The Spartan Librarian

I have been reading Innovator's Mindset by George Couros. In the book, he explains how he taught an educator how to use twitter by having her watch a Twitter in 60 second video.  She was inspired to have her students create 60 second videos of their own to teach science concepts. I showed my 5th grade students the Mitosis in 60 Seconds videos I found on YouTube and explained to them that we would be making our own videos using Science Vocabulary! I learn so much from my students, and with a lot of trial and error using white boards, dry erase makers, and iPads to video, one student asked if they could use the Zing  Stikbot  Stop Motion app !  Genius!!!  So much easier for my young students! After a little more experimenting, my students created their own videos (not quite 60 seconds, but it is a work in progress)!  We will be using WeVideo and iMovie to edit and clean up our videos during next week's class! Let my students know what you think by le...

I saw this post by Tricia Fuglestad on Twitter !  She is an elementary school art teacher, and tech integrator extraordinaire!!!  I found lots of inspiration on her Twitter page and her Weebly! I was so inspired by her whirligigs, I had to do a lesson with my 4th graders!  We also have a Whirligig Park in our state, and we watched this video to explain to the students what a Whirligig is!  We just finished our Maker Faire, so they were intrigued by these moving contraptions! Wilson, NC Whriligig Park Tarheel Traveler Segment, WRAL By the end of today's lesson, we used our research skills, learned new science terms, reviewed polygons, and drew a plan for our own whirligig. I gave each team of two kids a card with a science term on it.  They had to research the term and come up with an animal that fit their category:  nocturnal, amphibian, reptile, a bird, a mammal, etc. Once they decided on an animal that fit their category, they had to dra...

Mrs. Long 'somehow' locked her lesson in her toolbox.  The students had to solve clues to help her get her lesson out and save her job!! This was a modified #breakoutedu activity! Using several re settable locks purchased through Amazon and Walmart, I created clues that helped the kids decipher the combinations. (These are some of the locks and hasp on Amazon.) I knew my Digital Safety lesson wasn't going to take my entire 45 minute block and I wanted the kids to be excited to find out what was in the box, so I created the clue activity to fill some of the class time. I created simple clues that could be solved in a matter of minutes.  Each table/group was responsible for deciphering one clue.  I gave one person at each table mardi gras beads, and they were the only person that was allowed to approach the box and attempt to open the locks.  (This saved my sanity and kept 25-30 kids from fighting over the locks and box!) My clues for this activity:...

We had the best time today SKYPEing with Kenn Nesbitt today!  The kids had so much fun, and Kenn was so engaging and entertaining. Kenn talked with the kids about writing, figurative language, and inspiration - write about things you see! Kenn helped each group start an original poem and assigned homework for each student to add a stanza to the poem.  I can't wait to see what they come up with! To schedule your own visit with Kenn which I highly recommend, check out his webpage . You still have time to order an autographed copy of one of Kenn's books, print out this order form and return to Mrs. Long by May 18th! 4th Grade My b unny makes b urgers. My m ouse makes m ac and cheese . My p uppy makes p izza. My p arakeet makes p eas .     I never eat their cooking. Not even on a dare . Because it’s always covered With slobber and hair . 5th Grade Football with French fries. Soccer with tacos . B aseball with b ananas. Nasca...

The 4th graders have been learning all about pourquoi stories in their ELA classrooms.  After listening to several stories, the students wrote their own original pouquois.  The writing process was completed in the classrooms, and they came into the media center to publish their work. They used our new iPads and the Scribble Press app to write and illustrate each story.  The kids loved seeing their work online in a digital ebook format! Check out some examples: How some Dogs Black and White Fur by Izaya n. - read the free ebook now from Scribble Press! Why Cat's Hate The Rain by Leonilla Garcia - read the free ebook now from Scribble Press! Chameleon and parrot by Written and Illustrated by Cody C. - read the free ebook now from Scribble Press! Why the Cheetah Runs So Fast by Written and Illustrated by Kevin W. - read the free ebook now from Scribble Press! How a Shark Got Its Sharp Theeth by Written and Illustrated by Emmanuel C. - read the free e...

During a recent staff meeting, the administration put us into groups to dicuss the results of our Spring Benchmark, and what we could do to improve on our scores as a whole.  At this time, the teams discussed which items and objectives the students did not do well on. Using the information gleamed from this meeting, I, along with a 4th grade math teacher discussed creating math centers for the students to work on in the library.  The seed was planted! We created math centers focused on the objectives that the students had shown weakness in. Center #1 - Using Edmodo and EdCanvas , I created a lesson to review lines of symmetry.  The students logged into their accounts and completed the activity. (Objective 4.G.3) Center #2 - Using our New iPads, the students explored fractions using BraningCamp's Fraction app.  The students completed activities on equivalent fractions, common denominators, and adding and subtracting fractions. (Objectives: 4.N...