Paraphrasing

As students collaborate in order to create their glogs, they are having difficulty paraphrasing the nonfiction information they have on their self selected topics.  This is a common problem and a very important skill to learn.  Below is a Power Point Presentation that is helpful to learn various ways to paraphrase.

http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson1062/ParaphrasingPractice.pps

Glogster

Yesterday, we started to use a web 2.0 tool called Glogster, which is an interactive poster board.  We're using the education (EDU) branch of Glogster.  A glog is a great tool to use when you have text, pictures,  videos, and music to share.  Students are selecting an aspect of the American Revolution that they are interested in learning more about.  They can select to research the cause, a battle, a site, a person, a document, the aftermath...(They have to select a seed idea rather than a watermelon idea).  They will create a glog to share what they learned.  Students are not to use last names or post pictures or videos of themselves unless they have special permission from me and their parent/guardian(s).

Below is the login web address:
http://edu.glogster.com/login/

Nickname:
Studentname2018 (2 exceptions of 2018Studentname)
Password= the same password they have for everything else

This project is due on Thursday, December 23rd, although I will give extensions up to January 3rd.  (I'm not going to assign any homework over Winter Break).

Many teachers in SAU 16 have been using Glogster for the last couple of years.  They see it as a valuable learning tool.  Below are some examples of glogs made by fifth graders in Brentwood.

http://ls2009.edu.glogster.com/glog/

http://ccarley18.edu.glogster.com/coreen-montana/

http://bv2009.edu.glogster.com/glog-7293/

http://bv2009.edu.glogster.com/glog-3382/


As always, please contact me with any questions, comments, and/or concerns.  I want to work with you to help make you feel comfortable about the technology we're using this year.

Holiday Celebration

On Thursday, December 23rd, we will transform our classroom into an elegant restaurant.  All students should dress up for the occasion.  We will be serving Chinese Food, sparkling apple cider, and some sort of dessert.  I'm asking each student to bring in $10.00 to cover the cost of the food, paper/plastic products, beverages, and some decorations.

Students have drawn a secret New Year's Wish exchange partner.  They are to make a card to give their wish exchange partner on this day.  They have a planning sheet to help them prepare their cards with kind wishes.

I need two to four parents to help me by picking up the food, decorating, serving the food, and cleaning up on that day.  Please let me know if you're available and willing to help.

I'd also like to borrow two long table clothes and some candle holders if possible.

If you've already ordered and paid for a school lunch for that day- you will receive a credit to use for January.

Thanks!

Blogging Rules

5 Small Minion’s

Blogging Rules

http://kidblog.org/MsSmallsClass/

http://kidblog.org/Mssmallsinthehouse/

2010-2011

1.        I will not give out any information more personal than my first name nor will I post pictures of myself or my classmates.

2.        I will not reveal anyone else’s identity (other than first names) in my comments or in my posts.

3.        I will not plagiarize; instead I will expand on others’ ideas and give credit where it is due.

4.        I will use language appropriate for school.

5.        I will always respect my fellow students and their writing.

6.        I will only post pieces that I am comfortable with everyone seeing; other pieces I will keep as drafts.

7.        I will not be afraid to express my ideas, while not over generalizing or making derogatory remarks.

8.        I will use constructive/productive/purposeful criticism, supporting any idea, comment, or critique I have with evidence.

9.        I will only post comments that are meaningful and that contribute to the overall conversation.

10.     I will take my time when I write, using formal language (not text lingo), and I will try to spell everything correctly.

11.     I will not use my blog posts or comments as a chat room.

12.     I will not bully or provoke others in my blog posts or in my comments.

13.     I will never access another student’s account or make any changes to their site.

14.     I will be proactive in monitoring the comments that others leave on my blog.

15.     I will personalize my blog and keep my writing authentic, while taking responsibility for anything I add to my blog.

16.     I will use my blog as an extension of the classroom.

17.     I will only post photos which are school appropriate and are either not copyrighted or correctly cited.

18.     I will not spam (including, but not limited to meaningless messages, mass messages, and repetitive messages).

19.     I will only post comments on posts that I have fully read, rather than just skimmed.

Infractions of these rules will lead to the following logical consequences in order of severity and numbers of offense:

1. Warning by teacher.
2. Temporary loss of blogging privileges (duration of one month).
3. Permanent loss of blogging privileges.

I have read and understand the 5 Small Minion’s Blogging Rules.

