Click Clack Woo! Kids That Type!

The Stonehedge library has been filled with the clickity-clack of Chromebook keyboards throughout the first half of December. Grades 3-5 have been trying out a free website called TypingClub.com. It is a keyboarding trainer that takes kids through all of the basic typing skill drills, (just like the typing lessons some of us took in high school.) Typists can track their accuracy and speed and move up levels to assess their progress. The response from our students has been positive, with many kids reporting that they have continued their training on their classroom computers and at home. Keyboarding skills are more important than ever to our students. They need to be “keyboard familiar” earlier than ever before, so we’re excited the introduction has gone so well. We’ll be spending more time on TypingClub with 3-5 and introducing it to 2^nd grade when we come back from break in January. To take a peek, just go to www.typingclub.com

Meanwhile, the K-2 students have also been on the Chromebooks in the library. They have been using the touch screen aspect of the Chromebooks to explore one of our favorite databases, PebbleGo, in preparation for all of the research that will take place in February during Winter Wonderland. PebbleGo is a fabulous research resource for emergent readers. It has tons of facts on all types of subjects that are presented in an easy to read format. There are videos, sound clips, time lines and other features that make learning fun. It had been so much fun to watch even our littlest Wildcats exploring and reporting back facts about what they are learning. PebbleGo is accessible through the library website. We have sent access instructions home with all of our little researchers.

One More Thing

Maxwell Library is hosting a Book Talk and Signing with children’s author Marcie Colleen on Wednesday, December 21 from 6-7:30. 

She will be talking about her books

Super Happy Party Bears: GnawingAround

Super Happy Party Bears: Knock Knock on Wood

Copies of each will be available for purchase and signing by the author.

(Just in time for the holidays!)

Until next year!

Don't forget to Read4Fun!

Happy Holidays!

Mrs. Abbott

Rock and Roll Literacy

Stonehedge students and staff rocked the red gym last Friday as Canadian author and literacy advocate Sigmund Brouwer came to town courtesy of the awesome Stonehedge PTA in order to celebrate PARP month.  Brouwer used a mix of humor and really great music to bring home the message that even if reading and writing are hard for students, developing a love of story first can make all the difference. Mr. Brouwer dubbed Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Graser and Mrs. Eichhorn the “Story Divas” which was just fine with all of us. Our ultimate goal every day is to connect students with stories and nonfiction books that will inspire them to read and write more each day. Mr. Brouwer shared snippets of some of his books and by the time each assembly was over, we had a gym full of “Story Ninjas” ready to go out into the world and use the power of story to put pictures in people’s heads and feelings in their hearts.  Talk about ninja skills!

Before Mr. Brouwer left us, he promised the kids access to three free ebooks. You can find them at http://sigmundbrouwer.com/rockandroll/

You do need epub software on your device. This will be a great way to tide the students over until our Sigmund Brouwer book order comes in.

PARP month is almost at a close, but we still have one more Open Library Night. You can come to the library Tuesday the 25th from 6:30-7:30 "at night" to relax and read, share stories and check out books . Hope to see you there.

Until then,

Don’t forget to READ4FUN!

Mrs. Abbott (one of the Story Divas)

October is PARP month!

Every October our awesome PTA sponsors PARP (Pick a Reading Partner). PARP is a great time to focus on reading a little bit more by reading with other people for at least15 minutes a day. Children learn by example and when they read with people they love and look up to, reading becomes an even more enjoyable activity. Suggestions for home reading activities were sent home by teachers. Throughout the month, guest readers will be coming to our school to share their favorite books in the classrooms.

The library will be hosting Open Library Nights on Tuesday, October 11^th and Tuesday October 25^th. The library will be open from 6:30-7:30 (at night) for you and your family to come browse our new library layout, read together and even check out a few books.

But wait…that’s not all! PTA is also bringing another fabulous author to visit our students. This year Sigmund Brouwer will be coming to talk to us on Friday October 14^th. 

Mr. Brouwer is a Canadian author who spends some of his time in Nashville, Tennessee. He writes books for all ages and will bring his message of “Rock and Roll Literacy” to all grade levels.

It should be a great month!

In October (and every month)...Don’t forget to READ4FUN!

Mrs. Abbott