Take a Code Break!

Learning at Home Challenges

I'm not talking about Morse Code, although that would be awesome too. This is coding on computers. This is learning a new language, computer language. If you need a challenge, or you are interested in computers and technology, try this site, Code.org. They are offering live lessons on Wednesdays at 1pm  - a different challenge each week. This activity is for all ages and all skill levels. I might give it a try as well!

Last Day of April

Here is my last poetry challenge! 

Copy Change Poetry

It's hard to take a great picture
of Maisie because she is almost
always moving!

Take a poem you know and love, and borrow its structure to create your own poem. 

My dog Maisie is the inspiration for my copy change poem. Maisie is the definition of unbridled enthusiasm and unconditional love. Since she is not a small dog, sometimes her energy and exuberance are overwhelming.

My Poem

I have always love "Fog" by Carl Sandburg because he captured the nature of a cat and compared it with fog so seamlessly. I used his format to compare Maisie to a storm, since we are expecting rain and windy weather all day. Now I'm not a poet, but this is still a fun poetry exercise that anyone can try. I would recommend choosing a short poem or even song lyrics and remaking them into your own. 

Poetry in April

This Prezi by Andrea Taylor (I don't know this person, but I love this quick and thorough poetry lesson) would have been a great way to start the poetry month in April. We used Prezis quite a bit back in 2014, but I haven't made one since then. Apparently, others have continued to refine the process.
I think for my final poetry challenge this month, I want students to digitize their favorite poem. It can be a poem they created, song lyrics by a favorite artist, a Bible Verse, or a favorite poem. Prezi is a great equalizer in that everyone has access to the same tools and resources in creating their work (if we were at school - at home, some of us have better internet than others). Maybe I will have some great work to post here soon!

Blackout Poetry Again

The tree image on the left is Little Branches by C.B. Wentworth. The one on the right is my first attempt in digital blackout poetry. 

A Challenge

I think the most challenging part of this project for me was finding a text digitally to use with my blackout poetry. I also struggled to find an image that I felt matched the content of my poem. I hope my students will give it a try. 

Still, an advantage of digital blackout poetry is that I didn't have to draw a guy jumping. I love how C.B. Wentworth created his little branches and trees in his poem, but I could never do anything similar. Therefore, digital offers a way for non-artist types like myself to create images to match our poems. 

Try Something New!

BlackOut Poetry

For several years we have tried blackout poetry at FOMS. We have used old books, damaged books, falling apart books to try our hand at black-out poetry. MaryBeth Thompson introduced me to this digital blackout poetry technique, and I can't wait to give it a try! 

Mrs. Thompson follows @applesand8th on Instagram - so this is another great example of educators sharing resources to positively impact our students!

Yesterday I posted a pet haiku challenge on my Media Explorations google classroom. Today, I am posting a digital blackout poetry challenge. I know our art teacher, Mrs. Bonano, is going to make something amazing and I know my students are up to the challenge! Ms. Braswell also likes blackout poetry. I can't wait to see what everyone puts together. 

Ashley Bible offers this step-by-step instructions on creating blackout poetry in google slides which also features a video. 

Haiku Anyone?

In Celebration of National Poetry Month

I am sharing my Haiku honoring my sweet dog Sally. She has been with us since 2014, and she is the most photogenic dog! With my students, I shared some tips I found for writing a haiku, and I used Sally as my topic. Isn't she precious?

Sally watching me,

Silently waiting for me

Hoping - Let’s go ride!

Here is a wonderful poem from our art teacher! 

It's Earth Day! What's Your Plan?

Earth Day began in 1970 as a day of education about environmental issues in the United States (see The History of Earth Day from NewsEla). This year, a popular theme has been "Save the Turtles" by not using plastic straws.
While anything we do to reduce plastic waste is helpful, there are other day-to-day habits you can create to become a better steward of our Earth. Read about 10 Things You Can Do to Help Save the Earth (from NewsEla). Some of these steps are hard to implement where we live (we don't really have reliable public transportation), but there are several that we could start to implement today!

