One more week!

Great technology news!
Our projectors came in!  So we have 7 projectors available for use now!  So when you are thinking about watching a DVD consider using your laptop!  Make sure it has a DVD player--it will say so on the little drawer that the DVD goes into.  If it doesn't, we will see what we can do!
On the color printer front, all color printers are up and working.  Please make sure you know where you are printing to!  The room number should be listed when you use the pull-down menu when you print.  As always, please use them sparingly!  Thanks!

For Kindergarten this week the choices are pretty much the same as last week:

1. Retelling with Owl Moon (please don't forget to give me a class list)
2. Gingerbread people variety (see below-last week's blog)
3. Holidays around the World (I haven't been doing the little book)
4. Reindeer books, and PowerPoint
5. Jan Brett stories:  Christmas Trolls, Who's that Knocking?

For PreK:

1. Bear Stays Up for Christmas
2. Gingerbread stories
3. Christmas Counting book

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank you all for being so great to work with!

I hope you all have the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!!

2 more weeks to go!

It will be so nice to be back in the Library again! 

There are so many choices for this week (and next!)  If there are two things you would like me to do, I can plan ahead for next week! 
Kindergarten choices:
If you would like me to do the retelling assessment for you, please let me know.  I read the book "Owl Moon" and the children put the pictures in order.  I then ask them to tell me the story.  If you provide a class list, I then give them a number from 1-4 (4 being the highest) I have a rubric.  I also make comments, if necessary.
Wild Christmas Reindeer, Olive the Other Reindeer, or a non-fiction Reindeer book, as well as a Reindeer PowerPoint.  Any or all of  these!
Gingerbread People books.  I have a new one, The Gingerbread Girl goes Crackers--a sequel to the Gingerbread Girl.  Also Gingerbread Friends, the sequel to Gingerbread baby. OR The Library Gingerbread boy.
Holidays around the World:  I have a Unicef book with real pictures of children celebrating different holidays, such as, Divalli, Thanksgiving, Hannukah, St. Nickolas Day, St. Lucia Day,  Christmas (in Germany) and Epiphany (in Spain!) I also like to do a little book with this called "December is a time to celebrate."
by Jan Brett:
Christmas Trolls (Some naughty trolls learn the meaning of giving at Christmas)
Who's that knocking on Christmas Eve?  A book about a Norwegian girl who has trouble with Trolls on Christmas Eve.
PreK choices:
Gingerbread (same choices as above!)
Bear Stays up for Christmas
Naked Mole Rat gets dressed (for the clothes unit)

As you may be able to tell, I love reading stories at this time of year!!  I have a bunch more, but I have to stop, there is only so much time!!

I hope all of you are enjoying this time of year as well!

The Count down begins!

TECH NEWS:  We are having some difficulties with color printers.  Please only print in color when absolutely necessary!  Also be aware of which printer you are using.  We have found piles of papers in the color printers that no one has claimed.  This not only wastes paper, but also wastes the printer cartridges.  These are very expensive and we are running low.  The printer in room 25 is out of black, we have no more black cartridges, so the printer will not work.  Also the printer in Room 35 is broken at the moment.  We are working on fixing it, but these things take time.  I'm just asking that you be careful with what and where you print.  Please print to one of the copiers whenever possible.  If you don't know where you are printing, or what your default printer is, please see me and I will help you find out!  Thanks!
GOOD NEWS!  PTO has given us money for more projectors!  At the moment we have 3 working projectors available for check out.  We will be getting 4 more.  I will let you know when they arrive and are ready to be checked out.  Thanks PTO!!

Kindergarten:
I have been noticing that with the new Glad training that some of you will be doing more Integrated Units.  Please let me know what themes you are working on, and I can help!  Also, I will be able to choose books that fit with your themes to read in the Media Center. In addition, please let me know when you do your fabric unit!  I like to bring in some quilts and read a very special book about quilts.
The choices this week are:

1. Eating the ABCs, we will make our own ABC food book.
2. Families are Different, I have a 4 square about families
3. Corduroy, to go with the Second Step unit this week.

PreK:
To go with the clothes unit, I have The Hat by Jan Brett, or The Purple Coat (maybe).
To go with the Farm unit, I have Wait! NO  Paint and the Three Little Pigs on the iPad.

