» November News from the Computer Science Lab with Miss Samantha

Interactive Learning at its BEST!

Dear Parents,

I hope this note finds you all well as you begin to prepare for the festive holiday season!

We have had a busy month in the computer science lab! The children are continuing to develop their technology skills through the use of our programs on both the computers and iPads. The teachers have covered through the letter H, and we reinforce their knowledge with our fun learning videos and letter tracing applications. I am so proud of the progress they are making, especially as we review each letter of the alphabet, inclusive of the letter sound and words associated with that letter.

I have also begun to prepare for the the holiday season with many new holiday themed games and apps, with many more to come. The children will all create fun and colorful online holiday pictures which will help to decorate my computer lab!

Over the course of the next few weeks, Park Shore’s Kindergarten and Pre-K classes will be participating in Computer Science Education Week by completing an “Hour of Code”. Many local elementary, intermediate and high schools participate, however Park Shore is one of the only Preschools in the area to be part of this important global initiative. The Hour of Code is an important global movement created 4 years ago designed to introduce, inspire and spark an interest in our youngest generation to learn about and pursue computer science in all forms.

As a direct tie-in with our Extreme STEAM Science Kids curriculum, I will present a brief overview of the concept of coding and Computer Science during the Computer specials sessions for Pre-K through Kindergarten. The children will have a chance to code on their own using either the SMART Board, iPads or desktop computers. Additional information will be forthcoming from me about the event later next month, but please keep it on your radar to inquire about their exciting learning experience!

I look forward to working with your children in the weeks ahead as we approach this festive holiday season! Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or suggestions that you may have.

A list of the websites and apps that we use in the classroom is detailed below, and are grouped by the average age for usability and reference. I gladly welcome any suggestions or recommendations that you may have based on applications your children have used and enjoy at home.

Thanks and warm wishes,

Miss Samantha

Park Shore Computer Science Specialist

Learning Websites

Tablet / iPad Applications

Interactive Learning / Classroom Reinforcement

Writing Wizard
ABC Genius
123 Genius
Phonics Genius
ABC Tracing
ABC Order (ABCya)
ABC Magnet Land
Kindergarten Bingo (ABCya) (letters, shapes and color recognition)
Slate Math K-1
IXL Math Practice
Montessorium Intro to Math
First Grade Learning Games
Sight Words 1
Spelling Bug
Preschool and Kindergarten Learning Games

Creative / Puzzles/ Just for Fun

Puzzingo
Santa Puzzles
Highlights Puzzles
Halloween Paint by Numbers
Animal Paint by Numbers
Kitten Pet Baby Jigsaw Puzzles
Puppy Pet Jigsaw Puzzles
Caillou House of Puzzles
Lego Juniors Create and Cruise
Lego Duplo Trains
Lego Duplo Food
Lego Duplo Ice Cream
Toca Boca – Toca City, Toca Town, Toca School, Fairy Tales, Robot Lab, Toca Hair, Toca Nature
Sonya Paz – Pop Art Program
Paint My Wings (Toca Boca)
My Play Home (PlayHome Software)
Marco Polo Weather
Strawberry Shortcake Bake Shop (Budge Studios)
Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Shop (Budge Studios)
Strawberry Shortcake Dreams
Kids Coloring Doodle
Symmetry Lab Basic
Sago Mini Dress Up

Shapes, Colors, Classifications & Concepts (These games are appropriate for ages 2 through 5+)

Highlights Shapes
Tiny Hands Town Center
Tiny Hands Sorting 3+
Tiny Hands Sorting 2+
Tiny Hands Sorting 1
Tiny Hands Towers 2
Tiny Hands What’s My Pair
Tiny Hands Arctic Birthday

Toddlers

Fisher Price Baby Color Paint
22 Learn – Animated Puzzles
22 Learn – Bubble Learning
Toonia Color Book (Coloring)
Baby Chef