15-17 Rotation Musings

I'm going all iPads next year and no laptops.

Kindergarten-grade 2: We read new books. Next rotation grade 2 will use Destiny Quest on the iPad and be introduced to searching. One unique feature with the iPads is students can carry it to the shelf when looking for books. So far they've been careful and I've had no one leave them on the floor. I'm going to also have grade 1 use them. This summer I think I'll create a video that shows how to walk to the shelf and look for the book based on the call number. I want it customized to my library.

 Grade 3 and 4: I need to create a curriculum that is better with grade 3 and drop the Photostory book trailer. I feel like I'm trying to shove an elephant through a donut hole. The quality just isn't there. Grade 4 I need to start pulling books for students based on interests.

  Grade 5: I really liked how I focused on reading strategies and getting students excited in grade 5. I did a survey to see what students liked and if my strategies helped sustain reading throughout the year. I found that 75% of the low readers sustained or increased their reading while 100% of the middle and high readers sustained or increased their reading over the course of the school year. My goal was actually reversed with 75% sustained reading of middle to high readers and 100% sustained reading for low readers throughout the entire school year. I was noticing a drop off in grade 5 reading in the spring and was trying to address that issue.

The strategies and lessons were: 1) pulling books individually, 2) showing professional book trailers, 3) writing reviews on Goodreads and getting a virtual badge, 4) using iMovie to make book trailers, 5)using the Kindle, and 6) using eBooks. Low readers liked using the Kindle because of the notetaking feature and writing reviews on Goodreads in order to get a badge. High readers liked the iMovie. All of the students liked it when I pulled "just right" books for them and quickly told them what the book was about. Honestly, I was surprised that they all liked this. I thought I had spread myself too thin (pulling books for 160 students) and wasn't giving them enough attention, but I guess not.

I liked having a skeleton of reading strategies for grade 5 that were separate from the curriculum. That way I could slip them in when I wasn't doing an author study or integrated lesson. It gave me a thread to work in my library skills and get kids excited about reading. The last rotation I have grade 5 go to the middle school and meet the librarian. They can check out books for the summer.

Some of My Favorite Book Bloggers

Betsy Bird is my go-to blogger for picture books and middle grade books. I've ordered a bundle of books based on her reviews all the while laughing. If you join Goodreads her 4 and 5 star ratings are never a let-down.

Ben Babcock is an English teacher in the UK, I believe. I read his reviews on Goodreads. He's a tougher critic than Betsy and gives great insight into the literary process. Who are your favorite bloggers? Betsy Bird posted this video of kids telling illustrators their imaginary characters and the artists rending pictures.

14th Rotation - that time of year

My schedule turns topsy-turvy this time of year. Between camp Taiwan, field trips, CPT4 - er... or is it the CTP4 ...or the CPR4? and the WRAP... (is there another P in there?) combine those and you have (drum roll) the CRAP4, but that's kind of gross isn't it? Blame my crudeness on a hysterical book I'm reading called, "The Templeton Twins" (or the letter "P" triggering the toilet bowl humor); it pokes fun at acronyms as well as writing and everything else under the literary sun. Yup, it is that time of year. My mashed potato brain is completely randomized to the point of making up nonsensical words and sentences. Let's move on, shall we? (I borrowed that line from the Templeton Twins where the narrator is more of a main character than the Templeton kids - the asides are funny and constant - pick it up if you need a chuckle). Again... LET'S MOVE ON.

 Kindergarten - No idea what we did. JK. We read "Sleep Like a Tiger." Gorgeous, surreal-type artwork that resembles a dreamlike state. It's about a kiddo who won't sleep. I couldn't figure out the wheel thingys on each page and said to the kids in a scholarly voice, "Ohhh... I think it is that Native American dream weaver thingamajig." Har-har. "Dream Weaver" is a song they loved to play at roller skating rinks in the 70s. "Ooooh-hoo-hoo, dream weaver, I believe you can get me through the night..." (What's that? Okay, I'll move on.) Once I dropped off the dream weaver train and remembered the Native Americans dream catcher thingy, the idea made more sense. Dream catchers hung by the bed to catch nightmares and let only good dreams come through. I can see why this book won a Caldecott Honor in 2012.  

