What's up in the LMC?

Good General Research Sites for Kids

2009-04-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hi! The link below will take you to a list of general research sites for students. Let me know if you have any questions or know of some other sites to add to the list. ( I can bookmark this on the lab computers if you would like? )

http://www.kn.att.com/wired/fil/pages/listlibraryds.html

On another note, if you have a project where students will be getting pictures from the Internet, to abide by copyright laws, they will need to either cite their source for the photos OR use copyright free photos. One site to use would be:

http://www.pics4learning.com/

Not as good as Google Images but legal : - )

Education City

2009-03-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

Hi! Check out this website and let me know what you think. We have a free trial for 2 weeks.

us.educationcity.com It has different activities for math, reading/LA and science. You can choose your grade level.

ID - 246148
Password -577257

Also, Tumblebooks is running a really good special right now so if you get a chance, check out http://www.tumblebooks.com

Username: spartasd
password: trial

A Wiki with Differentiation Information

2009-01-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

Hi! Use the link below to access information about Differentiation. The wiki is currently a work in progress. It will show how to find resources in the district, different strategies and assessment tools. Also, let me know if there is something else you would like to include on the wiki that would be helpful. Thanks! : - )

http://spartanteacherresources.wikispaces.com/

Game Goo???

2009-01-13T19:31:00.000-08:00

What a weird name but I think the students would enjoy playing these educational games.

http://www.earobics.com/gamegoo/gooey.html

It has three different levels of games. Some of the things it works on are ABC order, following 3 step directions, letter-sound correspondence, letter recognition, fact vs. fantasy, sentence word order, spelling, synonyms, poetry and antonyms. Let me know what you think. : - )

Tumblebooks

2009-01-05T07:01:00.000-08:00

Greetings! I hope you all had an amazing holiday break. Now, it's back to school. You are probably familiar with the Tumblebooks website but wanted to let you know that I signed up for a 30 day trial. Tumblebooks allows students to have books read to them and to read along at their own pace. Could this be something students could do in the AM or during center time? It also includes games and comprehension tests that go with each book. If you get a chance, take a look and let me know what you think.

The address is www.tumblebooklibrary.com

Username: dschroeder
Password: trial

Math Expressions Differentiated Instruction Cards

2008-12-16T12:00:00.000-08:00

Hi! In the library are boxes with differentiated cards that go with your Math Expression books. There is one box per grade level. Tarry has requested that the boxes be checked out to each grade level budget person. So.. if this is you, you need to stop in the LMC and pick it up. If this is not you, please make sure you take a moment to look the cards over, maybe during collaboration time. Let me know if you have any questions. : - )

Student Book Review Blog

2008-12-08T08:54:00.001-08:00

Listed below is a new blog I created so students could submit their own review of books they have read. At the current time, they will need to write up a review and have me post it on the blog. I am still working on a way to have them be able to post themselves. I would love to have you promote this in class and I will let them know about the site in LMC. I will probably send home a note with the address so students can access it at home. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. : - )

http://spartansreadk-3.blogspot.com/

Websites to visit

2008-11-10T13:07:00.001-08:00

Hi! You may already be in the know about these sites but wanted to make sure you had the info.

Facts on File website: www.fofweb.com, has some interesting info in the science area but probably over the head of our students. It is worth taking a look

BrainPopjr.com: www.brainpopjr.com It has some neat videos and games related to the biomes. Might be helpful for the new science curriculum.

www.unitedstreaming.com

www.nettrekker.com This is not currently working but a renewal has been sent in.

Let me know if you have any questions. : - )

Sparta Public Library Reading Levels

2008-10-16T06:52:00.000-07:00

Hello Fantastic Teachers! I hope conferences are going well for you. : - ) Just wanted to give you some information I acquired that may be useful for you:

The Sparta Public Library uses a leveling system that is numbered instead of lettered. Some parents have wondered what level their children should be checking out from the public library. Listed below are the numbered levels they have and the approx. grade level reading that they correspond with. For example, a level 6 is equal to a reading level of first grader in the sixth or seventh month of school. You may also want to let them know about the " Goldilocks" rule for selecting a just right book and using the five finger method.

