Classpage - Susan Benson

Class Info (Check box to include this section when classpage is printed:)

Welcome to the Library/Technology Media Classpage!

Ms. Sue Benson

It's time for BATTLE OF THE BOOKS!!!

Battle of the Books is a fun, friendly activity where teams of students read books from a specified list and then compete in a trivia competition based on those books. This year all of the students in grades 4-5 will be participating. This is an optional activity for grades 6-7-8. "Battle" teams will meet during scheduled library time. (Jr. High teams may meet during homeroom.)

Here's what to do:

1. Be open to working with the teams that are set up.

2. Read the books on the list and practice writing questions with your group.

3. Compete in the "Battle of the Books" (Jr. High during Catholic Schools Week in January, grades 4-5 during Children's Book Week in May.)

At least two copies of every book will be available in our school library. Be prepared to go to the public library if the books in our library are already checked out. Ask your friends/classmates to see if anyone owns the books.

See the attached file for the book lists. HAVE FUN!

WORLD BOOK ONLINE is now available at our school.

Students can research this database at home too!

Go to: www.worldbookonline.com

The user name and password are BOTH smveg

A sample of what's new in the library this week:

New novels for older students:

Pictures of Hollis Woods Patricia Reilly Giff

The Star Fisher Laurence Yep

The Ghost's Grave Peg Kehret

Worth A. LaFaye

Chu Ju's House Gloria Whelan

Code Orange Caroline B. Cooney

Hey kids! Did you ever try to look for something on the Internet, only to be faced with thousands of websites on your topic? Here is a great website full of tips on how to do a good Internet search. http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/welcome/ Parents, look over this site as a family. It is really worth the time!

Parents, are you concerned about keeping kids safe in the Internet? Here are some websites that are worth your time. You will find lots of information about keeping your family and your computer safe.

www.getnetwise.org www.safekids.com www.ikeepsafe.org

A FEW MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS

The technology vision of the school recognizes the impact of developing media on individuals, communities and families. Therefore we will:

Continuously improve our hardware and software library, including access to emerging technologies.
Teach students to be wise users of technology while maintaining ethical standards consistent with Catholic values.
Challenge staff and students to explore and apply new avenues available through technology to enhance student achievement.
Make use of state and national instructional media standards as our guide for developing curriculum that ensures student proficiency at appropriate developmental levels.

Smart Board Technology

Interactive, computer driven whiteboards are energizing today’s classrooms and changing how students learn. These whiteboards bring the power of a computer and the Internet right to a large screen. A touch sensitive display board connects to a classroom computer and digital projector. Students and teachers use their fingers or inkless pens to write and draw on the screen, as well as to manipulate objects and words. Interactive whiteboards allow students to be more engaged in the learning process. Because students are not always isolated in front of individual computer screens, learning can become a collaborative process.

United Streaming

With Discovery Education United Streaming, teachers gain access to a rich collection of more than 50,000 video segments from about 5,000 full length educational videos. As a standards based educational resource, Discovery Education United Streaming is proven to increase student achievement, and also helps schools meet the requirements of No Child Left Behind.

Badgerlink

Badgerlink is a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The goal is to provide access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents. Through Badgerlink students access a variety of research databases including newspapers, periodicals, literature, reference materials and websites. Students have direct access at school, and can access Badgerlink at home using their public library card.

Please Note

Students in grades 5-8 are welcome to stay after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for extra time in the Computer Lab. This is a great opportunity to work on assignments, especially if there is competition for your computer at home. Please see the permission form attached to my files below. Please send written permission when you want your child to stay, or send me an e-mail. Thanks!

Returning soon. . .The Typing Hall of Fame! Watch for it!

We accept donations of new or gently used books. If we do not need them for our own school library, they are passed on to the elementary school located at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

(See the library "wish list" located in FILES.)