Technology in SBEC's Elementary School

"Technology" seems to be the big buzz word these days in education. Everywhere you look, there is some new product, new social media website, new expensive gadget being advertised. Sure it's cool, but what's all the fuss about really?

These days, our students are growing up in a technology rich culture. It's amazing to think that our kindergarteners will probably never know a day without the internet, a cell phone, or an invisible Cloud holding all their data. How is this relevant to the education they are receiving at SBEC? Why should students use technology in school when they spend so much time outside of school using it?

Since our students live in a technological culture, they are so much more adaptable with technology than we are as adults. They are used to moving from Xbox, to Wii, to PC, to Mac, to iPad, to Kindle, etc, and it is important that we engage their culture in an academic environment. Elementary students don't necessarily need to learn how to use an iPad, iPod Touch, or laptop; most already know how to use these devices or similar devices. Instead, we can use technology as a transparent tool for learning.

With that being said, the focus of technology in education is not on the device itself, but what and how the students are learning. The students' unique interaction with the educational material allows the technology to disappear in the classroom and be overshadowed by the academics themselves. Not only is technology engaging to our students, but it is also an avenue for independent, critical, and creative thinking; skills that students will carry with them well beyond academia.

At SBEC, we are dedicated to providing students with opportunities to use technology in ways that enhance their school experience and bridge academics with culture in a relevant way. If you have any questions about how we are using technology in our elementary school, please feel free to contact me at ehopkins@sbectrojans.com.

Emily Hopkins
SBEC Technology Integrator
Grades PK-6                                               

Elementary Spanish

Elementary Spanish is going well this nine weeks.   SK and first grade students are learning colors, numbers, and how to ask each other their names in Spanish.   Second grade is reviewing the months of the year and will be working on a calendar this month. Third grade students are reviewing the alphabet , while the fourth grade has been reviewing basic mapping skills before the study of the twenty-one Spanish speaking countries of the world.

Our fifth graders have learned 131 new words and have completed a study on Mexico. They will begin a study about the Aztecs later this month.  They come to Spanish as part of the fine arts program two days a week.

Sixth grade Spanish class has been busy reading two books aloud in Spanish and will begin a third one this month. They have also studied The Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico annually, and made traditional skull magnets and marigold flowers commemorating the celebration.  Sixth grade students may choose Spanish three days per week as an elective in the fine arts program.

As the curriculum builds each year, the students leave elementary school with a foundation of vocabulary and cultural knowledge to assist them in their study of Spanish as they enter high school.

   

Judy B. Arthur

Elementary Spanish Teacher