Song to teach the 5 elements you will need for reading and writing

More Electromagnet Science Videos ~ Watch and Learn

Make an Electromagnet using materials around your house

Want to learn Algebra and have fun while doing it? Try Dragon Box

Dragon Box~ Innovative, Education
http://dragonboxapp.com/index.html#

NOW EVERYONE CAN LEARN DIFFICULT MATH AND HAVE FUN
SOLVING ALGEBRA EQUATIONS AFTER JUST ONE HOUR OF PLAYING

Many children today struggle with mathematics while other children want greater challenges. DragonBox is a revolutionary game that will make your child enjoy learning mathematics while progressing at his or her own pace. 

Our intention has been to create a game that children experience as a real game that is actually fun, but where they after one hour of playing, they will be able to solve mathematic equations that they never thought they would be able to solve so quickly before.

The DragonBox game has been tested in schools in France and in Norway, and the results clearly demonstrate increased understanding of basic mathematics and the improved ability to solve equations. More importantly, it shows a significant positive change in children´s attitude towards learning mathematics.

DragonBox is taking Game Based Learning to a new level and will contribute to demystifying algebra in such a way that children at all levels will start to enjoy and embrace learning mathematics.

It is a great game for parents to play along with their kids – and freshen up their own math skills.

DragonBox+ contains an additional 100 standard equations to help your child become a real master of algebra.

Click below to read reviews.
http://dragonboxapp.com/quotes.html

Fidget Factory ~ Play and Learn Electrical Circuits

http://pbskids.org/designsquad/games/fidgit_factory/

Writing videos- Using Transition Words in your Writing

Homework for Team 16

Hello Team 16 Families,

I just copied and pasted the homework from the homework link.  I update it daily.  The link is located at the top of the blog.  Please check this link to make sure your child is completing his/ her homework.  Also, the link provides challenges and or optional work that can enrich your child.

Homework:
*Read
*Practice Math Facts- Study Multiplication and Division Facts
*Math-  Study Link 3-5 due tomorrow

*Math-Optional Enrichment Puzzle- due tomorrow or any day this week (I set-up a challenge check-in station where students can go to in the morning and check their enrichment homework together.)  I will start to send home weekly enrichment math packets that will be optional.  I welcome feedback.  Thanks!

*Design Squad Challenge-  This is an optional design challenge to go along with our Just Like Me program.  This challenge is due after the holidays.  This may be a good project for students to partner up and have play dates to design a convenient carrier.*  Students can even share their designs with PBS Design Squad.  They welcome any new inventions or ideas!

http://pbskids.org/designsquad/pdf/parentseducators/DS_Act_Guide_HelpingHand.pdf

**New challenge playlists on Power My Learning- check them out!
***New Math challenges on Mangahigh!
****Check out the list of keyboarding games posted on the blog.  I added them to the side right link bar under the social studies links.

*Spelling Group:  100 Points due on Friday

*Reading letters are due every Friday~ Pick a story starter and remember to include EVIDENCE-  Please write 2 paragraphs this week.  Remember the format of a letter and try to include at least 4 transition words.  Please highlight the transition words if you are writing your letter and change the color of the font if you are typing your letter.  This will help you to notice transition words and remind you to add them to your letters.
_____________________________________________________
Online tools/ sites for extra practice:

*Mangahigh and Carrot Sticks (Math only)
*Scootpad (Reading and Math)
*StoryBird (Writing)
*Power My Learning and Study ladder for practice in all content areas (see playlists)
*Everyday Math games
*Tumblebooks (Reading/Comprehension)
*Links from the Happy Hollow Technology site
*The Lost Lunchbox (Challenge site- Practice in problem- solving- all content areas)

Voltage, Current, Electricity, Magnetism Introduction Video

Mangahigh ~ New Challenges set!

Team 16 ~ Check out Managhigh.  I set new math challenges.  See if you can earn a bronze, silver, or gold medal!

Moving Beyond Computer Literacy: Why Schools Should Teach Computer Science

A literate nation not only reads. 
It computes, investigates and innovates.

http://www.ncwit.org/resources/moving-beyond-computer-literacy-why-schools-should-teach-computer-science/moving-beyond

Computer Science Gives Students Vital 21st Century Skills:
These skills strengthen local community, national innovation, and opportunities for youth. Computer Science - not computer literacy - underlies most innovation today, from biotechnology to cinematography to national security. Yet the majority of U.S. schools require only that students use computers. Seldom do schools prepare students to innovate and create the new technologies that drive local and national economies. This ability to innovate with technology is also important for students' future success and ability to make a difference in a global society.

Computer Science Means Rewarding Careers:
Jobs are plentiful, interesting, and flexible. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that computer science-related jobs will be among the fastest growing and highest paying over the next decade. Job prospects have remained strong despite economically challenging times. Computer scientists also enjoy a wide range of career options since all industry sectors today involve computing (e.g., the arts, film, finance, health care, journalism, manufacturing, music, security).

*Five of the fastest growing occupations are computing occupations.
By 2016, there will be 1.5 million computing-related jobs available.
Computing-related jobs are among the highest entry-level salaries of any bachelor's degree.*
 
Computer Science: More Than Just Using Technology:
Computer science teaches students design, logical reasoning, and problem solving - all valuable well beyond the computer science classroom. The ability to create and adapt new technologies distinguishes computer science from computer literacy, which focuses more on using existing technologies (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets).

