Re: Writing with laptops

I was hoping to read some positive comments to this post from some of the recipients of this pilot - something to give me a glimmer of hope that this approach was helping our students, but after almost a week there are none... *sad*

I'm becoming a bit cynical about this whole approach. It's unfortunate that I feel this way right now - and the lack of response to this post sums up my current thoughts on this subject: Is this REALLY making for a better student AND does anyone really care anymore? [I hope I am wrong.]

Re: Writing with laptops

Dan, et all. Looking forward to the responses. Thanks for the post - I have the same questions.

Re: Writing with laptops

Yes. Monday was a glum day for me - sorry if I seemed "down".

Since that comment on Monday, the song "Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Old Oak Tree" has been stuck in my head, but I'm replacing it with "100 Comments on Dan's Blog" if you know what I mean... I remain hopeful that the 5th grade community of parents, students and teachers responds to your blog because you're asking really good questions here.

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas,
These computers are a big part of my life as a fifth grader. They are life savers.Having a laptop helps me in writing because I'm not the most unorganized person, so I don't have tons of papers to mix up and lose. I can type everything on my computer and not be worried about it getting lost. In my classroom, Ms. V doesn't have to sit up at her computer and pull the website up on the projector screen. Before the computers, we were wasting time going up to the meeting area instead of doing our work. If I didn't have a computer next year, I wouldn't feel like it's the end of the world. Although, I would feel sort of disappointed if we didn't have computers next year. You wouldn't understand how wonderful these laptops are unless you were a kid like me. These are wonderful objects of technology! Kids next year should really look forward to doing almost all of their work online. It's so much easier for everyone because we don't have to have the teacher show us the website and we don't have to listen to them repeat everything three or four times.We can even take our spelling tests online! If you don't agree with me, stop by our class for one day and experience our wonderful technology. We use our computers almost everyday and we have a 'Smart Board' which helps all of us. Our teacher doesn't have to take attendance or do lunch count anymore because we can go up to the smart board and check the word 'present' and for lunch count we can make tally marks. Please visit www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com for more information on how our computers are used.
Sincerely,
Cheyanne

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Maas,
Having computers makes almost everything easier. It makes writing easier because my hand hurts after writing too long and when I'm typing I use both hands so one hand isn't tired. If we didn't have computers we couldn't do Fact Monster. It is a website and we have worksheets that we have to fill out while we navigate through the website. We learn about whose birthday it is and a bunch more things that we learn like historical events that have happened. We also couldn't have taken a spelling test online. You should come and see it If you have time stop by and look. You have to see it to believe it. If we didn't have laptops next year I would not like it that much. We do almost everything on our laptops. we wouldn't be able to watch videos at our own pace, we wouldn't be able to read our classmates responses on what we all think because we blog so many of our answers. If we didn't have computers next year I wouldn't be able to know what my classmates thought. The students that are coming into fifth grade next year have a lot of fun coming toward them. You type almost all of your writing assignments on the computers. The fourth graders will have a lot of fun with www.factmonster.com because you have to decide which word is spelled wrong and you also have to guess what the word for the analogy of the day is. You wouldn't have fun by doing it on a piece of paper because you don't get to navigate by yourself. You can come see our work at our blog, www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com or you can go to our wiki at, www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com! I hope you will agree that the eee laptops have made a difference for us after you see what we do.


Your Friend,
Kaylee

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
Our computers have helped us a lot not only have they helped 5th grade they have helped 4th grade too.The little computers make 5th grade a little bit easier and more exciting.We almost do everything in our little computers we do todays facts,dictionaries,writing like a patch or an essay,we blog,we do our spelling tests on the computers,and we go on our wiki.Our computers help us so much because instead of doing our spelling test on paper we do it in our little awesome computers.If 6th grade doesnt have little computers I dont now what Im going to do.I mean we do every thing on this little things we go to DE SCIENCE which is filled of learning stuff,and you can find experiments and lots of other things to do.Our computers are full of everything you need but we can only use it to do school work and we cant go on to different web pages only the ones Miss.V tells us to.I remember the first day we got our computers I was so excited to see them and all I thought about was on how we were going to use them.I never imagined going on all these great places like DE SCIENCE Its not just full of human body things its full of animal things,plant things and expierements.If your out there and didnt believe anything I said you have to see It to belive it so If you have time stop by and see everything were doing here at East In our little computers.

Your friend
Jessica

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas,

Here is my story on how these laptops have made a difference in my 5th grade year. Having the computers for writing is much easier because we can make the fount bigger and all kinds of different things to help express ourselves in our writing. It helps us keep things where we want them and we practice everyday on our keybord, typewriting and it is really cool! We can finally work on our stories and other things without writing them on a piece of paper and that never used to happen before and we can comment on our classroom blogs, like we're doing right now. It just makes life easier in the classroom. I'm gonna miss the laptops next year and I hope that I can get one of the laptops for Christmas next year! 5th grade next year is looking forward to a great year with amazing technology because with out these laptops school wouldn't be nearly as fun! I really love these laptops because we would never be able to do spelling tests online! We just got a Smartbord mounted in our room and we would never be able to use all this technology! We even have a blog so visit www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com and we even have a wiki so visit www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com. It is so fun having these laptops and it is cooler that we can have blogs and stuff like that. You can come visit our school for a day and see how we use our technology! We would love you to see our wonderful new technology! It really helps me with many things! You got to see it to believe it! Its true!

