technology lessons 1st grade

1st Grade Technology Lessons and Activities

1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson plans and activities will save you so much time coming up with what to do during your computer lab time. Ideal for a technology teacher or a 1st grade teacher with mandatory lab time. All of the work is done for you!

  • Students will need to log in with the class account username and password every time. You can make the credentials very easy. *New for 2021 and beyond, this now comes with an Auto Login URL that logs students in with one click.
  • Laptops are ideal (PC or Chromebooks) because not all of the activities will load correctly from a tablet. I do not recommend buying this if you only have tablets.
  • The file for the editable lesson plans and rationale pages is in PowerPoint. You can upload it into your Google Drive to open it in Slides if needed. Everything will transfer.
  • There are a handful of YouTube videos to supplement the lessons. If you don’t have access to YouTube you can accomplish the same objective by doing a demonstration yourself.

1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson plans and activities will save you so much time coming up with what to do during your computer lab time. Ideal for a technology teacher or a 1st grade teacher with mandatory lab time. All of the work is done for you!

1st Grade Technology Lessons Scope and Sequence

Rules and Procedures

  • Computer Parts 3 week unit (comes with printable worksheets)
  • How to use the Internet
  • Save to Favorites

Mouse and Keyboard Practice

  • Mouse Practice (repeat as many times as needed)
  • Keyboard Arrows (repeat until mastered)
  • Memory Match
  • Paint and Make
  • Alphabet Order

Internet Safety

  • Digital activities to go with Common Sense Media Curriculum
  • Private and personal information
  • Netsmartz Into the Cloud videos

Computers and Academics (mouse and keyboard practice with academic content)

  • Math with Computers 1 and 2
  • Addition Game
  • Reading with Computers 1 and 2
  • Make a Secret Message
  • Make a Story

Word Processing

  • Typing in Word
  • Changing the Fonts
  • Adding Pictures
  • Typing Practice
  • Writing with Computers

Presentation Software

  • Adding pictures
  • Fonts and text
  • Slide layouts
  • Research steps
  • Taking notes
  • Giving credit
  • Group Research Project

Coding Unit

  • First Grade Coding
  • Conditionals Unit

Watch these video demos:

  • Math with Computers
  • Research Skills
  • Computer parts

Question: How does student access work?

Answer: With your purchase you get one class account that all students use to access the lesson pages. Think of this website like a textbook but digital. The username and password’s purpose is to give students access to the textbook. Then from there you (the teacher) still facilitate student progress by letting them know which lesson page to go to and you’ll still collect their finished assignments for assessment.

Question: What platform will the students be using? Are they done in google drive? Like an interactive notebook?

  Answer: All of the digital content is housed on my website. The lesson plans and rationale pages are for the teacher (and administrators, right?) as PowerPoint files, and the website is set up to just click and go for the students to complete the activities. Think of the PPT files like the teacher manual and the website like the student workbook (but digital). Visit it ahead of time at k5technologycurriculum.com to get an idea how it works. You can find several free pages on the Samples dropdown menu. If/when you purchase access, you will create a class username and password to access the grade level pages included for your purchase.

Question: Do these include Google Apps or MS Office?

Answer: Both! Starting in 1st grade there are lessons to teach excel/sheets, word/docs, and PPT/slides.

You can pick and choose which lessons to do with your students. If you have access to Google Apps but not to MS Office, just skip the MS Office lessons and vice versa.

Question: Can I attach the lessons to Google Classroom?

Answer:  Some teachers will choose to use Google Classroom as a way to collect student assignments in order to grade them, but students will still need to go to the website to complete the lesson.

Question: Do I need to buy anything additional software for my students to use this curriculum?

Answer: No! Everything you need is included. There are optional outside subscriptions for some activities. If you want to use the lessons for digital passport from common sense media (4th grade) then you will need to make a free teacher account. There are optional “early finisher” activities like Moby Max and discovery education that could be used if you have an account but there are tons of other options if you don’t.

Question: Do I have to buy all of the grade levels or can I just buy the one(s) I need?

Answer: Individual grade levels can be purchased and if you decide you need more, it is easy to add additional grade levels at any time. Scroll down to see the purchase options.

Ready to subscribe to the 1st grade curriculum for this school year?  Click here to check out.  This 1st grade set of lessons is also part of a larger bundle of K-5 technology lessons.

I made a  Frequently Asked Questions blog post  about it, which you might find very informative. I also offer a free  technology teacher email course .

It is 5 parts and walks you though how I do my planning and collect data.

1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson plans and activities will save you so much time coming up with what to do during your computer lab time. Ideal for a technology teacher or a 1st grade teacher with mandatory lab time. All of the work is done for you!

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Integrating Technology in First-Grade

Creative educator lesson plans can help you provide your first-grade students with an engaging and creative approach to content learning..

Students in 1st grade needs to build strong foundations for reading, writing, and numbers. You can use these creative ideas to help them practice these essential skills and build a love of learning.

Depending on your student's abilities, you may also want to explore kindergarten and second-grade lesson plans.

Play

Amazing Animal Alliterations

Students will learn to create illustrations that support and reflect their writing.

image of a pattern

Adapt a Pattern Story

Students practice writing and illustrating as they create a page in your class's adaptation of their favorite pattern story.

illustration of river filled with words like observing and sensing

Five Senses Poetry

In this lesson, students write a five senses poem to share information about a favorite place or topic they are exploring.

Notebook

Writing How To's

Students will write how-to stories about getting ready for school and publish them to use at home.

image of kids reading on each side of a shelf of books

Five-Star Book Reviews

In this lesson, students think of books they have enjoyed and why they liked them. Then, they create a book review on a card or 3D cube to help others choose books they will enjoy.

pastel background with paintstrokes and hearts

My Favorite Relative

Students create a video that names their favorite relative and supports their opinion with reasons and examples.

pet dog with toy

Persuade for a Pet

Students write a persuasive letter to convince their parents or teacher to get a new pet.

image of shapes

Seeing Shapes

Students learn about 2-dimensional shapes and create a class book identifying these shapes around their school.

image of student in front of chalkboard bar graph

Simple Surveys and Great Graphs

Students create and complete surveys, graph the data and share the results with an audience outside the classroom.

image of balloons not yet inflated

Plan a Class Party

Students practice math skills, organization, and teamwork as they work as a class to plan and deliver a class party.

The Shape of Things

The Shape of Things

Students compose images from shapes, describe their composition, and create their own version of the book, The Shape of Things.

partial image of the tangram shapes

Tangram Tales

Students solve tangram puzzles and then create a new shape using the shapes in the Tangram square and tell its story.

Magical Metamorphosis  Butterfly Life Cycle Stories

Magical Metamorphosis

Students explore the life cycle of a butterfly as they write and illustrate stories that show the stages of a butterfly’s metamorphosis.

cutout image of student field guide page

Fantastic Field Guides

In this lesson, students explore the plant and animal species where they live and design their own field guide to teach others about the species in this habitat.

outline of family with country flags inside

Fashion a Family Flag

In this lesson, students explore symbols in the world around them and create a flag that represents the characteristics and values of their family.

US Symbol Stories

US Symbol Stories

In this lesson, students tell the story of a US symbol from it’s perspective.

Lesson Plan: A Tour of Our Classroom

A Tour of Our Classroom

In this lesson, students apply their knowledge of locations and rules to create a tour of the classroom.

image of opened padlock on background of ones and zeros

Internet Safety Poster

In this lesson, students create a poster promoting Internet, or online, safety to raise awareness of this important issue at their school.

image of a student essay

Me: A Visual Essay

Students build media literacy skills as they create a visual essay to share information about themselves.

More sites to help you find success in your classroom

technology lessons 1st grade

Share your ideas, imagination, and understanding through writing, art, voice, and video.

technology lessons 1st grade

Rubric Maker

Create custom rubrics for your classroom.

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Pics4Learning

A curated, copyright-friendly image library that is safe and free for education.

technology lessons 1st grade

Write, record, and illustrate a sentence.

technology lessons 1st grade

Interactive digital worksheets for grades K-8 to use in Brightspace or Canvas.

Professional Learning

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Digital Storytelling

21st Century Classrooms

Project-based Learning

Teaching and Learning

Informational Text

English Language Aquisition

Language Arts

Social Studies

Visual Arts

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First Grade Computer Lesson Plans - Qtr. 1

Typing practice and word processing skills.

First Grade Qtr.1 technology lessons emphasize a strong focus on typing practice and developing essential word processing skills.

First graders will practice typing using proper home row technique.

First graders will also develop and improve their word processing skills. They will write short sentences using proper spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word spacing.

