School Year 2019-2020 Posts
February 21, 2020
From Mr. E:
Recently Jesse Beck experienced a network security breach and as a result just about every student grades 2 and above were required to change their network password. Like any large businesses our school district is under constant siege from hackers, bots, and phishing attempts designed to gain access to our personal information. Your student’s privacy is one of our top priorities. With that in mind it is essential that our students learn to create strong passwords at an early age. In Kindergarten they are given ridiculously simple passwords but by 2nd grade the district requires students to be able to make their own “strong” passwords. It is likely that, like WCSD staff, students will need to change their passwords at least once a year.
In computer class we’ve discussed how we can create “strong” passwords. A “strong” password should be a random collection of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. These can be hard to remember. Here is a suggestion: take a song title or phrase that is easy to remember (example: “The Star Spangled Banner”) and use the first letters of each word (TSSB), randomize the upper and lower case letters (TssB) and add a favorite number, perhaps a favorite sports star’s jersey number (Hockey fans will know that Joe Thornton is #19 so TssB#19). Now, when I sit down at a computer it’s a little easier to remember this “strong” password.
One is not enough! We do want to create separate passwords for each application. If one of our applications gets hacked we do not want that hacker to have access to all of our applications. Perhaps select another player from your favorite team?
As parents and professionals we are often frustrated with keeping track of all these passwords so it may be something we avoid thinking about. That’s our choice as adults, but let’s not takes any risks with our children’s future. Talk to your kids about passwords and have them consider how important their digital identity is. The first step is to use strong passwords on all applications.
From Mr. E:
Recently Jesse Beck experienced a network security breach and as a result just about every student grades 2 and above were required to change their network password. Like any large businesses our school district is under constant siege from hackers, bots, and phishing attempts designed to gain access to our personal information. Your student’s privacy is one of our top priorities. With that in mind it is essential that our students learn to create strong passwords at an early age. In Kindergarten they are given ridiculously simple passwords but by 2nd grade the district requires students to be able to make their own “strong” passwords. It is likely that, like WCSD staff, students will need to change their passwords at least once a year.
In computer class we’ve discussed how we can create “strong” passwords. A “strong” password should be a random collection of upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and punctuation marks. These can be hard to remember. Here is a suggestion: take a song title or phrase that is easy to remember (example: “The Star Spangled Banner”) and use the first letters of each word (TSSB), randomize the upper and lower case letters (TssB) and add a favorite number, perhaps a favorite sports star’s jersey number (Hockey fans will know that Joe Thornton is #19 so TssB#19). Now, when I sit down at a computer it’s a little easier to remember this “strong” password.
One is not enough! We do want to create separate passwords for each application. If one of our applications gets hacked we do not want that hacker to have access to all of our applications. Perhaps select another player from your favorite team?
As parents and professionals we are often frustrated with keeping track of all these passwords so it may be something we avoid thinking about. That’s our choice as adults, but let’s not takes any risks with our children’s future. Talk to your kids about passwords and have them consider how important their digital identity is. The first step is to use strong passwords on all applications.
January 2020
The Jesse Beck Computer Lab will be open on STEAM Night on Thursday, February 6th from 5:30-7:00. Students are encouraged to bring parents to show them the projects we are doing in class. Parents are welcome to come with questions!
Often parents ask for suggestions on what web sites are suitable for their young students. These are some suggestions and what we use in the Jesse Beck Computer Lab.
Often parents ask for suggestions on what web sites are suitable for their young students. These are some suggestions and what we use in the Jesse Beck Computer Lab.
Starfall
Grades: K to 2nd |
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Prodigy Math
Grades: 3rd - 4th |
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Digital Citizenship by Common Sense Education
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December 2019
New Computer Teacher for School Year 2019-2020
There’s a new computer teacher at Jessie Beck. His name is Kirk Ellern but the students call him “Mr. E”.
Mr. E will be working as our computer teacher temporarily. He is a former high school science teacher and his son is a student at Jessie Beck.
We’re currently getting all the students up to speed on using computers to grade level using learning applications and web sites. This year we are putting more emphasis on typing and introducing students to programming at an earlier age.