What can you tell school decision-makers about computer science?

Tell them that computer science...

*Provides 21st century skills necessary for innovation and translates to high-paying, in-demand jobs. Emphasize that computer science is increasingly necessary for community improvement, students' future opportunities, and local and national innovation. Use facts to dispel myths that computing jobs are disappearing.

*Differs from computer literacy. Computer science differs from computer literacy (see above). Computer science needs to be part of conversations about math-science-technology reform.

*Can make curriculum more relevant for students. Computer science courses can tap into students' interest in technology, helping them become technology innovators. Other teachers can build on these skills, allowing students to design technical solutions to problems in science, math, social studies, the arts, and literacy. This can make these courses more relevant for youth, potentially improving their engagement and achievement in these areas.

*Can help educators better meet accountability goals. Because a key component of computer science involves the use of critical thinking and problem solving, computer science courses and units can help schools better meet some existing state standards in these areas, as well as some math and science standards.

What can your school do to successfully incorporate computer science education:
~Implement computer science classes. Provide rigorous and engaging computer science courses. Excellent curricula are available, as are additional units for integrating computing concepts into other content areas.
~Allow computer science to count toward graduation. Students' schedules are overcrowded, making electives difficult. Allow students to count computer science courses as math or science graduation credit.
~Make courses accessible for all. Recruit students who are underrepresented in computer science and use inclusive pedagogies in these courses.
~Improve teacher preparation and professional development. Expand teacher certification requirements to include computer science. Provide professional development for teachers who teach, or would like to teach, computer science.

Powerful article- What do you think about this?  I would love to hear your thoughts.

STEM = Engaged Students

How many kids will you connect to hands-on science, technology, engineering and math learning opportunities?

Take the Pledge...

Footee ~ Innovative educational site combining football and game-based learning

Hey Team 16 Football Fans! Check out this new site.  It offers games in all content areas based on our core curriculum and combines your love of football.  Is this motivating or what?

http://footee.nufc.co.uk/MainGame.aspx?clubSite=newcastleUnited#/en/sportee_footee_intro/footee_stadium/default

*Footee is a free football-themed educational site where you can play games, explore new worlds and build your own Footee team to compete against real life teams from all over the world.

*Footee is an innovative educational website that harnesses the combined appeal of football and gaming to motivate National Curriculum learning in 7-14-year olds both in the class room and at home.

*It covers all the core KS2 subjects and can be used in various ways to support the delivery of your lessons, including single pupil, multiple groups and whole class activities, plus fun homework assignments.

*Footee is an exciting free online educational resource linked to your child’s school curriculum. It has been designed to use children’s love of football and gaming to help them learn National Curriculum skills. It is also an exceptionally safe online environment that you can trust.

*Footee supports learning in all core Key Stage 2 areas- as well as helping to develop skills in nutrition, health, citizenship, teamwork, and digital literacy.

Practicing Keyboarding Skills!

Team 16 will start adding keyboarding practice for homework this week.  Please practice at least 3 times a week.  Below are different typing programs and games that are both free and fun.  Try several out and see which one works best for you.

Keyboarding Skills Are Vital

"Learning typing is the focus of these keyboarding games. Learning keyboarding skills is vital for todays learners and tomorrows earners. These fun free typing games are a great way to build the foundation through typing skills that today's elementary school curriculum requires. These keyboarding games teach important skills for preschool and elementary school kids.... oh yeah, they're fun!"

Dance Mat Typing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Typing Factory
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games/typing-factory.html

Typing Adventure
http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games/keyboarding_games_typing_adventure1.html

Keyboard Ninja
http://www.funtotype.com/game/keyboard-ninja

Fire Typer
http://www.funtotype.com/game/fire-typer

Keyboard Simon
http://freeonlinetypinggames.com/free-online-typing-games/keyboard-simon-game/

Practice typing full words and sentences
http://keybr.com/

Type Racing
http://www.typeracing.net/

Real- Time Typing Competition
http://www.nitrotype.com/failbrowser/

Power My Learning- New Challenging Playlists

Want to challenge yourself?  I added a new challenge math, science, and word work playlists on Power My Learning.  Try them out and let me know what you think.

Monday 12/3

Team 16 had a busy day today.  We started off at school meeting with 5 of our students sharing projects.  Dylan and Porter shared their football game they created in Scratch.  Lara shared her slideshow about Ferdinand Magellan and Marco Polo.  Finally, Ava and Tali shared their project on how to make paper.  Everyone did an amazing job sharing!

The rest of the school day flew by.  We ended the day with buddies and P.E.  We read picture books with our buddies today.

Coming up this week:

*Math- more multiplication practice, starting division on Wednesday (practice your multiplication facts at home), Math RTI

*Just Like Me is on Wednesday

*Some students started vocabulary today.  This will be in place of spelling.

*Writing- Personal Narratives-  we will be working on adding sounds, dialogue, and details

*Literacy Studio RTI- ask your child what he/ she is doing in RTI groups

We are off to a great start to the week!  Contact me with any questions.  Thanks!