Students will learn to illustrate their text with shapes, clipart, or images. They will learn to position and appropriately size those objects within their text. Students may learn to print / save their documents.

Recommendations:

  • Typing Lessons: Focus on typing accuracy, proper finger placment, not speed. Speed will be acquired naturally over time in the future months and years of typing lessons.
  • Word Processing: Students work to gain proficiency and speed using a word processor to write and illustrate with sentences, shapes and clipart. Students will practice with narrative, informative, and opinion writing styles. These are "guided" writing exercises that students will copy either exactly or very closely. Generally, this avoids students struggling with ideas, indecision, or spelling problems that slow or prevent progress to completion.
  • File Distribution: Share assignment files using a cloud storage service, your school's learning management system or a shared network drive on your school's internal network.
  • Enrichment: Use the enrichment activities to support regular classroom curricula. Good for early finishers, late arrivals, supplementation, differentiation.
  • Time Management: These weekly lessons are programmed for 2 weekly sessions of 45 minutes each. Adjust the activity selections according to your own needs.

First Grade Technology Lesson Schedule:

First quarter - august ~ october.

Main Topics Covered: Homerow Typing and Word Processing (text and clipart)

9 Sessions = ( Typing with fingers on home row - no pecky typing)

5 Sessions = ( Word Processing - informative and opinion texts - writing simple sentences and adding illustrations)

Prerequisites: Typing program, internet access, word processor.

Week 1 - Qtr. 1:

Sessions 1 & 2:.

Do Introductions - Introduction to the computer lab teacher, discuss what we will do in the lab. Spend time getting to know the students.

Explain Computer Lab Rules - Discuss the rules of the computer lab ,  talk about how to sit in the chairs, raising hand to go to the bathroom, taking a buddy with you to the bathroom, washing hands before returning from bathroom.

Discuss keeping hands to oneself, no running in the lab, keeping fingers out of mouth and nose. Following the same rules as in the regular classroom .

Review Computer Parts Names - Briefly review the names of the main computer parts such as monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU and others as necessary.

Download Printable Version: can-you-name-these-basic-computer-parts.pdf

Review of Typing Stage 1: Demonstrate how to use Dance Mat Typing stage one, level one ( ASDF, JKL; and G, H ). Start at the beginning lessons if you use a different typing program. Review the homerow and proper finger technique.

Download: proper-keyboard-finger-placement-on-the-keyboard.pdf

Students review typing skills from Kindergarten using one or more of the following: Keyboard Zoo, Type Rocket Jr., Keyboard Climber 2.

Students type about 20-25 minutes.

  • Enrichment - Work on these activities after typing.

Week 2 - Qtr. 1:

Sessions 1 & 2: typing and enrichment.

Assign Typing Practice: - Assign 20-30 minutes or until done. Students do enrichment activities after typing.

All typing practice lessons available HERE .

  • Students: Do these TWO typing lessons.
  • Enrichment - Do these enrichment activities after typing.

Week 3 - Qtr. 1:

  • Students: Do these Three typing lessons.

Week 4 - Qtr. 1:

  • Students: Do any Three of these typing lessons.

Week 5 - Qtr. 1:

Session 1: typing and enrichment, session 2: word processing and enrichment.

Review the Word Processor - Review how to open and close the program. Review backspace, enter, shift, undo key. Demo how to name and save a document.

  • Choose a Word Processing Assignment for Students:

Students write a few sentences, change font size and add their name. Students use proper capitalization, proper word spacing and punctuation. Teach students how to use clipart if you have it. Students may add one shape or clipart image. Students print and /or save their documents.

Download - what-can-birds-do-CC-informative.docx

Download - i-have-some-new-friends-CC-narrative.docx

Need More? More Word Processing Practice for Kinder and First Graders

Alternate: Word Processing - Create your own sentences for students to write using First Grade Dolch Sight Words.

  • Enrichment - Work on these enrichment activities when finished.

Week 6 - Qtr. 1:

Download - how-do-birds-grow-CC-Informative.docx

Download - where-do-birds-live-CC-informative.docx

Week 7 - Qtr. 1:

Download - what-can-i-be-opinion.docx

Download - what-do-frogs-eat-informative.docx

Week 8 - Qtr. 1:

Download - dogs-are-great-pets-opinion.docx

Download - i-like-scooters-the-best-opinion.docx

Week 9 - Qtr. 1:

Download - school-is-fun-opinion.docx

Download - kids-can-save-water-informative.docx

technology lessons 1st grade

Your first grader and technology

by: Miriam Myers | Updated: September 20, 2023

Print article

Your first grader and technology

Your first-grader may use technology to complete activities in a range of subject areas, including language arts, science, social studies, math, and art. Integrating technology into the classroom with any of these subjects is a great way to tackle the first step in technological literacy: Using tools to solve problems.

Technology resources range from computers, software programs, and the Internet to digital cameras, camcorders, and voice recorders. Technology isn’t a teaching substitute, but a valuable aid that introduces children to new ways of thinking and working. Plus, it’s a great introduction to resources that your child’s likely to use in the future.

Gayle Berthiaume , our award-winning education consultant notes that some projects integrate more than one subject and technology: “Students may write poems and stories, illustrate them with Kid Pix or digital photos, and use GarageBand to record their poems, add music or a beat, and publish it as a podcast to allow parents and others to listen to it.”

Technology use varies from school to school

Many states base their technology standards on the National Educational Technology Standards for Students . But because children aren’t tested on their use of technology, teachers are typically not held accountable to teach them. That means technology use varies widely from classroom to classroom. Your first-grader may have one or more computer workstations in the classroom, go to a computer lab once a week, or not use technology regularly at all.

To get the maximum benefit from technology, the best classrooms implement technology into regular lessons that develop students’ higher order thinking skills, promote creativity, and facilitate academic learning. Your child’s teacher may use technology to evaluate students’ progress.

“Parents can use technology at home to reinforce the skills taught in school,” Berthiaume says. “There are several software programs available that help children practice reading and math skills. Or you can use AppleWorks to create stories on the computer. Children learn to read better by writing.”

Language arts

First-graders work in word-processing programs to practice writing, editing, design, and keyboarding skills. Your child may type words that rhyme; write a thank-you letter and add an image; or type words, changing the font, color, and size of the text. After reading stories by an author, a class may visit the author’s website , and  send an email to ask a question about the book. Your child may also learn to use an online dictionary. He may also keep a dictionary of words that he can read and spell in a word document.

First-graders may learn the proper terminology to communicate about technology, such as the parts of a computer system and software terms such as menu, file, save, and quit. Your child may make labels for the different parts of the computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and speakers. If these lessons are integrated with the traditional subjects of reading, writing, math, social studies, science, and art, your child will learn how technology can help him find out what he wants to know and communicate his thoughts.

With draw and paint software programs your first-grader may model addition and subtraction word problems with number sentences and pictures. (A number sentence is a sentence that includes numbers, operation symbols, and an equal sign, such as 2+3=5.) The class may make graphs on paper and then work together with the teacher using graphing software or a spreadsheet program to create a graph.

Social studies

With email and programs like ePals teachers and students are able to communicate with people from around the world. Virtual field trips may be taken to visit places around the world or to step back in time to visit the colonial times. Teachers can gather primary source materials, such as letters and journal entries from a CD or the Internet, and show 3-D maps to students.

In first grade your child may visit websites the teacher has bookmarked. If the students are learning about sea animals they may visit a website about whales to learn more about the subject. They may go online to look at pictures of the solar system. Classrooms can take part in science investigations with students from around the world through programs like the Jason Project . The class may also visit online science simulations such as a simulation of a hurricane. The teacher can help students ask questions of scientists on the Internet.

Using draw and paint software programs your child may illustrate a scene from a story. To learn about different artists, the teacher may show artwork online. Your child’s teacher may publish student’s artwork by scanning pictures students have created and make an online art gallery. A digital camera may be used to take class pictures. Berthiaume notes: “After going on a field trip, the students may make a class presentation to share with parents or other classes. Each student makes a page for the keynote presentation using a digital photo and recording an audio clip about what they learned from their trip.”

What you might see in a well-equipped classroom

  • Educational software that reinforces reading and math skills
  • Multimedia encyclopedias and dictionaries
  • A digital camera – digital photos can then be displayed in a slide show
  • Interactive story books on a computer
  • One computer or more in the classroom with access to the Internet and a printer
  • Large-screen display connected to a computer used by the teacher to demonstrate a technology lesson to the whole class. If there is not one available, the teacher may have smaller groups come around the computer to introduce a lesson or technology skill.
  • An interactive whiteboard – an electronic writing surface which can capture writing electronically

technology lessons 1st grade

The most important thing happening (or not happening) in your child’s class

stem-science

6 questions to ask your child's school about STEM

High-school-computer-lab-resized

First Grade: Using Technology at Home

technology lessons 1st grade

Scott Foresman, an imprint of Pearson

Featured 1st grade resources.

