Primary and Secondary Sources- Oh My!

While most fifth grade students feel fairly comfortable locating, reading and taking notes from secondary sources, it is equally important that they learn how to identify and use primary sources. Often photographs, documents, letters, etc. get overlooked as amazing sources of information.

After giving students a real life example requiring them to think about which source of information would provide the best information for the situation at hand, students then learned the definition of both primary and secondary sources of information.

From there, students sorted various sources (biography, video, textbook, to name a few) into primary or secondary categories using the SmartBoard vortex activity template.

A good follow-up to this introductory lesson requires students to analyze a specific primary source (perhaps one related to a social studies or reading unit of study) in order to determine information about a specific time and place in history.

Students walked away from this initial lesson understanding the validity of each type of source of information, but that not every source of information is the best for every research situation.

Fifth grade students sort sources into either primary or secondary categories.

Not a Normal Day at G.E.S.!

For the second year in a row, I decided to read Not Norman by Kelly Bennett and illustrated by Noah Z. Jones, to all K classes at G.E.S. This is a fiction story about a boy who receives a goldfish for a pet, but wants anything but a goldfish for a pet.  He tries to get rid of him, but over the course of doing so, realizes how wonderful this pet can really be!

To work on our opinion writing skills, students wrote one reason why the pet goldfish Norman was such a great pet for the boy main character.  Students created Norman the goldfish by using orange paint and their good ol' hands!  It was once again a wonderful project to showcase their learning.

A happy kindergarten student creating her Not Norman picture.

This year I decided to find Kelly Bennett's website at http://kellybennett.com/. Here is where I found the librarian's jackpot; Kelly Bennett visits with schools via Skype.  So, I emailed her and arranged a Skype visit for all K students and teachers to enjoy.  We learned all about her many goldfish pets of the past and even her cat! We even learned about a new book she has currently in the works about baseball.  Kelly reminded the students of the many revisions she needs to do to get books publisher-ready!  Kelly Bennett was gracious and such a wonderful role model for these young writers.  This was NOT just another author visit! Thank you, Kelly!

Kelly Bennett sharing her writing tips with K students at G.E.S.

CT Mystery Skype Visits

We just love Skyping here at Gainfield School; who doesn't? Skyping improves students' communication skills, helps us connect with others and reach a wider audience with our learning and sharing.

This year, all grade three students are participating in a Mystery Skype visit with a class from an unknown town in CT. What is their main goal?  You guessed it; students need to guess the town the other students live in by asking them some carefully crafted questions.  First, we brainstormed geography specific vocabulary that we could use in the development of our questions.  Then, we held a practice Skype visit during which we divided the classes in half.  We went back and forth asking questions such as, "Is your town east of the CT river?"  or "Does your county border Rhode Island?"

Grade three students work in teams to identify the mystery location.

Students communicate with each other using Skype technology.

Finally, on the day of the Skype, after the towns were revealed, each school shared some information about their town that the other school may find interesting!  Our first Skype visit was with our neighboring town of Middlebury!  We are having so much fun connecting with others.  A big thank you to teachers, Kim Benton and Shelia Hawley, for organizing this network of teachers and classrooms!

Kathleen Krull: Gossipy and Generous!

Grade four students packed into the Library Media Center on a Friday afternoon in December to learn from a biographer.  Thanks to our generous P.T.O., fourth grade students had a wonderful opportunity to connect with talented biography author, Kathleen Krull.  Her biography writing is never dull and includes information about the lives of famous people in vivid and clever ways.  We were lucky enough to host Kathleen last year as part of our Author/Illustrator Program. Her writing tips included being nosy and learning all of the gossipy details about someone's life, including what mistakes they made and even their hair woes! She encouraged students to not write like an encyclopedia but to add interesting details to their writing. The students took notes and will use Kathleen's advice when they craft their own biographies.  Grade four students have chosen a special person to interview. This project will include additional research about the time period their person grew up in; all special persons will be invited to GES for a special celebration of their lives.  

We are so excited about this project and for the opportunity to learn from our mentor, Kathleen Krull once again. To learn more about Kathleen or her writing, please visit her website at http://www.kathleenkrull.com/.

Fourth grade students learn insider tips about biography writing.

Coding Mania at Gainfield School

The library was hustling and bustling this week, but not over a love of books.  This week, December 7-11, at G.E.S., all students participated in National Computer Science Education Week.  Just like last year, students learned about coding or computer programming.  Kindergarten students learned about algorithms, while grade one students participated in pair programming (one student was the driver and the other the navigator) to complete some simple block moving tasks. Students in grades 2-5 began coding course work using https://code.org/. Teaching children coding skills improves their mathematical (spatial and problem solving) abilities and helps them understand an d experience perseverance. It was a fantastic week of coding at G.E.S.!

Grade one students participating in pair programming.

Bringing Yellowstone to Connecticut

What better way to enhance a third grade unit on rocks and minerals than to Skype with a Yellowstone park ranger?  On a dreary afternoon in November, third grade students gathered in the LMC to meet Ranger Travis and learn how rocks and minerals are important at Yellowstone and in the world around us.  The students asked questions such as What is your favorite rock and why? What was your most valuable find?  Ranger Travis even shared his favorite rock: obsidian, and that it is used in tools eye surgeons use. How cool is that?  The students took notes during the visit, recording three new pieces of learning, two re-learned ideas, and one lingering question. We can't wait to "visit" more places soon!

