MIT's Computer Program for KIDS

We've been looking into some basic computer programming, which doesn't sound very basic at all at first. MIT has developed an educational software program called Scratch which teaches children how to create animation and games. Sounds like fun! But the real reason behind me bringing this into our classroom is not for fun and entertainment purposes. In order to run this program, students need to think creatively, reason systematically, and collaborate with classmates. These are all real world skills. If your son or daughter asks you to download the program onto your home computer, please consider it because the possibilities for creation, and learning opportunities with this program are truly endless. Students must use critical thinking and mathematical reasoning  to animate and program. I am learning the program myself, however it's the students who need these skills for success in the world of tomorrow.   Who knows, maybe you are living with a future computer engineer?

http://scratch.mit.edu/

My Fave Video Clips So Far This Year...

This kiddo is amazing! I wish he was in our class so he could teach ME!

Belly breathing is for real. This is cute and we all need to do it at times!

How about these kiddies? They are the best of the best. They say no burn, no learn!




Caine is one of the most inspirational kids I have ever seen. We watched this clip in class and the kids were so fascinated by how determined and motivated he was. We are thinking about trying this out too!

2013 Coming Right UP!

What would you like to do a whole lot more of at school in 2013?
science experiments projects math reader's theater inventing publishing writing technology cooking
	Results

I'm planning some great things for you! Hope you are having a wonderful vacation! Miss you all!

Happy Vacay!

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Many students were out today because it was a half-day, bad weather, sick, or all of the above! 

Congratulations Julianna, Olivia, Nikolas, and Vinnie, who are at the top of our Scoot Pad leader board in math, they have all completed the first math unit and have moved onto unit two! Also, congrats to Brian, aka, BRAIN who is on unit three in math! Keep it up guys! I'm so proud of your hard-work and all you are learning. Read, play, learn, and enjoy your vacation! 

Snowflakes For Sandy Hook

Today as part of our holiday festivities we made snowflakes to send to the new Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Connecticut. Students will not be returning to the former Sandy Hook, and we are helping to decorate their new school, a former abandoned middle school. It will be decorated with a winter wonderland theme when they return after the holiday break. Our snowflakes along with many other classes throughout the country, will be displayed throughout the building with a sign that indicates they were made with love by the kids in our class. Taking the time to do this was important to me, and many students needed a chance to talk about what they had heard about the terrible tragedy that happened last week. I could tell it weighed heavy on some of their minds. I'm wishing that we could do so much more to help those families. 

I Admit It...

I am a computer geek! But I know some of you are too! We are going to try this site out at school next week and I can't wait to see who will be at the top of the leader board in each category. Do you want to try it now? Here's the link: http://www.scootpad.com/Watson  Login in with your USERNAME. You can change your password at school, for now everyone is the same: 12345 Once you are logged in try the homework assignment I left for you. You will be ahead of the class and receive a special privilege on Monday... assuming we have school. There's snow in the forecast! Snow date Tuesday!

Parents this site is AWESOME! It is common core practice in math and reading.  I think it could really help boost NECAP scores. Students can do assignments at home or school and I can track the amount of problems solved, time spent, and trees saved. No kidding! 

Animoto Fun!

We had so much fun today creating these animated presentations based on what we are learning this week in science. Animoto was a great platform for students to make a presentation in. They worked in groups of three or four. Here's their final products. Great job, no wait, AMAZING JOB guys! I am so impressed!

P.S. Use them to help you study for the quiz on Friday!


 

Holiday Party

Our class will be having a holiday party on Thursday, Dec. 20th. Students who want to participate in a gift swap should bring in a gift that is school supplies or art supplies. The gift should be around five dollars, and be something to write on, and something to write with. So an example would be a sketchbook and color pencils, markers and a cool notebook, or paints with painting paper. Please make sure the gift is wrapped too! I will provide the refreshments... If there is a snow day we will have the swap/party on the 21st. 

Back In The Lab

Here are some pics of our most recent experiments with gravity and the temperature which water freezes at. We had lots of fun doing them. The students really had their thinking caps on!They collaborate with one another and work together to answer questions. Although our experiment today sort of bombed, I felt good that they hypothesized why.

Zooborn Newborns

Baby Polar Bear Anori is almost one year old!

How cute is this little guy? You can read all about him and other baby animals that were born this week at zoos all over the world on ZooBorns. Check it out! There are tons of photos, videos, and birth stories about adorable little zoo babies.  Perhaps, you would like to be a zoo keeper or veterinarian?