News February 28, 2014
iOS 7.0.6 is here! This small update fixes a security issue that could compromise secure data like login information and passwords. Students should update their iPad to this latest version of iOS 7.
iOS 7.0.6 is here! This small update fixes a security issue that could compromise secure data like login information and passwords. Students should update their iPad to this latest version of iOS 7.
News March 7, 2013
Our 8th grade students received their laptops in February and have been using them in many of their classes. Here are some of the highlights from our 8th grade teachers.
Mrs. Bickel reports:
We've used Google Drive to create and share folders and presentations that introduce students to the class (Keynote & Google Presentations).
I record piano accompaniments in GarageBand and upload them in Google Drive so students can practice their part. All Solo & Ensemble accompaniment tracks are in Google drive for easy practicing as well.
Mrs. Hinkle reports:
My students are currently working on a literary essay which is also working with their Pages skills as well as saving and sharing documents in Google Drive. They also have a project due in 3 weeks which involves doing a plot diagram creatively using technology.
Mrs. Kraetzer reports:
Trail of Tears WebQuest Group work - this is something we could not do before each student had a laptop. We had to sign up for a computer lab.
Infomercials for inventions for the 1800s - explain product features - many students chose to record them on iMovie and then shared with Mrs. LaFrenier and me. We each have a couple of groups who did an outstanding job in a short amount of time.
French class - extension activities - free games that are right at their level for learning introductory aspects to French. Students can use their own headphones or earbuds and play them when they are done with the class assignments.
Mrs. Bickel reports:
We've used Google Drive to create and share folders and presentations that introduce students to the class (Keynote & Google Presentations).
I record piano accompaniments in GarageBand and upload them in Google Drive so students can practice their part. All Solo & Ensemble accompaniment tracks are in Google drive for easy practicing as well.
Mrs. Hinkle reports:
My students are currently working on a literary essay which is also working with their Pages skills as well as saving and sharing documents in Google Drive. They also have a project due in 3 weeks which involves doing a plot diagram creatively using technology.
Mrs. Kraetzer reports:
Trail of Tears WebQuest Group work - this is something we could not do before each student had a laptop. We had to sign up for a computer lab.
Infomercials for inventions for the 1800s - explain product features - many students chose to record them on iMovie and then shared with Mrs. LaFrenier and me. We each have a couple of groups who did an outstanding job in a short amount of time.
French class - extension activities - free games that are right at their level for learning introductory aspects to French. Students can use their own headphones or earbuds and play them when they are done with the class assignments.
News December 18, 2012
Our Pilot Program is going very well. In Language Arts students have been busy learning Pages® (a word processor and layout tool) by creating character sketches and then submitting their work through Google Docs™. In Social Studies, the students are using their MACS® to research Latin America and Keynote® (a presentation tool) to present their new found information to the class.
In Math they have been using many of the apps and infused programs with each other to generate student work. Programs we have used: Numbers® to make pie charts, Pages® to define and write short answers and Keynote® to produce presentations. We have used GarageBand® to do voiceovers in Keynote® as well as QuickTime®. We also used PhotoBooth® to create movies to import into Keynote® presentations.
They have been using "Edmodo" as a conversation hub and to easily access helpful websites. They are also using the Edmodo® planner, Stickies®, Notes® and several other MAC® tools to connect with their classmates and teachers. We are gearing up for videos next week - Looking forward to that. They are working hard learning MAC® shortcuts to streamline their processes.
The students have done some amazing things so far. We are excited to see what else we can create and learn.
Students are also learning how to troubleshoot problems, and share their knowledge with others as they rely on classmates to resolve issues and learn new applications.
In Math they have been using many of the apps and infused programs with each other to generate student work. Programs we have used: Numbers® to make pie charts, Pages® to define and write short answers and Keynote® to produce presentations. We have used GarageBand® to do voiceovers in Keynote® as well as QuickTime®. We also used PhotoBooth® to create movies to import into Keynote® presentations.
They have been using "Edmodo" as a conversation hub and to easily access helpful websites. They are also using the Edmodo® planner, Stickies®, Notes® and several other MAC® tools to connect with their classmates and teachers. We are gearing up for videos next week - Looking forward to that. They are working hard learning MAC® shortcuts to streamline their processes.
The students have done some amazing things so far. We are excited to see what else we can create and learn.
Students are also learning how to troubleshoot problems, and share their knowledge with others as they rely on classmates to resolve issues and learn new applications.
News November 12, 2013
Group of students editing video
We have held our parent meetings for the initial rollout of our One to One Initiative. If you were unable to attend one of the meetings and received the letter about your student's participation, please feel free to contact the office. We will send you the forms and answer any questions you may have. If your student is part of the pilot program, they will receive their laptop at the end of November, 2012. They will use it in their classrooms for a week or so to make sure they understand the proper use and care of the laptop. After that, those that opted to allow their student(s) to take the laptop home, will see them coming home with assignments to help them prepare for their school work the next day.
If you did not receive a letter, your student will be participating in the second phase of this Initiative, sometime in February, 2013.
If you did not receive a letter, your student will be participating in the second phase of this Initiative, sometime in February, 2013.
News November 16, 2013
Mrs. Schupbach's class connects with another classroom over Skype™
Mrs. Schupbach's class Skyped™ with a classroom in another state. Each class took turns giving clues to the other class about their location so they could guess their location. Some of her students were searching the internet with the clues they were given, while the rest of the students gave clues about our location here via Skype™. The classes did finally guess each other's location correctly through a little investigative work.
Think how much the students learned that they might otherwise not have known about the class they worked with in the other state. How much did they learn about our home state in order to give clues without making our location obvious? What clues would you give?
Think how much the students learned that they might otherwise not have known about the class they worked with in the other state. How much did they learn about our home state in order to give clues without making our location obvious? What clues would you give?
News November 5, 2012
Teachers will freely walk around the classroom, some instructing from an iPad as students follow along on their laptops, others will be assisting students as they work independently on their laptops. Lessons become interactive and take on a whole new meaning. Resources will be available in a new online environment, allowing the teachers to facilitate the process. Students will be composing music, creating videos, preparing dynamic presentations and more. Once the Middle School students have their laptops, we will begin planning for the High School rollout in the fall of 2013.
Western School District 1400 S. Dearing Rd. Parma, MI 49269 517.841.8100
Working together with our community to educate all students as individuals to become successful in a complex world.
www.westernschools.org
Working together with our community to educate all students as individuals to become successful in a complex world.
www.westernschools.org