Grade 1 - Pooh - I missed the weather unit with the kids. I have a great lesson to go with it. There's always next year. We read, "Red Riding Hood," a Prairietale twist. Their next unit is plants... maybe Jack and the Beanstalk is in order.

 Grade 2 - We read "Fly Guy." Buzzzz.... (FLY ON, PLEASE)

 Grade 3 - We began our book trailers on Photostory. Details are under Grade 3 lessons. (My class is here. Gotta pick up the pace.)

 Grade 4 - They were at camp. I read "The Widow's Broom" by Chris Van Allsburg to those around. (I twirl my imaginary mustache.) We discussed Salem witch trials, tolerance and bullies. (Mwa-ha-ha... I had their attention). Got one kid to read "Witch of Blackbird Pond" and another to read, "You wouldn't want to be a Salem Witch."  

Grade 5 - I book talked with the kids and they took a survey on reading habits to let me know what lessons they liked this year. I'll adjust according to the results which of course, have been quite positively positive. (Here's a sample question: True or False (choose one). I am a great librarian 1. True 2. True)

Just one more aside - I just had a first grader tell me the character in the book I read sounded like Elmer Fudd. That set me off... all the w's became v's. Vell, it's been a fun morning... THAT's ALL FOLKS.

Virtual Badges

I taught grade 5 students how to use Goodreads and told them if they wrote book reviews on their own I would award them a badge using Edmodo, a social network out school uses. I've had a torrent of reviews and am surprised that 72 of 158 students have responded by writing a review. Several have written 12-15 reviews in four months. I know there is an app called, Foursquare, and I don't know if it could be used in the same way as Edmodo, but I think so. Obviously, you could use this in many different ways as a librarian. I think it is hard as a specialist to make a connection with students because of the time constraints and this is just one tool to help bridge that gap.

Hyperlink to this great article that presents the pros and cons to badges. Make sure you read the comments - it's a terrific discussion!

Checking Out Kindles Like Books

Getting new book releases in English overseas, and in a timely fashion, can be a real challenge for international schools. Our school has purchased Kindles for student check out from grades 5 and up so we can buy new eBooks from Amazon as a way to tackle the problem. While our school uses Overdrive as an eBook lending library, publishers have restricted the available books for many reasons. Books in Overdrive can't be downloaded in Kindle format overseas but they can from U.S. public libraries. The eBook controversy is complex and has disrupted the traditional publishing business model in many ways. I don't have the time nor the desire to delve into it, but the result is a mishmash of eBook offerings at our library in an attempt to get new books to patrons without the usual 2 month delay. Here's an interesting article that touches on the issues: http://www.infotoday.com/searcher/dec11/Hamaker.shtml. I'm willing to pay for whatever service agreed upon and desperately wish the parties could agree on something that satisfies the creators, publishers, and libraries. In the meantime, I'll keep watching and waiting.

13th Rotation

Kindergarten - We did the All About Me unit which I was supposed to do in the fall. Better late than never? They like this lesson and this was the easiest time I had with them doing it.  

Grade 1 - We read, "Yoon and the Jade Bracelet." It is somewhat didactic but we discussed getting along with each other and respecting each others property. We also talked about what it is like when someone is new to a school and how to treat them. 

Grade 2 - We read, "Sophie Peterman Tells the Truth!" by Sarah Weeks. It shows character voice and persuasive writing. Students laughed hard but didn't understand all of the jokes - it is better for older students. 

Grade 3- Added photos for book trailers  

Grade 4 - Follett and Overdrive. Students login is now the same as their network login so we used the iPads to see who could and couldn't login and I went over how to use Overdrive which has a new interface. We requested our interface be like public libraries because we were frustrated with the lack of features on the new one and students having problems figuring out how to log off. We also imported Overdrive eBooks and audiobooks from a .cvs MARC file format into our catalog, which is much better than the search feature on Overdrive. I put the call number as eBook or audiobook. Below is an example with MARC tags. Remember the 856 tag to connect to Overdrive. I had to request the records from my Overdrive rep. Grade 5 Same as above.