Sincerely,
Angelica U

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Dan Mass,
Here is my story on why these eees's have helped us in our lives as a fifth grader this year. These mini computers help us in literacy when we do our spelling test we can do it online and guess what we can even print it because our printer is wireless. I really never thought 5th grade was going to be fun but boy was I wrong.I used to not like writing but know I keep looking at the time and inside I am saying,”is it time for writing yet?”If you don't believe me come visit us at East Elementary.You have to see it to believe it because your eyes will pop out.All those people who say that the eee's haven't helped us as a fifth grader we specifically want you to come see us.I don't like to brag but these computers are awesome and so is my class and I. Do you know what a wiki is because I sure do.We used to save on our old school jump drives but my amazing wonderful teacher came up with a way to save online. We also have our very own page please do visit us and blog on our website at www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com we will be waiting to hear what you have to say.The funnest website that I like to go on these eee's is DE Science it is super fun and you get to find out what all these words mean without going on a dictionary.So all I am trying to do is prove to all you people that don't believe that these eee's have helped,well come see it for yourself.
Sincerely,
Lupita

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas,
I looked on your blog and said “what people don't like our mini laptops”I said this because they do help us in our classroom especially during writing. We use them to do a lot of fun things like do our spelling, watch videos through DE Science, blog, wiki, and type writing assignments .The thing we do on spelling is get our mini laptop and do our spelling test at the end of each week. Now here is my story .When we first got our laptops I thought that they were for the teachers. But then my computer teacher Mrs.Kay started calling the students to get there laptop for the year.That change school for my class because we started using them almost every day for writing and blogging. But the thing it really changed was the technology.That's my story and that's why I want the people who don't like the new mini laptops to come to 5th grade to see them and see my 5th grade class using them.I am saying this because you have to see it to believe it!

Sincerely,
Richard

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas,
I enjoy having laptops because at home I don't get the opportunity to type on a computer or laptop. We do a lot with laptops.We go to websites,such as DE Science,fact monster,and spelling city. Before we couldn't do everything on a laptop in the classroom,we had to go to the computer room.The computer teacher Mrs.Kay would help us. Now we don't have to go to the computer room. We can do everything on our laptops,without the teacher helping us. In I.G.R,our reading teachers Mr.Moore,and Miss.VanderVelde have us do our work on the computers, they created a blog for us to post our assignments on and comment on others. For Miss.VanderVelde we read a non-fiction book, on the back of the book theres questions and we answer them on our on computers.For Mr.Moore we do a summary, response to how a discussion begins,and we respond to each others work.I hope that next year,we have laptops to type on because it is easier to do everything,especially typing for writing.If you don't believe me,I invite anyone to come to East Elementary and watch how 5th graders use the laptops all day.
Sincerely,
Mirican

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas,
Here is my part of the story before someone else takes it. Before if I didn't have this computer it was hard to do lots of stuff hand written and it was hard to erase and erase and erase and then start over. But now the triple e's have helped us with lots of things like science and writing and other school work like writing patches on them and writing summaries.The triple e's even have its own games to play like puingun race and video recoding and other fun stuff to do just without going on the internet witch is kind of fabulous and they are very educating to us students in 5th grade. These triple e's also make us happy because they are fun to play on in computer club with sir Mr. Moore and ma'am Mrs. V. When I first tried to type on these triple e's during writing I would on accident press other keys witch messed me up. If I didn't have a triple e in 6th grade I would be torn apart to be taken away from them. It helps me a lot.If we did not have these we would not be able to print all the stuff we have printed now such as our cognitive content dictionaries, our essay's, and our fiction stories.If we didn't have these triple e's we would not have the website of www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com and www.dragonpogoda.blogspot.com. These websites help us with a lot of things.One more site you can go to is that helps us if you want to know is www.unitedstreaming.com. If we didn't have these web sites we would not have places to save our work besides in a document folder. If we only saved in a document folder the world would not see how much we have grown as writers this year. Although I have not figured out how to use all the keys but I can kind of figure it out just by playing around on it in a document to see witch buttons do what like TAB helps by indenting, which helps if your writing a story. I think fifth grade next year is up for a treat. Believe me this technology is the real stuff. YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.


Sincerly,
Andrew

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan and Earth, Having a laptop computer helps students because they are more interested because we have technology. What happens in our classroom that we couldn't have before is that we have our own computer instead of going to the computer lab. If we didn't have triple e's I would feel kind of weird because I'm so used to the triple e computers around. The next years 5th graders can look forward to is the triple e's and the Dragon Pagoda and everything in between like Cal-Wood and the dissections.

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Mass

I love having the laptops as a fifth grade student. In my writing it helps me because when I write it wont take as much paper even though it will when you print. Like when we wrote our essays it would have taken a long time to write but when we typed them it didn't take as long to type. Another thing that I think I have learned a lot more with the laptops instead of a teacher talking all of the time. I am able to work at my own pace which really seems to work for me.