____________________________________

Student Signature

____________________________________

Print name

____________________________________

Parent Signature

Adopted from the original agreement at: Academy of Discovery wiki

Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips

Today, Ms. Knightly enlightened me about some Electronic Field Trips that correspond to the fifth grade Social Studies curriculum.  I went to register for them and to my dismay found out that they cost $500.00.  I wrote an email asking if there were any scholarships available and New Hampshire Public Television provided us with one.  Our first field trip is tomorrow and it is on the Bill of Rights.  We're so lucky!

We'll write (or blog, if possible) thank you letters to New Hampshire Public Television too.

Unit 2 Math Test this Friday

Students will take the second unit math test on Friday.  They should be able to add, subtract, and multiply multiple digit numbers with and without decimals.  They should also be able to understand place value.

The following has been posted on my moodle website:

Unit 2 Math Packet was handed out on November 1st. It is due on the day of the Unit 2 Math Test which is Friday, November 19th.
Suggested Time line:
2.1- November 1st (cross out # 3, 4, & 5)
2.2- November 2nd
2.3- November 3rd
2.4- November 4th
2.5- November 5th
2.6- November 8th
2.7- November 9th
2.8- November 15th
Skip 2.9
2.10- November 16th
 

Personal Narratives

We've been reading and writing a lot of personal narratives.  I thought I'd share some of the minilessons I've taught students and hopefully they will incorporate the lessons into the piece of writing (personal narrative) that is due in the next couple of weeks as well as for the rest of their lives. 

 

Qualities of Good Writing:

·       Write a little seed story; don’t write all about the watermelon.

·       Zoom in so you tell the most important parts of the story.

·       Include true, exact details from the movie you have in your mind.

·       Begin with a strong lead—maybe actions, setting, dialogue, or a combination which creates a mood.

·       Make a strong ending—maybe use important actions, dialogue, images, and whole-story reminders that make a lasting impression.

·       Relive the episode as you write it.

Before Students Publish Their Blogs...

Before You Publish Your Blog...

(Revise and edit)

• Reread your blog out loud to make sure your sentences flow and everything makes sense
• Add details
• Delete words, sentences, and paragraphs that don’t have to do with your seed idea
• Use paragraphs
• Fix spelling errors
• Fix punctuation
• Check for proper capitalization
• Check for proper grammar use
• Create a captivating title

Blogging Information Session

I really appreciate all of the interest in wanting to learn more about blogging.  You're invited to an informational session immediately following Friends and Family Day (Tuesday, November 23rd) at 2:30. Tony Baldasaro (previous SAU 16 Assistant Superintendent) will be here to discuss what blogging is, why it is beneficial, and how it is safe.  He will also talk about the importance of creating digital citizens through 21st century learning and global collaboration.  We will meet in my classroom while students will be in a PE class.  They will be dismissed from the gym at 3:10.  Mrs. Switzer and Ms. Prince will be in attendance as well.  I hope to see you there.

As always, if you have any questions, comments, and concerns please set up an appointment with me.  Also, I'd love to help teach you how to blog. 

Good Readers Ask Questions While Reading

Today I introduced a new reading comprehension strategy.  Students should begin to mark the questions they ask, while reading, with sticky notes in their books.  They should also start writing about the questions they ask, while reading, in their reading responses.

Questions

• Thin questions are little questions that do not require a lot of thought and they get answered right away.
• Thick questions are bigger/deeper questions, that require a lot of thought, and they don’t get answered right away.

Additional Blog for Reading Responses

Every week students are to write a reading response to me on an additional blog, which is http://kidblog.org/Mssmallsinthehouse/ and it is closed to any visitors.  Only students and teachers can log onto this blog.  (You can log onto it using your child's user name and password).

While writing reading responses, students are learning how to write about their thinking of their reading as well as learning how to use the writing process.  I am focusing on the revision aspect of the writing process; however, I am also aware of the editing aspect too.

Below are some posts that I put on the new blog:

Reading Response Criteria

October 25, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

You are to write a letter to me telling me how things are going in your book. Essentially, this is a “what are you thinking?” response but addressed to me. Please be as thorough, detailed and clear as possible. Here are my expectations for this letter.
1) Your letter must be addressed to me, have the date and be signed by you.
2) Your letter must include the title, author and genre of the book you are reading.
3) Your letter must discuss your thinking about your reading.
4) Your letter must include words from the book when you give me examples of what’s happening in the book. Please include the page number, so you can find those words again.
5) Your letter should include how this book is affecting you.
Reading Responses will be assigned on Monday and due on Friday morning.  You are responsible to revise and edit your response during the week; however, your classmates and teachers can also help you revise your reading response by leaving you comments.