Digital Libraries

We just got back from a trip to the Taichung National Library with an amazing array of technologies put to use from an electronic book sorting system to a robot that shelves books. They use RFID technology or radio-frequency identification. They used a company called, Claridy, at and I know 3M offers this type of technology in the U.S. The video below shows the robot moving and the background noise is the hammering of staple guns from carpenters finishing the room.

12th Rotation - Author Visit

Linda Sue Park's eyes tap-dance as she explains the spur-of-the-moment decision to give her Newbery medal for A Single Shard to her dad at the ALA awards ceremony in 2002. The auditorium went from noisy to dead silent as I walked to the edge of the stage to hand Dad the medal. "I'm thinking to myself, why is it so quiet?" and wondered if the audience didn’t like the gesture so I joked at the podium, “Dad, you had better leave that to me in your will.” Later she found out it was quiet because people were so moved they were crying. She laughs and adds, "I heard Bruce Coville blew his nose in the tablecloth." Some time later, Linda Sue’s mom called to complain that her dad was “out-of-control,” still showing everyone The Medal. Linda Sue told her mom that it was okay and the excitement would soon wear off to which her mom said, “No Linda. You don’t understand.” A dramatic pause filled the space before her mom's exasperated voice rang out, “He just showed the UPS man your medal!”

This is just one of many unforgettable stories Linda Sue Park shared at a recent visit to our school where she inspired kids to read and write. This master storyteller drops tidbits of history like breadcrumbs, such as when the Japanese kidnapped Korean potters who would not share their trade secrets around the 1600's, or the Thousand Crane vase that inspired her to write, A Single Shard; a vase that is privately owned by a museum that is open two times a year (but not on permanent display; it is only shown during a ceramics exhibition - so your chance of seeing it is next to nil), or the surprising production of her book, When My Name was Keoko, (based on the Japanese invasion of Korea) by a well-known Japanese theater. All this after 24 hours of being with her. I have a fun rest of the week to go!

The week is just about over and Linda Sue Park's messages to students to help others, read to make the world a better place, and write or rewrite as she laughingly corrects, has been nothing short of inspirational. Park changes her talk for all ages even tossing in a tactile game for kindergarteners that is a clapping game played by Koreans. Grade 5 learned about the Sudan and the difference it makes building a well in a village. Children can go to school when there is water; otherwise, they must collect water every day for survival. Park represents what we teach our students: how to be responsible, kind, courageous, and good citizens in the world. If you are looking for an author visit, I can't say enough good things about her. A definite home run.

11th Rotation

Kindergarten read, What Does Bunny See?, by Linda Sue Park. We then made daisies for a bulletin board that will go up for the author visit. We also used one of the students and imitated the ALA READ posters. The student is holding the author's book. The daisies were made using paper cups and cutting lines down the side of the cup. Next students used a marker to color the center. They will be stapled all over the bulletin board next. We wrote as a class using the pattern that the author uses in the book making up our own stanza using the color white and rhyming the first sentence with the color.

 Grade 1 read, The Firekeeper's Son, and wrote about how people communicate today.

Grade 2 read, The Third Gift, by Linda Sue Park.

Grade 3 read, The Third Gift.  

Grade 4 put together their sijo poems

Grade 5 is creating a Jeopardy game based on a biography of Linda Sue Park.

10th Rotation - the author is coming!

We are gearing up for Linda Sue Park's visit to the school in March.

Kindergarten - We read, The Squeaky Door, by Margaret Read McDonald. This is a great book for patterns, repetition, and audience participation. I usually have instruments for the kids to do the click, squeaky door, animal sounds but tried something different this time. I used the iPads and downloaded the app, Sound Touch Lite, that had animal sounds. As the grandma adds animals to the bed the students push the button of the animal to play the sound.

