tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4540797542866389002024-03-13T02:19:36.410-05:00Media Specialist For Life!Read, Write, Geek OutAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-21655796682860679742018-05-07T20:21:00.000-05:002018-05-07T20:25:39.228-05:00Learn Coding at Home: <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Coding is a big deal right now, and rightly so. When our kids go into the workforce 10, 15, 20 years from now, they will be immersed in a world of technology. From robotic milkers to creating computer apps, even the simplest jobs will require basic technology skills. Why not give your kids up by teaching them coding while they are young, not only do they learn basic technology skills, they also learn problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. Oftentimes, coding also breeds collaboration as kids work on projects in groups. Below is a list of some of my favorite coding websites and apps. I also listed a few kid friendly robots that I recommend. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Websites</span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.kodable.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kodable.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kodable is a website and iPad app with many levels to teach coding. It is very basic and can be used with even early elementary students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://studio.code.org/courses" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Studio.Code.org</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Code.org is a leader in coding education for grade school students. There are lessons easy enough for kindergarten students and lessons complex enough for high school students.</span></span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://codecombat.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Codecombat.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CodeCombat teaches text coding in a game like atmosphere. Choose your hero and defeat the goblins through code. Some levels require a subscription.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.codecademy.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Codecademy.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Codecademy is made for older students (upper-elementary on) and teaches many types of coding through open courses.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://empireofcode.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Empireofcode.com:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Empire of Code is a space game with a mix of strategy, tactics and coding. You can play the game with or without coding skills, but knowing how to code will definitely give you an advantage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scratch.mit.edu</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scratch is a program through a partnership with MIT, the National Science Foundation and other groups that allows users to create videos and games through block based coding.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.tynker.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tynker.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tynker is a website and an iPad app with many different coding games. Some are simple enough for early elementary students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.playcodemonkey.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Codemonkey.com:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">An engaging platform where programming knowledge is acquired alongside 21st century skills through collaboratively playing and solving puzzles, inventing, creating and sharing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.codeavengers.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Codeavengers.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Code Avengers allows users to learn coding through a game. There are two available levels: Jr. for 5-14 year olds and Pro for 15+ year olds</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://www.hacknslashthegame.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hacknslashthegame.com</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hack ‘n’ Slash is a puzzle action game about hacking — reprogram object properties, hijack global variables, hack creature behavior, and even rewrite the game’s code. The only way to win is not to play... by the rules! It uses an interface that looks much like Zelda</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-8164c8e2-3c7f-bc43-f664-6c459e5f13f4" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iPad/iPhone Apps</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kodable-coding-for-kids/id577673067?mt=8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kodable:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kodable is a website and iPad app with many levels to teach coding. It is very basic and can be used with even early elementary students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/scratchjr/id895485086?mt=8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scratch Jr.:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Uses simple drag and drop block based coding to build animations. Because the blocks use images rather than words it is simple enough for early elementary students. This is a simplified version of the PC Scratch app.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tynker-coding-for-kids/id805869467?mt=8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tynker:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Tynker is a website and an iPad app with many different coding games. Some are simple enough for early elementary students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightbot-programming-puzzles/id657638474?mt=8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lightbot</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Code an on screen robot to complete different tasks while learning coding. There is also a simpler version called </span><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lightbot-jr-coding-puzzles-for-ages-4/id858640629?mt=8" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lightbot Jr.</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> for younger students.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.playosmo.com/en/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Osmo</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Osmo is an iPad attachment that partners the iPad screen with tangible manipulatives. The basic Osmo kit contains the iPad stand, Numbers, Words, and Tangrams. There are additional packs like Coding Awbie and Code Jam that allow you to learn coding. This is great for younger students!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Robots</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.fisher-price.com/en_CA/brands/think-and-learn/products/Think-and-Learn-Code-a-Pillar" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Code-a-pillar</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Code-a-Pillar is a caterpillar robot with pieces that you arrange and rearrange to tell it how to move.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.bee-bot.us/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beebot: </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Beebot is a simple robot. Code it using the arrow buttons on top. Create different challenges and try to code it to make it through</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.primotoys.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cubetto:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cubetto is the friendly wooden robot that will teach your child the basics of computer programming through adventure and hands on play. It works much like Beebot, but utilizes a board and blocks to make the code.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.sphero.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sphero & Ollie:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sphero and Ollie are robots that are coded through the use of iPad apps. They connect via Bluetooth to the iPad. Sphero is a ball robot. Ollie is a cylinder. </span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.makewonder.com/dash" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dot & Dash</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These robots work much the same as Sphero connecting to an iPad through Bluetooth, but have more apps available for programming and attachments to add to its abilities.</span></span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://education.lego.com/en-us/shop/mindstorms%20ev3" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LEGO Robotics:</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do you love LEGOs? Me too! LEGO offers two different robotics kits. WeDo 2.0 is the simplest robotics kit. Mindstorms is the more complex kit.</span></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If you are in the Upsala area, consider signing your child up for <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/upsala.k12.mn.us/community-ed/youth-enrichment/cor-robotics-camp" target="_blank">COR Robotics Camp</a> as well!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>*Some of the above descriptions were copied directly from the app's website.</i></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-34317423718529090172018-05-03T09:55:00.000-05:002018-05-03T09:55:21.208-05:00Be a Financially Savvy Teacher with these Discounts!
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There are some perks to being a teacher. Some companies
recognize the challenging job we do and offer wonderful discounts. Here are
just a few:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Technology:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.adobe.com/education.html">Adobe:</a> Receive
special educator pricing on various Adobe apps like Photoshop and Illustrator<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.apple.com/us-hed/shop">Apple:</a>
Special prices for students and teachers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.bose.com/en_us/about_bose/programs_discounts.html">BOSE:</a>
Save up to 15% on sounds systems and more for your home or classroom.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cell Phone Providers: Many cell phone providers offer
educator discounts including <a href="https://mysprint.sprint.com/verify/">Sprint</a>,
<a href="https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/iru-check-for-discount.html">AT&T</a>,
and <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/student-teacher-smartphone-tablet-discounts">T-Mobile</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/education">Microsoft:</a>
Receive special pricing on Microsoft products, including free use of Microsoft
Office 365.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Classroom Supplies:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.acmoore.com/specialpromo?spid=36">AC
Moore:</a> Receive 15% off your purchase every day!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/bn-educators/">Barnes
& Noble:</a> Enroll with an Educator Discount Card to receive 20% off
purchases every day and even bigger discounts on special days throughout the
year. Barnes & Noble also offers Book Fairs to help raise funds for school
and classroom libraries. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.containerstore.com/teachers/index.htm">The
Container Store:</a> Sign up to receive special discounts to help organize your
classroom throughout the school year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.fedex.com/us/office/academic-edge/">FedEx:</a>
Save 15% off classroom supplies, scanning, faxing & copying, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and any print services.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://b.hpb.com/educators-discount/">Half Price
Books:</a> Get 10% off your purchase every day with an Educator Discount Card<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.joann.com/teacherrewardsform/?icn=TeacherRewardsLP&ici=Enroll_Now_desktop">JoAnn
Fabrics:</a> Get 15% off every purchase every day for teachers. Enroll online
today!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://www.lakeshorelearning.com/stores/teachers-club?f=m">Lakeshore
Learning:</a> Save 15% off many items in store.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.michaels.com/teachers--create-for-your-classroom/article-teachers.html">Michaels:</a>
Save 15% on craft supplies and more every day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Clothing: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/info.do?cid=48137">Banana Republic:</a>
Get 15% off your purchase in store with a valid school ID<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.drschollsshoes.com/">Dr. Scholls:</a>
Use promo code TEACHFOR20 to get 20% off your purchase at checkout. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.jcrew.com/help/teacher_student_discount.jsp?sidecar=true">J-Crew:</a>
All college students and teachers receive a 15% discount when they show a valid
school ID at check out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://f.mail.loft.com/i/36/1566646063/LOFTLovesTeachers.html">LOFT:</a>
LOFT offers numerous special deals for teachers including discounts, special
sweepstakes, classroom grants, and more. Enroll online for more information.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.madewell.com/help/teacher_student_discount.jsp">Madewell:</a>
Get 15% in store with a valid school ID.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.toms.com/education-discount">TOMS:</a> Save
10% on all full-priced items<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Travel:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.alamo.com/en_US/car-rental/partners/partner-details/affinity/7014162-nea.html">Alamo:</a>
NEA Members are able to get a great deal on their next rental car.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.neamb.com/travel/enterprise-car-rental-discount.htm">Enterprise:</a>
NEA Members can get special discounted pricing for their next rental car trip. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.marriott.com/specials/govtmil/default.mi">Marriott
Hotels:</a> Marriott offers special government and military discounts which can
apply to teachers in some cases. Call your Marriott Hotel before booking for
more information.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.nps.gov/teachers/index.htm">National
Park Service:</a> With a valid school ID, teachers can receive 15% off entrance
fees. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.statravel.com/teacher-discounts.htm">STA
Travel:</a> Find special discounts on rental cars, airline tickets, hotel rooms
and more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://www.geico.com/save/discounts/organization-member/education/">GEICO:</a>
Receive special discounts on your car insurance<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
_________________________________________________________________________<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many other stores also offer special deals during National
Teacher Appreciation Week or on special Teacher Appreciation Days. What are
your favorite educator discounts?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thank you to <a href="https://www.vipkidteachers.com/activity/popup?refereeId=7944316&refersourceid=a01">VIPKID</a>
for helping me put together this list! <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0Upsala, MN, USA45.8107986 -94.57139740000002345.7665261 -94.652078400000022 45.855071099999996 -94.490716400000025tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-7903128530447448692017-05-15T16:00:00.000-05:002017-05-15T16:00:00.313-05:00Discovering Our Superpowers: Teaching Coding to 5th Graders Using Scratch<br />
Coding is a superpower. Technology is becoming embedded in every industry imaginable and there simply aren't enough qualified applicants for the growing computer science field. In order to attract the best applicants, companies are willing to give out generous salaries and the best benefits imaginable: free gourmet food, play rooms, nap rooms, and more. This is all part of the reason we decided it was important to teach our students just a bit about how to code.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nKIu9yen5nc/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKIu9yen5nc?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
When planning our coding unit, the technology teacher and I were directed to use <a href="http://scratch.mit.edu/" target="_blank">Scratch</a> (I personally prefer code.org as I find it more user friendly for just learning the basics.) Rather than reinvent the wheel, we went to the internet to find Scratch lesson plans. We found<a href="http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/guide/files/CreativeComputing20141015.pdf" target="_blank"> this guide</a> from Scratch and used it as the springboard for what we did with our students. Below is a description of the unit we developed. Each "day" is one 50 minute period. The computer teacher and I co-taught this unit, however it could easily be taught by one teacher.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Day 1: Why Should We Learn Coding?/ Brainstorming</b><br />
We wanted to stress to our students the importance of coding and how embedded it is in everyday life. To share this information, we went through this PowerPoint with students. After watching the video at the end of the PowerPoint, we had students brainstorm the kinds of things they would use coding to create.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 2: Join Scratch and Complete Tutorial</b><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/09JVCBuQ7yk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/09JVCBuQ7yk?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe><b><br /></b>
Our next step was to get students into Scratch and familiar with the program. We began by showing this video to students. We then had students use their school computer username and password to set up their account. We had students use our email instead of their parent's email so that we would be able to reset their password if necessary and immediately confirm their accounts. To ensure they used the correct username and password, we created <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeMFVfUEw4eEg2clU" target="_blank">these direction sheets</a> for each student. After students were logged in, we directed students to go through the Scratch tutorial. The major downfall of this tutorial was that students could click through all the steps without performing the actions and complete the tutorial without having any idea how to use Scratch. This meant that we needed to be very specific about how to complete the tutorial and even perform the first few steps for the class to see.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 3-4: Ten Blocks Project</b><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0i92SEgnM_8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0i92SEgnM_8?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe><b><br /></b>
To help students build more familiarity with Scratch, we had students complete the "10 Blocks" project (page 30-31 in the <a href="http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/guide/files/CreativeComputing20141015.pdf" target="_blank">Creative Computing Guide</a>). Students were directed to use only the 10 blocks listed on page 31 to build a project. They could use the blocks more than once, but they could only use the blocks listed. To introduce the project, we showed students this video explaining what each block did and how to put their project together. After the video, students logged in, clicked on Create, and began working on their project. We printed out page 31 as a guide for each student and displayed the list of blocks on our projector screen. We found that one day was not enough to complete the project, so we had them work on it for two days. On the second day, students logged into Scratch, opened their folder, and completed their projects. At the end of the second day, we had students write a response to the reflection questions for the project:<br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>What was difficult about being able to use only 10 blocks?</li>