Dig Deeper Black History Month PBL Unit

Related Resources

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Bring Creative Digital Projects to First-Grade Classrooms!

Use these examples of projects created by students and tweets from classroom teachers to inspire technology integration in your first-grade classroom.

Whether you have Chromebooks, iPads, PCs, or Macs in your classroom, you can use technology to engage and inspire your students in the curriculum.

These technology projects were created by students using Wixie.

"Wixie is like a blank canvas, full of possibilities! This platform can easily be navigated by our youngest learners, who creatively demonstrate their learning through text, art, voice, and video. Wixie can be used in any content area from math to language arts and allows our teacher to to differentiate assignments and add in scaffolds like oral directions."

Meaghan Martin, MEd. Inst. Tech. Coach Prince William County Public Schools, VA

Built-in activities for essential math foundations

Wixie's Templates library includes over 60 first-grade math activities you can use for formative assessment purposes or tasks for student work at centers and in station rotations.

Using Wixie to meet math standards in first grade

technology lessons 1st grade

Literature Adaptation

Share a story with a repeating pattern like Mary Wore Her Red Dress. Then, have each student recreate a page with the same pattern. Combine the student projects into a class book.

Creative Educator

Writing Story Problems

Have students illustrate an addition or subtraction story and record an explaination of the problem. Collect the student projects into a class book and solve all the problems together.

Reading and Writing Informational Texts

Have students create their own informational text including headings, a table of contents, captions, and labeling to find information. Publish their work as a great collection of nonfiction at just the right reading level for your students.

Favorite Relative

Have students write a simple story about a family member or friend. Have them record their voice and share on Mother's Day, Father's Day, or even Valentine's Day.

Build ICT foundations

Use this roadmap to build literacy, numeracy and ICT skills! Select an activity and assign to learners yourself or share the roadmap with students and have the progress at their own pace

Maps Project Based Learning

First Graders Eli, Wali, and Geo use Wixie for Maps Project Based Learning #doreCPES @CunninghamPark pic.twitter.com/Wrd7MQIszD — KRDTeach (@KRDTeach_CPES) January 31, 2017

Animal Research

Our students finish the school year creating amazing research projects using #Wixie from @Tech4Learning Check out some of their title pages. @StamatinaH @ExecSuptKWatts @UlanaKorovec pic.twitter.com/LiccH80sxB — Public School 131 (@ps131K15) June 16, 2022

Creating with the Camera

Seeing yourself on camera in #wixie and then all of a sudden you become shy! ?? #1stgraders pic.twitter.com/FxozQ0JmBr — Michelle Crabill (@abctec) May 31, 2022

Greeting Cards

Scan text & insert!!! Amazing! 1st gr working on #GreetingCard using Wixie. @Tech4Learning @iste @PADeptofEd @SASD_Vernfield @CSforALL @Mrs_Case_first pic.twitter.com/148r5yJxXT — Jennifer Kling (@Mrs_Kling_Tech) May 3, 2022

Story Adaptations

These 1st graders were so creative making a box into not a box! Rockships, flowers , humans, oh my! @Tech4Learning We read Not a Box first. @DodgeGI pic.twitter.com/XgdFsD8erE — Valerie Chmelka (@vchmelka) April 19, 2022

Cycle Animations

After learning what a seed needs to grow, first grade students created animations in Wixie of the life cycle of a seed. pic.twitter.com/wt3iNnJZen — Fox Mill ES (@FoxMillES) April 15, 2022

Collaborative Ocean Animal Projects

#k2cantoo @Tech4Learning - First grade students #collaborated on making and describing aquariums. Look at how creative they were! pic.twitter.com/QqK0tnlzix — Sangster Elementary (@Sangster_ES) April 25, 2022

Magic Sticker Addition and Subscription

Today, first graders used magic stickers to practice addition and subtraction in Wixie! @Tech4Learning pic.twitter.com/dhWjJ782eA — Sangster Elementary (@Sangster_ES) April 18, 2022

Documenting Scientific Observations

These Scientists went outside to investigate what the Sun heats up. We discovered the Sun heats the cars, playground, water, grass, and rocks. Thanks Wixie for helping us write and illustrate what we found!???????????? @HaymarketCubs #haymarkettogether #hmesfirsties pic.twitter.com/qjTOfoCJyP — Mrs. Norman (@LinsNorman) September 22, 2021

Designing with Shapes

We had so much fun designing our bedroom using #wixie . How many shapes can you spot??????????? @Tech4Learning @HaymarketCubs #haymarkettogether #hmesfirsties pic.twitter.com/io22VgSK8z — Mrs. Norman (@LinsNorman) December 10, 2021

Science Performance Assessments

Top story: @CharnickSCES : 'Assessing 1st grade science standards using #Wixie . The tree drawings allow students to show evidence of exceeding the standard. #scestech #switchitup #balancedassessments ' pic.twitter.com/vYmUSLJahg , see more https://t.co/wcuxGPr9KK — Patricia Flavin (@patflavin1007) December 7, 2019

Story Problems

We've been learning how to solve and create story problems and number sentences in Wixie this week! pic.twitter.com/QP2ilwUYbk — Ms. Schroeder (@MsSchroeder1st) October 29, 2020

Literature Themes

Gr1 read �The Invisible Boy�, discussed theme, and used #wixie to show their evidence. We learned a new Wixie feature today: speech bubbles! @DianeAdamson6 @KeriKenison @DrShewbridge @Tech4Learning pic.twitter.com/AmhE6y5nYg — Erin Nye (@enye001) March 27, 2018

Making Maps

Life cycles.

. @1st_MsSchrantz Ss utilizing #wixie @Tech4Learning to show their understanding of the #lifecycle of a flower! @TallwoodElem @DrSJ001 @GPattie pic.twitter.com/2zAhJFv6i1 — Lori Gross (@LGrossVB) March 2, 2018

Field Trip Reflections

G1 Ss using #Wixie to reflect on their field trip to the @VAAquarium pic.twitter.com/axxLhknp0M — Brooke Martinette (@rbmartinette) January 31, 2017

Show Comprehension

Using WIXIE to show the characters, setting, and retell the story Jack and the Beanstalk! @Edgemere_BCPS pic.twitter.com/FHi0Ps87lZ — Ms. Gargano (@MsGarganoEES) September 20, 2017

Retell a Story

Reading and responding on @Wixie with 1st graders. Retelling the beginning, middle, & end is more fun when it's digital! @PoplarTreeES #PTESPRIDE @FeckosFabOnes pic.twitter.com/DO6WxZmyKU — Julie Majkowski (@PTES_Reads) December 13, 2017

Skip Counting

Then we practiced skip counting coins using Wixie stickers. @HumbleISD_TE #memoriesmadeinfirst #happyclassrooms pic.twitter.com/UL5LtrNJew — KaSandra Elvir (@MrsElvirsClass) October 31, 2016

Ordinal Numbers

#SESsharks use Wixie to practice ordinal numbers! @StrawbridgeES pic.twitter.com/FbF1Ikw1Ap — Micki Wall (@MickiWall1) September 27, 2017

Narrative Writing

First graders are publishing their personal narratives using Wixie @hcpsselemla #literacyimpact pic.twitter.com/eJ68kZyvmD — West Friendship ES (@hcpss_wfes) November 1, 2016

Math Word Problems

First graders learning how to use Wixie to write and record math word problems they created. @JMartinPSES pic.twitter.com/cnVd0vz6MJ — Pot Spring (@PotSpringEl) December 10, 2015

Design Thinking

Mrs. Reals' 1st grade started planning their 4th little pig houses design on #wixie #EDP pic.twitter.com/PGodxaJhsS — Mrs.Showalter'sClass (@ShowalterClass) November 4, 2016

Character Traits

Gr1 used #wixie to show character traits from �Ada Twist, Scientist�. They loved being able to draw AND record their voices to show the trait they chose. @DrShewbridge @KeriKenison @Tech4Learning pic.twitter.com/dRKTZN5PYp — Erin Nye (@enye001) March 22, 2018
Creating winter collages to show what we know about winter using wixie. 1st grade learning @SwansCreekES #scestech #WeAreSwans pic.twitter.com/hUscafkMHY — Mrs. Parker's swans (@Parkerva1) February 9, 2018