This was an interesting experience. I accidentally did it with a first grade class and the lesson didn't work. The students weren't using the iPads and didn't have any self-control. Other teachers have set parameters and students know to only use apps. I had to have the 1st graders stop and flip the iPads over because they wouldn't listen to the story and play the sounds on cue - they just wanted to play with the iPads. I then read the same book to several classes of kindergarteners and the lesson went great. I didn't have to have them flip the iPads over because they were under control. They were engaged with the story more than the app so they would look up when I resumed reading it. Below is a clip of me teaching and them using the iPads:

Grade 1: I read Martina the beautiful Cockroach by Carmen Agra Deedy. I love this book and can read it a bazillion times without tiring of it.

Grade 2: I read one chapter each of Linda Sue Park's biography. It was too hard for them and I was either defining words or standing on my head trying to get them enthused.

Grade 3: Lesson 3 of book trailers. I made a video so the sub could show it when I was gone coaching in Manila. It seemed to go better than last year with the additional graphic organizer.

Grade 4: Read Tap Dancing on the Roof by Linda Sue Park. These are sijo poems a form of Korean haiku. The are 3 lines with 14-16 syllables. We wrote one together as a class. Here's an example:

Pizza. Salad. Dessert. Chicken legs. Dumplings. Spaghetti. (14) Splat! Food dumped on my tray. Tastes good, tastes bad. Looks like a picture. (15) Revenge! Toss food in the garbage. Yuck, I got some on my shoe. (15)

Grade 5: Students wrote a book review and got an Edmodo badge for completing. About 1/2 of the students finished in each class. Here's a video of the lesson:

Is this an iPad?

I set up 4 old Mac's to play student book trailers and how-to videos. The kindergarteners kept swiping the screen like it was an iPad. Cute kids!

9th Rotation - survival mode

It is always kind of nuts after break because tennis season is winding up and we travel to another country for a competition. Fun, but I'm usually behind on everything.

Kindergarten - we started our Linda Sue Park study. She's the visiting author in March. We read Bee Bim Bop and What does Bunny See? Nice patterns in text to reinforce language learning.

Grade 1 - We read, Monkey : a trickster tale from India by Gerald McDermott. The students loved this book! On a sad note the talented author died January 10, 2013.

Grade 2 - We read, The Third Gift, by Linda Sue Park. The like the surprise ending and how the story unfolds. The students weren't quite sure what tree it was and what the two were going to do with the sap.

Grade 3 - Lesson 2 of the book trailer project. I tried a new graphic organizer where students had to write the lead, summary, problem, and opinion. We will see if the next writing organizer is better than last years.

Grade 4 - We read about the Korean bonfire signal system in Linda Sue Park's novel, The Firekeeper's Son. A boy's father breaks his ankle going up the mountain to light the fire and his young son goes in his place. He struggles internally about whether to light the fire or not because he knows if he doesn't the soldiers will come. And oh! How he wants to see the soldiers. Good mentor text with a clear story arc and internal conflict in a character.

Grade 5 - Students signed up or registered for Goodreads. They had to add me as their friend and from there added other friends. I told students if they wrote a review I would give them an Edmodo Goodreads badge (that I created).

8th Rotation - Ho Ho Ho!

Kindergarten to Grade 4 - I read the new books I got to them. It was really fun and worked well with all the cancellations from Christmas parties and assemblies.  

Grade 5 - Finished the iMovie and discovered some improvements needed for next year. Don't let students choose books with no pictures - doesn't work. Some students hadn't read the book even though the instructions were everyone in group needs to read book. Maybe I should do what I did with grade 4 students and choose excellent picture books having the group familiarize themselves with the program. Then in the spring have them do one on their own with a more difficult book. This might scaffold better considering I lost a few kiddos on the way. Some students don't come to library because of ESL so they didn't do the lesson. I can't control that. The lesson took 3 rotations. One longer than I had planned which is another reason I like my idea of picture books.

