John Green is a YA author and wrote "The fault in our stars". He is also a popular YouTube personality with the following YouTube channels: Crash Course, VlogBrothers, CGP Grey, and Mental Floss.
|
Bill Gates took the ice bucket challenge to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). He accepted Mark Zuckerberg’s challenge and nominated Elon Musk, Ryan Seacrest and Chris Anderson from TED to participate.
|
Here's information about ALS (also known as Loe Gehrig's Disease):
|
Interesting Sites
Are you bored? Then you should check out these cool websites...
|
Some of my favoritesHere are some of my favorite tools/websites to use for class and for my personal use...
|
Global Lives Malawi Compare and Contrast (G4)The fourth grade class compared their lives to a 13 year old girl named Edith in Malawi. Take a look at the magazine they put together describing what they learned:
|
Ancient Rome (G5)The fifth graders used Powtoon, a new web-based presentation tool that includes music and animation, for their Ancient Rome project. Powtoon brings a level of complexity and fun by introducing a timeline associated with each object in a presentation. The students were learning about Ancient Rome in history class. We asked them to come up with a question about Ancient Rome that they were really curious about and to find the answer. . This question was supposed to lead them to
another question (while researching the first question, what new questions did it
spawn?) The subsequent question could be
on the same topic or something completely different. Click here to see all the Ancient Rome projects. Below is Lily's:
|
Rain Forest Animals (G1)The first grade class did a research project on rain forest animals. They each created a slide on their animal.
|
ABC Book (G1)The first grade class worked together to create an ABC book for the junior kindergarten and kindergarten classes. For each letter in the alphabet, they selected a word, spelled it and used it in a sentence. They used Pixie to create it.
|
Happy Mother's Day (G1)The first grade class wrote a song to celebrate Mother's Day. First they listened to a blues song about a pencil (yes, a pencil). They discussed how they could use the same music and change the words. Then they brainstormed all of the things they love about their mothers. They grouped similar ideas and worked with wording until the lyrics fit the music. The children were very skilled at this and really understood the concept. Then they sang their song!
|
Earth Day Presentation (G3)The third grade class worked together to create an Earth Day presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint. Then they presented it at the Earth Day assembly.
|
Pivot Stickfigure Animation (G3)
The 3rd grade used Pivot Stickfigure Animator to learn how animation works. Here is Avery's animation:
|
Brenden, Movie Maker, 8th Grade Speech
In Brenden's 8th grade speech, he talks about his love of movie making and gives sage advice on the importance of planning before you make a movie.
|
Collaboration, what does it look like?
After six years of working with kids and computers, they can still surprise me with their ingenuity and out-of-the box thinking. I still remember six years ago when I asked students to work together in pairs on a project - one kid took control of the mouse and the other the keyboard. Yesterday I watched another innovative 3rd grade team work together on their Earth Day presentation:
Nevie & Grace working on their Earth Day presentation
|
My Font Poems (G3)Each student in 3rd grade created their own font set which they used to write a poem in Microsoft PowerPoint. Click here to see their fonts and click here to see their poems. Here's one that Charlotte made:
|
Travel Into History (G5)
The fifth grade students selected a topic about Ancient Greece, did research, and wrote a fictional account of their visit for an article. They took what they learned about Chroma Keying and layering images using Paint.NET and superimposed themselves at their landmark. This project was designed to teach students how to create and communicate information in a fun and imaginative way. Click here to see all the Travel Into History projects.
Greek Philosophers by Milo
One day, when I was eating Greek yogurt, something seemed strange. I looked into the yogurt, and it started to swirl. I took another bite, expecting nothing to happen, and was suddenly transported to an ancient Greek philosopher’s convention! I saw the date on the yogurt container. It was made in 479 B.C! That wasn’t Greek yogurt! It was ancient Greek yogurt! I looked around. There were very many philosophers. I had to explore.
As I looked around, I talked to a philosopher. He said his name was Socrates, and he immediately asked me “Why do you want to know my name?” I said I was just interested. “Why are you interested?” he asked. I responded “I don’t know.” Socrates said “Know thyself before you ask me anything.” I walked away. “It’s about time I start to look for another philosopher.”
I looked around. I saw many recognizable philosophers. There was Plato, Aristotle, and many more that I could mention. There were even some that I had never even heard of! I went up to some and they told me a lot of theories. Here are some memorable ones.
I walked up to a philosopher named Plato. He told me a great story about how we will never discover everything. Here’s how it went: There are three men in a dark cave. They are chained in place and cannot look at each other. But, they always talk. They see pictures passing their view and they give them names such as “dog,” or “tree.”
