The Rooster Games...continued!

 

Team Light Blue wished that they had had more time to practice and polish their skit for the Creativity Round during the Rooster Games last Wednesday, so one team member (Ella) took it upon herself to write out a script for her team to perform today after lunch!  It was really wonderful to see the motivation and excitement that was demonstrated by the students (with a special guest from Team Yellow).  Now that's what I call enthusiasm!!

All third grade students were given a list of the 2014 nominees for the Rhode Island Children's Book Award so they can start getting ready for next year's Rooster Games...it will be here before you know it!

Rooster Games 2013!

These three students received "Champion Reader" medals for reading all the books on the list!

I can't believe it, but another Rooster Games has come and gone!  On Wednesday my qualifying fourth graders participated in a kind of "book olympics" based on books that were nominated for the Rhode Island Children's Book Award.  (They are nicknamed the "Rooster Books" because the winning book receives a medal that features the state bird, a "Rhode Island Red" rooster!)  The students who read at least five of the books on the list were allowed to play in the games.  It was a really fun morning, and I was pleased to see all of the students demonstrating good sportsmanship!

Team Yellow earns a point during the Illustration Round!

 

Team Green works on matching the titles to the first line from each book

Matching titles to items in each story during the Object Round

 

Collaborating on an answer during the Multiple Choice Round

Team Orange acts out a scene from Because of Mr. Terupt during the Creativity Round

Although Miss Hurley finished her student teaching duties back in February, she kindly came back to help us during the Games!  (Thank you so much!!)

 

Team Orange scores another point!

The winners of the 2013 Rooster Games: Team Dark Blue!

Thanks to the support of our PTO, all the students who participated in the Games got to enjoy a pizza party at the end of the day!  YUM!

Internet Safety Poster Contest!

 JUNE IS INTERNET 

SAFETY MONTH!

Poster created by Natalie B.

Recently in library class, my fourth grade students have been participating in a unit on Internet safety.  The students learned some really important safety guidelines, including:

• NEVER share your personal information online, such as your real name, address, phone number, the school you attend, or anything else that might identify you without asking an adult first!
• NEVER agree to meet someone in person that you "met" online!  You can never know for sure who someone on the Internet really is.
• NEVER respond to a bully!  If someone is mean to you online, tell an adult.  And of course, don't ever be a bully!  Always treat others the way you'd want to be treated.
• TELL AN ADULT if you see anything online that makes you worried, sad, uncomfortable or scared!

Poster created by Cameron B.

As part of this study I collaborated with our art teacher, Mrs. DiFranco, to have the students create a poster that would encourage other children to be safe while using the Internet. The students came up with some very clever ideas for sharing their messages! 

I selected four posters from each class to submit to the “2013 Gear Up For Safety Art Contest” which is being sponsored by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency.  Winning posters will be used to promote School Safety Week (October 20-26^th, 2013).  Finalists will each receive a $100 savings bond, and one lucky grand prize winner will also receive an Apple iPad!  Finalists will be notified by mail in September.

Congratulations to our twelve finalists!

If you'd like more information about Internet safety, 

please visit http://www.ikeepsafe.org/parents/. 

Summer Starters with Mrs. Steever!

Today we were grateful to have a special visitor come in to talk to our fourth graders!  Mrs. Steever is one of the marvelous librarians at Chariho Middle School, and she went over the summer reading requirements. 

(Click here to visit the CMS Library's summer reading page!)  

Students can of course read as many books as they want, but the expectation is that they read at least two.  In addition, the students need to show evidence that they read the books by creating a project of their choice.  For example, students could write an essay, create a book talk or poster, or design a Photo Story or PowerPoint.  Every student received a packet of information that included reading suggestions, including all 20 Rhode Island Children's Book Award nominees (the "Rooster" books for next year). The packets also included a rubric to make sure they meet the criteria. 

Mrs. Steever also told the soon-to-be fifth graders about some terrific online resources that they can access over the summer, including Tumblecloud "eBooks".  She demonstrated how to find different kinds of stories to read and listen to online!  The students were really excited to learn that there are even graphic novels to choose from!

The students got to watch a book talk video created by another student.  Not only was this an example of what they might do for a book project over the summer, but the book he discussed is one of next year's "Rooster" books.  They also got to see a book "trailer" for one of my favorite books on next year's "Rooster" list: The One and Only Ivan.  (Click here to watch the trailer!) 

The purple page lists all of next year's "Rooster" books!

The four girls pictured above chose to stay in the library to watch more video book talks instead of going to recess!  There are lots of book "trailers" available online.  Here are a few more:

Wonder by R.J. Palacio
The Templeton Twins Have an Idea by Ellis Weiner
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielson

Thank you for coming to Ashaway School 

to talk to our fourth graders, Mrs. Steever!  

You've helped to put them on the path to success!!