3rd grade Poetry

April was poetry month, so we listened, read and wrote poetry! The students also illustrated their lines of poetry using www.awwapp.com. 

2nd Grade Zoo

It was a great collaborative effort between the second grade teachers and the library.  The classroom teachers kicked off the research projects by having students select an animal.  Then they discussed habitats, warm/cold-blooded, and backbones.  Students were introduced to the online Britannica Encyclopedia and World Book in library.  Online Britannica Encyclopedia is a great resource for students, because it has a read-aloud feature and students can select from 3-reading levels. Students also used nonfiction books, and PebbleGO.

Armed with their research, students created a 30-second write up of what their animal would say about themselves.  Students used the ChatterKids app to record their voice, talking about their animal from their animal's perspective.  After recording, students uploaded their videos to their Google Drive folder.  From there, we used goo.gl to generate QR codes, which were added to each student's project.

In library, students also used PicCollage to create their "I Am an Animal" poems, adding their animal picture and using the iPad camera to snap a photo of their printed poem.  Finally, they added their first name, cropped their poem and selected a background to complement their animal.

Students were also introduced to:

ChatterKids

QR reader

PicCollage

The culminating activity was the Zoo Display in the gym at the end of the research project.  Parents could scan the QR codes to view and listen to the videos and talk to each student about what they learned.

 <==examples of the "I Am an Animal" poems.

Summer Reading prep

As the school year is winding down, summer reading looms!  How to keep the kids motivated?

The readers will read, no matter the time of year.  It's those struggling readers or the kids that just haven't found their groove yet, that need a little boost.  

Ideas for encouraging summer reading:

- reading for prizes (Barnes & Noble, Half Price Books and others)

- reading programs at the Public Library (entertainment, fun, hands on, prizes)

- send them home with books (too many kids don't have ready access to reading materials)

- encourage summer school for a mix of fun and curricular

Lovin' the conference ideas

I attended the WEMTA conference in Wisconsin Dells in March.  I just LOVE learning and playing!  I came away with some good advice on going 1:1.  This will be helpful as our district is beginning this process!  Also, was reminded of some great apps to try, as well as some good, hands-on, engaging projects to do with my students.  My library schedule will be changing next year, and I will have more time and opportunity to expand some projects with the kiddos.  I can't wait to implement some of the Maker Spaces ideas.....yes, I get to rearrange the space in the library & one of the computer labs to create more flexible, engaging, playful, makeful spaces!!!

Just a couple of fun things:

1. StopMotion --> already created my own short book intro and will have students pair up and work on their own!  

Stop Motion - M&M Intro to Gregor the Overlander from Onegall on Vimeo.

1. Www.awwapp.com --> can't wait to create some collaborative story pictures!
2. Croakit! --> This is one I'd learned about at a past webinar, but see lots of potential for this with the younger students.
3. Animoto --> I used this a lot in the past, but need to dust it off and try some fresh work with students.
4. StoryboardThat and www.photosforclass.com --> always looking for school-appropriate, rights-cleared pictures for students to use.  Sat through a webinar on StoryboardThat, dabbled with it during summer school classes, now need to see how to incorporate this comic tool in an activity.
5. Lego Storystarters - this was a very fun session and it has sooooo many possibilities.  I suspect this will be my first maker space and I can't wait to start!

(made with my fav app:  PicCollage)

Successful and Fun Open House!

http://parkwayreads.weebly.com/open-house.html

My new fun find is Telagami app!

Checking out the Golden Archer Nominees

I created Thinglinks for the primary and intermediate Golden Archer nominees and set the kids loose to investigate.  Add iPads and a reading rug and they got comfy while they read.

March Madness --- Teacher Survival Kits

March can be tough! Cold weather and wind chills keep students indoors for recess and Spring Break is ages away.  

I wanted to remind teachers about the great resources available through the library AND give them a reason to smile!

March Madness - Survival Kit

Getting ready to deliver!

Lots of goodies!