They love their life because nothing goes wrong and no one knows any other way. Although, one breaks free from the chains, and turns around. He realizes that the images passing are shadows of people holding up signs. Then, he goes out of the cave, and he realizes that there is an entire outside world! He runs back in to tell the others that are tied, but they don’t believe him, and they are still happy with their life, and the man who broke free is happy with his. I really enjoyed that story. It made me think about life.
I talked to Pythagoras. I had learned about him in mathematics, but I never knew he was a philosopher too. He told me a good way to lead a pure life, and always be the best person I can be, and said it would make me live forever. I doubted that, but what he said was memorable.
I went up to Aristotle. I had studied him before, so I told him that I had talked to his teacher, Plato. Aristotle mentioned how he tutored a good man, Alexander. He said that he predicted that Alexander would be a great conquerer some day. I almost laughed when he said that, but I kept it to myself. Anyways, he told me to use more observation in life than I normally do. I said, “I’ll try,” and walked away.
When I started to get bored, I realized that I was still stuck in ancient Greece, I thought for a while, and then I realized it! I would have to make yogurt in Greece! I talked to Aristotle about it, and he decided to help me. He lifted me up so I could reach the top of their sacred olive tree, and pick an olive. With that olive, he helped me make yogurt. I looked into the yogurt, and it swirled. I had a bite, and was transported back home!!! No time had passed!!! That was a strange experience for me, and I’m glad I could share it with you.
As I looked around, I talked to a philosopher. He said his name was Socrates, and he immediately asked me “Why do you want to know my name?” I said I was just interested. “Why are you interested?” he asked. I responded “I don’t know.” Socrates said “Know thyself before you ask me anything.” I walked away. “It’s about time I start to look for another philosopher.”
I looked around. I saw many recognizable philosophers. There was Plato, Aristotle, and many more that I could mention. There were even some that I had never even heard of! I went up to some and they told me a lot of theories. Here are some memorable ones.
I walked up to a philosopher named Plato. He told me a great story about how we will never discover everything. Here’s how it went: There are three men in a dark cave. They are chained in place and cannot look at each other. But, they always talk. They see pictures passing their view and they give them names such as “dog,” or “tree.”
They love their life because nothing goes wrong and no one knows any other way. Although, one breaks free from the chains, and turns around. He realizes that the images passing are shadows of people holding up signs. Then, he goes out of the cave, and he realizes that there is an entire outside world! He runs back in to tell the others that are tied, but they don’t believe him, and they are still happy with their life, and the man who broke free is happy with his. I really enjoyed that story. It made me think about life.
I talked to Pythagoras. I had learned about him in mathematics, but I never knew he was a philosopher too. He told me a good way to lead a pure life, and always be the best person I can be, and said it would make me live forever. I doubted that, but what he said was memorable.
I went up to Aristotle. I had studied him before, so I told him that I had talked to his teacher, Plato. Aristotle mentioned how he tutored a good man, Alexander. He said that he predicted that Alexander would be a great conquerer some day. I almost laughed when he said that, but I kept it to myself. Anyways, he told me to use more observation in life than I normally do. I said, “I’ll try,” and walked away.
When I started to get bored, I realized that I was still stuck in ancient Greece, I thought for a while, and then I realized it! I would have to make yogurt in Greece! I talked to Aristotle about it, and he decided to help me. He lifted me up so I could reach the top of their sacred olive tree, and pick an olive. With that olive, he helped me make yogurt. I looked into the yogurt, and it swirled. I had a bite, and was transported back home!!! No time had passed!!! That was a strange experience for me, and I’m glad I could share it with you.
Say Goodbye....
|
Chatterkids Spanish (G4)
The fourth grade Spanish class practiced their speaking skills using an iPad app called Chatterkids. Take a look at Ian's:
|
Haiku Deck Nouns (G3)
The third grade class did a vocabulary project using nouns. They used Haiku Deck to create a presentation. This app uses Creative Commons images to build presentations and even provides the citation information. Here's Ethan's:
|
Haiku Deck Verbs (G3)
The third grade class did a vocabulary project using verbs. They used Haiku Deck to create a presentation. This app uses Creative Commons images to build presentations and even provides the citation information. Here's Smith's:
|
Appalachian Trail Newscasts (G4)
Each fourth grader selected part of the Appalachian Trail to research and then created a newscast. Float over the following map below to see their videos. There is also an augmented reality version in the hallway outside the fourth grade room.
 |
Multiply with PowerPoint (G3)
The 3rd grade class demonstrated their knowledge of multiplication by doing a Microsoft PowerPoint project by creating an array. In this activity they learned how to group objects. Take a look at Maggie's. Click here to see the rest of them.
