Pioneer LMC Lessons

We are learning more about poetry, and children’s poets Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein. A couple of other great sites for poetry are poetry4kids.com and gigglepoetry.com.

We are starting up with a new library automation system, called Follett Destiny. One great thing about it is that our library catalog can now be searched from any computer that has internet access. The link to the site is destiny.vvsd.org. Students and staff will be getting introduce to this new tool for the next couple of weeks.

Most students are completing or continuing work that they have previously started in the LMC. They are all doing different projects in the computer lab. When we come back from spring break, we will start to talk a bit about poetry, since April is national poetry month. This is something we have not done before and I am looking forward to it.

While third, fourth and fifth graders are taking ISAT tests this week, students are being introduced to some new things in the LMC this week.

Our kindergarteners are learning about the non-fiction section of the library. Previously, they have only looked in the Fiction section for books, with a selection of non-fiction books on tables for them to choose from.

First and second graders are trying out the program, “Kidspiration,” which helps organize and create ideas. While learning the program, they are also learning how to save a document on to our server, so they can work on it more next week.

Third graders are being introduced to some of the features in Microsoft Word, as well as learning how to save their work on the server to continue working.

In fourth grade, we are learning PowerPoint by making a slide show about ourselves. This project is just starting this week, and will be ongoing for the next few weeks.

Fifth graders are finishing up their PowerPoint presentations about a famous person they have researched. When finished, we are going to evaluate our work, and reflect on what we learned and how will go about our research on the next project we have.

The main focus in the LMC for grades K-3 was on the Monarch Award. We read and discussed many of the books on the list and voted as well. The leading vote getter among Pioneer students was Bad Kitty, by Nick Bruel. There was a tie for second between Owen and Mzee, and If I Built a Car.

Fourth graders worked on some research basics, such as getting to know the web sites World Book Online, and Factmonster. Fourth graders also discovered that they have their own folder on our server and learned how to save work in it.

In fifth grade, we are working on a research project about a famous person. Our focus is on the research process, using the Big Six to help guide us through this project.

Fourth and fifth graders who participated in the Rebecca Caudill award voted at an ice cream party. The favorite among Pioneer students, was MVP: Magellan Voyage Project, by Douglas Evans.