Creating Informational Texts

Mrs. Tan�s 1st grade w/ Uptmor researched bats ??. Created book @Tech4Learning include facts, illustrations, voice recording @stmeshouston pic.twitter.com/QR7Mws8YYo — Gerjuan A Gregory (@gerjuangregory) October 26, 2017
Retelling key details in our first folktale text using Wixie! pic.twitter.com/66e4lhf08n — Miss Minty (@MintyMouseClub) January 6, 2016
Using #wixie to practice expression! #realisticfiction #firstgradefun #MWESchool @MWEGiglio pic.twitter.com/WQa6R6JlDa — Jamie Gilmartin (@mrs_gilmartin) October 25, 2016

Number Sentences

Using Wixie to make math stories and number sentences. #heathcotepride pic.twitter.com/lQ0QN54D6z — Class 1W (@Mr_Weill) November 16, 2016
1st Ss using Wixie to create tangrams. Math in the library is always a good time. @PadoniaPride @MelissaDiDonato @franglick pic.twitter.com/It9zwI36KB — Jennifer Sheggrud (@PIESlibrary) November 10, 2016

Extend a Story

1st gr. illustrators used artistic elements to create a Wixie page for Pigeon's next adventure. @The_Pigeon @MsSudia pic.twitter.com/NxAnoOrxDQ — Diane Fontinell (@Halstead_LMS) January 7, 2015

Students are using Wixie to bring their words, their voice, and their art to the curriculum.

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STUDENTS  |   TEACHERS  |   SIGN UP

Technology Curriculum

STUDENTS  -  TEACHERS - SHOP

Are you spending too much time planning technology skills lessons for your K-5 students?

Empower your students with essential digital skills.

Scroll down to learn more about this elementary technology curriculum.

technology lessons 1st grade

Comprehensive Grades K-5 Technology Curriculum

Immerse your students in an innovative learning environment with our K-5 Tech Curriculum. Crafted for elementary computer lab teachers, grade level educators, and homeschooling families, this comprehensive resource comes with over 200 lesson plans and activities that seamlessly integrate into your technology curriculum.

This curriculum simplifies your lesson planning, freeing up valuable time and reducing the stress of preparing engaging computer lab sessions. From digital tool exploration, internet safety, coding basics, to fostering research skills, we ensure a robust, well-rounded tech education for your students.

With an auto-login feature and a user-friendly interface optimized for desktop learning, our curriculum offers an accessible, hassle-free experience for teachers and students alike. We provide flexible subscription plans – monthly or yearly – and the freedom to cancel at any time, ensuring we meet your budget and needs.

Experience the ease of teaching technology with our K-5 Tech Curriculum, where we combine quality, convenience, and value to enhance your teaching experience and boost your students’ digital competency.

This is ideal for a technology teacher, media specialist, tech facilitator, grade level teachers with mandatory lab time, or homeschooling family that wants educational technology lessons. All of the setup work is done for you!

This is for you if:

  • By the end of the year you want students who can log in, navigate a website, access any programs, type efficiently, and use  technology to   learn.
  • You want students who are  confident in using the technology  required for standardized testing. 
  • You have  limited time – in one 45 minute session per week, your students can develop technology literacy while completing engaging projects.
  • You need it to be nearly  effortless for YOU  and fun for your students.

Skills Addressed:

  • Computer Basics and procedures
  • Mouse/Trackpad skills
  • Keyboarding (Typing skills)
  • Digital Citizenship & Internet Safety
  • Online Research Skills
  • Creativity with Tech Tools
  • Software Programs (Both Google Apps and Microsoft Office)
  • Coding (Computer Science)

There is a detailed scope and sequence for each grade level available on this page.

technology lessons 1st grade

1. Watch the Video

And read through the text on this page.

2. Read the Scope and Sequence

Plus check out the free sample pages!

3. See the Buying Options

K-5 monthly, yearly, and individual grade level subscriptions available.

technology lessons 1st grade

My name is Brittany Washburn and I’m an educator obsessed with ed tech. 

This curriculum was originally created over 3 school years when I had  nothing  for materials for my technology specials. I was spending my nights and weekends scouring Pinterest and Google for ideas because I knew my students deserved engaging lessons even if I had to do everything from scratch. 

I found myself exhausted and frustrated and just knew there had to be an easier way. That is when I discovered the  magic  of having my own class website and screencasting my instructions. I created a modified-flipped-classroom before I even knew that was a thing. Students were working at their own pace and they stopped asking me to repeat instructions. I felt like I had struck gold!

Once I built out all of the lessons to meet the ISTE Standards for Students, my planning was basically done. I was finally able to keep up with all of the other aspects of teaching tech (troubleshooting, researching, extra duties, etc.) and started to enjoy the job so much more! I actually had energy left at the end of a school day since I wasn’t spending any more time on planning.

I tested and perfected the activities over the years and now I’ve made them available to you! I also still regularly update activities because I just love creating age-appropriate and standards-aligned activities.

SPECIAL OFFER: Click here  and use the code TRYK5TECH1 at checkout to subscribe and get the first month for just $1 (regularly $15 per month)!

Watch this video for full walkthrough

What you need in order to use these lesson plans:

  • Subscription includes an Auto Login URL for students. Simply share the URL with students and it logs them in automatically. Great for little ones! *Cookies must be enabled on your student devices for this to work.
  • Laptops or desktops are ideal (PC or Chromebooks).
  • There are YouTube and Vimeo videos to supplement the lessons. If you don’t have access to Vimeo or YouTube you can accomplish the same objective by doing a demonstration yourself.
  • Student instructional videos are embedded into the site via my Vimeo account. You may need to ask your school or district to whitelist Vimeo.
  • Access to either Google Apps or Microsoft Software programs for students.
  • Up to date web browser. All lessons have been tested in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari (desktop versions).

Each lesson or project includes:

  • Lesson plan and rationale pages for the teacher (like the teacher manual but better).
  • Printable and editable  lesson planning pages and rationale pages where I explain the how and why for each lesson or unit. 

The lesson plan pages come in a PowerPoint file that will easily open in Google Slides if you upload it to your drive. It is fully editable in case you need to make modifications, or you can just print the whole file and hand write your notes. 

Lesson plan pages

Each lesson or project includes a web page with linked prompts, directions, and activities (like a workbook but digital).

technology lessons 1st grade

There are several sample lessons you can look at to see how it all works:

  • Kindergarten
  • Keyboard Arrows
  • Counting Activity
  • First Grade
  • Typing Practice
  • Fairy Tale Activity
  • Second Grade
  • Build a City
  • Hour of Code
  • Third Grade
  • Code an Avatar
  • Typing Olympics
  • Fourth Grade
  • All About Online Search
  • Make a Web Page
  • Fifth Grade
  • Internet Safety Project

As you can see, there is a combination of digital activities built right onto the pages and external links. 

Easy access for even your youngest students! Either use the Auto Login URL or have students practice logging in by typing the class username and password.

Everything is set up for you!

Directions, screencasts, early finisher activities, everything your students need to be successful with just an intro or demo from you!

CURRICULUM TOPICS & SUBJECTS INCLUDED

Kindergarten:

  • Mouse/ Trackpad Skills
  • Parts of a Computer
  • Navigating a Device for Learning
  • Keyboard Letters and Numbers
  • Math and ELA Digital Activities to practice the mouse and keyboard
  • Internet Safety and Digital Citizenship
  • Navigating a device
  • Keyboard familiarity and practice
  • Internet Safety, Media Literacy, and Digital Citizenship
  • Computer Skills
  • Keyboarding to proficiency
  • Computer Vocabulary
  • Creation Tools for creativity with technology
  • PowerPoint / Google Slides
  • Word / Docs
  • Excel / Google Sheets
  • Internet Search and basics of online research skills
  • Typing skills and proficiency
  • Online Research skills
  • Word processing and Typing

Internet Safety

  • Google Sheets/ Excel
  • Creation tools
  • Research skills and practice
  • Internet Safety Research Project

Spreadsheet Software

BONUS FILES INCLUDED IN THE YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION DOWNLOADS

  • 4 Sets of Backup plans (great for when technology/WiFi isn’t cooperating)
  • Computer Lab Management strategies
  • Paper username and password practice printable
  • Certificate of completion

Each grade level has specific units and skills taught. See the scope and sequence here:

Scope and sequence for each grade level.

Click on the grade level tabs down the side to see the other grades. 

SPECIAL OFFER: Click here  and use the code TRYK5TECH1 at checkout to get the first 30 days for just $1!

