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Willard Intermediate South Media Center
A Bike Like Sergio’s and Money LiteracyThis week students in grades K-4 read the book, A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts and Noah Z. Jones. Students related well to the book. Ruben the main character desperately wants a bike like his friend, Sergio - but he cannot afford one. However, he finds a $100.00 bill at the grocery store that has fallen out of the purse of a customer who he knows. Ruben does not imediately return the money. He is faced with a dilemma. Should he use it to purchase a bike? How will he explain to his parents where he found the money? This story provoked many discussion over what is right and what is wrong, and when we should listen to our conscience. I also used this book as an opportunity to learn about coins and their value. After introducing coins and their value, students in K-2 participated in a Kagan structure called Quiz, Quiz Trade. Students were given a coin. They were required to pair up with other students in class to identify the coin and explain its value. Then, they were to listen to their partner identify and explain their coin. Students then traded coins and looked for another partner to engage in the same process. Next week, we will take this a step further for grades 2-4. These grades will participate in a Breakout Box based on money. Clues will be left on five different tables. Students will need to solve the clues using their money skills. Each clue will unlock one of the locks on our breakout box. Media LeadersMrs. Farmer and I are allowing our leaders to take over more of the responsibilities of creating their own productions. This week we set up the interactive board with a wireless keyboard. Students selected their own jokes and interesting facts using resources in the library. They also used the February lunch menu to add to the new’s script. Two of the leaders typed all of this information into next week’s script. We also created a book preview for books that were not featured in the scholastic video. I’ve included the link below.
Everyone should now be caught up after this week. All of the character Valentines are finished. Third and fourth grade moved on to learning how to use the card catalog. Students have online access to our card catalog 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If they log in using their username and password - they can put items on hold, access digital books and resources, view their check out history, and view their current check outs. Two of the library classes, K Sorenson and 2 Wilson, earned a special station day. In order to earn maker station day, students have to earn 7 points. They earn points by demonstrating safety, respect, and responsibility. Media LeadersMedia leaders used their leadership time this week to evaluate their videos. They also created a commercial for the next book fair. You can watch this video here. I have also included our video honoring Mr. Travis, our custodian.
Character ValentinesAll grade levels are working on this project. After reading Dear Dragon by Josh Funk, we studied the parts of a friendly letter. Students then used Google Presentation to create a Valentine from a book character. The trick is not to reveal which character wrote the letter. Students were required to leave at least two clues in the body of the letter - 1. Physical clue as to what the character looks like, and 2. A story clue - that comes directly from the book. Third and fourth grade classes wrote their letters on their own, and the younger grades did this in whole group. Next, we will share out letters with Orchard Hills Elementary. We will guess what characters wrote their Valentines, and they in turn will guess ours. 1st Grade Habitat ProjectsRecently, first grade library and art classes combined to complete the animal habitat projects. Students researched an animal habitat and then illustrated it. We then took each student’s picture in the green screen studio replacing the green with their illustrations. We then put all of the photos into this video. The best part is that students will portray these animals in their music program next week. Watch the video to see students transform into their animal. Media LeadersMedia leaders worked on a secret project this week. This will be revealed in the next few weeks. Next week, we will not record a show. We need to stop and review the videos we have created so far. This is important for us to grow in our jobs!
