Mrs. Klipfel's Top Teaching Tips: Mehlin

Showing posts with label Mehlin. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Caribbean Islands

Students in Ms Mehlin's Fourth Grade Class have been researching the Caribbean Islands. Using the app Book Creator students worked collaboratively and cooperatively in small groups to write their own books. Book Creator allows students to begin the process on their individual iPad and when the group is ready they can combine books to finish the process.

In grade 4, students study the geography and people of the United States today. Students learn geography by addressing standards that emphasize political and physical geography and embed five major concepts: location, place, human interaction with the environment, movement, and regions. In addition, they learn about the geography and people of contemporary Mexico and Canada. Teachers may choose to teach the standards on the geography and social characteristics of the nations in Central America and the Caribbean Islands. The links below open on an iPad or iPhone using the app iBooks or Book Creator.
Be sure to check out the added features when you see the sound icon.

Click the link and click on Download.
Open in iBooks or Book Creator to hear all the Extras

Trinidad Barbados Cuba Dominican Republic Grenada Haiti Jamaica Puerto Rico

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.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

United States

Fourth Graders have worked all year on learning the regions of the United States. These students even produced a "Fifty States Pagent" for their parents which included sashes, hats, and flags made in our CLIC program.
The final project was to create a state report. Some classes used publisher and produced a trifold brochure from the prospective of the governor of the state. They were the governor.

Ms Scott helping edit a brochure

Other classes used publisher and created a multi page report.

Miss Mehlin's class used the app Scribble Press and created digital books. Click on the links below to read these fabulous nonfiction books.

add text and pictures

tools in scribble press

pages in book

Alabama by Jack

Arizona by Uma

Arkansas by Whitney Connecticut by Matthew Delaware by AJ Hawaii by Myles Kansas by Emily Kentucky by Kate Louisiana by Lexi Maryland by Michael Minnesota by Jennifer Montana by Ben New York by Grace North Dakota by Ella Ohio by Cooper Washington by Gage West Virgina by Robyn

Friday, April 26, 2013

How To...

How to Writing...
Miss Mehlin introduced How to Writing to her class. The students worked on a story board and created a plan of action. They brainstormed a description/topic, cause and effect, compare and contrast, and a problem/solution.
The major component was a time order/sequence section.
I shared some of the First Grade projects with her class and they then created their own educreations.

I have to admit I was getting hungry watching some of these. I might have to follow the directions and make chocoloate chip cookies or brownies soon.
While watching a few others I knew I could never do a nose grab or a hand spring even with their good directions.
Enjoy!