Technology

Technology Integration

At JPPS, technology is purposefully integrated throughout the curriculum, providing students with a wide variety of tools, skills and innovative educational experiences across all of our subjects. We strive to use technology to innovate educational practices, motivate students, reinforce student learning and nurture creativity and self-expression.

Kindergarten

Students have access to iPads which they use in small groups. They use subject-specific apps to reinforce learning, practicing French spelling and reading. Coding classes begin in which they learn the basics of computational thinking with block coding. They solve puzzles, learn to troubleshoot and create their own code.

Grade 1

In addition to iPads, students are introduced to Chromebooks, which they use for iTalam, their interactive Hebrew curriculum. Students have access to IXL and Netmath to reinforce Math and English skills.

Grades 2 and 3

Students learn to use technology as a creative outlet. They are introduced to content creation apps, where they can write, illustrate, animate and show their work in different ways. They start learning how to do research and use the internet responsibly to find information.

Grade 4

Students are introduced to email, and begin using Google Classroom as a space for classroom communication and assignments. Their technological endeavors center around the theme of digital identity, digital footprint and what it truly means to be a digital citizen. Research becomes a larger part of the English curriculum, and students begin to learn how to evaluate information sources.

Grade 5 and 6

Students are given more agency when it comes to presenting their work. Students choose from the many apps and programs they have learned to create unique and engaging projects. In preparation for high school, students build on the foundation of research provided in previous years and learn to properly document and cite their sources. Teachers and students use Google Classroom more commonly as a method of communication as well as distributing and collecting homework.

Grade 6 Tech Club

Students are invited to become “Techies”, where they learn troubleshooting strategies to help fellow students and teachers with school devices, interactive whiteboards, along with helpful tips and tricks they can share. Upon completion of their “Techie” training, the club shifts to cover topics of interest to the students including 3D printing, design and creation with Canva and Cricut, Sphero robotics, Makey Makey, Coding and more.

Technology in an IB PYP School

Technology holds a paramount role in our IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) curriculum as it enhances the inquiry-based approach where students use the tools provided to explore, analyze, and communicate their understanding of the world.

Coding and STEM

Coding is taught starting in Kindergarten and continues until Grade 5. At JPPS, coding is about expressing ideas and bringing imagination to life through programming languages that are as easy as building with blocks. Our young learners develop essential skills in logic, critical thinking, and teamwork while exploring the fundamentals of coding. Over the years they are exposed to unplugged activities, robotics, and a wide variety of tools, coding apps, and programs including Scratch Jr., Scratch 3.0, code.org, Sphero EDU, Makey Makeys, Micro:Bits, Climate Action Kits, Ozobots and many more. A number of classes participate in coding challenges run by Let’s Talk Science, a Canadian company committed to supporting STEM education across the country.