Common Sense Media recently published this article with some very helpful information for both kids AND adults! Click here to read the article. |
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As we head into summer, many kids will be spending more (unsupervised) time online. Remember that kids can be online in many ways--computers, smart phones, tablets such as iPads and Nooks, iPods, and video game systems.
To keep your kids safe online--and to raise them to be responsible, respectful digital citizens--it takes more than installing parental controls. Click here to check out this article by Common Sense Media! 2nd and 3rd graders are learning how to create their own animations using a program called Animation-ish. Check out the video below to see what they've been creating. For more information about Animation-ish, click here. It's already the end of the second trimester of the school year. At the end of each trimester I post an update to the TechTime Newsletter page of this website. This usually includes a list of skills we've worked on through the trimester.
This trimester I'm trying something new and different. I've created some videos that will show and explain what students have been up to in TechTime this semester. Click here to take a look! Is your child a Minecraft fan? Kids at Park are frequently sharing about their Minecraft adventures.
How much do you know about the game? Is it appropriate for your child? Is there anything you should be concerned about your child playing this game? Minecraft's website describes the game as: Minecraft is a game about breaking and placing blocks. At first, people built structures to protect against nocturnal monsters, but as the game grew players worked together to create wonderful, imaginative things. It can also be about adventuring with friends or watching the sun rise over a blocky ocean. It’s pretty. Brave players battle terrible things in The Nether, which is more scary than pretty. You can also visit a land of mushrooms if it sounds more like your cup of tea. Check out the Common Sense Media review of the game here: http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews/minecraft. What about other video games, apps, movies, and music? Common Sense Media is a great resource for parents to check when it comes to all kinds of media! If you learned about this site from the online safety note that your child brought home and this is your first visit, welcome! I hope you find the resources posted on this site to be informative and useful. Also notice the RSS Feed link at the bottom of the right column. You can use this link to automatically receive email updates when a new post is added to the site.
You can also receive Park Elementary updates via text message by sending a text to 40404 with the message follow @parkelem. (Messaging rates may apply.) Or you can follow us on Twitter: @parkelem. Online safety is a very important topic for TechTime. We spend two 33-minute class periods on the topic (interactive video, discussion, and online learning games and activities. We will continue to review online safety regularly throughout the school year. Thank you for supporting this at home with your child! The online TechTime Newsletter page has been updated for the Third Trimester of 2012-2013. It has more detailed explanations of what students learned during TechTime.
There are a lot of fun (and educational) activities for kids and families happening in Hutchinson this summer. Take advantage of these great opportunities!
Don't forget about Music in Library Square Park on Monday evenings. SmartAppsForKids is offering a day of FREE educational apps. There are 49 apps being offered for free download from the App Store until 10pm tonight. Math practice, creativity, interactive books, and more!
Find all the details at: http://www.smartappsforkids.com/2013/05/free-app-friday-apps-free-until-10pm-cst-us-042613-1.html We encourage all families to participate in some way in National Screen-Free week. Check out THIS PDF for great ideas from our Teacher-Librarian Ms. Shadis!
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