Another school year is well on its way! My returning Tech Stars and the newest Tech Stars, Kindergarten, have been busy creating and learning.

Kindergarten is already comfortable in the lab, they are making great strides in their mousing skills and learning how to navigate online. They know how to use the back button and how to scroll. I hope you had a chance to see your child’s jack-0-lanterns. They were so excited to print for the first time. In collaboration with Kindergarten teachers, we are setting up ABCMouse.com accounts. If you are interested in giving your child more practice at home, please complete the form below and send it in with your child. I will create a home account and email you a link for home access to this wonderful resource.

First and Second grades started the year celebrating creativity and “making their mark” with millions of others around the globe on DOT Day. You can view a sample of some their wonderful dots in the lab’s Showcase (First Grade’s AR Dots and Second Grade Talking Dots).

Currently, First grade is learning to follow an algorithm and how to design for others by creating online shape puzzles for their “customers” the Kindergarteners. Look for them to start appearing in the Showcase!

Second grade, along with Third, Fourth & Fifth grades are exploring what it means to be a good Digital Citizen. This is a topic that we will revisit throughout the year!

Second grade has become acquainted with Clicky and his friends of netsmartzkids.org. Third grade competed in the FBI’s Internet Safety Challenge at SOS. i.gov and again ranked high amongst third graders across the nation. Fourth grade is working hard to earn their Digital Passport with Common Sense Media. Fifth grade has enrolled in the Carnegie Academy, a fabulous program created by Carnegie Mellon University.