Preschoolers Coding with KIBO

First of all you are probably wondering what is KIBO. KIBO is a robot by Kinderlab Robotics that has been designed to introduce children to coding. Big deal you might think but it is as this robot is specifically made for children in preschool through early elementary. Unlike many early childhood robots KIBO allows children to be 100% in charge of what happens. It allows mis takes to happen, it allows discovery to happen, it allows children to see that coding is fun.

My KIBO journey began last year at UCET 2018. As a preschool teacher I am often frustrated that products seem to focus on kindergarten and older grades, so I will admit I went into the presentation a bit skeptical thinking that I would most likely find a product that would be almost good for preschool but still not friendly for all preschool children to use. I a: happy to say I was proven wrong. KIBO is so easy to use that anyone of any age can pick it up and be programming it at basic levels in less than 2 minutes. Sounds to good to be true doesn’t it.

Let me highlight some key points of KIBO that makes it the prefect robot for early childhood educators to have in their room.

1: They are nearly indestructible. Kids drop them, bump them, accidentally kick them chasing them across the room. No problem KIBO has been made to handle the treatment that excited kids give it.

2: KIBO shows kids how kids work. Its clear shell on the underside allows children to see what robots are made of. It is not magic, it is circuits, wires, motors, speakers and lights that run the robot. All children have to do is turn it over and they can see where they ‘magic’ comes from

3: Coding KIBO is as simple as scanning a bar code. Each unique block has 3 parts a picture symbol of what it tells KIBO to do (yup no reading required), words to tell what each symbol means (for those who can read) and a bar code to be scanned (just like your favorite self check line at the store)

4: KIBO’s blocks are also color coded. Green  for go, red for stop, blue for movement, yellow for lights, orange for sensor blocks, grey for parameter block.

5: Beginning programmers can start with the basic blocks and as they learn they can progress to using blocks that introduce parameters to the program.

6: KIBO has many accessories that allow for it to be decorated and built upon to transform it from a robot into whatever you need it to be.

7: KIBO makes kids think, (so long as the adults sit back and let it happen) kids want to be in control and they want to make things happen. KIBO gives them what they want and best of all if their first try does not work it is easy to try again.

Those are just 7 reasons why KIBO is fabulous. If you want more information go to http://kinderlabrobotics.com/  and read about the research  they have done to design these robots to be child friendly while still being highly educational.

Why you want to be at SEE Summit in Calgary 2018

If you are thinking about applying for SEE Summit think no more and complete the application process. 

Why, you ask? 

Let me split my answer into 3 parts: 

Professional, Personal, and Inspirational.

PROFESSIONAL

Do you want to open your collaboration circle up to a world-wide level?

Do you want your opinion to be valued?

 Are you ready to have your teaching skills expanded?

 SEE Summit gives you all that and so much more. You will spend multiple days with educators from all over the world. You will have a chance to share ideas, and gain knowledge from everyone. Plus, you will be able to give your direct input to a wonderful company, and then sit back in amazement as you watch them implement your ideas and suggestions into their product.

PERSONAL

July 2017 =4 days in Calgary,  33 new friends, and a life time of memories

It was a chance of a life time as I entered a room full of strangers and left 4 days later with 33 new friends from all over the world. This experience opened my eyes to not only teaching throughout the world but to a new respect for what we all experience. It is amazing how much we all have in common no matter where we come from on this vast planet. We can all find common ground and build a network of friends that spans the continent.

INSPIRATIONAL

Every time I feel frustrated in teaching, and trying to push beyond the norm. I think stop about all the moments that took my breath away while at SEE Summit, whether it was an inspiring story or just an idea that suddenly blossomed as we learned from each other and shared ideas. The excitement comes back to me as though it was just yesterday.  Knowing that I made a difference in the lives of other teachers, that they made a difference in mine and that as a collaborative team we made a difference in the lives of all SMART users is amazing.

And let’s not forget

FUN!!!

SMART has a way of being the world’s greatest host. 

