October 2014

Friday (10/31/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked to complete their MAP testing.

Mrs. McVitte's and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on keyboarding. They worked towards their goal of 5 words per minute.

Mrs. Postema's class went to Laurel's of Carson to sing to the residents there.

Mr. O'Rourke's class worked on their keyboarding skills. They posted their scores on an online GoogleDoc.

Mrs. Nurenberg's, Mrs. Whaley's, and  Mrs. Joll's classes did not come to computer lab due to Halloween parties.

Thursday (10/30/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked to complete their MAP testing.
Ms. Beedy's class worked on their:

• About Me Prezi
• formatting text
• editing sentences
• Commented on three other workstation Prezis
• Began work on Moby Max (a CCSS aligned application designed to address specific academic needs of students)

 Mrs. Naessen's class worked on Moby Max. This helps students find and fix missing skills.
                                            
Mrs. Hollinshead's, Mrs. Parmenter's, and Mrs. Ferden's classes worked on clicking and dragging with this Count Us In site.

Ms. Snyder's class continued to work on their "Box Prezi" in which they brainstormed an item that would benefit all people.

Mrs. Baker's pre-school class continued in their learning about Forte, Piano, Largo, and Presto through various songs.

Wednesday (10/29/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked to complete their MAP testing.
Mrs. McVitte and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on their:

• About Me Prezi
• formatting text
• editing sentences
• Commented on three other workstation Prezis
• Began work on Moby Max (a CCSS aligned application designed to address specific academic needs of students)

Mrs. Postema's and Mr. O'Rourke's  classes earned a "Party" as their behavior earned them enough Dojo points.

 Mrs. Nurenberg's class worked on Moby Max. This helps students find and fix missing skills.

Tuesday (10/28/14):
Fourth grade:

• worked on treble clef notes by playing 7UP.
• reviewed multiplication tables
• made Veteran Day decorations

Fifth grade:

• finished their App tastic creation that they began yesterday
• made Veteran Day decorations

Ms. Beedy, Mrs. Naessen's, Mrs. Hollinshead's, Ms. Snyder's, Ms Ferden's, and Mrs. Paremtner's classes worked on Veteran Day songs: The Star Spangled Banner, This Land Is Your Land, You're A Grand Old Flag, God Bless America, and God Bless The U.S.A.

They also created a door commemorating Vets with: Give A Hand For Vets (Thank you!)
Each student made a hand that said: "thanks vets!"

Mrs. Baker's pre-school worked on:

• forte
• piano
• Lento
• Presto
• steady beat

through a variety of songs.



Monday (10/27/14):
Fourth grade:

• reviewed a steady beat, by playing "Concentration."
• reviewed computer commands by playing 7UP with commands
• ctrl P=print
• crtl O=open
• ctrl S=Save
• ctrl B=Bold
• ctrl U=Underline
• ctrl Z=Undo
• ctrl A=Select All

Fifth grade:

• learned the occupation of computer application development is very lucrative and growing
• learned the average revenue of popular apps today
• began initial stages of developing their own "app."

The following classes prepared for November 11th's Veteran's Day Assembly. They sang: The Star Spangled Banner, This Land Is Your Land, You're A Grand Old Flag, God Bless America, and God Bless The U.S.A.

• Mrs. McVitte's
• Mrs. Farlee's
• Mrs. Postema's
• Mr. O'Rourke's
• Mrs. Nurenberg's
• Mrs. Joll's

Friday (10/24/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked on NWEA MAP testing. There are four CCSS tests:

1. Language Arts
2. Reading
3. Math
4. Science

Mrs. McVitte's and Mrs. Farlee's classes earned enough Dojo points for a "Party."This is a special day for students to choose pre-approved educational sites for their lab time.

Mrs. Postema's and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes worked on keyboarding with Dance Mat Typing. Each week we track progress and reach different levels as we achieve word per minute goals.

Mr. O'Rourke's and Mrs. Joll's classes worked on their keyboarding skills. Each Friday they take timed tests, and post their scores on a Google Doc. This is easy assessment for students to monitor their progress.

