Hatchet VoiceThread
Mrs. Eddy’s class has just finished their first VoiceThread for the Newbery Honor book, Hatchet. This survival book by Gary Paulsen is perfect for library research. Each student was randomly assigned a research topic that related to the book. They used the World Book Encylcopedia, Searchasaurus, links on the library webpage and Google SafeSearch to find information about their topic. Students learned to ignore irrelevant information and to narrow their focus to what a boy would need to know about their topic to survive in the Canadian wilderness. After typing their scripts in Word they logged into KidPix to create an avatar for their voice narration. Bit by bit in small groups they visited the library office to record their narrations. I hope you enjoy their show. They worked hard at a busy time of the year.
Mrs. Neddo
Fourth Grade Art
I have been busy climbing a ladder and looping tape these past two nights hanging nocturnal creatures in our library. They look fantastic! Check out our BubbleShare Show below. A nice display can be found on a ceiling arch over the nonfiction books. The emergency lights cast a soft glow on the chalk washed art. Stay tuned for a VoiceThread about our artwork. This kind of artwork would be the perfect background for a voice narration of animal facts.
In September our fourth graders visited the library to research the habitat and physical characteristics of a nocturnal animal in New York State. Not only did their notes help them create an accurate drawing to scale, but they learned about the wild animals living in their backyards, at Indian Meadows, or just a short drive away in the Adirondack Mountains.
Bravo Fourth Graders!
[bubbleshare 282339.aff49a4711a]
Research Projects | Comment (1)Hatchet Research
Today a fifth grade class came down to the library for an hour to research non-fiction topics to accompany their ELA novel, Hatchet. I love these kinds of projects, because I always learn something new. The kids were all a buzz with new facts and ideas they will share with Brian, the main character in the fiction book. The beauty of it all for me is that each topic is in some way connected so the kids are sharing knowledge that makes them really understand what they read and write. Their research becomes meaningful and hopefully more exciting than just copying a list of facts.
Research Projects | Comment (0)