WELCOME TO THE EVERETT IRC WEBSITE!
Instructional Technology
Everett Symbaloo Site
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The Digital Learning Specialist supports students and teachers in bridging their information literacy skills with technology skills in the context of 21st century learning. Contact Ms. Oh with any questions: [email protected] |
Announcements:
Hitchbot 2
We are getting ready to send out Hitchbot 2 into our community!
We are depending on the kindness and curiosity of Lake Forest residents to take Hitchbot 2 around town. If you see Hitchbot 2, take a picture or video with it and take it to the next stop on the Bucket List. Tweet or email it to the following:
Twitter: @EvInnovation67
Hashtag: #everettsoars
Email: [email protected]
Get more info on our project here!
Read the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Patch article here.
STEM
Check out the video that gives an overview of STEM made by Oliver & Campbell
Common Sense Media - Unit 1 Assessment (Grades 3-4)
Hour of Code
The Hour of Code is coming! Last year, all students participated in this activity and the positive responses and reactions from students were simply amazing. They loved it and wanted more of it. This year, students across our district will be a part of this fantastic event. The Hour of Code is an international initiative by Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) and Code.org to expose computer programming to students and encourage them to learn programming at all ages. Last year, more than 15 million students in 170 countries participated in the Hour of Code, and Code.org hopes to get 100 million students coding during this year's Computer Science Education Week. The Hour of Code can occur at any time during CSEdWeek (Dec. 8-14), at home, or just about any time, anywhere. It offers activities that students participate using self-guided tutorials that work on any device - desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Computer coding teaches students problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, math and collaboration, which are essential 21st century learning skills. Here is the 411 on the Hour of Code:
Who: Everyone (Ages 4-104; no experience needed)
What: An opportunity to introduce students to computer science
When: December 8-14 (Computer Science Education Week) or any time
Where: Classroom
Why are we participating in this as a school-wide/community function?
Educating Without Boundaries...Learning Without Limits
Our district vision is to create an innovative learning community that educates without boundaries – where all students cultivate their minds, create enduring connections and discover their passions. A district milestone is that instruction is highly differentiated and inquiry-based, driven by students' needs, interests and passions. Exposing our students to coding will provide opportunities for them to express creativity, critical thinking, communication, etc. in a way that the traditional coursework may that provide.
How do I get started?
Getting started is easy since there’s no planning involved! I have registered our school and the logistics have been taken care of. You can do as much or as little as you’d like. You can choose to show an inspirational video as a precursor to explain the Hour of Code or you can dive right into the activity. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with the activities, there are video tutorials for the activities:
https://code.org/learn
The link to all the activities are bookmarked for you on the Everett Symbaloo site under Code Activities - http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/everettschool
Resources:
General video about the Hour of Code: http://youtu.be/rH7AjDMz_dc?list=PLzdnOPI1iJNe1WmdkMG-Ca8cLQpdEAL7Q
A how-to site: http://hourofcode.com/us/resources/how-to
More info: http://code.org/
Who: Everyone (Ages 4-104; no experience needed)
What: An opportunity to introduce students to computer science
When: December 8-14 (Computer Science Education Week) or any time
Where: Classroom
Why are we participating in this as a school-wide/community function?
Educating Without Boundaries...Learning Without Limits
Our district vision is to create an innovative learning community that educates without boundaries – where all students cultivate their minds, create enduring connections and discover their passions. A district milestone is that instruction is highly differentiated and inquiry-based, driven by students' needs, interests and passions. Exposing our students to coding will provide opportunities for them to express creativity, critical thinking, communication, etc. in a way that the traditional coursework may that provide.
How do I get started?
Getting started is easy since there’s no planning involved! I have registered our school and the logistics have been taken care of. You can do as much or as little as you’d like. You can choose to show an inspirational video as a precursor to explain the Hour of Code or you can dive right into the activity. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with the activities, there are video tutorials for the activities:
https://code.org/learn
The link to all the activities are bookmarked for you on the Everett Symbaloo site under Code Activities - http://www.symbaloo.com/mix/everettschool
Resources:
General video about the Hour of Code: http://youtu.be/rH7AjDMz_dc?list=PLzdnOPI1iJNe1WmdkMG-Ca8cLQpdEAL7Q
A how-to site: http://hourofcode.com/us/resources/how-to
More info: http://code.org/
2014 Family Reading Night/Mystery Reader Photos - November 20
Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend quality time reading together. It is sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White, and Illinois Center for the Book.
