Elementary Students and Technology

When you think of technology, what immediately comes to mind? What about the technology that you used when you were in school?

For most of us, some type of desktop computer probably comes to mind - maybe an Apple IIg or a Commodore 64. For others, a graphing calculator might be the most significant technology.

I'm guessing no one though of the light switch as technology, but 150 years ago, this would certainly have been a major technological advance.

The key point to keep in mind is that we don't consider things that existed by the time we were born to be technology; they're just expected.

The image below illustrates the various "light switch" technologies for current college students (the bottom line, just above the timeline), current high school students (one line up), current middle school students (second to the top), and current elementary school students (the top line).

Current college students have never known life without Google; search engines for finding new information are a fact of life for students born after 1998. Research is done differently now than it was when I was in college.

High School students have never known a world that didn't contain an iPod. This technology completely changed the way we consume media. Current high school students expect to be able to carry their entire music collection (and videos, data, etc.) in the pocket of their jeans.

For our current group of middle school students, Facebook and social media are "light switch" technologies. Prior to 2004, people had private lives and personal lives; middle school kids don't know what it's like to have separate personal and private lives - everything is on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat.

Finally, elementary students were born in the touchscreen era. Have you ever seen a 2-year-old try to swipe the TV to change the channel? Kids who are currently in elementary school often don't know what to do when they encounter a keyboard and mouse.

So why does this matter? Knowing what "light switch" technologies our kids will come to us expecting to have available changes how we provide resources, and how we provide instruction. We have to modify our lens when considering technology purchases for our school; what we grew up with and sometimes think is a critical skill may be something that our students will rarely ever use. For example, cursive handwriting was replaced by keyboarding as a critical skill; soon, voice dictation may overtake typing.

At Canyon Lake, we prioritize learning with technology; we have approximately 250 iPads, and we're 1:1 with laptops in 2nd through 5th grade, with plans to add even more in the future. Students use OSMO devices with their iPads to work collaboratively, and use Makey Makeys to solve all kinds of fun and interesting problems.

We live in exponential times, and we want to make sure that our students are prepared for jobs that don't yet exist, and to solve problems that we don't yet even know are problems.

Raising the Bar, Closing the Gap: Intervention and Enrichment at Canyon Lake

Over the past several years, Rapid City Area Schools educators have been engaged in the work of becoming a Professional Learning Community. This means that during our early release Wednesdays (and other common planning times), we've been determining essential outcomes for all students in each grade level and content area, developing common pacing guides for each team of teachers to follow, and creating common assessments to measure student progress; the work has been difficult, but rewarding. Now, we're turning our attention to two critical questions:

1. How do we respond when kids don't learn?
2. How do we enrich and extend learning for kids who are already proficient?

At Canyon Lake, and across the school district, our daily schedule includes an intervention and enrichment block. During this hour-long time period, groups of students are meeting in small groups with certified teachers; we're providing additional time and support for students who are struggling, and enriching learning for students who've already demonstrated proficiency at a significantly lower student-to-teacher ratio than we're able to provide in regular classroom instruction. 

This is a different approach than schools have traditionally used when students have struggled. In the past, schools have relied on summer school, possibly remedial courses, or retention. At Canyon Lake, our approach is systematic, meaning that we respond to students' needs based on a school-wide plan, using a wide range of data sources to identify the academic needs of our students in specific areas. Once we've identified the needs of students, we're able to create groups of students with similar needs. These intervention and enrichment cycles are six weeks in length, and we embrace the notion that we are ALL responsible for ALL of our students. Classroom teachers and instructional support teachers work with students from across the grade level to provide "point of need" teaching for students for four hours each week. 

Our Mission at Canyon Lake is, "Collaborating to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth for every student, every day," and we take our Mission seriously. Over the course of the year, we will continue to expand and deepen the opportunities that we provide to all of our students. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

Source: DuFour,Richard, DuFour, Rebecca, Eaker, R. & Karhanek, G.A. (2010). Raising the bar and closing the gap: Whatever it takes. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.

College Day

Did you know that every Wednesday is College Day at Canyon Lake? Students and staff are encouraged to wear college attire. You'll see college pennants hanging near the front doors of Canyon Lake East and West, and every teacher has a sign outside their classroom door that says where they went to college, and what they majored in.