Robot Library ToursWe made many adjustments to this activity. The original idea was to have students record their scripts into Dash; however, we discovered that Dash speeds up their voices, and he is far too quiet to be picked up by the iPad microphone. This was such a learning experience for students as well. They learned that you need to keep your voices down because 24 other students are also recording. They learned to speak loudly, adjust your script, do retakes when their are too many mistakes, and how to negotiate space with others when space is limited. Most importantly, they are learning how to monitor the time needed to complete the task. Here are some of their completed projects. Dash the SnowplowSome of my classes were ready to move on while the others finished projects that they began last week. For the classes ready to move on to a new learning activity, I gave these students another opportunity to practice coding Dash. After reading the book, Good Morning Snowplow, students created a code to have Dash remove snow (cotton balls) and shovel it to the designated area. For this activity we used the shovel attachment. I created 7 triangles with green painters tape in different areas throughout the library. Then I scattered the cotton balls. Students were required to work together to write a code to have Dash shovel the snow. They could pick him up only when they were in a difficult spot or when Dash was about to bump into an object or person. Carrots and PeasPre-school and kindergarten read the book, Carrot and Pea. In the book the peas find ways of incorporating carrot into their play by creating new structures. Instead of allienating him, they include him. After reading the book, I gave students a basket filled with Keva Blocks (carrots) and brainflakes (peas). In a group, students were required to create a new structure using both the carrots and the peas. LEGO LeagueLego league is working on their project for the exhibition. During the last two sessions, we have been focusing on moon research. In particular, problems and benefits of living on the moon. We are focusing our research, culminating our experiences of building mechanisms with WeDo 2.0, and collecting our photos to display on a large poster. Students will need to be prepared to answer a variety of questions asked by judges. There will be more to come about this process in future posts. Media LeadersWe have been very busy lately. There is always so much to do. Last week, we focused on creating a new’s show. In it, we have included our new hand washing video and being proactive video. I’ve included the link following this post.
This week, third and fourth grade students created tours of the library sections and the self-check out. Students were required to give a description of their section, discuss the call numbers, code the Dash robot to move through the sections, and film it. What a learning experience! We learned that when you record your voice into the Dash robot, the camera cannot pick up his high pitched, rapid voice. Kids are also learning many lessons on filming, practicing, and presenting. Most of the classes are finished. We have a few classes that will finish up next week. Dash Robot Coding Challenge - 2nd GradeSecond grade was challenged to code the Dash robot around the table. This is their first attempt to code the Dash robot as a class. We connected this activity to the book, Wodney Wat’s Wobot by Helen Lester. There are still a few classes who have not completed this activity, but they will next next. First Grade Research on Animal HabitatsFirst grade students used Pebble Go to research an animal habitat based on the animal that they will portray in the first grade music program in February. After researching their animals habitat, we combined library classes with art in order to have students create a habitat drawing. Mrs. Ingram and I took pictures of their illustrations. Then we used the Green Screen app to take photos of all of the first grade students replacing the background with their drawing. Later on, I will add clip art to make the children look more like their animal. These will be used in the music program and will be on the DVD that Mrs. Christensen will sell for $5.00. Code-A-PIllarsPre-school and kindergarten worked with the Code-A-Pillars for the first time. Code-A-Pillars are simple coding robots. You literally build the code by connecting the segments to create a directional program. We connected the Code-A-Pillar to the books - Bubba and Trixie by Lisa Campbell Ernst and The Very Hungry Catepillar by Eric Carle. Media Leaders and The Hand Washing SongThe flu season is upon us; therefore, the media leaders have created a song to remind everyone about the importance of washing your hands. This took us a little longer to make than our other videos. It was just a little more complex, but we had so much fun doing it! Nurse Shawna wrote the lyrics. Book CharmsThis young man has one more charm to go. He has read all of the Great Kids Can Read books, and has one more Mark Twain book to read. Almost there!
