Kiker's Strength-Based Learning Cohort

We have certainly enjoyed our sunshine this week! In project, we have been steadily progressing through our keyboarding lessons, and have all made gains in our finger positioning and WPM! In town meeting, we have been dovetailing morning assemblies' message about kindness, and the differences between someone being "annoying" or "bullying." We've talked extensively about our choices and responsibilities. Our kids know that top priority for the SBLC is everyone's safety, physically and emotionally. Please support us in having the kids come to us immediately when they are having a problem. Second Graders have completed inference and summary statements about various books about Martin Luther King Jr. and Segregation. We are back on board full force with spelling, word work, and writing centers as well. This week we began brainstorming a sensory descriptive narrative piece about an activity we enjoy. Third Graders have delved deeply into nonfiction...

This week we've continued honing our skills with keyboarding and even took a words per minute test to help us measure our growth. Both links to practice and the "test" are here on the blog, so students are free to practice anytime! Fourth Graders have been working hard on how we can marry description with detail in our nonfiction expository pieces. We've focused on precise word choice, especially vivid verbs, to create those powerful images for our readers. We've also continued our journey with Joe Rantz in Boys in the Boat.  It's a wonderful example of how nonfiction uses descriptive language to capture the reader, so it fits in perfectly to what we are doing in writing. Third Grade has analyzed their nonfiction piece, "Too Close to Gone." We looked at a section on Bald Eagles first together, then they began the analyzing on their own with Tigers.  We've been examining how each graphic and caption helps us understand the text b...

Hello, scientists! Use the websites below to understand more about force, motion, and energy. Remember to read the directions and ALL information on the sites. When you are finished, leave a comment answering one of the questions posted in class . Remember to check spelling, capitals, and punctuation before you publish your comment! 2nd & 3rd grade Part I: Friction http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/friction.shtml Part II: How Pulleys Work http://www.neok12.com/php/watch.php?v=zX56004f445662567a447c45&t=Simple-Machines Part III: Forces in Action http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/forces_action.shtml 4th grade Part I: Forces http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks3/science/energy_electricity_forces/forces/activity/ Part II: Parkworld Plot http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/mmg/teaching/peterstidwill/interact/resources/parkworldplot.htm Part III: Friction http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/8_9/friction_fs.shtml Bo...

Hello, Tech-sperts! You've been working hard to develop your typing skills, great job! Read below to learn how to measure your typing speed. Your words per minute (WPM) is calculated by how many words you can type in one minute. Remember to keep your hands in position! Directions : Find the "Text to Type" pull down menu and choose "Random Easy-to-type Sight Words." The time begins as soon as you start typing. Record your words per minute (wpm) and your accuracy rate (%) in your Project Section of your agenda. Keep practicing to see if you can improve your WPM! http://www.speedtypingonline.com/typing-test

This week we have taken project time to practice our keyboarding skills with Dance Mat Typing. We know that skill is crucial to our effectiveness using technology! Students can practice at home -- use the link here on the blog under Academic Extensions to find the website! Check out that awesome hand position! In language arts, we have been combining our reading and writing skills. Second grade completed their first expository essay together!! They also continued their biography study of heroes with Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, and Lucille Ball. We will take their information forward next Tuesday for the second expository essay. Second grade has also been focusing on writing detailed and thorough 3,2,1 reflections. Third grade has continued their focus on endangered animals and nonfiction text. We've worked hard on our cursive, Homonym, and Mountain Language too. Fourth Graders are following Joe Ranz' journey to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Knowing his background...

Happy January! We are so happy to be back in the swing of our regular routine! It's been exciting catching up with one another! In language arts, we have jumped right in to nonfiction reading. Second grade is exploring biographies about true American heroes. We started with Albert Einstein, Jackie Robinson, and Amelia Earhart. We've been learning about their accomplishments, but more than that, we have been examining the character traits that enabled them to become inspirational role models. After reading and charting together, we are learning expository writing structure and writing our first 5 paragraph essay. Third Grade is delving into understanding real world problems by understanding the plight of endangered species. We have examined graphs, maps, headings, and other nonfiction text features through Chelsea Clinton's book, It's Your World: Get Informed, Get Inspired, and Get Going!  and our Time for Kids  periodicals. They participated in a "Bear Activity...

Happy Friday! Find your grade level below for some social studies activities. Fourth Grade Hueco Tanks Park http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/hueco-tanks Goose Island http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island Texas Indians-Caddo http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/kids/caddo/ Second Grade Use the links below to observe how our community has changed over time. Austin Skyline http://www.mystatesman.com/interactive/news/local/austin-skyline/then-and-now/ Cars & Carriages https://www.austintexas.gov/blog/cars-and-carriages-shared-austin-roads-century-ago Third Grade Use the link below to learn more about service organizations from It's Your World . When you get to the page, scroll down to Link to Resource by Chapter. Click Chapter 9 and choose an organization to explore. http://www.itsyourworld.com/resources/