The thing that happens in our class is now that we know how too use the eee laptops, is that we can blog which is a place where we can look at what other people said to a post and we can do our own post to. Our class really enjoys the websites, fact monster, spelling city ,and discovery education.

If 6th grade doesn't have these types of computers or a little different computers I will not be very happy because I have learned so much by having one at my fingertips daily.

Lastly, the 4th graders should know what is coming because they will be able to do all of the stuff that we do like the wiki and go to www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com and blog at www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com. they can even make their own little play on them from the web cam.

You should try and ask some people that think the computers aren't making it easier for kids to come and see us.

Your friend,
Jeffrey

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Dan Mass,

I think that having a laptop computer helps me and other students with writing because it has a dictionary and it is faster with typing than hand writing things. What happens in my classroom is that the other students are satisfied with our computers and they think that they are great and we use them everyday until the last day of school. Next year I would feel sad if we do not have the laptops because then how would we do our work and plus I love the wireless connection,they would have to look forward to having to save stuff to the computers and the jump drives (computer savers),also the they can't take the computers home but they can take home the jump drives. in addition they would need to have a special licenses to so that would/could be cool for them to have.
Dominique

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
Having laptop computers helps students write better because it makes us think a little more instead of writing it on a piece of paper. Another reason is that we type faster and we learn how to do it. What happens now in class is that we get to take tests on our laptops and on almost in every subject we use the laptops. For example in science we use the website discovery education to learn more. Another example is on our blog the Dragon Pagoda - there's lots of learning sites and we use them a lot. Next year I would feel sad because we wouldn't have the computers. I think that's a ripoff because we got used to them and in middle school we won't have the triple e's. The other thing is that they should try to gives us some. The next year's 5th grade students have to look forward to Cal-Wood because it's exciting and active. The other thing they have to look for is all the technology its really cool and exciting to use.
Sincerely
Esmeralda

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass & Mason,
I think having our laptops help students write better because when we write in journals our hands start to hurt. I'm not saying that they don't when we type on the computers but not as quickly and not as much, which means we get a better chance of writing more. In addition, I could think of better ideas whether it's for a prompt or just for free write. Things happen in our classroom now that we have laptops that couldn't happen before is usually we would have to read with holding the books but now we can just go online and have them read to us, or we can still read them to our self online. Also, since everyone has there own laptops for the year it's easy for everyone to search something up at the same time. Now that we have laptops in our classroom that we won't have next year, I feel disappointed and I probably will not enjoy writing as much. Although every once and a while we would get to type some of our stories on the computer it wouldn't be as much as now. Also, next year we would only get to type our final copies. I think next years 5th grade students coming to our class need to look forward to all of the great technology such as the smart board. The best thing about the smart board is it can do everything that the projector can do but more. They should also look forward to going the trip on Cal-Wood, having the laptops, and just having fun.

Torsha

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas

I think the computers make us better writers because we have more writing resources online and I feel it's been a lot easier and different. Also I can write a lot more with the computers than by hand so there's cramping and hurting. The blog of course! We couldn't go to the computer lab that often to check the blog and Power Point Presentation to write our realistic fiction. I thought my writing was a lot better the first time I used the computers. At my old school they had a few laptops for the whole school would feel sad not to have the computers because these computers are so cool I couldn't bear to leave them. I hope that Middle school has computers. I look forward too going to middle school but I thought about the computers and now I want to stay here and be with the computers. They have many things to look up to in 5th grade like Cal-Wood, dissections, and simulations. Most of all the computers. They will definitely get better grades and have more fun with learning.

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
I think having a laptop computer help students write better because it is a lot easier than writing it all out on paper. Plus if you make a mistake in your writing, instead of crossing it out you can just click where you made the mistake and fix. It also helps students write better because it doesn't hurt your hands as much when you are writing on a piece of paper. Now that we got computers it really is easier then paper and pen. Another reason it helps students write better is because if you misspell a word and you don't know how to spell it correctly, there is spell check and you could find the word there. What happens in our classroom now that we have laptops that we could not do before is we can go on the internet and we could go where the teacher tells us, and we have sheets with questions on them. To answer the questions we go on the internet and find the place we need to go and answer the questions on the sheets. It really changed because it is a whole lot easier to just go on our computers instead of the class going into the computer lab. Plus it takes more time to get everybody in the computer and also to get everybody situated. It is a big change for me because I like to type more then writing with pen and paper.
Next year I will feel weird and not that happy because we wouldn't have the laptops, but not just the laptops but also all the technology in the room like the Smart Board the document camera and many more technology. I would feel so weird because you would go back to pen and paper and no more typing on the laptops. I would hate to leave 5th grade without the laptops and the rest of the technology have, I would defiantly be heart broken to never see the technology when I go to middle school. I would feel weird because going through a day without a laptop would be torture. I think it would be worst then detention.
Next year's 5th grade students coming to our classroom would have to look forward to many things like the laptops, Smart board, document camera, clickers, the four day three night Cal-Wood trip. The other things that next year 5th grade students would look up to are the heart digestions and also the eye digestions. Here is some information about the digestions, the heart digestions are harder then the eye digestion because it is harder to cut, plus it is not that as fun as the eye. But in the end they're both really fun. Most importantly they would look forward to two best teacher, Mr. Moore and Mrs. Vander Velde. They're fun to hang out with and comfortable to be around.
Sincerely,
Julyssa

Re: Writing with laptops

I am thrilled and amazed to see how much these students enjoy writing. It is obvious it is something they look forward to on a daily basis. The computers are a wonderful tool for the students to use. They seem to be more aware of the world and of the opportunities that surround them. It is still the hard work and dedication of Kay Bolerjck, Nicolette VandeVelde and Chris Moore along with everyone involved at East Elementary that has brought this fantastic use of technology to life. I am truly impressed!
Sincerely,
Diane Duckworth

Re: Writing with laptops

Impressive East Elementary students! Your writing ability is really showing and I enjoy reading the passion you have for your eee's. Thanks for sharing.

