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The Patton School Library Media Center |
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In first grade, students asked why do we build different houses in different places? So we researched houses around the world including adobe, igloo, houses on stilts, cabins, huts, cave home and houseboats. Using Pebble Go or Facts4Me students learned where the house is built, the environment around the house and the materials used and thought about why this type of house was chosen. Next we transformed the LMC into a "makerspace" and students designed and built their own model of the house they researched, using a wide variety of materials sent in by parents, such as paper towel rolls, cardboard boxes, clay, tinfoil, string, tape, cotton balls and craft sticks. Next week students will use the Explain Everything iPad app to share their creation and explain what they know about their house.
In third grade, the science research on the solar system culminated with the planet Solar Awards! Student created persuasive videos for one planet award: Most Extreme and Dangerous, Wildest Weather, Weirdest Orbit/Rotation, Most Amazing Moons/Rings or Most Spectacular Surface. We sent the videos to Ivy Hill and Olive School's third grade students to vote on which planet should win each award. When the results were tabulated, we gave out the Solar Awards! View their videos on the Student Projects page - Third Grade.
In 4th grade science, students study earth's changing surface learning about tectonic plate movement and mountain building, volcanic activity, glaciation, deposition, and erosion. In LMC, students investigated which of these processes formed the special land of our National Parks. They used Bubbl.us a free mind-mapping tool to take notes on how and when the land was formed, and then created a video "geology show" in front of our green screen explaining the Park's formation. View their videos on the Student Project Page - Fourth Grade. Finally, on Friday morning, classes played "Guess the Park Mystery Skype" with a National Park Ranger. After asking 20 great "yes or no" geology questions, students found him in Yellowstone! And we all were treated to a herd of bison walking by during the Skype! Author visit! Author, James Riley visited with our 4th and 5th grade classes on Tuesday February 26, describing how he became a writer of very inventive fantasy such as the Story Thieves series. His presentation used his three cats to show the emotions of writing and discussed what he liked to do when he was the student's age, and what he liked to write and read. The author also gave students a glimpse into his next book, debuting the never before seen cover! Students asked Mr. Riley thoughtful and interesting questions and learned a lot about this writer and the creative process. In 5th grade, we delved into the "Habits of Mind" of successful people in many areas of life. After discussing what "habits" or ways of thinking and skills that students think successful people have in common, student's rotated through a series of activities which corresponded to one of the 16 habits of mind that scientists have identified. Some activities were individual and some in pairs or groups and some were more difficult, while others seemed easier, but all were challenging and illuminating and shed light on what skills student's have and why certain habits can help one succeed!
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December 2021
My Reading List!
AuthorI am the Library Media Center director at Patton School in Arlington Heights where I help students from kindergarten through 5th grade find terrific independent reading for enjoyment and information, and teach students the skills to use information and technology safely and productively and to connect, communicate and share with others. I have four grown children, a large black dog, (flat coat retriever) and a small striped cat. I am an obessive Chicago Cubs fan and I love to run. Patton LMC Summer Reading Blog |