Comments

October 25, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

When writing comments, please leave one positive aspect of the writer’s reading response and one suggestion for revision or editing.
Revision suggestions:
-add details
-delete details
-move things around
-add required elements of reading response

Topics for your Reading Response

October 25, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

To describe your reaction to the book, you may include:

• Is the book just right, too difficult, or too easy?
• Why you chose the book
• How the author describes things
• How you like the author’s writing style and language
• Favorite part of the book
• Parts of the book you like or dislike
• Characters you like or dislike
• How does this book make you feel
• Something that made you laugh out loud
• Would you recommend the book?
• Why did you (or will you) abandon the book?
• What you do when you’re confused
• Favorite words
• What you like or dislike about the setting
• How you like the introduction
• What books do you look forward to reading
• Would you change anything in the book?

Teachers and students comments

October 29, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

If you post a draft of your reading response by Tuesday morning, I promise to read your reading response and give you a revision suggestion by Thursday at 3pm.
Also, every week, you are required to read one of your classmate’s reading responses and give one positive feedback as well as one constructive suggestion by Thursday morning.

Title of Posts

October 29, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

Please put the title of your book as well as the due date of the reading response on your post title.

Knucklehead 11/5/10

November 1, 2010 ~ 0 Comments       Edit this Post

November 1, 2010

Dear Ms. Small

I just read a personal narrative titled, “Halloween” in Jon Scieszka’s book, Knucklehead.  I know it’s a personal narrative because Jon Scieszka’s writing a story about his own childhood.  It’s hilarious, I laughed out loud on many occasions because Jon Scieszka used a lot of dry humor and great voice in his writing.

I had to monitor for meaning after I read an entire paragraph and knew it was a joke, but I didn’t get the joke.  Jon Scieszka wrote on page 45, “Sorry about that, Brian.”  I wondered what he was sorry about so I reread the paragraph and realized that Jon must have thrown his brother, Brian, off the porch one Halloween when Brian was dressed up as a ghost.  The ghost was one of the not too cool Halloween costumes in the Scieszka family.

As I was reading this personal narrative, it really reminded me how much I loved Halloween as a child.  (As an adult I despise it).  When Jon was describing that he and his five brothers had to share four Halloween costumes (that weren’t really cool) I was thinking of how lucky I was that my sisters and I never had to share Halloween costumes.  My mom would take us to the party store every year and we got to be whatever we wanted to be.  I can’t decide if my favorite costume was a ballerina or a Care Bear.  (I LOVED the Care Bears!)  (I don't like Halloween as an adult because the costumes cost a lot of money and instead of trick or treating, I have to give out candy…My students get wired on candy and can’t pay attention.  Also, I do not enjoy planning silly games).
Sincerely,
Ms. Small

Kidblog Student Safety Guidelines

Here are some guidelines for us (students) to use while we blog so we can be safe:
1) Only write 1st names (unless you're referring to a teacher).
2) Never write about when you are going to go on a vacation or when you will not be home for a period of time.
3) Don't write about anything too personal.  (Ask me what is appropriate and what is not).
4) Don't write about anything too physical (such as pushing someone down in a hockey game).
5)Never give out your address, town name, or SAU # (or name the streets you ride your bike on).
Teachers, administrators, and/or parents...please comment on this post to give us more safety suggestions!  Thanks!

Blogging Information

The following website offers a great introduction to what blogging is as well as its purpose:
http://prezi.com/wy_rbubyyrru/pedagogy-of-blogging/

The websites below give more great information:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8392653.stm

http://blogwalker.edublogs.org/2009/08/28/five-tips-for-helping-students-become-better-bloggers/

http://blogush.edublogs.org/2008/12/12/how-has-writing-for-a-world-wide-wide-audience-changed-the-way-you-write/

http://ideasandthoughts.org/2008/07/17/student-and-teacher-blogging-that-succeeds/

http://murcha.wordpress.com/2008/03/14/20-reasons-why-students-should-blog/

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech253.shtml

http://transleadership.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/blogging-4th-graders/ 

Here are some examples of class blogs:
http://classblogmeister.com/blog.php?blog_id=942351

http://afpcsurbantree.edublogs.org/ 

Kidblog Safety Information

Below is some information I got from the following website/blog:
http://www.blogtap.net/kidblog-a-free-blogging-platform-for-the-elementary-and-middle-school-classroom/
 

What about the Kidblog environment makes it safe for children?
Teachers have full administrative control over all comments, posts, and privacy settings. At Kidblog, the core element is the “class.” As the administrator of the class, teachers have the ability to preview and approve (or unapprove) content published by students (and other visitors, if allowed by their privacy settings).
Kidblog does not collect any personal information from students, making us a perfect choice for students under 13 (in accordance with COPPA guidelines). Furthermore, students are never subjected to advertising of any kind, so teachers can feel comfortable knowing that the publishing environment is free from unpredictable distractions.

