Friday, March 25, 2011

March 28 - April 1

Media Literacy

With Spring Break on the way, we're finishing up past projects so we can start fresh after the break. Third grade is finishing their Microsoft Word formatting projects, as well as polishing their keyboarding skills. Fourth graders are finishing up their dictionary assignments, and are also working on their typing. Fifth graders are nearly all completed with their iMovie projects on a favorite animal.

PE

We'll have fewer PE classes this week, with the early release days for conferences. For the classes that we have, students will continue what they started last week: running laps on the field. Students are training to improve their endurance and speed in preparation for going to the high school track later in the year.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

March 14 - March 18

Media Literacy

Since the last update, 3rd grade has worked more on their keyboarding skills, as well as their general computer skills (switching between programs, using menu commands, etc.). They are also learning more about formatting text in Microsoft Word, a project that they will continue this week. They are learning how to change the appearance of their typing, as well as add elements such as clip art.

Fourth graders have been learning more about how to use dictionaries quickly and easily. They have also had a basic introduction to the computer program they will use to take the MSP. This week, they are continuing to work on dictionary skills, as well as using other reference books such as encyclopedias.

Fifth graders have been working on their iMovie projects, downloading pictures of a favorite animal and arranging them with sounds, titles, and effects to create a multimedia presentation. They will hopefully complete these this week or early next week.

P.E.

We've finished up with hockey, and since then students have had a chance to practice some pitching and kicking skills for kickball, and pitching and hitting skills for Swedish Baseball (like kickball, but you hit a volleyball with your hand instead of kicking a playground ball). Most classes have also had a chance to play both games. If they haven't, they will this week.
After kickball, we're working on building students' cardio-respiratory endurance. They can run fast, but hopefully they'll be able to run farther after doing some intense workouts with jump ropes and interval running, where they must cover a set distance in times that get progressively shorter.