Keep the posts coming everyone!

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
I think having a laptop helps students write better because we get more information. I think we write more because we have our laptops with us. Now that we have laptops we know that there are things we couldn't do before. One thing that could not happen before is, there would have been a lot of hand writing and maybe other kids don't like that a lot. I think with the computers we're more quiet. If we didn't have them next year it would be really hard I think for all of us and I think I will feel like not super sad but disappointed and a little sad because I think I learned a lot with the computers and what I learned I will take into middle school. The next 5th grade students have to look forward to that fact that some stuff is pretty hard in 5th grade it's not easy the work we do but I think they are smart kids and maybe they will do good in 5th grade.
Sincerely
Anna Karen

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
I think that having a laptop computer helps us write better because all students like computers, and before, nobody liked it when the teacher said it's writing time, but now that we have the computers, kids can't wait for writing time. With the computers it's easier because we get to type out our stories and essays, and we don't need the teachers help because the computers tell us when we made a mistake and we can right click on the word, and it spells it for us. My main point is that the computers make us want to do stuff we didn't like to do before. For example, every Friday we have a spelling test, and before we had the computers, we had to organize the paper, and label it and everything, but with the computers, we can just go to spelling city, and the test is there waiting for you.
Something that happens in our classroom that could not happen before, is that Mr. Moore can trust us with going on the internet and finding stuff out ourselves and he's letting us try things on our own. Also we get to use the computers for almost everything and Mr. Moore feels confident that we can go on the computers and do our job. Another thing that happens in our classroom that could not happen before, is that we can use the computers 24/7, because the teachers see that the computers are helping us.
If I didn't have laptop computers in my classroom next year, I would feel really weird and sad, because we have had the computers for almost all of 5th grade, and we learned how to do a lot of stuff on the computers, and then to just take them away would be a real bummer.
Next year 5th grade students have to look forward to the laptops, the smart board, the document camera, the T.V., Cal-Wood, and 2 great teachers who will teach them all they need to know.
Sincerely,
Admira

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas,
I think having a laptop computer helps the students write better because when kids write with paper and pen, they really don't like writing that way because it makes their hands get tired and writing like that is pretty boring. Even if the kids have struggles with writing on the computer and also using both hands to write, they probably feel more comfortable with their hands resting on the laptop. Also, the work we do gets much more organized. For example, in writing, when we made mini stories (short stories-sort of like chapters) for our realistic fiction story, we did it on the computer and we used the presentation, which was pretty neat, because we could get a slide for each mini story, and that way, it was very organized. Adding to my answer, the students, with a happy heart, write more, and get excited. Mixing Mr. Moore's teaching of writing and the computers, kids get really excited to write. Even right now, I don't want to stop typing. My hands get all itchy to type.
A thing that happens in my classroom now that I have laptops that couldn't happen before is learning with games; for example, for multiplication and division facts, we go to this website and play games that will develop our multiplication and division skills.
I wouldn't be sad or anything because we might not have them in 6th grade, but I will miss typing in class and the smart board. I haven't explained to you yet what a smart board is, well, it is like a movie screen and a projector- except the smart board is actually touchable. In other words, it's like a movie screen, but with abilities of a mouse and a keyboard, which is pretty cool. I wouldn't as much miss the laptops, but I really will miss the smart board.
Next year's 5th graders are looking forward mostly to Cal-wood. It is a trip we go to up in the mountains. Most of the 5th graders have experienced Cal-wood and it was a blast! Since the trip is in the nature, there are fresh air and animals. That's not all, but I think I should stop here because the list will go on forever. Oh, and we stayed in cabins that were pretty big. All that was in it were several bunk beds, a trash can, and a heater. My favorite experience was when we did a scavenger hunt. We actually had to search for these clips hanging on trees with maps, and it wasn't as easy as I expected it to be. The instructors there are very nice. Another thing they're looking forward to are the laptops. I bet they are really exhilarated for the amazing stuff that are coming their way. Added to that, the smart boards. There's one in the music room, but I bet that they are thrilled to know that there's going to be one of them in their very own classroom. Even I am very excited to use it through the rest of the year. 4th graders better be ready for the mouth-opening shock awaiting them. I just can imagine how they will feel. The first time we got all the technologies, our happiness were overflowing.
Your friend,
Narah

