Grade 4 and 5 Media Happenings April

Grade 4

Students are still working on reference centers on encyclopedia, online card catalog (CATS), Almanac, and thesaurus. They are completing the following standards:
1.2.4 Understands the general organization of a print dictionary, thesaurus, encyclopedia, atlas, almanac
1.3.5 Identifies reference materials
1.3.9 Locates and knows general contents of the reference section
1.9.9 Uses a variety of print and digital reference materials ( dictionary, atlas, thesaurus, encyclopedia, almanac) to locate information.
1.6.1 Understands the general purpose of the automated library catalog
1.6.2 Uses computer software graphical elements and navigation tools (e.g. buttons, icons, and fields) to search automated library catalog 1.6.3 Performs a basic search by title, author, subject, and keyword using the automated library catalog


For encyclopedia centers, students are either reading an article on California and answering questions using a time line or finding the answer to a question in a Heinemann First Encyclopedia , recording volume and page number, and writing the answer in a complete sentence. We are also making use of the thesaurus feature of
www.dictionary.com and practicing finding synonyms that fit properly into various sentences. Those doing Almanac centers are using the index and table of contents of the World Almanac for Kids 2004 edition to find answers to facts on countries, animals. and computers. Almanacs are becoming so popular that they are a favorite for the students to check out even old editions.

Grade 5

We are continuing to practice getting information on the 50 United States by doing scavenger hunts using the World Alamanac for Kids 2004 edition and Toucan Valley 50 states fact cards also with the Internet sites www.50states.com and Enchanted Learning
(Standard 1.2.4 Understands the general contents of an Almanac, Standard 1.3.5 Learns location of source types, Standard 1.3.11 Locates relevant sources for class assignments and personal use independently)

We also practiced District Technology Standards 3D Using email with teacher for instructional purposes, 4D Sending and replying to email, and 5D using email. All students in Room 36, Room 39, Room 40, Room 41 and Room 42 have had pracice using email. We also viewed the Netsmartz Kids video on why it's important to change your password and the students are using the options feature in Groupwise to change their passwords.

We are also continuing to learn about Plagiarism and Internet and Digital Piracy by using Weekly Readers Crime Fighting Canines Unit.
Crime Fighting Canines The students are learning about plagiarism, intellectual property, digital piracy, copyright laws, Internet piracy, where they can go for legal downloads, and Lucky and Flo, the Motion picture Association of America (MPAA)'s Crime fighting canines. ( Standard 8.1.1 Understands the purpose of an Intellectual common and fair use, and why plagarism, violating copyright and illegal or unethical use of information are unacceptable., Standard 8.1.6 Understands the value of an intellectual commons, as well as the consequences of Plagarism for self and society)

We have used the Motion Picture Association of America site and view some clips about the high cost in fine that can happen from downloading movies and games illegally. We also learned about what sites its safe to download movies at.

April Grades 1,2,3 CYRM nominees

We spent time listening to and discussing these three books. Grade Three did Readers theater plays for these 2007-2008 Primary Nominations. (tandard 5.1.1 Understands the purpose of Childrens and Young Adult book awards (California Young Reader medal)

Grade 1 continued to review the difference between fiction and nonfiction and was introduced to the 600-699 Technology section ( human body, transportation, gardening, pets, cooking, buildings)(Standard 1.3.1 Understands difference between fiction and nonfiction and 1.3.6 locates fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats).

Grade 2 was introduced to the reference section of the media center. We watched the video Media Mania: reference and read the book Mr. Wiggle looks for answers. We discussed why reference books can't be checked out and talked about dictionaries, atlas, almanac, encyclopedia, and thesaurus. We plan to explore the atlas further since many of the second grade classrooms are doing Flat Stanley projects (Standard 1.3.9 knows general contents of the reference section).

For each CYRM nominee books that we read, 3rd graders had to identify the title, author, illustrator, title page call #, publisher, copyright date and dedication
(Standards 1.2.1, 1.2.2, and 1.2.3). We also reviewed www.dictionary.com to use an online dictionary and thesaurus (Standard 1.3.5)

Dex: The Heart of a Hero
by Caralyn Buehner, illustrated by Mark Buehner
Dexter is a little dog. He's so little that the other dogs forget to invite him to play, and Cleevis the tomcat bullies him. But little Dexter has dreams –– big dreams. He wants to be a superhero. So Dexter starts a superhero training program. And suddenly, even Cleevis needs his help!

In Superdog, husband–and–wife team Mark and Caralyn Buehner have created a timeless story about a true superhero. Dexter has determination, spirit, and heart as he proves, above all, that no matter how little you are, you can still do very big things.

Henry and the Buccaneer Bunniesby Carolyn Crimi
About the Book
Henry, a young bunny, is different from the other bunnies on the ship Salty Carrot. While the other pirates relish stealing jewels from other ships and admiring their tattoos, Henry favors reading books. But when a big storm arrives, Henrys favorite activity saves the lives of the pirates, especially Henrys scornful father, Barnacle Black Ear.

Traction Man is Here!!! by Mini Grey
Traction Man—wearing combat boots, battle pants, and his warfare shirt—comes in a box, but very quickly finds the way into the imagination of his lucky boy owner. This superhero searches for the Lost Wreck of the Sieve as the boy makes a game of doing the dishes, and later in the bathtub, he conquers the Mysterious Toes that are stealing his pet, the brave little Scrubbing Brush. These are just a few of the action-packed adventures played out by the boy and his new toy that may not be able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but can vanquish all manner of villains lurking around the house. Mini Grey’s story in words and pictures is an irresistible invitation to the private world of a child’s play.



We voted for our favorites. Here are the fina1 votes by Grades 1,2,3
Dex: the Heart of a Hero- 168 Votes This was the 2007-2008 Winner
Traction man is here!!! -61 Votes
Henry and the Buccaneer Bunnies-27 Votes
The Giant Hug -19 votes
I wanna an Iguana -13 votes

Grade 2 Music

We had a visit from Mr. Dennis Finnigan, one of the children's librarians at the Union City Library. Mr. Finnigan spoke about programs that the Union City Library will be offering to help the kids learn about different instruments and appreciate them. We also were introduced to folk dancing and got to see what a line dance, square dance, and circle dance were. We got to try a Mexican dance called la raza. We also continued to review the Instrument families through listening to CD's and playing Instrument Bingo. (Standards Music 1.5 Identify visually and aurally individual wind, string, brass, and percussion instruments used in a variety of music. Standards Dance 3.1 Name and perform social and traditional dances from various cultures)