This Week...

December 14- December 18, 2015

Reading:  At the beginning of the week, we read a Time for Kids article about people who have exotic animals as pets.  We practiced writing an effective summary by starting with a topic sentence, stating the big idea, providing supporting details, and writing a closing sentence.  We also talked about how good readers make inferences while they read.  We read a collection of Zen shorts and found common themes throughout the stories.  Some of these themes included kindness and generosity.  At the end of the week, we read various fables.  We analyzed the characters’ actions to determine appropriate character traits.  Reading Logs are due Monday, January 4.  (300 minutes)

Math:  We explored decimals and fractions using base-10 blocks.  By using a flat, students learned how to shade in a certain number of blocks to represent a decimal.  During this investigation, we discussed 2 new place values: tenths and hundredths.  At the end of the week, students surveyed the class with a question about a winter activity.  Then, they collected data, analyzed it, and graphed it.  Students displayed their information using bar graphs, pictographs, and pie charts.  Our unit 5 test will be on Friday, January 8.  A review guide will be going home once we return from break.

Social Studies:  We reviewed key ideas from the Midwest unit.  Students took their unit test on Thursday.  When we come back from break, we will start our new science unit: the solar system!

Writing:  In writing, students worked on revision assignments.  They utilized excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and found interesting showing details to add to their journal entries.  In grammar, students identified the correct form of present tense verbs.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 14 test.

Miscellaneous:  Students really enjoyed the various coding activities they have been doing during our time in the LMC!  On our blog, many of the coding websites are listed.  This is a great opportunity for students to participate in over winter break if they are interested.  We also reviewed open and closed questions in order to prepare for our upcoming personalized learning research experience.  Students will be recording at least 3 “I Wonder” questions a week.  I will check these on Mondays when I collect their reading logs.  These questions will serve as a great starting point for research.  The “I Wonder” sheet can be found in your child’s take home folder.  Today, we exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  They worked very hard on creating these special gifts.  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  See you back in 2016!

CODING! Some Important Information from Mrs. Breaux!

The Blog Blurb:

In honor of the #HourOfCode, students were treated to lessons in coding during the month of December.  Lessons were carefully crafted to move students through several skill sets used in coding.  It’s important to note that many of the skills used in coding apply to learning in general.  For example, problem solving, perseverance, critical thinking.

The first lessons involved Kinesthetic exercises, referred to as “unplugged”lessons, followed by an iPad App lesson, and ending with a Code.org experience.  Students were captivated by the “unplugged” lessons, thrilled with the iPad lessons and enthralled by the code.org options. In other words, students enjoyed the coding experience.

You can view pictures and videos of the student coding experience on twitter by following @DrydenTech or on the Dryden School Facebook page.

Links to apps and video used in lessons, as well as additional resources, are included below.  Many of the apps, as well as code.org are free.  Students may be interested in continuing the  coding experience at home.

K - 2

Brainpop-computer programming video 5:55min.

Coding Unplugged Grid/Arrows on floor from code.org

Kodable App on iPads

code.org Course 1 lesson 4, Maze Sequence using ARROWS. iPad or Computer.

or

Code.org Studio Hour of Code Starwars Puzzle 7

3 - 5

Brainpop-computer programming video 5:55min.

Cups Unplugged:  https://csedweek.org/giles/csedrobotics.pdf  

Lightbot Hour of Code App on iPads

CargoBot App on iPads

Minecraft on Code.org

Code.org Studio Hour of Code

Addtional Resources:

Google: Made w/ Code and Other Projects (block code) offer a variety of challenges that can be accomplished in short time frames.  Access from a browser on Computer or iPad.  Easy to do at home or in classroom centers.    

code.org:  StarWars and Minecraft projects for the hour of code  New 2015!!

code.org: Code with Anna & Elsa of Frozen (block code) an hour of code instruction with progressively more challenging coding steps.

code.org: Angry Birds (block code) more hour of code fun with the popular angry birds series.

code.org: Play Lab (block code) in addition to moving blocks and selecting variables, this set of exercises offers fill in the "words" to increase the skill level.

All these options from CODE.ORG can be accessed from a browser on Computer or iPad.  Easy to do at home or in classroom centers.  No login required.

Khan Academy Hour of Code: Drawing pictures with code and/or Drawing pictures with Blocks  both featuring snowmen!  Also try Khan hour of code from 2013 projects.

Scratch Hour of Code 2014 : see additional projects here

The folks at MIT developed Scratch and Scratch Jr in an effort to get younger students engaged in coding.  Scratch can be a little more challenging, but students quickly adapt and love it.  

Cargo-Bot in the Classroom

A game that allows kids to learn the basics of programming, Cargo-bot is the first game programmed entirely on iPad using Codea. A puzzle game where users teach a robot how to move and reassemble crates into color patterns, this app provides  high-quality retina graphic, and recordable solutions users can share on YouTube.  YouTube also has great "cheats" as some of these puzzles are quite a challenge.