This year we had guest Mystery Readers come in on November 20 during the school day to get everyone excited about reading with their families later that evening. Many families shared their photos from Family Reading Night on the app. Thank you for sharing! You can see the photos below.
This year we had guest Mystery Readers come in on November 20 during the school day to get everyone excited about reading with their families later that evening. Many families shared their photos from Family Reading Night on the app. Thank you for sharing! You can see the photos below.
Lake Forest students build apps!
Read the article below about our students creating their own apps during a Brainstormer class this year.
If Deer Path Middle School doesn’t offer an app creation class next year, incoming fifth-grader Kelly Lombardo might try to sneak back to Everett Elementary School to retake it.
“We made a ton of different apps,” Kelly said. “One of the most successful — and one that a lot of people probably like — was Smiley Fly.”
The 9-year-old and a friend used Sketch Nation, a free game-creation platform, during a nine-session App Creation Class in the after-school Brainstormers program at Everett School to create and publish apps.
Information Literacy Instructor Susie Oh put together the class based on student interest, and said she needed a minimum of six students to hold the course, which ended May 22. She capped enrollment at 20, not knowing what to expect. The class filled up in one day.
The third- and fourth-graders who met after school Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Everett Computer Lab researched which platforms worked best, then got down to work building apps.
“All of the apps created in class were published work, so they can find each other’s games,” Oh said.
Kelly said she realized that creating an app is a lot harder than it looks.
“I didn’t really understand, and almost everybody in this class didn’t understand, that you can’t make a game like Temple Run in a day,” Kelly said. “It takes about a year. We were only making pretty simple games, but there’s a lot more to apps than just doing it.”
At first, Colin Martens, 9, didn’t think he’d ever be able to create his own app.
“Ms. Oh showed us the first template and I sort of started freaking out,” Colin said.
Then the team found Sploder, a free, online game creator that lets users share apps with friends, and Colin ended up creating a game with three levels and 14 stages.
“I didn’t think I’d get that far,” he said.
Fourth-graders Hailey Kowalski and Luci Bermel, both 10, teamed up to create an informational app called Local Animal Fast Facts 2.0.
Their app shows photos of 15 animals the two have encountered near their homes, including a robin, rabbit, squirrel, brown bat, red-tailed hawk and earthworm. Clicking on the photos brings up a list of facts about the animal and, in some cases, a video clip.
“For our first step, we created a spreadsheet to organize our information,” Hailey said.
Then they created their app using all the data they collected.
Condensing that information into one place “is really neat,” Oh said. “They don’t have to go look for the information and they made it easier for other students who, like them, are interested in local animals.”
Evan Hvostik, 10, created three games of varying difficulty levels during the after-school program.
“This has really been fun,” he said — but not necessarily easy.
“Once I make a game, I think I’m going to beat it,” Evan said, “but you never really know.”
Justin Sexauer, 10, worked with a partner to create games, a collaboration that worked well for them.
“We both had separate ideas and we kind of combined it into one,” Justin said.
“I did this class because I really like computers and I wanted to learn more while doing something fun,” he said. “Thankfully, there were enough spots because it filled up pretty fast.”
If there’s enough interest, Oh will try to offer the class again next school year — and maybe open enrollment, at some point, to the younger grades.
“We’ve never done an app creation class, but it turned out really well,” she said. “A lot of parents have asked if I’ll be offering it in the fall. We’ll try.”
Read the article below about our students creating their own apps during a Brainstormer class this year.
If Deer Path Middle School doesn’t offer an app creation class next year, incoming fifth-grader Kelly Lombardo might try to sneak back to Everett Elementary School to retake it.
“We made a ton of different apps,” Kelly said. “One of the most successful — and one that a lot of people probably like — was Smiley Fly.”
The 9-year-old and a friend used Sketch Nation, a free game-creation platform, during a nine-session App Creation Class in the after-school Brainstormers program at Everett School to create and publish apps.
Information Literacy Instructor Susie Oh put together the class based on student interest, and said she needed a minimum of six students to hold the course, which ended May 22. She capped enrollment at 20, not knowing what to expect. The class filled up in one day.
The third- and fourth-graders who met after school Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Everett Computer Lab researched which platforms worked best, then got down to work building apps.
“All of the apps created in class were published work, so they can find each other’s games,” Oh said.
Kelly said she realized that creating an app is a lot harder than it looks.