I hope everyone has a great week! 

Thanksgiving has really snuck up on me this year!  So this week you will need to let me know what you want to do for the next 2 weeks, if you have library on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Otherwise, I will only see your class once before Thanskgiving!
The choices for Kindergarten are:

1. The Trouble with Cauliflower-we will do a paper about foods we like and don't like
2. A Turkey For Thanksgiving (I love this book!)
3. All About Turkeys--we will be wondering about turkeys...
4. Eating the Alphabet -- a class book of food

During our technology time we will look up information about turkeys and will type something on the computer that we have learned.  I'm going to try using Microsoft Word for this--we will see how it goes!

Speaking of technology, my daughter put me on to a website that looks great for our kids!  It's called www.abcmouse.com and it has levels and keeps track of where the child is in the program.  It even supports the Common Core Standards!  It is free to schools, but it is designed to be used in the classroom. Click on the link on the top right corner that says, schools/teachers. If you would try it in your classroom, I would try to figure a way to use it in the Media Center as well.  Thanks!

For PreK this week I will read Milwaukee Cows or Wait! No Paint, depending on your class.  For next week I will read This First Thanksgiving (a counting story), or Thanks for Thanksgiving, depending on our time together!

Since I won't be blogging next week, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all:

 Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy November!

Today I will be handing out overdue notices.  If a child brings in a check or money for an overdue book, please send them to the office.   Linda Stanek will give them a receipt, and let me know what has been paid for.   This is due to a new district policy.

This week in the Media Center we are starting our "Wonder board."  This is a place where the kids can write on a sticky note what they are wondering about.  Then as they are posted, I will chose one for the "Wonder of the Week."  We will put out books and materials to look at, to see if we can answer their question.  I found this idea at the conference I attended in October.  It will be interesting to see what they wonder about!

In Kindergarten this week you have 3 choices:
The WorryWarts (some classes have already heard this one so I have an alternative)
Something Might Happen!  These two books are to go with the Second Step lesson for this week.
The Trouble With Cauliflower--to go with "Around the Table" in Harcourt
If you are doing something different, please let me know!  Also when you are doing an author study, please let me know!  I can help!
Also I would like to know where you are in Jolly Phonics, so I don't get ahead with my Smartboard lesson.

For PreK classes I have some choices as well:
The Rainy Day (a farm book)
Who is the Beast?
Whoever you are.  (Second Step books)

As we begin November, my thoughts turn to what I am thankful for.  One of those things I am thankful for is a great place to work and wonderful people to work with!  Thank you!

Have a great week!

The End of October!

This week in the Media Center for Kindergarten, we will continue to do the Second Step Assessment.  If I have not read "Martha Doesn't Say Sorry"  to your class yet, I will this week!  It was amazing when I read it to the classes last week.  They were spellbound!  Then we had a good discussion on when and why it's important to say sorry. We also practiced saying "It's OK!" when someone says sorry to you! (Martha DOES say sorry in the end!)
Other choices are: Too Many Pumpkins, Library Mouse, or Big Pumpkin (on Wednesday). 
I also have a little book to read with the kids, "What Will I Be?"  I can do this with your class if you would like as an activity.

For PreK this week I bought The Monster at the End of  This Book App for my iPad.  I would love to share it with your classes!  Other choices include: I Went Walking, or The Biggest Pumpkin Ever.

In Technology news, our technology committee is beginning the work on aligning our software to the Common Core Standards.  If you would like to help, you can!  You can contact any of us, to let us know what software you always use, and why.  Our committe is:  Megan Wilson, Nikki Kunde, Laura Bianchi, and myself.  We could really use some help with the Spanish software, any volunteers?
Also Donna has been hard at work getting our building all up to date!  We are very close to having all of the computers where they belong, and in good working order.  Be sure to let me know if you are having any computer problems!  Thanks!

Have a very (Happy Halloween) week!

 

Excitement in the Media Center!

This past weekend I attended the ISLMA conference.  That is, the Illinois School Library Media Association.  It was an amazing experience!  I learned so much and can't wait to do some new great things in the Media Center!  One thing that I am most excited about is, creating a space for Wonder.  It will be a center where kids can wonder about....whatever!  Be looking for this in the coming weeks...

