Some decoding strategies for emerging readers:
Friday, November 30, 2012
Christmas Around the World @ BYU
Today we went to see Christmas Around the World at BYU. It was a fantastic performance! I keep saying every field trip is my new favorite, but this one is definitely my NEW favorite one!
The folk dance department at BYU showcased the traditional dances of several different countries. There were also some fun music performances (with some very talented violinists). We even had front row seats on the floor!
If you can go see it, I would!!
November 30 - December 1, 2012
Days of the Week: Fri, Sat BYU Marriott Center
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604
801-422-2981
Hours of Operation: 7:30pm; Sat. Matinee 2:00pm
Price: $10 - $25
Days of the Week: Fri, Sat BYU Marriott Center
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84604
801-422-2981
Hours of Operation: 7:30pm; Sat. Matinee 2:00pm
Price: $10 - $25
Monday, November 26, 2012
Letters to Santa
DID YOU KNOW... If sent to this address by Dec 10th, you can get a REAL postmarked letter from the North Pole from the USPS?
Check it out!
Practice writing skills and letter formatting by having your child write a letter to Santa and actually get a postmarked letter in return!!
Check out this link for the info:
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Springville Art Museum
Last week we visited the beautiful Springville Art Museum! It was my first time going and I loved it! They have some great pieces there. The history of the museum is also pretty neat- it was started by Springville High School! It also has the largest collection of Russian Art in the country.
At the end of our tour, we got to go downstairs where they had neat origami projects for us to try, drawing stations set up, and blocks for the younger students.
The museum also has family night the first Monday of every month from 6p-8p.
The evening begins with an interesting and often interactive presentation
by a local artist. In the past we have had sculptor Korry Bird,
quilter Marsha Harward, illustrator Bryan Beaus, and even a comicstrip
artist Tod McAllister. The artist is followed by some form of
entertainment ranging from vocal broups to dance and even Karate
demonstrations. A hands-on art project led by the Museum's art
educators will inspire participants to explore their creative side. The
Museum will remain open until 8 pm, to allow visitors extra time to
walk through the galleries and enjoy the exhibitions currently on
display.
Check out this link to see a schedule of events happening at the museum, including free concerts!
Cool Apps and Even Better Website!
Check out these cool apps for teaching Social Studies concepts. They are fantastic!!
Also, try searching in iTunes for different concepts you are trying to teach and want extra resources for. For example, I typed in "Thanksgiving apps" and there are a TON of books and activities for free!
If your student is motivating by learning on an iPhone or iPad, download some free seasonal books! They can read the book, then ask them comprehension stories about what they read.
Basic comprehension questions (for new readers):
-Who were the characters in the story?
-What did they do? Why did they do it?
-Where did the story take place?
-When did the story happen?
-What happened in the beginning/middle/end?
-Tell me about the story.
Higher level comprehension questions:
(I pulled this from k12reader.com which is a FANTASTIC reading resource website. They have a lot of "how to" articles and great worksheets for practice in specific areas)
Students with poor reading comprehension skills may be able to answer
concrete questions or recall details. They can usually name characters
or places. But they may have a difficult time summarizing information,
or comparing one story to another, or using new information to reach new
conclusions. Making inferences, identifying the big picture or moral of
a story, distinguishing opinions from facts, or finding biases are also
skills very difficult – if not impossible – for the reader with poor
reading comprehension skills.
One of the goals of reading is to make new connections to our life
and world. Readers who can use higher order thinking not only show
knowledge and understanding of the text, they can put the information in
new contexts and form relations between ideas.
Parents can help their students develop higher order thinking skills
with a little sit-down time with their child. Review reading material
together and ask questions that help make connections and see
analogies. Rather than simply asking, “What was the story about?” also
ask “How was this story like another you have read?” Encourage the
reader to identify problems or dilemmas so they see themselves as
problem solvers.
Ask how a situation in the story or text could affect other
characters. This will help students develop empathy and understand
different viewpoints as well as consequences.
Help students think beyond the story by asking what could have been
done differently for a better outcome. This invites creative thinking
and problem solving – skills essential in a competitive market place.
Good reading comprehension skills do more than allow students to make
sense of what they read. By using higher order thinking skills they
can use new information to make help make sense of their world through
analysis, synthesis, and evaluation.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
NaNoWriMo Contest
November is National Novel Writing Month! (NaNoWriMo!)
NaNoWriMo.org sponsors a writing contest every November. Each writer sets a word goal for their novel. If you finish your goal by the end of November, they will publish it for you!! It doesn't get much cooler than this, folks.
