by Tomeka Hartsfield
Technology/Media
There are so many fun and exciting things happening with technology on the Raleigh campus. First, I would like to announce our newest 6th grade elective “Intro to Computer Science Fundamentals”. This has been a well received elective and enrollment was incredible. The students learn various computer science concepts while using problem solving and critical thinking skills. The students are enjoying learning to code in fun and engaging ways……AND they create their own game! Here is an example of a student created game:
https://studio.code.org/c/260618590
The 6th grade Multimedia class received brand new cameras this year so we started the year with photography. The students went on a camera scavenger hunt around the school to capture beautiful pictures while applying their photography rules learned in class. Also, we have been creating biblical podcasts and book trailers. The 6th Multimedia class will be creating a video from their 6th grade retreat. I love when our students can apply their skills for practical uses.
The 5th graders have been getting comfortable taking their computers home. I love seeing all of the fun and cool computer sleeve decorations. The 5th graders have been reviewing their word processing and presentation skills. Finally this quarter, they will be learning email etiquette and the importance of etiquette with online communication. This is one lesson we repeat every year!
The 4th graders have been learning how to use their MacBooks. They have learned the hardware and software of the MacBooks. Specifically with software, they are learning how to use Talon with assignments and calendar. Finally this quarter, they have been learning word processing and actually using it to type stories and other documents.
Finally, 3rd grade has been busy learning how to type properly. They have been learning the placement of all of the keys in relation to the home row keys all while sitting up straight, feet flat on the floor, elbows to the side, and eyes on the screen….Yikes! They are doing a great job and I am very proud of them for not complaining and grumbling but staying diligent and doing their best. By the end of this quarter they will be typing with their keyboards covered:-/
Monday, November 14, 2016
A 'Bot in Our TK-K Classrooms!
Robots are being used to teach coding and other critical skills in all grades. We are using them this year in our younger grades (Transitional Kindergarten through 1st grade).
I purchased a
BeeBot for our MakerCart. My
goal was to teach one technology lesson each quarter this year, using
the BlueBot and other tools.
I
asked our teachers if I could come to their class for a
15-minute lesson in September. I brought my BeeBot and the grid where I placed 4 shapes in 4
colors on the grid.
Now I was ready for my first class!
I explained that BeeBot would only where we told him to go. Gathering the children around, I asked the children to code the BeeBot by pressing the directional keys on top of the BeeBot.
Although
we didn't have time for everyone to have a
turn, they were engaged and loved having BeeBot come to visit their
class.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
lechuga en el jardín
Spanish class has planted "lechuga" in the garden at GRACE.
We are hoping to all enjoy "una ensalada" soon!
Monday, September 26, 2016
Portraits, Portraits Everywhere!
Merrily Boyd, K-6 Art Teacher
As students finish up their first art project of the year, you'll start to notice many faces adorning the walls at GRACE. "Why all the self-portraits?" you might ask. "Why do students start art class each year with the same project?"
One of the fun things about self-portraits is that they are never the same from year to year. Of course, as I explain to students, they grow and change from year to year and their portraits will reflect those changes! A student's kindergarten self-portrait project will hardly resemble their fifth grade self-portrait. Not only do students' skills improve (sometimes drastically) from one year to the next, so that they can more accurately represent their physical appearance, but they also get new haircuts, lose teeth, get glasses or braces, and so on. I encourage students to show the little details that make them unique at the particular time that they are working on their portrait so that in future years they can look back and remember what life was like in first grade or third grade, for example. You may see details like freckles or band-aids or a favorite headband--all of these are students' way of capturing a moment in time and showing just how God designed each of them to be completely unique and special, different from every other person.
Each year we look at some famous self-portraits from art history, including a few by Rembrandt. He painted over 80 self-portraits during his lifetime, showing himself as a young man, then a successful middle-aged artist, and finally as white-haired and aging. What an amazing record he left! I encourage students to hold onto the self-portraits they make in each grade as one way they can look back when they're older and remember their time at GRACE.
While self-portraits are the subject, the way we create them varies for each grade level. This provides an opportunity for students to learn many new skills and techniques and experiment with a variety of media. Kindergarten students create collages of their faces from cut paper, while first-graders use markers and focus on filling the background space. In second grade, students use glue to outline their image on black paper and fill in with chalk pastel, adding a horizon line and favorite place in the background. Third grade students read I Ain't Gonna Paint No More by Karen Beaumont and take inspiration from the book's illustrations, showing themselves in a familiar room (all in black and white, with the only color resulting from splatter-painting). In fourth grade, we view art by mixed- media artist Romare Bearden, who was born in North Carolina, and combine a background collage with a contour line self-portrait. Fifth-graders really strive for accuracy, studying the Photorealism of Chuck Close and practicing the grid method by referencing a photo they take of themselves using PhotoBooth on their MacBooks.
By GRACE's Grandparents' Day celebration on October 14th, all students will be finished with their self-portraits, and you'll see their beautiful artwork decorating our school. I hope our grandparents and other visitors will enjoy looking at and talking with students about all of the "faces of GRACE" that will line the halls!
As students finish up their first art project of the year, you'll start to notice many faces adorning the walls at GRACE. "Why all the self-portraits?" you might ask. "Why do students start art class each year with the same project?"
Kindergarten self-portraits at GRACE
One of the fun things about self-portraits is that they are never the same from year to year. Of course, as I explain to students, they grow and change from year to year and their portraits will reflect those changes! A student's kindergarten self-portrait project will hardly resemble their fifth grade self-portrait. Not only do students' skills improve (sometimes drastically) from one year to the next, so that they can more accurately represent their physical appearance, but they also get new haircuts, lose teeth, get glasses or braces, and so on. I encourage students to show the little details that make them unique at the particular time that they are working on their portrait so that in future years they can look back and remember what life was like in first grade or third grade, for example. You may see details like freckles or band-aids or a favorite headband--all of these are students' way of capturing a moment in time and showing just how God designed each of them to be completely unique and special, different from every other person.
Each year we look at some famous self-portraits from art history, including a few by Rembrandt. He painted over 80 self-portraits during his lifetime, showing himself as a young man, then a successful middle-aged artist, and finally as white-haired and aging. What an amazing record he left! I encourage students to hold onto the self-portraits they make in each grade as one way they can look back when they're older and remember their time at GRACE.
Self-Portraits by Rembrandt van Rijn (1629, 1640, 1669)
By GRACE's Grandparents' Day celebration on October 14th, all students will be finished with their self-portraits, and you'll see their beautiful artwork decorating our school. I hope our grandparents and other visitors will enjoy looking at and talking with students about all of the "faces of GRACE" that will line the halls!
"I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:14
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Annie!
Jaime Hartley, Theatre/Dance
Annie is coming to GRACE Christian School!
An interest meeting will take place on OCTOBER 20, 2016 @ 4:00pm in the Raleigh dance studio for all 3rd-5th grade students who are wanting to audition. Parents are encouraged to come. This year's musical will have students from 3rd-12th grade. We are excited to be able to offer specific roles to our 3rd-5th grade students.
Annie is coming to GRACE Christian School!
An interest meeting will take place on OCTOBER 20, 2016 @ 4:00pm in the Raleigh dance studio for all 3rd-5th grade students who are wanting to audition. Parents are encouraged to come. This year's musical will have students from 3rd-12th grade. We are excited to be able to offer specific roles to our 3rd-5th grade students.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)