Two of the items on the list are passion projects for me. A passion project is anything you plan, do, and review because you have a strong interest in it. I have been working on composting at home for the past two years, and I am working on reducing my dependence on plastics by crocheting grocery totes out of plastic bags. So, rather than collecting 15 to 20 plastic bags each time I visit the grocery store, I can reuse my "plarn" bags indefinitely.

These are bags I have crocheted out of "plarn," which are plastic bags repurposed into yarn. I use these bags instead of plastic bags when I grocery shop. I have also used this plarn to crochet mats for homeless people to use.
People are always happy to share their plastic bags with me. I hope to make many of these to share with family and friends. 

If you are interested in learning more about passion projects or how I have implemented my projects, please visit my Google Classrooms - either Media Explorations or Crochet & Crafts. If you are a FOMS student, you can find the codes on the school website or in your teacher's ELA Google Classroom.

Are You Documenting This Historical Time?

A Corona Time Capsule

I found this idea on Cindi Pettigrew's Daily Distraction Page. Mrs. Pettigrew is the awesome school librarian of NJMS. Thanks for sharing Cindi!

Using the above video as a guide, create a Corona Time Capsule. You don't have to bury it in the yard, but find a safe place to store it away for at least 5 years. In the future, you will appreciate this glimpse into your past - your likes and dislikes, goals and dreams, and remembering the feelings about the world around you, especially during this unusual and historic time.

By the way, feel free to visit Mrs. Pettigrew's NJMS Jaguar Library Daily Distraction padlet. It is a great break for your brain! You will see that I am using many of her daily distractions for my blog.

Did You Know . . . ?

April is National Poetry Month

While looking for resources and images to share with you today, I found this article where by Terry Heick where he says the best definition of poetry he has ever heard is 

"Poetry is the extraordinary perception of the ordinary." 

Throughout this school year, we have worked on several poetry projects in the media center. I think this quote best describes what poetry give people; it gives the poet and the reader the opportunity to experience how extraordinary the ordinary aspects of daily living can be. What do you think?

Share with me and let me know!

In honor of National Poetry Month, I will begin sharing links to poems in my Media Exploration Google Classroom. Please visit there to enjoy a variety of poetry resources.

Are You Bored? Need a Break? Check This Out!

Daily Distractions from NJMS

My friend and fellow librarian, Cindi Pettigrew from North Johnston Middle, has created a padlet called 

Daily Distractions. 

Like Giraffes? Visit the San Diego Zoo
live cams to see a variety of animals!

Each day Mrs. Pettigrew adds different fun activities to try or places to visit. So far, she has sent me to San Diego, Disney World, and a Harry Potter Escape Room; and I never left my desk! She is also posting fun activities such as making a cake out of a coffee mug in the microwave. Mrs. Pettigrew has graciously allowed me to share this with you, and I hope you will visit her sight daily for fun distractions when you need a break! 

Click the Daily Distractions above the giraffe picture to get started.

I'm Learning Online Too!

Attending my 1st Virtual Conference while my daughter is working on her school assignments. Normally, I would have to leave home to attend a conference. I am glad to be home with my family AND able to participate in a conference at the same time!

Look at Me Learning!

This morning I am participating in my very first virtual SLJ conference called Middle Grades Magic. I am listening to authors share about their books, I am visiting various publisher booths, and I am earning CEUs, which are renewal credits that teachers and school librarians have to earn to renew their certifications every 5 years. 

I hope you will take opportunities to try new learning experiences as we stay home and stay safe!

So far this morning, I have watched 6 authors, and I am making a list of great new books to add to our print collection at FOMS. Can't wait to share all I learn with you!

Very Popular Titles Available in NCWiseowl!

You will never guess what I found on NCWISEOWL today!

Maybe you did guess by looking at the book covers. As I was searching for graphic novels and sports fiction to highlight in my google classroom, I found these fan favorites! There are 24 Jake Maddox books in this database, and several of them feature female main characters. We don't have those in print in our library. The e-book collection has #1-12 of your favorite (and my least favorite) character, Greg, in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I also saw 5 Big Nate titles.

You can access these titles through www.ncwiseowl.org. However, I have posted links to these FOMS Favorites in my FOMS Media Explorations google classroom in the classwork section.