In Technology news, our Dierzen tech committee will be meeting this week to begin to look for and evaluate software, websites, and apps that align to the Common Core Standards.  If you would like to make any suggestions, or would like to help us in this endeavor, let me know!  We will be meeting on Wed. October 23 after school.

For Kindergarten this week the choices are as follows:

1. Martha Never Says Sorry (to go with Second Step)
2. Too Many Pumpkins (life cycle of the pumpkin on the Smartboard)
3. Library Mouse (a mouse that writes books!)
4. The WorryWarts (Ww book)

If you would like any stories that I have done before that you feel your class has missed, just let me know! Thanks!

For PreK I have some choices this week, as I have noticed that some of you are doing different things. So here they are:

1. Barnyard Hullabaloo (farm)
2. A tree is nice (trees)
3. The Monster at the End of this Book (Second Step)

If you would like a different story, please let me know! Also PreK teachers, if you have not yet brought your iPad down to the Media Center, please do so as soon as possible. Thanks! I learned some new ways to keep track of them at the conference too!

 

Thanks for reading my blog and Have a great week!

 

This week in the Media Center

Kindergarten classes this week have many of the same choices.  If you would like me to read something else, please let me know.  The choices are:

1. The WorryWarts -Ww book
2. Rhyming Dust Bunnies-make dust bunnies
3. A Tree is Nice, Website on trees (or not) and class book.
4. Someday a Tree- a book about a family trying to save a tree

In view of the paper shortage, I am trying to come up with paper-less things to do in the Media Center.  I was thinking of using floor puzzles.  If you have any extra puzzles that you don't want, I would love to use them in the Media Center!  Thanks!

PreK classes have 2 choices this week, they are:  Leaf Man or Stuck in the Muck on the Smartboard (I hope it works this week!)

Just a word on technology,  if you are having a problem with your computers, please email me.  This way, I can check on it, then write a work order sooner.  It really helps if you use email because I won't remember if you tell me as I walk by!

Have a great week!

Columbus Day week

Technology news:
Donna, our tech, has been ill, so will not be with us this week.  If you have any computer issues, please let me know.  If I can't fix it, I will put in a work order.  If it is and emergency, I can call technology and someone will come fix it.  We hope Donna will be better SOON!
If you'd like to contact her, a phone call works best, or a card,  Believe it or not, she does not have internet at home!
Projectors:  If you have difficulty with the projector connecting to your laptop, try, pressing Fn F8.  Hold down the "Fn" key and then press F8.  It should first show only on the screen, then if you do it again, it should show on the monitor and the screen.  I have been noticing some problems with our projectors.  If this happens to you, please let me know exactly what happened so I can better fix it.  At the moment the one in the Reading Room won't go on at all!  But we are working on it!

For Kindergarten this week the choices are:
Fall is for Friends,
   Activity:  Leaf Rubbings
A Tree is Nice,
   Activity:  Class book, and Tree Website
Rhyming Dust Bunnies
   Activity:  Make Dust Bunnies
The WorryWarts
   Activity:  Ww work

Also as part of my Professional Growth Plan, I will be working on Research in Kindergarten.  I hope to meet with a different PLC team each month so we can collaborate on what we should research.  I don't want to make this a burden on anyone, so I will work to fit it into your class's program.  Most of what I'll be doing will happen in the Media Center but, there may be some things you will need to do in your classroom as well.  This is a very exciting part of the Common Core Standards!  I am looking forward to working with all of you!

For PreK this week we have 2 choices:
A Fall Book
Yuck! Stuck in the Muck!-on my iPad and the Smartboard.

If you are reading this blog right now, I thank you so much!!  You fill my bucket!

Have a great week!

Busy Week!

This week in the Media Center I will be reading "Fire Fire!" to the Kindergarten children and "Daisy the Fire Cow" to the PreK.  Please let me know if your field trip interferes with your library time!  Also please let me know if you would prefer that I read something else.
For technology this week, I will continue to teach the children about WiggleWorks.  This week we will be trying the writing portion.  Did you know that it can give the children a writing prompt?  We will see what they come up with!
During conferences there will be a Book Fair in the Media Center.  Be sure to come down and browse.  I am sure that you will be able to fill out a wish list for your classroom.  We will be setting it up on Wednesday around 11:15, and then cleaning up on Thursday night around 8:45.  If you could help at either of those times, that would be great!  Thanks!

