Hour of Code Continues at Gattis

Hour of Code continues, everyone is getting in on the action at Gattis. Even our Principal, Mrs. Lucas can code! Check her out as she joins Mrs. Duckworth's second graders in the library learing to code with Kodable and Lightbot apps. Kodable you can play from your computer, ipad or android.

Link: There is a link off the Student Resources Page called: CODE to make access easy at school or home. This takes you to code.org, a site with lots of online coding games that the levels build. Great to have students use on chromebooks, laptops, or computers or other devices that are internet enabled.

Hour of Code in Library

This Week is Computer Science Education Week, December 7-13. There is a movement nationwide to get students to try one hour of code. It’s much easier than it sounds!  

History of Hour of Code: More than 100 million students have tried an Hour of Code. Last year, every Apple Store in the world hosted an Hour of Code and even President Obama wrote his first line of code as part of the campaign. This year, let's make it even bigger. I’m asking you to join in for the Hour of Code 2015. Please get involved with an Hour of Code event during Computer Science Education Week, December 7-13.

 Link: There is a link off the Student Resources Page called: CODE to make access easy at school or home. This takes you to code.org, a site with lots of online coding games that the levels build. Great to have students use on chromebooks, laptops, lab or BYOD.

Coding in the Library:  In the Library this week and next ALL of the Gattis Students will have a chance to code!  Here are some of our Kinder students coding first think this morning with Kodable. If they can do it, you can do it!

Apps to try: If you have an ipad

·         Kodable

·         Daisy the Dinosaur

·         Run Marco! (in Spanish too)

·         Lightbot

Digital Graphic Art Logos

In Mrs. Scalan's Art classes 5th graders collaborated in groups and came up with an existing product such as skateboard, guitar, t-shirt, etc, and then decided upon an overall theme for their product design. They learned about logo design and then created their own logo in the Google Chrome App "Sumo Paint". Also, students are to think of a slogan to accompany their logo which connects to their chosen theme. Their final assignment is to create their own individual design for their group's chosen product. Their design must fit within their group's chosen theme. 

Google Classroom at Gattis

Ms. Carlson is one of several of our Gattis teachers that is trying Google Classroom with her students. It's a way that students can safely get links to documents, post individual or group assignments, answer questions and more. Files are automatically sorted in student Google Drive folders.  Since RRISD is a Google Apps for Education district this application is available for our teachers to use. Ask your student if they have tried Google Classroom. Here are some of the second graders in action!

Lit & Tech in 2nd Grade

Gattis Elementary Second Grade Team supporting 4th grade grammar skills.  We use Jeff Anderson approach daily using literature and technology. Students are engaged and enjoy doing their lessons on a daily bases.

Digital Citizenship Week Oct. 19-23

Digital Citizenship Week October 19-23

All around the world and throughout RRISD students, teachers and families are celebrating Digital Citizenship Week.  We encourage families to “Have the Talk” with their students. We want our students to be responsible, respectful and safe citizens in the digital world.  Visit Common Sense Media for resources and ideas on how you can promote Digital Citizenship at home.

​See the RRISD Digital Citizenship Site for more.

Monday:  "Stay Safe Online"
What does it mean to be a good digital citizen?  Keep online experiences safe and secure. 

Tuesday:  "It's Hip to be Aware"
Be aware that everywhere you go online, everything you post leaves a trail.  It's called your digital footprint. 

Wednesday:  "Stand up to Cyberbullying"
Treat people the way we want to be treated. This day is Unity Day. Wear Orange to show your stand against bullying online or in person.

Thursday:  "Give Credit Where Credit is Due"
Just because you found it on the internet, doesn't mean you can use it. Copyright laws protect creative work.  

Friday:  "Balance is Best!"
A healthy balance between technology and other activities is key. Be with the ones you're with!

ABCya Math = Happy 1st Grade

Mrs. Weimann's class explored ABCya's Numbers activities online at http://www.abcya.com/first_grade_computers.htm#numbers-cat  Students work on laptops in the classroom and were able to select a numbers activity to work on. After you get a certain amount right you get a "bonus game" one student told me.  Several students were very excited to show me how well they could solve the math problems. Great thing about abcya.com is that students can choose their grade level, then the subject and then a more specific topic.