It's not too late to start! Go to http://www.ywp.nanowrimo.org
I suggest going to the "resources" tab and "know how NaNoWriMo works". That will give you step-by-step instructions on how to get started.
Happy writing!
Save the Date!
You are invited to eSchool's
CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Who: All eSchool students! Come wearing red or green. (optional)
What: Come make crafts with us, Christmas carol, and eat yummy Christmas treats!
When: Tuesday December 11th from 1:00-3:00pm
Where: The PDC (Professional Development Center)
at the Provo School District Office located at 280 W 940 N in Provo
Parents, please see the link below to sign your child up for the crafts (so we know how many supplies to get) and goodies to bring. There will be four crafts total and they can sign up for TWO of them.
https://docs.google.com/
Also during our party, Mrs. Smith, our eSchool conselor, will be running the monthly Parent Advisory Committee meeting where you are invited to attend! Come discuss ideas with other parents for the best ways to teach your child at home!
Thanks for all you do!
We look forward to seeing you there!
CHRISTMAS PARTY!
Who: All eSchool students! Come wearing red or green. (optional)
What: Come make crafts with us, Christmas carol, and eat yummy Christmas treats!
When: Tuesday December 11th from 1:00-3:00pm
Where: The PDC (Professional Development Center)
at the Provo School District Office located at 280 W 940 N in Provo
Parents, please see the link below to sign your child up for the crafts (so we know how many supplies to get) and goodies to bring. There will be four crafts total and they can sign up for TWO of them.
https://docs.google.com/
Also during our party, Mrs. Smith, our eSchool conselor, will be running the monthly Parent Advisory Committee meeting where you are invited to attend! Come discuss ideas with other parents for the best ways to teach your child at home!
Thanks for all you do!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Tips for Motivating Online Learners
We went over some great things today in this month's Parent Advisory Committee meeting. One of those things was tips to motivate students learning primarily at home. If you're feeling frustrated because your child is "fighting" you on a certain subject they dislike, check out these ideas!
Motivation tips for online
learners
·
Be explicit in your plan and
goals for the day
·
Clearly communicate work/learning
expectations
·
Be as consistent as possible so
students know what to expect each day
·
Let them help you determine their
daily schedule. If they feel empowered and that their opinion is valued, they
will be more likely to care about the work they are doing
·
Provide choices (“You can do this
or this, but not doing it isn’t an option.”)
·
Figure out the best time of day
for them to work on the subject they’re not motivated to do, do it then
·
Break up challenging subjects
into “chunks” so students don’t feel overwhelmed with what they feel is the
most difficult (do quick “brain breaks”)
·
“Real world learning”
One of the greatest things about online learning is that you as the parent or learning coach is there every step of the way- you know what they are learning- so use it! Many times also if they are struggling with or don’t like a subject, if you show them the real world application of that subject they will start to respond.
Math: use what you’re learning to add up costs at the grocery store, measurements and fractions in baking, money practice with allowance, etc.
Reading/Language Arts: have your child read billboards and signs while you’re driving, the names of candy bars while you’re checking out at the grocery store, watch videos or clips from books they are reading about (works really well with nonfiction), etc.
Social studies: eat foods from the places you are learning about (you can Google recipes from anywhere), go on virtual field trips and show pictures/videos for the places you’re learning about, learn songs from another country, etc.
Science: experiment, experiment, experiment. Yes it takes some prep work, but it PAYS OFF! Science is SUPPOSED to be hands on
One of the greatest things about online learning is that you as the parent or learning coach is there every step of the way- you know what they are learning- so use it! Many times also if they are struggling with or don’t like a subject, if you show them the real world application of that subject they will start to respond.
Math: use what you’re learning to add up costs at the grocery store, measurements and fractions in baking, money practice with allowance, etc.
Reading/Language Arts: have your child read billboards and signs while you’re driving, the names of candy bars while you’re checking out at the grocery store, watch videos or clips from books they are reading about (works really well with nonfiction), etc.
Social studies: eat foods from the places you are learning about (you can Google recipes from anywhere), go on virtual field trips and show pictures/videos for the places you’re learning about, learn songs from another country, etc.
Science: experiment, experiment, experiment. Yes it takes some prep work, but it PAYS OFF! Science is SUPPOSED to be hands on
·
Let them become the “expert” in
something and teach you about it
·
Reward them and make a big deal
of it! (When they finish a unit, project, assessment, etc.) This could be as
simple as extra game or TV time, extra privileges, a special meal, outing for a
treat, stickers to add to a sticker chart, pie in the face for mom or dad, etc.
