Requesting no/low tech options for kids—FCPS teachers, what is possible?

[Anonymous]

6th grade teacher here. While I do think K-3 should be limiting tech use, I do think grades 4-6 should have more. Not saying they should be on a computer all day, but should be publishing writing, collaborating and creating things on a computer. They should be learning how to research effectively on the computer and how to utilize certain tools. Should they be on a computer all day? No! It is all about moderation.

Kids should be doing the above but also writing on paper, doing math on paper, reading real books, creating things with paper, discussing with peers, using whiteboards, etc.

For example, on Monday my kids will be using computers for writing and our intervention time and that is it. Reading, Math, SS, Word Study will all be without a computer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please name schools where kids don't do handwriting and are overexposed to screen.
Mine is SVES, every year she brings a lot of writing. They have lots of projects where they write, construct from materials, draw etc.
I don't like st math and myon. Cause with st math sometimes she doesn't understand what is the task and cannot complete it. With myon somehow she chose scary stories and had nightmares after. Too much freedom in choosing things to listen without guidance. But it's life and those experiences teach us smth else, like when and how to ask for help.

Navy ES.

True!!!

Great rating and the test score, but my child do not writing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:6th grade teacher here. While I do think K-3 should be limiting tech use, I do think grades 4-6 should have more. Not saying they should be on a computer all day, but should be publishing writing, collaborating and creating things on a computer. They should be learning how to research effectively on the computer and how to utilize certain tools. Should they be on a computer all day? No! It is all about moderation.

Kids should be doing the above but also writing on paper, doing math on paper, reading real books, creating things with paper, discussing with peers, using whiteboards, etc.

For example, on Monday my kids will be using computers for writing and our intervention time and that is it. Reading, Math, SS, Word Study will all be without a computer.

This a great usage of computers. I teach 3rd grade and we use computers for our required Lexia interventions only. When we get to research, we will use them for that purpose but academic games, apps, etc are a no go for me in class. I do set my students up at the beginning of the year with usernames and passwords and knowing how to explore all those apps and sites and let them know that they are for home usage only. They can’t even access their computers in my class as they are locked up on my charging cart. It’s very much teacher dependent on how to use the computers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s easier for FCPS teachers to use tech

This!

We learned during COVID that it was easier to teach this way and lazy teachers do not want to go back.

Homeschooling or finding a Montessori or Waldorf school is the way to go. I am so glad we did that when my kiddos were little. They are in college now and thriving due to their years not overwhelmed by tech. And they are Comp Science and Engineering majors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:6th grade teacher here. While I do think K-3 should be limiting tech use, I do think grades 4-6 should have more. Not saying they should be on a computer all day, but should be publishing writing, collaborating and creating things on a computer. They should be learning how to research effectively on the computer and how to utilize certain tools. Should they be on a computer all day? No! It is all about moderation.

Kids should be doing the above but also writing on paper, doing math on paper, reading real books, creating things with paper, discussing with peers, using whiteboards, etc.

For example, on Monday my kids will be using computers for writing and our intervention time and that is it. Reading, Math, SS, Word Study will all be without a computer.

This a great usage of computers. I teach 3rd grade and we use computers for our required Lexia interventions only. When we get to research, we will use them for that purpose but academic games, apps, etc are a no go for me in class. I do set my students up at the beginning of the year with usernames and passwords and knowing how to explore all those apps and sites and let them know that they are for home usage only. They can’t even access their computers in my class as they are locked up on my charging cart. It’s very much teacher dependent on how to use the computers.

I am PP who is 6th grade teacher. Honestly usage varies depending on units and by day. I am sure there will be a day this week that has them on it for more than that. I just take it day by day and am very purposeful and try to balance it. I also tell them computers are not needed and should be closed or away.

[Anonymous]

Post-covid, my ES kid had absurd anounts of page views per week (hundreds) in 5th and 6th grade on the parent report Got to middle school and it is down to 10s per week. Thank god for quality MS teachers. Both 5th and 6th were duds.