Someone Else's Shoes - Developing Empathy

Paired up with a classmate, a sixth grade student is telling his partner about his situation based upon a character card. Then, his partner is practicing being empathetic as she was listening to his story. 

American Education Week Presentation

Mr. Lesser's 4th Grade students presented their Native American Project using Google Slides during American Education Week (November 18, 2015).

Reader's Theatre - A Fun and Effective Technique for Building Students' Fluency

Third grade students are performing with Reader's Theatre scripts for Johnny Appleseed.   

  

                                   

       Fourth grade students are participating in Reader's Theatre with the scripts for 

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story.

Gr. 3 students learned how to find information online using Destiny and KidRex

KidRex - Kid friendly Search Engine

                   Destiny OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog)

Kindergarten students are writing about how they can be good citizens.

It's a Fact: School Libraries Work!!!

John Schumacher November 11th, 2015

Librarians and libraries play a crucial role in schools. Across the country, the data is proof that a credentialed school librarian, collaboration and co-teaching, access to technology and large collection size all elevate student learning.

Here are highlights from the report:

1. When school librarian staffing is reduced, achievement in ELA suffers. A School Library Journal analysis found states that gained school librarian positions between 2005 and 2009 experienced larger increases and no decreases in National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) reading scores for 4th grade, while states that lost school librarians experienced smaller increases or decreases in reading scores.
2. Librarians play an integral role in teaching and supporting 21st-century skills. A South Carolina study commissioned by the South Carolina Association of School Librarians revealed that students were more likely to show strengths and less likely to show weaknesses on writing standards if their school libraries were staffed with a full-time librarian plus a full or part-time assistant.
3. Support of school librarians and libraries from school and district leaders is key. In fact, recent research has shown a strong relationship between test scores and the degree to which the principal values and supports the library media program. A research paper from Marietta, GA, details short and long term recommendations for school leaders to support and enhance student learning through high-quality library programs and certified staff.

Why Picture Books Are Important by Kathryn Otoshi

                                               

Here within the protective, nurturing folds of a children’s picturebook, our youngest member of the human race can ask questions about the challenges of life. Through our story’s characters -

 a tattered stuffed bear who is afraid of the dark; a tin soldier who has lost his way; or an outcast giant who finds acceptance through a little girl – our children learn about fear, separation, and exclusion, as well as courage, love  and hope.

Picture books are not only for our youngest readers. Teachers, parents, counselors, educators and organizations use them to engage, inspire, and motivate their audiences. We utilize story and metaphor to help explain big issues, like bullying, self-esteem, blended families, sibling rivalry and empathy. Stories allow us to experience different perspectives, outcomes, problems and unexpected solutions.

Regular story readings help us bond with our children. We, as adults, can immediately capture our youngster’s rapt attention by holding up a picture book in the air and calling out, “Storytime!” From our comfortable armchair we can quietly initiate our questions, while remaining the objective Reader of the Book. To read the rest of the article, please visit

 http://picturebookmonth.com/2015/11/why-picture-books-are-important-by-kathryn-otoshi/ 

Happy Halloween!

We had fun with numbers and letters...Inspired by Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

                                       
                                           

Highlights from Korean Language and Culture Club

                           Students wrote their names in Korean.
                                       

A 4th grade student is pronouncing 10 basic Korean vowels.

Yutnori (4 sticks game) is fun to play!

Global Trek

6th grade students are taking a virtual journey around the world using Scholastic's Global Trek website. The students read about the history and culture of the country they chose and write a travel journal online.

A 6th grade student is presenting her virtual journey to France with Google Slides.

Students are inserting images into their Google Slides.

Digital Citizenhip Week October 18-24, 2015

Be Part of the Team! Read!

Wonder of the Day: What's the difference between canoes and kayaks?

http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/whats-the-difference-between-canoes-and-kayaks

             Always be a little kinder than necessary. ~James Matthew Barrie~