These are a Few of my Favorite Things...

KidLitCon 2010:
Books, authors, Books, sharing, Books, friends, Books, blogs, Books, laughs, librarians, Books, Twitter, Books, teachers, Books, publishers, Books...

I will be sharing many of the Books that I bought and learned about at KidLitCon 2010
It may be a while- I have sooooo many to read!

Does New Technology Scare You?

Introducing new technology and applications to students isn't usually hard to do. Students at OMS jump at the opportunity whenever I am able to present it.

ITAG2010 Presentation

Recently, I was offered the chance to share how I use technology in both my classroom and in my own professional development at the Iowa Talented and Gifted Conference in DesMoines. My English Enrichment students were able to "attend" and be guest presenters using Twitter to share their thoughts on using social networking in our classroom. The response was a positive sign that technology isn't as scary as it used to be.

Students Learn and Teach the Teacher

After viewing some of the other Global Read Aloud projects, my students couldn't get enough of voki an online talking head graphic. I had looked at this site before, but hadn't had a chance to play/learn.
The excitement was explosive to say the least.
Students: Teacher6th:
"How do you do that?" "I don't know."
"Can we do that?" "Go for it!"
"LOOK WHAT I DID!" "Wow, I need to try this!"
"You need to try this!"

The Little Prince Global Read Aloud

E2 Class has been participating in a global read aloud focused on the book The Little Prince. While listening to the story concurrently with about 60 other school around the globe, students shared predictions, facts, and opinions pertaining to the chapters being read. It was fun to read the wiki, blogs, and tweets from the other classrooms. Our students a were able to use Twitter to meet and share with a class from Canada in real time. More activities and networking is being planned along with individual student projects being created to share with others.

Reading Picture Books-Memories & Fun

Picture books aren't just for preschoolers and young readers. Our reading class has been busy reading and enjoying picture books during our free reading time. Picture books are written in all genres and topics cover all our interest topics. They are entertaining and a nice way to remember favorite reads from the past.
We will be sharing some of our favorite picture books via Skype with our 4th grade friends at Wings park Elementary School.

Baby Baby Baby! by Marilyn Janovitz made our tongues tingle with the rhyming chants and repetitions. "Bitsy bouncy baby on a bumpity lap Mommy's little baby likes to Clap Clap Clap!"

shared alliteration and examples of sensory text. Students recommended this book because of the bold illustrations and the rhythm that made them want to read it again and again. Baby Baby Baby! would be a must read while taking care of siblings or tucking in little ones while babysitting.

Super Skype Friday has Started!

What better way to end the week then to share a book over Skype with new friends...
Super Skype Friday started this month as we introduced ourselves to the 4th grade students in Mrs. D's class at Wing's Elementary School. Our class was their "Mystery Reader" class for the week. After sharing waves and smiles, I shared the picture book, Nothing to do.
The students on both sides of the cameras were able to share how they like to spend days just doing nothing.

Who will be the mystery reader next week? 6th grade students will be reading from now on!
What book will be shared? Students will be choosing picture books they want to share.
Where will there be learning? Both sides of the cameras!

Share your Friday morning reading a book with others- I highly recommend it!

My Name Is Not Isabella

My Name Is Not Isabella is a picture book for girls of all ages. Jennifer Foseberry shares "Just how big can a little girl dream?" through a normal day with extraordinarily women in history. The day starts with Isabella claiming to be Sally and blasts off to breakfast. Her day introduces Annie, Rosa, Marie, Elizabeth, and the extra special Mommy. The vivid illustrations by Mike Litwin creates a eye catching journey. This book opens the door of discovery and creates a community for girls to achieve. So if your name isn't Isabella who would you like to be known as? How will you make your name a name that a young girl would like to claim? What is your name? Read this book to be inspired to make a difference.

October book Orders Due 10/15/10

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: GNLJK

Dear Parent,
Now it’s easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child—shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.

It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
  
  
• SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.
  
  
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Thank you,
Mrs. Duff

Effigy Mounds and Outdoor Day Memories

Two favorite activities in the fall find us outside enjoying the sunshine!
This year the 6th graders had many opportunities to share the sunshine with others.
Outdoor Day was celebrated right in our back/side yard. Prairie plant identification, Introduction to archery, BB gun safety, Haiku poetry writing, and Environmental games brought the students and adults together under a windy blue sky.
Hiking at Effigy Mounds is always an adventure. This year the students could see and hear many birds and chipmunks as they walked along the trails and mounds in this spectacular park.

"The Aristobrats" OMGasp!

Lylas (Love ya like a sister) are four 8th grade girls on the top of the populadder! Being the most popular in the 8th grade class at Wallingford Academy is all the Lalas had worked for in the last few years. They were there- their Facebook pages full of friend requests, their hair do and fashions soon to be copied by all- they had made it to the top!
But what goes up, must come down! After being assigned to the school web cast production, even a hairy nipfit can't save their populartunity. (glad there are definitions in the back of the book )

The Aristobrats, by Jennifer Solow, is a fun read that goes deeper than designer clothes and made-up words. Parts made me LOL and experience life as a teenager in today's techo world. We are reminded that situations in school and at home aren't always solved by shopping and getting a makeover-sometimes friends need to see what really matters and go where their heart takes them.
You will find yourself cheering for the Lylas and see that it really is all about the attitude!

Mrs. P's Magic Library travels to OMS

Mrs. P used a bit of her magic and landed in our classroom to share secrets about her magic library and her love of stories. Students asked questions and received answers that surprised, enlightened, and even made many laugh.
"What is your favorite color?"
"Hot pink with a black head band, red, purple, and well, every color in the rainbow plus black and white."
"What is your favorite book?"
"Right now, Jack & the Beanstalk" then the list continued to change from fantasy to poetry to To Kill a Mockingbird in a blink of an eye. Magic and reading are amazing things indeed!
"What do you think makes a good story?"
"A great story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. It has adventure and suspense."
Mrs. P shared how important reading and writing are to her and how her magic library helps her share this with children and adults 24/7.
We learned about Mrs. P's library and how it has a "katrillion" rooms and that the leaves on the trees change colors about every two minutes. She even has elves, knows someone related to the Tooth Fairy and has given a dog to Santa Clause. This is a library I will have to visit during my next vacation!

Students are writing stories that they can enter in Mrs. P's 2nd annual writing contest.
For more information go to www.MrsP.com and experience the magic library for yourself!
A big thank you to Mrs. P and her elves-the visit was magical!

MrsP.com 2nd Annual Writing Contest

Start writing TODAY! Mrs. P. will be in our classroom September 14th (via Skype) sharing stories and laughs.