I want to wish everyone a blessed and safe 4th of July!
Time with those we love and hold dear are like quick passing moments…we must cherish each one!
May we continue to seek the good~
Denise
A Glance Back at A Successful School Year
As many of schools are winding down for the school year, student energy is high, teacher energy low, it is important to look back, reflect and make notes on what worked and what did not, while your mind is still in “school” mode.
As an administrator, I find this is a helpful tool not only in regards to the building standard operating procedures, but in what worked in motivating my team or not. It is just important for an administrator to reflect as it is for a teacher, because it is in the exercise of being a reflective practitioner, do we continue to grow and challenge ourselves to higher standards.
When I was in the classroom, I would spend the last week of school with my students and the last week after they were gone, to spend a few minutes each day writing in a journal. I would reflect upon lessons taught, the differentiated tools utilized and next to each reflection, I would put IDEAS on how I could change it up for the following year to ensure more students’ needs were met.
I would spend time thinking about how I felt I impacted my building as a whole…did I contribute to the greater good, was I encouraging to those around me, did I spend most my time picking up versus putting down…This excercise helped me grow as a teacher and an individual.
Although it is easy to get caught up in trying to close down a building and get home to rejuvenate before it all begins again…in a matter of weeks…I encourage you all to pause, reflect and take a good look at how you made a difference this year in the life of a child.
To all the parents, children, teacher and administrators out there, our Unlock the Teacher team would like to say to you…”Job well done!”
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
Recommended summer reading:
“Reeasing the Imagination” by Maxine Greene
Filed under Curriculum Resources
Educational Online Resources Recommended byTeachers
Summer Resource Guide
Provided by the St. Regis School and Academy Faculty
Critical Thinking and all Core Subjects
www.iknowthat.com Critical thinking and activities in all core subjects
funbrain.com all sorts of educational fun
www.nick.com/ Nickelodeon/kid games
http://www.learninggamesforkids
http://students.discoveryeducation.com/ Digital media content aligned to state standards and common
Brain Builder Links
Grade 3 http://www.puzzles.com/projects/LogicProblemsArchive.html Logic Puzzles to Play Online or Print Out! http://www.neok12.com/ Educational Videos, Lessons, and Games: Covering all Subject Areas: Grades K-12 http://www.kidskonnect.com/ Kids Konnect: A Safe Internet Gateway for Kids http://www.sikids.com/ Sports Illustrated for Kids http://www.funbrain.com/kidscenter.html Cool Games for Kids: Searchable by Grade K-8 http://www.playkidsgames.com/ Games covering a Wide Variety of Subject Areas
Improve Study Skills
http://www.how-to-study.com/study-skills/en/index.asp Includes links to numerous articles about study skills
http://www.infoplease.com/homework/studyskills1.html
Includes helpful tips for effective note taking, test prep, writing essays, reading comprehension, and more
http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html Provides self-help information for improving one’s study skills
Grammar
www.eduplace.com/kids/hme/6_8/grammar/ www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games_vocab.htm www.ask.com/English+Grammar+Games www.funenglishgames.com/grammargames.html www.english-online.org.uk/games/gamezone2.htm – 21k www.harcourtschool.com/menus/preview/harcourt_language/grammar_park.ht
Grade 1 http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
Grade 3 www.abcya.com Grade level lessons in math and language arts. starfall.com a phonics practice website http://www.k12reader.com/why-read-20-minutes-a-day/ Read 20 minutes a day (at least)
Grades 6-8
www.sadlier-oxford.com For previews of the vocabulary units we use “Vocabulary Workshop – Level C” www.literacyworks.org/learningresources For activities in reading comprehension, vocabulary, and sequencing using real news stories, www.learn4good.com/kids/index.htmlanguage arts skill practice, be sure to click on the first tab –“Languages” http://languagearts.ppst.com power point presentations and practice games on grammar and literary terms.
Math
Grade 1
http://www.mathplayground.com/
Grade 3
www.fun4thebrain.com Math practice for grades k – 8.
www.gamequarium.com Practice more than 1,000 different math topics in grades
www.abcya.com Grade level lessons in math and language arts.