You can click the Member Login button to see the Homepage. From there you can look at all of the lesson titles from the menu and see the sample pages. 

Kindergarten Lessons

These are the lesson titles you will find in this resource:

Rules and Procedures

  • Parts of the Computer
  • How to use the Internet

Mouse Practice

  • Can be used for mouse or trackpad
  • Hover, click, click and drag (drag and drop), double click, right click, scroll
  • Mouse and Spacebar 1-2

Keyboard Practice

  • Keyboard Introduction
  • Keyboard Arrows 1-4
  • Keyboarding 1-2
  • Sequencing, 2 lessons

ELA Practice (reviews mouse/trackpad, keyboard, and website navigation)

  • Spelling Words
  • Sight Words
  • Typing Sight Words

Math Practice (reviews mouse/trackpad, keyboard, and website navigation)

  • Counting and cardinality
  • Counting to tell number of objects
  • Compare numbers
  • Operations and algebraic thinking
  • Measurement
  • Internet safety overview
  • Downloading
  • Screen time
  • Online friends
  • Unit overview

Read the blog post with FAQs for the  Kindergarten technology curriculum .

Watch these video demos:

  • Mouse practice 1
  • Mouse practice 2
  • Keyboarding

technology curriculum lesson plans and activities for the computer lab

1st Grade Lessons

  • Computer Parts 3 week unit (comes with printable worksheets)
  • Save to Favorites

Mouse and Keyboard Practice

  • Mouse Practice (repeat as many times as needed)
  • Keyboard Arrows (repeat until mastered)
  • Memory Match
  • Paint and Make
  • Alphabet Order
  • Digital activities to go with Common Sense Media Curriculum
  • Private and personal information
  • Netsmartz Into the Cloud videos

Computers and Academics (mouse and keyboard practice with academic content)

  • Math with Computers 1 and 2
  • Addition Game
  • Reading with Computers 1 and 2
  • Make a Secret Message
  • Make a Story
  • Word Processing
  • Typing in Word
  • Changing the Fonts
  • Adding Pictures
  • Writing with Computers

Presentation Software

  • Adding pictures
  • Fonts and text
  • Slide layouts
  • Research steps
  • Taking notes
  • Giving credit
  • Group Research Project

Coding Unit

  • First Grade Coding
  • Conditionals Unit

Read the blog post with FAQs for the  1st grade technology curriculum .

  • Math with Computers
  • Research Skills
  • Computer parts

2nd Grade Lessons

  • Technology Vocabulary 1-3
  • Typing Practice 1
  • Typing Stamina Building 2-6
  • Typing Lesson 7
  • Layering text and graphics
  • Spell Check
  • Making lists
  • Add slides and change layout
  • Pictures and backgrounds
  • Type text in a box
  • Internet safety 1-3
  • The Internet

Make A… Projects

  • Make a Leaf Creature
  • Friendly Letter
  • Copy and Paste Practice
  • Make a Book Cover

BONUS Activities if you have time:

  • Color coded typing digital flash cards
  • Tech vocab word search
  • Digital breakouts
  • Drag and drop practice

Read the blog post with FAQs for the  2nd grade technology curriculum .

  • Google Docs
  • Computer Vocab

3rd Grade Lessons

  • First Day in Technology rules and vocabulary review
  • Word Processing 1-5
  • Word Processing Test
  • Word Processing Typing
  • Online safety rules
  • Online communication
  • Cyberbullying
  • Typing Olympics (4 Weeks)
  •  Color coded typing 2 weeks
  • Changing the font
  • Inserting pictures
  • Fun with word art
  • Fill in a Chart
  • Make a Bar Graph
  • Make your own Graph

Online Search

  • Learn about Search Engines
  • Internet Search 1 and 2

BONUS if you have time:

  • Google Slides (or PowerPoint) Digital Stop Motion Animation Project
  • Technology vocabulary activities
  • Typing sight words

Read the blog post with FAQs for the  3rd grade technology curriculum .

  • Word processing
  • Google Sheets

4th Grade Lessons

  • Lesson 1: Google log and Create a Rules poster

Technology Vocabulary

  • Lesson 2: Google log and Vocabulary Review
  • Geek Speak Intro: PowerPoint or Google Slides vocabulary template
  • Technology Vocabulary Typing
  • Multitasking (screen time)

Online Research

  • How to Read a Webpage
  • Search Engine Strategies
  • Google Search Tips
  • Judging Online Information
  • Evaluate a Web Page
  • Website Evaluation Activity
  • Putting Information Together
  • Avoiding Plagiarism
  • .Copyright and Fair Use
  • Intro to Publisher (research project)
  • Working with Tables
  • Numbering Slides
  • Inserting Videos
  • Color and Highlight Boxes
  • Scratch Lessons 1-8

Word Processing and Typing

  • Adding hyperlinks
  • Page layout
  • Color coded typing digital flash cards 2 weeks
  • Digital Breakouts
  • Chrome Music Lab Rhythm Experiment
  • STEM Challenges (great for back up plans any time of year)

Check out the  blog post about the 4th grade technology curriculum

Watch some video demos of lessons:

  • Adding Tables to Google Slides
  • Color Coded Typing
  • Technology Vocabulary Review

5th Grade Lessons

  • First Day in Tech Lesson 1: Computer Rules poster
  • Procedures and First Project (technology problem solving)
  • Lesson 3: How to Read a Webpage
  • Lesson 4: Evaluate Websites Activity
  • Lesson 5: Google Search Tips
  • Lesson 6: Geek Speak Project
  • Vocabulary Test 1
  • Internet Safety Project 6 Weeks. Research and activity creation.
  • Internet Safety Lessons: Online reputation and responsibilities
  • Screen Free Week

Make a … projects

  • Animation Project
  • Make a Wordle
  • Make a Comic
  • Make a Voice Recording
  • Make a Picture with Labels
  • Make a Puzzle
  • Make a Quiz
  • PowerPoint Lessons
  • Transitions and Animations
  • Spell check and Editing
  • Citing Sources
  • Color Coded Typing Digital Flash Cards 2 weeks
  • Spreadsheet project (Candy Store)
  • 3D Printing Module
  • Extra technology vocabulary activities

Check out the  blog post about the 5th grade technology curriculum

  • Editing and Spell Check
  • Bonus Spreadsheet project

Enough lessons and activities for the entire School Year

For grades K-5 (based on a 45 minute class once each week)

If you have longer classes or see your students more than once a week then I recommend getting these add-ons:

  • Add on Pack
  • Assessment Bundle 
  • Tech Teacher Planner  
  • Tech Exit Tickets

technology lessons 1st grade

Buying Options Available in Multiple  Grade Levels

Purchase a K-5 Bundle or any individual grade levels you need. 

technology curriculum computer lab lessons

K-5 Technology Curriculum BUNDLE Monthly Subscription

technology curriculum computer lab lessons

K-5 Technology Curriculum Bundle Yearly Subscription

Kindergarten Technology Lessons

Kindergarten Tech Curriculum Subscription

technology lessons 1st grade

1st Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

technology lessons 1st grade

2nd Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

technology lessons 1st grade

3rd Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

technology lessons 1st grade

4th Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

technology lessons 1st grade

5th Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

Frequently asked questions.

With your purchase you get one  class account  that all students use to access the lesson pages. Think of this website like a textbook but digital. The username and password’s purpose is to give students access to the textbook. Then from there you (the teacher) still facilitate student progress by letting them know which lesson page to go to and you’ll still collect their finished assignments for assessment. 

There are 2 options for students to log in. They can use the Auto Login URL or they can type the username and password. See the details below for each option.

Option 1:  Auto Login URL, which works like a single-sign-on link. Generate your Auto Login URL for Students from your  My Account  page. Cookies must be enabled in your browsers for the Auto Login URL to work.

  • Share the auto login URL with students in a  protected  way such as Clever, Seesaw, Google Classroom, Schoology, or other learning management system, via email, or as a desktop shortcut.
  • Provide a substitute teacher with the auto login URL to facilitate your classes.

YOU MAY NOT

  • Put the auto login URL anywhere public, such as your school website, class website, social media, etc.
  • Share the auto login URL with others who are not licensed to use the curriculum with your students.
  • *If we notice an unusually large amount of traffic coming from your auto login link we will ask you to purchase an additional license.

Option 2:  Students type in the username and password. The account you made when you put through your order is the same username and password that your students will use to access their lessons. *If you already had an account on the site then that account is now your class account. See “Can I change my username?” FAQ if needed.