Fall is here!

Important Information:
I will be out on Monday due to a District 200 Library Media Specialist Meeting.
Linda O'Brien will be out on Friday.

Technology news:
I have set the segments for Jolly Phonics in MediaCast!  This means you need to go to the "Segments" tab below the video.  There you will click on the segment you want.  I have done this for both videos.  I hope this helps!

Having questions about Groupwise?
Come on Tuesday, at 3:20 and I will be in the Media Center to help with signatures, junkmail handling, making groups, and anything else you might have questions about!

Kindergarten teachers:
Please put your students' names into WiggleWorks, and set their levels.  Questions?  Please come and see me!
Also, if you are doing an author study, please let me know!  I can help!  I have a great book about many authors, and many of them have websites.  I would also like to read a book by that author when your class comes to the Media Center.
This week's stories to choose from are:

1. Fall is for Friends
2. Sometimes I Feel Silly! (feelings)
3. Fire, Fire!  by Gail Gibbons (for the Thursday and Friday classes?)
4. Rhyming Dust Bunnies

If these don't go with what you are doing this week, please let me know, and we can work something out!

In PreK,  for the Monday and Tuesday classes, I will read "The Little Engine That Could"  to go with Second Step.  For Thursday classes, I will read "The Firehouse."

Have a Great Week!

What's new this week!

In Technology news:
We have a technology committee that needs one more member.  We are going to be looking at software and websites that meet the Common Core Standards.  We would really like one more Kindergarten teacher to join us on this important endeavor!

Has any one seen a wireless mouse?  It was in the Media Center close to the computers last week, and now it is gone...If you have seen it or know where it is, please let me know!

We have been having many changes to our computers!  Donna has been working hard to get everyone to have what they need!  One thing to always remember is to save all of your work to your home directory!  This way if something goes wrong with your computer and it needs to be reimaged, you will not lose all of your hard work.

Did you know we have a traveling Smartboard?  It is a bit smaller than the one in the Media Center, but it can be brought into your classroom.  I will be happy to set it up and help you get started!
We also have an Ipad available for check-out, as well as overhead projectors!

Kindergarten team choices for this week:  (Please email me the number--I felt it worked well last week!Thanks!)

1. L is for Library (Alphabet)
2. The Letters are Lost (Alphabet)
3. A Hippo Named Fluffy (names)
4. I'm Gonna Like Me! (self-esteem)

PreK team:
I will be reading Mr. Wiggle to those classes who are here for the 2nd time in the Media Center.
For those who are coming for the 3rd time, and from now on, I would really like to know what themes you are working on.  Thanks!

Have a Great Week!

Something New!

Kindergarten Team:
This week I am starting something new.  Below you will find a list of books I could read to your class.  I am doing this so that I can better align what I am doing in the Media Center with what you are doing in your classroom.  Each book has an activity that we will do in the Media Center as well.
The books are:

1. L is for Library (alphabet book)
2. I'm Gonna Like Me (self-esteem)
3. The 5 Senses by Aliki, with supplemental books for each sense
4. Nico & Lola ( a book about kindness)

Each book has a number so that all you need to do is reply to my email and write the number.  Thanks!
During our technology time this week, we will use Kidspiration to show what we like!  I would like to start WiggleWorks soon, so please put in your children's names under your class.

PreK team:
I am looking forward to seeing everyone in the Media Center this week!  I have listed the schedule, in case you can't find it from before:

Monday AM

9:05-9:25: Miller

9:15-9:35: Blevins

9:25-9:45: DiGuido

9:35-9:55: Haydysch

9:45-10:05: Schaefer

Tuesday PM

12:15-12:35: Miller/Schaefer

12:25-12:45:  Blevins

Thursday PM

12:15-12:35: DiGuido

12:25-12:45: Haydysch

If you can't come at the time listed, come as soon as you can.  We may have to adjust the schedule if this doesn't work.  I'll be reading "We're Going on a Book Hunt"  to all the classes that are coming for the first time this week.

BAGGIES:

When returning books to the Media Center, leave them in the baggies!  This way we can be sure that all books go home in a baggie!  If you have another way to do this, please let me know!

Have a great week!

Welcome back to my blog!