Grade 4
www.mathcafe.com Basic math practice and worksheets www.softschools.com Worksheets and practice of basic math facts www.math.umass.edu/diehl/mysteries.html Math mysteries www.brainquest.com Brain teasers www.onlinemathlearning.com Math learning http://edheads.org/ Logic puzzles www.aplusmath.com/games/index.html Math games K – 9
Grade 5
https://www.xtramath.org/ assess and track student’s basic math skills by grade level
www.ixl.com assess and track student’s basic math skills by grade level
http://www.mathplayground.com/ fun math games, puzzles, and videos
http://www.helpingwithmath.com math skills and worksheets based on Common Core Standards for Mathematics
http://www.mathsisfun.com math skill explanations, dictionary, worksheets, and puzzles
Grade 1-8
http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/Mathmagician/CATHYMATH.html
http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=12
http://www.aaamath.com/fra.html
http://www.visualfractions.com/
Religion
Grade 7
http://www.loyolapress.com/3-minute-retreats-daily-online-prayer.htm For a daily 3 minute retreat http://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/ 3433 Catholic Prayers for all needs http://www.usccb.org/ daily mass readings and many other resources from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
Science
Grade 1 http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
Grade 3
EARTH SCIENCE
http://www.scholastic.com/kids/weather/ Interactive Weather Maker
http://www.quia.com/custom/29main.html Earth’s Physical Features Games
http://earthguide.ucsd.edu/earthguide/diagrams/watercycle/ Water Cycle Animation
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.html EPA: Water Cycle Interactive Learning Experience
http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw/watertreatmentplant/flash/index.html EPA: Tour a Drinking Water Treatment Plant
LIFE SCIENCE
http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/htbw_main_page.html Kid’s Health: How the Body Works Videos and More!
PHYSICAL SCIENCE
http://www.edheads.org/activities/simple-machines/ Ed Heads: Simple Machine Interactive Learning Experience
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/states_of_matter/ States of Matter Activity
SPACE / TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE
http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/Weblessons/AsTheEarthTurns/default.htm
As the Earth Turns: Causes of Day and Night: Interactive Learning Experience
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/ess05.sci.ess.eiu.seasonsgame/
Earth in Motion: Causes of Seasons: Interactive Learning Experience
http://esminfo.prenhall.com/science/geoanimations/animations/01_EarthSun_E2.html
Earth’s Revolution Around the Sun and Seasons Interactive Animation
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html NASA Kids’ Club
http://moon.nightskyobserver.com/ Night Sky Observer: Moon Page
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/moon_phases/ Moon Phases Interactive Learning Experience
http://www.astrocentral.co.uk/starting.html Star Hopping Guide with Animations: Finding Constellations
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm Kid Astronomy: Facts about Planets, Moons, and other Objects in Space
http://stardate.org/ Current News and Information on Viewing the Night Sky
Grade 4
www.sciencekids.com/gamesactivities.html Science activities for Elementary levels
Grade 5
http://www.education.com/activity/fifth-grade/science/ hands-on activities that explore 5th grade science topics – plus other subjects as well http://www.chem4kids.com/ basic chemistry information and activities http://www.kidsgeo.com/ geology topics and games and other science topics Star Walk app for iPad – awesome interactive, astronomy guide
http://www.brainpop.com animated educational site – all subjects also – subscription required
http://science.discovery.com/interactives/literacy/newton/media/newtonfinal415.swf fun presentation on Newton’s laws of motion
Grade 7
http://www.all-science-fair-projects.com/ http://scienceclub.org/scifair.html http://www.sciencebob.com/sciencefair/ideas.php http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities.html
Grade 8
http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/carousel.html Amusement Park Physics
http://zonalandeducation.com/contents/contents.html Zona Land Education
http://www.neok12.com/ Educational Videos, lessons, and games
http://illuminations.nctm.org/LessonDetail.aspx?id=L639 Make your own cool Tetrahedral Kite
http://www.khanacademy.org/ Khan Academy is your friend!
