Statistics - November 2012

In November, we hosted our annual Scholastic Book Fair. We had fabulous volunteers who worked tirelessly to set everything up, assisted students and adults with sales, and helped pack the fair up at the end.

Our 2011 total sales were $11884.39 and the 2012 total was $11893.92! Thank you to everyone who made a purchase or volunteered their time. The money earned will be used to buy books and other educational resources for our school!

In addition to the students visiting the Book Fair, nearly 1300 students visited individually to check out books, take AR tests, do research, or work on a technology project. Students and staff checked out 3,573 items from the media center.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten classes are continuing to work on fiction and nonfiction. When we focused on the letter "I", we read the Itsy Bitsy Spider (fiction) and Spiders (nonfiction). The students also sang the Itsy Bitsy Spider song. Mrs. Schaffer's kindergarten class is featured in the video. Students from Mrs. Shaikh's class are pictured.

October Statistics

During the month of October, 4,158 items were checked out from the media center. In addition, over 1,386 students visited with their media passes to check out books, complete an assignment, or work independently on an activity. Classes reviewed how to use the catalog and Accelerated Reader. They also learned how to use databases (GALILEO and Nettrekker) to find information. We ended October with Book Character day! It was a great way to end the month.

Habitats with Mrs. Brannan's Class

Mrs. Brannan's 4th grade students are learning about different habitats. The students are using print and electronic resources to find information. After taking notes on their topics, the students - working independently or with a partner - are creating presentations to demonstrate their learning.

Fourth Grade Common Core Writing Standard: With some guidance and support from adults, use technology, including the Internet, to produce and publish writing as well as to interact and collaborate with others; demonstrate sufficient command of keyboarding skills to type a minimum of one page in a single sitting.

Becoming Authors and Illustrators

 The students pictured are in Ms. Collins' first grade class. They are becoming authors and illustrators! Students in grades K - 5 are creating hard covered books filled with their work. Students in grades K - 3 will write one page and make one drawing to go in their class book. Students in grades 4 and 5 will write their own book and receive a free copy if the project is completed on time.

Ms. Hunt's Class and ITBS

During ITBS, I worked with Ms. Hunt's fifth grade class. They were respectful and cooperative. Ms. Hunt has established clear procedures and set high standards for her students. AND a lot of them are readers - which, of course, makes me very happy!

September 2012 - Statistics

New art work was added to the media center in September and it looks wonderful! During the month, 4,073 items were checked out from the media center; 4th grade social studies classes worked on Native American powerpoints; and the all kindergarten and first grade classes completed their orientations! In addition, over 1,350 students visited with their media passes to check out books, complete an assignment, or work independently on an activity. September was a busy month!

Ms. Jayroe's Class - Sept. 17 - 21

What a great week! PAWS were earned on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday! I am especially proud of Tuesday's PAW! On Tuesday, I had to leave early to attend a meeting. The students had to be on their best behavior and monitor themselves. They also dismissed themselves and cleaned up after themselves. Another adult was keeping an eye on the table, but I expected the students to follow our procedures without assistance. They were great!

Kindergarten in the media center

Our kindergarten classes have been busy in the media center. Their first library visit focused on how to take care of books and how to check out books. During the second visit, students reviewed the media center procedures, listened to the story of Goldisocks and the 3 Libearians, and checked out a library book on their own.

Our most recent library time focused on the letter "H". The students were introduced to the word homonym. We looked at the words hare and hair. We learned that hair is the hair on your head and hare is the animal similar to a rabbit. We then listened to the story of The Tortoise and the Hare. The speedy hare lost the race to the slow tortoise.  The moral of the story = slow and steady wins the race. Mrs. Schaffer compared this moral to how the students complete their work. It is better to go slowly and do a good job that to rush and turn in work that is poorly done!

Students are also learning the difference between nonfiction and fiction books. Fiction and nonfiction books will continue to be highlighted in the weeks to come.

