Friday, March 25, 2011

I'm Ready...for Spring Break

What a week! 8th graders have been researching for their persuasive speeches --- the P.T.O. Book Fair was Wednesday and Thursday --- 7th graders took their Constitution Test online AND selected book report books based on themes from Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. Now we have spring break to recuperate.
When we return on April 4th, there will be book check-out for the 8th grade LA classes and 7th grade will begin their Careers Unit. That's Monday and I haven't looked any farther yet.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable, relaxing, and safe spring break.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Another Busy Week

The IMC had another busy week and next week is more of the same. This past Thursday I gave an introduction to research for the 8th grade Language Arts classes as they prepare to begin research for their persuasive speeches. Students took notes as I described a road map for research which begins with an encyclopedia, follows through an IPAC keyword search for books in the IMC, then a reference search using the Gale Virtual Reference Library (an online database shared with us from Downers South High School), on to magazine and newspaper online database, and a folder of links to websites that I think are most helpful. Students were given all the necessary login and password information so they can work from school or from home and where all the links are located (most on the Lakeview Library webpage). I also reviewed how to collect bibliographic information from the various media to use in our free online bibliography maker, NoodleBib.
Next week the 8th graders will research in the IMC Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Thursday 7th grade Social Studies classes will be using the IMC computers for their Constitution test. And on Friday 7th grade Language Arts classes will be checking out books for a new book report.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Busy Week

The IMC was busy this week with various classes using computers and laptops. There was also book check-out for Miss Coppoletta's classes. They selected from the genres of mystery or horror.
Next week looks to be equally busy. 6th grade science is signed up for computers on Monday. Then later in the week we will see the health classes on computers.
On Thursday I will give an introduction to research for the 8th grade Language Arts classes as they begin their persuasive speech unit. I have a lot of new books on controversial topics to show them as well as such online sources as Gale Virtual Reference Library, Middle Online Package, eLibrary, and a couple of websites that are very useful for debates. All of these online sources are linked to the Lakeview library webpage for easy access. Students will receive all the necessary login information so they can continue their research from any Internet computer. Also included in the research introduction is a review of how to collect bibliographic information from the various media to use in our online bibliography maker, NoodleBib.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Lots of Computer Use

Even with ISAT testing last week, the IMC computers have been busy. The 6th grade Language Arts were in the IMC almost every day. One of their big projects is to create book trailers - same idea as movie trailers. Some students are using Movie Maker and some are using Google Sketchup. I can't wait to see the finished projects later next week.
Consumer Ed will also been using the IMC computers next week, along with 8th grade science on the laptops in the IMC. Ending the week. Miss Coppoletta's Reading classes ar coming for book check-out.
Even with all this activity in the IMC Mrs. Wilson and I are proud of the number of new books we have been able to catalog and process so they are ready for check-out. Keep your eyes on the New Book display shelves by the windows. You will have lots of new choices!