Social Studies
Grade 1 www.Kids.nationalgeographic.com/ Kid’s games, animals, pictures, stories
www.bensguide.gpo.gov/ U. S. Government web sites for kids
http://bensguide.gpo.gov/ US government websites for kids
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/ Kids games, animals, pictures, and stories
Grade 3
http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/michigan/ Information on Michigan’s Native American Tribes
http://www.historyglobe.com/jamestown/ Jamestown Interactive Online Adventure
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/interactiveadventures/john-smith/
National Geographic for Kids: On the Trail of Captain John Smith Online Adventure
http://www.americancivilwar.com/civil.html Information on the Civil War
http://www.civilwar.com/component/option,com_battlemap/ Interactive Civil War Battle Map
http://www.coolmath-games.com/lemonade/ Economics: Lemonade Stand Game
http://www.coolmath-games.com/0-coffee-shop/index.html Economics: Coffee Shop Game
Grade 5
http://www.educationalrap.com core subject area topics presented in rap songs – Redcoats vs. Rebels is great!
http://www.kids.gov/k_5/k_5_social.shtml
view the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights; excellent resource for 5th grade S.S. topics
Grade 6
http://games.pppst.com/socialstudies.html
http://www.softschools.com/social_studies/
Grade 8
Colonial Williamsburg
http://www.history.org/almanack/tourTheTown/index.cfm http://www.history.org/history/fife&drum/about.cfm http://www.history.org/history/fife&drum/redregimentals.cfm http://www.history.org/Almanack/life/index.cfm http://www.history.org/Almanack/places/index.cfm
Revolutionary War
http://www.ushistory.org/march/phila/background.htm
http://school.discoveryeducation.com/lessonplans/programs/therevolutionarywar/q.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/10966/index.html
http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/religion/rel03.html
War of 1812
http://miwar1812.weebly.com/games–activities.html
http://www.asailorslifeforme.org/
http://www.aacps.org/aacps/boe/INSTR/CURR/comed/es/webquest/1812/indexjh.html
http://www.usd281.com/warof1812/index.html
http://www.ehow.com/info_8033481_civil-war-camps-kids.html
http://www.ehow.com/video_4874464_civil-war-costumes.html
Civil War
http://www.ehow.com/way_5261035_civil-war-activities-middle-school.html
http://www.shermansmarch.org/index.html
http://www.neok12.com/quiz/CIVWAR04
http://www.kidskonnect.com/subject-index/16-history/264-civil-war.html
Spanish
Grades JK-5
http://www.homeeducationresources.com/FREEspanish.htm
This website has many basic topic worksheets. Great for all students. Parents can help younger students with worksheets.
http://www.quia.com/shared/spanish/
This website is a search engine for games made by teachers around the country. One can search for any topics covered in Spanish. Great for all students. Parents would need to help their younger children navigate the site.
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_for_children Games on many topics http://sracaldwell.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/file/view/The-10-Best-Spanish-Websites-for-Kids-12.pdf
This is a pdf file that has active links to many other sites broken down by level.
http://www.kidsspeakspanish.org/esp_Songs.shtml This website has fun songs that students can sing along with. Great for JK – 3rd grade.
http://www.spanishtown.ca/spanishforkids/spanishforkids.htm Great for 1st – 4th grade students. Covers basic concepts. http://www.abcteach.com/directory/languages/spanish/ Great for 1st – 5th grade students. Parents may need to help younger students navigate site. Many different topics covered by worksheets
This website has a plethora of topics. One can choose Pronunciation, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Verb drills. Pronunciation would be great for middle school students. Grammar would be great for 4th – 8th grade students. Vocabulary would be great for 4th -8th grade students to review and expand their word knowledge. Verb drills would be great for 4th -8th grade students to review and expand their verb knowledge. http://www.spanish.bz/learn-spanish.htm
The topics are found at the bottom of the page. There are many topics. Great for middle school students and grades 4 and 5. They are presented in a lesson format: instruction – worksheet – quiz.
Grades 6-8
www.classzone.com (click on our Avancemos book) www.spanishspanish.com
http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.html http://www.digitaldialects.com/Spanish.htm http://www.literacycenter.net/lessonview_es.php# http://www.quia.com/shared/spanish/
From the Media Center
Local Libraries Bloomfield Township Public Library hosts summer reading programs for all age levels. Print titles are available through the children and youth departments and eBooks are available through their web portal.
Bloomfield Township Public Library: http://www.btpl.org/
Getting Started with eBooks: http://www.btpl.org/node/5312
Baldwin Public Library hosts summer reading programs for all age levels. Print titles are available through their children and youth departments and eBooks and eAudio books can be accessed online.