4th grade and Native Americans

The 4th grade Social Studies classes have been working on Native Americans. The students are choosing 2 of the 6 Native American tribes studied to compare and contrast. The 6 tribes are the Inuit, Kwakiutl, Nez Perce, Hopi, Pawnee, and the Seminole. Our fourth graders are using information from their textbook, library books, encyclopedias, GALILEO, and Nettrekker. The students are locating information on where the tribe settled and how each tribe used their environment to obtain food, shelter, and clothing. The information is then transferred to a Powerpoint presentation to summarize their findings.

Ms. Maddox's Class - Sept. 10 - 14

The week started off in the best way possible - the class earned a "PAW"! This means that everyone in the class followed directions! All students stayed seated; all students were silent when the music was playing; and all students followed cafeteria procedures! On Wednesday, the students earned another "PAW".

On Wednesday afternoon, as students were walking to the buses, Dante brushed by me - barely even touching me. He immediately said, "Excuse me." I love hearing our students use good manners! It brought a smile to my face and was a nice way to end the afternoon.

The following students did not have to be reminded of behavior expectations all week: Isaiah, MoNaja, Lluviana, Michael, Ana, Malik, Faith, Elijah, Yari, Abel, Maceo, Xiaoyang, and Jakobe!

Malik's Lunch Tip: Clean the table when you are done.

Ms. Jayroe's Class - Sept. 10 - 14

Ms. Jayroe's class had another great week in the cafeteria. They were very good on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday, the class was on a field trip and I missed them. On Thursday and Friday, the class earned a "PAW"! Everyone practiced excellent cafeteria behaviors on those days!

These students did not need even a single reminder about behavior this week: Shanice, Cole, Maura, Tatiana, La-Shauntae, Alan, Kiefer, Sawyer, Luis, Helen, Malik, Sharae, Cindi, and Shantel.

Kiefer's Lunch Tip: not talking during the music

Ms. Maddox's Class - Sept. 4 - 7

Ms. Maddox's class continues to work on using good manners. This week I noticed:

• When Michael was speaking to me, he politely and respectfully used the terms "yes, mam" and "no, mam".
• The following students did not have to be reminded of behavior expectations all week: Isaiah, Keaton, Kennedy, Lluviana, Michael, Ana, Hannah, Christian, Malik, Laryn, Faith, Taliyah, Elijah, Yari, Abel, Xiaoyang, and Jakobe!
• Ana's lunch tip is . . . to be silent!

Ms. Jayroe's Class - Sept. 4 - 7

Ms. Jayroe's class continues to use good manners. I notice this in the cafeteria and in the library. I appreciate their inside voices in both areas.

Here are some examples of good manners shown by our students . . .

• Pumulo picked up a shoe in the cafeteria that a kindergarten student had kicked off.
• Luis offered a ketchup packet to a classmate that had forgotten to get one.
• On Wednesday and Thursday, the tables were litter-free when the students got up! The tables looked like they had been cleaned already!
• On Wednesday afternoon, while going to the buses, I noticed that a young lady had dropped something. I was calling her attention to it when Malik turned around and picked it up for her. Another example of good manners!
• Cindi had trouble opening a bag. Alan, Luis, and Helen offered their assistance.
• These students did not need even a single reminder about behavior this week: Shanice, Cole, Maura, Anna, Leyla, Tatiana, Pumulo, Alan, Kiefer, Sawyer, Luis, Helen, Malik, and Cindi.
• Cole's lunchroom tip is . . . . Always chew with your mouth closed!

August 2012 statistics

Our newly renovated media center looks fabulous and was very busy in August! During the month, 1,639 items were checked out from the media center; almost all classes in grades 2 - 5 completed a media center orientation; and the entire fifth grade visited the media center for a Civil War lesson! In addition, 412 students visited with their media passes to check out books, complete an assignment, or work independently on an activity. We are off to a great start!

Ms. Jayroe's class = Another great week!

Ms. Jayroe's class had another great week in the cafeteria.