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Everyone,

Yes, having laptop computers helps us. For example we can move the text around and if we want to put it where we want it. My next example is that you can edit when we type. My last example is that we have spell check so if we write a word wrong you can look there and find the correct spelling of the word. There are more things for the other subjects. Like going to the Dragon Pagoda or to DE Science and a lot more links we can go to for many subjects. One thing that happens in my class room is that I like to write because of the computers. I don't mean write with just the laptops but with paper and pen also. Now that I have laptops in my classroom I will feel strange, next year I wouldn't have them because we do almost everything with them. The next year's 5th grade students coming to my classroom have to look forward to Cal-wood, the smart board, the clickers, and the triple e's.
Sincerely Denisse

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
I think that having a laptop definitely improves the writing. It helps because you are free to just put all of your ideas right on to a document. I also think that kids are writing better because it is their first time doing it on their own computer in school, so in that case they are excited to type and work on stories. Some things that happen in our classroom now that we have the laptops that could not happen before are we get to do all of our writing assignment on the computer, we get to blog to each other and to our awesome teacher Mr. Moore. I would be very sad if I didn't have the laptops in sixth grade. I also think that I wouldn't do so well grade-wise because I have definitely seen improvement in my grades since we got the laptops. They definitely have to look forward to using the computers a lot. They will especially use them during writing and science. Another thing they have to look forward to is using a lot of technology like the smart board and the laptops. The final thing they have to look forward to is going to Cal-Wood. I think that all of the fourth graders will have a blast there.

Your friend,
Nathan

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Maas and Mason,

Having a laptop computer helps students write better because when they are writing they can change things much easier than on paper. Things that happen in our class room now that we have laptops that could not happen before are that I actually want to write now and that is a huge change for me and look how I have improved:

Suddenly there was a black figure walking toward them from the driveway. It was a monster Bill thought. A dangerous blood sucking monster thought Garey. As the figure came closer and closer Garey realized it was his dog poler. A big fat hairy dog.

The reason this is different from what I would actually write is because I hated writing so much in all my other grades that all my writing would have sounded like this:

Bill and Garey saw something coming. Garey saw that it was his dog.

Now that we have had laptops in our classroom, I would feel very disappointed if we had the computers taken away because for some weird reason when I get inspired I know I can write better. What next year's 5th grade students coming to our classroom look forward to are the trip to Cal-Wood, the dissections, the smart board, and of course the computers.

Sincerely,
Crystal

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass, 3-12-09
Having the computers helps the students write better by editing and revising. On a piece of paper you have to cross it out and change it. But on a computer you can just erase it and put the right direction. When my class didn't have the computers it was hard to do writing. If we wanted to type, practicing our multiplication and division facts or if we wanted to play math games to help us it was hard because we didn't have these computers. Now that we have them it is easier to do writing and all of the other subjects. If I didn't have this laptop next year I would feel upset and sad. I would feel this way because I really like using them and I enjoy using them. I would then beg my Mom to buy me a laptop like this one so I won't be upset and sad. Next year the students will look forward to having the little laptops. The students will also be looking forward to many exciting things. One of them is a dissection. The students dissect a pig's heart and a cow's eye.
Sincerely,
Chantel

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass
The laptop helps because when I get something wrong the laptop fixes it when I'm wrong and when I mean something else. Having a laptop changed my grades. Everyone can practice spelling and math like studying for the test and having fun while learning your spelling words and mad minute facts. Next year without laptops I will probably not get such good grades,I won't get that many high scores - I will probably get low scores. Students coming to our classroom are looking forward to having laptops and having really cool things so they should take care of it because they really cost a lot.
Sincerely
Ana

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,

The computer helps us by fixing misspelled words when we don't know if a word is misspelled. Writing now is why better than writing with a pen or pencil. I would be sad next year because we would not be able to use the computers to help us with writing,it wont help us to fix mess spelled words. I would feel sad because we wouldn't be able to use the computers it wont help us with writing mess spelled words. The 5th next would have to look forward to use the computers,smart board,and more things.

Sincerely,
Ruben T

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,

Having the laptops helps students write better not just because it's easier to type, but it's also making students want to write more. It is also helping us with our spelling and grammar. Something that we can do now that we have our own computers is blogposts like I'm doing right now. We can also go to places like DE Science and do our own expirements. We are also taking our spelling test on the computer. It would feel strange to me if I didn't have a laptop in the classroom next year. I would also miss blogging and all that stuff. I would also feel bored without the laptops next year. Next year's 5th graders have a lot to look forward to. The very first thing they have to look forward to is Cal-Wood. The biggest thing to look forward to is the computers.


Sincerely,
Arturo

Re: Writing with laptops

Thanks to you all for letting us know how you feel - what is really working and what we need to change to fit your 21st century needs. I do all my writing on the computer - so why would it be different for any other student. I struggle with the size of the key board, but it is certainly bigger than any phone screen.