<li>What was easy about being able to use only 10 blocks?</li>
<li>How did it make you think of things differently?</li>
</ul>
</div>
<b>Day 5-7: About Me Project</b><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kUmQvjFEpYk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kUmQvjFEpYk?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: left; float: left;" width="320"></iframe>We wanted the final project to be simple, but allow for creativity. After skimming through the <a href="http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/guide/files/CreativeComputing20141015.pdf" target="_blank">Creative Computing Guide</a>, we decided on the "About Me" project on page 36. We began by showing this video to explain the project to the students. Before we had students begin working on their project, we had them think about what 5 sprites they might put in their project and turn to a neighbor to talk about these 5 sprites. After a bit of brainstorming and discussion, students logged in, clicked on create, and began working on their projects. We allowed students three days to work on this project.At the end of the third day, students shared their projects with a classmate and wrote a response to the reflection questions for the project:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>What are you most proud of? Why? </li>
<li>What did you get stuck on? How did you get unstuck? </li>
<li>What might you want to do next? </li>
<li>What did you discover from looking at others’ About Me
projects</li>
</ul>
<br />
We were a bit crunched for time, since we planned this quickly at the end of the school year, so if I were to do this again, I would suggest using Day 5-7 to only work on the About Me project and using an 8th day for students to present their projects to the class and write their responses.<br />
<br />
How are you teaching coding at your school? How have you used Scratch?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-49376605318597046562017-04-30T16:00:00.000-05:002017-05-10T12:11:29.626-05:00Summer Reading ListsWe all know it is important to keep our students reading during the summer, but what do we encourage them to read? Below are links to my summer reading suggestions for Summer 2017<br />
<br />
<u>Entering this grade in August/September 2017:</u><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HealUzdWFqQkxmVGM" target="_blank">Kindergarten</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeVnE5anlYWXNtTEk" target="_blank">1st Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeUlkyTFJjZHhzRkk" target="_blank">2nd Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeNEpiVmpTUERLUmM" target="_blank">3rd Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeaTQ0UXh2X2lSalE" target="_blank">4th Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeZGpNdlZNYVdYWmc" target="_blank">5th Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HecVpIYTNuU01Wb1U" target="_blank">6th Grade</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeSFdHV2dodTExTGs" target="_blank">Middle School</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeM0s1YTE5czBkbDA" target="_blank">High School</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B90B3UfHG9HeQ3g1V3ZNWXJQaTQ" target="_blank">College</a><br />
<br />
<b>Be sure to check with your local bookstores and public libraries for summer reading programs and events!</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Resources and Book Lists:</span></b><br />
<u><span style="font-size: small;">Kindergarten- Grade 2: </span></u><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Caldecott Award Winners</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Geisel Award Winners</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/compubs/booklists/graphicnovels/160223-alsc-graphic-novels-booklists-k-2-spreads.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">ALSC Graphic Novels List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.starofthenorthaward.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Star of the North Award Winners and Nominees</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/collections/2016-2017/2017-Summer-Reading-Challenge-Book-List.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Scholastic Summer Reading List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/end-of-the-year-booklists/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">We Need Diverse Books End of Year Suggestions</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids-should-read-before-theyre-12" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They are 12</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-size: small;">Grade 3- Grade 5:</span></u></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Newbery Award Winners</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/compubs/booklists/graphicnovels/160223-alsc-graphic-novels-booklists-3-5-spreads.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">ALSC Graphic Novels List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Maud Hart Lovelace Winners and Nominees</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/collections/2016-2017/2017-Summer-Reading-Challenge-Book-List.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Scholastic Summer Reading List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/end-of-the-year-booklists/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">We Need Diverse Books End of Year Suggestions</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/50-books-all-kids-should-read-before-theyre-12" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They are 12</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<u><span style="font-size: small;">Middle School:</span></u></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberymedal" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Newbery Award Winners</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/ala.org.alsc/files/content/compubs/booklists/graphicnovels/alsc-graphic-novels-booklists-6-8-grayscale.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">ALSC Graphic Novels List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Maud Hart Lovelace Winners and Nominees</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/collections/2016-2017/2017-Summer-Reading-Challenge-Book-List.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Scholastic Summer Reading List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/end-of-the-year-booklists/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">We Need Diverse Books End of Year Suggestions</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1255" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">2017 Rainbow Book List</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">High School/ Young Adult:</span></u></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/content/dam/teachers/collections/2016-2017/2017-Summer-Reading-Challenge-Book-List.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Scholastic Summer Reading List</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.org/end-of-the-year-booklists/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">We Need Diverse Books End of Year Suggestions</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2017-top-ten-best-fiction-young-adults" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">YALSA 2017 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/printz-award#current" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Printz Award Winners</span></a></li>
<li><a href="https://plexuss.com/news/article/books-to-read-in-high-school-reading-list" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">15 Books Every High School Student Should Read</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2017-great-graphic-novels-teens-top-ten" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">YALSA 2017 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top 10</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://glbtrt.ala.org/rainbowbooks/archives/1255" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">2017 Rainbow Book List</span></a></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><u><span style="font-size: small;">College</span><span style="font-size: small;">:</span></u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/25-essential-books-that-every-college-student-should-read.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">25 Essential Books That Every College Student Should Read</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.ala.org/yalsa/alex-awards#current" target="_blank">Alex Awards</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/the-read-down/25-books-to-help-you-understand-america-in-2016" target="_blank">25 Books to Help You Understand America in 2016</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rd.com/culture/graphic-novels-for-adults/" target="_blank">9 Graphic Novels Every Adult Should Read</a></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<i><br /></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-41528081671727621552017-04-21T14:35:00.002-05:002017-04-21T14:55:08.881-05:00It Takes a Village: Tools to Help Keep the Community Informed, Engaged, and Supportive<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Media Center is an integral part of the school community. Media Specialists and Librarians are aware of this, but how do we keep the community informed of all we do? How do you engage your school and the community itself in the Media Center programs? How do you in turn get the community to stand behind the Media Center and support the many programs? Well, below I will tell you what I have done to get our community involved here. I'd love to hear how you get your community involved as well.</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>Web Site:</b> The Media Center website has all of the information about everything that happens in the Media Center. I designed my Media Center website using Google Sites and some HTML coding. I tried to design it to be simple and functional so that parents, staff, and students could easily access what they were looking for. On the home page, I had links to my contact information, newsletter sign up, the school library catalog, the public library website, and useful websites and online sources. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFvgk7qwGkT7E_jsC5ro8c9z367FheUEXdLVc8hDoTez38g2loBRSMxtS_hzx-eqq1ooA3BAJZMvHORkPDsE9JkCvZmMhqL9utOZZSdovQZs8oaHydpFDU4EL74vSVDWVvwqeQ-hwTw-p/s1600/media+website.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWFvgk7qwGkT7E_jsC5ro8c9z367FheUEXdLVc8hDoTez38g2loBRSMxtS_hzx-eqq1ooA3BAJZMvHORkPDsE9JkCvZmMhqL9utOZZSdovQZs8oaHydpFDU4EL74vSVDWVvwqeQ-hwTw-p/s400/media+website.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
I also included a link to a page with our schedule embedded and the objectives to lessons currently being taught in the Media Center. Aside from regular Media Center business on the home page, I also included a page for our Monday Morning Makers and Coding Club programs. On these pages, I embedded videos that helped to explain why we have these programs and what they are. I also included written information about the programs and a schedule of events. I taught the students how to use the website and sent home information about the website in our school newsletter. You can access the Pinewood Media Center website by visiting: <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/monticello.k12.mn.us/pinewood-media-center/">https://sites.google.com/a/monticello.k12.mn.us/pinewood-media-center/</a></li>
<li><b>Newsletters: </b>During open house, parents were able to sign up for the Media Center newsletter. The teachers also sent a sign up link to all their parents. I easily could have sent the newsletter out to all the parents, but I did not want it to be looked at like spam. I did not want it to be irritating. To manage my newsletter, I chose to use the free email marketing tool <a href="http://www.verticalresponse.com/" target="_blank">Vertical Response</a>. This program allows you to create various contact lists (I also use this to send out reminders about coding club) and easily lay out your newsletter with a number of templates to choose from. You can also add a widget into the newsletter for people to share the newsletter on Facebook and Twitter. You can access my <a href="https://vr2.verticalresponse.com/emails/21990232579823?sk=aqJoB2JgUjBItDX5SAOsF5GlYyoJA-Ibmf_cZrmSHEdU=/aHR0cDovL3ZyMi52ZXJ0aWNhbHJlc3BvbnNlLmNvbS9lbWFpbHMvMjE5OTAyMzI1Nzk4MjM=/Qj6aLp3AVysWW6o3kkseIg==" target="_blank">March Newsletter here.</a> In my newsletter, I share reading tips, blog posts, and upcoming events.</li>
<li> <b>Blog Posts: </b>Another way that I reach out to the community and to other Media Specialist is through this blog which you are reading right now. I set up my blog using <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">blogger</a> in college and began updating it again a little over a year ago. On the blog, I share about lessons I am currently teaching, recommend books or authors, and share about technology I have found useful. Use the navigation bar on the side to browse through some of the other posts I have written.</li>
<li><b>Social Media:</b> I use Twitter and Facebook to connect with the community and with other Media Specialists. I share short blurbs of information on both, things like cool apps, book suggestions, and Media Center happenings. I also share my newsletter and blog posts through social media. To make things easier and save time, I often schedule my posts ahead of time using a tool called Hootsuite. This allows you to create your posts and schedule when you would like them to go out. I often schedule 2 weeks of posts at a time. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI68y-G0_WBt7k3otdQmS_F0Jp0iLYJaSK_W8-bHlAakhzAgjGYJDHR7i9xTW18Uf208MlRBpFk1UZU2KcJmcJsvLbjZuisDWRRoQKsyu_YEzM_ZnkAh3FKuxxcbG4bIvyaRSq8oTN3N1w/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI68y-G0_WBt7k3otdQmS_F0Jp0iLYJaSK_W8-bHlAakhzAgjGYJDHR7i9xTW18Uf208MlRBpFk1UZU2KcJmcJsvLbjZuisDWRRoQKsyu_YEzM_ZnkAh3FKuxxcbG4bIvyaRSq8oTN3N1w/s320/Capture.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
To increase followers on social media, I often tag others that are relevant to the post and utilize hashtags, especially the school's hashtag. I also include links to my social media profiles on my website and blog and in my newsletter. To engage with colleagues, I find Twitter chats are very engaging.You can find me on Twitter at <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FLisaNewhouse4&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNHPBlgXRh_ESGTXmYMe4DQlYiLMkg" target="_blank">@LisaNewhouse4</a> and on Facebook on my page <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMedia-Specialist-4-Life-1141788765884235%2F&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNG6PVsVAt9XqZGjGjgARpJFYdGYCg" target="_blank">Media Specialist 4 Life.</a></li>
<li><b>PTO and School Board Presentations: </b>Finally, in person meetings and presentations are also important to engaging with the community. I have made it a habit to attend school board meetings and PTO meetings. I also try to attend a variety of school events. It is so much fun to see the students outside of the normal school day. I have also found that a great way to get the parents and school board invested in programs is to invite them. We have had administrators and school board members visit our coding club and have even presented about coding to our school board. Here is the video that we shared last fall:</li>
</ul>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-23158716383895749012017-03-15T09:00:00.000-05:002017-03-15T09:00:04.595-05:00Graphic Novels: Why They're Not JunkIf you have been paying attention to the books that children are gravitating towards these days, you may have noticed that many of them are choosing what appear to be comic books. These books that are so popular now are called graphic novels. As Amy Mascott mentions in her blog, these books, just like your average novel, have defined characters and complex plots. Unlike your average novel, they are written in a comic book format with panels of pictures and with text mostly in speech or thought bubbles. You may think that these books are less worthy to be read than novels that are purely in text, but I assure you that graphic novels are a key to reading success for many students.<br />
When trying to get a reluctant reader to read, you may not have much luck with a book full of words, but once you show them a book with illustrations and words they are much more intrigued. There are numerous students that would not read if it were not for graphic novels. These books are thick and have an interest level appropriate to the child so that they are not embarrassed to be caught reading it like they might a picture book, but with the help of the illustrations, students can comprehend what is happening in the book and feel successful at reading. Once students have built confidence through reading graphic novels, they often turn to regular novels with similar plots. This is why graphic novels based on the classics or on popular chapter books are wonderful. A student who reads <i>The Lightning Thief </i>graphic novel may be so intrigued that they then try the original version of this book. For these reasons, I often encourage my struggling readers to try graphic novels.<br />
"But my student is not a struggling reader and they are still reading this junk!" I assure you these books are not junk. There is quite a bit of value to reading graphic novels. Many graphic novels use rich, challenging vocabulary words, but students are able to comprehend what is going on because they have the assistance of the rich, beautiful artwork. Thus through reading graphic novels, students are able to learn new vocabulary words and improve their reading fluency. There are also graphic novels that are based on classic literature. I love these books because they make complex texts accessible to all students. Even a student who is an avid reader can struggle with the vocabulary and text structure of a classic novel, but through reading the graphic novel version they are able to comprehend the text and access the important lessons embedded in the story. The same goes for graphic nonfiction. There are a number of nonfiction books that have come out in the last few years in graphic novel form. These are wonderful for learning history and as biographies since you are able to get a real picture of what happened that you would not be able to get from a traditional nonfiction book. Finally, reading graphic novels requires another whole set of skills that a novel does not require. Students have to track the story through cells, learn to read both pictures and words together, and learn to slow down and really breathe in the whole story. All of these are reasons why I have no problem with my students reading graphic novels and even encourage them to be read.<br />
How do you feel about graphic novels? Why? If you like them, what are some of your favorites?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/project/lets-get-reading/2434248/?rf=page-siteshare-2017-03-project-teacher_3210381&challengeid=20667438" target="_blank"><b>Please help us grow our graphic novel collection at Pinewood by supporting our Donors Choose project.</b></a><br />