·
Get the teacher in on it! If your
child is struggling to get through something, let your teacher know so they can
provide extra support and encouragement
·
Praise, praise, praise! Students
LIVE for your positive feedback (even if they think they are way too cool for
it).
·
As the teacher, show enthusiasm
for what you’re teaching
·
Make sure they have their own
“nook” in the house to work uninterrupted
·
ATTEND CLASS CONNECT LESSONS
where they can interact with other students
·
Mix it up! If they always
practice writing or math the same way, try a new way!
· Relate their lessons to their LIVES (Whether it is budgeting for family Christmas gifts, choosing
short stories about your town, tying in the war of 1812 with Iraq, rapping
about ions, or using Pop Culture Printables, students will care more if they identify themselves or their
everyday lives in what they’re learning.
I love this site!!
www.readwritethink.org is a FANTASTIC website. One of my favorite features on the site is the student interactives.
The "story map" creator is an online and interactive story map that will help students develop their own stories (great for the NaNoWriMo contest!!). It walks them through character and plot development and they can print it when their done, to use as a reference while writing.
There is also a "comic creator" where students can create scenes with props and add captions. GREAT for writing practice!
I love both of these! Definitely check them out.
Cornstarch & Water experiment
Today in 3rd grade's class connect lesson, we learned about solids, liquids, and gases. No good science lesson is complete without a little experimenting...so we made OOBLECK! Oobleck is a cornstarch+water mixture that has properties of both solids and liquids. It entertained everyone at my house today...from my one year old daughter to my 19 year-old sister! I borrowed these directions from www.sciencebob.com
This may just be the easiest, messiest, and most fun science activity
I know. It is a classic, and I have gotten several requests recently to
post directions. You should know that if you try this activity and you
are not smiling and messy with corn starch goo at the end, then you are
definitely doing something wrong. Also keep in mind that this is not
just about fun, there is some pretty amazing science going on here.
You will need:
- Cornstarch (a 16 oz. box is good for every 2-3 participants – but more is always better)
- Water
- Food coloring (we always say it’s optional, but it does make it more fun – don’t use too much or you could end up with colored hands…and clothes…and curtains)
- A large bowl
- A camera – you’re probably going to want to take pictures.
Everyone should roll up their sleeves and prepare for some gooey fun.
- This is easy. Pour the cornstarch into the bowl. Don’t rush to add water – take time to feel the cornstarch. Cornstarch does not feel like any other powder. It has a texture that can be compared to that of whipped cream. The grains of cornstarch are so small that they will fill into grooves of your fingerprints and make the prints stand out.
- After you’ve taken-in the feel of the powder, it is time to add water. (You should add the food coloring to your water before adding it to the powder.) There are no exact formulas regarding how much water to add, but it will end up being about 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water per cup (235 ml) of cornstarch. The secret is to add the water slowly and mix as you add it. Don’t be shy here – dig in with your hands and really mix it up. This is usually when you notice that this is not your average liquid. Add enough water so that the mixture slowly flows on its own when mixed. The best test is to reach in and grab a handful of the mixture and see if you can roll it into a ball between your hands – if you stop rolling it and it “melts” between your fingers – success!
We’ll get the the science soon, for now just dig in and explore.
Notice that the goo does not splash (or even move) if you hit it
quickly. Squeeze it hard and see what happens. How long can you get the
strands of goo to drip? What happens if you let the goo sit on the table
for a minute and then try to pick it up? How does it feel? Hows does it
move? Try bouncing a ball on the surface of the cornstarch. You get the
idea – explore!
30 minutes later…
So now goo is everywhere and you’re thinking you should probably
start cleaning. Actual clean up of the goo is a snap. A bucket of warm
water will quickly get it off your hands. It will brush off of clothes
when it dries, and it is easily cleaned off surfaces with a wet rag. Important:
Make sure you do not dump the goo down the drain – it can get caught in
the drain trap and take the joy out of your day of science. Dump it in
the trash, or even mix it into soil in the garden.
Cornstarch grains under the microscope
Now for the science…
Our
cornstarch goo (sometimes referred to as “oobleck” from the Dr. Suess
book) is what scientists call a “Non-Newtonian” liquid. Basically, Sir
Issac Newton stated individual liquids flow at consistent, predictable
rates. As you likely discovered, cornstarch goo does NOT follow those
rules – it can act almost like a solid, and them flow like a liquid.
Technically speaking, the goo is a SUSPENSION, meaning that the grains
of starch are not dissolved, they are just suspended and spread out in
the water. If you let the goo sit for an while, the cornstarch would
settle to the bottom of the bowl.