*Choose “ remember me ” in the login box the first time so that the browser will remember the login credentials and your students don’t have to type them every time.

technology lessons 1st grade

A note about option 2: If the school secretary or someone else purchased the subscription for you, you’ll receive 2 emails with information about your account and with the teacher downloads. Please find those emails and follow the instructions in them for access. The  account connected to the subscription is the class account , not the one connected to the order.

The curriculum is housed on this website. Students log in to this website to access the lesson pages. The lesson plans are provided in Google Slides for the teacher (and administrators) to guide you through the curriculum.

Visit it ahead of time at  k5technologycurriculum.com/homepage  to get an idea how it works. You can find several free pages on the Samples dropdown menu. If/when you purchase access, you will create a class username and password to access all of the grade level pages.

No student data is ever collected on this website. 

The lesson plans include the correlated ISTE Standard for Students. Each lesson/unit page includes I Can Statements (objectives) that you can tie to any set of standards you use.

Both! Starting in 1st grade there are lessons to teach excel/sheets, word/docs, and PPT/slides. Your students will need access for either MS Office programs or Google accounts.

Some teacher will choose to use Google Classroom as a way to collect student assignments in order to grade them, but there isn’t a way to automatically assign one of my lessons in GC. 

While it is possible, I don’t recommend it. The whole first quarter of lessons for Kindergarten are on mouse skills and navigating a computer. Completing these lessons on an iPad wouldn’t accomplish the same set of standards. 

While the curriculum was originally designed for computer lab teachers, there are many classroom teachers, media specialists, and homeschooling families now using it with great success.

  • Classroom teachers: Purchase just the grade level(s) you need and plan to give students 30-45 minutes per week to complete one lesson per week.
  • Media specialists: If you work with grades K-5 you can make use of the bundle and have all of your tech skills lessons planned for the school year.
  • Homeschooling families: Most homeschooling families choose the K-5 monthly subscription option if they have multiple students at different ability levels. This enables you to have full control over which lesson(s) each child completes. You can also purchase just the grade level(s) you need and have your child work through at their own pace.

In compliance with COPPA, this site does not collect any student data. Each lesson plan includes ideas for assessment, which you can implement if you give grades. I recommend keeping anecdotal records of student progress through the lessons.

The teacher has full control over which lesson students should access and collecting finished projects. The site doesn’t keep track of anything. This enables us to use it with students under the age of 13. 

This means you’ll need a way for your students to share their finished files with you. A Learning Management System like Google Classroom makes it really easy to collect files from students. 

You can also keep your own anecdotal records of student progress.  Click here to read a blog post about grading in the computer lab. 

Individual grade levels can be purchased and if you decide you need more, it is easy to add additional grade levels at any time. The only way to subscribe month by month is to purchase the K-5 bundle. The individual grade levels are all 365 day subscriptions.

Let’s make sure this will be good fit for your students.  Click here  and use the code TRYK5TECH1 at checkout to get the first 30 days for just $1! After that it is $15 per month or you can switch to the yearly subscription to get 3 months free. 

One license per school building. This curriculum was made with a technology teacher in mind, but some schools have their classroom teachers implement the lessons. The whole school can share the class account. 

If you’re a tech teacher at multiple schools and have fewer than 30 total classes, you may use the license at more than one school building. 

If you have questions about licensing, please email me before purchasing. If we find that your IP address is using an unusually high amount of server resources we may ask you to purchase an additional license.

Yes! You have complete control over your subscription from your account. If you’re not sure if this will be a good fit for you then I recommend subscribing to the monthly billing option. You can cancel it before the next renewal if needed.

I have a feeling you’ll want to stay subscribed the whole time you teach technology. The subscriptions renew automatically so you never have to worry about losing access (unless something happens like your card is declined during the renewal attempt).

I’m continually adding new content and updating outdated content. There is a bug report form if you ever find and error (like a broken link) and I’ll fix it ASAP. As new content is added, you’ll get access to it immediately on the website.

I prioritize updating the website before updating the teacher lesson plan files. Once a year you’ll want to check for updates to the teacher files by making a fresh copy of the Google Slides / PowerPoint lesson plans.

Where do I go if I have additional questions?

Email me directly at [email protected] if there is anything you need me to clarify.

Amazing Curriculum!

Wonderful lessons and activities, love using this curriculum for my classes, saves so much time, makes my job easier, constant updates.

STEAM in 1st Grade

Teaching steam in 1st grade, why teach steam and coding in 1st grade.

Hands-on STEAM learning for 1st graders is integral to developing problem solving and critical thinking skills, but how do you incorporate it into an already busy elementary school day? Through standards-based science content taught through STEAM lessons while introducing 1st grade students to the foundations of coding. 

With SAM Labs STEAM Solution, you are provided with all the content needed for success, no coding experience is needed by teachers or 1st grade students. The best part of all? Your kids will be developing their computational thinking skills while they learn to visually code!

Student excited for STEAM course kit

Dig into this amazing, standards-based, 1st grade STEAM and coding lesson!​

STEAM lesson for first grade

The Jungle Adventure

In this STEAM lesson for Grade 1, Blocky explores the jungle and learns a lot about animal behavior. He wants to share it with everyone back home. Students read texts and use media to determine patterns in the behavior of parents and offspring that help them survive. The first graders then then code a system to play animal sounds, create a presentation template, and explore the behavior of jungle animals.

Everything You Need to Teach STEAM & Coding in 1st Grade

Sam labs steam solution.

  • Increased engagement through hands-on learning
  • Experience science concepts in innovative ways
  • Hone 21st century skills like communication, creativity, and collaboration
  • Develop key computational and critical thinking skills
  • Provides an introduction to key computer science skills

Student learning STEAM

Teaching 1st graders STEAM and coding has never been this easy!​

Kristen Albright

Kristen Albright

"I love the versatility of the product! I can incorporate one or a few blocks into so many areas of my STEM curriculum."

Eddie Lyons

Eddie Lyons

STEM & Technology Applications Teacher, Harmony School of Innovation, Euless TX

"See a problem, imagine solutions, then create and test it. When it may fail - because sometimes it does - then go back through the steps and troubleshoot and improve it. Students love the freedom to be creative, and SAM Labs provides just that opportunity."

Tara Pollick

Tara Pollick

Elementary STEM Teacher, Mount Nittany Elementary School, State College PA

"The possibilities are endless! Students are able to do so many things with a few blocks."

Libo Valencia

Libo Valencia

Math Teacher at Chappaqua Central School District, Chappaqua NY

“I think your product is awesome. It’s engaging and intuitive, I really wish that products like SAM Labs become the future of play for kids and teenagers. It connects what they learn in school to hands-on activities. If more kids got to play with it, STEM will be much more popular worldwide.”  

Amy Sabarre

Amy Sabarre

Director of STEM Education, Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Harrisonburg VA

“I have seen a lot of curriculum over the years. A lot. And SAM Labs does THE best job of packaging curriculum, of making it teacher friendly…it’s just so easy to use, and so well done. You’ll see sometimes, [other curriculum] is easy to use but it’s not high quality. SAM Labs is high quality AND easy to use. I absolutely love that."

Nickie Doran

Nickie Doran

Innovation Lab Specialist, Hallinan Elementary School, Lake Oswego OR

"So much potential with SAM Labs across all grade levels, great customer service, great lesson ideas, wonderful community!"

Emily Boshers

Emily Boshers

Gifted Specialist, Columbia Elementary School, Madison AL

"Great product, but what sets SAM Labs apart is the curriculum and support they offer. Great, challenging curriculum, based on grade levels. So easy to use no matter what the teacher's coding skills."

David Gardner

David Gardner

STEM Teacher, Spring Creek Elementary, Houserville PA

“I love the spirit of collaboration that SAM Labs fosters with my students.”

Cody Derr

Science Teacher, Reach Cyber Charter School, PA

"I like using SAM Labs because my students enjoy the experiences. They are learning content through application. Experiment with the blocks yourself. Have fun. Take the Professional Development courses and allow your students to explore the blocks before starting a project. Their creativity goes wild once they have some freedom to explore."

Rory McGrath

Rory McGrath

Headteacher, Shacklewell Primary School, UK

“SAM Labs’ versatility and ease of use make lessons feel new, exciting and engaging.”

technology lessons 1st grade

Using Tech to Accelerate Learning: One Teacher’s Story

technology lessons 1st grade

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Schools across the United States have been purchasing tech tools to help students make up for the learning disrupted by the closures and other interruptions from earlier in the pandemic.