SAU 16 Responsible Use Policy

EXETER SCHOOL BOARD / SAU 16             

RESPONSIBLE COMPUTER, NETWORK AND INTERNET USE                                                    

Overview

The Exeter School District provides its students and staff access to a multitude of technology resources.  The District believes that these resources provide incredible opportunities to enhance learning and improve communication within our community and with the global community beyond our campus.  The advantages of having access to these resources are far greater than any potential downside. However, with the privilege of access comes great responsibility for students, teachers, staff and families. SAU 16 expects all community members to exercise appropriate personal responsibility in their use of these resources. Our policies are intended to promote the most effective, safe, productive, and instructionally sound uses of networked information & communication tools.   The District makes every effort to protect its students from exposure to Internet materials that are harmful or explicit. The District maintains a system of Internet content filtering devices and software controls that meet federal standards established in the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).
 

Being a Digital Citizen
In The Exeter School District we use information and technology in safe, legal, and responsible ways. We embrace the following conditions or facets of being a digital citizen.

• Respect One's self. Users will select online names that are appropriate and will consider the information and images that are posted online.
• Respect Others. Users will refrain from using technologies to bully, tease or harass other people.
• Protect One's self and Others. Users will protect themselves and others by reporting abuse and not forwarding inappropriate materials or communications.
• Respect Intellectual Property. Users will suitably cite any and all use of websites, books, media, etc.
• Protect Intellectual Property. Users will request to use the software and media others produce.

Expectations
Responsible use of the District's technology resources is ethical, respectful, academically honest, and supportive of the school’s mission. Each computer user has the responsibility to respect every other person in our community and on the Internet. Digital storage and electronic devices used for school purposes will be treated as extensions of the physical school space.  Administrators, or their designees, may review files and communications (including electronic mail) to insure that users are using the system responsibly.  Users should not expect that files stored on servers or disks will be private.  Users also should understand that school servers regularly record Internet activity in log files that are available to the public under RSA 91-A: Access to Public Records and Meetings.

Some activities are expressly prohibited by law.  Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of network etiquette. The following guidelines are intended to clarify expectations for conduct, but they should not be construed as all-inclusive.

• Use of electronic devices should be consistent with the district's educational objectives, mission and curriculum.
• Transmission of any material in violation of any local, federal and state laws is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: copyrighted material, licensed material and threatening or obscene material.
• Intentional or unintentional use of computing resources to access or process, proxy sites, pornographic material, explicit text or files, or files dangerous to the integrity of the network is strictly prohibited.
• Software and/or services may not be installed or downloaded on school devices without prior approval of the Superintendent or designee.
• Use of computing resources for commercial activities, product advertisement or religious or political lobbying is prohibited.
• Users may be held personally and financially responsible for malicious or intentional damage done to network software, data, user accounts, hardware and/or unauthorized costs incurred.
• Files stored on district managed networks are the property of the school district and, as such, may be inspected at any time and should not be considered private.
• Materials published for electronic publication must be for educational purposes.  School administrators, teachers and staff may monitor these materials to ensure compliance with content standards. 

Policy Violations

The school reserves the right to refuse access to the Internet to anyone. Violating any portion of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including  temporary or permanent ban on computer or Internet use, suspension or dismissal from school, and/or legal action. The District may cooperate with law enforcement officers in investigations related to illegal activities conducted through its network. 

The RUP Passed!

Last night, the Kensington School Board passed the SAU 16 Responsible Use Policy (RUP).  We are so excited.  (Actually, I'm ecstatic). Today we started to blog on kidblog.org.  Your child has a username and password.  I have to approve all blogs and comments before they are publicly posted.

You can see how kids can now learn in school, at home, and anywhere in the world with the You Tube video a group of teachers and I made last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhcGI37KArQ

If you have any questions or comments or concerns (about anything) please come see me, email me, or call me so I can help your child have the best year possible.

THANKS!

Electronic Field Trip

Today we "went" on a fieldtrip to the North Cascades National Park to learn about the Climate Challenge. We even managed to connect on the phone line with a park ranger to ask the question, "Could climate change be good and bad?" but they told us that they were just looking for questions on glaciers at that point. We tried to call again but the phone lines were busy. The students were engaged, they learned a lot, and had some fun.

Below is the website for the North Cascades National Park where you and your family can find more information and play some games.

http://northcascadeseft.org/

We will be visiting the Golf Islands National Seashore in February and we hope to be able to ask a question live.

