Learning is fun!
Posted in fun events, and JagTube
Today live on JagTube, Principal Cockrell received a pie in the face from our student council president. She took on this dare when she challenged the students of Jackson Elementary to donate over 1,000 cans to Minnie’s Food Pantry in Plano. The kids brought in 1,524 cans! Check out the video of her pie to the face! What bravery!
Posted in picture book lesson
We had loads of fun today with The Wonky Donkey and first graders! We read the story and discussed the meaning of vocabulary words within it: wonky, lanky, cranky, stinky, winky, hanky-panky, honky-tonky, etc. Then we read it through again while playing the song (Scholastic.com). Craig Smith won an Apra award (Apra New Zealand Best Children’s Song of the Year) in 2009. At the tables, the kids had to draw their own wonky donkey and we listened to an animated retelling/song version by Alina Celeste. What fun!
YouTube Sensations “The Scottish Granny” Visits NYC for “Wonky Donkey” Event
Today in the Jackson Library, kindergarteners enjoyed a narrative nonfiction story about a penguin with a problem. Since Pierre the Penguin is an adorable rhyming book that tells how a scientist helped a penguin solve a problem, I used this book to teach story elements. Then the kids created their own neoprene suit for Pierre like the one Pam made in the book. We did a penguin dance after check out!
Posted in nonfiction lesson, and TTESS 1819
Fourth graders analyze media by scrutinizing fake websites, identifying propaganda techniques in commercials, finding the purpose of print ads, differentiating between formal and informal language, explaining how design elements of advertising affect the viewer (pacing, sound), spotting scams and hoaxes and more in the Jackson Library. In this video, they are exploring the website Edumosis and discussing whether this app should be purchased or not and why. This involves critical reading and they find out something interesting when scrolling to the bottom to read the disclaimer!
This lesson is in the 12-10-18 portion of the 4th grade section of my media literacy minute Google Slides on my Media Literacy blog page link below.
4th TEK 14 Reading/Media Literacy – Students use comprehension skills to analyze how words, images, graphics and sounds work together in various forms to impact meaning.
A) explain positive and negative impacts of advertisement techniques genres of media to impact consumer behavior
B) explain how various design techniques (pacing, close-ups, sound effects) used in media influence the message
C) compare various written conventions used in digital media (language in formal e-mail vs language in a web-based article)
Lessons
Last week in the Jackson Library, kindergarten used an augmented reality app, Quiver, to manipulate a virtual fire truck. After reading Camiones de Bomberos/Fire Trucks, we labeled parts of the fire truck and discussed the functions of each. Then at the tables, the kids used Quiver to see their fire truck page in 3D and to spray the hose, raise the ladder, drive the truck, and sound the siren. During check out, we listened to Mr. 7 Yea!’s firefighter story and songs about what to do if there is a fire.
Fire Truck Song Fire Safety HK Get Outside
Posted in reading skills, technology, and TTESS 1819
Fourth graders analyzed procedural text in the Jackson Library. I gave them a QR Code to scan which took them to a page about how to fold an origami dog. They then took a screenshot of the pages and used the iOS 12 markup tools to show their text evidence. They also had to answer STAAR-formatted questions I created for them. This opened up good discussions and strategies to make sure they were paying attention to details in the text and interpreting the diagrams correctly. Check out the video of their work!
fix number 4 – ‘step 9’
Posted in apps, and picture book lesson
Both Pre-K classes had fun sequencing events in Ehlert’s book, Snowballs, last week in the Jackson Library. After we read the beginning where the author is gathering supplies and the birds are coming out, the students sequenced that part. Then they sequenced the middle where the storyteller creates the mom, dad, son, and daughter. Finally, they put the last events in order: the baby, dog, cat, and bird in the melted snow. At the tables, the kids explored the Starfall Snowman app and we watched the video on the big screen during check out. Explore more of Lois Ehlert’s fantastic book creations on the site at the bottom of this post!
Today in the Jackson Library, first graders used the Beebot robot to sequence story events in Britta Teckentrup’s book, Bee. During the story, I would pause when the bee landed somewhere and the kids had to program the bee to travel to that picture on the grid. I like how they helped each other problem solve when it didn’t go where they wanted. Great timing to honor Hour of Code this week!
video made with Boomerang
Posted in apps, picture book lesson, and reading skills
Second graders had fun in the Jackson Library today with Luca la Luchadora. We read the story about how a little girl’s abuela encourages her to stand up to playground bullying by showing her a vintage luchadora costume and telling her about the legacy of the luchadora’s power. When Lucia wears the costume, she not only stands up to bullies but also rescues Coco the puppy when he is stuck on the slide. By the end of the story, she realizes that she doesn’t need a mask or costume to stand up for herself. We identified causes and effects in the story and created a Luchadora or Nino mask from Nino Wrestles the World. At the tables, they chose from either a Lucia mask or a Nino mask and decorated it. They played a fun luchadora mask game on the iPads. Thanks to Shawne Briggs, Sheffield Primary Librarian in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, for ideas for this lesson. Check out her Wrangler Library tweets!
Hou Chronicle Author Interview
Lucia luchadora mask – drawing attempt by AK
Crazy Masks app
