ActivExpressions to Check for Understanding

As part of our interactive, technology-rich classrooms, students in fourth grade are using Promethean ActivExpressions to answer questions and give feedback, allowing the teacher to check for understanding in a new and compelling way. Students in Mrs. Young's classroom are using the ActivExpressions as they learn new material and are even experimenting with taking assessments directly on their handheld devices!

Armadillo Voting

Berkman librarian, Mrs. Day, asked the kids to vote on their favorite Armadillo book for the 2013 school year. Students submitted their digital vote using ActivExpressions, which allowed each student to submit their vote confidentially and independently. Students loved using this interactive tool and will continue to use them in their classrooms with their teachers. Which book will you vote for? Click here to see which title won last year!

Activ Learning in Fourth and Fifth Grade

Each student in fourth grade enters a classroom each day which is equipped with "Activ-Learning" tools, including a Promethean ActivBoard, ActivSlate, and the ActivExpression learner response device system. How does this engage them as learners? Students are excited to interact with information in a new way, an active way. New information and opportunities for practice are presented in a visually engaging way, providing students with hands-on learning experiences which makes learning fun! Here's how they are using it:

• We looked at different writing prompts, then decided using voters if the prompts required narrative or expository writing. Immediate feedback let us know if everyone was on the same page; let me know how much additional instruction we needed in that area. The kids were able to go up to the board or use the slate to manipulate the text and point out specific text features.  
• I used them in tutoring this week to play a Jeopardy game for math. 
• We use them frequently to review for science tests by going on the STEMscope website and going through the preassessment/post assessment quizzes.
• I use the Promethean board every day and generally like to search and download content from Promethean Planet depending on the topic we are dealing with. Today we worked fractions on it - mixed and improper fractions!
• We use our ActivBoard for i

  ntroducing materials as well as content 

  reviews. We answer all the Lone-Star Math, Reading and Science questions on it. We also use it in conjunction with the document cameras to read and share books as a whole class.

We've Landed on Promethean Planet

As many of our teachers walked into their classroom this year, they were met by a technology new to them---Promethean ActivBoards, ActivSlates, Activotes, and ActivExpressions. Each classroom grades K-5 are equipped with one of Promethean's interactive devices. Classrooms are transformed into interactive learning environments, engaging students and capturing their attention. Teachers participated in a half day training along with their campus ITS to fully investigate the software and integration ideas. In addition to learning how to use their ActivBoard or ActivSlate, they also received their student response devices, a small handheld voting device that allows teachers to poll students at any time during class to gauge their understanding. Teachers were energized and excited to implement their new technology tools into their classrooms! Check back to see what the kids thought!

Let's Vote

Berkman librarian, Mrs. Day, will be asking kids to vote on their favorite Armadillo book for the 2012 school year. Students will submit their digital vote using ActivExpressions which allows each student to submit their vote confidentially and independently. Students love using this interactive tool and will continue to use them in their classrooms with their teachers. Which book will you vote for?