NECAPs

We have been working extremely hard preparing for the NECAP testing that begins this Thursday, October 7^th and ends on Tuesday, October 19^th. I’m impressed with how well every student has learned how to manage the stress of the test, tackle the “tricks” of the test makers, and assess their practice tests using rubrics. These strategies will help them in years to come with their future NECAPs, SATs, GREs, and so on.

It is essential for all students to get a lot of sleep each night; as a result, I will continue to not assign much homework. Please make sure your child gets a nutritious breakfast each morning. Also, please pack your child with balanced, healthy snacks and lunch (if applicable).

Makeup tests will be on Wednesday and Thursday, October 20^th and 21^st.

To celebrate the completion of the NECAPS and students hard work, we will have a pajama day on Friday, October 22^nd. During this day we will read and write independently, play math games, and partake in some team building activities.

If you have any questions, concerns, or comments please email me at rsmall@sau16.org or call the school at 772-5705.

Sail America: Social Studies and Literacy

Note-Taking Strategies

• Use short phrases, not complete sentences
• Use your own words
• Jot down only the most important ideas
• Don’t be overly concerned about handwriting, spelling, and punctuation
• Use initials and abbreviations
  

The purpose of Sail America is to learn:

• about Colonial America (the 13 Colonies)
• how to research (find information from the internet and books)
• how to use search engines
• how to cite sources
• how to highlight important information
• how to put information into your own words
• how to take notes
• how to make a power point presentation
• how to present

Monitoring for Meaning

Below is what we have been working on in reading this week. It applies to ALL readers!

When we get confused we need to:

Monitor for Meaning

1. Stop and think.

2. Go back and reread

3. Read ahead

Our comprehension breaks down because:

1. Our mind wanders

2. The text is difficult to understand

When we go back to reread, we go to the place where our comprehension stopped:

1. The last sentence

2. The last paragraph

3. The last page

4. The last chapter

5. The entire book

Reading....

Below are the posters we've made from some of our Reading Workshops. You can help your child become a better reader by using the same vocabulary and strategies at home that we use in school. Such as reading is thinking. Metacognition is thinking about your thinking. We read "just right" books. There are many ways we choose books. Also, it's okay to abandon books (within reason).

Studies show that fifth graders should read fifty books a year. It is also a fifth grade standard that students read various genres. I will be working with your child individually to set up a plan in order for him/her to be successful with reading about 50 books in various genres this year. Larger books count for more than one. (I don't want your child to select small books just for the count.) Magazines, newspapers, and reading online count towards books as well. I totally understand that every student is different and I want to work with you and your child to make him/her successful in pleasantly becoming a better reading. Please call, email, or come in with questions, comments, and concerns.

Reading is thinking!

Metacognition=

Thinking about your thinking

Choosing “Just Right” Books

Too easy:

• Not feeling challenged
• Don’t have to think
• Flying through the book
• You know every single word

Just Right:

• Not flying through it (reading too quickly)
• Not reading the book too slowly
• Read it at a good pace
• There are about 5 unknown words on each page
• It’s fun, you like it, it’s a good book
• You understand the sentences
• You have to stop and think once in awhile
• You make mind pictures
• The print isn’t too small or too big
• Not too many or too few pages—it’s a good length

Too difficult:

• You don’t understand it
• There are too many words you don’t know
• The print is too small
• Reading it very slowly
• You have to go back and reread too often
• You skip sentences too often
• You can’t focus—eyes skim through the words
• It’s too long
• Too many words
• Not interested

  Ways to Choose Books:

  · Look at the cover/inside jacket

  · Read the teaser/back of book

  · Read the first page or so

  · Read some of the middle

  · Browsed through the chapters

  · Make sure it’s “just right”

  · Favorite author

  · Part of a series

  · Sequel to a book we’ve read

  · Favorite genre

  · A friend recommends it

  · Interesting title

  · Great illustrations

  · New/popular book

  · Award winning

  · Read it before and loved it

  · Heard it read aloud

  · Watched the movie

  · Look at the Table of Contents

Why Readers Abandon Books

· It’s too difficult- you don’t understand it

· The book is boring

· You don’t like the genre

· The print is too small…too hard to read

· Too similar to another book

· It’s too repetitive

· Too much filler

· The book is too long

· It’s too easy

· It takes too long to get to the action

· Disappointing sequel

· It’s not fun to read

· It’s not what you though it would be

· It’s too short

· It’s too sad

· It’s too scary

· It keeps rambling on

· Expected something else from this author

· Don’t like the point of view

o 1^st person (I….)

o 2^nd person (you…)

o 3^rd person (he/she….)

· Found a better book

· Plot is too confusing

· Too many characters

· Not good for now but might go back to it