Tech Integration in GVSD

Aiim.org. (2017).   http://www.aiim.org/~/media/AIIM_Real_Images/600x400/Collaboration_lightbulb-illustration.jpg [Accessed 24 Oct. 2017]. The Collaboration Process: Part 1 Here is a story to help lay out how collaboration begins, develops and changes here in Garnet Valley.  It is student driven and facilitated, with the teachers providing the framework.   The Beginning One student question to rule the world! So we may not be Lord of the Rings, but a student did ask one question, which led to bigger things that are now ruling our teacher world.  Let’s take a peek into Miss Abes’ 6th Grade ATP classroom. Students are grouped at tables with Chromebooks open working on a Nearpod about Digital Citizenship.  The class discussion is about the internet and how we use it safely.  Talking points are as follows: Important to have a Positive Digital Footprint Be careful what you say, do and find online What you do online cannot be erased As the discussion

So far this year, Garnet Valley classrooms have been connecting with many schools throughout the United States of America and Canada.  Students are learning geography, culture, and different ways to collaborate and learn. Here are a list of states that we have connected with via Mystery Skype. Geography: So how does it work?  Students from both classrooms take turns asking Yes or No type questions via Skype or other forms of video chat such as Facetime, or Google Hangouts.  Once a question gets answered, students cross off states on a map.  This is a phenomenal way for students to learn Geography.  They are scaffolded to use certain types of vocabulary: North, South, East, West, Border, Great Lakes, River, Longitude and Latitude, Landlocked, etc. GV students asked, "Does your state border the Pacific Ocean?"  Students on the other end answered, "NO!"  GV students are crossing off states that border the ocean! Culture:  Once both sets of students fin

What do footprints, citizenship and cereal all have to do with our students? They are all part of how students create a positive, online presence through Digital Citizenship and Digital Branding at Garnet Valley School District. As showcased last year , teachers are stepping it up and taking Digital Citizenship to a new level throughout the district. K-5 Footprins In the elementary schools, students begin to understand that each time they post or are posted online, they are leaving a digital “footprint”.  This footprint is never erased and what they do now matters. Students are encouraged to take control of their digital footprint and to leave as much positive content so that it drowns out any of the negative that may appear.  Students in 5th grade sign a pledge to be good digital citizens that is hung in the hallway all year long.  Students learn about positive guidelines to posting and commenting online and are taught to T.H.I.N.K. : Middle School-Citizenship In 6t

Feeding the homeless? Talking to NASA?  Improving health through napping? These are just a few of the topics that can be explored in Mrs. Crowther’s 9th Grade English classes at Garnet Valley High School. Mrs. Crowther is encouraging her students to become problem finders, critical thinkers and world changers by allowing them the opportunity to participate in Genius Hour, a project designed for the classroom by A.J. Juliani and John Spencer . See videos below for an explanation and how to start one in your own classroom.   This week the students began the project by “pitching their ideas” Shark Tank style.  Each student pitched the following to their peers: The question they wanted to answer Why they chose that question How they would research the answer What they would do with the answer when they found it We were blown away with the ideas and passions that came from the students.  They were passionate and showed an amazing amount of empathy for others

In the last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to visit many classrooms across my district that were participating in Global Day of Design. (For those of you that aren't familiar with Global Day of Design,  click here ).  As I visited different classrooms there were three things that really stood out to me:  smiles on students' faces, perseverance as a common behavior and collaboration as a consistent theme. As I resonated on what I observed a question came to mind: What are we teaching our students through the opportunity of participating in a Global Day of Design?  The answer is simple, all the  right stuff . Just imagine if we provided our students with more than just a day. By providing students with an understanding and framework of design thinking and allowing them to identify problems and work to seek solutions, we are creating thinkers, problem-solvers, and individuals that can make real life changes. Students attitudes towards learning also shift when provi

Ms. Lorusso was thinking of another way for her students to express themselves using poetry.  After some exploration, she came across a poetry lesson using  SCRATCH .  She instructed her students to pick a poem, read through the poem and find 4 major parts, and express it with computer programming through Scratch.   Here are the AMAZING results along with some pictures!  Great job 6th grade!! Raj Bronson Erin Casey Ms. Lorusso instructing the boys what is needed in their scratch project! A labeled "SCRATCH GURU" getting ready to help out a classmate 6th Graders are thoroughly engaged in making their Scratch Poetry come alive! 

Hands-on Approach to Celebrating Earth Day   What better way to teach 1st graders about the Earth than to have them experience what it means to reduce, reuse and recycle. In one of the elementary schools in which I teach I created stations for hands-on learning to teach important concepts to the students in hopes that by providing concrete examples they would walk away with a stronger knowledge of why we celebrate the Earth and how each of them can care for it. There were four stations set up in the Makerspace. Each student completed each station by the end of the class period. Students used recycled water bottles to build planters. Each student added soil and planted seeds to start the growth of a new plant. This activity not only showed students how they can repurpose materials but gave them something to care for. When students create things themselves it gives a deeper meaning to their learning. Students also created cheerio bird feeders. Using pipe cleaners, they strung

Breakout EDU has been a big hit in the GVSD!  There are many teachers that are learning how to implement Breakout Edu into their curriculum.  It teaches students of all ages how to work together in a positive way!  Check out these sessions from the High School, Middle School and the Elementary Schools!  The ultimate goal is for students to work together in both small groups and in a whole group in order to solve clues and break out of a lockbox in about 30-40 minutes.  So how can you infuse this into your classroom?  Well, here are a few examples! High School Freshman and Seniors Broke Out!  Collaboration at its best! Mrs. Melnick's Pre-Algebra class had to simplify multiple expressions.  The expressions were the clues needed to breakout of the box! Students simplified their expressions and broke out in under 30 minutes!  Great job!! Mrs. Stec's class Broke out practicing for the PSSA's 5th Grade BSES Teachers learned about BreakoutEDU by bei