Here's an example with a picture book:

Here's a nonfiction book example. What is funny about it is the boy picked the romantic theme and chose a book on a car he adores:

7th Rotation - happy feet

Kindergarten - Students performed Pete the Cat. The book has been scanned and I put the audio to it using a video editing program. I did this lesson differently from my past and had students cut out the shoes versus me cutting them. After checking out books, the students placed their books off the floor on the benches to the right side then I hand out scissors, 4 colored pieces of construction paper (white, brown, red, and blue), and a shoe template. Students pick a color 4 to 5 depending on class size. I give them one pair of scissors, 2 pieces of construction paper, and one template. Once 4-5 students have chosen one color I hide it behind me and let them chose from what is left. Placing the shoe template over the paper, the student cuts through two pieces of paper around the outline. Most could do this. When they are done they sit on the benches by color on the left side. I play an example on the projector of a class performing it so they get the idea. I play the book and students run to the stage when Pete steps in their colored shoes.

When setting up make sure to tell the students to not scream or run. They still run but say it anyway. When all of the students go up at the end it is somewhat chaotic and crazy. Skip that part if you have a wild class.

I have the students sing along throughout the book and they are usually chirping the chorus well after we have finished. This ties in with the Readers study patterns unit.

Here's a highlight video:

 Grade 1 - Students began their nonfiction unit. I read Mako Shark by Deborah Nuzzolo and pointed out parts of a nonfiction book (call #, glossary, index, table of contents, resourses). The essential questions are How do I read a nonfiction book? What's the main idea? Readers use nonfiction text features to get information (index, other resources, table of contents). Nonfiction text help readers help us answer questions.

Grade 2 - After break students will begin their character unit. I had them find their favorite character in a book, say the title, author and why they like that character using the camera app on the iPad with the iRig microphone. The iRig posed some problems because they pushed down the switch turning off the sound. It would be easier to not use the iRig but the library is so noisy with multiple classes I like to use it because the white noise is blocked out. Here are students working:

Grade 3 - We started our book trailer lesson. Students wrote down their top 3 books on a piece of paper and I grouped them according to books read. I usually have to call up 2-3 kids to see if they have read the same books.

Grade 4 - I downloaded about 50 professionally made book trailers from our library and scholastic and showed them to students - about 20 minutes. The book fair is next week and I wanted to get them excited about reading. After the trailers, they have time to look for the books in the library with my help.

Grade 5 - Lesson 2 using the iMovie app. Some students finished trailers. One student used a book with no pictures. I need to make sure they don't do that. Also, several students chose books where one read it and the other didn't. Maybe next year I'll use a checklist. 1. Partners have read book 2. Book has pictures 3. Trailer focuses on problem. I will change the worksheet. (Take off that they can act out the book on worksheet - doesn't come out as well as other trailers. Okay to mix pictures and themselves, but not just themselves.)

Students on task and like using iMovie.

6th Rotation - reflecting

Kindergarten - I read through my stack of new books. Students really liked The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner. The illustrations are fascinating. She outlines the bear and fills it in with different shapes. It might be a good book for teaching patterns and shapes. On a funny note I read a book about Gertrude Stein by Jonah Winter and it was imitating her play on words. It was supposed to be funny and a boy kept saying, "This isn't funny" which of course made me laugh all the more. I know that Jonah Winter's books don't target the wee ones but it was the last book in my pile of newbies and I really wanted to read it.  

Grade 1 - They are doing character studies so I picked books with distinct characters such as Henry and Mudge, Cam Jansen, Mercer Mayer, Ling & Ting, and Fox. The language arts curriculum describes the goals of the character unit as students studying what characters say, do, and how they change; plus, "they will retell to help them hold onto meaning and will make predictions based on the characteristics of the characters in their books." I could enhance this lesson by having students retell the story using the video on the iPad. The only problem is the books above are too long except for some of the Mercer Mayer. I would have to find shorter books like Biscuit, Pup & Hound, etc.

