We are so proud to share with you our plans, accomplishments and hopes for the future. Each year we are faced with new and exciting challenges. This year is no exception. With larger classrooms and the same amount of equipment, we are attempting to be more creative with how we use what we have to accomplish more. To prepare our students for their future, it is imperative that we expose them to as many aspects of technology and its uses as possible.

This year we will be doing everything from creating Ethic Blogs, Jeopardy Games, Slideshows, Movies, Webpages, Podcasts to Portals. We will be using more open source materials which students can also access for their own computer at home.

We are in the midst of a wonderful year. Please stop by and see what we are up to from time to time. These kids are amazing.

6th Grade - We begin the year with Computer Ethics...

Based on research by Doug Johnson in his book entitled, " Machines are the Easy Part, People are the Hard Part," student were presented with several scenarios and viewpoints and asked what they would do and also used the information to attempt to persuade others to join them in their viewpoint. Mr. Johnson believes in an ethic triangle from which all problems arise. These three area include appropriateness, privacy and property. We used his models and created our own viewpoints.

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5th Grade Makes the Grade by Creating Jeopardy Games for our Younger Students!

Students began this project by selecting information that they felt was great for a 5th grader to know. Once they had created their game, they played it with other members o their team to check for things that needed correction, updating and so on. As they improve their skill at question composition, they will head off to the classrooms and share this ability with the teachers to make study games for the entire school to reinforce and enrich the curriculum!

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4th Grade Begins with Keynote!

Students are working on their writing skills by putting together a Keynote Slideshow. Keynote is Apple's version of Powerpoint and although Copper Canyon teaches three different ways to make a slideshow, the first is using Keynote, finding public domain or copyright free pictures and graphics to include. They have already learned how to use PowerPoint and because they have that background knowledge, making the switch will be a snap!

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Fairy Godmothers Do Exist! They Just For 3rd Graders!

Letter writing is an important skill for all of us to know. Writing the letter to Grandparents, to a company to complain about a product, to a teacher to help resolve an issue or just a note to thank someone for their kindness. Well, the third graders here are getting an up close and personal with their own Fairy Godmother. Check out what some of our wishes, dreams, recommendations and just plain fun the kids are having making this come to life!

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Second Graders Making a Splash in the Writing World!

Second grade is a time to stretch our wings and head off to new directions. That is why they are trying their hand at construction electronic or e-books. The e-books will then be presented to our Kindergarteners to learn number grouping and a whole lot more. Imagine, second graders learning to be community volunteers and having fun while learning how to do so may things on the computer! It is truly an exciting time!

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First Graders Become Collective Artists and Authors!

Imagine being a publish author at the age of 6. A prodigy? No, just our fabulous first graders making their way into the world of publication with a HUGE Splash! Thinking, planning, brainstorming some more with their entire class, writing and illustrating is no easy feat for anyone but our kids took it ike troopers and have begun to publish their creative genius! We will be having a book signing party in a wink of an eye!

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Stories, Stories, Navigating and Surprise!

When I was in Kindergarten, back in the dark ages, computers were definitely not on the scene or in the minds of students, teachers or our parents. My, how time has changed. These little guys come into the world and while babes in arms, they are reaching out for those keyboards. Bright lights, fast moving action and visual stimulation all add to the excitement found in almost every home today in our community. Someone once thanked me for bringing our youngsters into the 21st century. I had to quietly point out that I had nothing to do with it...they were born into it.

They have had to navigate, adapt to not having a mouse to use, staying away from the dock that opens other programs, get to the site of their choosing and even troubleshoot some problems. Not great for some grown ups around here but when you are 5 or so and your feet do not reach the ground, the headphones meant for a slightly larger head slip on to your face, the keyboard is not meant for the smallest of hands and there are so many things to remember; well what can I say. These kids can do it! They are excited and thrilled each time they come for a visit. We laugh, try new things and even try to remember that these computers are just machines. We have to be smart and tell tem exactly what they need to know. It takes alot of effort and even more patience but I am delighted with our students progress. They are well on their way to teaching Mom and Dad a thing or two...so watch out! The kindergarteners are fearless!

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Mrs. Wipprecht has been the technology teacher here at Copper Canyon since 1997. She has been a teacher in Paradise Valley since 1983 teaching Special Education, Second Grade, Third Grade, Sixth Grade and Computers. Prior to joining PV, she was a coordinator for Valley of the Sun School Residential Center for Multiple Handicapped Children and Adults. She also worked with Upward Foundation dealing with infants born with handicapping conditions. Often she was the first educator on the scene for many of these newborns. Working with newborns and families to find services, solutions and effective interventions was a mission to her. She followed some of those children right here to PV. After spending 15+ years in the classroom, a principal (sorry, not Mr. Bursi) saw what Mrs. Wipprecht was doing with a single computer in her third grade classroom and snatched her up for the computer lab. After going back for yet another degree, Mrs. Wipprecht has found her niche and her second love. She enjoys working with kids at all levels, even those really big kids called grown ups and it gives her a chance to see everyone in the school.

In 2009, Mrs. Wipprecht was the recipient of the 1st PVUSD REACH Technology Merit Award for winning three Microcomputers in Education Conference iMovie Awards for outstanding student movie production at ASU. She is the only person in the Southwest to accomplish this goal. She has held after school classes for the past several years and worked extememly hard to keep our school up to date an our kids learning. A tech class junky, she takes every opportunity that comes her way to learn new things about the computer. Each summer she spends time either teaching or taking classes and then bringing back new ideas and projects for the students at CCES.

Getting the Points of the Matter

For several years, I have tried to find ways to motivate and challenge the kids to the peak of their ability. It has not always been easy because I also realize that every student is unique and has special gifts and talents to share with us. In response to the overwhelming demand from intermediate students, I have initiated a bonus point system that not only promotes kids doing great work but getting paid for that work with points that they can manage and use to purchase prizes and other goodies within the classroom. The Grand Prize this year is a Flip Video Camera with tons of other goodies in line.

Recently, there was some confusion if this was a voluntary or required activity. I want to make certain that we are all on the same page here. The students were told about the program in their first computer class of the year. If they wanted to sign up they agreed to a contract with me. I promised to supply the prizes if they supplied the work.

Because I want to be perfectly clear to everyone, I have been asked to send out a new contract to insure that parents are aware and give permission for their intermediate child to particpate.

Because this is a voluntary program, students may opt out at any time. I hope that they will stay in though as I have seen great things happening. I also ask that if you have a problem, a question, a comment or need more information that you give me a call. I cannot help you understand, show you why certain things were done according to the contract unless you talk with me.

My goal here is simple. Good teaching, good learning and good experiences in our maclab.

Please download the PDF . Return it signed with or denying permission with your child to their next computer class. In the letter, you will find the classroom expectations and rewards and consequences. Thanks for your time and effort to make this an even more outstanding program.