• We have helpers that volunteer to clean off our tables before the next class sits down. Maura helped me last week. She was fabulous.
• This week Tatiana and Shanice offered to take care of cleaning the tables and they have done a wonderful job without my help.
• Pumulo used the word "please" and I noticed. On another day, a kindergarten student dropped her drink bottle and it rolled under a table. Pumulo stopped and retrieved the bottle for her. He is using good manners!
• The class as a whole followed directions so well that I was able to read a chapter book aloud to 4 students - Anna, Leyla, DeAngelo, and Luis. We finished the book this week. Now 4 additional students - Helen, Cindi, Alan, and Keifer - will hear the story.
• On Thursday, the class earned a "paw" because I didn't have to remind anyone of the cafeteria procedures.

• The following students did not need a reminder all week: Shanice, Cole, Maura, Anna, Leyla, Tatiana, Alan, Kiefer, Sawyer, Helen, Malik, and Sharae.

Lunch time - Ms. Maddox's Class

Our fifth graders are working toward earning a "paw" in the cafeteria. Ms. Maddox and I have reviewed the procedures with the students and they are working on consistently following those expectations.

This week I saw several wonderful examples of students helping each other . . .

• One day there was a chocolate milk spill. No one screamed or got angry. Xiaoyang raised his hand to alert me of the problem and napkins began appearing from all of the students seated close by to help clean up!
• On another day, some of Kennedy's popcorn spilled on the floor. She took initiative and asked if she could clean it up herself! With permission, she got a broom and dustpan and took care of the popcorn spill! I love that she acted quickly and quietly.
• Lluviana offered her unopened milk to a classmate who said he was still thirsty after finishing his lunch.
• A student bit the inside of her lip and it started bleeding. I asked her how she would like to handle it. She asked if she could get a napkin. Isaiah and Abel both heard her and offered their napkins to her. 
• Yari accidentally dropped pizza and it landed on Jayla's leg. Jayla didn't overreact; she simply raised her hand and asked for a napkin. Two students, Lluviana and Nhya, were close by. They heard her request and both offered their napkins. Yari also apologized.

The following students did not need a reminder regarding behavior this week:
Keaton, Kennedy, Lluviana, Nhya, Ana, Christian, Faith, Taliyah, Yaroslav, Abel, Xiaoyang, Jakobe, Dante

5th grade studies the American Civil War

Fifth grade students at Woodland Elementary School recently brought history into the classroom with the help of a “Traveling Trunk” borrowed from the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. The trunk held reproductions of soldier uniforms, newspapers, and other daily use items of the 1860s. Students had the opportunity to try on a uniform, examine the artifacts, research the Civil War, and create hardtack – a simple, long lasting hard biscuit made from flour, salt, and water – as part of their instruction. The hands-on activities were fun and kept the students focused, engaged, and learning.

Lunch buddies - Mrs. King and Ms. Jayroe's class

I am fortunate to be working with a fabulous third grade class during lunch - Ms. Jayroe's class. Ms. Jayroe explained the procedures and expectations for cafeteria behavior to her students during the first week of school and they are continuing to follow her instructions!

During our lunch time, I have noticed random acts of kindness that warm my heart.

For example:

• Shanice offered to carry a tray for a student that was staying behind to help clean up.
• Cole dropped something and no one had to ask him to pick it up. He did it because it was the right thing to do.
• Leyla spilled something and immediately began cleaning it up herself. Again, no one asked her to clean it up. She did it because it was the right thing to do.
• Helen and Sawyer gave their juice pouches to a staff member that reuses them in craft projects.
• DeAngelo wiped up all the crumbs on his end of the table - not just around his plate.

In addition, the following students have followed the correct lunch procedures all week long without a reminder: Cindi, Maura, Tatiana, Alan, Sawyer, Luis, and Malik.

