"A Swisstastic Journey of Me and My Students"

Monday, December 15, 2014

Digital Writing Experiences with Second Graders

The second grade teachers and myself discussed how we could get our second graders writing more using digital tools.  We decided to introduce email to them, which will lead to using Google Docs, then possibly onto the online school course, Schoology, we use with our 3-6 graders.  I hope to also introduce them to blogging in the future.  For now they have been introduced to their email accounts and have sent their teachers a friendly email about something they wish for at Christmas time.  Now I will read Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin to them and then using the website, Make-a-Flake website, they will make their own snowflake and email it to a friend.

Snowflake Bentley 
Jacqueline Briggs Martin


Caldecott Mock Elections with Third Graders

In January I always introduce/review the idea of the Caldecott Award with third graders. This year I decide to hold a mock election with them in which they will use Google Forms to vote for one of the top 10 I have narrowed my top picks down to. I touch on the Caldecott with kindergarten and first grade but jump more into it when they are a bit older in the third grade. After reading these books and listening to what my fellow teacher/librarians were saying about these books these are my top 10, not in any particular order. By the way these are my opinions...they may or may not make the top.

the SCRAPS book 
by Lois Ehlert

Viva Frida
by Yuyi Morales




  The Right Word 
Written by Jen Bryant 
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet


Click here for your reflection doc for The Right Word:  Roget and His Thesaurus


Draw!
Raul Colon


Add caption

Reflection Guide on Draw!

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole
by Mac Barnett






The Adventures of Beekle The Unimaginary Friend
by Dan Santat

Use this Google Form to cast your final vote for our 2015 Caldecott winner.

Mrs. Wilhelm's Final Vote for 2015 Mock Caldecott Winner

Draw!14%
The Adventures of Beekle:  An Unimaginary Friend313%
the Scraps book14%
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole1771%
Viva Frida28%
The Right Word00%

Mrs. Moran's  final vote for 2015 Mock Caldecott Winner

The Adventures of Beekle:  An Unimaginary Friend632%
Draw!00%
The Right Word00%
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole1053%
Viva Frida15%
the Scraps book15%

Mrs. Smith's final vote for the 2015 Caldecott Mock Winner?

Draw!14%
The Adventures of Beekle:  An Unimaginary Friend519%
the Scraps book14%
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole1558%
Viva Frida312%
The Right Word14%