In Nebraska, the nonprofit online math platform Zearn is one product school districts are using to embrace “acceleration,” a strategy that ensures students can access grade-level content even if they haven’t mastered every concept from the previous grade. A study analyzing the impact of the Nebraska education department’s statewide partnership with Zearn found that elementary and middle school students who consistently used Zearn had 2.5 times the growth in their state assessment scores than students who did not use the platform.

In addition to Zearn, some other tech-driven accelerated learning products on the market include Amira Learning, which provides reading tutoring, oral reading fluency assessment, and dyslexia risk screening; Great Minds’ Eureka Math, an online math curriculum and learning platform; Amplify CKLA, an online English language arts curriculum; and ReadWorks, which provides differentiated reading instruction.

Upwards shaped arrow table with several open laptops

In a video interview with Education Week, Nicole Guth, a 1st grade teacher at South Elementary in Sidney, Neb., discussed how she uses technology to accelerate learning for her students. This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

How do you use Zearn in your classroom?

Nicole Guth, a 1st grade teacher at South Elementary in Sidney, Neb.

Zearn is broken into different parts: There is a whole group aspect, there’s a small group component, as well as a technology online lesson. In my classroom, students roughly complete three to four lessons each week using Zearn. We start every lesson with a whole group fluency activity. From there, we break up into rotations and small groups. My class is divided in half. Half of the class works with me in a small group to work on our on-level content for that day. The other half of the class works on their online component, which is composed of an adaptive learning path, as well as usually a math chat, a math lesson, notes, a Tower of Power—which is their exit ticket—and then they also have a paper and pencil exit ticket [an assignment students have to do when they finish a lesson to gauge how well they understood it]. In my class, students are allowed to either stay on-level with me or they work up to two lessons ahead or two lessons behind me.

How is it working for your students?

For students who are really excelling in math, I feel like it gives them a good challenge that they’re ready for. I feel like Zearn teaches multiple strategies to use when learning math concepts. So those kiddos are able to really apply some of those math skills that they know before I’ve even taught them, which is amazing. Then we can really talk about different ways to solve the same problem, instead of, “math has to be solved this way and this is definitely the answer.” Math has a definite answer, but there’s so many ways to get to that same answer.

Has it helped improve students’ academic outcomes?

Looking at my student data, this school year for our [winter] MAP testing, I had 100 percent of my class make growth in math, which is phenomenal to see the data improve.

How is it helping you as a teacher?

I enjoy Zearn because I can adapt [students’] path. If they need additional practice, I can go back and bookmark a specific lesson for them to go back and do again on their iPad. If they’re ready to keep going, I love the idea that kids can work at their level and keep working ahead and I’m not holding them back.

Is there anything about Zearn that you think can be improved?

The only thing I wish it had was more data, like more feedback to the teacher. The teacher does get some data about if [students are] struggling or if they’re completing [lessons], if they’re getting bonuses, but I would like more feedback as a teacher about, what specifically are they having trouble with within that piece?

What improvements do ed-tech products in general need in order to help accelerate learning?

Just thinking of what students need and keeping what kids need in mind. When it comes to math, is there an audio button so my kiddos who are struggling readers are able to still do math without struggling to read? Am I able to differentiate so that my kiddos who are ready for a challenge are able to get that challenge and really excel and students that are needing some extra practice are able to go back and have that extra practice? Does it give me data that I can use to improve my instruction or teach to students on their level where they’re at?

What should tech-enhanced accelerated learning look like?

I think it should look like you’re using some type of technology, but you’re also keeping that teacher component. I think that part is important. I think that building those relationships with students and giving them on-level grade material is really important. But [with tech] students can work at their own pace, at their level, at what is appropriate for them.

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How technology is reinventing education

Stanford Graduate School of Education Dean Dan Schwartz and other education scholars weigh in on what's next for some of the technology trends taking center stage in the classroom.

technology lessons 1st grade

Image credit: Claire Scully

New advances in technology are upending education, from the recent debut of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to the growing accessibility of virtual-reality tools that expand the boundaries of the classroom. For educators, at the heart of it all is the hope that every learner gets an equal chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. But that promise is not without its pitfalls.

“Technology is a game-changer for education – it offers the prospect of universal access to high-quality learning experiences, and it creates fundamentally new ways of teaching,” said Dan Schwartz, dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), who is also a professor of educational technology at the GSE and faculty director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning . “But there are a lot of ways we teach that aren’t great, and a big fear with AI in particular is that we just get more efficient at teaching badly. This is a moment to pay attention, to do things differently.”

For K-12 schools, this year also marks the end of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding program, which has provided pandemic recovery funds that many districts used to invest in educational software and systems. With these funds running out in September 2024, schools are trying to determine their best use of technology as they face the prospect of diminishing resources.

Here, Schwartz and other Stanford education scholars weigh in on some of the technology trends taking center stage in the classroom this year.

AI in the classroom

In 2023, the big story in technology and education was generative AI, following the introduction of ChatGPT and other chatbots that produce text seemingly written by a human in response to a question or prompt. Educators immediately worried that students would use the chatbot to cheat by trying to pass its writing off as their own. As schools move to adopt policies around students’ use of the tool, many are also beginning to explore potential opportunities – for example, to generate reading assignments or coach students during the writing process.

AI can also help automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to do the human work that drew them into the profession in the first place, said Victor Lee, an associate professor at the GSE and faculty lead for the AI + Education initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. “I’m heartened to see some movement toward creating AI tools that make teachers’ lives better – not to replace them, but to give them the time to do the work that only teachers are able to do,” he said. “I hope to see more on that front.”

He also emphasized the need to teach students now to begin questioning and critiquing the development and use of AI. “AI is not going away,” said Lee, who is also director of CRAFT (Classroom-Ready Resources about AI for Teaching), which provides free resources to help teach AI literacy to high school students across subject areas. “We need to teach students how to understand and think critically about this technology.”

Immersive environments

The use of immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality is also expected to surge in the classroom, especially as new high-profile devices integrating these realities hit the marketplace in 2024.

The educational possibilities now go beyond putting on a headset and experiencing life in a distant location. With new technologies, students can create their own local interactive 360-degree scenarios, using just a cell phone or inexpensive camera and simple online tools.

“This is an area that’s really going to explode over the next couple of years,” said Kristen Pilner Blair, director of research for the Digital Learning initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which runs a program exploring the use of virtual field trips to promote learning. “Students can learn about the effects of climate change, say, by virtually experiencing the impact on a particular environment. But they can also become creators, documenting and sharing immersive media that shows the effects where they live.”

Integrating AI into virtual simulations could also soon take the experience to another level, Schwartz said. “If your VR experience brings me to a redwood tree, you could have a window pop up that allows me to ask questions about the tree, and AI can deliver the answers.”

Gamification

Another trend expected to intensify this year is the gamification of learning activities, often featuring dynamic videos with interactive elements to engage and hold students’ attention.

“Gamification is a good motivator, because one key aspect is reward, which is very powerful,” said Schwartz. The downside? Rewards are specific to the activity at hand, which may not extend to learning more generally. “If I get rewarded for doing math in a space-age video game, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be motivated to do math anywhere else.”

Gamification sometimes tries to make “chocolate-covered broccoli,” Schwartz said, by adding art and rewards to make speeded response tasks involving single-answer, factual questions more fun. He hopes to see more creative play patterns that give students points for rethinking an approach or adapting their strategy, rather than only rewarding them for quickly producing a correct response.

Data-gathering and analysis

The growing use of technology in schools is producing massive amounts of data on students’ activities in the classroom and online. “We’re now able to capture moment-to-moment data, every keystroke a kid makes,” said Schwartz – data that can reveal areas of struggle and different learning opportunities, from solving a math problem to approaching a writing assignment.

But outside of research settings, he said, that type of granular data – now owned by tech companies – is more likely used to refine the design of the software than to provide teachers with actionable information.

The promise of personalized learning is being able to generate content aligned with students’ interests and skill levels, and making lessons more accessible for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Realizing that promise requires that educators can make sense of the data that’s being collected, said Schwartz – and while advances in AI are making it easier to identify patterns and findings, the data also needs to be in a system and form educators can access and analyze for decision-making. Developing a usable infrastructure for that data, Schwartz said, is an important next step.

With the accumulation of student data comes privacy concerns: How is the data being collected? Are there regulations or guidelines around its use in decision-making? What steps are being taken to prevent unauthorized access? In 2023 K-12 schools experienced a rise in cyberattacks, underscoring the need to implement strong systems to safeguard student data.

Technology is “requiring people to check their assumptions about education,” said Schwartz, noting that AI in particular is very efficient at replicating biases and automating the way things have been done in the past, including poor models of instruction. “But it’s also opening up new possibilities for students producing material, and for being able to identify children who are not average so we can customize toward them. It’s an opportunity to think of entirely new ways of teaching – this is the path I hope to see.”

