Digital Tool Tuesday! Take 1!

In an effort to share some of the great digital tools that we are using in enrichment, I thought I would try to create a post each Tuesday which highlights a tool or tools that I have utilized in my classroom, as well as share why or how it is informing our learning!

For this first post, I have selected what has proven to be a student favorite.

One of the tools that students have continued to mention--even though I used it the very first week of school-- is AutoRap. This is a free Ipad application that records your speaking voice and converts it into a musical rap. We used this as an introductory tool the first week of school. We made raps about our favorite activities, our favorite books, and our learning styles. It was an engaging way to get to know each other that had us all dancing in our seats as we listened intently to what each member of class was going to add to our classroom rap. This tool was a great reminder to me of the way that music can engage all learners and it allowed me to get to know students without just asking them to share a favorite thing, or fill out a survey!

Here are a few of the raps we created!
http://khu.sh/autorap_50999eef69706&v2
http://khu.sh/autorap_50999f2d9d29c&v2
http://khu.sh/autorap_5047575f32bc9&v2a

I have a feeling that when students work on independent projects they may figure out a way to use this tool to teach about their subject!

Election Week in Enrichment

Over the last few days I have overheard many earnest discussions among our students about voting and elections. As a way of providing them
with a connected, but developmentally appropriate opportunity to understand a little about voting, I have set up an election in the enrichment room for an enrichment room mascot. Each student in the school will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite mascot. They will choose from mascots designed by other students and then visit the voting booth!! Stay tuned for the results!

Creating Reading Buddies in Grade 2

During enrichment today Miss Darling's second grade class continued to work on a sewing project which they have designed. Each student is creating A stuffed "reading buddy" that they will present to a younger student to encourage their reading at school.

Students have maintained an amazing focus for this project and are proud of their works in progress.

Below are a few pictures, taken by a student photographer (interestingly you can tell that the important thing to them is the product they are creating, as all the pictures focus on the reading buddies).

Creating Thanksgiving Table Covers

During enrichment classes this week students are working on creating table coverings that will be used during our school Thanksgiving dinner next week. This activity has students working on an authentic project that supports our school community.

Be sure to check out their turkey artwork as you enjoy a meal with family and friends!

Flynn Trips at RES

Each year I work with classroom teachers to plan a trip to the Flynn Theater in Burlington for every student.  Sometimes these trips may tie into curriculum work they are doing in class, but often they are selected because of a belief that they will be of high interest to students.  By the time that RES students graduate to middle school they have attended at least five theater plays about a variety of topics. I feel privileged to support the arts through my efforts as the Flynn coordinator for our school.  I also love the fact that these plays are well attended by parent chaperones.  It is a great opportunity for families to participate in a shared experience and connect with some amazing art.

This year the Flynn Trip schedule is as follows:

Grade K--Complete!
Grade 4 (Erickson/Darby)-- "Mayhem Poets" November 12th
Grade 4 (Erickson/Darby/Ayer) -- "Flamenco Vivo"  January 25th
Grade 1 and 2-- "SkippyJon Jones"  January 30th
Grade 3 and 4 (Senning/Ayer) -- " True Story of the Three Pigs"  April 29th
Grade 3 (Ankerson/Berliner) -- "MOMIX Botanica"  May 3rd


To find out more about the matinee series (they have weekend shows as well) check out the Flynn website:
http://www.flynncenter.org/

Often Flynn shows are accompanied by Companion Workshops.  Although our teachers have expressed interest in these workshops, they are not supported within our current budget.  If you would be interested in sponsoring a workshop for a particular grade, please let me know. These workshops are a great way for students to take their learning and experience beyond the play itself.

A Community Project for Four Winds

Students in Mrs.Robinson's second grade class spent their enrichment session today creating holiday bulbs for the Four Winds fundraiser. (see more information about the fundraiser here: http://resvt.blogspot.com/2012/10/res-4-winds-handmade-holiday-ornament.html )

Students talked about the reasons they liked Four Winds, including: being outside, getting to spend time in school with parents and community members, and puppet shows! This project was a way for the group to reflect on their connection to the community through Four Winds and do something positive.

The pictures below show the artists hard at work and the results.

Fostering a Sense of Community in Grade 2

Second graders have spent the last few weeks during enrichment classes brainstorming ways that they can make their community a better place. After spending time last year studying their community, it has been easy for students to develop projects and plans that support a wide array of ideas.

One area that all classes identified as important was helping the elderly in our community. As a result we have reached out to some local organizations and many students spent time creating cards and letters that will be sent to cheer up their fellow neighbors.

Each class also identified helping those younger than them. Although this idea was common, the ways in which each class have decided to address this relationship is is different. In Mrs. Rigg's class students are working on plays and puppet shows that teach a lesson. They will be making movies to share with kindergarten and first grade friends around the theme 'Don't Give Up'. In Miss Darling's class students have decided to make reading buddies for a younger class. Their idea is to create a stuffed 'monster' that will be available to read to a friend. Students are designing and sewing their creatures in hopes that this will encourage their younger peers to read. In Mrs. Robinson's students are creating a large Richmond mural. Along with their canvas map they are also planning to build many of the important structures around town. This town project will then be made available to younger students to use to both explore and learn.