*Parent+Technology+Night

= Welcome to the Plainfield Parent Technology Night! =

__Important resources your child may use at school:__

 * == Lexia: a reading software program that you can download on your computer home. ==
 * == The download instructions are on the handout. ==
 * == You will need to ask your child's teacher for their username. ==
 * == No password is required. ==
 * == Your child's teacher assigns them to a level and they move through the levels as they progress. ==
 * == If you have issues with the download, I unfortunately will not be of much help!. ==

__Websites for games and activities:__

 * == **ABCYA** ==
 * == Scholastic ==
 * == Nick Jr. ==
 * == Nickelodeon ==
 * == **Spelling City** ==
 * == **[|Pinky Dinky Doo]** ==
 * == [|IXL Math] ==
 * == [|Johnnie's Math Page] ==
 * == [|Math is Fun] ==
 * == Sheppards Sofware: Math ==
 * ==[|Build Your Wild Self] ==
 * == **[|Starfall] ** ==
 * == **[|PBS Kids] ** ==
 * == **[|Seame Street] ** ==
 * == **[|Suessville] ** ==
 * == **[|Primary Games] ** ==
 * == **[|C Beebies]** ==
 * == **[|Puzzlemaker]** ==
 * == **[|Learning Planet]** ==

== These are just some examples! Try searching for your child's favorite TV shows, movies, or toys. Many times there are interactive website on these topics. Also, if your child is struggling with a specific concept, try searching for it. For example, "multiplication interactive games". ==

__Digital Storytelling:__

 * == **[|Kerpoof]- create animated books and drawings ** ==
 * == **[|Little Bird Tales] - created books with pictures, text, and audio ** ==
 * == **[|Sketchcast]record while you draw and play it back ** ==
 * == Photostory download this software to create slideshows with your digital photos ==

== Digital storytelling is going to be one of the most important skills your child will need in the future! You can use these tools to create educational digital stories or even fun ones about things you do at home! The possibilities are endless! ==

__Other fun technology tools:__

 * == Screencast-o-matic create screencasts ==
 * == [|Voki] create avatars that speak what you type ==
 * == George Washington ==
 * == Audacity download recording software ==
 * == Kid Rex kid friendly online search engine ==
 * == We Give Books read digital books ==
 * == Barnes and Noble Online Storytime view digital books ==
 * == Word Smyth online elementary dictionary ==
 * == Tagxedo create word clouds ==
 * == Wordle create word clouds ==

__**Other technology tips:**__

 * == **Use** @http://www.youtube.com/ to search for educational videos and songs! Please do not leave your children unattended on YouTube as there is inappropriate material on this site! ==
 * == Here is an example: Count by 5's ==
 * == Check with your child's teacher for other specific websites they use in their classrooms. They may have links to these sites on Edline! ==
 * == Use the app store on your smartphone, ipad, or tablet to search for educational apps. There are hundreds and many of them are free! ==
 * == [|Top Educational Android Apps] ==
 * == Top Educational ipod/ipad Apps ==
 * == Download the library card catalog app! ==
 * == To download the app, search the app store for “Destiny Quest” It is a FREE app to download. ==
 * == When you open the app for the first time, it will ask you for the url of your library. Enter the address: http://penargyl.follettdestiny.com ==
 * == Next you will see a login screen. You DO NOT need to login to use the app, simply click the guest button. ==
 * == If you would like to use the app to check what books you have currently checked out, or use the system to place holds on books, contact Mrs. Borden, our librarian, about setting up a username and password for yourself. ==