Baldwin Public Library: http://www.baldwinlib.org/
Baldwin Virtual Services: http://www.baldwinlib.org/eBooks/
Religious Books and Media Christian books are available through this site and are grouped according to age.
For kids: http://www.christianbook.com/kids
For tweens: http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_sp?sp=102367
Caldecott Medal and Honor Books Awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecotthonors/caldecottmedal
Newberry Medal and Honor Books Awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal
Reading/Writing Websites for Kids Great Websites for Kids is sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children and provides engaging links to a variety of subjects for all grade levels: http://gws.ala.org/
Book Adventure from Sylvan Learning: http://www.bookadventure.com/Home.aspx
Interactive Writing Games: http://www.funenglishgames.com/writinggames.html
Educational Apps
Reading and literacy come in a variety of platforms, and educational apps are on the rise. Parental discretion is advised when choosing an appropriate educational app for your child. Here are a few links to get you started.
Best Kids Apps (select age):http://www.bestkidsapps.com/category/ages-5-8/
Scholastic Apps: http://www.scholastic.com/apps/
Apple in Education: http://www.apple.com/education/apps/
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things~
Denise
Please note, we would love to share your favorite educational app or website. Just send us an email or leave on our “comments” here and we will be happy to share it with our readers. When we all share the good in education, we all win!
Science, Social Studies and Brain Building Sites to Enhance Classroom Instruction
The sites below were given by a 3rd grade teacher at St. Regis Catholic School, when asked what were some sites she utilized in the classroom to enhance instruction. These sites are user-friendly, age appropriate for a variety of ages and can be used at home too! Please enjoy and if you have a favorite site that you use within your classroom or at home, please share…together we can make a difference!
Science Links
EARTH SCIENCE
Interactive Weather Maker
Earth’s Physical Features Games
Water Cycle Animation
EPA: Water Cycle Interactive Learning Experience
EPA: Tour a Drinking Water Treatment Plant
LIFE SCIENCE
Kid’s Health: How the Body Works Videos and More!
Ed Heads: Simple Machine Interactive Learning Experience
States of Matter Activity
SPACE / TECHNOLOGY SCIENCE
As the Earth Turns: Causes of Day and Night: Interactive Learning Experience
Earth in Motion: Causes of Seasons: Interactive Learning Experience
Earth’s Revolution Around the Sun and Seasons Interactive Animation
NASA Kids’ Club
Night Sky Observer: Moon Page
Moon Phases Interactive Learning Experience
Star Hopping Guide with Animations: Finding Constellations
Kid Astronomy: Facts about Planets, Moons, and other Objects in Space
Current News and Information on Viewing the Night Sky
Social Studies Links
Information on Michigan’s Native American Tribes
Jamestown Interactive Online Adventure
National Geographic for Kids: On the Trail of Captain John Smith Online Adventure
Information on the Civil War
Interactive Civil War Battle Map
Economics: Lemonade Stand Game
Economics: Coffee Shop Game
Brain Builder Links
Logic Puzzles to Play Online or Print Out!
Educational Videos, Lessons, and Games: Covering all Subject Areas: Grades K-12
Kids Konnect: A Safe Internet Gateway for Kids
Sports Illustrated for Kids
Cool Games for Kids: Searchable by Grade K-8
Games covering a Wide Variety of Subject Areas
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
“Little Fish in a Big Pond” Written by an 8th Grader and an Inspiration to us All
I am thrilled that a parent of a former student and an 8th grader who is now a published author of many poems, has sent us one of the latest published works for us to display here on our blog. Congratulation J’Laina on your recent success and we think you are an inspiration to students and adults alike!
May we ALL continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Little Fish in a Big Pond
Written by: J’Laina Brown
(c) 2012
As I prepare to leave what once was familiar and safe,
I now find myself in a big unfamiliar place.
The security I once knew,
has become something that I must bid a final adieu.
I feel so small in such a big school;
however, I know I’m equipped with the most important tool.
I was once a big fish,
now it seems as if I fit in a Petri dish.
To me it seems so surreal,
but I know that I have no choice but to deal.