Chroma Key (G5)
The fifth grade class learned how to us Paint.net to superimpose their image onto another background. Lily's magical dragon is pretty amazing! Click here to see all the fifth grade chroma key photos.
Faces - PowerPoint Layered Objects (G4)
When objects (pictures, shapes, text boxes, WordArt, etc.) are added to a Microsoft Office document, they automatically stack in individual layers. You can see the stacking order when you overlap them. In this activity, the students learned to move objects from one layers to another. Grace created the face below. Click here to see all the fourth grade faces.
|
Plan A Trip (G4)
In conjunction with the Fourth Grade study of the US states in the northeast, the students planned a trip for their families to either Boston, MA, Philadelphia, PA, or New York City, New York. They used TripAdvisor to do the research and Microsoft Word to create a trip brochure. Here's Ally's tri-fold brochure on Boston, MA. Click here to see all the 4th Grade travel brochures.
Monster Adjectives Project (G2)
The Monster Adjective Project encourages the development of reading and writing skills with a particular focus on writing good descriptions. Using monsters as a vehicle, students exchange written descriptions and then recreate their partner's monster without ever looking at the "original drawing". I think you'll agree that Amanda and Evie did an excellent job. Click here to see all the 2nd grade monsters.
Amanda
|
The head is shaped like a heart. Inside it is turquoise. It is ziggy. The outline of the head is checker board and is white and turquoise. The eyes are magenta spots up near the curves of the heart. There are also eye brows. They are green.
No ears, but earrings that are magenta with turquoise spots. Almost by the eyes. The nose is light green and shaped like an L. It is under the eyes. The smile is red and it’s shaped like a smiley face and is Under the eyes. The head is the body floating in the air. Has no legs. The background is magenta bubbles behind the monster. |
Evie
|
Great Explorers (G4)
The fourth grade class is studying The Great Explorers in history class. They each chose an explorer to research. They used Microsoft PowerPoint and worked as a class to create this book.
|
Clip Art Vocabulary (G3)
The third grade class typed in their vocabulary words into Microsoft Word and then added appropriate clip art to go with it. Click here to see everyone's in the third grade.
Avery did a great job!
|
Adopted Grandparent Calendars (G3)
The third grade class used Microsoft PowerPoint to create a 2014 calendar for their adopted Grandparent at Dogwood Village. Click here to see all the calendars.
|
Shapes Free Explore (G1)
The first grade class learned how to use the Investigations Shapes software which is part of the math curriculum. They did an activity called Free Explore where they were free to explore the features of the tool and create whatever they wanted. Take a look at Andrew's creation:
Click to see all the 1st grade Shapes creations.
|
Shapes Quilt Square (G1)
In math class, the students designed their own quilt squares. Then they recreated their quilt squares in computer class using the Investigations in Math Shapes software. Here's one that Eoin made:
Click here to see all the 1st grade Quilt Squares.
|
Shapes Puzzle (G2)
The 2nd grade class used Investigations Shapes software
|
I'm Curious About... (G1)
The first grade is a very curious group. Nora is curious about space and this is what she learned:
Click to see what the other 1st Graders are curious about.
|
Healthy Plates (G1)
The first grade class learned about how to eat a balanced meal. Then they used Pixie to create a healthy plate. Here's Sophie's plate:
Click to see all the 1st grade healthy plates.
|
Word Clouds (G4)
The fourth grade described themselves by creating word clouds using a web app called Tagxedo. Here's one made by Reese.Click here to see all the fourth grade Word Clouds.
Click to see all the 4th grade word clouds.
|
Multiply with Microsoft PowerPoint (G4)
The 4th grade class demonstrated their understanding of multiplication by creating a Microsoft PowerPoint slide. They used the PowerPoint features group and copy and paste. Here's one that Braden created: Click here to see all the fourth grade Multiply with Powerpoint projects.
Click to see all the 4th grade multiply with PowerPoint projects.
|
Meet the Second Grade (G2)
Click to see all the 2nd Grade name plates.
Meet the Third Grade (G3)
Click to see all the third grade name plates.
Meet the Fourth Grade (G4)
Click to see all the 4th grade name plates.
|
Useful Links
|
