What does an hour of code look like?
My library was filled with a productive buzz yesterday afternoon as three classes of third graders learned how to code. We used these resources that I centrally-located on my Webpage.
Friday, March 28, 2014
Hour of Code with 3rd Graders
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Slice of Life: A Surprising Discovery
I walked around the library taking a quick tally of the subjects of the biographies. Not surprisingly, Jane Goodall topped the list with 19 readers, Wilma Rudolph came in a close second with 14 readers, after these two women, the remainder of students read biographies on a wide range of women: Helen Keller, Michelle Obama, Rachel Carson, Pocahontas, Amelia Earhart, Rosa Parks, Clara Barton, Mother Theresa, Sacajawea, Mae Jemison, and Sally Ride.
At one point I looked down and couldn't believe what I saw.
“Mary Kay Ash.” PebbleGo. www.pebblego.com. March 25, 2014.
I did not know who Mary Kay Ash was until I read the article. Of course, if someone had said only Mary Kay, it would have rung a bell, but I never knew her last name and my mindset was not thinking about her. I went back to see how the student had found this article. It was under this heading:
Interesting that the two women with biographies under the "Inventors and Business Leaders" section both established women's cosmetics/beauty companies. I hope that there will be more biographies about women business leaders in the future.
This part of the lesson went as expected. I was surprised by what happened next - many students stayed within the parameters and continued reading biographies about women even though they had free reign. This small, but important choice made me happy. I'd like to think that the more women are viewed as people who make a difference the better chance we have of making a difference.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
CELEBRATE this week: On finding the brake pedal
Holy Cow. The past two and one half months have been a roller coaster without end, a ride with thrilling highs and unwelcome lows passing by at a hair-raising speed. At least that is what it feels like reflecting back on that time, while I sit here drinking espresso and reading the paper (cover-to-cover, I might add).
The past few months have held wonderful events at school like Read Across America, World Read Aloud Day, and author Skype visits. Work-related, but outside I school I have attended two conferences and presented at a third. All fun, inspiring, and fulfilling, but all with a certain amount of planning and work behind the scenes. These thrilling highs, and the joy I get from spending time with my students every day, have kept me going during another bout of hospitalizations and rehab for my father, who suffered a minor stroke. My father is still in rehab, but we hope to get him home soon.
This is why this morning of sitting and reading the paper, and not preparing for anything out of the ordinary work-wise and knowing that my father is doing better, feels like a celebration.
The roller coaster has not really stopped. We've got three and one half months of school (and all the great occurrences there), plus I am presenting at a conference next Saturday. But, this is today. It's the start of spring and it's partly sunny and forty-five degrees here. I am going to celebrate by working in the garden.
Friday, March 21, 2014
Mary on Horseback
During one of my book conversation lunches, I read from one of my favorite biographies, Mary on Horseback: Three Mountain Stories by Rosemary Wells.
Mary on Horseback is the story of Mary Breckinridge, the founder of the Frontier Nursing Service.
This slim volume packs a punch. Readers are invited into the lives of three people, whose very existence is changed by Mary Breckinridge. With honesty and grace, Wells gently introduces the reader to life in Appalachia in the 1920's. The ensuing three stories then bring this time and this place to life.
I recently found this footage about the FNS and Mary:
In the past, I have paired Mary on Horseback with That Book Woman by Heather Henson, the story of the packhorse librarians.
The packhorse librarians were part of a Works Progress Administration program aimed at bringing books to the families of Appalachia. You can see photographs of the librarians on this site from the New Deal Network.
Biographies about women are not just to be shared during March, but it offers an opportunity to celebrate them.
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| Mary on Horseback cover shot |
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| Mary Breckinridge |
I recently found this footage about the FNS and Mary:
In the past, I have paired Mary on Horseback with That Book Woman by Heather Henson, the story of the packhorse librarians.
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| That Book Woman cover shot |
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| A packhorse librarian delivering books |
Thursday, March 20, 2014
I Sleep Like a ...
Today the kindergarten students and I read, Sleep Like A Tiger.
The book is written by novelist and poet, Mary Logue, and illustrated by the amazing artist Pamela Zagarenski. Zagarenski was recognized with a Caldecott Honor for her work in this book. You can hear her talk about her illustrations here: TeachingBooks Interview.
Zagarenski's detailed and engaging illustrations celebrate this gentle story of a young girl who is not ready to go to bed, but who ultimately takes on the sleeping habits of the animals she and her parents are discussing. I thought it was a great way to lead into poetry month because the writing is lyrical and creates beautiful imagery for the reader. (I'll just mention that these are the best fictional parents and wish I had read this book when my own children were young and not tired!)
Prior to reading the book, I asked the students to think about what type of animal they would describe themselves as when they are sleeping. After reading the book, the students shared their ideas. I wish I had had them share their ideas prior to reading the book, as I did with last year's students. I think they were about to think more broadly.
I used this opportunity to see how different media might influence their answers.
In one class, each student found a book about the animal he or she slept like and then used the iPads to record each other talking about his or her sleeping habits.
In another class, I created a generic slide show in Kid Pix and had the students record themselves explaining their sleeping habits.
In the third class, the students put pen to paper.
In the last class, the students their ideas in a whole group conversation.
