@NPES LearningCommons
Books! Gadgets! Fun!
March 2017
It's MARCH!
February was a short month with lots of awesome programming and March is looking to be just as busy! We will be voting for our favorite book award nominee; celebrating Dr. Seuss with the READING PATROL; and gearing up for our upcoming author visit!
Please let us know what we can do for you and your students! We are here to help!
Valerie Byrd Fort, Sarah Sheely, Robert Blackwell, Karen Gobbi, and Brenda Burkett
Makerspace Moments
Makerspace Moments are Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1:30pm in the Learning Commons! You can send students in small groups, or we can schedule a whole class visit - just let me know what you would like to do!
*Please note! There will be NO Makerspace Moments the week of March 20!*
READING PATROL!
Read Across America/Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
Read Across America Week is when we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss! Here is how we are going to celebrate and some resources and activities you can try in your classroom!
How we will celebrate!
*Listen for Dr. Seuss facts on the news show every day next week!
*Checkout the Seuss display in the Learning Commons!
*Plan to participate in our Reading Patrol on March 2!
Resources
*Classroom resources from Seussville: http://www.seussville.com/Educators/educatorClassroomResources.php
*Reading and Seuss-Themed Resources for Teachers from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/read-across-america-dr-seuss-resources-matthew-davis
*Reading Everywhere with Dr. Seuss lesson plan from ReadWriteThink: http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/reading-everywhere-with-seuss-109.html
Activities to try with your students/at home
*READ books by Dr. Seuss or books inspired by Dr. Seuss! Check out the display in the Learning Commons!
*Read about Dr. Seuss on PebbleGo - https://www.pebblego.com/login/ (ask Mrs. Byrd Fort for the password)
*Download this app for your students to take Seuss-themed selfies (available in the App Catalog) - Dr. Seuss Camera
Have fun and Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!
South Carolina Book Award VOTING!
AUTHOR VISIT! Jarrett J. Krosoczka!
We are excited to announce this year's author visit, Jarrett J. Krosoczka (learn how to pronounce that here http://www.studiojjk.com/pronounce.html)! He will be visiting NPES on Wednesday, April 5. He will do a book signing in the morning and two large group presentations:
Book Signing in Cafeteria 7:30 - 8am
K - 2 grade 8:15 - 9am
3 - 5 grade 9:15 - 10am
Jarrett writes and illustrates picture books (Punk Farm, Baghead), graphic novels (Lunch Lady), and chapter books (Platypus Police Squad, Jedi Academy)! He appeals to all of our students! An order form will be going home on Tuesday. I have attached a copy - FYI! The order forms are due by March 10.
Jarrett is FANTASTIC and so interesting! In addition to his children's books, he has a weekly show on SiriusXM's Kids Place Live that is all about books, authors, and reading (https://soundcloud.com/siriusxmentertainment/the-book-report-with-jarrett-j-krosoczka-september-7th-2016?in=studiojjk/sets/the-book-report-with-jjk-on). He's been on NPR and has even delivered a TED Talk (http://www.studiojjk.com/JJKsvideolibrary.html).
Digital Learning Corner!
Be sure to scan the March Monthly Highlights for various links and activities such as ....
* St. Patrick's Day Project -- Sort & tally the Lucky Charm shapes! The project hypothesis is that there are more green clovers/hats than any other shape. Join this collaborative project and see what your class discovers! Registration is OPEN now! (K-3)
* Dr. Seuss' Birthday & Read Across America - Create a "Favorite Dr. Seuss Book" graph with your students!
* Explore the Iditarod Race in Alaska! Students would love seeing the dog sleds! Check the "Teacher On the Trail" Blog, too!
* Daylight Saving Time – Don’t forget to spring forward! Just as sunflowers turn their heads to catch every sunbeam, so too have we discovered a simple way to get more from our sun.
* Ireland & St. Patrick's Day links ....
* Enjoy Pi Day - March 14 - Do you know the famous mathematician born on this day?
* Spring - Learn more about the equinox, write a spring cinquain, and more!
* Music in Our Schools / Art Month -- Visit "Sound Junction" and "Artopia"!
* Money, Money, Money - Resources for learning more about our currency
* Kites ...and more.....
FYI! So far this school year, we have featured the following technology standards for computer lab instruction:
September - Digital Citizenship/Basic Login Skills/Keyboarding
October - Word Processing Month (MS Word or Google Docs)
November - Spreadsheet Month (MS Excel or Google Sheets)
December - Drawing Tool Month (MS Paint)
January - Presentation Month (MS PowerPoint or Google Slides)
February - Review Word Processing and Spreadsheets
LifeSkills & Lifelong Guidelines SPOTLIGHT!
In March, we focus on TRUTHFULNESS, COMMON SENSE, and COURAGE.
There is a display of books when you enter the Learning Commons - CHECK IT OUT!
I also add links and resources to our shared document available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NFsEIehMDFzjrxnwBPpJsen3KBnIgTe4EHJwA2nJLC8/edit
Please feel free to add your own resources for all to see!
Lion Cub Storytime
March 3
April 7
Thank you, Mr. Blackwell!
March Events (and MORE!)
Reading Patrol - March 2
Jarrett Krosoczka author visit - April 5
EdVenture Maker Faire - April 29
Star Wars READS Day (postponed from October) - May 4
Spring Book Fair - May 15 - May 19
Google Calendar
- Computer Labs (Cub Lab and Lion Lab)
- Learning Commons
- Makerspace/Burkett/Shahoud (in Learning Commons)
- Laptops
- iPads
- iTouches
Learning Commons Team Schedule
Mrs. Byrd Fort is at NPES 11am - 3pm every day (4pm on Mondays).
Mrs. Sheely is at NPES 7:20am - 11:30am every day.
Mrs. Gobbi is at NPES 7:30am - 3pm every day (lunch at 11:15 on M,W; 12:20 on T,TH,F).
Ms. Burkett is at NPES 7:30am - 3pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, every other Friday.
Mr. Blackwell is at NPES 7:30am - 3pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays.
About Us
Email: vfort@lexington1.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/newprovidencelearningcommons/
Location: 1118 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington, SC, United States
Phone: 803.821.3314
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NPESLibraryMediaCenterLearningCommons
Twitter: @mrsbyrdfort