If you use computers or devices in your classroom then you probably worry about Screen Time. What is screen time? How much is too much? How young is too young for screen time? Photo by  Firza Pratama  on  Unsplash As a classroom teacher I think about screen time when planning my lessons. How can I teach computer skills and use technology without having students looking at a screen for too long?  Let's start with my philosophy on technology in the classroom. Technology should not be used to 'teach' a topic. Technology should be used to enhance the teaching. What does that mean? Instead of using a site or and app to teach skills, I use technology to teach, and teach computer skills at the same time. I use the SAMR model as a guide to evaluate how I am using the technology. And this is where my struggle with screen time begins. There are certain programs teacher must use in the classroom and these often have a time requirement, sometimes up to 90......

Four years ago this district started a one to one laptop program. Teachers have to apply to get the cart. At the time I was teaching Kindergarten. I don't think very many people expected me to get the cart. But I did! I am teaching first grade now and every day they prove what I felt: Primary students CAN use technology! Then came all the concerns:     They can't use a trackpad     They can't log in themselves, this districts uses a password that requires numbers and letters (at least one uppercase)     They will drop them     They will color, write, draw, etc... on them     They can't do it I will share how I addressed these concerns in my classroom.  I should also add, my school is high poverty, they don't have computers at home. It is also high ELL, with over 75% being dual language learners.  Let's start with getting a laptop each day. They are stored on a cart and have to be plugged in to charge ea......