Re: Writing with laptops

Wow! Wednesday morning, just minutes after the 5th graders finished session 3 of the Science CSAP, I entered Mr. Moore’s classroom to find a group of kids busily writing on their triple e’s. The tone was serious and the students were ALL engaged in their writing. As it turns out, they were responding to a blog posting they had received in regards to how well they are utilizing their triple e’s in order to support their academic achievement. Later Wednesday evening, when I logged on to the 5th graders blogspot, I could see several of these students responses posted for others to view. The power of technology is just AMAZING!
I have worked with the 5th grade students from both Mr. Moore’s and Miss Vander Velde’s class throughout the school year. I specifically provide support to the students in their reading and writing development. I have seen firsthand how the students and 5th grade teachers are using all the technology tools in their classroom to support their students’ academic growth. From, triple e’s, to smart boards, to clickers, document cameras, blogs and wikis, the students are constantly being exposed to and using tools necessary for 21st century learning success. I see 5th graders using technology to support ALL subject areas. The triple e’s are used to support all phases of the writing process. They are also used to help the students with vocabulary and spelling development. The students can read grade-level literature or have literature read to them while using their triple e’s. This helps promote their comprehension and fluency skills. I am also aware that students support their literacy development through the content areas by using the triple e’s to access Discovery Science and reputable social studies websites.
I am pleased that East Elementary has had the opportunity to incorporate so many technological tools to support our students in 5th grade. Our 5th graders definitely use their resources wisely and appreciate their availability. One really must stop in our school to see just how well these resources are being used to assist our students. Trust me; you will be awestruck by the high level of learning taking place!

Gina Maestas

Re: Writing with laptops

I have had the pleasure of working in both Mr. Moore and Ms. Vander Velde's 5th grade classroom during writing this year as a literacy coach. I must say, I am amazed and blown away at their students' motivation to write. In both of their classrooms, writing is a subject that all students look forward to; in fact, both classes voted to give up their afternoon recess in order to create more time for writing! I think the EeePC's are a major contributing factor to the shared enthusiasm for writing.

As a direct result of the increased motivation, students are writing more and more often. Research suggests that when students are given more time to write, their attitudes toward writing improve. Increasing positive attitudes in students is one way to help raise student achievement.

As well, the quality of writing in both classrooms has dramatically improved. Just yesterday, I was listening to students share out parts of their fiction stories they had created on the EeePC's; I was blown away at the abilities of those students. The writing craft they have fostered is amazing! I feel this is a direct result of having the opportunity to use technology as a means of teaching and learning the writing process. Also, students were able to manipulate their stories on the EeePC's in the blink of an eye; they are learning and practicing the literacies of the 21st century.

I am pleased that these fifth graders have been given the opportunity to learn through the EeePC's. I am seeing first-hand the difference these machines are making on students' abilities to write, and write well.

Heather Meesey

Re: Writing with laptops

1. Having a laptop helps students write better by having the ability to post our writing on the wiki and being able to highlight parts of stories or essays that need work.
2. In our classroom, now that we have laptops we are able to explore the internet for projects. Before we could never have done this.
3. Now that we have laptops in the classroom, if we didn't I would probably feel a little mad because we wouldn't have internet, spell check, or word documents. Although these laptops are sometimes annoying and it's very stressful when they aren't working.
4. I think next years 5th graders can look forward to having internet almost all the time and word documents to write reports.
Thanks,
Haley

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Maas,
Well, I love to have these little laptops in our classroom. It also helps me write better because I am a better typer then a writer with a pencil and paper. I would rather type so that I can get things done quicker. I can do all my projects and post it on my teachers wiki so that all my class can see all my hard work. I can also take home all my things that I need to take home because I can work on my laptop and save everything onto my thumb drive. It makes everything so much easier.
Plus, now that we have the laptop in the classroom, we can play math games and stuff like that. When we didn't have them, we had to play with old flash cards and games that were to easy for me. But now I can find the correct game, the perfect level.
I would be crushed if I didn't have then next year. I love them! I can do a lot more on them than I can do on paper.
Next year, 5th grade students can look forward to a fun year with these little things that they will love. They are so cool to type on. It helps me understand how to work on the computer. Also, I'm sure my whole class agrees with me.

Sincerely,
Hopkins, 5th grade student, Katie

Re: Writing with laptops

1. How does having laptop computers help students write better?
Having laptops help students write better because when you do a first draft and final then you don't have to waste time erasing or using a new piece of paper all you need to do is hit delete. Also it is much easier to keep track of than a ton of papers that you might throw away when you think you don't need them. If we have a research paper then we can get on the internet to look things up without having to wait our turn up at the front.

2.What happens in your classroom now that you have laptop that couldn't happen before you had laptops?
Some thing that can happen now that we have the laptops that we couldn't happen before we had them is we can all go on the internet at the same time, have typed reports, and play more games. We get to make slide shows and other presentation without a hassle.

3.Now that you had the laptops in your class room how would you feel if you didn't have them next year?
If next year I didn't have the laptops I would feel frustrated that I couldn't do anything on my own computer and I would have to share the class computer to play games or do reports.

4.What do next year's 5th grade students coming to your classroom have to look forward to?
Next years 5th grade students have great laptop games, access to the internet, a video camera, and many other great tools on the laptop to look forward to.