So why are we talking about college in elementary school? Well, that's a good question. Here are some answers:

• A college education allows your child to choose their career. By going to college, your child will be able to choose a career that interests them. According to research nearly 50% of jobs that currently exist will be replaced by automation in the next 20 years! A college education will help to ensure employment opportunities in the future. 
• A college education increases the amount of money your child may be able to make. The more education your child receives, the more money he/she may be able to earn. According to the U.S. Census, a college graduate will, on average, earn 2.4 million dollars, compared to 1.4 million dollars for a non-college graduate over a 40-year career. 
• A college education expands your child's mind. The more educational opportunities your child is exposed to, the more knowledge and skills they will obtain. Education will expose your child to a variety of people, topics, and experiences, and allow them to learn about things that interest them. 
• A college education can help your child improve their community. Going to college will help to teach your child how to make a difference in their community. As a college graduate, your child will also serve as a role model for other children in the community. 

According to a study by the American Psychological Association, thinking about college as being "within reach" appears to affect achievement goals in young students. The study shows that children spend more time studying and have greater expectations of their own academic performance when they view attending college as a realistic possibility. And students who decide early to go to college are more likely to enter higher education, so we're hoping to start that dialogue with our students now.

And college doesn't have to mean a 4-year university. There are great vocational and technical schools, like Western Dakota Tech, available as options, too. 

If you have any questions, please stop in and ask!

Innovation and Instruction at Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is such an exciting place to get to spend my days. Over the past three weeks, I've spent quite a bit of time visiting classrooms and observing the work our students are engaged in. One thing that has really stuck out this year is how much exposure and experience our students are gaining in regard to technology; the innovative practices that teachers and students are using on a daily basis are really awesome to get to witness.

The CLE News 5 Team

Our 5th grade students have begun writing, producing, and shooting their own daily newscast, which is broadcast to the rest of the school during lunch. These short, 2-minute productions share information including lunch menu, birthdays, historical facts, health tips, and a little humor with the joke of the day.

The Research and Writing Team prepping the next day's news

While only three students appear "on-screen," there's a whole team of students working behind the scenes, researching, writing, and planning for the show, as well as getting everything set up for the shoot and the presentation.

The Production team

In other classrooms students are engaged with OSMO devices for word work, problem-solving with Makey-Makeys, and using iPads for a variety of educational purposes.

Amidst all this technology, we haven't forgotten to focus on the basics, either. There's great instruction going on in math, reading, writing, science, and social studies.

Mr. S. confers with a group of students focusing on citing evidence

Writing about the "main idea" and working on inferences

Practicing multiplication fluency with playing cards

Using iPads to access Dreambox for individualized math instruction

Working independently on math

I would like to encourage ALL of our Canyon Lake families to stop by the school sometime to see the great things that are happening here everyday!

What a Great First Week!

We’re only one week in, and already great things are happening at Canyon Lake!

Kids are getting to know their teachers and each other, learning at high levels is taking place, guest speakers are visiting classrooms, students and teachers are using new technology, and everyone is surviving the heat!

Being a Champion for Kids

5th graders reading on the first day of school

A year ago, I shared Rita Pierson's TED Talk with Canyon Lake staff, and Cari Clark brought it to my attention again today; this is a great reminder of the kind of relationships we want to build with our students.

We know that not every student comes to us with the same background, same experiences, or same supports. But our mission is to meet the needs of all of our students; our job is to take them from where they are now to where they need to be. 

I want all of our families to know that every student that walks through our doors has an adult at Canyon Lake who will never give up on them.

Mr. S. helps students select books on the first day

We're committed as a school to this idea, because, as Rita Pierson says, "We are educators. We were born to make a difference."

I hope you'll find 7 minutes today to watch this video: 

https://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion | TED Talk | TED.com Rita Pierson, a teacher for 40 years, once heard a colleague say, "They don't pay me to like the kids." Her response: "Kids don't learn from people they don’t like.’” A rousing call to educators to believe in their students and actually connect with them on a real, human, personal level. Read more...

First Days

The first days of school are my favorite days. First days are full of promise and excitement; every interaction is a new opportunity to make an impact on students.

As I walked the halls and visited classrooms today, I am constantly reminded of how fortunate we are as educators to have the awesome privilege we’re given. Our challenge as teachers and educators is to maintain the sense of wonder and possibility that we experience on the first day all year long. I believe that the staff at Canyon Lake is up to the challenge, and I’m looking forward to an outstanding school year!