Ms. Whaley's clas had a music lesson on dynamics. We learned that:

 means forte (or loud)

 means piano (or soft)

 presto means quickly

 lento means slowly

Thursday (10/23/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked on NWEA MAP testing. There are four CCSS tests:

1. Language Arts
2. Reading
3. Math
4. Science

Ms. Beedy's, Mrs. Hollinshead's, Ms. Snyder's,  and Mrs. Naessen's classes earned enough Dojo points to have a "Party." This is a special day for students to choose pre-approved educational sites for their lab time.

Ms. Ferden and Mrs. Parmenter's classes worked on mouse manipulation and letter recognition:

• http://kinderwebgames.com/a.html
• http://www.kindersite.org/directory/directoryframe.htm

Mrs. Baker's class chose to enjoy the beautiful outdoors and did not come to music today.

Wednesday (10/22/14):
No School (Professional Development)

Tuesday (10/21/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked on NWEA MAP testing. There are four CCSS tests:

1. Language Arts
2. Reading
3. Math
4. Science

Ms. Beedy's and Mrs. Naessen's classes worked more on the Patriotic songs that we will be performing at the Veteran's Day assembly, November 11, 2014.
We sang:

• This Land Is Your Land
• God Bless America
• Star Spangled Banner
• God Bless the USA
• You're A Grand Old Flag

Ms. Snyder's, Mrs. Hollinshead's, Mrs. Parmenter's, Ms. Ferden's, and Mrs. Baker's classes did the same as those above. We also compared and contrasted two of our songs with this video. We documented our thoughts on a class Popplet.

Monday (10/20/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade worked on NWEA MAP testing. There are four CCSS tests:

1. Language Arts
2. Reading
3. Math
4. Science

Mrs. Farlee's and Mrs. McVitte's classes worked more on the Patriotic songs that we will be performing at the Veteran's Day assembly, November 11, 2014.
We sang:

• This Land Is Your Land
• God Bless America
• Star Spangled Banner
• God Bless the USA
• You're A Grand Old Flag

Mr. O'Rourke's, Mrs. Jolls', Mrs. Postema's and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes did the same as those above. We also compared and contrasted two of our songs with this video. We documented our thoughts on a class Popplet.
Friday (10/17/14):
Fourth and Fifth grades worked on:

• Typing Web 
• Fourth grade works toward 15 words per minute
• Fifth grade works toward 20 words per minute
• Students posted their scores on a GoogleDoc
• Moby Max
• This CCSS aligned web resource addresses math deficiencies of individual students
• scores will be included in their report card
• Dojo points earned determined where remaining time is spent. Dojo points act as a currency for which web pages may be explored by each student. 

Ms. McVitte, Mrs. Farlee, Mrs. Postema, Mr. O'Rourke, Mrs. Nurenberg, Mrs. Jolls, and Ms. Whaley's classes all practiced songs that will be sung during the Veteran's Day Assembly, November 11, 2014.

Thursday (10/16/14):
Fourth grade worked on

• Typing Web 
• Fourth grade works toward 15 words per minute
• Students posted their scores on a GoogleDoc
• Moby Max
• This CCSS aligned web resource addresses math deficiencies of individual students
• scores will be included in their report card
• Dojo points earned determined where remaining class time would be spent

Fifth grade began work on NWEA (MAP) testing.

Ms. Beedy's class continued work on : "About Me" Prezi. Click this link to view an example of their project.

Mrs. Naessen's class discussed Cyber Safety with this link: http://www.netsmartzkids.org/MatchingAndPuzzles/PuzzlePalooza
They also chose different computer partners.

Ms. Ferden, Mrs. Hollinshead, and Mrs. Parementer's classes worked on keyboarding. They sang: "Keyboarding's Fun" with Mrs. V. They also sharpened their keyboarding skills with http://www.growing.course.com/level_K/type/index.html

Ms. Snyder's class continued work on their "Box" Prezi.

Mrs. Baker's class enjoyed Patriotic songs as they marched around the room, using rhythm instruments, and marching to the beat.

Wednesday (10/15/14):
Ms. Whaley's pre-school sang Hickety Bickety Bumble Bee. They practiced singing their names back to each other.

Mrs. Joll's class reviewed their Prezi's for completion, after enjoying a Patriotic Assembly about Salute The Soldier.

Mr. O'Rourke's class earned enough Dojo points to earn a Party Day. They were able to go to pre-approved web sites from Mrs. V's Tech page.

