Exploring MS SmartArt Graphics...the possibilities are endless!

 This week I introduced my 4th graders to SmartArt graphics using Microsoft powerpoint.  And that is all I had to do was...introduce.  No further instruction was needed, an explanation of the assignment was discussed and then they were off to explore, create and collaborate.  I continue to be amazed at the abilities of young students when they are given the opportunity to explore on their own and create their own independent projects. 
    21st century skills - creativity, critical thinking, independent learning, and collaboration....all were present on the two different tasks that were assigned.  I loved watching the joy as one of my students "figured out" how to do something and truly yelled at me from across the computer lab that she "did it!"  I couldn't help but jump up and down with her, she made her graphic work...on her own...with her own solution!  Another student, couldn't get a piece of hers to work, her friend sitting next to her...paused from her own project and turned to help.  The excitement and enthusiasm for technology has been growing by leaps and bounds this year in my classroom.
    I have come to realize that I don't have to be the expert as I introduce technology tools to my students. The excitement and motivation to learn far exceeds the need for me to "teach them how to do it."  They want to explore, they want to see if they can change the shapes, the colors, the backgrounds...they want to figure out HOW to do it.  They don't need me...I am giving them the tools and they are making them their own and MAKING IT REAL!

Our first assignment, stemmed from a Reading skill that we were discussing - Author's Purpose - the three main purposes: to inform, to entertain, to persuade.  In previous years, I have used the circle/pie picture to discuss the three types of Author's Purposes.  This time - I showed them SmartArt and said create a graphic organizer that shows the 3 types - be creative and have fun!
Here are some examples:






Later on in the week, we were working on researching Famous Virginians - looking at key years and events in their lives.  I assigned the kids the task of creating a basic timeline for their Famous Virginian.  Again, I showed them some of the options in SmartArt, provided them with some pictures and said, "GO!"  That was all that they needed to create beautiful, well thought out time-lines.







The above examples are just a very few of the great learning activities that my kids completed this week.  All it took was a simple tool and some discussion and they were using their knowledge and applying it to create, instead of just circling answers on a worksheet or reading about it in a book!!