Welcome Back!

Welcome to the 2015-2016 school year! We are so happy that you are part of our school community. Our mission is, “Collaborating to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth for every student, every day.” We look forward to collaborating with you to meet the unique needs of your student this year.

We have a few new faces at Canyon Lake this year, but the majority of our staff will be returning; all of our staff members are working diligently to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Canyon Lake Elementary School will again be operating out of a split campus. Our K-3 students will be housed in Canyon Lake West and accompanying annexes; fourth and fifth grade students, and preschool, will be housed in the Canyon Lake East building and annexes (formerly Kibben Kuster).

For this school year, we will continue to operate out of two offices. We are asking that all visitors report to either the Canyon Lake West or Canyon Lake East office to obtain a visitor pass; please do not enter the building through the gym doors. We believe that this is a safer, more secure arrangement.

Busing, start and end times:

·         First Day of School: The first day of school is Monday, August 24^th. School will again start at 8:05 a.m. and end at 2:55 p.m.

·         Busing: Special Education buses will drop off and pick up at Canyon Lake East, while all other buses will use the bus run on the south side of Canyon Lake West. For the safety of our students, we ask that families do not use the bus run either before or after school. Busing is provided for students living more than 2.5 miles from school. Buses will run beginning Monday, August 24^th. For further information, contact our Transportation Department at 355-3707.

·         Kindergarten Small Group Classes: Kindergarten students will begin the school year in small groups, meaning your student will come for their first day either MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, OR THURSDAY. Small groups are a special time kindergarten students have with their teacher to help in the adjustment to the school schedule. You will be notified on or before Wednesday August 19^th, which day your student will attend. All students will attend on Friday, August 28^th.   

·         Early Release Days: This year, we will be continuing “Early Release Wednesdays” as we work to become a school- and district-wide professional learning community. Most Wednesdays, we will release at 1:20 p.m. so that teachers can engage in the collaborative work of ensuring academic, social, and emotional growth for all of our students. Our first Early Release Wednesday falls on September 2^nd.  

Food Service:

·         Our breakfast and lunch programs will begin on the first day of school.

·         Free/reduced applications will be included in your Tuesday folder; we strongly encourage ALL of our families to apply.

PBIS:

Canyon Lake is continuing as a PBIS school this year! PBIS stands for: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. PBIS is an approach that uses universal strategies for helping all students achieve important social learning goals. When good teaching and good behavior come together, our students will excel. As part of the PBIS program, we have established several clear rules for the behavior we expect in all areas of our school. Further, we will actively teach, model, and reinforce our school-wide expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible.

Character education will be a regular part of our instructional day. We will explicitly teach expectations to students and acknowledge them for their great behavior.  Last year, Canyon Lake staff members verbally recognized students over 102,000 times for exhibiting positive behaviors! We believe that by helping students practice good behavior, we will build a school community where all students have an environment where they can succeed and grow.

Communication and input:

We actively seek input from families on how we can provide the best possible school experience for you and your student; we take your input to heart, and have begun implementing several suggestions that we received. We’ll be working on additional projects over the course of the year.

Speaking of communication, we will be utilizing Tuesday folders again this year to send home important documents and student work. We encourage you to keep up to date with all of the great things happening at Canyon Lake by:

·         Signing up for our text messaging system. Text “Join” to 56360.

·         Liking us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/canyonlakeschool)

·         Following us on Twitter (@canyonlakeelem)

·         Bookmarking our school website.

As always, we welcome your feedback on how we can improve.

This is going to be a great school year. We look forward to seeing you at our “Meet the Teacher” Open House on Thursday, August 20^th (5-7 p.m.). 

PBIS Shooting Star Celebration

Approximately 180 students took in a movie at The Elks Theater followed by lunch at Main Street Square today, in recognition of excellent character and positive behavior.

Welcome to my homepage!

I hope you’ll stop by often for updates and information.

 

David Swank

Principal, Canyon Lake Elementary School

Rapid City Area School District

 

Phone: 605.394.1817

Cell: 605.340.0673

Email: david.swank@k12.sd.us

 

Our Mission: Collaborating to ensure academic, social, and emotional growth for every student, every day.