Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Encyclopedias With Fourth Grade

In fourth grade this past week we learned about Reference Materials. I found this great slideshare about print and digital encyclopedias on Pinterest that I shared with my students. I love when people share their resources!

I then taught my students how to use our online database encyclopedias using keywords. Students tried to answer some basic questions as a quick scavenger hunt to practice the skills. It was fun and informative.



Friday, April 12, 2013

Kindergarten Research

Kindergarteners Rock at Research! Check out our completed projects. They are awesome!

Mohamed
Showalter
Tyrer AM
Tyrer PM
Vang

In Kindergarten students have been learning about Minnesota in their Social Studies Unit. I collaborated with our Kindergarten teachers to have students research an animal from Minnesota.
Recording Facts
First, I worked with each class to practice using pictures and words in a non-fiction book to find out "What does my animal look like?," "What does my animal eat?," and "Where does my animal live?" We practiced this skill with me modeling using an eBook, and then having the students practice with a hard copy text.
Taking Notes About Minnesota Animals

The next time I met with students, I modeled note taking skills using a book about a Minnesota animal. In two separate class periods students were able to record all that they had learned about their animals on their note taking sheet and draw a sketch of them.

Using the iPads to create images of our animals!
When classes came back to the library, we used the iPads to draw images of our animals to create a multimedia report that can be shared at their kindergarten program. While students were working, their teacher and I took photos of their written work (with the iPad) to create a page in their report with all the facts that they learned. I then used the iPad version of Little Bird Tales--and then teachers uploaded the tales to their class home pages after we recorded their voices reading their reports.


Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Parent Child Book Clubs

This past month parents and their fifth of sixth grade student met at school to discuss a book that they had both read.

At conferences 45 families chose books that they would like to read together. One month later, we met back at school for treats and conversation. After the book club-- a few families decided that they would continue the Parent/Child Book Club with their child's friends. It was a lot of fun to see families and kids interacting with great books!

We read:
WONDER
ESPERANZA RISING
HOME OF THE BRAVE
NUMBER THE STARS
FREAK THE MIGHTY
LOSER
WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM 1963
HOPE WAS HERE

I provided each group with a list of questions--but encouraged groups to discuss what they thought were important aspects of the book. It was a great night.