I decided to go back to the blog because some people couldn't open the Publisher document.  If you know anyone who is having trouble with the blog opening, please let me know! Thanks!

This week in the Media Center the Kindergarten children will meet the "Library Dragon!" It's a book and a puppet that I know they will enjoy!  We will also go on the computers and play Kidpix.

I will see the Tuesday/Thursday PreK children for the first time this week.  I know it may be difficult to get there by 12:15, but come as soon as you can!  I will read "We're Going on a Book Hunt."  They will also get to check out books!

Please continue to bring baggies.  I am hoping that the books will come back in the baggies!  If they do, just send them down to the Media Center, and we will take them out of the baggies, and leave them in your classroom cubby.  I hope to have all books in baggies, as much as possible.  If anyone has brought you 2 gallon baggies, we could use them too!  Some of our books don't fit into the 1 gallon size.  I also asked for "crayolas" last week.  This was a typo, I meant to say crayola brand markers.

On the technology front, our tech, Donna Hedrich is working hard to get everyone up and running!  If you have anything wrong with a computer, please come see me first!  We share Donna with 2 other buildings, so in order for her to make the best use of her time with us, all of the issues need to come through me.

We had a good first week in the Star Wing!  I am looking forward to seeing all of the children in the Media Center this week!!

End of the Year stuff!

Foss:
I need to know that you have the correct barcode numbers checked out to you.  Toby is giving me the list of where the kits will be.  I will come around and check them for the barcodes.  If you are not coming back, please bring your manuals down to the Media Center for me to check in. 

Second Step kits:
All Second Step kits need to be returned to the Media Center.  If you want your same kit back, be sure to put your name on them.

Computers:
Laptops:  If you want your laptop over the summer, you need to bring it to me and fill out a new form.  If you do not want to keep it over the summer, please bring it down to the Media Center for storage.  Please do not keep them in your classroom (or your office) over the summer!

Desktop computers:  Leave them in place.  Do not unplug them, and do not plug them in when we get back in August.  The Technology department will help us with this in August!  We don't want to plug them in the wrong spot!! :)

Lucy Calkins:
I tried to come around to the classrooms over the weekend, but I couldn't always find your Lucy Calkins kit.  I do need to check the barcode numbers for these as well.  If you are not coming back, please bring it to the Media Center.

Listening Centers and Boom Boxes:
Please return these to the Media Center with your name on them!  I need to know if they are PreK or Kindergarten.  Also I need to know if they work, or not.  Even if they are broken or parts don't work, still return them to the Media Center with a note.

In general, return everything with a Verda Dierzen barcode, whether or not it is on your list.
 
I also hope to see you at my house on Wednesday for the PARTY!  (Please don't forget to sign-up in the work room!)

Lastly, I hope you have a GREAT SUMMER! 

Last Full Week!!

This week is our last full week of school!  Wow has it gone by fast or what?!!  This week I will be showing a video about the Woodstock Summer Library Program.  They are still working on flyers that we can pass out!  We will also be working with the mini computers and the playaways.

This week you will be receiving a list of things that you have checked out from the library.  Please return them as you are able--by Friday would be really nice!  There is an addition to the list, I need your laptops returned as well. You can put them in your nice bag, and bring them down to the library.  If you want to have it over the summer, you will need to sign the laptop form.  Please do this only if you are taking it out of the building.  We do not want them left in the classrooms over the summer.  If you are doing summer school and don't want to take them home, you will need to sign the form, then turn it in at the end of summer school.

Also this week I will be sending out overdue notices.  Please help me out by sending them home.  Thanks!

Hang in there!  It won't be long now!!

Only 2 weeks and 2 days to go!

Well it won't be long now until we are relaxing in the summer sun!  But there is much to be done before then!

Look for a list of items you have checked out from the Media Center coming to your mailbox soon!  Just some reminders:  I DO want your boom boxes and/or listening centers.  I DO want your Jolly Phonics DVD or VHS tape.  I DO want your software.
I DO NOT want your Lucy Calkins kit, nor your Foss kits.  I will be scanning those later. 
Important dates:
May 11:  all student books are due
May 18:  all teacher materials are due (unless you need them to teach with!)
May 23:  Party at my house!  More information to follow!