<br />
Further Reading:<br />
Anderson, M. (2016). 10 reasons to let your kids read graphic novels. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.metroparentmagazine.com/story/life/books/2016/09/06/10-reasons-let-your-kids-read-graphic-novels/88072448/">http://www.metroparentmagazine.com/story/life/books/2016/09/06/10-reasons-let-your-kids-read-graphic-novels/88072448/</a><br />
Filucci, S. (2016). How comics helped my kid love reading. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-comics-helped-my-kid-love-reading">https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/how-comics-helped-my-kid-love-reading</a><br />
Jones, E. (2014.) 5 great reasons to read graphic novels. Retrieved from <a href="http://playfullearning.net/2014/12/5-great-reasons-read-graphic-novels/">http://playfullearning.net/2014/12/5-great-reasons-read-graphic-novels/</a><br />
Mascott, A. (2017). 3 reasons graphic novels can be great for young readers. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/3-reasons-graphic-novels-can-be-great-young-readers">http://www.scholastic.com/parents/blogs/scholastic-parents-raise-reader/3-reasons-graphic-novels-can-be-great-young-readers</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com2Monticello, MN, USA45.3055201 -93.79413779999998745.2161741 -93.955499299999985 45.3948661 -93.632776299999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-22098699280338661822017-03-06T08:35:00.000-06:002017-03-06T10:10:42.671-06:00Weeding the Garden: How We Determine Which Books to Remove from the Library<br />
I love to garden. We purchased our first home about 3 years ago now. Each year I have done a little bit with the landscaping and gardening around our house. I spread the preexisting hostas and lilies out to line the sides of the house and garage. I tore out the dead bushes in front of our house and planted tulips, irises, and hydrangea bushes. I trimmed the lilac bush and I tilled up (ok my husband did the tilling) part of our backyard for a spacious vegetable garden. In order for my flowers and vegetables to grow, I needed to be sure to pull out the ugly dead plants and continually pull up the weeds. Without doing these things, it would be hard to see the beautiful new growth and it likely wouldn't have room to grow well. The same is true for a library collection. As much as we treasure every book in our library, from time to time we need to reevaluate, pull up the dead things, keep up with the weeding, and plant new things.<br />
This is my second year teaching at Pinewood Elementary. (I hope to be here many more if they allow it.) This past summer, the Library Media Center got a little facelift with new paint and new carpet. This summer we will be doing a major overhaul with new furniture (shelves, tables, chairs, circ desk, the works). In order to make room for new spaces, like a comfortable seating area and STEM/Makerspace stations, we need to go through and weed our books. This means that we will be removing books from our library collection and either recycling them, offering them up to teachers, or donating them to a charity like <a href="https://www.booksforafrica.org/" target="_blank">Books for Africa</a>. This is a big job and requires a lot of evaluation and consideration. How does one know which books to pull from the shelves and what to do with each one once pulled? How do you know whether the books should just be removed from the system and forgotten about or if they should be replaced with updated copies? Well. that's what this blog post is about. Read on to learn how this librarian chooses which books to weed and where to go from there.<br />
I have to say, I am very grateful for technology when I start projects like these. The first step I take when planning to weed is to submit my library collection data to a company called Follett for an analysis. They then provide me with charts showing the age of different sections of the library and providing me with a base list of books that are good candidates for weeding. I use this list primarily for our nonfiction books as it helps me to pick out books that likely have outdated information. After looking at each book on the list, I pull the books that are indeed outdated and they are recycled. Next using our online library catalog software I run a report of how often books have been checked out in the last 3 years. The books that have been checked out fewer than 3 times are reviewed and I decide whether they simply need to be weeded, are good books hidden among ugly ones, or need an updated cover. This report assists me in weeding the chapter books, picture books, and sections of nonfiction like the folk tales and poetry.<br />
My usual process involves starting an inventory in our online library catalog, grabbing a cart with a laptop or Chromebook and my USB bar code scanner, a stack of post its, and a book cart. I then start in the 000s section of the nonfiction books and slowly follow my list either pulling books and deleting them or scanning them for inventory. Deleted books go on the book cart while the other books remain on the shelf. By going through each shelf, I can also see books that are in distressed condition and pull them for weeding as well, even if they aren't on the list. This also allows me to pull books that may do better to be shelved elsewhere (this is where my post it notes come in).After I get through the nonfiction section. I continue with the remaining sections of the library. As my book cart gets full, I review my deleted books and decide what to do with them. Books that are in poor condition or contain outdated information get recycled. Books in good condition without time sensitive information (think fiction books) are put on a cart in the teachers lounge and after a week or two are donated to a charity. When I have finished going through all the shelves, I can also finalize an inventory of the library so that books that are not in the library are marked as lost. Now the library has room for new books and new spaces and the kids are able to more easily find the attractive new books.<br />
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For more information about weeding a library, <a href="http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=libraryfactsheet&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=127978" target="_blank">visit this page</a> for a comprehensive list of resources.<br />
<span style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://www.tsl.texas.gov/sites/default/files/public/tslac/ld/pubs/crew/crewmethod08.pdf" target="_blank">Standards for weeding are available here.</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-30280253228518397872017-02-27T12:34:00.001-06:002017-03-01T11:26:19.680-06:00Spring Cleaning/ Library Media Center Wish ListThis year we have worked hard to provide better Media Center programming to our students at Pinewood. We have run five sessions of coding club, monthly Monday Morning Makers events, and purchased books for information and entertainment. We work really hard to stretch our budget and support all these endeavors. We have also been blessed with donations from the Pinewood PTO, Horace Mann, and DonorsChoose donors. Now we are reaching out to you. It's that time of the year where we start doing a little spring cleaning around the house. We think it might be possible that while you clean your house you may find some things that are no longer useful to you, but could be useful to us. Please take a look at the list below and if you happen to find any of these things just laying around unused, feel free to send them with your child to the Pinewood Media Center. Thank you again for all your support!<br />
<br />
<b>For Monday Morning Makers:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Craft Supplies</li>
<ul>
<li>Stamps</li>
<li>Pipe cleaners</li>
<li>Puff balls</li>
<li>Googley eyes</li>
<li>Stickers</li>
<li>Toothpicks</li>
<li>Popsicle sticks</li>
</ul>
<li>Legos</li>
<li>K'nects</li>
<li>Tinker Toys </li>
<li><a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/project/learning-is-electric/2433913/?challengeid=20667438&rf=link-siteshare-2017-02-teacher_profile_old-teacher_3210381" target="_blank">Kids circuitry kits</a></li>
<ul>
<li>Snap Circuit</li>
<li>Little Bits</li>
</ul>
<li>Plastic dinnerware</li>
<li>Origami Paper/Kits</li>
<li>Knitting, Crocheting, or Weaving Tools</li>
<ul>
<li>Needles</li>
<li>Looms</li>
<li>Yarn</li>
</ul>
<li>Hand sewing kits for kids</li>
<ul>
<li>Sewing Cards</li>
</ul>
<li>Embroidery Tools</li>
<ul>
<li>Dish towels</li>
<li>Pillow cases</li>
<li>Fabric squares</li>
<li>Patterns</li>
<li>Hoops</li>
<li>Needles</li>
</ul>
<li>Art supplies</li>
<ul>
<li>Scissors</li>
<li>Glue/ Glue sticks</li>
<li>Markers</li>
<li>Crayons</li>
</ul>
<li>Various Arts and Crafts Kits</li>
</ul>
<b>For Library Collection:</b><br />
<div>
We will take gently used books that are popular. If we cannot use the books that are donated, we will pass them on to where they are needed. Some popular titles/series we could use include:<br />
<ul>
<li>Lego Books</li>
<ul>
<li>Ninjago</li>
<li>Chima</li>
<li>City</li>
</ul>
<li>Dear Dumb Diary</li>
<li>Dork Diaries</li>
<li>Diary of a Wimpy Kid</li>
<li><a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/project/lets-get-reading/2434248/?challengeid=20667438&rf=link-siteshare-2017-02-teacher_profile_old-teacher_3210381" target="_blank">Elementary level graphic novels</a></li>
<li>Mo Willems books</li>
<ul>
<li>Pigeon books</li>
<li>Elephant and Piggie books</li>
</ul>
<li>Guinness World Records</li>
<li>Ripley's Believe It or Not</li>
<li>Goosebumps</li>
<li>Barbie or Princess Books</li>
<li>Minecraft</li>
<li>Kids superhero books</li>
<ul>
<li>Batman</li>
<li>Spiderman</li>
<li>Superman</li>
<li>Avengers</li>
<li>Transformers</li>
</ul>
<li>Audiobooks on CD</li>
<ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div>
Thank you for your support of our Media Center Programs. If you do not have any of these items, but would still like to support our programs, please consider donating at <a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/profile/teacher_old.html?teacher=3210381&active=true&rf=page-siteshare-2017-02-teacher_profile_old-teacher_3210381&challengeid=20667438" target="_blank">Donorschoose.org</a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-73545666792541149202017-02-05T09:00:00.000-06:002017-02-07T10:28:26.189-06:00Beloved Books for Lovely ReadersWhy should my child read the classics? More importantly, how do I encourage them to do so? The main reason for reading the classics that I hear is that they are high quality literature, which of course they are, but what does that mean to our little readers? I would argue that the 5 main reasons to read the classics are as follows:<br />
<ol>
<li><i><b>Improve Reading, Writing, and <i>Critical Thinking</i> Skills:</b> It is almost common sense that more reading will lead to improved reading skills. It's just like exercise, the more you practice, the better you'll be. If you ask most authors, they will tell you that they improved their writing by reading more books. In fact many books mention other books that may have been important to the author. For example, </i>Twilight's <i>main character Bella mentions that </i>Wuthering Heights <i>is one of her favorite books. No doubt this was mentioned because the author of the book enjoyed </i>Wuthering Heights. <i>The biggest difference between any old book and a classic is the challenge the book presents and the big world questions they explore. These aspects in particular will truly stretch reading and writing skills while they also stretch critical thinking.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Relate to Older Generations:</b> Classics have been loved by many many generations. This is how they have come to be known as classic literature. When children read the classics, they will be able to better understand the culture of the times they are reading about, but also be able to talk about these books with older members of their family. Parents and grandparents can share with their children the memories of reading these books and the feelings they gave them leading to wonderful relationships.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Increase Vocabulary:</b> When having kids find "just right books" we tell them to choose a book in which they know most of the words. Why not all? Because we want the kids to learn more words. Classic literature often uses more challenging language, so it naturally leads to an increase in vocabulary as students use context clues or even the good old dictionary to come to an understanding of these new words.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Improve Intelligence and Earning Potential:</b> </i><i>In the words of Dr. Suess, "The more you read, the more you will know. The more that you know, the more places you'll go!" When students read more books they are increasing their knowledge. When students read classic literature they are gaining more knowledge from a quality source. People with a higher intelligence often make more money. So it can be gathered that the more you read, the higher your earning potential. Why not start building intelligence while still in school?</i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.11points.com/Books/11_Literary_References_People_Make_Without_Realizing_It" target="_blank"><b>Understand Literary References:</b> </a>Lastly, we often hear or read literary references, like "Don't be a Scrooge" or "Well, it's kind of a catch-22.", without realizing that these actually are literary references. When we read classics we become more aware of the things we hear, read, and say and where they came from. This makes it easier to understand the books we are reading and the people we are talking to.</i></li>
</ol>
<div>
Ok, great, so we have reasons to read the classics, but how do we get our kids interested in reading them? Here are some suggestions:</div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><i><b>Read to Your Child: </b>I've previously mentioned this in my <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/34639.Graphic_Novel_Adaptations_of_Classic_Books" target="_blank">blog post on helping your child to improve their reading skills</a>, and it's worth saying again, reading to your child is something you should do as long as they will allow you. A bed time story helps children and adults to wind down and relax. Reading to your child models fluency in reading and allows for discussions of what was read. I remember my mother reading</i> Anne of Green Gables<i> and </i>Little House on the Prairie<i> to my sister and I when we were young. Those memories are treasures.</i></li>
<li><i style="font-weight: bold;">Read with Your Child: </i><i>Just like reading to your child, reading with your child can help to improve reading skills and encourage a love of reading. Both of these are great ways for you to share your favorite books with your children. Why not take turns reading maybe you can take every other paragraph, page, or chapter? You could start with a simple book like AA Milne's </i>Winnie the Pooh<i> books or any of Roald Dahl's fantasy wonders.</i></li>
<li><i><b>Start with Illustrated Abridged Versions: </b>I remember when I was younger getting a copy of the <a href="http://www.greatillustratedclassics.com/aboutus.asp" target="_blank">Great Illustrated Classics</a> version of </i>Great Expectations. <i>I absolutely loved the book and reread it many times. As I got older, my love for the book led me to read the original version which I loved just as much. This series of illustrated classics is still available on Amazon. <a href="https://b1306.myubam.com/p/4445/illustrated-classics-for-children" target="_blank">Usborne books</a> also recently published a set of illustrated abridged classics for kids that are amazing in quality.</i></li>
<li><i><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/34639.Graphic_Novel_Adaptations_of_Classic_Books" target="_blank">Try Graphic Novel Versions:</a></b> Graphic Novels are some of the most popular books in our school library. The comic book format easily draws in reluctant readers which explains why so many novels are having companion graphic novels made out of them. The graphic novel format is also helpful when trying to follow along and understand the story. </i></li>
<li><i><b>Connect the Classic to a Modern Book:</b> As I said before, authors often mention books within their stories. One way to connect a classic to a modern book would be making note of these mentions while reading a modern book and reading the classics mentioned after. Often you can make connections between the story line of the two books. Another way to make connections would be to pair modern remakes of a book with the original. For example, </i>A Tale Dark and Grimm <i>or </i>The Sisters Grimm <i>could be paired with the original </i>Grimm's Fairy Tales, <i> or for teens, you could pair </i>Pride & Prejudice <i>with </i>Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies.</li>
<li><i><b>Watch the Movie as a Reward for Finishing the Books: </b>When the weather is icky like it has been lately, what would be better than a movie night? Many of the classic novels we love have been turned into movies or TV miniseries. Why not use the movie as an incentive for reading the book. When you finish the book you can curl up with a blanket and some popcorn and watch a movie. A great example would be to read </i>A Jungle Book <i> and then watch either the old animated Disney version or the beautifully done updated version of the movie. After watching the movie you can compare it to the book, which in turn improves critical thinking.</i></li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
<b><u>Further Reading:</u></b><br />
Buchanan, J. (2013). How—and why—to encourage your kids to read classic literature. Retrieved from<a href="https://www.readingrainbow.com/site/blog/2013/04/09/how-and-why-to-encourage-your-kids-to-read-classic-literature/" target="_blank"> https://www.readingrainbow.com/site/blog/2013/04/09/how-and-why-to-encourage-your-kids-to-read-classic-literature/</a><br />
<br />
Carlyle, R. (2015, March 17). Hooked on classics: Top tips to get your children to read quality books. <i>Express. </i>Retrieved from <a href="http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/563741/Top-tips-to-get-your-children-to-read-classic-books">http://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/563741/Top-tips-to-get-your-children-to-read-classic-books</a><br />
<br />
Chen, G. (2015). Why read the classics? Retrieved from <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/why-read-the-classics/">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/why-read-the-classics/</a><br />
<br />
Kersten, K. (2009, September 19). Katherine Kersten: Why students should read the classics.<i> Star Tribune. </i>Retrieved from <a href="http://www.startribune.com/katherine-kersten-why-students-should-read-the-classics/59780987/">http://www.startribune.com/katherine-kersten-why-students-should-read-the-classics/59780987/</a><br />
<br />
Leigh, J. (2016). 10 reasons you should be reading the classics. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.punchnels.com/2016/02/25/10-reasons-you-should-be-reading-the-classics/">http://www.punchnels.com/2016/02/25/10-reasons-you-should-be-reading-the-classics/</a><br />
<br />
Richardson, H. (2015, September 26), Do children still need to read the classics of English literature? <i>BBC. </i>Retrieved from <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/education-34341656">http://www.bbc.com/news/education-34341656</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-1140979891812840082016-12-15T15:46:00.000-06:002016-12-15T15:46:00.162-06:00Teaching Students to Find Their Way in the LibraryI have a personal goal that all my students become independent users of the library by Winter Break of third grade. In order to accomplish this, I work on building their library skills slowly beginning in kindergarten.<br />
