The three pillars of Mount Madonna School (MMS), academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development are fully visible in the fourth grade. From math games to research, to reading, writing and artistic “creating,” learning is happening in all subject areas. With the addition this year of a traveling cart of laptop computers, the students are also enjoying another level of technology in their classroom learning.
“The computers are a valuable resource this year,” said fourth grade teacher Nick Cabassa. “I often use them to have students practice their multiplication facts, typing skills, watch educational movies, work on digital writing, and get familiar with online research and cloud storage. They have really responded positively to using the Chrome books. I love that it allows me the opportunity to reach children of all academic levels and provide immediate feedback for them digitally.
Second, third and fourth grade students have access to the laptops for classroom use this year, supplementing the few desktop computers in the fourth grade classroom, and the weekly computer lab students attend at the upper campus.
The laptops provide Nick with more support in differentiating instruction and give fourth grade students more opportunities for practicing and building skills at individual levels,” commented Director of Lower School Jenni Leach. “Nick also guides the second and third graders for a weekly computer lesson to support their learning.”
“I’m still fine-tuning how best to incorporate these resources into our rich curriculum,” said Cabassa. “Fortunately, the children are not only great learners, they are great teachers, too! I’ve learned more about Google Docs through the process of having them use it, than I had previously known. The computer cart is a much-needed and incredibly useful tool in our classroom!”
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Contact: Leigh Ann Clifton, Director of Marketing & Communications,
Nestled among the redwoods on 355 acres, Mount Madonna School (MMS) is a community of learners dedicated to creative, intellectual, and ethical growth. MMS supports its students in becoming caring, self-aware, discerning and articulate individuals; and believe a fulfilling life includes personal accomplishments, meaningful relationships and service to society. The CAIS and WASC accredited program emphasizes academic excellence, creative self-expression and positive character development. Located on Summit Road between Gilroy and Watsonville.
