Explorers

1. Explorers A Model for Integrating Information and Technology Literacies in K-6 Christine MacPherson, Educational Technologist, Kindergarten Center Administrator Jennifer Chillrud, School Librarian

2. Rationale • Lack of a comprehensive and consistent technology and information literacy curricula • Teachers and students are unaware of resources available and how to use them • Lab time being used for a wide range of activities including but not limited to Google image searches, word processing, educational games • New librarian ½ time in our Primary School grades 1-3 and ½ time in the Intermediate School grades 4 and 5 • K-12 Educational Technologist • Available lab time one day a week

3. And We’re Off…. • We began in the Fall of 2008 as a pull out enrichment program called Explorers for second grade students during the scheduled AIS time. • Fall 2009, we felt confident we could offer all primary classes 6 week collaborative units • Sessions model and integrate information, media and technology skills into grade specific themes

4. 2009 Year One: Grade One • Things began to take shape with input from the teachers on grade level topics. We launched Explorers Fall 2009 beginning with first grade students. This grade needed extra hands in the computer lab at the beginning of the year and were new to the building. We integrated the technology and information literacies into a health unit. • Standards: • CCSS for Informational Text • Key Ideas and Details. • Craft and Structure • Integrating Information with Key Ideas

5. 2009 Year One: Grade Two • Second grade Explorers evolved from the enrichment program to become a fairy tales unit. • We chose to focus on reading skills. Having three teachers allowed us to group according to reading level. • We will talk about this unit in more detail later. • Standards: • CCSS for Literature • Key Ideas and Details. • Craft and Structure • Integrating Information with Key Ideas

6. Second Grade ExplorersFairy Tales and Readers’ Theatre • Our Students will learn: • What makes a fairy tale different from other fiction • What is a fractured fairy tale • Skills for reading with expression • Skills to use word cloud software (Tagxedo) • How to share an audio presentation on the school’s website

7. Second Grade ExplorersFairy Tales and Readers’ Theatre Our unit is outlined on the school website. This allows: Families to see what we do Teachers to work on the unit during class Students to review the work Us to rely on subs to pinch hit if necessary Single place to access resources Keep everyone aware of the flow and timing of the unit

8. 2009 Year One: Grade Three • Third grade Explorers was built around the Social Studies curriculum, Communities Around the World. Specifically for us, countries included England, Italy, China and Mexico. We introduced subscription databases to both students and teachers. Students learned to navigate information: online, in books, globes, gps etc. • Standards: • CCSS for Informational Text, Craft and Structure.

9. Improving with Time and Adapting to Change • Improvements: • Single Theme Grade 1-5 • Tweak the units each year • Cut-backs • Team cut in half • Rely on volunteers • Tweak again (readers’ theatre moves up a grade)

10. Things Learned Along the Way… • Be flexible • Be patient with technology • Try something new • Think big picture and cross grade-level • Dedicate time to reflect and rethink each year • Have a web presence…it helps you remember! • Share and seek support from the IT Dept. in advance