INDUSTRY INSIGHT
EDUCATION
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Sewickley Academy is Using Technology to
Teach Math in Elementary Classrooms
T
By Grade 1 Teacher and Team Leader Kelly Gary
his is a quote
that is reflected
in my classroom.
Students have many
different learning styles
and I must embrace
all these styles to be
the most effective
teacher I can be. By
utilizing technology
in a meaningful and
appropriate way in
the classroom, I can
employ many resources
and methods within
a lesson, rather than
teaching the information in one manner to all students.
In my classroom, the children arrive
and complete a math activity first
thing in the morning. Using the
interactive 100 chart, the SMART
Board, and/or the Number SPLAT
computer game, the children can
solve a number pattern activity,
—Ignacio Estrada
complete greater than and less than
problems, and complete addition/
subtraction facts using these hands-on, attention-grabbing tools. My
students can’t wait to solve the morning math activity of the day!
“If a child can’t
learn the way we
teach, maybe we
should teach the
way they learn.”
These interactive charts make learning these concepts more enjoyable
for my students and has inspired their learning. They are better able to
grasp how the numbers increase and decrease (I use different colors
for counts of 2s, 5s, and 10s), and they are able to interact with the
patterns of numbers on the white board. If a child needs more review,
I utilize the two computers in my classroom as a math center and have
the children work on the concepts a bit more. I also use the classroom
computers for students who are ready for the next challenge, while I
review a lesson with the rest of the class.
I have created personalized addition and subtraction story problems for
each day of the school year for students. They work in pairs to solve the
problems on the SMART notebook or using apps on iPads. The children
“see” the math problem come to life as we manipulate the pictures on
the SMART Board together. They assess and analyze information, not
merely memorize facts. I also ask them to “tell” a number story using
addition and subtraction. I can insert a picture using the notebook
gallery and we focus on techniques of problem solving. By saving their
math stories on the computer, I have them solve each other’s math
problems on a later day for review.
Technology allows
teachers to expand
the four walls of the
traditional classroom and
explore the world in which
we live. For instance,
recognizing and counting
money is an important
skill that our students
learn in Grade 1. To bring
this concept to life for
students, I have created
a story, “Once Upon a
Time in the Life of the
Coin Presidents.” I project
the coins on the white
board, and each coin is linked to a website that highlights that specific
president. Through the integration of technology, children are learning
American history by traveling through cyberspace. My students make
connections with the presidents and are better able to distinguish
among the coins.
I also have an Elmo, a visual presenter, in my room. This amazing
tool has given me the capability of having the students explain their
lessons and how they obtained an answer by projecting their math
lessons on the board. The students love being the “teacher” while
using the ShowMe app. This app allows them to solve math problems
by tracking their written and verbal thought processes. This activity
has enhanced students’ understanding of many math concepts by
learning from their peers.
Incorporating technology in all aspects of curriculum has allowed me
to meet the different learning styles of my students. I know it’s working
as I watch my students continue to develop higher level thinking skills
each day in my classroom.
SA RANKED 12TH BEST
PRIVATE ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL IN THE U.S.
TheBestSchools.org named the 50 Best
Private Elementary Schools in the U.S.,
and Sewickley Academy ranked 12th.
The site commends the Lower School’s
language arts, social studies, and math programs as well as
engineering and robotics classes.
View the Rankings:
http://www.thebestschools.org/rankings/best-american-private-elementary-schools/
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