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Elmwood Murdock Web Parent Program News

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May 11, 2001: Issue 4

In this issue:

• First Grader and Dad Enjoy Technology

•Third Graders Build Their Own Web Pages

•Mrs. Glantz Takes on Technology

•A Great Year For Technology at EM, Year in Review

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First Grader and Dad Enjoy Technology

(Note: For child safety purposes the child's first name, referred to here as "Sonny", is fictitious.)

When Mrs. Cook sent a note out, inviting parents to send an email to their child through her, she had no idea what great things would come of it.  Lynn Justesen saw a great opportunity to connect with his son at school.  Lynn now sends a daily message to his son, who with great anticipation has come to depend on receiving Dad's email.  "Sonny" proudly reads each email message to his classmates.

Mrs. Cook has used this experience to work with the children on reading, and sentence construction.  The whole class got excited about getting emails from Sonny's uncle in Macedonia, and they studied where Macedonia was on the globe.  Sonny's uncle sent a care package with posters, which provided more learning enthusiasm and discussion.

The first graders have been writing their own journals to their website, in the "Young Author's" section.  They tell about what they are learning, like Dinosaurs, Easter Eggs, and what they did for fun on the weekend.  The first graders have even done some keyboarding, getting familiar with the "home row".

Lynn has enjoyed the level of involvement that this communication has allowed.  Reading the journal entries provides him with an insight into thoughts and ideas that are significant to his son.  For example, after a weekend out on an explore with a discussion of mammals, and the differences in animal characteristics, Lynn's son wrote about it in his journal.  This provides wonderful feedback, and reassurance of continuous learning in the mind of a child.

Lynn says that Sonny has become thrilled with technology.  Sonny has become quite skilled at writing and sending his own email.  He even communicates with his uncle, who is currently stationed in Macedonia, using "Instant Messaging".  He is comfortable getting on the Internet and going to his favorite sites.  Sonny's uncle, and his grandparents have been able to follow his work through the first grade through the website.

Lynn says that to Sonny, a computer is as common as a radio was to today's parents.  Sonny doesn't know that computers haven't always been around.  The enthusiasm and encouragement, make learning technology important to his son.  That will surely prepare him for success in the world of technology.

Check out the First Grade Journals in the Young Author's Section:   Young Authors

Third Graders Build Their Own Web Pages

by Mr. Dan Schafer

I decided that all the stuff I learned about making web pages this year was fun, exciting, and educational. I thought it would be fun to teach my students how to create their own web pages. They have learned how to make their own personal web page using Claris Homepage 3.0. It is a fairly easy to use web page design software package.  

To receive a passing grade, each page has to have these components: 5 or more appropriately placed images, centered text, evident knowledge of changing Font size, Font color, and background, creating a link back to the 3B web page, clarity, and grammatical structure. 

The students were very receptive and enjoyed the process very much. All of the students have completed their web page. They are all very proud of the work they completed. This is a project I will start early with next year's students. They will be able to update their web pages throughout the year. It will be a year-long project. My class learned so much and now see, in a limited way, what goes on when creating a web page.

You'll want to check out the Third Grader's Web Page on the 3B Site: 3BWebsite

Mrs. Glantz Takes On Technology

In December she created the Gingerbread project. The children learned the history of Ginger and where Ginger came from. They read books, and wrote their own versions of "The Gingerbread Man". They used the Internet to research authors. They made and decorated cookies, and played games too. The project is well documented on her site.

In January, Mrs. Glantz featured the "Snow Theme" that her class studied. The site has many colorful pictures and descriptions of the kids' activities. The February activities page shows all the work they did on Groundhogs Day, Dinosaurs and Black History.

Mrs. Glantz says, "I believe that the Web Parent project was a fantastic idea. I really have grown this past year. I think that next year will be easier. We frequently refer to the Internet as a resource in the classroom studies now. I already have ideas about how I want to improve my Web Site next year, and I am excited about that."

You'll want to look at the wonderful project's going on in Mrs. Glantz room at her website: 2A Website

A Great Year for Technology at EM, Year in Review

What a fabulous performance the kids gave at the Spring Concert.  Congratulations and Bravo! to all of the children and to Mrs. Tummons and Ms. Griffith.  The concert was just another example of so many things at Elmwood Murdock Elementary we can all be proud of.

It is hard to believe the year is coming to an end already.  I am so pleased that the Web Parent Program has been another success story for our school.  It has been a fantastic year of accomplishments, not easily gained I may add.  But with the commitment of the Web Parents, teachers and administration, we have accomplished all we have set out to do, and we have created a strong foundation from which to move forward.  

The articles in this issue are tremendous testimony to many goals reached.  The primary goal of the Web Parent Program was to promote Internet literacy throughout all grades.  I can tell you that I can hardly walk through the school without a teacher stopping me to tell me a great story about new classroom experiences, new projects, new parent involvement, and enthusiasm for what has unfolded.

Many thanks to the dedicated "Web Parents"  who volunteered countless hours to training with our teachers and assisting them in creating and updating web pages.  You have made a great contribution to your child's education.  The sites you created provided a global window to the proud work of our children and our school.

Relatives in distant places have responded with praise of our kids' work. The email that our kids have  exchanged with people around the world has allowed them to realize that even though we are a remote small town in Nebraska, using the Internet makes us very much a part of the global digital world.  It is so important for them to know that many things are possible with technology.

Along with promoting use of the web for life-long learning and communications, children, teachers, parents and administrators learned about child safety issues.  The Web Parent Program provided information on how to use caution against personal exposure, and to recognize dangerous and inappropriate use of the web.

These accomplishments belong to all of us.  They provide definite reassurance that we are achieving the overall mission of Elmwood Murdock Schools, "To empower all students to achieve success."  If you value the new Internet technology at EM this year, please voice your feedback with your teacher, and your web parent.  It is important to them to hear this feedback.

We certainly plan on continuing the Web Parent program into the coming years.  Anyone interested in joining the excitement should contact myself, Mr. Friedrich or Mr. Dwyer.  

And on that note, I would like to close with very special "Thanks" to Mr. Dwyer and Mr. Friedrich for their skill and commitment to work through the challenges of our first year.  I look forward to working with everyone in the bright future ahead.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND
Keep your friends, family, community and educational colleagues up to date on the Ed-site-ment happening at Elmwood Murdock Elementary.  Please forward this newsletter and spread the good word about preparing our kids for success in the age of technology.