“I didn’t really understand, and almost everybody in this class didn’t understand, that you can’t make a game like Temple Run in a day,” Kelly said. “It takes about a year. We were only making pretty simple games, but there’s a lot more to apps than just doing it.”
At first, Colin Martens, 9, didn’t think he’d ever be able to create his own app.
“Ms. Oh showed us the first template and I sort of started freaking out,” Colin said.
Then the team found Sploder, a free, online game creator that lets users share apps with friends, and Colin ended up creating a game with three levels and 14 stages.
“I didn’t think I’d get that far,” he said.
Fourth-graders Hailey Kowalski and Luci Bermel, both 10, teamed up to create an informational app called Local Animal Fast Facts 2.0.
Their app shows photos of 15 animals the two have encountered near their homes, including a robin, rabbit, squirrel, brown bat, red-tailed hawk and earthworm. Clicking on the photos brings up a list of facts about the animal and, in some cases, a video clip.
“For our first step, we created a spreadsheet to organize our information,” Hailey said.
Then they created their app using all the data they collected.
Condensing that information into one place “is really neat,” Oh said. “They don’t have to go look for the information and they made it easier for other students who, like them, are interested in local animals.”
Evan Hvostik, 10, created three games of varying difficulty levels during the after-school program.
“This has really been fun,” he said — but not necessarily easy.
“Once I make a game, I think I’m going to beat it,” Evan said, “but you never really know.”
Justin Sexauer, 10, worked with a partner to create games, a collaboration that worked well for them.
“We both had separate ideas and we kind of combined it into one,” Justin said.
“I did this class because I really like computers and I wanted to learn more while doing something fun,” he said. “Thankfully, there were enough spots because it filled up pretty fast.”
If there’s enough interest, Oh will try to offer the class again next school year — and maybe open enrollment, at some point, to the younger grades.
“We’ve never done an app creation class, but it turned out really well,” she said. “A lot of parents have asked if I’ll be offering it in the fall. We’ll try.”
Tech 2014 Conference
Three Everett students and I traveled to Springfield on May 8 to present at the Tech 2014 Conference. Below is the press release from Lake Forester. You can also find it online at the following link:
http://lakeforest.suntimes.com/news/schools/springfield-LFR-05082014:article
Check out our picture with Senator Morrison and Representative Sente! Senator Morrison gave us a behind the scenes tour of the State Capitol Building. It was one of the best days ever!
Centennial App
Scan the QR Code on the left to view the Centennial App that was created especially for Everett's 100th Year Celebration. You can access the app at the following link as well:
http://my.yapp.us/EVERETTCENT
Brainstormers - App Creation Class
The App Creation Class starts April 15. We will meet most Tuesdays and Thursdays after school from 2:50-3:50. Looking forward to your creative ideas!
Take a look at the following link as we brainstorm ideas:
Creating an App
Game creation resources
Coding tools and apps
Here are the winners of this year's book awards:
World Water Day 2014 is on March 22. This year's focus is all about water and energy and what we can do sustain both. Here are the key messages for this year:
- Water requires energy and energy requires water
- Supplies are limited and demand is increasing
- Saving energy is saving water. Saving water is saving energy.
- The bottom billion urgently need access to water and electricity
To get more info, click here.
Reminder that the 2014 Doodle 4 Google Contest is open until
March 20. This year's theme is: If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place...
March 20. This year's theme is: If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place...
March 5, 2014 is World Read Aloud Day.
World Read Aloud Day, is held annually on the first Wednesday of March to remind us all that reading is a human right that belongs to all people. However, 793 million people around the globe lack this basic human right and we must join together and take action to change this. Visit the LitWorld website for fun and easy celebration ideas and download our free activity kits.
Join the movement.
Read aloud.
Change the world.
World Read Aloud Day, is held annually on the first Wednesday of March to remind us all that reading is a human right that belongs to all people. However, 793 million people around the globe lack this basic human right and we must join together and take action to change this. Visit the LitWorld website for fun and easy celebration ideas and download our free activity kits.
Join the movement.
Read aloud.
Change the world.
See pictures from our Google Hangout session with South Middle School in Arlington Heights. We read the book Same Same But Different to the 8th graders and they read Fox in Socks. We really enjoyed Read Aloud Day!
Read Across America - March 3
Everett had an all-school Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) time to recognize Read Across America Day. This day celebrates Dr. Seuss' birthday and all that he has done to encourage reading.
Students Involved with Technology (SIT) Conference
3 Everett students presented at this year's SIT Conference, which took place at Aptakisic Junior High School in Buffalo Grove on February 22. Thanks to Manha, Max, & Katiana for representing Everett School!
