NOW Classrooms, Grades K-2: Lessons for Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Technology (Supporting ISTE Standards for Students and Digital Citizen

Part of the NOW Classrooms series.

Developed specifically for grades K-2, this resource presents classroom-ready lessons that support the ISTE Standards for Students and digital citizenship. Use the lessons, which focus on four essential skills (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity), to take instruction and learning to the next level through the use of technology. Each chapter includes strategies for developing authentic digital learning experiences and ends with discussion questions for personal reflection.

Integrate digital learning and support the ISTE Standards (formerly National Educational Technology Standards for Students):

• Understand that real transformational change results from teaching and learning, not ever-changing digital devices.
• Give students opportunities to exercise voice, choice, and creativity using multimedia and digital tools.
• Implement practical novice-, operational-, and wow-level lessons and tips for using digital tools in classroom lessons.
• Foster digital citizenship, helping students keep themselves and their data safe online and make ethical decisions online.
• Learn how to get students communicating, collaborating, innovating, and thinking critically in grade K-2 classroom lessons.

Contents:
Chapter 1: Learning Technology Operations and Concepts
Chapter 2: Embracing Creativity
Chapter 3: Communicating and Collaborating
Chapter 4: Conducting Research and Curating Information
Chapter 5: Thinking Critically to Solve Problems
Chapter 6: Being Responsible Digital Citizens
Chapter 7: Expanding Technology and Coding Concepts

Books in the NOW Classrooms series:

• NOW Classrooms, Leader's Guide
• NOW Classrooms, Grades K-2
• NOW Classrooms, Grades 3-5
• NOW Classrooms, Grades 6-8
• NOW Classrooms, Grades 9-12

Meg Ormiston, in her role as a consultant, partners with school systems that have committed to 21st-century-learning experiences for everyone. Meg creates personalized partnerships in each district, reflecting the mission, vision, and direction that local leaders identify. Her districtwide projects include guiding teams through the visioning process, designing and delivering professional development, facilitating classroom modeling, developing student leaders in technology, and educating parents.

Meg is a teacher, a keynote speaker, and an author of seven books, including Creating a Digital-Rich Classroom, which received an honorable mention in the education category for the 2010 Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards. After twelve years teaching and coaching in the classroom, Meg volunteered on her local school board, facilitated grant projects, and continued researching and writing about best practices.

Beth Hatlen is a kindergarten teacher in a full-day kindergarten program in a 1:1 school district in west suburban Chicago. Since 2000, Beth has taught preschool and first grade, and she is a certified reading specialist. She has a passion for making learning hands-on, meaningful, and fun while integrating technology into everyday instruction.

Beth was the Downers Grove Elementary Education Association Teacher of the Year in 2012. She presents on differentiated learning and integrating technology into the classroom. Beth is a Seesaw ambassador and is active in district and regional collaborations for STEM, language arts, and full-day kindergarten development.

Kristy Hopkins is a kindergarten teacher in a 1:1 district in suburban Chicago. She began teaching preschool in an early childhood education program in 2006. Kristy considers herself creative and collaborative and loves to take on new challenges to continue her own learning. She has a passion for helping every student learn in fun, innovative, and developmentally appropriate ways that make every day meaningful.

Kristy is a Seesaw ambassador who holds a special education certificate of approval and an endorsement for teaching English learners. She was nominated for the 2015 Education Foundation of Downers Grove District 58 Distinguished Service Award and has mentored many new teachers. She has presented at in-service days on how to use technology in the classroom and in social-emotional learning.

Kirstin McGinnis is a veteran kindergarten teacher in a 1:1 iPad classroom that hosts teachers nationwide for site visits. She feels passionate about providing all students with access to a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate education tailored to each student's needs.

Kirstin presents at local, state, and national conferences; consults for the Erikson Technology in Early Childhood Center; and is an EdTech consultant and blogger at Hip Hooray in K.

Lissa Blake is an instructional technology integration coach who, for 13 years, has transformed that role from a computer lab teacher to a true instructional coach, supporting K-2 teachers and students. Lissa loves sharing what she has learned by creating exciting presentations that actively engage participants at local conferences and often engage and enlighten all learners.

Nicole Ring serves as an instructional coach in a suburban 1:1 school district. She spent four years teaching fourth grade and seven years teaching first grade. As an instructional coach, Nicole works as a colleague alongside classroom teachers to support student learning and growth. She works with teachers to develop and implement instructional strategies in all content areas while integrating technology in meaningful ways.