Making Their Mark at G.E.S.--Dot Day 2015!

How will you make your mark on the world?  This is the main question and theme of the amazing picture book The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  Vashti, a young art student lacks confidence in her abilities until her teacher convinces her otherwise.  On Friday, September 25th, all Gainfield students at G.E.S. read an electronic version of this book during library class.  In art class, students made a dot using different mediums.  In music class, students learned The Dot Song, a wonderful tribute to this book.  Finally, in P.E. students are playing games related to circles and dots.  Throughout the school are dot posters for how students can make their mark at G.E.S.  We will continue to reflect on the message of this book as the year progresses.  Dot Day Rocks!

Mrs. Clough, the art teacher, showing off her students' artwork.

Mrs. Clough and Mrs. Parker show pride in the students' marks.

Mrs. Parker and some 2nd grade students showing off their dots on Dot Day (September 25th)!

The Power of Technology

On May 21, 2015, many Gainfield students and families came together to celebrate technology.  Student presenters showed off their knowledge of tech tools such as Google Drive, Discovery Education, Voice Thread, Destiny Quest (book reviews), and much, much more!  The night began with a brief presentation by Mrs. Smith and me about the recent technology shifts that are shaping our teaching practices.  Then, families ventured to the LMC to learn about various tech tools students use at our school.  Parents reflected on their own new learning by commenting via an online Padlet.  A fun, informative night was had by all.

 Third grade students demonstrating the power of Google Earth software.

Fourth grade students smiling about using their Voice Memo app to gain greater reading fluency.

A kindergarten student shows a parent the capabilities of Pebble Go database for early reader research.

Tasty Books

Most everyone knows about food and wine tastings. The gist is that you get a sampling of many different flavors without consuming too much of one specific thing, right? Same goes for a book tasting.  The students at Gainfield School have experienced this before. To get to know Kathleen Krull's wonderful biographies this past fall, students sat before one of her books, had a recording sheet to write down their opinion, a SmartBoard timer and their own "getting to know book" strategies---then they were off! It's amazing what you can learn about a book in just two minutes. After their tasting, students rotate to another spot at their tables to "taste" another gem.

Each year in Connecticut, librarians, teachers and students wait in anticipation for May 1st. On this day, the Connecticut Nutmeg Nominated books make their debut.  At Gainfield School this May, second graders were the first to get their hands on the 2016 Elementary Nutmegs. Students took their job as tasters very seriously. The only sighs I heard were those when I announced that the books were not yet available for checking out. Aaaah, I love my job!

Gotta Love a Goldfish!

I came across this book, Not Norman, a Goldfish Story by Kelly Bennett and immediately related to the concept.  Growing up, I longed for a dog, a pet I could play with and call my own. Because my father was a bit afraid of dogs, we never got one. During one carnival after school, my sister won a goldfish. Rose was her name. Rose, the only pet we ever had was loved, cared for, admired. Yes, she was only a goldfish, but she was all we had. After three long days, we found Rose floating at the top of her bowl. My sister and I were devastated. No, Rose wasn't what most people would call a super pet, but she was ours.  The boy in this book soon realizes the same about his goldfish Norman.

I liked this book so much that I decided to create a two part lesson for kindergarten with it. First, we discussed the qualities of a good pet. While reading students were to think about ways Norman was a good pet.  Students then completed the sentence, "Norman, the goldfish, was a good pet because... (opinion writing in disguise)!" Next class, students illustrated Norman in his bowl and created him by using their hand and a little paint. As you can see, they enjoyed the lesson and I enjoyed remembering my pet goldfish Rose.

Try Something New in the New Year: Coding!

Recently, millions of students and adults took part in the "Hour of Code," (http://code.org/) a worldwide event that introduced computer programming and its "awesomeness" to anyone willing to give it a chance.  I had never really known much about computer science; in fact, I was a bit intimidated by it all.  But once I saw the faces of the students, I knew its value and appeal.

The excitement was palpable as students reached new levels of their programs.  To the students, coding feels like games.  After spending this time K-5 witnessing the "Power of Code"--I am hooked. We need to carve out more opportunities like this for our students--play on!

Giving the Gift of Reading

This marks my first post on my brand new blog.  This much overdue project comes at what many consider the busiest time of the year.  With all of the gift giving, running around and all around fast pace that comes with the holiday season, what I am reminded of is the power of reading.  Books are anything but fast...they slow us down, as we deliberately read and ponder over each and every word.

Last year during the holidays, I asked staff G.E.S. staff members to display a book that had been a gift in their lives, but with all of the hustle and bustle, I forgot to do it myself.  If I were to do it this year, It Must Be Hard to Be a Mother, by Rosalind Welcher would be my pick, hands down.

This is a story of a mother who is so busy taking care of her child.  Despite the hard work, the book ends by making it clear that being a mother is the most wonderful job in the world.  My mother passed this book down to me.  With its scribbles and ripped pages, it was loved and loved and loved. As a new mom (for the second time), I consider the memory of this book a precious gift this holiday season. It reminds me that my own children and those I read to each and every day at Gainfield School are my most special blessings.