I have to assimilate to my new pond,
By saying good-bye and breaking a familiar bond.
How quickly I’ll have to swim and learn,
the new place and the trust of new friends I hope to earn.
I’m both sad and curious, but
becoming a big fish is serious.
I’m a little fish in a big pond.
Making waves and exiting with leaps for the great beyond.
I hope that my little friends miss me like I will them,
we can always get together and sing our old school hymn.
Filed under Student Writing Submissions
Educational Websites to Utilize in the Classroom for Grades 4-12
At a recent principal’s meeting, the Web 2.0 presenter showcased some fabulous online resources that any 21st century educator could utilize to enhance classroom instruction.
This site includes multimedia components and visual displays for presentations. *Very user-friendly.
Present information to students integrating a multimedia format.
Identify real-life connections between words and their use. *This is a great tool…words with videos!
This is a site where students can retell stories to demonstrate an understanding of concepts.
This is an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G site for teachers to utilize really grades 2 on up. Students can create animated cartoon strips by utilizing a combination of drawing, dictating and writing to narrate a single event or several loosely linked events. This site also has a homework component…great vocabulary builder and speaks to the visual learner.
Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings or events in a story or drama. *neat site
Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Great virtual dissects to utilize in class with students.
Draw on information from multiple print or digital sources to locate an answer to a question quickly or to solve a problem efficiently.
Add drawings to displays and stories.
This is just a few of the many resources available online.
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Themed Lessons Online for F-R-E-E…When we Share the Good in Education, we ALL Benefit
Given all the many online resources available to both educators and parents alike, one can spend a whole week educating our youth on days like today…President’s Day and answering the who, what, where and why questions that arise.
The Teacher’s Guide is a fabulous resource site, that provides lesson plans, tips on integrating technology, White Board lessons and so much more.
Hot Chalk is another amazing online resource. This site is broken down by Classroom, Community and Lesson Plans. One can even sign up for a free eNewsletter too.
A to Z Teacher Stuff is a neat site that has theme-based puzzles, lesson plans and great educational resources to utilize at home or in the classroom.
Education World is one of our favorite online resources. This site offers lessons broken down by discipline and has a wealth of lessons to choose from.
When we share the good in education, we all benefit!
May we continue to see knowledge in all things,
Denise
March is National Reading Month…Here are some Great Books to Review for Classroom Reading
A Collection of Recommended Books for Children Grades 1-3
GRADE 1
Agee, Jon – Milo’s Hat Trick
Bruchac, Joseph – How Chipmunk got his Stripes : A Tale of Bragging and Teasing
Choi, Yangsook – The Name Jar
Eastman, P. D. (Philip D.) – Are you my Mother?
Jenkins, Emily – Five Creatures
Johnson, Crockett – Harold and the Purple Crayon
Kellogg, Steven – A Penguin Pup for Pinkerton
Kimmel, Eric A – Anansi and the Magic Stick
LeSieg, Theo. – Ten Apples up on Top!
Long, Melinda – When Papa Snores
Look, Lenore – Henry’s First-Moon Birthday
Mayer, Mercer – There’s an Alligator Under my Bed (both my son and daughter loved this one 🙂
McCloskey, Robert – Make way for Ducklings
Middleton, Charlotte – Tabitha’s Terrifically Tough Tooth
Pattou, Edith – Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden
Piper, Watty – The Little Engine that Could
Rey, Margret – The Complete Adventures of Curious George
Rylant, Cynthia – The Great Gracie Chase : Stop that Dog!
Shaw, Nancy (Nancy E.) – Sheep in a Jeep
Showers, Paul – The Listening Walk
Smith, Charles R., Jr – Loki & Alex : The Adventures of a Dog and his Best Friend
Stevens, Janet – And the dish Ran Away with the Spoon
Stewart, Sarah – The Journey
Suen, Anastasia – Hamster Chase
Watt, Melanie – Leon the Chameleon
Wick, Walter – Walter Wick’s Optical Tricks
Winthrop, Elizabeth – Dumpy La Rue
Wood, Audrey – The Napping House
Wood, Audrey – Quick as a Cricket
Recommended authors for Grade 1
Eric Carl ; P. D. Eastman; Dr. Seuss; Kevin Henkes; Laura Joffe Numeroff; Rosemary Wells
Recommended Series for Grade 1
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin – Biscuit
Gantos, Jack – Rotten Ralph
Lobel, Arnold – Frog and Toad All Year
Minarik, Else Holmelund – Little Bear. Pictures by Maurice Sendak (A family favorite!)