<br />
<b>Kindergarten: </b>In kindergarten, we simply learn the basics of the library. We learn the parts of a book and the vocabulary word <i>call number</i> is introduced. We talk about how a book has an address to its home on the shelf. We also talk about how we can use the secret code called the call number to tell where the book goes. A basic introduction to using and exploring the library is a great foundation for what students will learn as they continue on.<br />
<br />
<b>First Grade: </b>In first grade, I start to challenge the students a little bit. We review the parts of the book and reintroduce call number as a vocabulary term. As we approach Thanksgiving Break, I begin to have the students put little cards in ABC order with a group. We discuss how the books are in ABC order on the shelf by the author's last name. After practicing putting cards in ABC order, I explain the kind of books that we keep in our everybody section and we practice finding the A, B, C, etc shelf of the section. This allows the students to build a basic understanding of the order of the books on the shelf.<br />
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<b>Second Grade: </b>In second grade we begin to get even more in depth. My goal by the end of second grade is to have the students be able to locate books in the fiction and everybody sections of the library when given the book's call number. In order to get students to this point, I begin the year with a review of ABC order. As part of their first lesson, we put cards with one letter on them in order. During the next lesson, students work together to put cards with two letters on them into order. And finally, the students work together to put cards with three letters on them into order. After the student seem to have the hang of ABC order we start to translate this skill to finding books on the shelf. First students learn about the everybody section and the fiction section. We talk about the difference between the types of books in those sections and what their call numbers look like. We then work on finding the A shelf, B shelf, C shelf, etc of each section. After we have identified the shelves, the students begin working with partners to find a book by its call number. This skill is practiced briefly during each lesson for the continuation of the year.<br />
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<b>Third Grade: </b>At the beginning of third grade, we do a brief review of the call numbers from the various sections of the library. If a call number starts with E with three letters after it is in the everybody section, if it has just three letters it is in the fiction section, and numbers mean non-fiction. We then introduce using our library catalog to search for books. We spend one lesson just learning how to get to our catalog using the Chromebooks and begin to search for books. During the following lesson, we review how to search and talk about logging into the catalog and putting books on hold. From this point forward, students are able to use the catalog to search for books during their book checkout time. Later on in the year, the students are taught about the different categories of the Dewey Decimal System and practice putting nonfiction call numbers in order and finding them on the shelf. By the end of third grade, students should have a pretty in depth understanding of how to find their books in the library which simply needs to be reviewed in future grade levels.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-5504129190456582582016-11-30T15:35:00.000-06:002017-01-11T14:35:27.418-06:00Build Those Reading Muscles!Reading is one of the most important and fundamental skills your child will ever learn. In my experience what you do to foster your child's reading habits can almost be more important than the work your child's teacher does to accomplish the same goal. Of course it is very important for your child to have a quality teacher teaching them reading skills using a high quality curriculum, but your support for your child's reading habit is essential. With that in mind, we now need to answer the question of how you can support your child's reading habits and help them to become proficient readers and lovers of literature. Below are ten of the best tips I have found. I have also included a list of useful blog posts, websites, and books.<br />
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<b>1. Make reading a priority: </b>Show your children that reading is important to you. This can be accomplished through the rest of the tips below, but it really starts with your mindset and your home environment. Do you encourage your child to read? Do you have books, magazines, or newspapers in your home for your child to explore and read? Do you set aside time for reading for your children and yourself? Do you talk about reading? When a child sees that reading is important they will be more motivated to work at it.<br />
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<b>2. Model reading behavior: </b>It's important for your child to practice reading daily, but it is also important for you to practice reading daily! Statistics show that those who read more make more money and are more successful! Reading nonfiction books can help you build and stretch your skills, while fiction books can help you to relax and exercise your imagination. When your child sees you reading they come to understand that reading is an enjoyable activity and part of regular daily life. It doesn't matter what you read, just read!<br />
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<b>3. Read to your child:</b> I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to read to your child. Reading to your child models fluency and emotion while reading. It also shows your child that reading is something important to you. When a child sees that their parent values reading, they will be more apt to value reading as well. Finally, reading to your child allows for a wonderful bonding time. Discussing what was read can lead to discussions of their ideas, imagination, and daily life.<br />
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<b>4. Find books your child enjoys: </b>If you don't enjoy something, you simply don't want to do it. While it's OK to encourage your child to read the books you loved as a kid, it's also important to understand that they may not love them as much as you did. As much as you might prefer your child to read classic literature, it is more important that they are reading, When children find books they enjoy and learn to enjoy reading, they are more likely to move on to more challenging books, but they have to enjoy reading first. Allowing children to choose books they like is even more important for the struggling reader. When it's already tough to read, reading a boring book makes you want to try even less. Maybe your child has to start reading with graphic novels about Legos, It might not seem wonderful to you, but reading is reading.<br />
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<b>5. Have your child read to you: </b>This one may take a little patience. It can be very enjoyable to hear your child read to you, but it can also be tempting to just take over and read for them when they begin to struggle with fluency. Be sure to allow your child to try sounding out the word, using context clues, and looking at pictures before telling them the word. Try not to correct their reading too thoroughly so as to not let them become discouraged. If your child does not like to read, a great way to motivate your child is to take turns reading from the book. You read one page and they read the next, or break it down into paragraphs, sentences, even alternating words. Just be sure to let your child know that you are proud of the reading skills they are building.<br />
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<b>6. Talk about what your child is reading: </b>At some point your child ill probably be doing more independent reading than reading to you or with you. First, let me say that this should not discourage you from continuing to read aloud to your child. You should continue to read aloud to your kids as long as they will let you even if it's just a short passage from the newspaper! As your children read more and more independently, it's important to keep up with the books they are reading. It is a great idea to read the same books as them so that you can talk about the books more in depth, but even without reading the books you can have great conversations with your children about their reading. Ask them what they are reading. What is the book about? Do they like it? What's they're favorite/least favorite part so far? What are they going to read next? Having daily conversations about reading continues to show your child that reading is important.<br />
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<b>7. Teach phonics and phonemic awareness (letter sounds):</b> As a reading tutor, one of the problems my struggling readers often had was the inability to slow down and sound out words. Although we want kids to become fluent and not have to sound out words forever, this is a beginning skill that they need until they begin to learn, recognize, and memorize more complex words. From the time your little ones start to recognize their letters, you can talk about the sounds each letter makes. In the past I've found that phonics flashcards are an easy and fun way to practice letter sounds and blends. As students begin to read, encourage them to sound out words before telling them what the word is. By teaching this basic skill, students are able to learn to read independently.<br />
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<b>8. Set reading goals or challenges: </b>As with any sport or skill, the best way to stretch is to challenge yourself! Work with your child to set a reading goal appropriate to their reading level. This could be as simple as reading for 30 minutes every day. Maybe your avid reader needs a bit bigger of a challenge like reading a different genre of book every month or reading a certain number of classic novels by the end of the year. Since our 3rd-5th grade students participate in the Maud Hart Lovelace Award program, perhaps you could challenge your child to read all 12 of the nominated books rather than just the three they need to read in order to vote. Get creative. Use the internet for ideas. And don't forget to set a reading goal for yourself as well!<br />
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<b>9. Visit the public library often: </b>This goes along with allowing your child to find books that they enjoy. By visiting the public library, your child can search through a much wider variety of books than we have available at school or you have available at home. You can help your child to select books that fit their reading level and interests. The staff at the public library are available to make suggestions and help you to find just what you are looking for. On top of the numerous books that the public library has to offer, the public library also often offers a variety of activities for people of all ages. You can get your little ones excited about reading by stopping in for a family story time. Your teens can join a book club to talk to other teens about the books that interest them, and you can join a book club or find a helpful class as well.<br />
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<b>10. Get outside help when needed: </b>Finally, it's important to recognize when your child is truly struggling and you are no longer providing enough help for them. Sometimes working with your child on reading skills and school work can just become too overwhelming and stressful to the point of hurting your relationship with your child. If this seems to be the case, it may be time to think about finding a tutor to work with your child. The first step to take would be talking to the child's teacher for any suggestions. There may be an after school program that your child would be able to join for support, or the teacher may be able to suggest a tutor that would work well with your child. You can also find tutors on websites like Care.com or Wyzant.com. If your child needs a tutor, it's important to remember that neither you or your child is a failure. We can all use extra help from time to time.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Resources and Further Reading: </b></span><br />
Braxton, B. (n.d.). Dr. Booklove's 2016 reading challenges. Retrieved from <a href="http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/dr-bookloves-2016-reading-challenges/">http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/dr-bookloves-2016-reading-challenges/</a><br />
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Braxton, B. (2016, June). Reading with your child. Retrieved from <a href="http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/reading-with-your-child/">http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/reading-with-your-child/</a><br />
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Braxton, B. (n.d.). The art of reading aloud. Retrieved from <a href="http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/the-art-of-reading-aloud/" target="_blank">http://thebottomshelf.edublogs.org/the-art-of-reading-aloud/ </a><br />
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Burns, M., Griffin, P., & Snow, C. (Eds.). (1999). Starting out right: A guide to promoting children's reading success. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.<br />
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Fox, M. (2005). Reading magic: How your child can learn to read before school and other read-aloud miracles. London: Pan Macmillan<br />
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French, J. (2004). Rocket your child into reading. Melbourne, Australia: Angus & Robertson.<br />
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Jenkins, J. (2016). 10 things parents need to know to help a struggling reader. Retrieved from <a href="http://dyslexia.yale.edu/PAR_10thingstohelpchild.html">http://dyslexia.yale.edu/PAR_10thingstohelpchild.html</a><br />
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Jennings, P. (2008). The reading bug—and how you can help your child to catch it. London: Penguin UK.<br />
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Shanahan, T. (2015, September). 11 ways parents can help their children read. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/11-ways-parents-can-help-their-children-read">http://www.readingrockets.org/blogs/shanahan-literacy/11-ways-parents-can-help-their-children-read</a><br />
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Trelease, J. (2013). The read-aloud handbook. New York: Penguin.<br />
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Wilhelm, C. (2014, August). Your child has nightly reading homework. What should YOU be doing? Retrieved from <a href="http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/reading-homework-tips-for-parents/">http://www.cultofpedagogy.com/reading-homework-tips-for-parents/</a><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-33594064253683160752016-11-15T15:30:00.000-06:002016-11-15T15:30:00.181-06:00Teaching 5th Graders to Create Video AnnouncementsLast school year, I began my journey as the Media Specialist at Pinewood Elementary. One of the most challenging, but most enjoyable parts of this journey has been the creation of our daily student video announcements. I began last year winging things a bit. I had edited videos before. I had used an iPad to record. I had used YouTube and Google Drive. However, I had never done a daily broadcast or taught students how to be news anchors. This process was a learning opportunity for both myself and the students. You can read about the process a bit in two of my previous posts: <a href="http://mediaspecialist4life.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-student-news-has-taught-me-and-my.html" target="_blank">"What Student News Has Taught Me and My Students"</a> and <a href="http://mediaspecialist4life.blogspot.com/2016/02/green-shirt-and-green-screen-oops.html" target="_blank">"Green Shirt and Green Screen... Oops."</a> With all that I learned from last year, I began this year with a new strategy to prepare our students to really take control of most of the production of the student news.<br />
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To begin the school year, I set aside my first three lessons to teach students how to be quality producers of the student news. The first thing that this new group of students needed to understand was the process for creating the announcements. It was really difficult to find a way to explain so that they understood the three day process. I needed to explain that on day one of production two students would write the script that the students who had Media the following day would be recording for the announcements that would be shown on the third day. This is a really hard concept for students to understand, and something that I am still working on explaining. One of the things that seemed to help with this explanation was creating a schedule of student jobs and posting the schedule outside our studio. This allowed the students to see when they would be performing the jobs of script writer, producer/director, and news anchor. Teaching students this process was part of our first lesson on the announcements.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYBWe6D3WzytmhEStgC4G84Ctx0b1TKAuzoYloRHTtC0n1LOe9hj4VaZN6qRco4BKHPNX3cn7wsYHRsM7HJ68T_yvZgR5GZ55B94R5g9b8rGqXhY1cRcURAK85WeCJUfBkKrHG9HRfjao/s1600/IMG_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYBWe6D3WzytmhEStgC4G84Ctx0b1TKAuzoYloRHTtC0n1LOe9hj4VaZN6qRco4BKHPNX3cn7wsYHRsM7HJ68T_yvZgR5GZ55B94R5g9b8rGqXhY1cRcURAK85WeCJUfBkKrHG9HRfjao/s320/IMG_0353.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The main objective of our first lesson on video announcements was how to write the script. This involved teaching the students how to open Google Drive, locate and access their Shared with Me Folder, and locate the two documents that would be necessary to write the script. The students work as partners on the student announcements, so one child opened the announcement bulletin and the other opened the announcement script. They then worked together to write a practice script.<br />
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The objective of our second lesson was to learn how to record the announcements. This meant teaching the students the basics of using the iPad to record a video and the exact process we used when recording. When recording the announcements, four students would be back in the studio. One pair would be the producers/directors and the other pair would be the news anchors. The director would hold out a whiteboard with the date of the announcements for the camera to see and pull it out of the way thus directing the news anchors to begin speaking. The producer would get the iPad zoomed in on the news anchors and press the record button to begin recording the announcements. The news anchors would then use their wireless mouse to control the <a href="http://cueprompter.com/" target="_blank">teleprompter</a> and begin reading the script that had been prepared for them by the previous day's class. I explained this whole process to the class and then had every student come back to the studio to practice a mini script so they had a better idea of the process.<br />