If you’d like to see what your 3rd grade and above students will be up to, have them show you the lessons at http://www.Code.Org. Students below 3rd grade are
encouraged to use Dreambox Math at home.
Note: To access Dreambox on a personal computer your student will need to log in to the WCSD web site https://www.washoeschools.net using their StudentID
and Password, then go to the Students and Parents header, then follow the Dreambox link.
Mr. E will be working as our computer teacher temporarily. He is a former high school science teacher and his son is a student at Jessie Beck.
We’re currently getting all the students up to speed on using computers to grade level using learning applications and web sites. This year we are putting more emphasis on typing and introducing students to programming at an earlier age.
If you’d like to see what your 3rd grade and above students will be up to, have them show you the lessons at http://www.Code.Org. Students below 3rd grade are
encouraged to use Dreambox Math at home.
Note: To access Dreambox on a personal computer your student will need to log in to the WCSD web site https://www.washoeschools.net using their StudentID
and Password, then go to the Students and Parents header, then follow the Dreambox link.
School Year 2018-2019 Posts
by Nicole Norwich
February 2019
This month in the Computer Lab we are focusing on our typing skills!
As students practice these skills they are able to have a higher WPM (Words Per Minute) and much better accuracy. Here are some free resources to help your child become a more proficient typist:
Kindergarten - Second Grade
Third Grade - Sixth Grade
This month in the Computer Lab we are focusing on our typing skills!
As students practice these skills they are able to have a higher WPM (Words Per Minute) and much better accuracy. Here are some free resources to help your child become a more proficient typist:
Kindergarten - Second Grade
- www.abcya.com - Free online educational games to help children become more comfortable and familiar with the computer keyboard. Grade-level lessons incorporate areas such as math and language arts while introducing basic computer skills.
- www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr - Dance Mat Typing is a free online typing program run by the BBC which includes 12 levels and is designed to be fun for kids. Typing lessons feature an animated character with an off-beat accent.
Third Grade - Sixth Grade
- www.typing.com - This website is a great resource that tracks your progress and records each improvement. It also has engaging games that students enjoy.
- www.nitrotype.com/race - This website allows you to compete with friends to see who the fastest typist is.
- https://sense-lang.org/ - A great website that offers both free and paid subscriptions. There are a variety of typing tutorials and practice tests.
Sep 2018
We are off to a GREAT year in Technology! This year we continue to use a program called DreamBox that we are utilizing in both the Classroom and the Computer Lab. One of the best features of this program is the ability to use it at home.
To Access DreamBox Using A Laptop/Desktop/MAC:
To Access DreamBox Using An iPAD/Tablet:
* Because Washoe County uses Single Sign-On to access DreamBox you will need to launch the DreamBox apps from the Dreambox link on the WCSD Website in the Safari web browser the same way you access DreamBox from a computer.
We are off to a GREAT year in Technology! This year we continue to use a program called DreamBox that we are utilizing in both the Classroom and the Computer Lab. One of the best features of this program is the ability to use it at home.
To Access DreamBox Using A Laptop/Desktop/MAC:
- Visit our Washoe County homepage www.washoeschools.net
- Click on the Students and Parents Link
- Under the section “D” click on the link for DreamBox
- Students will enter their username as Washoe\StudentID Number
- Students will enter their password that they have chosen previously
To Access DreamBox Using An iPAD/Tablet:
* Because Washoe County uses Single Sign-On to access DreamBox you will need to launch the DreamBox apps from the Dreambox link on the WCSD Website in the Safari web browser the same way you access DreamBox from a computer.
- Visit our Washoe County homepage www.washoeschools.net
- Click on the Students and Parents Link
- Under the section “D” click on the link for DreamBox
- Students will enter their username as Washoe\StudentID Number
- Students will enter their password that they have chosen previously
If you have any additional questions about accessing DreamBox please contact me at Nnorwich@washoeschools.net. Thank you!
May 2018
Education Apps are a great way to keep your children engaged and having fun while outside the classroom. Here are some free ones your family can enjoy!
Education Apps are a great way to keep your children engaged and having fun while outside the classroom. Here are some free ones your family can enjoy!