Grade 2 - I read the book, Okay by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, where the narrator says all the things they are okay at doing. Students love that the character is actually made out of the "O" and "K." They asked me to tip the book this way and that so they could spy the character in the illustrations. I wanted students to write things they were okay at but rather than be burdened with pencil and paper I wanted them to use the Dragon Dictation app. It didn't work. The app doesn't type the correct words and they got so distracted by it that they forgot about the task at hand. Some thought it so funny that they started saying all sorts of goofy things. I don't think the lesson was a complete failure. I think next time I'll just use a recorder. They can record on Sound Cloud their thoughts and I can then post it to the library blog... I need to incorporate my blog into more of my lessons as a way for students to post their work done on the iPad and then check out on their own.

Grade 3 - Teachers asked me to show the students Fountas & Pinnell. Do you know I've done this lesson 22 times?! Nuff said. I did email Follett Company and asked for them to add the advanced feature on their mobile app. Students can't search for leveled books on the app at the moment.

Grade 4 - I read Mrs. Harkness and the Panda by Alicia Potter. We had some awesome discussions about it in every class. The first class wanted to know how long panda's live. We looked it up online. The next class wanted to find out how Mr. Harkness died. We looked that up on Wikipedia and the information was incorrect! That sparked a whole discussion on information that is accurate and not accurate and how we can learn the difference. It was a teachable moment and the students were so engaged! I was also happy with myself because I made a conscious effort to ask open-ended questions and praise students for their thinking on the text. I am also trying to think more about letting students turn and talk with a partner about the text. I don't do this enough and it is quite powerful.

Grade 5 - We started our book trailers. I showed students a book trailer I did and one done on a picture book by some 4th graders. Next, I showed the app and gave a short demo on how it works. I gave students a graphic organizer to write a book trailer and told them to get in pairs. There are some threesomes and I'm not sure how this will work. They had to choose a book and write a trailer that focuses on the problem in the story. They can't give away the ending. Those who finished quickly I gave an iPad to and let them begin. This allowed for differentiation and seemed to work well. The students were so excited to use iMovie on the iPad. What an amazing motivator. I had one boy come at recess to ask if he could work on it because he didn't want to wait for the next rotation.

5th Rotation - videos on my videos

We got the online subscription to Fountas & Pinnell that can be used with our Follett catalog system. It doesn't level all the books but it has been really helpful for students getting "just right" books. I find that it is more accurate than the reading levels.  

Kindergarteners came to the library dressed in wedding dresses because they had just learned that "Q" and "U" got married to make "QU." I made an iMovie of the kids and grabbed a new book I had bought called, "Flower Girl." Luckily it had "qu" words in it because the munchkins were on the prowl for them.

With the other classes I gave one student an iPad and they took pictures with it. I told them they could only take 6 (one boy had 6 of my kneecaps... guess that's all he sees when I read). Then I posted them to my library web site. I want kids to use it to post their iPad work.

Grade 1 retold and acted out the Halloween story, "Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin," by Rick Walton. An evil pumpkin boasts it will eat Mrs. McMurphy but she gets the best of him in the end. I used iMovie.

Grade 2 was read "The Perfect Pumpkin Pie," by Denys Cazet. It is a fun one to change voices and do a scary moan. It was too long to add an activity afterwards.  

Grade 3 was read "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore," by William Joyce, then watched the 15 minute video that won academy award for best short film. We talked about the author's message afterwards. That was hard for the students and I found their varying responses fascinating. I was surprised how much the students liked this wordless short film. They would ask when it was done for me to play it again.

Grade 4 - Classes were shown Fountas & Pinnell and changed their passwords on Follett because kids were hacking into each others Destiny Quest. Developmentally, grade 4 students don't seem to get it when it comes to respecting each others virtual space. One class finished their book trailers. The pappy pig dance is below:

 Grade 5 - I showed them Fountas & Pinnell. They started a nonfiction unit. I also booktalked with kids that teachers felt needed extra attention. Two teachers gave me 7 kids and it was hard getting through that many. Plus it takes me 20 to 30 minutes pulling "just right" books for kids so the prep time is horrendous. Hopefully it helps the teacher.