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The objective of the third lesson was to increase the students' confidence in being a news anchor and make them aware of the importance of projecting their voice and reading fluently. We talked about what reading too fast and too slow looked like and what that did to the feel of the announcements. We talked about what reading too loud or too quiet did for the announcement recording. We then practiced reading a script together as a class trying to keep to a good pace and good volume. After practicing the script a few times, we talked about ways to loosen up your body and mind so that there was less nervous energy when recording the announcements. We also talked about ways to warm up your voice for better sound. Finally, we talked about what it looked like to be a news anchor. News anchors smile and have fun, but still remain professional and do not act like clowns. This third lesson was in my opinion one of the most important and one of the most fun.<br />
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This year the announcements are being overseen and edited by a committee of teachers. I really appreciate this as I am currently out on maternity leave and will not return until mid-December. I feel that this committee and the lessons that have been taught to the students will allow announcement production to go smoothly in my absence. Next school year, or perhaps even towards the end of this school year, I would like to further place the production of the student news in the hands of students by creating a group of students interested in editing the announcement video. I have had a number of students ask about this possibility and I would love for this to be a truly student centered program. Whenever I decide to go ahead with this, I would create the group of students that would meet once for training on how to edit the videos and meet monthly afterwards for further training and feedback. These students would have a schedule for days on which they would come in during recess to edit the announcement video for the following day.<br />
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Our video announcements continue to be a daily learning opportunity. They are an area of growth for our staff committee, our students, and for myself. I look forward to seeing the ways in which this program will evolve.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-1866092286695380072016-10-31T15:30:00.000-05:002016-10-31T15:30:00.728-05:00Best Gift Ideas for your Reader!With the holidays quickly approaching, it is time to be thinking about what kinds of gifts you could give to your children that they will both enjoy and will have some benefit for them. It is easy to buy them this year's coolest toy or the most fashionable outfit, but what about things that support their learning? Here are some fun gift ideas for your reader.<br />
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<ol><a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81y0%2BiX83fL._SL1468_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81y0%2BiX83fL._SL1468_.jpg" width="163" /></a></ol>
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1. <b>Book Themed Tablet or iPad Case:</b> Does your child have a favorite book? Do they have an iPad or tablet they use? Why not combine the two with a book themed case like this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Potter-Inspired-Marauders-notebook-Leather/dp/B00GL9YEO2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477315393&sr=8-3&keywords=harry+potter+iPad+case" target="_blank">Harry Potter themed iPad case.</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB1C3Ka-vfMXLfSn3N3-SxQzg38thQw0XtKzfIm1pOzBh076vG02O3IDasVxI_JxVjHKqoOX_ocsw8SkN-53aTdp6GvyObwguT1_HOcsgcOkPy10Dw8yVKkCerXNW4tPSK2Z7Mdw3-WOL/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB1C3Ka-vfMXLfSn3N3-SxQzg38thQw0XtKzfIm1pOzBh076vG02O3IDasVxI_JxVjHKqoOX_ocsw8SkN-53aTdp6GvyObwguT1_HOcsgcOkPy10Dw8yVKkCerXNW4tPSK2Z7Mdw3-WOL/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheB1C3Ka-vfMXLfSn3N3-SxQzg38thQw0XtKzfIm1pOzBh076vG02O3IDasVxI_JxVjHKqoOX_ocsw8SkN-53aTdp6GvyObwguT1_HOcsgcOkPy10Dw8yVKkCerXNW4tPSK2Z7Mdw3-WOL/s200/Capture.JPG" width="195" /></a><br />
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2. <b>Book Themed Clothing: </b>Graphic tees with fun sayings are always a hit with my family. They can be funny and even be a sort of inside joke. Help your child show off their fashion sense and begin discussions about their favorite books with book themed clothing like this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Character-Diary-Wimpy-Cheese-Sleeved/dp/B00Y2W7DX4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477315713&sr=8-3&keywords=diary%2Bof%2Ba%2Bwimpy%2Bkid%2Bshirt&th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">Diary of a Wimpy Kid Cheese Touch Tee.</a><br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UNlk3Je6L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81UNlk3Je6L.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
3. <b>Book Art and Posters: </b>In my past experience, one of the most popular items at the Scholastic Book Fair has been the posters. What kid doesn't like posters? They allow the child to show off their personality and take part in decorating their own room. Add some art to your child's room with book themed posters and artwork. You can even introduce your child to a classic novel and take time to make their own book art using<a href="https://www.amazon.com/ArtFolds-Read-Jane-Classic-Editions/dp/0794433332/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477316398&sr=8-2&keywords=book+art" target="_blank"> kits like this.</a><br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81H9qPFkkXL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81H9qPFkkXL._SL1500_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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4. <b>Book Marks:</b> Need a simple, practical stocking stuffer? How about some fun artsy book marks? Or book marks with quotes and artwork from a favorite book or movie? You can make it an even better gift by pairing the bookmark with a few new books they've been dying to read. These <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-House-Bookmark-Collection/dp/B016BS9QG8/ref=sr_1_11?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1477316917&sr=1-11&keywords=book+mark+set" target="_blank">Harry Potter book marks</a> are beautiful and would pair well with a new <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Box-Books/dp/0545162076/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477317128&sr=8-1&keywords=harry+potter+box+set" target="_blank">boxed set of Harry Potter books</a>! And what boy would not love this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/SUCK-UK-Dead-Mark-Bookmark/dp/B0028YQGWC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477317154&sr=8-1&keywords=dead%2Bmark%2Bbookmark&th=1" target="_blank">Dead Mark book mark?</a><br />
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5. <b>Book Shelf or Book Ends:</b> Is your child a book collector like I am? At some point that kiddo will need a place to store all of their wonderful book friends! If your child does not have a book shelf in their room, this may be something you want to consider. I have these <a href="https://www.amazon.com/3-shelf-Bookcase-Black-Ideal-Office/dp/B015RP7BMM/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1477317722&sr=8-11&keywords=black+book+shelf" target="_blank">book shelves similar to these</a> for my personal collection, and they work well. No room for a book shelf? Perhaps there is a little bit of room on the top of their dresser to store some books. Fun <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Design-Toscano-Arthurian-Two-Tone-Metallic/dp/B001R6HZ1I/ref=pd_sbs_201_7?ie=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001R6HZ1I&pd_rd_r=YVDB4S169NX105DVP9XX&pd_rd_w=590zG&pd_rd_wg=qXiD4&psc=1&refRID=YVDB4S169NX105DVP9XX" target="_blank">book ends like these </a>can help keep those books standing.<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61C8nB3QW7L._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61C8nB3QW7L._SL1000_.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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6. <b>Library Book Tote: </b>Maybe your child goes through books so fast a trip to the public library every week is a necessity. That's a great thing! Help your child to carry their library books with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/CafePress-Many-Books-Tote-Bag/dp/B00IJOB8LO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1477318323&sr=8-6&keywords=library+book+tote" target="_blank">fun library book tote</a>! And while you are visiting the Monticello Public Library, be sure to have your child mark down their visit on our library visit contest poster!<br />
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7. <b>Book Light or Lamp: </b>Is your child one of those readers that will hide under the covers with a good book long after you've told them to go to bed? I remember going up to bed when my mom told me to and sneaking back downstairs a short time later to continue reading the intriguing books that I couldn't put down! Help your child to read after dark with a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Large-Black-Book-Light-Cover/dp/098014454X/ref=sr_1_16?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1477319382&sr=1-16&keywords=book+light" target="_blank">nice book light</a> or bedside lamp. Sometimes it's OK to be an enabler. ;)<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TboYNonfL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51TboYNonfL.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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8. <b>Reading Blanket and Pillow: </b>My mother was always an avid reader and collected books, so growing up we had a little library in our home. We had lots of children's books, adult books, and even a couple sets of encyclopedias. In this formal living room turned library we had one arm chair and a love seat. Maybe you have a room like this in your home, or just a special place where your child likes to curl up to read. Why not make this space even more cozy with a special reading<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Sherpa-Throw-Blanket-Chocolate/dp/B00EJ6CJGY/ref=sr_1_29?ie=UTF8&qid=1477321642&sr=8-29&keywords=sherpa+throw+blanket" target="_blank"> blanket</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Relaximals-Puppy-Kids-Reading-Pillow/dp/B0170AF822/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477321500&sr=8-3&keywords=kids+reading+pillow" target="_blank">pillow</a>?<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Uk1pQ59kL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Uk1pQ59kL.jpg" width="170" /></a><br />
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9. <b>Reading Journal and Themed Pen Sets:</b> Help your child to keep track of their reading with a reading journal. Your child can write reviews of the books they have read, write down questions they have as they read, and keep track of their favorite parts. Our 3-5 grade students can share the reviews they have written in our <a href="http://northstarcatalog.org/quest/servlet/presentquestform.do?site=103&context=monticello&alreadyValidated=true" target="_blank">online library catalog</a> for other students to read. Keep the writing fun and exciting by using a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Bookworm-Journal-Reading-Their-Parents/dp/0307408264/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1477323227&sr=8-5&keywords=reading+journal" target="_blank">fun journal</a> and even a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chanyi-Novelty-Animal-Giraffe-Ballpoint/dp/B014FKHUIU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477323477&sr=8-1&keywords=kids+pens" target="_blank">themed pen set</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/719r3aeC4zL._SL1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/719r3aeC4zL._SL1000_.jpg" width="200" /></a>10. <b>Books or an eReader Filled with eBooks:</b> Nothing encourages reading more than books that your child enjoys. Some children are happier with a print book and some are more motivated by an electronic library of books on an <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KMSKNGU/ref=s9_acss_bw_cg_odseac_3e1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=ZJVDRE4PR15D0YDEBJ7T&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=92fc4a59-3eab-452e-8930-bf4d53f686a3&pf_rd_i=6669702011" target="_blank">eReader. </a>It may seem counter intuitive to buy your child a Lego Ninjago book over a classic like Frog and Toad, but the most important thing to consider when purchasing a book for your child is whether they will read it or not. We need to encourage our children to read whatever they enjoy and as they read more and more, we can steer them towards classics and higher quality literature. Some of the most popular book series currently are the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Collection-Willems-Elephant-Piggie/dp/B00QMJ2TFW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324023&sr=8-2&keywords=piggie+and+elephant+book+set" target="_blank">Piggie and Gerald books </a>(Grade K-1), <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Survived-Collectors-Toolbox/dp/0545861012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324048&sr=8-1&keywords=i+survived+book+series" target="_blank">I Survived </a><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Survived-Collectors-Toolbox/dp/0545861012/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324048&sr=8-1&keywords=i+survived+book+series" target="_blank">books </a>(Grades 1-3), and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Paperback-Box-Books/dp/0545162076/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477317128&sr=8-1&keywords=harry+potter+box+set" target="_blank">Harry Potter </a>(Grade 3-5). Students are also crazy about <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pigeon-Duckling-Cookie-Finds-Wants/dp/B00SDMQLMI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324234&sr=8-3&keywords=pigeon+books+set" target="_blank">Pigeon books</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LEGO%C2%AE-Ninjago-Reader-Pack-Spinjitzu/dp/0545657539/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324347&sr=8-2&keywords=lego+ninjago+book+set" target="_blank">Lego books</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Guinness-World-Records-2017/dp/1910561339/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477324367&sr=8-1&keywords=guinness+book+of+world+records+2017" target="_blank">World Record books</a>. If you have little ones at home you should check out the board books offered by <a href="https://p5487.myubam.com/" target="_blank">Usborne</a> as they are wonderful for learning and very high quality binding.<br />
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<a href="http://www.beckercommunitycenter.com/vertical/Sites/%7B263DFF05-D2B5-4E72-ABEA-9DA480A8307E%7D/uploads/Library_Card_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.beckercommunitycenter.com/vertical/Sites/%7B263DFF05-D2B5-4E72-ABEA-9DA480A8307E%7D/uploads/Library_Card_Web.jpg" height="200" title="" width="200" /></a><b></b><br />
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<b>Bonus: Monticello Public Library Card!</b> If your child does not have a library card yet, now is the time!<a href="https://griver.org/sites/default/files/Library-Card-Application.pdf" target="_blank"> A library card opens up a world of possibilities for your child.</a> Not only can your child check out library books with a library card, but they can check out eBooks for their eReaders. The library offers audiobooks (on CD or digital), videos, and magazines. A library card gives your child access to online databases for help with homework and research. The public library also offers various programs for all ages throughout the year. Give your child the ultimate gift! (And the real bonus is that it's free!)<br />
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<i>Some ideas borrowed from: <a href="http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/gifts-readers/more">http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/gifts/gifts-readers/more</a></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-30696335224497650702016-10-09T19:14:00.000-05:002016-10-09T19:14:09.691-05:00Monday Morning Makers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This year at Pinewood, we have jumped on the Makerspace bandwagon. We have decided that allowing our students a time and space to explore, build, imagine, and create is very important. Rather than explain what a Makerspace is, I have included this video which I think does a fine job of explaining.</div>
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So now that you know what a Makerspace is in general, let me tell you the story of Pinewood's Makerspace. For a couple of years, the concept of Makerspaces has been catching on in schools. Last year, I went to a couple different conferences for Media Specialists and Technology teachers. At these conferences I learned more about the Makerspace movement, and met a wonderful Media Specialist from Rush Creek Elementary in the Osseo district. This wonderful Media Specialist invited me out to see her school's Monday Morning Maker events. These events are what Pinewood modeled their Makerspace events after. One Monday morning a month, students were able to sign up to come to the Media Center before school to explore various stations that involved making. She had a station for using the 3D printer, knitting, coding robots, LittleBits circuits, markerbots, Osobots, origami, and more. The students came in got to work and using their own imagination and determination along with some help from their friends made things. It was wonderful seeing the students shine.<br />
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Pinewood recently had their first Monday Morning Makers event. It was a great success and the students and teachers truly enjoyed it. On September 19th, 25 students and a couple teachers and parents gathered in the Media Center to explore. We had many of the same stations as listed above, but we also had Legos and puzzles. The hit for the favorite item was tied between our Sphero robots and our Lego Story Starter kit with origami and knitting following closely behind. Boys and girls worked kindly together to explore, build, imagine, and create.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiiTeqT9ItCEReqZYTgQvlrmHeFybzcawHfNemuiDAfJ1femz1ecR97SXLOhJ4JK9GF1HJgkzzVSgKW38dY_x4bnlP-8aFmowvokfhsiGEBX8XMyMoaMHxVhwGW8nbVOj16TMLVeBOcB3/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiiTeqT9ItCEReqZYTgQvlrmHeFybzcawHfNemuiDAfJ1femz1ecR97SXLOhJ4JK9GF1HJgkzzVSgKW38dY_x4bnlP-8aFmowvokfhsiGEBX8XMyMoaMHxVhwGW8nbVOj16TMLVeBOcB3/s200/IMG_3466.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrWl2IzHSPkqYrR3-rsOGJxfscggKP9NKjGae6UIWZtAWFr8U91v1-GzYW70BNb5zngj21BPx_yxm15jZCO8Q6zUo6rmvBFJ0BWaLF8T-iXLBn_5-iQHI75E9vzj5YJgyc1rhswCLJakQ/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLrWl2IzHSPkqYrR3-rsOGJxfscggKP9NKjGae6UIWZtAWFr8U91v1-GzYW70BNb5zngj21BPx_yxm15jZCO8Q6zUo6rmvBFJ0BWaLF8T-iXLBn_5-iQHI75E9vzj5YJgyc1rhswCLJakQ/s200/IMG_3465.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDM7hIXbdbNBRxAjisd0UUMsOJy6EteT0A2hlx7F_vKRtH0j9-zGhh1czaWG6M5_I7BQ1aj8ziOm8ThyphenhyphenRmEw72pBZCz4fZ-cHivVzKs8-TWA8kwJ6q-oWkJvmTm1XJmbCnyODZAwMf5U1/s1600/IMG_3475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDM7hIXbdbNBRxAjisd0UUMsOJy6EteT0A2hlx7F_vKRtH0j9-zGhh1czaWG6M5_I7BQ1aj8ziOm8ThyphenhyphenRmEw72pBZCz4fZ-cHivVzKs8-TWA8kwJ6q-oWkJvmTm1XJmbCnyODZAwMf5U1/s200/IMG_3475.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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We would like to thank our Pinewood PTO for supplying us with our Spheros, Lego Story Starter Kits, and Lego WeDo Kits. We would like to thank our Donors Choose donors for our origami, knitting, SnapCircuits, and Makey Makey supplies. </div>
