Thalberg Students are Practicing Keyboarding Skills

Students in Grades 1 - 4 have been practicing their keyboarding skills.  They are working hard on keeping their fingers on the home row keys, while becoming accustomed to the placement of each letter on the keyboard.  

The Home Row Keys

"QWERTY-home-keys-position" by Cy21 - Own work. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:QWERTY-home-keys-position.svg#/media/File:QWERTY-home-keys-position.svg

This has been difficult for many students who would prefer to "hunt and peck" for each key with just their pointer finger.  However, by utilizing the proper finger placement, their typing will become quicker and more accurate.  This is something that you can encourage at home when they are on the computer.

First grade students have been using Dance Mat Typing.  This is a game they can play at home, as well.  Here are some first graders working on their keyboarding skills.

Students in Grades 2-4 have been working with Type to Learn 4.  This can be downloaded on your computer at home for free.  For instructions and the access code, please email me at jgrodzicki@southingtonschools.org

Keep up the great keyboarding work!

Book Reviews Written by Students

Evaluating literature and sharing your opinion with others is an important part of Southington Public School's Elementary Technology Curriculum.  In Media Skills class, fifth graders are working on how to write polished book reviews.  This is something we will work on throughout the year.  This week, fifth graders each posted a book review of a favorite book on Scholastic's website.  This is a great place for students to write their own reviews and read reviews written by other students from around the country.  You can check out their reviews and more by clicking this link.      

Fantastic Book Friday

One of my favorite books that I read over the summer was The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate.  Inspired by a true story, this emotional novel tells the tale of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who lives in a cage at the Big Top Mall. Ivan has friends at the mall, an elephant named Stella, a dog named Bob, and a little girl named Julia.  They perform for humans every day of the year.  While Ivan has resigned himself to his life at the mall, he is not entirely happy.  But all that changes the day Ruby arrives.  Ruby is a baby elephant who has a tragic past.  She was brought to the mall from a circus, where she was treated very poorly.  All of a sudden, Ivan's life has a new purpose; to keep Ruby safe.  If his plan succeeds, Ivan, Ruby, and everyone else involved with "The Littlest Big Top on Earth" will have their lives changed forever.  Winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal, The One and Only Ivan will stay in your heart long after you've finished the last page.

Check out the book trailer for The One and Only Ivan.

Katherine Applegate answers questions from students about The One and Only Ivan.

Fantastic Book Friday

Fans of The Day the Crayons Quit will be thrilled to learn that the crayons are back!  The Day the Crayons Came Home just came out in August.  It has a similar format to its predecessor, in that the story is told primarily through letters to Duncan from his crayons.  In this case, however, they are postcards from crayons who have been lost, left behind, or forgotten about.  From Maroon Crayon who has spent the last 2 years lost in Duncan's couch, to Orange Crayon and Yellow Crayon who melted together when they were left outside in the sun, these poor crayons just want to come home.  Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers have hit another home run with this hilarious story.  Will there be a happy ending for these crayons?  Read The Day the Crayons Came Home to find out.    

Want to learn more about Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers?  

Click here to visit their website. 

Crayons Picture Books 

     

Fantastic Book Friday

Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast is hilarious story in rhyme from debut author Josh Funk and illustrator Brendan Kearney.  Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast have been living happily in the refrigerator until they learn that there is only one drop left of maple syrup.  The two friends embark on a race through the fridge to see who can get to the syrup first.  Hilarity ensues as the characters ski down a mountain of sauerkraut and wade through Chili Lagoon.  The race is fierce, but there can only be one winner.  Read Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast to find out who makes it to the syrup first.  

In the meantime, you have a tough decision to make.  Are you Team Lady Pancake or Team Sir French Toast?  Check out the trailer to help get you excited about this amazing book!

 

First Week Fun

For their first Media Skills class, all students met with me in the library.  We did some fun activities to help get to know each other, and we also talked about some expectations I have of them when they are in class with me.  The I was able to share one of my passions with the students - READING.

With the K-2 classes, I read Otto the Book Bear, a sweet story about a bear who lives in a book.  Otto can come to life when no one is looking.  When his family moves away, and he accidentally gets left behind, he goes on an adventure to find a new place to live.

With the 3-5 classes, I read Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook, an exciting tale of a teacher who has a book that is unlike any book you've ever seen.  The students enjoyed this book and were excited to learn that the author, Michael Garland, has written three other stories about Miss Smith and her class.

Check out this book trailer for Miss Smith Under the Ocean.  Enjoy.

Miss Smith Under the Ocean Book Trailer

Reading Gives You Superpowers

I hope you're all looking forward to the first day of school.  I know I am.  Here is a fun video to watch to get you excited about all of the reading you'll do this year.

See you on Thursday.  Until then, happy reading.