I've been hearing about some great Digital projects!  Please remember to save them in the "Digital Projects"  folder on the shared drive.  If you need help with this let me know!  You won't get credit for it until it is on the shared drive.  Also if you have used some new technology tools, please let me know so I can put it on my spread sheet.  This is important SIP data!  Thanks!

This week in the Media Center I will be out on Wednesday for a District Library Media Specialist meeting.
The Kindergarten classes will hear Library Lion and we will be talking about all the fun things we've done this year!  There are no PreK classes coming to the library, please return their books as they arrive.

Four classes have had or are going to have their popcorn parties!  They earned 10 Bee Bucks this year!  They are the Frog room, the Ladybug room, the Monkey room and the Sailboat room.  Congratulations!

Have a great week!

This is the last week for all students to check out books. 

It is also the last week for PreK to come to the Media Center.  Due to the PreK field trip, I have made a few changes to the schedule:  Ally Fessler's AM class will come on Thursday at 9:00 AM.  Friday PM at 12:25:  Alyssa Reed, 12:35:  Beth Miller,  12:45:  Jane Levans classes will check out books.

Also the chicks should hatch this week!!

The Kindergarten classes will hear "Daisy Comes Home" by Jan Brett and will see a video about how to draw a chick--also by Jan Brett.

The PreK classes that aren't on their field trip, will hear "Hurry, Hurry" by Eve Bunting.

Not much time left!  Have a great week!

Important Information!!!

This week on Monday and Tuesday we will be having Library in the Star Wing.  This is due to testing in the Media Center.  The testing schedule will be coming to you from Diana Frisbie.  I will have a video set up in the reading room, if you would like to use it.  Please watch the children with the incubator!!  When they look, they need to have their hands behind their back and peek in the windows.  I will leave the plastic eggs open on the table, so the children can see what is happening in the real eggs. 
For library in the Star Wing, please come down at your usual time.  The Kindergarten children will listen to a story, "The Extraordinary Egg," make a little book and listen to a playaway.  I will also still have Reader's Theater, just in the Star Wing.  The PreK children will listen to either "An Egg is Quiet," or "The Egg in the Hole Book."

On Wednesday, if your class has rehearsal for the show during your Media Center time, I will bring your students to the gym.  I will stay with them so you can still have your planning time.

Thursday and Friday will be back to normal in the Media Center.

Next week we will repeat the process for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

The following week, April 30th through May 4th is the last week to check out books.  This will also be the last week that I will see the PreK students.  I would like all books back in the library by May 11th.  (Unless you are using them to teach!)  Thanks!

Have a great week!

April News!

Lots of fun things are happening in April in the Media Center!  This week the eggs arrive!  So that means I will be reading stories about eggs, chickens and hatching!  We will be talking about the word: oviparous. If all goes well, we should have chicks in 3 weeks!
This week in Kindergarten, I will be reading Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller.  For PreK, I will be reading the story about Henrietta, the chicken and showing the children my "chicken!"  On Thursday, since they have already heard that story, I will be reading An Egg is Quiet by Silvia Long.

Over the following two weeks: April 16-27th, we will be having Kindergarten Aimsweb testing.  How this will effect the classes in the Media Center, has not yet been determined--stay tuned to this blog to see how it will impact your class!

Mark your calendars!  The last week for the children to check out books is April 30-May 4.  ALL BOOKS ARE DUE TO THE MEDIA CENTER MAY 11TH.  This gives us a week an a half to track down all the overdue books and to do inventory.  This also means that the week of May 7th-11th will be the last week of PreK library.

Joke of the week: 
What kind of books do bunnies read? The ones with hoppy endings!

Have a great week!

One More Week Too Go!

One week left before Spring Break!  It's a busy one! 

I will be out of the building all day on Tuesday for a Library Media Specialist meeting.  We will be working on Common Core Standards for the Library.  If you have any technology needs for Tuesday, please let me know as soon as possible!  Thanks!


For the Kindergarten classes, I will be reading either Nico and Lola, for those classes who missed it last week, or Commotion in the Ocean, to go with your fish unit.  We also will visit www.seasky.org to play some fun games about the ocean.

For the PreK, I will read either a Spring book, or a Sleepy time book, to go with pajama day.  If you would like me to read something else that goes with what you are doing in your classroom, please let me know!