"I sleep like a sheep because I walk in my sleep."
"I sleep like a tiger because I sleep a lot and I like to sleep in the morning."
"I sleep like a shark because I keep my eyes open."
"I sleep like a rabbit because I sleep quietly."
"I sleep like a snake because I curl up."
"I sleep like a whale because I rolled out of my bed."
"I sleep like a leopard because I roam around in my bed."
There were a surprising number of students who sleep quietly like rabbits or bunnies. I wonder if their parents would agree?
This is a beautifully-written, gorgeously-illustrated story, I am glad to have shared it with my students. Have you used this book with your students? Please share your projects!
Prior to reading the book, I asked the students to think about what type of animal they would describe themselves as when they are sleeping. After reading the book, the students shared their ideas. I wish I had had them share their ideas prior to reading the book, as I did with last year's students. I think they were about to think more broadly.
I used this opportunity to see how different media might influence their answers.
In one class, each student found a book about the animal he or she slept like and then used the iPads to record each other talking about his or her sleeping habits.
In another class, I created a generic slide show in Kid Pix and had the students record themselves explaining their sleeping habits.
In the third class, the students put pen to paper.
Whale
Otter
Rabbit
Pig
In the last class, the students their ideas in a whole group conversation.
"I sleep like a sheep because I walk in my sleep."
"I sleep like a tiger because I sleep a lot and I like to sleep in the morning."
"I sleep like a shark because I keep my eyes open."
"I sleep like a rabbit because I sleep quietly."
"I sleep like a snake because I curl up."
"I sleep like a whale because I rolled out of my bed."
"I sleep like a leopard because I roam around in my bed."
There were a surprising number of students who sleep quietly like rabbits or bunnies. I wonder if their parents would agree?
This is a beautifully-written, gorgeously-illustrated story, I am glad to have shared it with my students. Have you used this book with your students? Please share your projects!
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Biographies for Women's History Month
In honor of Women's History Month, here are biographies that I have enjoyed sharing with my students (all year long). I have included resources from TeachingBooks, publishers, and the authors along with footage that compliments the books.
I begin with Eleanor Roosevelt. She and Eleanor of Aquitaine top my list of most admired people.
Eleanor: Quiet No More by Doreen Rappaport
Eleanor Roosevelt on What's My Line?
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Elizabeth Blackwell
Wangari Maathai
Planting the Trees of Kenya by Claire Nivola
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alice Roosevelt
What to do About Alice? by Barbara Kerley
Alice Roosevelt talking about her father's inauguration:
~~~~~~~~~
Sylvia Earle
Life in the Ocean: Life of the Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola
An interview with Sylvia Earle:
Moses: When Harriett Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by Carole Weatherford
~~~~~~
Esther Morris
Esther Morris
I Could Do That! Esther Morris Gets Women the Vote by Linda Arms White and Nancy Carpenter
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Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Elizabeth Leads the Way! by Tanya Lee Stone
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Mary Kingsley
Mary Kingsley
Uncommon Traveler: Mary Kingsley in Africa by Don Brown
This young girl's report on Mary Kingsley is impressive.
This is a preview of documentary about Mary Kingsley
'
'
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~~~~~~~
Annette Kellerman
Mermaid Queen by Shana Corey
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Georgia O'Keefe
A slideshow of her paintings:
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Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low
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Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low
Here Come the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey
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Ida Lewis
The Bravest Woman In America by Marissa Moss
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Ida Lewis
Other biographies about women who inspire:
Basketball Belles by Sue Macy
Podcast with author
Nothing But Trouble: Story of Althea Gibson by Sue Stauffacher
A Woman for President: The Story of Victoria Woodhull by Kathleen Krull
Hiromi’s Hands by Lynne Barasch
They Called Her Molly Pitcher by Anne Rockwell
Only Passing Through by Anne Rockwell
When Marian Sang by Pam Munoz Ryan
Fly High: The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden
Vision of Beauty: Sara Breedlove Walker by Kathryn Lasky
You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer by Shana Corey
Wilma Unlimited by Kathleen Krull
"Skyping with Stephen McCranie is a good way to learn about...
...a different way of writing that you don't learn in class."
What inspired these fourth graders to say these things?
A visit with
Stephen kept 100 fourth graders in rapt attention
on this Wednesday afternoon.
He shares important messages about writing and creativity:
"Give your characters a problem to solve.
It will make your story more interesting."
"Making mistakes is natural and critical to learning."
"Think about shapes when you are drawing characters"
"Writer's block is not that you cannot write,
it is that you are not writing what you want to write or
like what you are writing."
like what you are writing."
The students loved guessing these characters based upon their shapes. Mickey Mouse was guessed before the second ear was drawn.
To put advice to the test, the students gave Stephen a character, an activity and a problem.
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Stephen shared his screen so the students could watch him draw.
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Our young character wants a limo, so he's gotten a job selling chicken at a stand. Unfortunately there are some very hungry dogs about, fortunately he has dog spray and a very LARGE cat. Luckily, they all realize it was a big misunderstanding and live happily ever after.
The students left excited and ready to begin creating their own stories. I can't wait to read them.
Want to see and hear more of our visit?
Thank you, Stephen!
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