Hi I am a computer teacher at a private Catholic school in Indiana USA and was wondering about some of the ideas for the junior high students. This is my first year and I want to do some fun activities with the kids.

very interesting. In my country kindergarten just sing or drawing.I like it

Hi Wanda,

I teach Pre-K at an independent school in Philadelphia.  We have SMARTboards in every room.  I do enjoy using the SMARTboard and I am always interested in what other teachers have developed. Would you mind sharing your electronic samples with me?

Thanks

Stephanie Moore

springsideprek@epals.com

Kristen,

   My name is Wanda Gunter and I am the Tech Teacher at Willow School in Homewood, IL.  I teach every K-2 student in the Computer Lab once per week(a total of close to 600 kids!)  I do many, many activities with them.  We use Kidpix4 and Kidspiration the most.  But, I also use Powerpoint for several projects.  I have presented at several conferences locally and nationally and would be willing to send you work samples, blank templates, etc.  I find that it is easier and easier to teach Technology to kindergartners because they are now on the computer at least by 2 years old!  Anyway, I find that if you hold the bar high, concentrate on strong modeling, the students can and will perform.  If you would like any electronic samples, please provide your email.  Good luck!  Wanda Gunter

Wanda Gunter

Willow School

Homewood, IL

gunterwa153@epals.com

Hi I would love to share ideas on teaching with technology in the k classroom.  My school has smartboards in all of our classes, even the k classrooms.  I've been using my for 2 years and it's fabulous.  I'm exploring how to interact with other classrooms and perhaps coordinate on projects. 

Using tech-- our most recent project was creating podcasts of the student of the day's activites.  I call them VIP activities that the students prepare at home and then they present in class.  The parents are loving going to my website and listening to the podcasts of their kids.

reply back, I'm new so I don't know my epals account email yet.

susan

Hi Anjel,

I teach K-5 I would be interested in sharing ideas on how to teach technology to all these grades.  If you would like to share project ideas, please email me and I will get back to you.

Thanks,

Sandra

Hi, For internet use there is Starfall.com, an awesome site. Also there you can have students create powerpoints with beginning, middle and end of story. They can record their voice and write text as a class.

I teach tech to grades K-7 and yes, K is very challenging. I tend to let them focus on basic things. Drills in keyboarding their name, numbers, etc. Main keys they should know is where is the space bar, shift key, enter, and backspace. Working on mouse skills and precision with things like map puzzles or dress up games--there's a website called mouse aerobics or something that takes them all the way through mouse skills like filling in checkboxes, scrolling etc. Basic paint tools like microsoft paint or tux paint. Learning how to use some simple equipment like scanner or camera. They should also know the difference in the computer and monitor. Be able to identify mouse and keyboard. YOu might also introduce input/output devices. I have some web pages and lesson plans I can share with you if you like.

Hi, Kristen, I am sure that all this time of this year you have more experience. I am the first grade in kindergarten but the sorts of electronic media for it is easy because we find many tools for do more easy our work. leanim504@epals.com

Hi Kristen, I can relate to you. I'm not a first year teacher, however, this is my second year teaching Kindergarten. Besides using software in the classroom, I find it difficult to use other sorts of electronic media with my Kinder students. I've also read some of the suggestions given to you and most of them are through the use of software, but nothing on having them get started with internet use. Adriana Herrera

Dear Kristen, I am not really technology savvy, but I do locate and use already produced power points, I also find some fun content related interactive sites and show those as well. All I have is a computer and a projector that projects onto a screen. Try brainpop and brainpop, jr. for a start. Paige

Hello Kristen, My son is in kindergarten and they are on the computer at least 2 times a week using their AR program (reading). They also play math games. Maybe this will help.

Hi, these are all great suggestions for the use of software with Kindergartners. However, how would you use a project/lesson plan that demonstrates K-students are able to evaluate the authenticity of an Internet website.

The best way to do it is with a Smartboard. I have done many Kidspiration lessons interactively with Pre-K and Kindergarten students. If you have 1, 2 or 3 computers in your classroom, get some good software for them, like Reader Rabbit, Mighty Math K-2 etc. and rotate your students through them. If you need any more advice, let me know. I have been teaching Computers to K for 16 years. Patti

Hey Kristen, I am a Technology Coordinator in Newark, New Jersey and I work in a Pre K-5 school. The Kindergarten teacher and I have had a lot of success with our Kindergarten classes. They visit the computer room twice a month (every other week). We use: MS Word to type word list working our way to sentences by the end of the year for those that are ready. (tech skills include, using the mouse and the keyboard, spacing, capital letters with the shift key. We use starfall.com alot to reinforce letter recognition and colors. This also helps the children with using the mouse. We us Kidspiration for teacher made activities which teach and reinforce various skills. Building vocabulary is very important. (basic computer parts, special key recognition (tab, spacebar, backspace, and enter), building oral cues (ie. When I say press the enter key, you use your keyboard, when I say click the start button, you use the mouse... press means keyboard and click means mouse) email me sabdulqawi@nps.epals.com I would love to discuss this further with you. Stacey