You can also email me from your school email account, and if you are a JCPS student, I will gladly share the password with you.

I hope you will take a few moments to try these out!

Check Out These Unusual Libraries

I miss our FOMS library. 

However, the School Library Journal shared some videos of unusual libraries we can visit while we are safe at home.

Check these out!

In Case Your Mama Says Stop Playing Those Video Games . . .

A child plays "Minecraft," the computer game, on his iPad. "Minecraft" is now offering educational lessons in its game. Photo: Georg Wendt/picture alliance via Getty Images 

How Can Video Games Be Educational?

I imagine some of my students have heard their parents tell them to "Stop playing those video games and do something productive!"  I might have said that same sentence yesterday at my house. 

But, just as so many companies are doing during this Quarantine 2020, Minecraft is offering free educational content for students. Check out this article for more information. 

My daughter was telling me that she explored Washington D.C. on Minecraft.  While many of my middle school readers probably feel they are too old for Minecraft, I hope they realize that visiting games and experiences they enjoyed as younger children doesn't mean they are immature. During this stressful time it can be calming to play games or listen to music or read picture books that we enjoyed as children. So, if you have outgrown Minecraft, revisit it today just for me and let me know what you think! 

Click on any of these articles from NEWSELA 

to read more about Video Games. 

These are great articles to explore!

Museums in Minecraft September 2017

Fortnite World Cup Winner August 2019

How Fortnite Earns Big Bucks August 2018

An ENTIRE Selection of Articles Dedicated to Video Games and Gamers from Newsela

"Fortnite" is the biggest video game in the world. Photograph: Epic Games 

I Can Hear the Pages Turning!

Abdo Publishers are offering FREE access to their Abdo Digital BookShelf !

This is a great opportunity to explore a site that offers a range of grade level interests, reading levels, and topics without requiring usernames or passwords. AND, you can actually hear the pages turn! Here are two examples:

Arts and Crafts are available!

Sports Books Too!

I think everyone can find something they like to read here. I saw several scary horror series, lots of colorful nonfiction, romance, and many others. Browse through it today and let me know if you find something you like at Abdo Digital BookShelf!

Art with Mrs. Bonano!

This is a screenshot from Mrs. Bonano's
foms.art Instagram art page.
Follow her! You don't want to miss out!

Need Stress Relief?

Join our Four Oaks Middle art teacher, Miriam Bonano, in her instagram art lessons each day. You don't have to be in her art class to watch her videos and learn about different art techniques.  In this instagram she is also sharing student artwork. Follow her at foms.art - you will be glad you did!

Get Outside!

My dog Sally helping me in the garden.

It's a beautiful day! If you are on a device busily doing school work, that is great! BUT, don't forget to go outside and get some sunshine! 

Today I am working on a variety of things to share with you. There are so many free resources available now for students since we are all at home! 

________________________________________________________________

Here is one I want you to try out today! 

Junior Library Guild has a wealth of resources that are available to you now. While they have electronic books and audio books, they are also offering access to free webinars. Please give this a try, and let me know if you need any help with it. My students can email my school account or reach me through google classroom. 

Junior Library Guild is offering a variety of fun resources!

Check out this Weekly Webcast from JLG as well. 

Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teen - A Weekly Webcast “Serial” with Author Rex Ogle

Every Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET, starting March 24, 2020

Aiden Tyler is your typical middle school student. Rides the bus. Likes comic books. Tolerates his sister. But, his life is about to be turned upside down by the Coronavirus. Yes, you heard that correctly. Aiden Tyler, Quaran-teen is a new and original middle-grade serial written and read in real time by author Rex Ogle (Free Lunch). That means as YOU experience things, Aiden will be experiencing them too. Join us every Tuesday, as Rex shares Aiden's story that's full of laughs, facts, hearts, and farts. Scroll down for links to upcoming and previous episodes!

Target audience is grades 4-8 but all are welcome! Click Here! 

You can even catch up on the story if you missed it! 

Online Reading - The Free Options!

Look on the bright side -
if we were at school today
you might have to look at this!

Looking on the bright side . . .  