 Tennis season started and I made a video of tryouts.

4th Rotations: Shipwrecked Lessons

Ever have a week of lessons that seem to bomb? This was my week. The ship didn't always sink to the bottom of the ocean but it came close.

Kindergarten: I spent two hours pulling picture book titles that told a story and then had the kindergarteners act it out. They didn't really get it and didn't learn much so I dropped it. Developmentally it was not "just right." Oh well. Here's the video:

Grade 1: I read the book, Sometimes You Get What You Want by Meredith Gary, and had students use My Story app on the iPad. They were supposed to write something following the pattern but they just played with the app. There is learning in that but it wasn't the objective. Next time I will have them write down what they will use and I think it is better if done later in the year when grade 1 is better at writing.

Grade 2: We read new books. I got boxes of them and just read different ones.

Grade 3: The students used pic collage to find books and then I wanted them to write a reflection and post the pic collage on the school blog. The school blog was down so I created one on blogger but the students didn't really write good reflections. I sat in and watched a grade 3 teachers reflection and I liked how she had the kids turn and talk. I don't give them enough time to process. Plus, I'm hyper and that works against me.

Grade 4: I can't remember what I did with this grade. Oh yeah, one class made book trailers using iMovie. Only one group of 3 finished in 30 minutes. Afterwards I realized that the students should have written down their book trailer. Most didn't make sense. I did make them use picture books which helped simplify the project. Here's the only finished product on a Mo Willems book:

Grade 5: Finished the Overdrive eBook lesson by registering with Adobe and downloading a book. I made this photo with Pic Collage

 

3rd Rotation: Lessons for Grades KA - 5

I lost my library for the week because photos were being taken. At one point there were 4 classes in the library and a bunch of parents. There were probably 100 people and of course I had the grade 3 class with focusing issues. Needless to say they had a tough time doing the lesson. Look below for more on it.

I was using the iPads with grades 3-5 and we were squished in the back. It took me awhile to figure out how to teach in a different space. I used the iPads with the document camera and I also wiped out with an iPad in my arms. Nothing like making a point. I just got done explaining that students had to be careful with them and particularly around me because I am a klutz. I go to sit on my stool and the seat has been moved up two inches. I ended up missing it and falling backwards into the wall with the iPad. Because I didn't want anything to happen to the iPad, I cradled it to my chest and just let myself fall backwards. I hit my head on the stool, bruised both elbows, and cut my ankle. I untangled my limbs, stood up, and said I didn't mean to give students a demonstration. No one laughed. They were perfect little angels the rest of class. I think I scared them.

KA- We read new books. I also put the iPad Story Chimes book, 3 little Pigs, up on the LCD screen. Originally I wanted the KA kids to use the iPads but when I tested it on 2 kids they didn't really get it so I put the story up on the screen. They loved it. I did this at the end when they were looking for books.

K -I read, The Very Greed Bee, by Steve Smallman. Cute story about a bee that eats so much he can't fly back home. Other insects help him along the way. We also read, The Duckling Gets a Cookie!? by Mo Willems. The duckling shares a cookie with the pigeon. Funny twist at the end.

Grade 1 - We read, Ladybug Girl and Bingo, by David Soman.

Grade 2 - We read, Bink & Gollie Two for One, by Kate Dicamillo and Allison McGhee. Just as good as book 1. I laughed so hard at the illustrations. I'll have to review this book. A winner.

Grade 3 - We used the iPads for a book location game. This was really successful. I used the Pic Collage App. Students had a clipboard with 6 call numbers that they had to find in the library. When they found the book they took a picture using the app. Once they had 6 pictures they changed the background and added text with the call number on top of the pictures. The most difficult part is figuring out how the books are in alphabetical order and figuring that out with each letter.

Setup. Show an example of the finished product. They really don't know the term, "call number" and the example shows this. Tell students if they are taking pictures of anything other than books they will lose the use of the iPad and have to do it with paper and pencil. I also give the same warning if they are with friends. They can't be silly or they will be separated.