Have a great week!

Busy week!

Good morning!

Today at Media Monday we will be talking about the iPad.  Come and learn the fun things you can do with it!

In the Media Center this week I will be reading "Nico and Lola" to the Kindergarten classes.  This is a book about kindness.  The children will be asked to write about how they can be kind as well.

For our PreK classes I will be reading and Irish Folktale, "Jamie ORourke and the Big Potato."

On a technology note, our tech, Donna Hedrich has been very sick.  She has been at home since February 21st.   I talked to her last week and she misses all of us.  I assured her that we REALLY miss her too!  If you have any technology issues, please let me know!  Email is best, but if that's what the issue is, come talk to me!  If I can't solve the problem, the technology department will send someone over to see what they can do.

Have a great week!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the FROG Room!! They have earned 10 Bee Bucks!  They will have a movie and popcorn party this week during their Media Center time! WOOHOO!!

March came in like a lion!!

Media Monday is NEXT Monday, March 12th.  I will be talking about how to use the iPad with your students.  I am working on how to use it with the Smartboard...

This week with the Monolingual Kindergarten classes, I will be reading "The Sneetches and Other Stories" by Dr. Seuss. We will be talking about how to be friends with everyone at school.   For the Dual Language classes, I will be reading "3 Little Dassies" by Jan Brett.  It is an adaptaion of "The 3 Little Pigs" set in Africa.  She has some interesting videos about her visit to Africa, which we will see.
All classes will be going to Seussville.com on the computers in the Media Center.

For our PreK classes, I can read more Dr. Seuss stories, or what ever might go with what you are learning in class.  Please let me know your themes so I can coordinate!  Thanks!

Jokes of the day:

Q. When is a blue school book not a blue school book?
A. When it is read!

Q. What flies around the kindergarten room at night?
A. The alpha-BAT.

Have a great week!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Dont' forget Media Monday is TODAY! February 27th at 3:20.  I will be talking about the ELMO! (The digital document camera, not the small red furry monster!)

This week in the Media Center we will be doing everything Dr. Seuss style!
So come to the Media Center and you will see,
Things to amaze and do and be.
The K kids will see a book,
That will require a closer look.
It has pages that will pop,
It's by Dr. Seuss who's not a flop.
It has seven stories that are not true,
A fiction book that's even blue.
I may read it to the PreK as well,
For as a book, it's really swell!
In technology we'll visit his site,
www.seussville.com it is all right!

I've heard some discussions about the digital presentation project.  You are on the right track!  Keep it up!Here are some ideas for you to think about: 
PowerPoint
Photostory
Story Bird
Prezi
Animoto
Kerpoof
Digitales
Flip video
Movie Maker
Virtual Field Trips
You can find links to many of these from the Technology Curriculum Live Binder: http://www.livebinders.com/play/present?id=127467
If you click on the tabs:  Writing Resources, and Digital tools--creating content, you will find links to many of these tools.  Take a look and let me know how I can help!  Most of all, have fun with it!!

Today I'm ending with a quote from Dr. Seuss:

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
― Dr. Seuss

Happy Short week!

 I hope everyone had great and informative conferences. 

In the Media Center we had another sucessful book fair!  The PTO has again graciously allowed me to pick out many books for our library.  It takes me a while to get them ready for the shelves, but if you, as teachers, would like to take them out, that would be fine!

SIP Goal reminder:
Our "Groovy Goal #3" is:  Student learning will be enhanced by the integration of technology into the classroom instruction by 100% of teachers as measured by a sysytem of technology check-out at least once quarterly (includes Elmo, Smartboard, Learn 360, etc.).  Wth the support of the Media Specialist 80% of the classrooms will produce a digital presentation or project in a curriculum area.  if you need ideas for your digital project, I'd love to help!  I've found quite a few different things you could do with your kids!

This week in the Media Center I am reading "Just Like Abraham Lincoln" to the Kindergarten children.  I will also be doing the draw-together Abraham Lincoln project, using the Elmo.  For the Pre-K kids, I will be reading, the "Crocodile and the Dentist."

Weekly Joke:
Why did the guru refuse Novacaine when he went to his dentist?
He wanted to transcend dental medication.

Happy Valentine's Day!