Light-bot App (coding concepts for younger students)

Lightbot: Teaching Coding Concepts to Students

Similar to Cargo-bot, but a little easier, this coding app is a programming puzzle game: a puzzle game that uses game mechanics that are firmly rooted in programming concepts. Light-bot lets players gain a practical understanding of basic control-flow concepts like procedures, loops, and conditionals, just by guiding a robot with commands to light up tiles and solve levels. Light-bot features 40 levels and 20 challenge stars to collect.

Daisy the Dinosaur App (younger students create with block code)

Using Daisy in the classroom with younger students

Learn the basics of computer programming in this coding app that has an easy drag-and-drop interface that students of all ages can use to animate Daisy to dance across the screen. Students will intuitively grasp the basics of objects, sequencing, loops and events by solving this app’s challenges. After playing Daisy, kids can choose to download a kit to program their own computer game.

Hopscotch App (blockly code for older students)

Using Hopscotch in the classroom

Hopscotch requires a login.  It teaches students to code using simple, intuitive building blocks. Students can create games, animations and other programs, as well as tell stories in this colorful, interactive environment. Students can program characters to move and use commands like shaking, tilting, or even shouting at the iPad to control them. Hopscotch was inspired by MIT’s Scratch.

Kodable App

Kodable in the classroom for K-2 students

Kodable is a game offering a kid-friendly introduction to programming concepts and problem solving. For kids ages 5 and up, and tools for adults as well.  This app is ideal for grades K through 2 aged students.

Happy Coding,

Beth Breaux

Dryden Technology Facilitator

This Week...

December 7- December 11, 2015

Reading:  Students were excited to start our new fiction unit!  At the beginning of the week, we explored various types of fiction.  Some of these included fables, folktales, and historical fiction.  We also read Mirette on the High Wire, which was a story based in France over 100 years ago.  Students identified important story elements using an organizer.  We also read an Ashanti tale about Anansi the Spider.  We had a discussion about how folktales often use literary and cultural language to convey a story that has been passed down from generation to generation.  Students identified important events in the story to create a retelling. Reading Logs are due Monday, December 14.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 5 this week!  Students reviewed place value up to the hundred millions.  They also practiced writing large numbers from dictation, as well as saying numbers aloud.  We also learned a new game, “Number Top-It”, which helped us compare large numbers in a fun way!  Towards the end of the week, students discussed the U.S. census and applied their knowledge of large numbers to interpret city populations.  Pictographs were another focus.

Social Studies:  We had a great discussion about the Midwest economy.  We discovered that manufacturing and agriculture provide many jobs for people in the area.  Henry Ford and the assembly line were highlighted.  Students also experienced the culture of the Midwest by reading about Mt. Rushmore, Cahokia, the Hmong people, and many other interesting topics.  The Midwest test (including the Midwest states & capitals) will be on Thursday, December 17.  A review guide will be going home next week.

Writing:  In writing, we continued working on character traits and supporting details.  Students analyzed excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and found interesting showing details.  Students also wrote different types of winter poetry.  These types of poems were Haikus and sensory poems.  In grammar, students worked on identifying action verbs in various sentences.

Spelling:  Today, we had our week 13 test.

Miscellaneous:  “Secret Snowpal” names went home this week!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 16.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend!

This Week...

November 30- December 4, 2015

Reading:  This week, we reviewed key skills from our nonfiction unit.  Students looked for key phrases to identify similarities and differences in various articles.  While reading a National Geographic article about seahorses, students determined the main idea from the topic sentence of a paragraph.  They also found details that supported the headings.  At the end of the week, students took their nonfiction unit assessment.  We will be starting our fiction unit next week! Reading Logs are due Monday, December 7.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students practiced reviewing major concepts from unit 4.  Using arrays and pictures, they represented various multiplication/division number stories.  Students took their unit 4 test on Thursday!  We will begin unit 5 on Monday.  Please remind your child to be practicing his/her basic facts…thank you!

Social Studies:  Transportation in the Midwest was a main focus this week.  We learned how flatboats, steamboats, bulk freighters, and trains helped people travel and transport goods.  We discussed how kids grew up in the Midwest during the late 1800s.  Students wrote pioneer letters written from the perspective of a child living at that time.  Students also worked on their state research projects!  Students applied various research skills with nonfiction books and articles to find out key information about their Midwest state.

Writing:  In writing, we began unit 2 in our WEX writing program!  Unit 2 focuses on a response to literature.  We started the book My Name is Maria Isabel and students identified showing details that helped develop the main character.  They also wrote an expository piece on building a snowman.  In grammar, students reviewed key topics from unit 2.  Some of these topics included common & proper nouns, possessive nouns, and combining sentences.

Spelling:  Today, we had our unit 2 review test.  Next week, we will resume regular spelling and homework.

Miscellaneous:  I had a wonderful time meeting with each of you at conferences!  Thank you again for the commitment to your child’s learning experience!  I also hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break.  December book orders are due December 17.  I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions.