Sunday, November 8, 2009

Hello 5th Graders!

Answer these questions as a check list that you have explored all the important pages on the Media Center page.
Add your written answers to the Reflection page and save it to your folder:
1. Resources Page.
A. Try a search on each of the 6 Databases, and try out the Cite your sources link. We will be using these soon, so looking at them now will help when we begin the lesson!
B. Do you have a public Library Card? Check out the Homework Rescue Link! This is a FREE service, all you need is a FREE library card. If you do not have a library card, ask me how to get one - it is easy!
C. Go to the Tumble books link and explore the options. How could you use this page?
2. Literacy Skills Page.
Open the Writing Link and explore the Story Starter and Shape Books. How could fifth grade use these tools?
3. Grades 3-5.
Open and try at least three of the activities. List the pages you have tried and rate each one using the same rating that you used for the Welcome to the Web activity.
4. All Ages.
Open and explore, then answer this question. Is this page a good idea? Why or why not?

Congratulations for doing a thorough job on exploring the RVE Media Center Web page!




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Saturday, November 7, 2009

Book Challenge Update

I found out that I have been "cleared" by the challenge committee. They recognize that I followed the district selection process, but not heard anything about what they will do with the book. The title is "Kurt Cobain," a biography by Michael Martin. I selected it specifically with the (Spring) fifth grade biography project in mind. It is a 4.3 reading level and a 5-8 interest level. My thought was to find something for the student who reads below grade level, will not be interested in the more traditional biographies and may have heard of Kurt Cobain. I purchased a wide variety of musicians - this was one of them.

The issue began because I had just taught third graders how to use the search stations with keyword searches. A third grader typed in "guitar" and this book came up. He found it and checked it out. Mom and dad took issue with the book because it is begins with a sort of obituary. Over all is "negative," and talks a lot about his addiction to drugs and that he was never able to get out of that. I agree that it is heavy for third grade, and I think it is great that mom and dad read the book with the child and talked through it, but stand by my decision that it is a good choice for the population I was targeting. We will see :)

I am completely impressed with the way the school district is handling the challenge.



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