NEWS ALERT:  DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS WEEK IS CONFERENCES, I AM POSTPONING MEDIA MONDAY TO FEBRUARY 27TH!  I will be talking about the Elmo--What else can it do?

As part of our SIP Technology goal, every classroom needs to make a digital story.  If you need help with this, please let me know! 

This week in the Media Center, love is all around!  In the Kindergarten classes, I will be reading "Valentine Bears."  For PreK I will read, "Love, Splat."

Good news!  One of our classes, has 9 Bee Bucks!  We will be celebrating soon!

Joke for the week: 

Q. What did the boy bird say to the girl bird on Valentine's Day?
A. Let me call you Tweet heart!

and here's another:

Q. Why did the banana go out with the prune?
A. Because it couldn't get a date.

(These and other great Valentine riddles can be found at: http://www.kidactivities.net/post/Valentine-Jokes-for-Kids.aspx )

Feburary is here!

What a week ahead!  100th day, Groundhog Day, and some classes are still bowling! Phew!  Speaking of bowling.  I purchased 6 new bowling books last year.  I have found one of them, Curious George goes Bowling.  Has anyone seen the others?  They are non-fiction books about bowling.  I have looked everywhere in the Media Center, and they are just not here!  If you know where they are, just return them to my mailbox---no questions asked!  Thanks!

For most of the Kindergarten classes this week, I will be sharing my love of Quilting.  I will read, The Quiltmaker's Gift, by Jeff Brumbeau and show them examples of quilts, and quilt blocks.  I will also show them how a quilt gets put together.  Then they will get the opportunity to color a quilt square for the Media Center Quilt, and also one to take home.  I also have a Smartboard activity that uses a quilt square and sight words.  This is to go with your fabric unit.

For PreK this week, since most of you come on Thursday or Friday, I will be reading a Groundhog Day book.

Joke of the day:
Old Quilters never die, they just go to pieces!

Last full week of January!

Don’t forget to come to Media Monday!  It’s TODAY at 3:15 in the Media Center.  WE will talk about how and where to find Smartboard lessons.  Come and enter your name in the drawing for that special prize!  (But you have to come to three Media Mondays to qualify!)

In Kindergarten we are still working with The Mitten on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  On Thursday and Friday I will be reading the Quiltmaker's Gift.  I will also share some of my quilts with the children as well.

In PreK we will read more about snow in All You Need for a Snowman.

Joke for the day: 
Two peanuts were walking down the street and one was a salted...

Happy New Year!

It has come to my attention that not everyone is getting my email to link you to this blog.  If you know this to be true from someone you  know, please let me know so I can rectify the situation!

New Items in the Media Center:

IPad:  we have one iPad available for check-out.  It is loaded with fun games and interactive storybooks.  My favorite is "The Three Little Pigs!"  I will be using it for a reward for my Connect student.  Do you have any ideas on how to use it in your classroom? It can be hooked to a projector so the whole class can see it.

More Playaways!  I wrote a grant for more playaways, and they have arrived!  We are up to 16 playaways!  There is a wide variety of titles.  Ask Lori Tillman, she has used them for a center!

I am working with PTO on aquiring some new boom boxes.  Please let me know if you need one!

BIG NEWS:
Next week is MEDIA MONDAY at  3:20 in the Media Center.  I will be talking about how to develop lessons for the Smartboard.  The news is that if you come to Media Monday 3 times, your name will be entered into a drawing for a PRIZE!  So it's a double benefit!  Not only do you learn something, but you also get the chance to WIN!

For Kindergarten in the Media Center this week, I will be doing a folk tale study on The Mitten.  It is an Ukranian folk tale of which I have 4 versions.  Over the next 2 weeks, we will read, compare and write our own version of The Mitten.

For PreK, I will read another version of The Mitten, or "All you Need for a Snowman."  Just let me know when you come which one you would like me to read to your class.  Thanks!

Technology note:  At the end of the day, please don't forget to shut down your computers and turn off your monitors.  You would be amazed at how much energy this saves!  Also, if you have a laptop, you need to shut it down before you close the cover.  If you just close the cover, it goes into a standby mode, that still uses electricity. Thanks!


Joke of the week:
All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound?
Willyoupleasehelpmefixmykeyboard?Thespacebarisbroken!
(I thought this one looks a little like "kindergarten writing!)