Lesson Plan

Feb. 16, 2024, 6:15 p.m.

Lesson plan: Analyze 2020 and 2024 presidential campaign ads

Primary elections in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Originally published in 2020 and updated Feb. 16, 2024

Campaign advertisements on television and online can play an important role in presidential elections because they allow candidates to directly address the electorate with their messages.

In this lesson plan, students will discuss what makes advertisements effective and examine ads produced by the 2020 presidential campaign with candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Social studies, history, government

Estimated Time

1-2 50 minute classes

Grade Level

Activities:.

  • As a warm-up, watch this PBS NewsHour "Brief but Spectacular" video featuring Fred Davis, a leading political consultant. What techniques does Davis use to make sure that advertisements are memorable and compelling? Why is this so important?

  • How many TV or online ads do you think you see in a typical day? How many do you remember? What makes an advertisement memorable for you?

2. Watch a television ad (embedded below) for each of the candidates below. Compare and contrast the techniques that each advertisement used such as images, music and narration.

  • How would you describe the tone of each ad and how did it influence the ad's effectiveness?
  • Which advertisement do you think was most convincing and why?
  • What, if anything, did you learn about each candidate's platform from the ads? Discuss as a class.

DONALD TRUMP:

The 2024 primaries are underway, but it's looking more and more likely that there will be another Trump v. Biden matchup despite polls showing the most Americans would prefer other candidates .

Watch these 2024 ads and search online to analyze more ads. Do you think Trump or Biden's strategies for 2024 have changed since 2020? What strikes you as similar? Different?

Trump ad (economy) and Trump ad (fracking)

Biden ad (Jan. 6) and Biden ad (Trump confused)

Extension activities:

  • Watch the advertisements for each candidate. Compare and contrast the historical advertisements with advertisements today. How are they similar and different in terms of tone, message and informational content? What historical events could account for these differences? Explain.
  • Want to make your own ad? See Lesson plan: Create your own presidential campaign ad .

By Amanda Wilcox, intern at NewsHour Classroom, with editing by Vic Pasquantonio.

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Lesson plan: Create your own presidential campaign ad

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Learn about the ways history is still being uncovered today

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IMAGES

  1. 1st Grade Technology Lessons and Activities

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  2. 1st Grade Technology Curriculum Add on Pack

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  3. 1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school

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  4. 1st Grade Technology Lessons Weeks 13-24

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  5. My technology center in first grade. Didn't know how good I had it to

    technology lessons 1st grade

  6. TECHNOLOGY AND YOU worksheet

    technology lessons 1st grade

VIDEO

  1. 8th Grade Technology Class Week #13

  2. Grade 4

  3. Grade 4 Science -(Using Digital Devices)

  4. consonant digraphs |blends and digraphs

  5. Science and Technology Lessons 1 to 6 establish a technological process for manufacturing a part

  6. #educationalvideo#education#electronic #learning #schoolproject #class2 #class3 #educationalvideo

COMMENTS

  1. 1st Grade Technology Lessons and Activities

    Each lesson or project includes: -a rationale page -an editable lesson planning page -a web page with linked prompts, directions, and activities -Unit cover pages for a binder if you want to print out these plans Enough to last you the entire school year! 1st Grade Technology Lessons Scope and Sequence

  2. Technology Lesson Plans for First Grade

    Integrating Technology in First-Grade Creative Educator lesson plans can help you provide your first-grade students with an engaging and creative approach to content learning. Students in 1st grade needs to build strong foundations for reading, writing, and numbers.

  3. 1st Grade

    1st Grade - Technology Curriculum Find your lesson number and click it to go to the lesson page. How To's Computer Parts Mouse Practice Bonus Mouse Practice Keyboard Arrows How to Use the Internet Save to Favorites Internet Safety 1 Internet Safety 2 Internet Safety 3 Internet Safety 4 Memory Match Paint and Make Alphabet Order

  4. First Grade Technology Lessons

    First Grade Technology Lesson Schedule: First Quarter - August ~ October Main Topics Covered: Homerow Typing and Word Processing (text and clipart) 9 Sessions = ( Typing with fingers on home row - no pecky typing) 5 Sessions = ( Word Processing - informative and opinion texts - writing simple sentences and adding illustrations)

  5. How to use technology in the elementary classroom

    January 30, 2023Angelia Simpson Get learners off to a great start with technology in the early elementary classroom. Primary students are not only eager to use technology, but also surprisingly capable. Students are more tech-savvy than ever before.

  6. Your first grader and technology

    First-graders may learn the proper terminology to communicate about technology, such as the parts of a computer system and software terms such as menu, file, save, and quit. Your child may make labels for the different parts of the computer, such as the monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, and speakers.

  7. First Grade STEM Activities for Kids

    Science Buddies' first grade science projects are the perfect way for first grade students to have fun exploring science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Our first grade projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the first grade.

  8. 1st Grade Technology Lesson Plans and Activities

    3 3.5K views 6 years ago 1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson plans and...

  9. First Grade Technology Lessons Teaching Resources

    $28.80 Bundle Spiral Review technology lessons that teach presentation, word processing, and spreadsheet software for 1st grade over 12 sessions. These will make a great addition to your technology curriculum for the computer lab. The skills build on each other throughout this unit so it is important to do the lessons in order.

  10. Technology

    First-Grade Computer Lessons. The internet is an amazing tool. It's an endless source of information, social interaction, escape, and funny cat videos. But as well as all the positives, there are downsides to our increasingly online lives. Excessive use of social media, for example, can (paradoxically for something that claims to bring us ...

  11. Results for 1st Grade Technology Lessons

    $12.00 4.6 (16) Zip Google Apps™ Add one to cart 1st Grade Technology Curriculum Software Lessons Bundle Created by Brittany Washburn Technology Skills Resources Spiral Review technology lessons that teach presentation, word processing, and spreadsheet software for 1st grade over 12 sessions.

  12. Free 1st grade computer science

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  13. First Grade: Using Technology at Home Printable (1st Grade)

    Provided by Scott Foresman, an imprint of Pearson, the world's leading elementary educational publisher. Its line of educational resources supports teachers and helps schools and districts meet demands for adequate yearly progress and reporting.

  14. Digital Project Ideas for First-Grade Classrooms

    Digital Project Ideas for First-Grade Classrooms | Wixie Bring Creative Digital Projects to First-Grade Classrooms! Use these examples of projects created by students and tweets from classroom teachers to inspire technology integration in your first-grade classroom.

  15. 1st Grade Technology Curriculum Subscription

    40+ 1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson plans and activities will save you so much time coming up with what to do during your computer lab time. Ideal for a technology teacher or a 1st grade teacher with mandatory lab time.

  16. k5tech.net

    Comprehensive Grades K-5 Technology Curriculum. Immerse your students in an innovative learning environment with our K-5 Tech Curriculum. Crafted for elementary computer lab teachers, grade level educators, and homeschooling families, this comprehensive resource comes with over 200 lesson plans and activities that seamlessly integrate into your ...

  17. Technology Lesson Plans

    Technology Lesson Plans and Classroom Activities. This indicates resources located on The Teacher's Corner. Pattern Recognition Skills - Seasonal Color by Number Grades PreK-K-1st **NEW**. Patterns help students understand how things are organized and can make things look interesting. Ultimately, patterns make our tasks simpler.

  18. 1st Grade Technology Curriculum

    40+ 1st grade technology lesson plans and activities for the entire school year that will make a great supplement to your technology curriculum. These lesson...

  19. STEAM in 1st Grade

    SAM Labs STEAM Solution integrates science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics seamlessly into everyday learning for teaching STEAM in 1st grade. Using standards-based lessons, the STEAM Solution guides 1st grade teachers and elementary students through the design process utilizing computational thinking skills.

  20. Using Tech to Accelerate Learning: One Teacher's Story

    A 1st grade teacher in Nebraska discusses how an ed-tech product helps her accelerate learning for her students. Leadership ... there's a small group component, as well as a technology online lesson. In my classroom, students roughly complete three to four lessons each week using Zearn. We start every lesson with a whole group fluency ...

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  22. How technology is reinventing K-12 education

    AI can also help automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to do the human work that drew them into the profession in the first place, said Victor Lee, an associate ...

  23. Lesson plan: Analyze these 2020 presidential campaign ads

    A black woman and white man mark their ballots at a voting site during primary elections in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S., May 17, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Drake As first responders keep our ...

  24. Free instructional technology unit plans

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