Rainbow Elementary School students from Pre-School through Grade 6 are immersed in technology on a daily basis.  It is an important part of their school day.  At Rainbow School, we have many resources to prepare our children for 21st century skills.

 All classrooms at Rainbow School have 2 or 3 computers for student use.  Additionally, we have two computer labs.  Whole classes and small groups utilize both of our computer labs.  Our Information Center has 8 computers for student, teacher and parent use.  Children use the computers in the Information Center for research based learning projects, looking for books using Library World and taking Accelerated Reader tests, to name a few.

 Nine classrooms, the Information Center and the Primary Computer lab are equipped with SmartBoards for interactive technology. Teachers are using these interactive white boards with children from Preschool through sixth grade. The Smart Boards are interactive white boards that children use for oral presentations with PowerPoint and other multimedia software. They use the SmartBoards to demonstrate skill knowledge in all subject areas.  Teachers use these in lieu of traditional chalkboards with their children. 

Rainbow School has two sets of Computers on Wheels, or COWS as they are referred.  Each set of COWS comes with 8 laptop computers that have wireless technology.  The COWS are portable and shared within the school.  These COWS are equipped with the same software as the other computers in the school. 

Students in Grades three through six are involved in weekly instruction with Type to Learn, our adopted keyboarding program.  Each grade level has goals that the children are striving to meet.  The third through sixth graders are also using DoDDSE.net, which is a filtered and safe email program designed to enhance student achievement.  Children receive weekly progress reports, submit projects and participate in discussion boards.  DoDDSE.net is a wonderful tool to enhance home and school communication. 

Video production and digital cameras at Rainbow School are an emerging activity.  Students are expressing themselves creatively to demonstrate skill knowledge and encouraging higher levels of thinking. Video Postcards were sent to soldiers downrange and family members in the United States at Christmas.  Cameras are kept in our Information Center readily available for children to document activities or photo moments. Pictures are then used by the students in documentaries, reports, and revolving slide shows for parents and visitors to view.

 Read 180 is a reading assistance program, which integrates technology into the learning of reading.  The third through sixth graders involved in READ 180 are using this program for 20 minutes each day to supplement reading instruction.  

Accelerated Reader and Star Testing are used to improve and monitor reading instruction.  Children are STAR tested once a quarter to determine their reading level.  Once their reading level is determined, children set a reading goal for the quarter and are given a range to choose books on their level.  As they complete the book, the children take an AR test on the computer. Quarterly awards assemblies are held to celebrate those who meet their reading goals. 

Math Traveler is a program for grades Kindergarten through 5 that works hand in hand with the McGraw Hill math text.  It allows students to progress at their own rate and is used as diagnostic tools, remedial work or enrichment. 

DoDDS recently purchased new creativity software for our schools. This software is a big step to adding multimedia approaches to learning. Inspiration and Kidspiration are two of the new programs that children use to organize information through the use of graphic organizers in preparation for writing. 

Educational research also shows that technology motivates more students to attend college and children reach higher levels of achievement. Technology changes the way students learn and the way teachers teach. Rainbow School students, with the aid of technology, perform research with prominent scientists on all parts of the globe through programs, such as the Jason Project.  

Technology at Rainbow School enriches our students’ education and their lives in a meaningful way.

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Bavaria School District, DoDDS/European Area, Unit 28614, APO AE 09177