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First, there is Laura's understanding of how kids learn technology. Before they start this project, she exposes them to Google Docs and lets them explore the program. It didn't take long for the kids to of course find the chat feature in Google Docs. For some teachers, this would have been a reason to stop using Google Docs, for others like Laura, it was a teaching opportunity and a chance to use it for learning. A quick call to the carpet, the class talked about the chat. Why did Google put it there? How would you use it? What would you say? And off they go again exploring the program.

It didn't take long for the kids to of course find the chat feature in Google Docs. For some teachers, this would have been a reason to stop using Google Docs, for others like Laura, it was a teaching opportunity and a chance to use it for learning. A quick call to the carpet, the class talked about the chat. Why did Google put it there? How would you use it? What would you say? And off they go again exploring the program.

Google Doc Templates for "Student Newspaper."

Brain Nook is a virtual world in which students can practice their mathematics and English skills

Learn Your Tables is a neat little site for students to use to learn and develop multiplication skills.

Ten Marks, an online mathematics tutoring service, offers a free program for teachers.

I used to think blogging was an add-on. I didn’t realise that it can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom literacy program. I used to feel guilty about taking time away from my reading and writing curriculum. It was a light bulb moment for me when I realised that blogging is literacy; and an authentic and important style of literacy too. Now a day without blogging as part of my literacy block would be hard to imagine.

There are three considerations when addressing Internet safety with these students. First, the transfer of handling strangers in "real life" to those in virtual environments is not automatic. It needs to be taught. Second, while most "Stranger Danger" programs teach that strangers are scary, mean and want to hurt or abduct children, this contradicts the way collaboration occurs between strangers online. Not all strangers are dangerous. Lastly, in "real life," students can walk or run away from a potential threat. In an online environment, the danger is inside a student's home and hard to escape without the necessary skills for handling tough situations. This is a lesson that I have done with my kindergarten and first grade students to introduce the idea that strangers exist on the Internet and to discuss how we should interact with them.

SciTech Tucson is hosting Southern Arizona Hour of Code Week – March 24th-30th, 2014. Whether you are a K-12 classroom teacher or an after school club advisor, SciTech Tucson challenges you to open the door for your students to experience the world of computer programming. The largest initiative of its kind, the Hour of Code is a campaign to recruit 10 million students to try computer science for ONE HOUR. It is so easy, you do not even need experience as a computer programmer to engage your students. You also do not need access to computers for your students to participate. Register, and engage your students for an Hour of Code, to receive certificates for you and each one of them!*