CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW)- Elizabeth Wright, 7, a first-grader Spanish Immersion Program student at Barksdale Elementary like many students affected by the extended school break due to the COVID-19 pandemic found herself missing the outside world and her friends.
To connect with her friends, Elizabeth, known affectionately as “Ellie,” came up with an idea to make videos featuring her favorite learning apps and send them to her friends.
Her mom, Jamie Wright, is a Technology Integration Coach and her dad, Mark, a computer technician, so it was a no-brainer how to help Ellie accomplish her innovative idea.
“We recorded one (video) and then she wanted to make more,” Jamie Wright said. “We started a little YouTube Channel called Tech Time with Ellie and so far she’s created 15 videos.”
Ellie decides which apps she wants to feature and talks with her mom to create brief question and answer videos.
“She’s so proud of them and it’s given her a purpose during this time at home,” Wright said. “She would love to help as many kids find things to do as possible. Almost all of the things she shares are completely free. … I’m proud of my 7 year old, but she’s so excited about helping stay busy and have fun while learning at home.”
Ellie said helping kids like her has been fun.
“I like showing people how the apps work so that others know what to do with them while they are stuck at home,” Ellie said. ” There have been videos about learning apps, and some games that make you use your brain or give you an activity to do. I’ve done videos on GoNoodle, MathFactsPro, Unite For Literacy, MeasureUp, Cat in the Hat Builds That, and some others.”
Ellie’s parents are proud of how she’s using her time during the extended school break.
“I’m so proud of her because for her this was a way that she could reach out to kids her age and give them something productive to do,” Jamie Wright said. “It’s so easy to be bored and to be sad when you are not with your friends and you can’t go to your activities.”
Wright said they tell her about productive screen time and she’s been listening.
“When she finds something she enjoys, she wants everyone to know about it in case they might enjoy it too!,” Wright said. “Believe me she’s vetoed several of our suggestions if she didn’t think others would like them. She’s picky about what she recommends. She has a big heart and wants to make others happy and her dad and I just couldn’t ask for a better kid!”
Check out Tech Time with Ellie on YouTube at the links below:
Tech Time With Ellie – Typing.com – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1jyxrl_l5g
Tech Time With Ellie – BrainPop, Jr: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1fGCUxIhF4
Tech Time With Ellie – Unite For Literacy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSqq-Kn-oAQ