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You can learn more about our Monday Morning Maker events and sign your child up here: <a href="https://sites.google.com/a/monticello.k12.mn.us/pinewood-media-center/monday-morning-makers">https://sites.google.com/a/monticello.k12.mn.us/pinewood-media-center/monday-morning-makers</a></div>
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If you would like to support our Monday Morning Maker events, you can donate at<a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/project/learning-is-electric/2212029/" target="_blank"> https://www.donorschoose.org/project/learning-is-electric/2212029/</a></div>
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Or, we would love to take any gently used puzzles or craft items off your hands. To donate these particular items, please contact me at <a href="mailto:lisa.newhouse@monticello.k12.mn.us">lisa.newhouse@monticello.k12.mn.us</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-41619512687430190702016-10-09T14:07:00.000-05:002016-10-09T14:07:43.046-05:00Low Budget Maud Hart Attempt Number 2Last year was the first year I was actually able to run the Maud Hart Lovelace Award program at a school. I began by teaching my 3rd-5th grade students about the program in September. I reminded them throughout the year that they needed to read three of the books in order to vote in March. The students understood the program and were excited to start reading the books. The only problem was that we only had 2 copies of each book to share among 500 or so students. The budget just didn't allow for buying more copies. I reminded the students that they could visit the public library or get the books from the local book store, but many did not do this for various reasons. In the end, I was only able to get 7 students to vote. Not to be discouraged, I am trying again this year.<br />
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Of course when things don't go exactly as you'd like, you need to make adjustments. I tried to find a way to equitably distribute the Maud Hart Lovelace books last year by using a spreadsheet and randomizing requests. This year I've decided we need to keep things simple, so the books will be on display when they are available and when they are checked out, students will be able to put the books on hold just like any other book in the library. Hopefully this will be a less complicated and quicker system. However, there will still be a high demand and low supply of these books, so I have talked to the local public library and asked that they display the books as well. An email was also sent home to parents explaining the program and encouraging them to help their children check out the books from the public library.<br />
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To remind the students of the program, we are trying a few different things. We will be sharing a bit about each book on the announcements to encourage students to check them out from the library. As I said earlier, we have sent out an email to parents to encourage them to get involved. We have talked to the local public library about having a display of the books and helping students to find them. Finally, we will have several posters in the Media Center about the Maud Hart Lovelace program, as well as a book display of the nominees. Hopefully all of these steps will encourage more students to participate in the Maud Hart Lovelace program.<br />
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To learn more about the Maud Hart Lovelace Award and this year's nominees, visit: <a href="http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/">http://www.maudhartlovelace.org/</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-69694017449193372112016-05-25T15:50:00.004-05:002016-05-26T09:58:19.991-05:00Star of the North Award: 2015-16 Winners and 2016-17 Nominees<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year was probably the first year ever that Pinewood Elementary has participated in the Star of the North Award program. This program is for grades K-2. Librarians from around the state of Minnesota select 10-12 books as nominees. Students then need to read 8 of the nominees to vote on the book they believe should win the award. This year only our 2nd grade students voted as we just ran out of time to read the books with first and kindergarten. At this time, I plan to read enough nominees to each grade level to allow them all to vote, but things do change. We are also exploring STEM curriculum at this time, so we may do a little less reading. Either way, summer is a great time to get ahead in reading, and these books would be a great addition to your summer reading list.<br />
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Star of the North Reveal Party</div>
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The <a href="http://www.starofthenorthaward.org/winners-2016-17.html" target="_blank">winners</a> for the 2015-2016 school year were announced at a ceremony at Mackin Books in April. Third place went to <i><a href="http://www.coreyrosenschwartz.com/Ninja_Red_Riding_Hood.html" target="_blank">Ninja Red Riding Hood </a></i>by Corey Rosen Schwartz. This book retells the story of Little Red Riding Hood with Little Red beating the wolf in Tai Chi. Second place went to <i><a href="http://www.kellydipucchio.com/GASTON.html" target="_blank">Gaston</a> </i>by KellyDiPucchio. This story tells of a puppy mix up and teaches a life lesson about fitting in. And in first place was <i><a href="http://www.crayonspicturebooks.com/books/" target="_blank">The Day the Crayons Quit</a> </i>by Drew Daywalt. This book tells the hilarious story of crayons walking off the job and expresses the importance of creativity.<br />
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This year'Rhoda's Rock Hunts <a href="http://www.starofthenorthaward.org/nominees-2016-17.html" target="_blank">nominees</a> are <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(descriptions taken from publisher/author website or Amazon)</span></i>:<br />
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518gVkN9VaL._SX359_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518gVkN9VaL._SX359_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a><b><i>Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret </i>written and illustrated by Bob Shea: </b>Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever?<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.jsarconeroach.com/books/the-bear-ate-your-sandwich/" target="_blank"><i>The Bear Ate Your Sandwich</i> </a>written and illustrated by Julia Sarcone-Roach:</b> This is the delicious tale of a bear, lost in the city, who happens upon an unattended sandwich in the park. The bear’s journey from forest to city and back home again is full of happy accidents, funny encounters, and sensory delights. The story is so engrossing, it’s not until the very end that we begin to suspect this is a TALL tale.<br />
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<a href="http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780449817445" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://images.randomhouse.com/cover/9780449817445" height="200" width="160" /></a><b><a href="http://lauriethompson.com/books/emmanuels-dream/" target="_blank"><i>Emmanuel's Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah</i> </a>by Laurie Ann Thompson, </b><b>Sean Qualls ill.: </b>Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah's inspiring true story—which was turned into a film, Emmanuel's Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—is nothing short of remarkable. <br />
Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.<br />
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<b><i>In a Village by the Sea</i> by Van Muon, April Chu ill.: </b>Written in a spare, lyrical style using fresh, evocative imagery, In a Village by the Sea tells the story of longing for the comforts of home. A perfect book for teaching about diverse cultures and lifestyles through rich pictures and words, moving from the wide world to the snugness of home and back out again.<br />
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<a href="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/538c02b0e4b02af139f8d973/t/55b0866ee4b036d86b0f1612/1437632113102/" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://static1.squarespace.com/static/538c02b0e4b02af139f8d973/t/55b0866ee4b036d86b0f1612/1437632113102/" height="195" width="200" /></a><b><i><a href="http://www.giannamarino.com/books/night_animals.php" target="_blank">Night Animals</a> </i>written and illustrated by Gianna Marino: </b>First Possum hears it. Then Skunk. Then Wolf comes running.<br />
“What could it possibly be?” asks Bat.<br />
“Night Animals!” the animals declare.<br />
“But you are night animals,” Bat informs this not-so-smart crew.<br />
Children will love the oh-so-funny animals in this twist on a cozy bedtime book.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.michaelhallstudio.com/pages/books/crayon/index.html" target="_blank"><i>Red: A Crayon's Story</i> </a>written and illustrated by Michael Hall: </b>Red has a bright red label, but he is, in fact, blue. His teacher tries to help him be red (let's draw strawberries!), his mother tries to help him be red by sending him out on a playdate with a yellow classmate (go draw a nice orange!), and the scissors try to help him be red by snipping his label so that he has room to breathe. But Red is miserable. He just can't be red, no matter how hard he tries! Finally, a brand-new friend<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>offers a brand-new perspective, and Red discovers what readers have known all along. He's blue! This funny, heartwarming, colorful picture book about finding the courage to be true to your inner self can be read on multiple levels, and it offers something for everyone!<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61eSnjSe65L._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61eSnjSe65L._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a><b><i><a href="http://mollybethgriffin.com/books/" target="_blank">Rhoda's Rock Hunt</a> </i>by Molly Beth Griffin, Jennifer A. Bell ill.: </b>Rhoda is on a long, long hike with her aunt and uncle, each of them carrying backpacks of gear as they walk through the north woods. While Auntie June and Uncle Jonah watch for wildlife and set up their campsites, Rhoda is on the hunt for one thing: ROCKS.<br />
She finds them in all shapes and patterns, from hearts and hats to stripes and sparkles. And every last treasure goes into her pack, making it heavier and heavier as they hike through forests and along streams. Soon Rhoda is sweaty, and tired of salami sandwiches, and wishing for her own bed. Then, on the last day, they come to the Big Lake. And its beach is covered in rocks. Rhoda can’t believe her luck.<br />
After hours of play and even more rock discoveries, it’s time to head for home. By now Rhoda’s pack is too heavy to lift. Will she give up her rocks and return to the cabin for a real shower, a hot meal, and a soft bed? Or will she stay on the beach forever with her beloved collection? Her clever solution makes the most of her treasures—and offers delights for other hikers.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61lpxLxTLCL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61lpxLxTLCL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a><b><i>Sidewalk Flowers </i>by JonArno Lawson, Sydney Smith ill.: </b>In this wordless picture book, a little girl collects wildflowers while her distracted father pays her little attention. Each flower becomes a gift, and whether the gift is noticed or ignored, both giver and recipient are transformed by their encounter. "Written" by award-winning poet JonArno Lawson and brought to life by illustrator Sydney Smith, Sidewalk Flowers is an ode to the importance of small things, small people, and small gestures.<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://mirandapaul.com/water-is-water/" target="_blank">Water is Water</a> </i> by Miranda Paul, Jason Chin ill.: </b>Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless...it heats up.<br />
Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless...it cools high.<br />
This spare, poetic picture book follows a group of kids as they move through all the different phases of the water cycle. From rain to fog to snow to mist, talented author Miranda Paul and the always remarkable Jason Chin (Redwoods, Coral Reefs, Island, Gravity) combine to create a beautiful and informative journey in this innovative nonfiction picture book that will leave you thirsty for more.<br />
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<b><i>Wolfie the Bunny</i> by Ame Dyckman, Zachariah O'Hara ill.: </b>The Bunny family has adopted a wolf son, and daughter Dot is the only one who realizes Wolfie can--and might--eat them all up! Dot tries to get through to her parents, but they are too smitten to listen. A new brother takes getting used to, and when (in a twist of fate) it's Wolfie who's threatened, can Dot save the day? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0Monticello, MN, USA45.3055201 -93.79413779999998745.2161741 -93.955499299999985 45.3948661 -93.632776299999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-64730886726695689052016-05-25T13:40:00.001-05:002016-05-25T13:40:30.114-05:00Maud Hart Lovelace Award: 2015-16 Winner and 2016-17 Nominees and ProgramThe <a href="http://www.myrahome.org/" target="_blank">Minnesota Youth Reading Awards</a> announced the Maud Hart Lovelace Award winner at an evening event at the Red Balloon Book Shop in St. Paul. The third place winner was <i><a href="http://www.pollycarlsonvoiles.com/summer-of-the-wolves/summer-of-the-wolves.html" target="_blank">Summer of the Wolves </a></i>by Polly Carlson Voiles. This book about a girl who doesn't fit in anywhere has a number of Minnesota connections from the setting to the author. The second place winner, full of humor and mystery, was <i><a href="http://www.chrisrylander.com/books.html" target="_blank">Fourth Stall</a> </i>by Chris Rylander. And taking first place was <i><a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.php" target="_blank">Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library</a> </i>by Chris Grabenstein. This book was raved about by the students. The plot is similar to <i>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, </i>but with more modern elements such as video games all built into a library setting.<br />
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This year was the first year in a while that we have attempted to participate in the <a href="http://maudhartlovelace.org/" target="_blank">Maud Hart Lovelace Award Program.</a> The students were very excited to read the books. This year the program consisted only of voting on the award winner. This meant students had to read 3 of the nominees in order to vote for a winner. You can read a little more about that <a href="http://mediaspecialist4life.blogspot.com/2015/10/maud-hart-lovelace-award.html" target="_blank">here</a>. In the end we had six students vote. One of the reasons we had so few students able to vote was the lack of books. With our minimal budget, we are only able to purchase 2 copies of each book. It was suggested to me to limit the program to 5th grade students, but I hate limiting any program that I know will be good for my students.<br />
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In the next school year (2016-2017), we will still only be able to purchase two copies of each nominee. We will be doing a few things to make this program more successful working with our limited number of books. First, I plan to read at least one of the Maud Hart Lovelace nominees to all of our 3rd-5th grade classes. We are also asking for parent support to order more books through <a href="https://www.donorschoose.org/PinewoodMedia" target="_blank">DonorsChoose.org. </a>(If you are able to help please do.). Lastly, we are hopeful that by sharing the nominee list with parents, students will be able to get the books from the <a href="http://www.griver.org/" target="_blank">public library</a> to read over the summer. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(You can also purchase them from most book stores. Shop <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PinewoodElementaryPTO/posts/1091747094202351" target="_blank">Amazon here </a>to support Pinewood.)</span> </i>Below you will find a list of the 2016-2017 Maud Hart Lovelace Nominees and a brief description. <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Descriptions are taken from the authors website or amazon.)</span></i><br />
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This year's nominees for Division 1 are:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMLxhvL-ZDWlGSzgtF3mSrbplrvSRFxgfzQ8AhmvPOCd9MY16HVB9NVBIKu8cyuC5Lgo3OeTF3YY1qCzml1_9ehTc9HMqkyMTHXlPaC7JPjjQInvLfjkBJsgyg5wWhk5tQdgpaaVmCAdh/s1600/almosthome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYMLxhvL-ZDWlGSzgtF3mSrbplrvSRFxgfzQ8AhmvPOCd9MY16HVB9NVBIKu8cyuC5Lgo3OeTF3YY1qCzml1_9ehTc9HMqkyMTHXlPaC7JPjjQInvLfjkBJsgyg5wWhk5tQdgpaaVmCAdh/s200/almosthome.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<b><i><a href="http://joanbauer.com/books/almost-home/" target="_blank">Almost Home</a> </i>by Joan Bauer: </b>Sugar Mae Cole doesn’t often get downhearted, but lately it’s been a struggle to keep up her spirit. Newly homeless, Sugar, her mother Reba, and her beloved rescue dog, Shush, have come to Chicago to make a fresh start. But it seems like everything goes wrong. Pouring her feelings into letters and poetry, Sugar is honest about her fear and confusion while holding tight to her dreams for a normal life… and learns to reach for the best she’s got during the worst time in her life.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.jointhekulipari.com/" target="_blank"><i>Army of Frogs: A Kulipari Novel</i> </a>by Trevor Pryce: </b>For years, the frogs of the Amphibilands have lived in safety—protected by an elite group of poisonous frogs named the Kulipari and by the dreamcasting spell of the turtle king that cloaks their lands in mystery. Now the spell is threatened by the Spider Queen, a talented spellcaster, and Lord Marmoo, leader of the scorpions. With the Kulipari off training in secret, the Amphibilands have never been so vulnerable. Enter Darel, a young frog who dreams of joining the Kulipari, despite his utter lack of poison and limited fighting skills. With the help of a motley crew of friends, Darel has the chance to become the warrior of his dreams.<br />
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51od1yFEpqL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51od1yFEpqL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a><b><i><a href="http://www.carolweston.com/ava-series/" target="_blank">Ava & Pip</a></i> by Carol Weston: </b>It’s the first day of fifth grade, and Ava feels invisible in your own family. Her parents, Anna and Bob, are constantly worrying about her shy big sister Pip. It’s not fair! Sure, Ava feels bad for Pip, but she gets mad at her too. Ultimately, Ava decides to help her sister find her voice--and in doing so, she finds her own.<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://www.eugeneyelchinbooks.com/breakingstalinsnose/book.php" target="_blank">Breaking Stalin's Nose</a></i> by Eugene Yelchin: </b>Sasha Zaichik has known the laws of the Soviet Young Pioneers since the age of six:<br />
<i>The Young Pioneer is devoted to Comrade Stalin, the Communist Party, and Communism.</i><br />
<i>A Young Pioneer is a reliable comrade and always acts according to conscience.</i><br />
<i>A Young Pioneer has a right to criticize shortcomings.</i><br />
