The students in Mrs. Kwon's 1st grade class recently added a new skill to their technology toolbox. They each learned about PowerPoint and how to create a presentation. They were tasked with creating a PowerPoint presentation titled "All About Me" with at least 3 slides and adding sentences and inserting images to each slide. Students who finished early were encouraged to add transitions and animations to their slides. I was so impressed by how quickly the students learned how to create their slides, and I was even more impressed by how many of them enhanced their presentation with transitions. This activity addressed their technology standard: "Creates a document using digital tools and media-rich resources." Here are a few pictures: On March 13th, Argyle students were treated to a visit with author Diane Z. Shore. I'm not sure how many adjectives I could think of to describe her visit, but Awesome, Phenomenal, Engaging, and Inspiring are the first that come to mind. As the students were coming into the learning commons, Ms. Shore wasted no time quickly engaging them and getting them ready for the presentation by sharing a series of knock-knock jokes and riddles with them. By the time all of the students were seated, she already had them hooked. I gave a quick, formal introduction, and Ms. Shore began her presentation. There were a total of 3 presentations: Kdg and 1st, 2nd and 3rd, and 4th and 5th grade; Ms. Shore made sure that each was appropriate for the grade levels. 4th and 5th grade teachers were so impressed with how she was able to connect with the curriculum. Throughout the presentation for their grade levels, she talked about different forms of figurative language, such as hyperbole, personification, simile, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. It was an excellent review! 1st grade and kindergarten had an opportunity to engage in the presentation by participating in a Reader's Theater style reading of Rosa Loves to Read. None of the students could believe it when Ms. Shore told them how many times she had been rejected before she was finally able to get her first book published. Her message to them all: Keep reading and never give up on their dreams. When she began receiving rejections, she took writing classes to improve her writing, and she started writing poetry. Some of the questions that our students had for Ms. Shore included:
Here are a few pictures from her visit: We are so grateful to Ms. Shore for sharing with us and inspiring us to keep pursuing our dreams!
Last week, as a part of our Read Across America Week celebrations, students were invited to the learning commons to participate in a Book Tasting. Students entered the learning commons to find tables set with silver serving trays holding a variety of books, place mats at each chair, and a menu on each place mat. They were also treated to the sounds of jazz music- all to create the ambiance of a nice restaurant. As the students sat in their seats, they were told that the book tasting is an opportunity for them to sample books that they may not have ever considered reading. As they reviewed each book, they completed their book tasting menu by responding to various questions on the menu, such as:
|
Mrs. Wilson,
|