Ms. Hinton's 5th grade students have created presentations on Opportunity Costs and Finance. The activity is part of their social studies unit on economics. The students studied their topic in the classroom. They came into the media center armed with information. Ms. Hinton and Mrs. King helped the students transform the information into Powerpoint presentations. The completed presentations can be found at http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/page/edit/5th+grade+-+Hinton?template.

SS5E1 The student will use the basic economic concepts of trade, opportunity cost, specialization, voluntary exchange, productivity, and price incentives to illustrate historical events.

Ms. Jayroe's 3rd graders and the Roosevelts

Ms. Jayroe's 3rd graders have been studying Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and their contributions to our democracy. The students chose either Franklin or Eleanor as a topic for research. The students then took notes on their topic. Their notes were brought into the media center where Ms. Jayroe and Mrs. King helped transform the information into Powerpoint presentations. The completed presentations can be found at http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/3rd+grade+-+Jayroe.

SS3H2 The student will discuss the lives of Americans who expanded people’s rights and freedoms in a democracy.
a. Paul Revere (independence), Frederick Douglass (civil rights), Susan B. Anthony (women’s rights), Mary McLeod Bethune (education), Franklin D. Roosevelt (New Deal and World War II), Eleanor Roosevelt (United Nations and human rights), Thurgood Marshall (civil rights), Lyndon B. Johnson (Great Society and voting rights), and César Chávez (workers’ rights).
b. Explain social barriers, restrictions, and obstacles that these historical figures had to overcome and describe how they overcame them.

February 2012 - Circulation Statistics

Woodland students and staff checked out 4,924 items from the media center in February!

First Grade Photographers

First grade students in Mrs. Bass's class, Mrs. McCullough's class and Ms. Collins's class learned about synonyms and antonyms in a two part lesson in the media center. During the first part of the lesson, synonyms and antonyms were explained and examples were given. The students then listened to a story about opposites or antonyms. Photographs of antonyms were shown throughout the book. In the follow up visit, the photographs of antonyms were reviewed. The students were then instructed to look around the media center for examples of antonyms. Digital cameras were given to the students. Our creative students took pictures of their antonyms. The photographs were used to create a powerpoint presentation. The students' work can be viewed at http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/1st+grade.

VOCABULARY ELA1R5 The student acquires and uses grade-level words to communicate effectively. The student
c. Identifies words that are opposites (antonyms) or have similar meanings (synonyms).

Ms. Ellis's Class - Leaders in Government PowerPoint

The students in Ms. Ellis's second grade class are creating PowerPoint presentations on Leaders in Government. The students began the activity by creating a storyboard with pencil and paper. The students then moved to the computers and transferred their writing to the slides on their presentations. Finally, the students added pictures and a background of their choice. The students' work can be viewed at http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/2nd+grade+-+Ellis until the end of the school year.

Georgia Performance Standard: Government/Civic Understandings SS2CG1 The student will define the concept of government and the need for rules and laws. SS2CG2 The student will identify the roles of the following elected officials:
a. President (leader of our nation)
b. Governor (leader of our state)
c. Mayor (leader of a city)

Ms. Cantlebary's Reading Projects

Ms. Cantlebary's students created dioramas or trifold pamphlets illustrating a scene from a book that was read during first semester. The students did a fabulous job! The projects are currently on display in the media center. To view all of the projects, visit http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/1st+grade.

ELA1W2 The student produces a response to literature that begins to demonstrate an understanding of the text through oral retelling, pictures, or in writing.

Idioms - 4th grade

Ms. Distler's class is learning about idioms. The students learned that idioms are a combination of words that have meanings different from the individual words. For example, 'hold your horses' does not mean to actually wrap your arms around a horse. The phrase means that you should be patient. The students were given idioms and their definitions. The students drew pictures of the idioms as if the meanings were literal. The drawings were then made into a powerpoint presentation which can be viewed at http://mymediacenter.wikispaces.com/4th+grade until the end of the school year.

ELA4R3 The student understands and acquires new vocabulary and uses it correctly in reading and writing. The student identifies the meanings of common idioms and figurative phrases.