From the moment you step off the plane until you return to your home, you will never have a dull moment. Yes, even in the Cooperate Headquarters conference room you will often find yourself on the edge of your seat as you participate in group activities, listen to the company share its vision with you or as you learn from your new SEE friends. Don’t worry your days will not be filled with just sitting and listening. Once the daytime conference is finished SMART makes sure you have a chance to experience the wonders of Calgary, from one adventure to the next they will keep you on your toes.

Now go, complete that application, 

and cross your fingers you will be selected for this unique experience.

PS. Be sure to leave a bit of extra room in your suitcase. Also, plan a day for resting when you get back, your going to need it. 

15 Days to Find the Greatness in Sammy.

With 15 days left until school will be out for summer Sammy joins my classroom.  Sammy has not been to school since October. He spends the first day in my room simply hiding his head in his arms saying ‘noooo', one of his few words. His world has been turned on end between moving to a new home and coming back to school he is overwhelmed. He is scared, low-verbal, autistic and I need to find out as much as I can about him before he goes on to kindergarten next year, so he can receive the best services possible. How to reach this child, to help him feel safe, to bring out the greatness that is hiding inside of him?

Day two, starts much the same as day one Sammy sitting in his chair and looking scared. At play time he shows interest in the computer center where a few other boys are playing SMART Lab games, but walks off quickly when one of them talks to him. Later after snack time we gather around the edge of the rug for large group. With it being so near the end of the school year we are using SMART Lab activities  as a fun way to review all the letters we have learned this school year. Sammy in his seat playing with a fidget toy and is reluctant to participate, but occasionally he looks up at the board.

After the first round I decide to pull out all the stops and get him up to the board for a turn. I coax, I tease, I nudge, I even bribe a bit and slowly he walks to the board, shaking his head no the all the way, hand over hand I help him drag the uppercase and lowercase letter from each side to the middle. It’s a match! Flames burst from the dragon as the knight raises his shield and for the first time I see Sammy smile. He hurries quickly back to his seat and instead of picking up his toy he stares intently at the board. Around the rug we go again each child making a match, Sammy watching and smiling. When it is his turn again he jumps up from his seat and quickly comes to the board matching two letters. Yes, oh yes, as luck would have it they were the final two letters. Sammy steps back waiting to see the dragon shoot fire again and is ever so surprised as they also fly off together. Clapping he turns around and says “more?”

Over the course of the week I find that Sammy is very willing to participate in all activities on the SMART Board. Answering daily questions, no problem, he will drag his choice into the correct spot, or even surprise me by drawing his own choice.  What’s the weather, was a chance to discover his hidden sense of humor as he dressed bear in snow clothes on a hot sunny day  then with a grin said ‘nooo’ and changed him into shorts.  Counting, song time, patterning, letters, numbers, vocabulary you name it if it involves the SMART Board Sammy is first in line to participate. At centers time Sammy is quickly at the computers asking for SMART Lab games. I find this a great time to help him gain vocabulary as I help him say the words one sound at a time to ask for the specific game he wants.

Sammy loves how this piece of marvelous technology levels the playing field and make him the same as his peers. He can participate in the learning activities along side his peers and be their equal. I watch as he transforms from a scared reluctant child to a child filled with confidence. No longer does he hang at the edges, he plays with the other children, he participates in activities, he tries new things. He has found his way to shine,  his way to show the world all the greatness he has within. In those 15 days I learned a lot about Sammy but most importantly I was reminded that within every child is a desire to fit in, and to succeed.

Reaching the SUMMIT

Where a grain of sand is plucked from the ocean

 and transformed into a star.

Greatness is inspired.

33 Educators 

4 Days        

   +   1 Global Summit

INSPIRATION and GREATNESS          

       I have to admit I was nervous to leave my home town, fly to Calgary and spend 4 days with 32 people from all over the world whom, I had never met. To know that a global company was wanting to hear my ideas about their business. Who am I in comparison to all those other people attending. Who am I to be sitting at dinner with executives of a international company.  