But now that it is finally time to join the Young Pioneers, the day Sasha has awaited for so long, everything seems to go awry. He breaks a classmate's glasses with a snowball. He accidentally damages a bust of Stalin in the school hallway. And worst of all, his father, the best Communist he knows, was arrested just last night.<br />
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<a href="http://www.katemessner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Capture-the-Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.katemessner.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Capture-the-Flag.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a><b><i><a href="http://www.katemessner.com/capture-the-flag/" target="_blank">Capture the Flag</a></i> by Kate Messner: </b>Anna, José, and Henry are complete strangers with more in common than they realize. Snowed in together at a chaotic Washington DC airport, they encounter a mysterious tattooed man, a flamboyant politician, and a rambunctious poodle named for an ancient king. Even stranger…news stations everywhere have announced that the famous flag that inspired “The Star-Spangled Banner” has been stolen! Anna, certain that the culprits must be snowed in, too, recruits Henry and José to help catch the thieves and bring them to justice. But when accusations start flying, the kids soon realize there’s more than a national treasure at stake. And with unexpected enemies lurking at every corner, do Anna, José, and Henry have what it takes to solve the heist?<br />
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<a 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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for el deafo" border="0" height="200" 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" width="133" /></a><b><i><a href="https://cecebell.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">El Deafo</a></i> by Cece Bell: </b>Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid. The Phonic Ear gives Cece the ability to hear—sometimes things she shouldn’t—but also isolates her from her classmates. She really just wants to fit in and find a true friend, someone who appreciates her as she is. After some trouble, she is finally able to harness the power of the Phonic Ear and become “El Deafo, Listener for All.” And more importantly, declare a place for herself in the world and find the friend she’s longed for.<br />
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<b><i>Escape by Night</i> by Laurie Myers: </b>Ten-year-old Tommy and his sister Annie are intrigued by the new soldiers arriving in their Georgia town. Since the Civil War started, wounded men waiting to be treated at the local church-turned-hospital have been coming in by droves. When Tommy sees a soldier drop his notebook, he sends his dog, Samson, to fetch it. Tommy soon meets the soldier and is faced with the hardest decision he's ever had to make: whether or not he should help a Yankee escape to freedom.<br />
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<b><i>Five Lives of Our Cat Zook</i> by Joanne Rocklin: </b>In this warmhearted middle-grade novel, Oona and her brother, Fred, love their cat, Zook (short for Zucchini), but Zook is sick. As they conspire to break him out of the vet’s office, Oona tells the stories of his previous lives, ranging in style from fairy tale to grand epic to slice of life. Each of Zook’s lives have echoes in Oona’s own family life, which is going through a transition she’s not yet ready to face. Her father died two years ago, and her mother has started a relationship with a man named Dylan—whom Oona secretly calls “the villain.” The truth about Dylan, and about Zook’s medical condition, drives the drama in this loving family story.<br />
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333579164l/13530950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1333579164l/13530950.jpg" width="133" /></a><b><i>Kizzy Ann Stamps</i> by Jeri Watts: </b>In 1963, as Kizzy Ann prepares for her first year at an integrated school, she worries about the color of her skin, the scar running from the corner of her right eye to the tip of her smile, and whether anyone at the white school will like her. She writes letters to her new teacher in a clear, insistent voice, stating her troubles and asking questions with startling honesty. The new teacher is supportive, but not everyone feels the same, so there is a lot to write about. Her brother, James, is having a far less positive school experience than she is, and the annoying white neighbor boy won’t leave her alone. But Shag, her border collie, is her refuge. Even so, opportunity clashes with obstacle. Kizzy Ann knows she and Shag could compete well in the dog trials, but will she be able to enter? From Jeri Watts comes an inspiring middle-grade novel about opening your mind to the troubles and scars we all must bear — and facing life with hope and trust.<br />
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<a href="http://deanpitchford.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/news-feature1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="news-feature" border="0" height="200" src="http://deanpitchford.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/news-feature1.jpg" width="120" /></a><b><i><a href="http://deanpitchford.com/on-the-page/nickel-bay-nick" target="_blank">Nickel Bay Nick</a> </i>by Dean Pitchford:</b> Eleven-year-old Sam Brattle is already having the worst Christmas ever – his dad’s bakery is going bankrupt, and his mom is spending the holidays with her new family. To make things worse, Nickel Bay Nick – the Good Samaritan who could always be counted on to anonymously distribute hundred-dollar bills around town every Christmastime, is a no-show. So this year the rest of Nickel Bay is as miserable as Sam.<br />
When he stumbles upon the secret identity of this mysterious do-gooder, Sam is stunned to learn that he might now be Nickel Bay’s only hope. But before he can rescue his hometown, Sam has to learn the skills of a spy and unravel some even darker secrets that will change his life forever.<br />
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<b><i><a href="http://www.judycox.net/the_secret_chicken_society_113223.htm" target="_blank">Secret Chicken Society</a></i> by Judy Cox: </b>When Daniel finds out that his class is going to hatch chicks as a science project, he is thrilled. He's sure that his parents will let him adopt Peepers, who is his favorite. But who ever guessed that chicks could run amok and get into so much trouble? This warmheated chapter book about an environmentally-conscious family's experiment with poultry farming will provided plenty of clucks and lots of chuckles for young readers.<br />
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<b><i>Wild River</i> by P.J. Petersen:</b>When twelve-year-old Ryan reluctantly agrees to join his experienced older brother, Tanner, on a camping trip, he never dreams that it will turn into the most frightening day of his life.<br />
Ryan admits he's no good at sports or outdoor stuff. He'd much rather be playing video games. But Tanner assures him it will be an easy trip. They'll kayak down the Boulder River, fish, and toast marshmallows at night.<br />
When they set out, the river is higher than usual, and the kayaking is scary. Tanner keeps saying there's no reason to worry. But when he's badly hurt in a kayaking accident, Ryan is afraid he's not up to the challenge of saving his brother's life. The only danger Ryan has confronted has been in his video games. What good are those games now, when he's facing a real-life battle?<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0Monticello, MN, USA45.3055201 -93.79413779999998745.2161741 -93.955499299999985 45.3948661 -93.632776299999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-80857853517768010622016-05-23T15:24:00.002-05:002016-05-23T15:24:45.015-05:00Summer Community Education: Increasing Student Learning through FunThis year, Pinewood Elementary began to teach computer coding or programming to our students in grades K through 5. Many students absolutely loved it, so we began a coding club. We will continue these clubs in the fall and even build on them with more programs, but over the summer Monticello Community Education is offering a number of classes for kids that our students would absolutely love.<br />
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First, our students love Legos, robots, and coding. There are a number of classes that combine these items. For ages 5 to grade 2, <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/techstars-junior-lego-engineering-ages-5-grade-2" target="_blank">Techstars: Junior Lego Engineering </a>is perfect! In this class, students will use Legos to learn the basics of engineering. Another great class for students in this age group is <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/techstars-robotic-builders-battlebots-grades-k-4" target="_blank">Techstars: Robotic Builders: Battlebots</a>. In this class kindergarten through 4th grade students will use Lego WeDo robotics kits to learn about robotics, engineering, and programming. For students who need a bit more of a challenge, <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/techstars-mindstorms-ev3-battlebots-grades-2-7" target="_blank">Techstars: Mindstorms EV3 Battlebots</a> is a great fit. This class for grades 2 through 7 uses Lego MindStorms Kits to complete challenges and in the final event battle each other's robots sumo style! And for those that want to skip the coding and just learn some basic engineering through Legos, the <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/lego-x-olympic-decathlon-grades-1-5" target="_blank">Lego X Olympic Decathalon</a> (grades 1-5) is perfect !<br />
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Aside from Lego Robotics, there are a few other robotics options available. The first is a <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/stem-robotics-camp-for-grades-3-5" target="_blank">STEM/Robotics Camp </a>for grades 3 through 5. At camp, students will be mentored in robotics by students from NDSU's robotic team. This is a great introduction to robotics for those who would like to join a Lego League team. Students in grades 2 through 6 can also join the<a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/science-explorers-battling-robo-botz-grades-2-6" target="_blank"> Science Explorers: Battling Robo-Botz </a>class to learn to build their own robots and compete to see who's robot is best. <br />
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Finally, students can explore video game design and coding in these classes. <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/techstars-video-game-design-grades-3-7" target="_blank">Techstars: Video Game Design </a>for grade 3 through 7 will teach students to use basic programming to create their own video games. Students can also learn about logic and video game mods through two different Mincraft classes- <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/advanced-minecraft-using-mods-redstones-textures-gr-2-7" target="_blank">Advanced Minecraft: Using Mods, Redstones, and Textures </a>and <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/course/summer-2016/techstars-java-minecraft-mod-development-grades-2-7" target="_blank">Techstars: Java Minecraft Mod Development.</a><br />
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Learn about these and all the other community ed classes available at <a href="https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/">https://monticello.ce.feepay.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0Monticello, MN, USA45.3055201 -93.79413779999998745.2161741 -93.955499299999985 45.3948661 -93.632776299999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-55856467106685619572016-05-23T13:24:00.001-05:002016-05-23T13:29:28.418-05:00The Local Public Library: Supporting Student Learning through the Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSpMoLboOdS7QuoZBajPGlcPIBi-YUuRUqke-FnGfpBFjimhTxKwUfmJbfHZdcuZhk3w66bexgb6kwUCEA2LbrALXqG1xDWJvRpsauD-jgJqhcBVEgQlRhAOnGpBjZQR1IcQLZBYMAR21/s1600/Capt2ure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSpMoLboOdS7QuoZBajPGlcPIBi-YUuRUqke-FnGfpBFjimhTxKwUfmJbfHZdcuZhk3w66bexgb6kwUCEA2LbrALXqG1xDWJvRpsauD-jgJqhcBVEgQlRhAOnGpBjZQR1IcQLZBYMAR21/s400/Capt2ure.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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One of the reasons I have survived and even thrived as a Media Specialist is because of my high school Media Specialist, <a href="mailto:wandae@grrl.lib.mn.us" target="_blank">Wanda Erickson</a>. On top of working at the Upsala School, Wanda is also a librarian at the local branch of the Great River Regional Library. Wanda has helped me to not only support my students at the school, but also to form connections with the public library. Recently I asked her about the library's summer reading program for kids. She passed along some information and also hooked me up with the local Library Services Coordinator, <a href="mailto:sarahs@grrl.lib.mn.us" target="_blank">Sarah Seeley</a>. Sarah and I talked and together created a short advertisement to share with the students about the summer reading program. Below is our video advertisement.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IPo9QU4CUgE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPo9QU4CUgE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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This year, the Great River Regional Library's Summer Reading Theme is Read for the Win. Students can swing by their local branch of the Great River Regional Library to pick up a library card and some books and sign up for the program. Students will receive a reading record on which they keep track of their summer reading. Each reading record has 5 clocks on it. Students will mark off one clock for each hour they read, are read to, or listen to an audiobook. When students have marked off 5 hours, they can return their records to the library to be entered into a drawing for some sweet prizes! While they are there, they can also pick up some more books to read. The program runs June 13-August 13. You can visit <a href="http://www.griver.org/kids/summer-reading-program">http://www.griver.org/kids/summer-reading-program</a> for more information.<br />
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Also, this summer at the library, there will be lots of fun events for the kids to join in. Come during lunchtime on Fridays for crafts, reading, and social time. There are other craft opportunities as well, including creating a robot from recycled materials and creating balloon animals! There is even a Library Olympics in July! Check out all the events at the Great River Regional Library here:<br />
<a href="http://www.griver.org/events">http://www.griver.org/events</a><br />
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There's always something fun happening at your local public library!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0Monticello, MN, USA45.3055201 -93.79413779999998745.2161741 -93.955499299999985 45.3948661 -93.632776299999989tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-57079811211488230532016-02-01T10:21:00.001-06:002016-02-09T09:46:37.742-06:00Green Shirt and Green Screen... Oops.In October, I began my first attempts at putting together a student new broadcast. The students and I learned lots of things in the first few months as I wrote about in a <a href="http://mediaspecialist4life.blogspot.com/2015/11/what-student-news-has-taught-me-and-my.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. We learned how to use the iPad to record, how to utilize Google Docs for script writing, and how to use iMovie for editing among other things. We are still working on fixing some of the problems we noticed way back then, but we have also made other improvements along the way.<br />
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One of the problems that we noticed initially is the sound quality while recording with the iPad. This is still an issue that we are battling. We have tried a few different microphones and have not had a lot of success. There is one microphone we borrowed to try out that seemed to work well, so we are in the process of ordering that microphone. In the meantime, it has meant telling the students to speak up and adjusting sound in iMovie.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">iMovie: When you click on volume on the bottom,<br /> you can raise up the sound levels.</td></tr>
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Writing the script has been somewhat of a challenge for the students. Some kids are just better writers than others. This has meant that I set the students up to type and allow them to try their best, but then I end up looking it over to make sure everything is correct. When the students have done a good job, there's not much I need to redo, but sometimes the kids do very little and I end up rewriting the whole script. It's ok though because it is all about the experience.<br />
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We have made a few improvements over the months since I last wrote about the student news. Our first improvement was to get rid of the printed scripts as seen in this episode:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l0DQQBV_GUM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l0DQQBV_GUM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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We replaced the printed scripts with a teleprompter. Our teleprompter consists of a LCD projector on a cart connected to my laptop which has the script set up in cueprompter.com. The script is projected onto a portable screen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR2iecKWa7nu7rvjXgP187bh1ECU-eQ3qTGJ3aMxE0dSU6gbzeJVzNfEjcCVoNu3qCb4lkIYGGCh_RjqzNGkZA50kSHwaSlJiWSth9dM4QrWzZQlR2UV-H4FqcwK6tnEl05fUeSo6Jhbp/s1600/IMG_1894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR2iecKWa7nu7rvjXgP187bh1ECU-eQ3qTGJ3aMxE0dSU6gbzeJVzNfEjcCVoNu3qCb4lkIYGGCh_RjqzNGkZA50kSHwaSlJiWSth9dM4QrWzZQlR2UV-H4FqcwK6tnEl05fUeSo6Jhbp/s200/IMG_1894.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOGl142B6hDUrcT_3EWJbrncZPWDbYqc-lAQ-t8RByez6jBQ0xGM_qEpl-ujBx9fRrPh2T0OXCH6ic1eAOqDAva3dnyvR1i2oxZZcecpuOm0BYCqs2WUlP1bzQ4QFdT-IExPF_bRB2WA8/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOGl142B6hDUrcT_3EWJbrncZPWDbYqc-lAQ-t8RByez6jBQ0xGM_qEpl-ujBx9fRrPh2T0OXCH6ic1eAOqDAva3dnyvR1i2oxZZcecpuOm0BYCqs2WUlP1bzQ4QFdT-IExPF_bRB2WA8/s200/IMG_1895.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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This improvement has meant that there is no more shuffling of papers while a student is speaking and the students are now looking up rather than down at their papers. The end result looked like this:</div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_W3u9-6ndqY/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_W3u9-6ndqY?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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This was a great improvement, but after attending the TIES conference in Minneapolis this year, I just had to have a green screen. Luckily our previous Media Specialist, the great and powerful Tom Gilgenbach, gifted us the app Do Ink Green Screen. Our custodians were kind enough to paint one of the walls in our studio (back storage room) green over winter break. This has been such fun! We still record using the iPad, then we import the video into the Do Ink app to add backgrounds, save the video to the camera roll, and finish editing in the iMovie app.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do Ink Green Screen App: Super easy to use! <br />Even my 4th graders can do it!</td></tr>