Grammaropolis |
This app is a fun and engaging way to learn about grammar. Grammaropolis has won the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and a Parent’s Choice Approved Award. For ages 7 and up. For Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. |
NASA Visualization Explorer |
This app updates with information about the Earth, the sun, and the universe. It uses amazing images and animations to help students learn the information. Ages 7 and up. For iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. |
Science360 |
The National Science Foundation’s Science360 app is a great resource for engineering news, images, and videos. All content is either produced or endorsed by the NSF and new content is added every week. Ages 12 and up. For Android and iPad. |
Thinking Blocks Multiplication |
Helps visual learners work through the multiplication process. This app helps to improve rote memorization to help students with their speed and accuracy. For ages 7 and up. For iPad. |
Todo Math |
10 to 15 minute practice drills and daily math activities designed for young learners. This app has won multiple awards, including a Parent’s Choice Gold Award. Ages 5 and up. For Android, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. |
Vocabulary Spelling City |
Fun and entertaining spelling games and quizzes. You can upload a customized word list for weekly spelling words. Ages 6 and up. For Android, iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. |
There are TONS of apps available for educational games that are fun and engaging. The website https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ is an amazing resource for child appropriate media.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at Nnorwich@washoeschools.net.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me at Nnorwich@washoeschools.net.
April, 2018
We encourage your children to participate in the DreamBox challenge! If you have any additional questions about accessing DreamBox or any other technology questions please contact me at Nnorwich@washoeschools.net. Thank you!
- The DreamBox Learning® Spring Math Challenge is a biannual completion open to DreamBox classrooms across Washoe County where students compete to complete the most DreamBox Learning Lessons over the course of three weeks.
- This challenge runs from March 24th to April 8th. Students need to complete at least 5-8 lessons a week to participate.
- Ten students will be randomly selected to win a one hour pass to Fly High Trampoline Park.
We encourage your children to participate in the DreamBox challenge! If you have any additional questions about accessing DreamBox or any other technology questions please contact me at Nnorwich@washoeschools.net. Thank you!
March 2018
This month I would like to bring attention to a few really great websites for ELA to help students improve on their reading skills.
http://www.storylineonline.net/ - This is a great free resource for younger students. This program is funded by a nonprofit group called the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. It features celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside amazing illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, James Earl Jones, Betty White and many more. The website also includes supplemental curriculum developed for each book by a credentialed elementary educator.
http://mrnussbaum.com/ - This is a great resource for not only ELA but also for Math and History. It provides a wide range of spelling activities, reading comprehension activities, e-books, and activities for sight words for ages Pre-K through 6th grade.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/activities-and-printables -- This website has tons of free ELA printable pages such as mad libs, printable e-books, create
your own comic books, and writing prompts from ages Pre-K through 6th grade
https://www.turtlediary.com/games/languagearts.html - Turtle Diaries has tons of different
Language Arts games for 1st grade through 5th grade. This website provides very fun and engaging games for students.
http://storybird.com/ - This is an amazing website that allows creators to write stories, illustrate their creations and then upload it for other users to read. This is a great community where you can read fun and creative stories created by other children around the world.
This month I would like to bring attention to a few really great websites for ELA to help students improve on their reading skills.
http://www.storylineonline.net/ - This is a great free resource for younger students. This program is funded by a nonprofit group called the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. It features celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside amazing illustrations. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, James Earl Jones, Betty White and many more. The website also includes supplemental curriculum developed for each book by a credentialed elementary educator.
http://mrnussbaum.com/ - This is a great resource for not only ELA but also for Math and History. It provides a wide range of spelling activities, reading comprehension activities, e-books, and activities for sight words for ages Pre-K through 6th grade.
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/activities-and-printables -- This website has tons of free ELA printable pages such as mad libs, printable e-books, create
your own comic books, and writing prompts from ages Pre-K through 6th grade
https://www.turtlediary.com/games/languagearts.html - Turtle Diaries has tons of different
Language Arts games for 1st grade through 5th grade. This website provides very fun and engaging games for students.
http://storybird.com/ - This is an amazing website that allows creators to write stories, illustrate their creations and then upload it for other users to read. This is a great community where you can read fun and creative stories created by other children around the world.