          I quickly learned that I and the other 32 attendees, are viewed as the most valuable asset the company has. We are the teachers, technology directors, and users of their creations and the SMART Tech company truly wants to know how they could make our job easier. They want our input, our ideas, our knowledge to improve their product to match our needs.  To know how be a tool that would help us inspire greatness in our students.

         The chance to collaborate with teachers from all over the world has taught me so many things. First, that the spirit and passion of teaching is the same no matter what country you live in or which language you speak. As educators we all understand that at the end of the day it does not matter what tools, technology or funding you have if you cannot connect with your students they will struggle to achieve the greatness within. Second, no country, no teacher, no company has the perfect solution that will magically reach every student every time, however every student can be reached if they are never given up on.

        Four days felt like a minute as we worked and learned together, everyone sharing, everyone contributing. It did not matter if we taught math, science, languages, or preschool. Everyone could contribute because we were sharing our methods of teaching, how to incorporate the tools provided in today's technological world to boost our teaching to a new level. Though the Summit was hosted by SMART Tech never once did SMART try claim that student success was because of their product, they acknowledge openly that they  create tools for us to use and that they want to know and understand how they can support our needs.

      33 educators in one room, who know they have a voice is an amazing thing. Everyone was equals, there was no one saying my ideas is the best. The shyest of the shy found themselves commenting frequently. The teacher from the little town not found on a map soon found themselves having dinner with the executive of an international company, yet it felt like sitting down with an old friend. Everyone listened, Everyone learned, Everyone cared.

    I am excited to go back to school in  a month and use all that I have gained from this experience to improve my classroom. My upcoming preschoolers will be given a chance to see the world outside our tiny town as we collaborate with students from across the world. My coworkers will be challenged by myself to stretch their thinking as I share the ideas from this Summit.  Plus, I hope to bring one or more of them back with me to Calgary to be inspired in the future.

Thank you SMARTTech for seeing the greatness in the world of education 

and for lifting us up to the stars.

Anchors Away! An Explosive Moment with Communication & Critical Thinking Skills.

This past Friday I watched one of my preschooler students have one of those 'Aha Moments' that make teaching worthwhile.  Working with preschool age students make each day an adventure in itself, now add to this the fact that 95% of my students have special needs and my room gets an added level of fun and challenge each day. Thus, when I get to see a student have a moment where you just know the learning has finally 'clicked' it is a moment of celebration.

Our theme this past two weeks has been Pirates so we have been using SMART Notebook Software Pirate Themed Super Sorter game to practice our letters and numbers. My student, let's call him Peter, has struggled this year with matching letters and learning letter names, he also struggles with being able to communicate his wants and needs, however; he loves to watch those pirate ships go 'KABOOM' when the correct answer is chosen.  Until Friday it has been hit and miss as to whether he even understood why the ships did or did not fire the cannon ball. On Friday, he walked up for his turn and paused. His little face scrunched up as he stared at the board and you could literally see him thinking about what he needed to do.

"Make it Kaboomie?' He asked me

"Yes, Kaboom."

"Make a matches?" he said, he face full of thoughtfulness.

"Yes, a match makes it Kaboom!" 

Friday's Game involved all 14 of our letters from this year.

At this moment, I wanted to shout for joy that he had figured out what made the cannons shoot. 

He stood there for another moment then choose a cannon ball with an 'X' on it. Holding his finger on it he looked back and forth from on ship to the other. Then with one swift motion he put the cannon ball in the correct cannon and jumped back yelling "KABOOMIE!" as the cannon went off he began jumping up and down cheering "I did it! I did it!" as the other students also cheered for him.

In that brief interaction, I got to see Peter show that he is able to use critical thinking skills, as he carefully thought about what needed to be done to get the cannons to shoot. I also had a chance to see him use his communication skills to confirm with me that what he felt he needed to do was correct. His chance to be think it through and achieve success put such a huge smile on his face.

I love that I have access to technology in my classroom that engages my students and helps them be excited to learn. The SMART Lab options have been very beneficial in my classroom, they allow me to quickly and easily create activities that facilitate the needs of all my student, at all their different learning levels.