Click on the following website for more info about the conference:
http://www.sitconference.org
Mystery Skype - Feb. 19
Our 3rd graders had so much fun participating in a Mystery Skype session with another 3rd grade class from Tilden, Nebraska. Thanks to Mrs. Hamilton for Skyping with us! Everyone had a role to play to help guess where this class was located. Watch us in action.
The 2014 Doodle 4 Google Contest has opened! Submit your entries by March 20. This year's theme is: If I Could Invent One Thing to Make the World a Better Place...
Get doodling!
Get doodling!
Everett School lesson prompts new thinking about computer science
By: Linda Blaser | [email protected] | @LindaJBlaser
Lake Forester article
Teacher Susie Oh couldn’t help but dole out praise as her fourth-grade morning students lined up at the end of the day’s lesson.
“I think I’m going to see a lot of computer programmers from this class,” Oh told the 9- and 10-year-olds after they spent less than an hour learning the basics of how to write computer code.
The fourth-graders at Everett Elementary School in Lake Forest took a break from learning about digital citizenship and online safety recently to delve into the fundamentals of computer science as part of a national effort.
The chance to branch out and give her kindergarten through fourth-grade students their first experience at writing code was one Oh couldn’t miss. The information literacy instructor signed up Everett School for the Hour of Code effort coordinated by code.org as a way to give her students a glimpse into a possible computer science future.
Code.org is dedicated to helping teach the basic concepts of computer science with drag-and-drop programming. The game-like, self-directed tutorial stars video lectures by Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Angry Birds and Plants vs. Zombies. In the process, students learn repeat-loops, conditionals and basic algorithms, according to the code.org website.
“Computer programming is something that’s going to be a big part of our future,” Oh told her fourth-graders. “Computers aren’t going away.”
Watching how quickly some of her students whizzed through the tutorial — working independently yet helping neighbors and cheering on their classmates’ progression — it’s no wonder she took the leap.
“It’s almost like having magic powers if you know how to program things,” she told the class.
The code.org program uses Blockly, a visual block programming system where code blocks are dragged and dropped onto the programming area of their screen, to move their character through a maze by “writing” computer programming.
“The key to doing this game is to just pay attention to the direction you’re facing,” Oh said.
In their first group effort, the class quickly got through the basic exercises.
“So far it’s been easy, but it gets hard pretty quickly,” Oh warned. “You’ll see repeat blocks, if/then blocks. It gets harder and harder.”
At Oh’s word, the group moved from sitting together on the floor and scattered to individual computers, donning headphones to get started with the tutorial.
As they progressed through the increasingly difficult levels, Oh circulated the room checking progress and offering guidance where needed.
First to reach Level 20, the goal of each student, was Ethan Clark.
“Oh my gosh,” Oh cheered. “Ethan finished. Woo-hoo. You did that in about 20 minutes.”
Ethan, 9, who said he doesn’t play video games much, flew through the programming exercises with ease.
“I probably would like to program computers,” he said. “They’re just fun to build.”
A few minutes later, Rebecca Gillette and Justin Sexauer, both 9, shouted, “I finished” almost simultaneously.
The computer lab frenzy escalated as those who attained Level 20 jumped from their seats to help others along. Collaboration among classmates, once taboo in school, is encouraged.
“One of the things we really try to emphasize is 21st century learning skills,” Oh said. “Part of that is teamwork and collaboration — helping each other get to the same goal. I think it’s great to see this class dynamic and how they’re really helping one another.”
Those who finished stood next to those who hadn’t, literally rooting each other on to the end.
“It’s not a competition, but really working together to get to the goal.” Oh said.
For at least one student, the day’s lesson sparked a possible future.
“It’s actually pretty interesting,” Lauren Huebner, 9, said of computer science. “I’ve never done programming before, but I’m interested.”
Creating her own video game or iPad app, Huebner said, just might be in her future.
Have a safe and wonderful winter break!
See you in 2014!
Photos from Hour of Code
Computer Science Education Week happening now at Everett School
By: Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 | Submitted
Everett School is holding Computer Science Education Week.
Computer science is driving job growth and innovation throughout our economy and society. More than half of projected jobs in STEM fields are in computing occupations; these occupations dominate “help wanted” ads; and computer science is one of the hottest degrees for new college graduates. Despite this, computer science education is marginalized throughout our K-12 education system – denying access to this critical knowledge, particularly among underrepresented groups. In fact, only 13 states and the District of Columbia allow rigorous and engaging computer science courses to satisfy a math or science requirement for graduation from high school.