Rey, H. A. (Hans Augusto) – Curious George
Rylant, Cynthia – Henry and Mudge
GRADE 2
Allard, Harry – Miss Nelson is Back
Allard, Harry – Miss Nelson is Missing!
Arnold, Tedd – No More Water in the Tub!
Arnold, Tedd – The Signmaker’s Assistant
Bercaw, Edna Coe – Halmoni’s Day
Brown, Jeff – Flat Stanley
Cannon, Janell – Stellaluna
Creech, Sharon – Fishing in the Air
Ehlert, Lois – Waiting for Wings
Finchler, Judy – Miss Malarkey Doesn’t Live in Room 10
Guarino, Deborah – Is Your Mama a llama?
Hale, Bruce – The Chameleon Wore Chartreuse
Kvasnosky, Laura McGee – Zelda and Ivy
Leedy, Loreen – Mapping Penny’s World
Lester, Helen – Tacky the Penguin
Markle, Sandra – Outside and Inside Dinosaurs
Palatini, Margie – The Web Files
Prelutsky, Jack – It’s Raining Pigs & Noodles : Poems
Seeger, Pete – Abiyoyo
Silverstein, Shel – The Giving Tree
Simont, Marc – The Stray Dog : From a True Story by Reiko Sassa
Wood, Audrey – King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub
Recommended series for Grade 2
Barrows, Annie – Ivy + Bean
Danziger, Paula – Amber Brown is not a Crayon
Gantos, Jack – Rotten Ralph
Hoban, Russell – Bedtime for Frances
Lobel, Arnold – Frog and Toad are Friends
McDonald, Megan – Judy Moody ( A funny series! 🙂 )
Meadows, Daisy – The Rainbow Magic Collection. Volume 1 , Books 1-4
Meddaugh, Susan – Martha Speaks
Minarik, Else Holmelund – Little Bear. Pictures by Maurice Sendak
Osborne, Mary Pope – Dinosaurs Before Dark
Parish, Peggy – Amelia Bedelia
Park, Barbara – Junie B. Jones and the stupid Smelly Bus
Preller, James – The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster
Rylant, Cynthia – Henry and Mudge
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman – Nate the Great
Zion, Gene – Harry, the Dirty Dog
Grade 3
Allard, Harry – Miss Nelson is Missing!
Artell, Mike – Petite Rouge : a Cajun Red Riding Hood
Barrett, Judi – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Blume, Judy – Freckle Juice
Cameron, Ann – The Stories Julian Tells
Cherry, Lynne – The Great Kapok Tree : A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest
Cole, Joanna – Bony-legs
Dahl, Roald – Fantastic Mr. Fox
Ernst, Lisa Campbell – Little Red Riding Hood : A Newfangled Prairie Tale
Etra, Jonathan – Aliens for Breakfast
Ferris, Jeri – Go Free or Die : A Story about Harriet Tubman
Ferris, Jeri – What are you Figuring Now?
Ferris, Jeri – Walking the Road to Freedom : A Story about Sojourner Truth
Fleming, Denise – Where Once there was a Wood
Frasier, Debra – Miss Alaineus : A Vocabulary Disaster
George, Jean Craighead – Look to the North : A Wolf Pup Diary
Giff, Patricia Reilly – Oh Boy, Boston!
