Now that the MKG WIFI issue is resolved, the technology lab is back into full swing.  We continue coding and learning to use our home row hands in all grades.  Grade 1 begins Typetastic this week as they start their journey to being touch-typers extrordinaire!

Coding Resources for Home:
Code.org: https://studio.code.org/users/sign_in
Scratch: ​https://scratch.mit.edu/

Typing Resources for Home:
Typing.com (grades 3-5): ​https://www.typing.com/student/login
TypeTastic (grades 1-2): ​https://typetastic.com/learn.html

... and what a good time to practice typing!  Every student in grades 3-5 is encouraged to keep practicing their "Home Row Hands" on typing lessons, games, or tests on Typing.com.  Grade 2 has now or will very shortly learn to type (at a very basic level) all three rows of letters using their Home Row Hands on Typetastic.com - Keep Practicing!

A new prize for the end of the school year is being introduced over the next week or so:
1. The top 5 third grade typers will receive a Bronze Medal
2. The top 5 fourth grade typers will receive a Silver Medal
3. The top 5 fifth grade typers will receive a Gold Medal
4. The top 5 typers in the whole school will receive a Golden Laptop Trophy
5. The top typer in the whole school will receive the Golden Keyboard

Whole school leaders are exempted from the grade level prizes to make it fair.  The top typer gets two though!

Get those Home Row Hands going!

Cyberbullying: If you are looking for more information on the topic of cyberbullying, here is a video from Common Sense Media
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There's nothing scarier than forgetting where your home row hands go!  Make sure you don't get spooked by your own fingers this Halloween and practice your keyboarding using Typing.com, Nitrotype.com, or Typetastic.com

The school year is off and running.  In technology class, we will be working hard to grow our skills on our devices. 

Each class will be strengthening their keyboarding skills - from learning letter placement on the keyboard in 1st grade, to racing against the clock with their classmates in 5th grade.

Internet safety and digital citizenship will be a big focus this year again, especially in September.  Grade-level appropriate topics will be covered including keeping personal information private, avoiding scams, and safe searching.

Each class will also tackle a series of interesting activities including coding, making slideshows, formatting documents, and collaborating with classmates online.

Cheers to a great year!
- Mr. Steinberg

We are in the last few months of school and I hope you are all enjoying the warmer weather!  Our students are hard at work in the Technology Lab working on their typing skills, research skills, and their artifact creation skills. 

​Remember to encourage HOME ROW HANDS at home if your student is typing on a keyboard!  Budget about 10-15 minutes three times a week for students to practice their typing - they can use typing.com, nitrotype.com, or typetastic.com (for grade 1).

The school year is about to begin in a few weeks.  How prepared are you?  I hope you and your family are safe and staying healthy.  When it comes to technology at home, each student needs:

- Internet access (LAN or Wifi)
- Computer/laptop/tablet with keyboard
- Webcam (integrated or USB attached)
- Microphone (integrated or USB attached)
- Headphones

Email your teacher if you are missing any of these things.  I will be coming to each Online Academy classroom during "specials" within the first week or two of school to help everybody get set up with the different online platforms as well as start instruction on other topics like: Internet Safety, Keyboarding, and Coding.

Please reach out to me as well if you have any questions: 
Email: lsteinberg@middleboro.k12.ma.us

​See you all soon!

With spring almost here, and report cards on their way, this post is a friendly reminder to all students that your hard work in technology class is one of the most important factors when calculating your grade.  I pay attention to your home row hands and so should you!  

Also, a lot of students have been getting on the Typing Hall of Fame board and that is very exciting.  Keep up the good work everyone!

Coming in December, the Hour of Code week meets up with STEAM week to give the students of MKG a rousing two weeks of programming and computational thinking.  Students will have fun classroom-based activities with their teachers, and we will be working on some interesting projects in the computer lab.
5th Grade: CS First Project
4th Grade: Sprite Lab Project
3rd Grade: Flappy Bird Hour of Code
​2nd Grade: Star Wars Hour of Code
1st Grade: Introduction to Code

Want to try these at home to get ready? Go for it!  Feel free to check out any of these links, plus anything on https://hourofcode.com/us/learn.  Enjoy!

As the different grades finish up learning about Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship, here are some helpful links to keep on learning:
Safe Online Surfing - FBI.gov
​NetSmartz.org
​Digital Passport
Brainpop Jr. - Internet Safety

​Happy October!