I know this has been said often, but winter break seemed to go by very quickly! This week gave me the perfect opportunity to review library procedures, layout, and check out. In addition, all of the specials teachers (Art, Library, PE, Music, and STEM) combined classes to give a two day boot camp over school wide expectations. Review of Library ExpectationsKindergarten reviewed book care, the Everyone Fiction section, and shelf markers. In addition, kindergarten students can now check out from the Everyone Nonfiction section. They are very excited about taking their library books home for the first time! We also read a fun new book - I Got a New Friend by Karl Newsom Edwards. First grade reviewed book care, shelf markers, library sections, and self check out. Self check out can be difficult for them, but they are getting better at it. We connected our review of library expectations to the book - Madeline Finn and the Library Dog by Lisa Papp. Second grade also reviewed library expectations, but we are learning about the Dewey Decimal System. They can now check out from the regular nonfiction section, but I’m only releasing a few of the Dewey areas to them at a time, after we have discussed them in class. Currently, they can check out books from the 000’s - 300’s. We will add new Dewey areas each class period. Third and fourth grade students are involved in the same activities as all of the other grades. They also reviewed library expectations, shelf markers, check out, and sections. However, they are going to take it a step further. They are in the middle of creating a video tour of the library sections. After reading, Madeline Finn and the Library Dog - students were given an outline of each of the sections (including self check out) to create a script. Next week they will program/code their Dash robot to give a tour of each section, and they will video tape it. My hope is that we will be able to share these videos with the lower grades. Behavior Boot CampThis actually started last year. I think this was the most successful Boot Camp that we have had so far. Students were very attentive. Here are the areas that we practiced with South students: 1. Car Line 2. Bus 3. Cafeteria 4. Assemblies and Community Time 5. Hallway 6. Bathroom Here are the major take-aways from each area:
Media LeadersWe finally have our video on Habit 1 - “Be Proactive”! Next week, we will try to complete our video on “Wash Your Hands.” This is an important message - especially during flu season. Check out our proactive video included in this post. Caught Reading and Book CharmsI have a few more Caught Reading photos to share, and two more students received charms for reading Mark Twain and Great Kids Can Read books.
Best LiteratureThere is an abundance of good literature for elementary students. The following books represent some of my favorites, and I recommend them whole-heartedly to students and teachers. They are not the sum of everything that I have read. Most have been used in activities and challenges that I have completed with my classes. These books are not the newest, but they are new to me. Two of my absolute favorites are Maxi’s Secrets by Lynn Plourde and The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. Best AppsI use the following apps almost everyday either with students or for planning, creating, and sharing. Canva, LumaFusion, Hootsuite, and Green Screen are applications that I use most frequently. I use these apps for video production, photography, and sharing information on social media. Best Technology StationsAt South, we are blessed with a variety of technology. Every year, I add something new to either use in a maker station or in a STEAM challenge. This year, we added the Ozobots. Ozobots are little robots that can be programmed by using color. So far, we have used them in retelling and with story maps. Best Online ResourcesWe have many online resources available to students and teachers at South. All of the following resources are available by clicking on the “Resource” tab in this blog. This year, I added BookFlix. This is really one of my favorite resources. I like that this resource can be used on the SmartBoard or any interactive device. BookFlix pairs a nonfiction digital book with a fiction video book. It is a great resource! Best Building ResourcesEvery year, I add to the building resources that we have at South Library. Many of these are used for STEM or STEAM challenges. I especially like the Keva Blocks. They are extremely versatile, and I have used them for numerous challenges. However, students love the Picasso Tiles. They are the most popular maker station. More Pictures of Students Caught ReadingI hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and time with family. It has been a wonderful break and time for recharging, or to put it into the habits’ language - “sharpening the saw.” I have several pictures to share from the Caught Reading Challenge. A couple of the pictures are from 4th graders, but I want to include them as well in this display. A few have been caught reading more than once. This is great, in my opinion; therefore, all of their pictures are included in this post. Remember, there is still time to participate in this challenge. We will take it all the way to the end of winter break - January 6, 2019.