Hopkins, Lee Bennett – Sports! Sports! Sports! : A Poetry Collection
Kline, Suzy – Horrible Harry and the Dungeon
Krull, Kathleen – Wilma Unlimited : How Wilma Rudolph became the World’s Fastest Woman
MacLachlan, Patricia – Sarah, Plain and Tall
McGill, Alice – Molly Bannaky
Polacco, Patricia – The Keeping Quilt
Polacco, Patricia – The Bee Tree
Robinson, Barbara – The Best School Year Ever
Rockwell, Thomas – How to Eat Fried Worms
Rodowsky, Colby F – Not my Dog
Seattle, Chief – Brother Eagle, Sister Sky : A Message from Chief Seattle
White, E. B. (Elwyn Brooks) – Charlotte’s wWb
Yolen, Jane – Letting Swift River Go
Recommended series for Grade 3
Adler, David A – Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
Dadey, Debbie – Monsters don’t Scuba Dive
Danziger, Paula – Amber Brown is not a Crayon
Landon, Lucinda – Meg Mackintosh and the Case of the Missing Babe Ruth Baseball : A Solve-it-Yourself Mystery
Osborne, Mary Pope – Dinosaurs before Dark
Peterson, John Lawrence – The Littles
Preller, James – The Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster
Roy, Ron – The Absent Author
Sachar, Louis – Marvin Redpost : Kidnapped at Birth?
Sharmat, Marjorie Weinman – Nate the Great
Sobol, Donald J. – Encyclopedia Brown- Boy Detective
Warner, Gertrude Chandler – The Boxcar Children
Recommended authors for Grade 3
Matt Christopher, Beverly Cleary, Barbara Cooney, Robert McCloskey, Patricia McKissack, Allen Say, Jon Scieszka, William Steig, and Chris Van Allsburg.
GRADE 4
Barasch, Lynne – Radio Rescue
Blume, Judy – Fudge-a-Mania
Coville, Bruce – My Teacher is an Alien
Dahl, Roald – James and the Giant Peach
Erickson, John R. – The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog
Howe, Deborah – Bunnicula : A Rabbit Tale of Mystery
Lowry, Lois – Anastasia Krupnik
MacLachlan, Patricia – Caleb’s Story
O’Brien, Patrick – The Hindenburg
O’Brien, Robert C – Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Richler, Mordecai – Jacob Two-Two meets the Hooded Fang
Sachar, Louis – Sideways Stories from Wayside School
St. George, Judith – So you want to be President?
Tang, Greg – The Grapes of Math : Mind Stretching Math Riddles
Thayer, Ernest Lawrence – Casey at the Bat
Recommended Series for Grade 4
Abbott, Tony – The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet
Gutman, Dan – Jim & Me : A Baseball Card Adventure
Gutman, Dan – My Weird School Daze!
Osborne, Mary Pope – Dinosaurs before Dark
Scieszka, Jon – Knights of the Kitchen Table
Snicket, Lemony – The Bad Beginning
Wilder, Laura Ingalls – Little House on the Prairie
Grade 5
■Avi – Never Mind! : A Twin Novel
Berlin, Eric – The Puzzling World of Winston Breen
Birdsall, Jeanne – The Penderwicks : A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Bosch, Pseudonymous – The Name of this Book is Secret
Broach, Elise – Masterpiece
Clements, Andrew – No Talking
Codell, Esme Raji – Vive la Paris
Davies, Nicola – Extreme Animals : The Toughest Creatures on Earth
Erdrich, Louise – The Birchbark House
Fleischman, Sid – Escape! The Story of the Great Houdini
Going, K. L. (Kelly L.) – The Liberation of Gabriel King
Gutman, Dan – The Kid who ran for President
Haven, Paul – Two Hot Dogs with Everything
Ibbotson, Eva – The Haunting of Granite Falls
Janeczko, Paul B – A Kick in the Head: an Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms
Juster, Norton – The Phantom Tollbooth
Lange, Karen E – 1607 : A New Look at Jamestown
Lowry, Lois – The Willoughbys
Mercado, Nancy E. – Tripping over the Lunch Lady : and other school stories
Park, Linda Sue – Project Mulberry : A Novel
Yue, Guo – Little Leap Forward : A Boy in Beijing
Educational Webinars from an Administrator Tool Kit to STEM Focused Schools
Educational Webinars
Great resources for teachers…
Administrator Tool Kit~As an administrator, you no doubt wear many hats and do many jobs. Given this, having the right tool for the right job is critical – not only can it make your job easier, but the right tool can help you accomplish tasks faster and often better. Join Steven Anderson @web20classroom as he shares his favorite, must-have Web tools for administrators.
http://simplek12.com/tlc/on-demand/administrator-communication-tools/
Cooking with Bill Nye~Watch Bill Nye boil water. Really. In the process, you may learn something about energy conservation that comes in handy next time you make pasta.