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The green screen can end up looking really cool, like in this video:</div>
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But we have run into the issue of students wearing green shirts, like in this video (oops!):</div>
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Looking forward, there are still a number of ways we would like to improve the student news. Ordering the microphone to improve sound quality will be a great help. We are hoping to paint the two walls on the sides of the news desk to improve the adding of backgrounds. Each week we announce winners for good behavior and we announce birthdays daily. We will try to start adding photos of the students as their names are announced.</div>
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Looking to next year, I am considering different ways we could have students involved. Currently, all the students have an assigned date to type the script and to be an anchor. Some students dislike typing and others do not like being an anchor. I have had students help with recording and editing in minimal amounts. Next year, I am thinking that I may have students broken up into groups based on which role they would like. Perhaps some students will be our reporters and gather information for our script writers to write into the script. The script writers would perfect their writing skills in scripts that the anchors would read. While the anchors read there would be a director/ producer directing them when to speak, slow down, and speed up as they record on the iPad. After the recording is done, the editors would then put in the green screen background and edit the video in the iMovie app. This would mean that all of our 5th grade students would be involved in some way in the announcements, but in the way that they would most enjoy. This is still a thought I will be pondering for a while.</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-69175046644233690282016-01-19T17:01:00.002-06:002016-01-19T17:01:52.341-06:00Hour of Code Morphs into Two Coding ClubsThis December the technology teacher and I ran the Hour of Code program for all our students grades K-5. Rather than just doing coding for one week like most schools we allowed our students to explore computer coding for a whole month. So what is coding anyway? Well, according to Code.org, its a superpower! Coding is basically giving a computer a set of commands that the computer understands and uses to perform tasks. These tasks could be moving an item across the screen, making an item appear, creating a drawing, or many other things. In my opinion, this video pretty well captures what coding is and why it is important.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqrbj3Hf-otpPrc_Bb_HN43DyHciafpgsOs9rAsgksg8lP2Bbwn9_zjide6sALsP2DSndXLzInwcGcNSc4dWCibJltc1la4vQh5xnqZZWA5O_iViG1znTGWeKLqw0Z5wQupg9zV16vGjn/s1600/IMG_0439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxqrbj3Hf-otpPrc_Bb_HN43DyHciafpgsOs9rAsgksg8lP2Bbwn9_zjide6sALsP2DSndXLzInwcGcNSc4dWCibJltc1la4vQh5xnqZZWA5O_iViG1znTGWeKLqw0Z5wQupg9zV16vGjn/s200/IMG_0439.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBc3AnkMgCZU1p_hCoWZTpvHO00zb6UMNPsJN403G_c2AT2qDsvj5u3fMqemaQ9hyphenhyphenFRxvqKQjPQlwIWqyXl1VCRO0_Qml_oBSRhsQRxSkRaaeRrao2csw45cezCVwU1kNirNZt1PqUYfk/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBc3AnkMgCZU1p_hCoWZTpvHO00zb6UMNPsJN403G_c2AT2qDsvj5u3fMqemaQ9hyphenhyphenFRxvqKQjPQlwIWqyXl1VCRO0_Qml_oBSRhsQRxSkRaaeRrao2csw45cezCVwU1kNirNZt1PqUYfk/s200/IMG_0440.JPG" width="200" /></a>Some students quickly got bored with coding. These students were very happy when they returned from Winter Break to learn that we were moving on to other lessons. There were a number of students, however, that were very bummed out that we would no longer be coding. While we were doing the Hour of Code throughout December, I got feedback from the parents of these kiddos that their children were enamored with learning these new coding skills. As I watched the students working together to get through the puzzles on Code.org, I saw students that regularly struggled to just sit still in class becoming successful collaborators on a project. I saw students that struggled to find any success in school build a glow of confidence in their new-found talents. For this reason, I decided that coding needed to be continued in some way with these children.</div>
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One of the things that I most enjoy as a Media Specialist is being able to provide children a place in the school where they can be successful even when they feel left behind in other subjects. This was the main reason I decided to start a before school coding club. The students who enjoyed coding and found that they were successful at something in school are now able to continue building skills and confidence that could lead to rewarding careers in the future. I am very excited to announce that we will be starting two coding clubs in February! Our <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2vqd-lj_BzFZ1VBZVZtbXBMcFE" target="_blank">2nd-3rd Grade Coding Club</a> will start on February 3rd and our <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2vqd-lj_BzFOHZiT0N4bW1xUGM" target="_blank">4th and 5th Grade Coding Club </a>will begin on February 10th! We hope to see you there!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-44084869973080150792016-01-18T15:42:00.004-06:002016-02-08T10:22:05.211-06:00Legos in the Library: Part TwoBack in October, I wrote about how excited I was to learn about the <a href="http://mediaspecialist4life.blogspot.com/2015/10/legos-in-library.html" target="_blank">Lego Story Starter Kits</a>. These kits looked amazing, and after having some time to work with them, I realized they really are amazing. We were given the funds to purchase a classroom set of Lego Story Starter boxes from our generous and supportive PTO. The first project we have done with the Legos is having our 4th grade students write their own mystery stories. They planned out their stories using <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KDXmgAqKHRUt79bxu51_0ijyKVg3_wdB5-xbaRyMWfc/copy?usp=sharing" target="_blank">a worksheet</a>, wrote a rough draft on lined paper, and then typed their final draft on a Chromebook using Google Docs. Before even getting to use Legos, these students learned the elements of a mystery story, how to plan out a project, and how to use their imagination to write a story. Once the students finished typing their stories we began using the Legos to build the illustrations for their story. The students built a beginning, a middle, and an ending scene from the Legos. The final step was to put the pictures I had taken of their scenes into the Google Doc.<br />
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After doing this project, there are a few things I think went really well, and some things that could be improved upon. First, let me start by saying that I will be doing this project with the 4th grade students again next year, however there will be improvements made. When I look back and think about what we could improve on, it mostly comes down to organization. By having the students complete their planning and rough drafts on paper, this made it possible for worksheets to be misplaced or taken home and forgotten about. Next year, I will have the students complete the worksheet in Google Docs and type their rough draft. After they complete their rough draft, I will show them how to use spell check and have them have at least one classmate critique their story before saving it as the final draft. Another organization issue was in using the Legos. With the way my schedule is, I only had 25 minutes with each 4th grade class every 4 days. This is really not enough to complete even one scene, so the first classes I had using the Legos saved their creations to complete later. This meant that there were not enough Legos for the other classes to complete their creations, and we forgot which bins the Lego pieces came from. To solve this issue I combined my 4th grade classes. Where I usually had one class working on Legos and another checking out books, I simply combined them and let them pause to check out books at a time that worked for them. Next year I will begin the project with a combined class as it seems to make the project go much faster. Finally, in using the Legos I did not leave enough time to clean up so the boxes did not get sorted back to the way they were at the beginning of the unit. Luckily I have some 5th grade girls that will help me out, but next year I will need to spend part of a period explaining how the Legos should be sorted and be more vigilant as the students pick up.<br />
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Now on to the great things that have come from this project! First and foremost, the students were having fun learning. The students learned a lot of things, but the thing they will always remember is being able to "play" with Legos in the library. This Lego project allowed me to combine language arts, technology, and art into one lesson. It built community through collaboration as groups of students worked together at Lego bins. It built confidence as students found something they could be successful in, and ultimately, it made the students feel good.<br />
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(More pictures to come.)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-89226994969348691782016-01-18T15:04:00.001-06:002016-01-18T15:04:49.750-06:00Thank you Mrs. Marquette!This past week was paraprofessional week. I have to say that I absolutely love my para! She is the best I've ever had and there is no way I would have been able to get this far into the year without her. She's a humble person, so she probably wouldn't ever admit this is true, but it is.<br />
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Mrs. Marquette is a gem. Every day she comes to work ready to get things done. She starts by getting out the barcode lists for the day's classes. She then works on checking in books and setting out the hold books for the students. As the day goes on, she spends time preparing overdue notices and lets the students know which books they still have out. She shelves books that have been checked in and trains 5th grade students to do the same. She is always learning new ways to get the job done and new technologies we are implementing in the school.<br />
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This year has been a bit of a challenge for us. Not only has Mrs. Marquette had to put up with me, but she has also had to take a big role in supervising a whole 3rd grade class and a whole 4th grade class for an hour each every day. Due to scheduling and limited staff, I have two third grade classes and two fourth grade classes in the Media Center during the 50 minute prep time for these grades. This has meant that while I spend 25 minutes teaching a lesson to one class, she is having to help the other class check out books while monitoring their behavior. Since she is stuck behind the desk checking out books and I am at the other side of the library teaching, classroom management can be a challenge. Mrs. Marquette has taken on the challenge like a rockstar and done a marvelous job!<br />
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Mrs. Marquette has also been my sounding board for new ideas. She has encouraged me to explore and build up the Media Program. She has also excitedly learned about the new technologies we are using. This has included learning about video production on the iPad using iMovie and Do Ink Green Screen, Lego Story Starter Kits, and all the wonderful things you can do on a Chromebook. She takes pictures of the new fun things we do so that we are able to share with our staff and administration.<br />
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Finally, Mrs. Marquette has simply been an amazing support and friend! Thank you Mrs. Marquette!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-71157417335389947712016-01-18T14:20:00.000-06:002016-01-18T14:24:52.422-06:00Mrs. Newhouse, why are there puzzles on the table?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlE0e0yg5Y4sAGDKNtFzglWmqvz0poX9VIZfTeXi1TzGYaSALY4Bw4c2Nh0WLuZd-nJs7eTtOr9-dLHWZIy_LqGl__S8B57YyHEBbBTFid5ekvv74YP4M8-5lXHrz2b_pbW-8jx5Y086A/s1600/IMG_0459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlE0e0yg5Y4sAGDKNtFzglWmqvz0poX9VIZfTeXi1TzGYaSALY4Bw4c2Nh0WLuZd-nJs7eTtOr9-dLHWZIy_LqGl__S8B57YyHEBbBTFid5ekvv74YP4M8-5lXHrz2b_pbW-8jx5Y086A/s320/IMG_0459.JPG" width="320" /></a>Since the beginning of the year, students have had silent reading time after checking out their books. Many of the first and second grade students treasure this time to read their books and share them with friends. Many of the kindergarten students, however struggle with the amount of time they are given for silent reading. These kiddos have 25 minutes to check out a book and read through it. Some of them take the full 25 minutes just to pick out a book. Others take less than a minute to run and grab a book on display. We try to stress that they should take their time picking out a just right book that they will for sure enjoy, but for some that display book is the just right book.<br />
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With some kids getting their book so quickly, they are often done looking through it before it is time for their teachers to come back, so I have started something new with the little ones. They come in to the library to see puzzles on the tables. The kids are allowed to play with the puzzles after they check out their books on the condition that they share the puzzle with everyone at their table and play nicely together. I came up with the idea to finally use the puzzles that had been collecting dust in our storage room after attending a Media Specialist conference this fall. The session that inspired me was a session on MakerSpaces. MakerSpaces are a place where students can come to be creative and build or make something new. One Media Specialist had set up her MakerSpace with just a puzzle to start, so I decided that I would start my kindergartners off with a puzzle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqQe3bkRfFmpEm67pg6K-YNVB1QoZVjkuClK6tfhx7l0uR-ccLpggaf6rdnSWXc8bHfy97s20TX1xMsnGbkiJHastSySvKxwz0Apk-POdhVIUjqU9UfEFw3cDVdfuPpjIugkTIZeYu7h/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqQe3bkRfFmpEm67pg6K-YNVB1QoZVjkuClK6tfhx7l0uR-ccLpggaf6rdnSWXc8bHfy97s20TX1xMsnGbkiJHastSySvKxwz0Apk-POdhVIUjqU9UfEFw3cDVdfuPpjIugkTIZeYu7h/s200/IMG_0462.JPG" width="200" /></a>So am I just using these puzzles to fill time for the kindergartners? No. This activity teaches the students skills they will use on to adulthood without them even realizing they are learning. Students learn to match shapes and colors. They also build on their spatial awareness. More importantly, the students are learning problem solving and collaboration. These are skills that I believe will be incredibly important in the future. Future jobs will not need kids that know how to sit at a desk and work alone. The workplace is more and more becoming a place where individuals come together to form a creative, problem solving team. With students learning problem solving and creativity through jigsaw puzzles, they will be one step closer to being on the team that is bettering our world.<br />
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Lastly, puzzles simply give the kids a time to wind down and enjoy school.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454079754286638900.post-88390354106876398342015-11-12T17:42:00.001-06:002015-11-12T17:42:56.859-06:00Happy (late) Veteran's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This post is a day late, but I did want to take some time to thank our veterans for all that they have done for our country. Both of my grandparents served in the armed forces. My maternal grandfather served in Korea. My paternal grandfather also served overseas. Many of my uncles and cousins are in the National Guard. My father was in the guard for 20 years. He didn't serve in any foreign conflicts, but he did get called up a few times to go help with flood control in neighboring states. I remember when he would go away for Guards on the weekends. I never really understood what that was about until I was in high school. When I was in high school, my uncle was called up to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His daughter, my cousin, is quite close to me in age, so I remember imagining how hard it must have been without her dad around. I could really put myself in her shoes at that point. I remember at our family reunion that summer putting together letters and a large poster board of memories to send to him. Someone even rubbed a little hot dish on the poster board and wrote "scratch & sniff!" Gotta love my family of goofballs! I have to say that I really respect my uncle for his service. I have another uncle that served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. I was two at the time, so I don't remember this, but I am thankful for his service as well. Currently, my brother is signed on with the National Guard as a fuel supply specialist. I also have a cousin who is deployed. I am thankful to all of them and all other veterans for their service.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOVhf2AsYGSAU246ERfCdNUrhUvIJqtl8ZY5OMZJ5fhsTxolWwWmsM5_K_Wo_iki6TJYIKyjp_xt030SlRoEjbwT8E89NBFinNJwucv6J0CfkEOV9Aq5x3igGmJuLo9u37jMhjVstbdez/s1600/12194931_10206899916669410_149746158084547538_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYOVhf2AsYGSAU246ERfCdNUrhUvIJqtl8ZY5OMZJ5fhsTxolWwWmsM5_K_Wo_iki6TJYIKyjp_xt030SlRoEjbwT8E89NBFinNJwucv6J0CfkEOV9Aq5x3igGmJuLo9u37jMhjVstbdez/s640/12194931_10206899916669410_149746158084547538_o.jpg" title="Brian Wensmann, Jim Wensmann (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Daniel Yorek (deployed), Marvin Wensmann (my dad), Andrew Wensmann (my brother)" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Brian Wensmann, Jim Wensmann (Operation Iraqi Freedom), Daniel Yorek (deployed), Marvin Wensmann (my dad), Andrew Wensmann (my brother)</td></tr>
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Yesterday morning, I woke up to a text from my brother reminding me to thank a veteran. I assured him that I would be working hard to thank a lot of veterans at school that day. Pinewood Elementary had a fantastic Veterans Day program yesterday. It made me proud to be a part of this school. It began with a breakfast for our veteran guests and the students who invited them. I helped by setting up a video playlist to be played continuously throughout the breakfast. I rushed back after 45 minutes to transfer the projector set up to the other gym across the school for our school wide presentation. This presentation included the principal sharing a video and a book, our 5th grade choir singing a few songs (beautifully!), and students sharing essays that they wrote.<br />
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The local VFW Color Guard presented and retired the flag.<br />
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The essays that were written by the students brought a tear to my eye. Two students wrote about veterans in general. They wrote that they are our superheroes and they hold our country together. Another 5th grade student shared words beyond her years about her grandfather and his service to our country. Finally, another student shared about her aunt. These essays and the singing of the choir were highlights of the program today.<br />
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I hope you enjoyed the clips of the program. Thank you to all our service men and women! Happy late Veteran's Day!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13523066380373560524noreply@blogger.com0