Media Literacy
All three grade levels have been hard at work at their internet research. Third grade is researching animals, writing down the site they found their information from, and what search engine they used to find the site. Fourth grade is evaluating web sites about sunken ships (i.e. Titanic, Edmund Fitzgerald, etc.). They must pick 2 web pages about their topic, writing down information on who created the site and what they say about the ship. They must then determine whether or not their site is a good overall resource about their topic. Fifth grade is also evaluating 2 web pages, but their topics are more difficult: topics such as Crop Circles and Bigfoot where it's more likely to find web sites with inaccurate information. The students are doing a fine job of determining which sites are credible, and which are not.
Moved to this week is the library call number review. Students were so busy in the lab last week that most classes didn't have a chance to get to the library. This review will help students to become more familiar with how the Call Numbers are sorted on books, with the intent that they can more easily find resources they are looking for in the future.
P.E.
Unfortunately, an out-of-order pole standard prevented us from playing 4-square volleyball last week, so most classes have finished with our volleyball unit. We will be able to revisit 4-square volleyball later in the year as a review activity when the pole standard is fixed.
For this week, students will be learning the 5 components of fitness: Cardio-respiratory Endurance, Muscular Endurance, Muscular Strength, Flexibility, and Body Composition. Then, students will have a chance to play various games and complete different activities that help to build their abilities in the different components. For example, a tag game helps to build Cardio-respiratory endurance, while tumbling activities can help with flexibility. In the near future, once students are familiar with the components, they will be taking a fitness test and setting a goal for a specific component. Then, near the end of the year they will be re-tested, and they can see how much they have improved in their goal area.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
October 18 - October 22
Media Literacy
We'll be continuing our work on internet research this week. Third grade students will be learning how to use different types of search engines, writing down information they find and how they found it. Fourth and fifth grades will be adding the skill of evaluating the accuracy and credibility of a web site. For example, The History Channel is generally an accurate source on history, someone's blog site may not be. Classes that complete their internet research introduction will be reviewing call numbers in the library, so students can become faster and more accurate at finding books they're looking for.
P.E.
Volleyball skills continue throughout this week. Individual and small-group practice is followed by simplified volleyball games that work on specific skills. Circle volleyball works on setting, Volley Bombers works on accurate serving, and 4-square volleyball combines all the skills we've learned into a fun game.
We'll be continuing our work on internet research this week. Third grade students will be learning how to use different types of search engines, writing down information they find and how they found it. Fourth and fifth grades will be adding the skill of evaluating the accuracy and credibility of a web site. For example, The History Channel is generally an accurate source on history, someone's blog site may not be. Classes that complete their internet research introduction will be reviewing call numbers in the library, so students can become faster and more accurate at finding books they're looking for.
P.E.
Volleyball skills continue throughout this week. Individual and small-group practice is followed by simplified volleyball games that work on specific skills. Circle volleyball works on setting, Volley Bombers works on accurate serving, and 4-square volleyball combines all the skills we've learned into a fun game.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
October 11 - October 15
Media Literacy
After completing their library scavenger hunts from last week, students will be back to the computer lab to learn how to find good resources on the internet. Strategies for using search engines and evaluating what makes a good resource will be covered.
P.E.
This week we will begin our volleyball unit, starting with serving, setting, and other basic skills. From there, we'll move up to practice in partners and small groups in preparation for a full game.
After completing their library scavenger hunts from last week, students will be back to the computer lab to learn how to find good resources on the internet. Strategies for using search engines and evaluating what makes a good resource will be covered.
P.E.
This week we will begin our volleyball unit, starting with serving, setting, and other basic skills. From there, we'll move up to practice in partners and small groups in preparation for a full game.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
October 4 – October 8
Remember, no school this Friday for a teacher inservice day. Hope you have a great long weekend!
Media Literacy
Over the past week, students have begun working on their keyboarding skills. For 4th and 5th-grade students, we have used the program Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Since they have already learned to correct posture and fingering, the program allows them to review their skills and increase their accuracy and speed. Third-grade students have been working on worksheets from the Herzog keyboarding program, which takes them through the alphabet from A-Z. After they have learned the fingering for all of the letters, they too will be working with Mavis Beacon.
Students will also be in the library this week to work on their book-finding skills. After reviewing where everything is found in the library, students were given a scavenger hunt to see if they could find the various resources around the room. Soon students will be working on research in the library and computer lab, so they will be well-prepared to find the resources they need.
P.E.
Over the past week, students have begun a unit on football, which we will be completing this week. We have focused on passing and receiving skills, passing between partners and small groups. This week they are working up to team-based games, finishing up this week with a version of touch football called Ultimate Football.
Classes that finish the football unit will be working together to finish the Scrabble relay, where teams work to build a word, running for 1 letter at a time for their team.
Media Literacy
Over the past week, students have begun working on their keyboarding skills. For 4th and 5th-grade students, we have used the program Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Since they have already learned to correct posture and fingering, the program allows them to review their skills and increase their accuracy and speed. Third-grade students have been working on worksheets from the Herzog keyboarding program, which takes them through the alphabet from A-Z. After they have learned the fingering for all of the letters, they too will be working with Mavis Beacon.
Students will also be in the library this week to work on their book-finding skills. After reviewing where everything is found in the library, students were given a scavenger hunt to see if they could find the various resources around the room. Soon students will be working on research in the library and computer lab, so they will be well-prepared to find the resources they need.
P.E.
Over the past week, students have begun a unit on football, which we will be completing this week. We have focused on passing and receiving skills, passing between partners and small groups. This week they are working up to team-based games, finishing up this week with a version of touch football called Ultimate Football.
Classes that finish the football unit will be working together to finish the Scrabble relay, where teams work to build a word, running for 1 letter at a time for their team.
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