For those of you who did not have me for Digital Literacy last year, let me share a little bit about myself. My name is Angela Flickinger-Pierce, and this is my second year of teaching at the Deforest Area Middle School. I love it here! I love the students, the other teachers, the community, the parents, I just love everything about being here! Before I was a teacher, I worked as a Marketing and Fund Development Director for non-profits in the Madison area. I realized my true passion was working with children, and I went back to school to become a teacher. I was certified in 2018, and just completed my Masters of Education this past May. I live in Poynette with my husband, daughter, son, chihuahuas and chickens. My human family (minus chickens and chihuahuas) can be seen below!
This year, Digital Literacy is going to be a little bit different. Instead of having class every other day like last year, we will be meeting everyday for a quarter. For 6th Grade, we will explore;
-Digital Citizenship, or learning how to be safe online
-Coding, using different programs
-Robotics
-Graphic Design
-Engineering Design Process
We will also work on everyday skills such as vocabulary, typing, collaboration, reading comprehension, and becoming learners that problem-solve, think creatively and know how independently attack whatever work we are doing. Digital Literacy is a Standards Based class, meaning that the grades earned in this class show what we are able to do according to a standard or skill. The standards used for grading in this class are the ISTE Standards, or International Society for Technology Education linked here. We will start our quarter by breaking apart these standards, and thinking about what each of these standards means. Every project completed by your student will include a rubric outlining the ISTE standards that they will be graded on. You may have questions about these standards-please feel free to ask!
I will be sending a parent letter home with your students on the first day of class with some other basic information about homework, missing assignments, one-on-one mentoring or tutoring time, and grades. Additionally, I will be sending home a document with a Digital Literacy Wish List and Volunteer form. I welcome anyone willing to give their time, from ten minutes to hours! If you are at all interested in getting involved in the classroom, please fill out the form. I have linked the form here as well.
Finally, as we start out this new and fresh school year, I just want to say that your student's hopes, dreams, happiness, comfort and sense of self is my first priority. If there is anything that you would like me to know about your student, please reach out! I am here before and after school and can be reached by email and phone. It's going to be a great year!
