Saturday, March 29, 2014

How Do We Integrate Technology? Student View


Created with Haiku Deck, the free presentation app


Parents and Community Members visited with Proctor School students as they showcased their work and how we integrate technology into our curriculum.  Students very confidently gave examples of projects they have worked on this year.

A Special Thank You For A Job Well Done to Students Who Volunteered
Brendan, Tori, Kate, Caitlin, Kaylee, Cooper, Cally, Maddy, Emma, Molly, Olivia, and Uma
Using Apple TV to display our work on the smartboard.

Molly and Emma talk about Mystery Skype.

Cooper discusses The Hour of Code.

Maddy and Cally explain Pic Collage.

KidBlog is showcased by Olivia and Uma.

Students answer questions and share their knowledge of apps.

Mrs. O'Leary thanks everyone for coming.
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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Mystery Skype

Where Are you?
A Mystery Skype
Written by Reporter Ainsley
 
 
"We are ready when you are," typed Mrs. Klipfel.  On March 25, 2014, Mrs. Mehlin's class had their first mystery skype.  The first 10 minutes were mostly region questions, but look!  We have just received a very important piece of information:  They are in the southeast region.  They just asked us if we are in the northeast region.
This just in!
The people that we are skyping are in... North Carolina!  But the other school is getting close too. 
What's this?
We have a hesitation on the other side.  The other class is so close.  We are getting closer.  They are on the ocean, but not on the outer banks.  It's a back and forth battle about who's going to find out who first.  Right now it could be any one's game.
Let's check on our question data:  They have figured out we are in Topsfield!
The battle of the questions is almost over.  Another question bites the dust.  Alert!  5 minutes to go.  The time ticks down and we are buzzing with anticipation.
We discovered the name of their county.  ( They gave us a hint: it has four syllables) New Hanover.
In their own words, the manager said we did well and so did everyone else.
Our class couldn't have done it without everyone's help."
 
Wilmintgon, North Carolina
 
 

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205108307264683685567.0004f586fd468e4902e04&msa=0&ll=37.09024,-78.574219&spn=19.449432,43.286133&iwloc=A




Tweeting was going on as we skyped.







We were stumped when asked if white was the background color of our state flag.


Ainsley our Reporter.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Skype to Qatar

Sixth Grade Students visited Qatar.
 
Through a connection with 2 sixth graders from Proctor School, a family from the United States who are now living in Qatar spent time talking to us via Skype.  Lucy, the fifth grade daughter was very knowledgeable and made the visit engaging. 
 

View Proctor Elementary School in a larger map
 
 

What languages do you speak?  Many people speak English
What is your typical day like?  School is Sunday through Thursday
What is the climate like?  It gets very hot but we have a short winter.
Have you ever seen or heard violence in Qatar?  It is a safe place to live.
What other countries have you been to? What is your favorite? We travel to a snowy place to ski in winter.
What is school like? I go to an international school.  How long is a school day?  Much like yours.
What do you do on the weekend or in your spare time?  I like to swim.
Would you recommend visiting Qatar?  Yes
What are your favorite foods?  We have all the same fast food places as the USA even McDonalds







Friday, March 21, 2014

Text Features

Mrs. Boucher's Class has been working on Text Features.  After learning the types of text features, students worked in small groups to describe the importance of one of the text features.
How can using text features help you locate facts and answer questions?
 
 
 
Text Features from Mrs. Klipfel on Vimeo.
 
 
http://vimeo.com/89723126
 
 
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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Super Heroes

First Grade Super Heroes to the Rescue!
 
 In your opinion what is the best super power?
 
 
Super Payton
 
Super Devin
 
 
Super Natalie
Super Hadley
 
 
Super Liam
Super Avery
 
Super Bob
 
 
Super Bea
 
Super Ainsley
 
Super Chris
 
Super Harry
 
Super Stephanie
 
Super Kylie
 
Super Asha
 
 
Super Gavin
 
Super Ben
 
Super Jack
 
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Text Features QR Hunt

How can using text features help you locate facts and answer questions?
 
Bibliography      Bold Print      Bullets      Captions      Colored Words      Labeled Diagram      Fact Box      Footnote      Glossary      Graph      Heading      Illustration      Index      Italic Print      Map    Parentheses      Photograph      Pronunciation      Sidebar      Subheading      Table      Table of Contents      Time Line      Title
 
 
 Non-fiction text has special "signs" or features that help you make meaning of the text.
Grade 4 students this week went on a QR Hunt looking for text features.  Students worked collaboratively with a partner and first read the description of the text feature on a pirate themed card and then scanned the QR code to see an example of the text feature.  Using a clipboard and worksheet, students kept track of their answers.  When all 24 text features were discovered, students scanned the last QR code and checked their answers.

Quotes from students:
"Text features are right in your face to help you read."
"It was a lot of fun searching the library."
"They make the reading easier."
"Photographs are real pictures taken with a camera.  Illustrations are drawings."
"I think of my head when I think of heading and I think of my feet when I think of footnotes."


Students working together to discover the text feature.

Mrs. O'Leary watches as students scan the QR code to see an example of the text feature.


Can you tell what these text features are?
Read the description and then scan the QR code to see an example.

 

 
 

 
 What text feature is this?
 
 
 
 How does this text feature help you understand the text?

 


A special thank you to Mrs. Gilkison for the design of the QR Hunt Text Features.




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Friday, March 7, 2014

Mystery Skype


Guest bloggers Bella and Jolie had the job of photographer and reporter.

"Today in school after lunch Mrs. Kelleher's class traveled to the library for a special treat.  Mrs. Kelleher's class had the opportunity to mystery Skype with a class around the world.  The whole class was ecstatic to know their different job to figure out where the class we are skyping lives.  It's very suspenseful to find out where the other class lies on the earth.  We asked many astute questions.  In the library we have shared many giggles and have been starting little chats to figure everything out.  We figured out they are in Glen Allen, Virginia.  We also found the name of their school David Kaechele School.  It was an exciting experience for Mrs. Klelleher's class."


Students are asking thoughtful questions to help figure out where the other school is located.

Photographer at work!

Think Tank has questions ready!





Wednesday, March 5, 2014

World Read Aloud Day 2014



The non-profit LitWorld has designated the first Wednesday of March as World Read Aloud Day.  Steward School students celebrated today with three author skype visits.  It was such an exciting day in the library as we listened to stories read by authors from other parts of the country.





 

Ammi-Joan Paquette entertained Second Grade while reading Ghost in the House.
 
Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen had students snoring as she read Snoring Beauty to Grade 3 students.

 
All Aboard! Patricia Newman entertained K students with her reading of Jingle the Brass
 
We tweeted out during our skype visits and even got retweeted.
What a fun day we had while Reading Aloud.



 
It’s hard to imagine a more delightful holiday: “to celebrate the power of words and create a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people.” Never underestimate the power of reading aloud with your children.
On March 5, 2014 we raised our voices for every child's right to read. Over 78 countries participated in this global movement. Together we are changing the world. quoted from LitWorld
 

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss

Dr. Seuss has a Birthday!
 
Steward School students and teachers celebrated the birthday of Dr. Seuss on Friday with a morning assembly where our guest readers were introduced.  Each class escorted their reader back to their classroom for a Fun Reading Party.  This is always a fun time at Steward School.
 
Using the app Dr. Seuss Cat Cam to take some Dr. Seuss style pictures and the app animoto here is a snap shot of the morning.
 
 
 
 
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