This week we are starting homework in an on-line program called ScootPad. The program is in use in several other classrooms and allows a student to do certain assignments and practice on-line. Some of our students used this program in third grade and are familiar with many of the activities already.
As your child uses ScootPad, opportunities will arise for parents to purchase "Premium Services". Please be aware that none of the assignments given to students will require the purchase of any "premium service".
To start, we are using ScootPad to practice commonly misspelled words.
After students log on, they will click on the launch button in the orange square marked "spelling."
The Reading Practice and the Math Practice are not required
When they launch the spelling, they will be taken to a page where they can take a practice test.
They will then press the arrow that says "Listen", and a robot voice will tell them a word and then give them a sentence using that word.
If they click on the box in the right hand column ("Spell the Word") they can type the word into the box.
When they get to the end of the list, they will click the "Submit" button. they will then see all of the words. The words they spelled correctly will be in green. Words that were spelled incorrectly will be shown in red and crossed out. The correct spelling will appear next to it.
The students are being asked to try the spelling practice two more times for the assignment (a total of 3 times this week.) I have extended the deadline until Monday to give students the opportunity to utilize the weekend, if that is better for them.
If they would like additional practice activities - (these do not count toward the 3 practice test total) The students can click on any of the four "Learn" activities in the gray bar on the left side of the page: Cards, Teach Me, Scramble and Fill In. these activities can be very helpful in helping the students practice the words with which they are having trouble as well as reinforce the correct spelling of the words they already know.
Once students have completed the practice test three times, they can click the summary button at the bottom of the results page and they will see a summary screen:
As your child uses ScootPad, opportunities will arise for parents to purchase "Premium Services". Please be aware that none of the assignments given to students will require the purchase of any "premium service".
To start, we are using ScootPad to practice commonly misspelled words.
After students log on, they will click on the launch button in the orange square marked "spelling."
The Reading Practice and the Math Practice are not required
When they launch the spelling, they will be taken to a page where they can take a practice test.
They will then press the arrow that says "Listen", and a robot voice will tell them a word and then give them a sentence using that word.
If they click on the box in the right hand column ("Spell the Word") they can type the word into the box.
When they get to the end of the list, they will click the "Submit" button. they will then see all of the words. The words they spelled correctly will be in green. Words that were spelled incorrectly will be shown in red and crossed out. The correct spelling will appear next to it.
The students are being asked to try the spelling practice two more times for the assignment (a total of 3 times this week.) I have extended the deadline until Monday to give students the opportunity to utilize the weekend, if that is better for them.
If they would like additional practice activities - (these do not count toward the 3 practice test total) The students can click on any of the four "Learn" activities in the gray bar on the left side of the page: Cards, Teach Me, Scramble and Fill In. these activities can be very helpful in helping the students practice the words with which they are having trouble as well as reinforce the correct spelling of the words they already know.
Once students have completed the practice test three times, they can click the summary button at the bottom of the results page and they will see a summary screen:
This will show all of their results - and the "Status". If the status is "complete" then the students will be able to access the games of "Puzzle" and "Hangman".
As with any new activity, we are working out kinks, as they come to our attention. Because we are still in a learning curve with this program, I have revised the practices from five to three this week. Students who are not having problems with the program will be encouraged to complete the three practice "tests".
Grades for at least this assignment will be completely based on participation, meaning if they can at least log on and take the first practice test by Monday, they will receive a passing grade. Students who do not have access to the internet at home, or who might have spotty internet, requiring them to constantly restart the practice tests, will be given first priority to use laptops and iPads to complete the work during non-instructional class time.
I have told the students the following:
If are having trouble at home with ScootPad just try it twice, and make a mental note of the problem you were having, and we will discuss it in class. When the students share experiences, quite often a classmate had the same problem,and can offer a solution that worked for them.
I do NOT want students spending and hour or more at home getting frustrated with it. It is supposed to be some fun activities to get them to practice spelling commonly misspelled words, so again, if it's not working well for you at home, stop.
Students who do not have access to the internet at home and students that are having problems with Scootpad at home are given the opportunity to use the iPads & laptops in school to access the program. If your student is having problems with connectivity or the program itself, please jot down the problem, so we can discuss it as a class the next day.
Keep tuning into this blog for updates! Thank you for all of your patience and support, and do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions.
Ms. K
As with any new activity, we are working out kinks, as they come to our attention. Because we are still in a learning curve with this program, I have revised the practices from five to three this week. Students who are not having problems with the program will be encouraged to complete the three practice "tests".
Grades for at least this assignment will be completely based on participation, meaning if they can at least log on and take the first practice test by Monday, they will receive a passing grade. Students who do not have access to the internet at home, or who might have spotty internet, requiring them to constantly restart the practice tests, will be given first priority to use laptops and iPads to complete the work during non-instructional class time.
I have told the students the following:
If are having trouble at home with ScootPad just try it twice, and make a mental note of the problem you were having, and we will discuss it in class. When the students share experiences, quite often a classmate had the same problem,and can offer a solution that worked for them.
I do NOT want students spending and hour or more at home getting frustrated with it. It is supposed to be some fun activities to get them to practice spelling commonly misspelled words, so again, if it's not working well for you at home, stop.
Students who do not have access to the internet at home and students that are having problems with Scootpad at home are given the opportunity to use the iPads & laptops in school to access the program. If your student is having problems with connectivity or the program itself, please jot down the problem, so we can discuss it as a class the next day.
Keep tuning into this blog for updates! Thank you for all of your patience and support, and do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions.
Ms. K