Mrs. Nurenberg's and Mrs. Postema's classes discussed Cyber Safety with this link: http://www.netsmartzkids.org/MatchingAndPuzzles/PuzzlePalooza
They also chose different computer partners.

Ms. McVitte's and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on their: "About Me" Prezi. Click the image below to view an example of their project.

Fourth grade worked on

• Typing Web 
• Fourth grade works toward 15 words per minute
• Students posted their scores on a GoogleDoc
• Moby Max
• This CCSS aligned web resource addresses math deficiencies of individual students
• scores will be included in their report card
• Dojo points earned determined where remaining 

Fifth grade began work on NWEA (MAP) testing.

Tuesday (10/14/14):
Fourth grade worked on

• Typing Web 
• Fourth grade works toward 15 words per minute
• Students posted their scores on a GoogleDoc
• Moby Max
• This CCSS aligned web resource addresses math deficiencies of individual students
• scores will be included in their report card
• Dojo points earned determined where remaining class time would be spent.

Fifth grade began work on NWEA (MAP) testing.

Mrs. Naessens, Ms. Snyder's, Mrs. Parmenter's, Ms. Ferden's, Mrs. Hollinshead's, and Ms. Beedy's classes worked on songs for the November 11 Veteran's Day Assembly.

Mrs. Baker's class worked on creating a steady beat by playing the game: Hickety Tickety Bumble Bee.

Monday (10/13/14):
Parent Teacher's Conferences and Professional Development

Friday (10/10/14):

Fourth and Fifth grade worked on:

• Typing Web 
• Fifth grade works toward 20 words per minute
• Fourth grade works toward 15 words per minute
• Each class posted their scores on a GoogleDoc
• Moby Max
• This CCSS aligned web resource addresses math deficiencies of individual students
• scores will be included in their report card
• Dojo points earned determined where remaining class time would be spent.

Mrs. Farlee's and Mrs. McVitte's classes worked on their keyboarding skills too. They earned Dojo points.

Mrs. Postema's and Mrs. Nuternberg's classes worked on their keyboarding skills via Dance Mat Typing. 

Mr. O'Rourke's and Mrs. Joll's classes worked toward 10 words per minute (the third grade goal) and posted their scores on a GoogleDoc. Third graders learned that command W on Apple computers closes windows.

Thursday (10/9/14):
Fourth and Fifth grade celebrated their typing accomplishments by exploring: Fun Stuff (a web page specifically created for Carson City-Crystal students earning the privilege of free time online).

Mrs. Hollinshead's, Ms. Ferden's, and classes discussed Cyber Safety and visited:
http://www.abcya.com/cyber_five_internet_safety.htm
Then we practiced mouse manipulation with:

• http://resources.oswego.org/games/DogBone/gamebone.html
• http://www.abcya.com/one_hundred_number_chart_game.htm

Ms. Snyder's and Mrs. Parmenter's classes didn't meet, due to a Fire Safety Assembly.

Mrs. Baker's class worked on songs with a steady beat. We tried to do the bear hunt, which emphasizes the steady beat, but our internet was too slow.


Wednesday (10/8/14):
Fourth grade:
Fourth grade:

• most finished and submitted Prezis
• most began
• Moby Max or
• Typing Web

Fifth grade:

• split their time between Typing Web and
• Moby Max (where they enhanced their math skills)

Ms. McVitte and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on their Prezi, and creating presentations about themselves.

Mrs. Postema and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes discussed Cyber Safety. One very effective resource was: http://www.brainpopjr.com/artsandtechnology/technology/internetsafety/

Mr. O'Rourke's and Mrs. Joll's classes worked on their: "Box" creations where they create something that benefits society as a whole. They brainstormed on Popplet what their "Box" would look like:

Mrs. Whaley's class worked on an abbreviated music lesson. They continued to explored music and steady beat. They sang:

• This Old Man
• If You're Happy

We discussed a story with sound words.



Tuesday (10/7/14):
Fourth grade:

• most finished and submitted Prezis
• most began
• Moby Max or
• Typing Web

Fifth grade:

• split their time between Typing Web and
• Moby Max (where they enhanced their math skills)

Ms. Beedy's class sang songs from this playlist:

Students reviewed Kodaly's Do, Re, Mi, with hand symbols. They practiced toned bells with,"Are You Sleeping?" (Frère Jacques) 

Mrs. Naessen's class sang October songs from this playlist:

Students practiced keeping a steady beat and playing with their part, on Aiken Drum. They created parts for their instruments on: "Shake Your Sillies Out." We discussed how music let's us demonstrate our understanding by creating sound. 