Many companies that normally charge a subscription are offering free materials and resources to students because school is closed. This is a great opportunity to try out products without having to sign up. I am posting resources as I find them in this PADLET, but here are just a few you might want to try today.

Do you Like Listening to Books Better Than Reading Them?

Audible Stories  has posted a collection of stories to use as long as schools are closed. Stories can be streamed from your desktop, laptop, phone, or tablet. There are 40 books for Tweens and 66 books for teens (young adults). Several titles have already caught my eye. Try it out and let me know what you think! (This is a version of AUDIBLE that is free - Audible still charges, but Audible Stories is free!)

How About a Magazine?

Scholastic Learn From Home is a free online version of the Scholastic magazines we have used at school in the print form. It has a section specifically for grades 6-9, and TODAY they are sponsoring a book fest where you can participate with Lauren Tarshis, the author of the I SURVIVED Series.

Try one TODAY!

A Typical Day in ATYPICAL Time

So today's blog is about how our lives have changed during this quarantine time. TYPICALLY my Wednesdays are SO BUSY! In my family, everyone goes to work or school. I usually have a meeting after school that can run long. Then, we go to church from around 6 to 8 - we eat with our church family and stay for our various classes. And on a typical day, I might worry about catching a cold or not having enough time to get everything done or what to pack for lunch, etc.

TODAY, my husband continues to go to work, but he is working with less people because everyone can't work during this time. I left my children at home to do school work at home. I went to school (which is actually unusual during this time) to prepare devices for student check-out. BUT, instead of checking out books and teaching lessons and planning with teachers, I worked with one other person all day quickly and quietly preparing for tomorrow's curbside pick-up. And tonight, I will be participating in church from my chromebook.

I miss my typical days - but I am experiencing joy in this atypical situation. I hope that you can also find joy in the unusual circumstances during this quarantine.
Can you name one thing you are grateful for today?
Can you remember a moment today that you laughed?
Was there a moment today that you were thankful for an accomplishment or job well done?

While it's not a typical time in our lives, we can certainly look for bright spots in these atypical circumstances!

A sunflower is one of my favorite flowers because it is always reaching toward the sun. 

"Image" by Morgan R. Turner is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Write Your Own Story!

A scary morning picture of my journal and me!

Good Morning! 

I hope you are doing well this morning. One of the activities I am encouraging you to start from home is to keep a journal. Yesterday we learned that school is cancelled through May 15. WOW! You might take this time to describe your reaction to that news - how did it make you feel? How did the people in your house respond? Are your feelings changing about it each day? 

Many books, both fiction and nonfiction, are written as journal or diary entries. I just finished (for the 2nd time) a Battle of the Books title I really enjoy that is written from the perspective of a fourteen-year-old girl in 1911. She runs away from her rural home to city life after her father forbids her from continuing her education and burns her most precious possessions, her 3 books. The historical fiction book is The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz. It is available through which can be accessed through the Student Access at https://www.pljcs.org/sa-6-8 or through the E-Books at http://www.ncwiseowl.org/eBooks.htm.  Check out my google classroom for password information for online reading links. I plan to update that this morning as well.

You can also check out my newest video today in google classroom. It is about my journal writing experience during this time and other information I am adding into google classroom.

Have a great day! 

Join My Google Classroom!

So our classrooms and media center have changed locations! 

We have an incredible opportunity to begin learning in a new environment! I miss seeing all of you, but I look forward to sharing a variety of ways to learn outside of the classroom. Each day I plan to share something new for you to explore. I especially look forward to making videos to share with you ways I am learning about new things at home. Each day, check my new Google Classroom and this blog for different opportunities. I would love for you to share with me any ways you are exploring or participating in the topics we cover. 

Please comment below with suggestions for topics you would like to explore. 

Here are some possible topics:

Gardening, Composting, and Vermicomposting (composting with earth worms)
Digital Citizenship (Being safe and responsible online)
EBooks and Digital Reading Sources
Trash to Treasure (Upcycling everyday materials into something new)
Animal Studies (I know we are going to look at a beaver dam)


AND MANY MORE!

Join me daily for new activities and topics to explore!

If you are interested joining my google classroom, check your ELA teacher's google classroom. I have posted a video with the classroom code on each stream.