STEM Resources

Links to loads of STEM activities for kids and materials for parents below!

Teacher Robin Harley on the Tech Curriculum

As the Oxford technology teacher, I co-teach with the classroom teacher a once a week during computer time for all second and third grade students. During this time, every student has their own Chromebook. I lead lessons in online safety and ethics (digital citizenship), computer programming (coding), Google Maps, and online research. Student also get the opportunity to do independent online math and typing lessons that adjust and keep track of their level and progress. Since the teacher is in the classroom while I am there, we also use the independent student work time to check in and teach individual and small groups of students.

Third grade students learn to:

Sign on to their own Google account
Start to use the Google Apps for Education programs to write papers and make presentations

Each fourth and fifth grade teacher now has their own dedicated classroom set of Chromebooks. Students use the Chromebooks for online non-fiction current event reading (Newsela); for videos, maps and research for social studies; and for differentiated math programs (like Front Row, computer programming, Desmos). Students also use the computers for writing, collaboration and presentations. In the upper grades, the Chromebooks are an educational tool that supports all areas of the curriculum. Each teacher and classroom is different, so I support each teacher differently in their process of building a culture of problem solving, persistence, and peer collaboration in their students with appropriate use of technology.

Fourth and fifth grade students learn to:

Be safe, respectful and responsible when online through 3 Digital Citizenship Lessons
Use Google Drive and Google Classroom to share and organize their work
Type one page in a single sitting (15-20 wpm) and develop Keyboarding skills
Format and edit in order to peer edit, respond to comments, and publish writing using Google Docs
Research using online library resources
Organize thinking and make presentations using Google Slides
Engage in online collaboration through peer comments in Google Docs and Slides
Use online graphing calculator and differentiated math programs

Living in a Digital World

As our technology use grows in school, so does our responsibility to help students be thoughtful and safe online. Throughout the year, Robin, the classroom teachers, and librarian Karen Sasamoto will have conversations with students to discuss these expectations and support their growth as digital citizens.

Support a Safe and Balanced use of Technology at Home

Find balance. Encourage time away from phones and computers. Help your kids to use free time which includes things they have to do and things they like to do.

Set clear limits. Consider having an “easy-on/easy-off” rule: your child needs to be able to turn off a device as easily as it is turned on, i.e., without an argument.

Walk the walk. Be a role model. Keep mobile devices away during mealtimes, and during conversations (and of course when driving).

Create tech-free zones and times. Establish your family rules, such as “no devices during meals”, “all screens off before bedtime” or “use devices in a public space (living room, kitchen).”

Talk about it. Make an effort to occasionally sit with your child when they have screentime. Ask questions about their favorite games, shows, and characters. Share your media values.

Put parental controls in place on devices. For the web, see Common Sense Media’s “Easy, Free Browser Hacks to Make the Internet Safer for Your Kid.”

Discuss and sign a Family Media Agreement from Common Sense Media with your family.

Tools for Digital Life (from Common Sense Media)

Parent Concerns section

Oodles of videos, FAQs and advice on screen time, choosing apps and websites, cyberbullying, cell phones and more, including: Making Kids Ad Savvy | 5 Steps to a Healthy Media Diet

Family Toolbox section

Activities, family agreements, media logs and more for parents and kids to use together, including: Family Media Agreement

Family Tip Sheets section

STEM Activities for Kids

Oxford’s Library Portal

To go there, click “→ Library Site” on this website’s toolbar above (on every page)

Includes a Research portal with World Book Encyclopedia/Enciclopedia Estudiantil and other tools, our Library Catalog, our Class Projects portal, Google Classroom, Games and much, much more!

Science

Explore Activities — instructions for at-home experiments from the Exploratorium
Do Science — kits, toys, games, community resources and more from the Lawrence Hall of Science
Explore Science — a window into the scientific collections of Cal Academy of Science
nature trips | hiking | biking | exploring | cooking

Technology

Typing Club — from Berkeley Unified School District
Code.org | LightBot | Kodable (app only) | Tynker

Engineering

Cool Mom Tech: 3 Best Online Engineering Resources for Kids
build a treehouse | take something apart | sew

Math

Sites to which Oxford Students have Subscriber Access

Front Row (instead of SplashMath for 3rd & 4th graders) — ask your technology or classroom teacher for your student user ID and password
SplashMath.com (we are in the process of deciding whether or not to continue this subscription for 2nd graders) — ask your technology or classroom teacher for your student user ID and password
ALEKS (Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces) — the school uses this program after school for identified 5th grade students who need more math support; if your child is part of this program, contact Lauren Morrison for student login and password.

Other Sites

Arcademics | Dream Box
Khan Academy — mostly math, mapped to the Common Core

Apps

Dragon Box | Motion Math | Operation Math

Games

Puzzle books

Oxford Elementary

Since 1910! | 1222 University Ave Berkeley, CA 94702 | office: 510.644.6300 | after school: 510.644.8883