Ms. Ferden's, Mrs. Parmenter's, and Mrs. Hollinshead's and Mrs. Baker's classes sang:

• This Old Man
• You're A Grand Old Flag
• This Land Is Your Land
• If You're Happy

We discussed a story with sound words. We chose instruments to emphasize the sound words from our story.

All classes earned Dojo points.


Monday (10/6/14):

Fourth and Fifth grade classes had assemblies this morning, from Central Michigan Basketball players. They encouraged students to:

• Stay focused on school work
• Have a good work ethic
• Choose a healthy routine

Mrs. Farlee's and Mrs. McVitte's classes sang songs from this playlist:

Students reviewed Kodaly's Do, Re, Mi, with hand symbols. They practiced toned bells with,"Are You Sleeping?" (Frère Jacques) 

Mrs. Postema's and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes sang October songs from this playlist:

Students practiced keeping a steady beat and playing with their part, on Aiken Drum. They created parts for their instruments on: "Shake Your Sillies Out." We discussed how music let's us demonstrate our understanding by creating sound. 

Mrs. Jolls and Mr. O'Rourke's classes enjoyed this playlist:

They practiced solo parts, with Old MacDonald Had A Farm. Students accompanied peers with toned bells.

Friday (10/3/14):

Fifth grade posted their Typing Web scores. They earned free time on the web.

Fourth grade is

• editing and finishing up their Prezis, 
• submitting their Prezis online
• commenting on peer's Prezis

Some began work on Moby Max after they had completed their assignment.

Ms. McVitte's and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on keyboarding. Their lessons helped stretch them off home row and reach for letters above it.

Mrs. Postema's and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes worked on Dance Mat Typing. They begin their classes with the Home Row song.

Mr. O'Rourke's class worked on keyboarding. They posted their scores online.

Mrs. Whaley's class worked on keeping a steady beat.

Thursday (10/2/14):

Fifth grade celebrated their Lunar Lander completion by exploring Fun Stuff.

Fourth grade worked on calculating the last of

• accommodation costs
• travel costs
• attractions cost

They submitted their worksheet t Mrs. V for approval, and then documented their findings on Prezi. This Prezi will be submitted for grading upon completion.

Ms. Beedy's worked on their "About Me" Prezi. They worked on:

• formatting texts
• using the shift key to capitalize 
• using the period key for punctuation
• navigating through multiple menus

Mrs. Naessen's class logged onto Edmodo. They began a project in which Cyber Safety is discussed.

Mrs. Hollinshead, Mrs. Parmenter's, and Ms. Ferden's classes practiced mouse manipulation and menu navigation with decorating their cakes:

Ms. Snyder's class continued their work on their Prezi: The Box. They worked to describe something they would "create" to benefit their society.

Wednesday (10/1/14)

Fifth grade finished inserting their JPEG of the Lunar Lander to their Prezi. They submitted their Prezi. They worked on Common Core State Standards in Math on Moby Max.com

Fourth grade calculated:

• food costs
• flight costs
• accommodation costs
• total costs of their Dream Vacation

Ms. McVitte and Mrs. Farlee's classes worked on their "About Me" Prezi. They worked on:

• formatting texts
• using the shift key to capitalize 
• using the period key for punctuation
• navigating through multiple menus

Mr. O'Rourke's and Mrs. Joll's third grade classes worked on Edmodo. They are working on a collboarative project in which they brainstorm what they could make to benefit their community. If they had materials to make what they wished, 

• Who would it benefit?
• What would it do?
• Where would it work?
• When would it work?
• Why would it be helpful?
• How would it run?

They brainstormed on Popplet.com.

Mrs Postema's and Mrs. Nurenberg's classes logged onto Edmodo. They began a project in which Cyber Safety is discussed.

Mrs. Waley's class worked on singing with a steady beat. Their 15 minute class consisted of singing:

• Put Your Finger In The Air
• First We Wave
• If You're Happy

Then we went on "parade" and marched around the room to Stars and Stripes playing rhythm instruments.