So why does this concoction act the way it does? Most of it has to do
with pressure. The size, shape, and makeup of the cornstarch grains
causes the cornstarch to “lock-up” and hold its shape when pressure is
applied to it. People have filled small pools with oobleck and they are
able to walk across the surface of it (as long as they move quickly.) As
soon as they stop walking, they begin to sink.
I hope you get to try this out. Have fun exploring!
-Science Bob
Monday, November 12, 2012
Homeschooling ADHD children
Some of you may be struggling with teaching your child who is diagnosed "ADHD". The bottom line is, even though you may be ready to pull your hair out (there were times in the classroom I definitely was), they CAN learn and WILL learn, you just have to find what they respond to best. (That is true of most children anyway).
I found some GREAT resources on homeschooling children who are labeled "ADHD".
I think a lot of these ideas will also work well for ANY child, especially if they're experiencing a case of the wiggles.
10 tips for teaching ADHD children at home (from a mom who's done it): http://www.westfieldacademy.
Teaching your child based on their learning style:
Teaching your child based on their learning style:
http://www.additudemag.com/
Problems you may see and suggestions for how to improve them: http://www.homeschool-by-
Problems you may see and suggestions for how to improve them: http://www.homeschool-by-
Ideas for "brain breaks":
And this isn't really related, but I also thought it was good:
How to Help Overcome Speech-Language Difficulties in the Homeschooled Child:http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/021909.htm
Handwriting site
This is a cool handwriting site!
You can type your own words or sentences on the handwriting paper and then print them out! I'm sure they would enjoy practicing handwriting more if they got to make up their own sentences- especially if they were silly!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Thanksgiving Crafts
I love holiday crafts! Check out some of these cute crafts to do for Thanksgiving!
(as found on notimeforflashcards.com)
Thankful Garland
Foam Turkey Magnet
Stuffed Football Craft
Mosaic Indian Corn
Turkey Baster Painting
Thank You Handprint Wreath
Shape Scarecrow
Bubble Wrap Indian Corn
Thankful Box
Counting Turkey
Native American Headdress
Turkey Craft For Toddlers
Pumpkin Printing
Thanksgiving Sensory Tub
Candy Corn Math Tray
Shape Turkey Craft
Paper Plate Scarecrow
Fine Motor Turkey Craft
Marshmallow Indian Corn
Potato Print Turkey
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Foam Turkey Magnet
Stuffed Football Craft
Mosaic Indian Corn
Turkey Baster Painting
Thank You Handprint Wreath
Shape Scarecrow
Bubble Wrap Indian Corn
Thankful Box
Counting Turkey
Native American Headdress
Turkey Craft For Toddlers
Pumpkin Printing
Thanksgiving Sensory Tub
Candy Corn Math Tray
Shape Turkey Craft
Paper Plate Scarecrow
Fine Motor Turkey Craft
Marshmallow Indian Corn
Potato Print Turkey
Pilgrim Hat Cookies
Also check this activity out for teaching more about the 1st Thanksgiving.
Click the picture to see the activity.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Androcles & the Lion
Thanks to everyone who came and saw Androcles & the Lion with us today! It was fabulously done and I would recommend seeing it! The good news is...you still can!
Androcles & the Lion
November 1-17 7:30p
November 3, 10, 17 2:00p
Noorda Theatre @ UVU
To order tickets by phone, call 801-863-PLAY.
There is another play coming at UVU that looks just as good!
Los Zapatos Magicos de Pedro (Pedro's Magic Shoes)
This play is half in English, half in Spanish (though the entire thing is easily understood).
November 12 & 16 1:00p
November 1-17 7:30p
November 3, 10, 17 2:00p
Noorda Theatre @ UVU
To order tickets by phone, call 801-863-PLAY.
There is another play coming at UVU that looks just as good!
Los Zapatos Magicos de Pedro (Pedro's Magic Shoes)
This play is half in English, half in Spanish (though the entire thing is easily understood).
November 12 & 16 1:00p
Overall I've been SO impressed with all of the field trips we've been on. They have all been incredibly worth it! I hope to see more of you at our Springville Art Museum coming up on the 15th and BYU's Christmas Around the World on November 30th!
Halloween activities
Last week for Halloween we did several fun Halloween lessons!
4th graders wrote "painted sentences" after our lesson on adjectives and adverbs. Here is Dallin's!
"The beautiful witch stood straight behind her pink cauldron making ice cream on her birthday."
Rachel wrote, "The terrifying ugly witch stood crookedly behind her stained cauldron creating bubbling potions on Friday the 13th."
3rd graders wrote witch's brew poems. Check out Leon's poem!
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