Level 1 and 2 - through the end of Kindergarten
3 = 1.1
4 = 1.2 - 1.3
5 = 1.4 - 1.5
6 = 1.6 - 1.7
7 = 1.8 - 1.9
8 = 2.0 - 2.5

Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks! : - )

Searching for Leveled Readers

2008-09-24T09:02:00.000-07:00

To look for a leveled book on a specific topic in our library or all district libraries, you can follow these directions:

1. Click on the Infocentre icon on your desktop
2. Select Lawrence Lawson
3. Click on the Advanced Search Tab on the left of the screen
4. Type in Level ____, and change dropdown arrow to call number
5. Fill in the and circle.
6. Type in your subject, leave the dropdown menu at Keyword search.
7. Press enter or search
8. You may need to be specific in your search. For example, seeds may not come up under plants; you will need to type in seeds.
9. Remember to use the wild card to help you get books on a subject with a plural ending. Wildcard is the asterick with a capitalized 8.
10. If you want to search district libraries, select Other Libraries tab on left and follow the above directions. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!

Energy Use

2008-09-16T13:30:00.001-07:00

Just a reminder that when students and staff enter and exit the LMC or computer lab, they need to remember to close all the doors because of the air conditioning. This includes the "out" door of the LMC. It would be great if you could designate the last person out of the library to be the "quiet door shutter". This will not be an issue in the winter but right now and probably in the late spring it will be. Thanks!

Reading Counts Program

2008-09-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

The Reading Counts program is no longer available in the Lawrence Lawson school. Students do have the option of utilizing the website, Book Adventure (http://www.bookadventure.com/) if they want to take a test on a book. We have a listing of books that have tests but more book tests are added everyday. You can have students check with us to see if there is a test on a book they are going to read. Each student will need a seperate login to the bookadventure website. They can earn small prizes for getting points on tests.

Rise and Shine Breakfast in the LMC

2008-09-11T13:24:00.000-07:00

It's time to socialize and preview over $4,300 worth of brand new books! In your mailboxes you will find an invitation to visit the LMC on Tuesday, September 16th from 7:15 am- 7:45 am. We will have bagels and spreads, fresh fruit and juice for your hungry appetites. We will also have notepads for you to jot down which books look interesting and useful to you in the classroom. Hope you can make it!

PS - The money for the books comes from the state common school fund!

Website, blog and other stuff

2008-09-11T08:08:00.000-07:00

Hi! I have been working on my webpage for spartan.org and will be putting in a button for teacher information. You can click on this button and it will take you a page where you can select to view my teacher blog, the LMC schedule and a word document that we will try to use as a LMC book pull form. You will probably want to save the word document with the book pull form on it to your desktop or somewhere handy, then when you need to request, you can just fill it out and e-mail it to me. We will see how it works. : - )

Reading Levels

2008-09-04T18:00:00.000-07:00

Whew....What a busy first week! All library classes went wonderful. You teachers do such a good job at classroom management! Just a few notes, if you have a class that is back to back with another class for LMC, please try to be on time picking up your students. This just makes it less hectic when switching classes. Also, in order for us to match books to students, can you let either Toni or I know your student reading levels after you finish Rigby testing? Thanks!

As always, if you need anything, let us know! : - )

Greetings Fantastic Lawrence Lawson Teachers!

2008-08-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

This blog is for you! I will be updating this site with new websites to check out, information on books/resources to use with lessons and information about new materials in the LMC. You will need to mark this as a RSS feed to get a notice when a new post is done but it will be worth your while. If you need help with setting up the RSS, e-mail me dschroeder@spartan.org. I will come to your room and set it up.