Brianna

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Maas,
The laptops help the kids in all areas. It helps the kids become better students. If there were not any laptops in our school they wouldn't be good students and they wouldn't do their work that well. Next year fourth graders will look forward to good luck because if we didn't have laptops they couldn't do their spelling on line and they couldn't type their writing on the laptops.
Sincerely,
Manuela (East fifth grade parent)

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Mass,
Having a laptop computer helps us write better because now it is not that easy to make a mistake and if you write a story and someone is thinking you can just change the font to show internal dialog, like they do in real books. You can also change the size really quick with out having to erase everything and start over. If you want to change the color of the text you just highlight everything and chose your color. What happens now that could not happen before is that now we have access to the internet. So now we can go on to a math web site or a spelling site and that will help us on our tests, and now that we are doing a current event for homework we can go on the internet and get an article. Now students can't wait for math, writing, and science because we get to use the laptops and it is way more fun with the laptops. How I am going to feel next year because I won't have my own laptop next year is that I am going to be a little depressed, because I won't have access to the internet, so that means that I will have to go back to the boring paper and pencil, and no more math games and science games or documents. I also wouldn't be able to change the text in any way. What next year's 5th graders expect is that they will be getting their own computer. They will also be getting a lot of technology that they did not have in 4th grade, like the clickers, the projector and the SMART Board.
Sincerely,
Diana

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas,
The triple e's are a big help in class because they are bringing up some of my grades. Mostly in writing because when we write a story and it is time to type it on the laptop's it is fun, therefore, I want to write more. It is so nice to have the laptop's it makes 5th grade so much easier and it makes learning more fun. These triple e's are so helpful if we did not have them we wouldn't be able to take a spelling test online or even have a blog that is filled with posts, or use any good technology. Now talking about tecnology we just got a smart board which is super cool. Our teacher does not have to try to walk over all 25 of us to get to her computer to type something, or change to a different website. She can do it all with the touch of her finger. If we did not have them next year in middle school I would be dissapointed because I would wonder how our lifes would be. I would be so sad and heart broken. These are cool little laptops not many schools get to have these but we are so lucky. The laptops are helping us in many subjects.If you want to see what we are mostly doing on the triple e's come on over. If you don't think these laptops are helping well you are wrong. I encourage you can visit our blog at www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com. We also have a wiki you can see it at www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com so you can see what we are doing with these laptops. The next years 5th graders are up to a great year with these laptops.

Your Friend,
Isabel

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas
This is my story on how the computers have changed my writing and science. The computers help me in my writing,by typing faster.Ever since we got the laptops for writing I type faster than ever...Just a little bit, I think. Ever since we got the laptops in my class room we do amazing stuff , We can go to De since, spelling city where we do our spelling. If I didn't have the laptops in middle school it well be really sad, because it well be hard to type any stories or stuff we need to find on the internet.What I think that the 4th graders are in for a big surprise, because we have a new smart board and the laptops where they can type their stories and stuff like that. I think that the lap tops have helped me a lot in writing, and in since.

your Friend
Angelica .C

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Mass,
The way the computers help us write better is because we can type. A lot of us like to type more than write with our hands. We can also print documents that we have made. We also take spelling test on here on a website called Spelling City. It is very affective. Now in our classrooms we can learn on the computers. For example, during science we go on to a website called D.E Science. That is were we learn the meaning of words that are about what we are learning about. Before we would learn from the teacher and sit at our desks. If we don't have these laptops next year it will not make school as fun and we will have to go back to the same old boring school. These computers make school so much fun. What the 4th graders have to look for in 5th grade is the laptops for sure. The laptops have games that are fun. I know for sure what you thought. It also teaches us at the same time. These computers can make learning very fun. We have a lot of awesome technology in our room. We have a smart board the teacher can teach on. What ever is pulled up on her computer will show on the smart board when it's on. You can even scrolle down and up by using the smart board. Not just this but when you take one of the colored pens out of the holder you can write with it on the smart board. We also have something called clickers. Each of us get to have our own remote and when Ms. V puts together this slide show type thing we can have a lot of quizzes on one subject. You can visit our blog at www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com. There are many posts that we have commented on. We also have a wiki called www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com. This is were we save all of are work. You can go here and check out all of our work. You should tell all of your friends to come to these two sites. And tell them to invite their friends. We will take as many people as we want to come to these sites. You have to see it to believe it.
From,
Jody

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Dan Maas,
I like a father of the family am very proud because my daughter Lupita is the future with triple E's.I'm very thankful for Dan Maas for letting the 5th grade at East Elementary be part of them.Wow!I never thought Lupita would ever like writing so much.When we would tell her that it was time for her to write her patch she would say.”I don't like doing them.”But know she gets on the computer and does her patch on there without us having to tell her.That amazes me and even brings a little tear in my eye.So thanks for everything Dan Maas!
From,
Lucio

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Mass,
The eee 's are a big help to me and all the kids that get to use them because if we didn't have them we couldn't go to De Science and find the definition of our vocabulary word it that even gives us a video. If we didn't have the laptops we couldn't get on the internet and take our spelling test in line. Another good reason that the laptops are helpping us is in writing our essay, fiction story, and all are stories because if we didn't have this eee's we will have to go to the computer lab and print and write our stories but no not anymore because we had this wounderful laptops that help us in everything. After the beginning of the year before I coulldn't type fast but when I got this computers I start to type faster. If I didn't get this computer next year I'm going to get really upset because I already got use to them.We can even go to our blog. It is www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com We can also go into our wiki to do our Cogntive content Dictionary we also do our bookjackets and other stuff. His latops have been part of our life as fifth graders they are also life savers because when we need to use them there are here for us.The site for the wiki is www.eastdragonden.pbwiki.com.We can also go to www.spellingcity.com to take our spelling test online because we can have a sentence with it.When it comes on writing I can be organize with my writing because iif I write in my journal the next day I can find the story I write but if I use the computer I can be organize and find the stor the next day. Another good reason I like to use laptops are that we can go to different sites.We can also play games with them like math,spelling games,and much more. Next year 5th graders are going to love this computers because this laptops are going to help them on there writing ,going to the blog,going to spellingcity,going to fact monster,and much more. The site for fact monster is www.factmonster.com. Another thing that fifth grade is going to look forward is getting there on password to go to there on wiki and doing there book jacket and stuff like that.That is my story of the eee's.You have to see it to belive it.Just vistied us when you have time at East Elmentry.

