Google docs Set-Up:
This week was a big week for Bigelow. EVERY Bigelow student has now set up their Google docs accounts, created and organized class folders, and shared those folders with their teachers. This new method of using Google docs should help to streamline the creating, sharing, and organizing of student work!
Using Quia as a Formative Assessment Tool in Spanish:
Both Ms. Martin's and Ms. Verdaguer's students spent time using Quia to review Spanish terms, and take quick and periodic assessments. This tool helps students to access work at their individual levels, and to move forward when they are ready. Click on the teachers' names to access their websites for more information.
Using Google Forms to Inform Classroom Teaching:
Mr. Souza brought his class into the lab for a review session. He started the students on a Google form to see what they already knew. When the students finished, he hid the column showing their names, and reviewed the questions and answers with the students. By the way they answered, he could tell the information on which he needed to focus to get the most out of the review session. The students could also see the information they personally needed to review before taking the exam. What was most interesting, is that the result were not identical from class to class, so each class got a review session tailored to their needs! Check out Mr. Souza's site to see what he did!!
Using Study Island in a Variety of Ways:
Both grade 7 clusters logged onto Study Island this week to provide their teachers with a baseline assessment from which to work. The teachers felt that the assessment was very informative, and it helped the students to re-acclimate themselves with the tool.
Cluster 6B visited the lab to use Study Island to reinforce particular skills they were learning in class. They continued their practice for homework.
Mimios are Making a Statement in Several Classrooms:
We are fortunate to have 3 Mimios floating around our school this year. These are not like the old fashioned copiers, but rather a thin machine that turns a regular white board into an interactive white board. Two of our Mimios are going to live in the 8th grade math classrooms, while the third can be signed out for teachers to use on an "as-need" basis. We are hoping these tools will make more of our classrooms interactive!!
Click HERE to learn more about Mimios. Several Bigelow teachers have already jumped on the bandwagon and received a mini-training!!
Chinese Class Learns to Type Chinese Characters:
6th, 7th, and 8th grade Chinese classes come into the lab on a regular basis to practice typing Chinese. As they learn new language, they also learn how to apply it through typing. Students in all three classes claim they feel that they spend equal time practicing speaking and writing, which helps them to be stronger Chinese students.
We will be posting some of their work soon. To learn more about the Chinese program at Bigelow, check out Ms. Gao's website!
Next week, we expect more fun projects, including Culture Glogs in ELL social studies, and "My Connection to the World" projects using Google Earth in 6th grade geography! Check in to see how they go!!
