBooks! Great for: grade 2 and up who have google accounts classes with shared laptops (or 1:1 laptops) no iPad classrooms (therefore limited book creation apps) low tech students; language learning; learning support needs (collaborative element takes pressure off individual performance) pre-cursor for more complex eBook creation apps (ex: iBooks Author; Keynote etc) Why…
Why Blogs? real-world application of all strands of literacy encouraging reluctant writers/readers creative space for students to share learning modelling digital citizenship student authorship global connections exploring features of different texts showcasing learning creating links between home-school expanding classroom walls fostering pride and independence in students Not convinced? Read THIS Day 1: Introducing Easy Blogger Jr. to Grade…
What skills do students learn through eBook creation? In Grade 1, students are working on a How We Organize Ourselves unit of inquiry. They are investigating private and public spaces and looking at what brings people together. During the collaborative planning meeting, teachers discussed a way to document their progress during the unit and we…
As an international PYP school, we cater to many non-English speakers. To encourage some of these non-native English speakers to participate and engage with the class community in Early Years, we introduced an app called Furry Friend. This interactive app is great for engaging young students in simple play and conversation. Students can play independently…
As the techology facilitator at a PYP school, I am constantly on the look out for engaging apps that enhance learning and don’t just replace what students could do with physical materials and tools. I spent a lot of time in the first few weeks learning about the play-based Reggio Emilia approach at our PYP…
It’s the beginning of school and Early Years teachers (EY1) are busy establishing routines and habits to help children adjust to being at school for the first time. We are a PYP school that focuses on applying a Reggio-Emilia approach to learning for 3-5 year olds. There are many creative ways teachers engage students in…
Term 3 Panic Attack So it’s now mid-April and 3/4 of my Grade 4 students still do not know their times tables. Sure there has been some improvement since the start of the year. All of our math lessons took place in small group rotations and scaffolded ability-based instruction. Throughout the year we’ve inquired into…
Innovative Schools Project (Yayasan Emmanuel) This past Saturday, 6 teachers from SWA visited SDN 13 Pondok Labu Primary School in South Jakarta. We arrived around 8am with time to spare before our 70 participants arrived.The room was much smaller than we’d anticipated, making the rotations plan a bit of a challenge! Still, once everyone arrived,…
Field Trip to Santi Rama School for the Deaf UOI: How We Express Ourselves CI: People can create and manipulate messages to target specific audiences. To introduce ourselves to students at Santi Rama School for the Deaf…Grade 4s prepared an ASL version of Owl City’s “Fireflies”! The purpose of this trip was to build a…
Innovative Learning 