One class I showed how to use the app and another class I showed it on the screen and sent them off. The second way was quicker and lets the kids who know how to use the iPad the chance to dive in and then I help the others one-on-one.

Last I emailed the collage to me so I can assess if they were able to find books. Each kids name was put in the subject area and I saved them under a folder in Outlook with the teacher's name. There are 6 sections of grade 3 students.

Grade 4 - We used the Destiny Quest app. I showed them how to logon, check book titles, and search. Because they are in pairs each student took turns. This takes up about 15 minutes.

Grade 5 - We used the Destiny Quest app that takes about 10 minutes. Next I show them the Overdrive app so students can download eBooks. They go through all the steps to the part where they download a book. (They can type TAS when they add a library.) Then they stop and the partner does it. This takes about 30 minutes depending on the quirky tech things that go wrong using the Follett catalog. Next lesson they will go to my cart and register for Adobe. Then I'll show the return feature.

Classroom Management

I am always seeking to improve my classroom management. I was yapping with my husband at lunch and he says that when he has his students work in partners, afterwards they have to compliment each other. It helps build community and kindness. Eveything I do in the library involves partners. Great idea!

2nd Rotation: Lessons for Grades KA - 5

The second 10 day rotation has been completed and we've rolled out the iPads and laptops. I have an amazing 24 laptops and 12 iPads that I can use with all the students in the elementary school!

KA - these 4 year old tots are still deers in the headlights with the library and its routines. We read the book, Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger. Sometimes a book is so gorgeous I want to put it next to my cheek and stroke the cover. The oil illustrations have shades of green I didn't know existed and the thickness of the paint gives the pages a three dimensional look. Sprinkle in a great story line with hidden pictures and voila, you have a very engaging book for adults and younger children.

Kindergarten - We read The Magic Hat by Mem Fox. Actually I sing the repetitive parts and wear my light-up Mickey Mouse Fantasia hat. When done we acted out the book and made a video on the iPad using iMovie. Check it out below:

 Then the KA class came in and several girls were dressed up at princesses. I couldn't resist making another video. Here it is:

 Grade 1 - We read the book, Oh No, by Mac Barnett and made scary faces on the iPad using Photobooth app - I was hoping it would help with them remember the story, especially the students with limited English. When I asked them about the story about 1 out of every 4 students knew what it was about. The next class I talked more about the story more students remembered it. They were really motivated using the app.

Here's the response on what we read:

 Grade 2 - We read Life with Mammoth by Ian Fraser. Two cavemen try to catch a mammoth as a pet. Crack out your caveman voice for this funny book.

Grade 3 - we used the Destiny Quest app on the iPads. Students searched for books. Next week they will do a scavenger hunt on the iPads using the Pic Collage app.

 Grade 4 - Did the laptop questionnaire on google apps. They didn't know the words "considered" "chain mails" ... I have 275 questionnaires to go through to check for understanding. It would appear that grade 4 lacks knowledge and need to learn more skills before they can check out after school. Email me if you want to see the questionnaire.

 Grade 5 students also took the laptop questionnaire and I pulled books for them based on their reading interest survey from last week. Teachers gave me DRA scores so I was able to get "just right" books. It took me 1 1/2 - 2 hours to pull books for each class and with 8 sections it was a beast trying to do it. I did booktalk with each kid and I gave out new books that I had gotten. The students love it when the book is brand new. Next year if the teacher doesn't give me the DRA score I'm not going to pull books for the class. I usually picked books that were too hard or easy and it took me longer than when I had DRA scores - even if the scores were from grade 4 it helped. I should maybe spread this out over two rotations and flip-flop lessons covering the catalog and eBooks with half the classes and handing out books. This will help me with not running out of books and break up the additional 16 hours of prep time. Another thing that would be good if I flip-flopped is that some teachers were in the middle of DRA testing so my timing was off for those who didn't get done in time.