Your friend, Evelin

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas,

I think these laptops have helped my daughter a lot and they where a good experience for the students. All students families can't afford computers/laptops so it helps them a lot! My daughter told me about the spelling she can do on the computer, her fiction story, dragon pagoda, and even their class wiki. I think this is so exciting for them to have such a great experience with these laptops/computers! I wish that when I was younger that I could have have this experience with the change of technology. She even told me that they just got a new Smart board. It is such a great opportunity for the students with great technology!

Sincerely,
Parent of East Student

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr.Maas,
Laptops help us in all areas,it also helps my child become a better student.If there were no laptops my child couldn't write on her own laptop.Next year I might be sad if there is no laptops because my child uses laptops all day in school..Next year fourth graders look forward to good luck because they can do their spelling tests online and write patches and more writing on their computers.I hope students have laptops in middle schools.

Sincerely,
Manuela

Re: Writing with laptops

My thanks to all who responded to your questions. Very insightful into a year in the life of 5th grade classrooms with access to laptops, wireless, teachers who embraced the use of eee's, staff at the school and district who helped make this all possible, etc. etc. etc. Thanks too, for the folks who wrote and won the grant from CDE for this project. I'll be interested in hearing more about it as we finish up the study and school year.

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Mr. Mass,

The new Triple eee laptops are pretty cool. I could not imagine how boring this classroom would be without the laptops. These are some example's that I can do that I couldn't do with out them: writing essays with out scheduling a meeting to type in the computer lab, I can do them right know in my class room Blogging on our own blog (the old we used to use) www.digitaldragons.blogspot.com But know we don't use it anymore. another example is what we do on our computers we do something called a cognitive content dictionary, a grid that has a signal word, a prediction, and a final meaning. We get the signal word and prediction from a website called www.unitedstreaming.com or www.discoveryedgucation.com. We also go on a website called www.spellingcity.com it's a place where we do our spelling test. Also we have created in my IGR group 2 blogs called www.literaturegroupa.blogspot.com and www.readinggroupa.blogspot.com . You can navigate through both of these blogs through www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com . Now what I think of this school as not just a memory I can push away and forgot in my childhood memories, this is the knowledge of power (the future one looks like it). With our 5th grade blog www.dragonpagoda.blogspot.com. We are looking forward not to just be famous, to be the kids of the century to be the educated kids.Also come visit our wiki www.eastdragondeen.pbwiki.com. Maston Please come and visit us. Please change your mind,(I promise you will when you see us). Remember you have to see it to believe It!



East Elemantry Student,

Hamadi

Re: Writing with laptops

Speaking from the experiences of being in and out of these (2) classrooms since the inception of the EEE's, I can honestly say it has brought a wonderful since of relevance to our 5th grade student's--thus increasing their desire and motivation to take their learning to a new level. Being in and out of our classrooms throughout the building, I see many different styles and methods of delivering content. Our 5th grade student's are "cognitively engaged" when it comes to taking in their daily Writer's Workshop lessons. Certainly, it has a lot to do with the teacher delivering and connecting students with the content. Our teachers have worked very hard at developing positive, caring relationships with their students. The combination of the EEE's and this deep connection to our kid's has transformed the (51) 5th graders at East. Leveling the learning playing field by providing easy access could be one of the major reasons for this transformation. On the other hand, having these little machines in front of them everyday has increased their critical thinking skills. and their ability to analyze and evaluate the information independently. As Mr. Maas said, "I wish I were in 5th grade", stands true to form with me. I can on imagine how different my life would be if I would have had the same opportunities our students have now. The sky is the limit. We have only scratched the surface at East. My hope is that EVERY student in our school will be using their own laptop some day. Dream big!!!

Greg Sumlin
Principal

Re: Writing with laptops

Dear Dan Maas,
First of all, I want to thank you for this opportunity to pilot the EEE's in our 5th grade classrooms. I feel it has been very successful for many reasons. The students have obviously stated many of those reasons. I was impressed with their responses to your question, many of them were very inspiring. These students have proven what I knew to be true. If you engage 21st century learners with the technology , they will be engaged and motivated to learn. We are giving them the skills they will need to be successful and providing them the opportunities to take control of their learning. I feel that independently pursued and paced learning can have a strong impact on true knowledge. Which is achievable with the right tools, training and technique in place. The more we can expose these students to the tools they need the better. I know I very proud of our 5th graders as well as our school district for looking forward with effective technology integration in learning.

Re: Writing with laptops

I believe the laptops are a positive experience for