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/7761/preview/
Hurricanes~Video, Teacher Guide and so much more. This is a great tool!
http://www.pbs.org/teachers/connect/resources/506/preview/
A New Wave of STEM Focused Schools ~Register for this FREE webinar today!
A Fresh Look at Teaching the Diary of Anne Frank~ This webinar includes a complimentary teacher’s guide created with the Holocaust Education Organization Facing History & Ourselves and special Resources for Youth. We highly recommend this one! www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html
Helping Kids Understand Viruses and Vaccinations with Sid the Science Kid ~This free webinar provides information and strategies for helping students understand viruses and vaccinations. The website also offers a complimentary resource package. www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html
Exploring the Faces of America by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. www.pbs.org/teachers/webinar/archive.html
Media Literacy: 21st Century Skills All Students Need ~Frank Baker
www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/frank-baker-webinar.aspx
How to Promote a Learning-Receptive Emotional State ~Judy Willis
www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/judy-willis-brain-and-learning-webinar.aspx
Getting to “Got It!” ~Betty Garner
www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/betty-garner-webinar.aspx
Leading and Managing a Differentiated Classroom ~ Carol Tomlinson and Marcia Imbeau
www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/tomlinson-imbeau-webinar.aspx
Motivating Students to Achieve Their Highest Potential ~Judy Willis
www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars/judy-willis-brain-and-learning-webinar.aspx
School Administrators: Leading with Verizon Thinkfinity
http://www.community.thinkfinity.org
Think Quest Free Educational Webinars : check out Denise Hobb’s “Innovative Learning”
www.webinarreviews.org/thinkquest-free-educational-webinar/
Education Week (one of my personal favorites) offers many enlightening webinars. Check out “E-educators’ Evolving Skills”…talk about relevant!
www.edweek.org/ew/marketplace/webinars/webinars.html
American Statistical Association offers various webinars…currently hosting a K-12 “Meeting within a Meeting” for Science and Math Teachers
www.amstat.org/education/webinars/
Exploring Middle School MiddleWeb is a blog powered by Typepad. They are a promoter of 21st Century Learning and offer live and archived webinars. Check out the latest webinar: The National Middle School Association is teaming up with the NSF-funded Middle School Portal to offer “Free math and Science Webinars”…the goal was to not only make the training affordable but user-friendly; teachers could watch from home.
http://tln.typepad.com/middleweb/2009/05/free-math-science-webinars-for-teacher.html
OneNote and Education: This MSDN blog was created to have a dialog about OneNote and education, including sharing ideas, resources, and building community with teachers, students and faculty.
These favorite webinars are pulled from the following sites. We recommend these sites as great educational tools and resources:
- PBS Teachers
- ASCD
- Verizon’s Thinkfinity Website
If you have a great webinar to recommend or a site that is indeed a teacher resource, please share it here and we will check it out and give it a “shout”!
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Great Writing Website Resources for Writers Young and Old for 2012
The Key to Unlocking your Writing Potential...Dare to Dream~BIG!
Happy New Year! 2012 is sure to be a fabulous year chuck full of amazing new discoveries. If you are thinking of writing, like to write or have a child or classroom of students who like to write, here are some sites we recommend that provide advice on writing, pay for writing and stand as a good educational resource for writers young and old.
- Jane Friedmanfor ALL things writing (great tips and suggestions)
- “Promptly” Writer’s Digest Weekly Writing Prompt Contests
- Visit www.writersdigest.com …explore and great ideas
- TEEN INK~ www.teenink.com
- WeBook~ A resource for young writers~ http://www.webook.com
- KidPub~ A site written for kids by kids ~www.kidpub.com
- eBooks~ A site to publish and purchase eBooks ~www.ebooks.com
- Stone Soup~ A kid and teen site…written for kids by kids~ www.stonesoup.com
- A comparison on the various eBook formats http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_e-book_formats
- Suite 101~ An online magazine ~www.suite101.com
If you have a site that you like or follow an agent who is super fabulous and blogs about writing, please share. It is in this collaboration and sharing of knowledge that we all grow and learn.
May we continue to seek knowledge in all things,
Denise
Unlock the Teacher 