Food for thought

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2nd Grade Weather Tools

The second graders in Mrs. Lopez's class needed a creative way to review and explain what they learned about weather tools during their weather unit. We decided to create a Voicethread together to integrate writing, science, and technology, while also working on oral fluency. One small group worked with me in the Media Center each day to write down their thoughts and record them on the Voicethread.

We worked hard to answer these questions: "How did you make this tool? What does this tool measure? How does this tool work? How does this tool help us?"

We used a microphone to record our voices.

We could re-record if we did not like the way our first reading sounded.

We watched and listened to our finished project in the Media Center.

Please enjoy our finished project below! In order to hear our voices, please turn your sound up to the maximum volume.  

Hispanic Heritage Month--Author Yuyi Morales

As part of our school's study of Hispanic Heritage Month, I have created a literary display in the Media Center. This display features books by Hispanic authors/illustrators and books that teach about an aspect of Hispanic culture. To encourage students to check out these wonderful books, I am offering an incentive--free books! All a student needs to do is read one of these fabulous books and then tell me a few things about the book (using this form). If they return the form to me by Oct. 27th, they will be entered into a drawing to win a free book that supports our study of Hispanic cultures!

Senor Calavera

One of my favorite author/illustrators is the award winning artist Yuyi Morales. The happy skeleton to the left is the main character from her book, Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book. Watch the video below to hear Yuyi talk about the inspiration for creating this lively Day of the Dead story.

For more information about her books, visit her website: http://www.yuyimorales.com/2.htm. Here you will also find more videos, games for students, and teaching materials.

Generosity Benefits Club Readers

Jacob (pictured 2nd from right in back row) and just some of the kids who donated books to Club

Look at all those books! Guess what?! Because of the generous spirit of Club Boulevard alumnus Jacob Higgins-Keziah, they will be in the hands of our readers very soon. Jacob celebrated his birthday recently at a local park and instead of bringing gifts, he asked his friends and family to bring a book donation for the Club Boulevard Media Center. Thank you, Jacob, for thinking of us and caring about the students at Club. You are a gift to our community! We are very appreciative and hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Battle of the Books!

Check out the video below to see what books our awesome 5th grade team will be reading in order to prepare for the Elementary Battle of the Books competition. We will be busy this year!

Thanks to http://www.ncslma.org and Follett's Destiny for the pictures!

Severe Weather

As part of their Science unit, second graders in Ms. Small's class visited the Media Center last week to learn about severe weather. A small group came each day to research a different type: hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, and floods. Students wrote down important facts and then used a microphone to record their information on a Voicethread. Please turn up your volume and listen as the students share their weather knowledge!