I love the week before winter break at school! There is so much going on in the building. You can feel the excitement in the air! Kids are filled with anticipation about the holidays and the upcoming break. Learning is usually the last thing on their minds. Therefore, I decided to harness that energy into a STEM tree challenge. All grade levels except for preschool participated in this challenge. (Last year we did this will only the 3rd and 4th grade students.). After reading Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry, students were challenged to create a tree using solo cups. They were given about 70 cups per group. (We had about 6 groups per class.) The cups were of varying color and sizes. Students were required to meet with their groups to discuss how they wanted to design and build their tree before building. The structure had to be tree-shaped and every cup needed to be used. Other than these requirements, students were encouraged to use creativity and the habits of beginning with the end in mind, seeking first to understand, using synergy, thinking win-win, and sharpening the saw. In fact, students were not necessarily evaluated on just the success of creating a tree, but on how well they used the habits. The more successful structures were created by students who could exhibit the habits during the challenge. Caught Reading Winter Challenge - 12-24-2018 to 1-06-2019I’m always concerned about students independent reading. I worry that they will forget to take time to read during extended breaks from school. Therefore, I have created the Caught Reading Challenge for 1st and 2nd grade students. If students in these grades are caught reading over the winter break, they can earn a book charm and a necklace. I can only give 1 charm and 1 necklace per students. (Students in 3rd and 4th have other ways of earning charms & necklaces.). The only thing that is required is for their parents snap a photo of them reading and email or message it to me. Students shouldn’t be posing for a photo opportunity, but really reading. LEGO LeagueStudents in LEGO League are beginning the process of creating a moon base by building it with LEGOs. They are using their research to create facilities that are necessary to sustain life on the moon for a prolonged period of time. Right now, they are in the prototype stage of creating. Students will not only need to build the moon base, but they will also need to justify what they have built and how it will support the needs of people living on the moon. They will also need to have one structure that is mechanized via the WeDo set. Media LeadersMedia Leaders had planned to release the “Be Proactive” video this weekend, but I noticed problems with some of our shots. The sound was missing on at least 4 of the scenes. I think the problems occurred when students wanted to watch themselves between takes. They took the microphones out of the jack and didn’t get it plugged in all of the way. I think I have a solution fo this problem. We need one camera person for each session and not several. This person will be in charge of making sure that everything is ready to go before recording. We will need to do some reshooting of these scenes. This is a great experience, because the happens all of the time with media production companies. Next week, we will also work on a hand-washing video for Nurse Shawnna.
This week all grade levels worked with coding robots, except for fourth grade. Fourth grade students prepared for the music program this week. Most of the grade levels used the Ozobots. Ozobots are fun, tiny robot that can be programmed using color combinations. He is preprogrammed to follow black lines. When his sensors run over blue, black, green, or red color combinations - he can perform certain functions. What I like most about them is that they are device independent. You do not need a Chromebook or an iPad to make them work. You simply need markers, paper, or a whiteboard to code them. Grades 1-3 used the Ozobots with a story map for The Water Princess by Susan Verde and illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. The Water Princess is a wonderful fiction story about a girl, Gie Gie who lives in South Africa. She must walk several miles a day in order to collect water for her household. Students created codes on the story map that traced Gie Gie’s journey to retrieve water from the well. PreSchool and kindergarten students did not use the Ozobots for this assignment. Instead we used the Code-And-Go Mice. Essentially, I placed major destinations from the story on a large grid for students to code the mice to travel through a maze to retrieve the water for Gie Gie. Visual Learning SystemsViusal Learning Systems is a great online resource for students and teachers at South. It provides streaming videos over a variety of science related topics that coordinate with our science curriculum. The videos are short and provide simplistic labeling and narration to help students understand scientific concepts. These videos can be used to build background knowledge with students, or they can be used as a follow up after completing a challenge or experiment. The cost is basically $1.00 per student. Students and families are allowed to use this at home as well as in school. Students can click on the Visual Learning icon under the “resource” tab in this blog. LEGO LeagueThis week students in LEGO League finished creating their Lunar Rover with the LEGO WeDo set. This was a more complicated structure. It took almost all of two sessions to create. After creating the structure, students were required to come up with an explanation as to how this rover could be used on the moon to solve one of the problems that we have been researching with food, energy, air, and water. Students are learning so much about design and the science behind traveling and living on the moon. Mrs. Farmer and I love working with these kids. It is truly a fantastic opportunity for our students at South. Eventually, students in the league will need to create a presention about their experiences for an Expo. Watch the video below about their lunar rover. Media LeadersStudents have created a new broadcast for the week of December 17-21. We have added the entire week of lunch menus and a new segment called - “Know Your Money.” Next week, we will take a break from the news to create a video the Habit 1 - Be Proactive. Click on the image below to access the video. Book CharmsI am proud of this young man for continuing his reading progress. He is extremely motivated by earning book charms. Way to go!
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Mr. David Stockton
Library Media Specialist Willard Intermediate South |