Four Corners/Two Sides

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Theme: Tech is all around us

Materials: A talking stick or equivalent object to help children take turns speaking, and a list of statements.

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Vocabulary: Empathy

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SAY: Empathy is the ability to understand and share in the feelings of others.

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Explore: Ask students to look around the classroom. 

ASK: How many screens and pieces of technology do you see? What technology do we use at school? How do computers, projectors, and screens change how you learn?

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Here are some statements to use, but may want to change or add ones that are more relevant to your students: 

• Computers are better than books
• Technology makes learning easier
• There should be no rules about how we use tech in school
• All technology should be removed from schools
• No phones or watches should be allowed at school

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DO: Four Corners/Two sides

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SAY: I will make a statement, and you will go to one side of the room or the other, depending on if you agree or disagree with that statement. Once on each side of the room, you will have a turn to state or defend your opinions.

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SAY: Let’s demonstrate - I’ll say, “Computers are better than books.” Think about your opinion of the statement, “Computers are better than books.” Do you agree or disagree? If you agree, you’ll go to this side of the room, and if you don’t agree (meaning that you think books are better than computers), then go to this side of the room. 

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Allow students to move to their choice of sides. 

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SAY: I will now ask you to tell me why you think what you think. I am not a judge, and there is no winner. When you have the talking object, you may express your opinion and state a reason for it. Then, pass the object to someone on the other side.

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After each “opinion session” has calmed, students mingle in the middle of the room. Gather their attention, then repeat the game with a new statement, having them move to one side or the other again.

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Reflect: 

ASK: Do you have any new opinions about how we use technology in school? 

Consider creating a Pros and Cons List for how technology impacts schools as a class.

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Key Learning: The importance of respecting different opinions and listening to others.

Dream School

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Theme: Screens at School

Materials: Drawing Page

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Vocabulary: 1:1 Program

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SAY: A 1:1 Program is when a school or district provides every student with a computer or tablet. 

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ASK: Do we have that here? Is that helpful for your learning?

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SAY: If the things you do and watch on screen inspire you to be creative, curious, and kind, then yes, screen activities are helping grow your brain. And, yes, they should be in your Dream School. Not everyone agrees on using screens for learning all the time.

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Explore: 

ASK: Look around our classroom. Are there more or less screens in our classroom than you thought there would be? How do we use computers or tablets in class? 

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DO: We will draw our Dream School. 

Hand out Drawing pages. Would there be screens in your Dream School? What else would be in your Dream School?

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Reflect: In your dream school, did you include screens? Why or why not?

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‍Key Learning: Understand how screens can be helpful tools for learning and creativity. Reflect on the impact of technology in the classroom and envision its role in an ideal learning environment.