The Hour of Code is an opportunity for every student to try computer science for one hour. Ms. Susie Oh, Information Literacy Instructor at Everett, will be working with all students during computer class to give them a unique opportunity to be exposed to the basic concepts of computer programming. It's an introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, and an innovator. You can get more info on the Hour of Code at www.code.org. Code.org is a national non-profit organization bringing computer science to students in school districts nationwide. TheirK-12 program consists of an innovative approach to professional development, curriculum, and promotional materials.
You can see Everett School on the list of participating schools at the following link: http://csedweek.org/events/schools
Finally, check out this cute video and article that encourages girls to be more involved with STEM: http://ow.ly/ruQM9
Click on the link to see the original article in the Lake Forester: http://ow.ly/rItNZ
By: Lake Forest Elementary School District 67 | Submitted
Everett School is holding Computer Science Education Week.
Computer science is driving job growth and innovation throughout our economy and society. More than half of projected jobs in STEM fields are in computing occupations; these occupations dominate “help wanted” ads; and computer science is one of the hottest degrees for new college graduates. Despite this, computer science education is marginalized throughout our K-12 education system – denying access to this critical knowledge, particularly among underrepresented groups. In fact, only 13 states and the District of Columbia allow rigorous and engaging computer science courses to satisfy a math or science requirement for graduation from high school.
The Hour of Code is an opportunity for every student to try computer science for one hour. Ms. Susie Oh, Information Literacy Instructor at Everett, will be working with all students during computer class to give them a unique opportunity to be exposed to the basic concepts of computer programming. It's an introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code" and show that anyone can learn the basics to be a maker, a creator, and an innovator. You can get more info on the Hour of Code at www.code.org. Code.org is a national non-profit organization bringing computer science to students in school districts nationwide. TheirK-12 program consists of an innovative approach to professional development, curriculum, and promotional materials.
You can see Everett School on the list of participating schools at the following link: http://csedweek.org/events/schools
Finally, check out this cute video and article that encourages girls to be more involved with STEM: http://ow.ly/ruQM9
Click on the link to see the original article in the Lake Forester: http://ow.ly/rItNZ
Computer Science Education Week: December 9-15
Everett School will be participating in the Hour of Code from 12/9-13 during computer time with Ms. Oh. We will be doing some fun activities that help us to understand the basic concepts of computer programming. More info can be found at www.code.org.
Check out the video on the left that encourages girls to become engineers.
Everett School will be participating in the Hour of Code from 12/9-13 during computer time with Ms. Oh. We will be doing some fun activities that help us to understand the basic concepts of computer programming. More info can be found at www.code.org.
Check out the video on the left that encourages girls to become engineers.
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Family Reading Night Pictures/Activities
Family Reading Night
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event that encourages families to spend quality time reading together. As the theme this year is Read Across Illinois, please read a book that relates to Illinois. Please complete one of the following activities and turn it in to your homeroom teacher by Friday, November 22. Happy Reading!
Pick ONE of the activities to do:
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event that encourages families to spend quality time reading together. As the theme this year is Read Across Illinois, please read a book that relates to Illinois. Please complete one of the following activities and turn it in to your homeroom teacher by Friday, November 22. Happy Reading!
Pick ONE of the activities to do:
- Draw your favorite scene from the book (on paper or Wixie)
- Take pictures of you reading with your family (print or email Ms. Oh)
- Design a photo collage based on the book (Wixie or paper copy)
- Create a video based on the book (Animoto, Wixie, iMovie, etc.)
- Make a poster about the book (Wixie or poster board)
- Write a book review (on Ms. Oh's website or Google Drive)
Ms. Oh is presenting at the Global Education Conference on Wednesday, November 20. This is an online conference for educators all around the world.
Photos from Visiting Author Program
Visiting Author: Amy Krouse Rosenthal
Ms. Rosenthal will be visiting Everett School on Tuesday, September 24. We are so excited to have a local author visit us. You can get to know more about Ms. Rosenthal by browsing through her website: http://www.whoisamy.com
Here are some book trailers from Ms. Rosenthal's books:
Ms. Rosenthal will be visiting Everett School on Tuesday, September 24. We are so excited to have a local author visit us. You can get to know more about Ms. Rosenthal by browsing through her website: http://www.whoisamy.com
Here are some book trailers from Ms. Rosenthal's books:
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