Ultra Key Unit

This week and for the next several weeks we will be in the computer lab learning or continuing practicing our keyboarding skills. Third grade will be introduced to the unit this week and will learn what keyboarding is and why it is an important life skill. We then will learn the correct posture for keyboarding. Fourth and fifth will have a brief review of keyboarding and then will continue where they've left off from last year. The IMC is now equipped with 6 additional computers. Students are welcome to practice Ultra Key at their book checkout. They're also encouraged to work on ultra key in their classroom and at home. At home, students may click the links at the bottom of this blog for free keyboarding sites. HAPPY KEYBOARDING!

What's New in the IMC?

What's new in the IMC? LOTS OF THINGS! Where do I begin? We now have 6 new computers, an XBOX, and an iPad!!!! Much to be excited about and thankful for!

First of all, we have 6 new computers for our listening center. Students can sit down with a book that is on CD and listen and follow along. 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders have enjoyed this center a lot so far!

The XBOX is "housed" in the IMC and used as a reward for our PBIS program. Students who earn 25 PAWS have a choice to play the XBOX with a friend for 20 minutes. 

Thank you to our PTO. They bought us our iPads. We are very excited to have one in the IMC. We are starting this week by using the iPad at a center to read and/or listen to a book on the iPad. Next week, the iPad will be used in class for instruction! 

Story Book Pumpkin Patch is Planted!

Come check out the IMC and take a look at all the fab-BOO-lous pumpkins students planted in our pumpkin patch. You'll find many of your favorite characters like Judy Moody, Big Nate, ....
Mrs. Warkentien and I are thrilled with the turn out. We hope you enjoy the pumpkins as much as we are. Thank you to all that participated.

New Books in the IMC

Thank you Gretchen & Maya!!

First, we would like to give a big THANK YOU to the Scheck Family for donating 6 titles to the IMC from the Scholastic Book Fair. We appreciate you thinking of the library and for your generosity!!!

Here's a look at some new titles we ordered! Hope you enjoy!

 

NoveList

Students learned or were reminded of how to NoveList as an online tool as a book finding source. It will help you to find the next book you want to read, all the books in a series, view all the books by your favorite author, and more!

How do you get to NoveList? Follow these directions!

How do you get to NoveList? Follow these directions!

1.       Go to www.ccsd66.org

2.       Click on Library on the top menu bar.

3.       Click on Prairieview IMC.

4.       Scroll down until you see this on the page. Click on EBSCO HOST. Please email Mrs. Csorba at jcsorba@ccsd66.org if you forgot our user ID and Password. These came home on a white piece of paper this week!

 

Prairieview Subscription Database (password required)

EBSCO HOST: NoveList K-8 Plus – Database to assist readers with finding fiction and       nonfiction books they would like to read

Storybook Pumpkin Pumpkin Patch

The IMC is growing a storybook pumpkin patch and we need your help! Your child learned about this fun, optional activity this week in the IMC. To participate, simply purchase and decorate a pumpkin to look like one of your favorite book characters, and bring it to the library to plant in our Storybook Pumpkin Patch!

Rules:
1. No carved or cut pumpkins or pumpkins with materials poked in them will be accepted.
2. Pumpkins should not be larger than the size of a basketball.
3. Acrylic pants or permanent markers work best. Using heavy duty glue and/or tape to attach materials such as yarn, buttons, cotton, googly eyes, etc.
4. Turn in pumpkin with entry form page.
5. Drop off pumpkin to the IMC the morning of Monday, October 21st.
6. Pick up pumpkin on Halloween, Thursday, October 31st.
7. This is NOT a contest and participation is completely voluntary.
8. Questions? Email Mrs. Csorba at jcsorba@ccsd66.org

Mrs. Csorba's example :)

Rebecca Caudill Nominees for 2014

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to an author. Students across the state in grades 4-8 will choose one of the nominees and vote for the one they consider the most outstanding. The award is in honor of Rebecca Caudill, an author, who resided in Urbana, Illinois and was an author for nearly 50 years.  

 Prairieview is registered to participate in the award program. Students must read or hear at least 3 of the 20 books to vote. Only students are allowed to vote! Voting takes place between mid February. We will vote in the IMC.

 Here are the 2014 Nominees. You can visit http://www.rcyrba.org/ for more information. Last week, the fourth and fifth grade students were introduced to the 20 nominees. 

Now let's take a look at the books!!!!!!

Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri

Bamboo People by Mitali Perkins

Candy Bomber: The Story of the Berlin Airlift's "Chocolate Pilot" by Michael O. Tunnell

A Tale Dark & Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Boys Without Names by Kashmira Sheth

The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

Words in the Dust by Trent Reedy

I, Emma Freke by Elizabeth Atkinson

Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

The Apothecary by Malie Meloy

The Outcasts by John Flanagan

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg

The Blizzard of Glass: The Halifx Explosion of 1917 by Sally M. Walker

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin

The Hunt for the Seventh by Christine Morton-Shaw

Wonder by R.J.Palacio

Mockingbird: (Mok'ing-burd)  by Kathryn Erskine