The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was busy and fun in the library. Spanish students came in and took pictures so they could write sentences in Spanish showing that they understand the language. This was a great opportunity for students to incorporate using their phones or cameras, downloading those photos, and uploading images into a presentation while working on their Spanish skills.
Mrs. Arenz's Careers class used virtual reality to see a few different occupations: a metal artisan, lawyer, pilot, and animal explorer. Ms. Paikowski's class when on tours of some of the United States national parks.
Mrs. Grau's social studies classes were in working on research and creating presentations on different states. Students used Google's explore tool to allow them to find image that they are free to use and modify. For the students previous presentations they were shared with students in New Glarus who gave great feedback on what worked well and what they found challenging with the students presentations. Mrs. Grau's students used the information given to improve their presentations this time around.
Many of the language arts classes had their students come to the library to check out books for the winter break. It is always fun to help the students pick out books and discuss their book selection with them.
Book Club was held in the library where the discussion of the books the students read was incredible. The students shared great insight on the books they read and had many suggestions for books to read next month. I'm looking forward to seeing how they like next months books.
Study hall students have been using the Sphero balls, Ozobot, and Makey Makey to create a variety of things in our MakerSpace. After winter break students will be working on creating art with our new 3D pen.
2017 is bound to bring many great projects, activities, books, and learning in the library!
Monday, January 2, 2017
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Happenings in the Library!
Wow! It's been a while, but it sure has been busy. Students have been using the library to expand their independent reading. The language arts classes have been bringing students in to check out books of their choice. It's been great helping them find books and seeing them come back to pick out new ones after they finish. I love all the great readers we have here at Park View.
The library has also spent time sharing Google Expeditions Virtual Reality with some of the classes. This is a great way to take students on trips to places they could otherwise never go on. We had a social studies class travel to Churchill, Manitoba. Family and Consumer did college visits as part of college and career readiness by showing a large university and a smaller private college. A Spanish class explored a Day of the Dead festival. It's exciting to have the opportunity to give our students experiences that they may not be able to have in a format that is engaging.
Projects have been going on here as well. Students in Ms. Paikowski's social studies class created comics using Pixton. They were focusing on the United States and have to incorporate the five themes of geography into their comic.
Another web tool that has been used is Thinglink. Student created projects focusing on cities of the world using Thinglink. They included audio, video, images and text. Spanish classes showcased their language skills by completing sentences in Thinglink.
Students have been creating videos for both STEM and art, using the green screen and spaces within the library to do their creating.
The library has also spent time sharing Google Expeditions Virtual Reality with some of the classes. This is a great way to take students on trips to places they could otherwise never go on. We had a social studies class travel to Churchill, Manitoba. Family and Consumer did college visits as part of college and career readiness by showing a large university and a smaller private college. A Spanish class explored a Day of the Dead festival. It's exciting to have the opportunity to give our students experiences that they may not be able to have in a format that is engaging.
Projects have been going on here as well. Students in Ms. Paikowski's social studies class created comics using Pixton. They were focusing on the United States and have to incorporate the five themes of geography into their comic.
Another web tool that has been used is Thinglink. Student created projects focusing on cities of the world using Thinglink. They included audio, video, images and text. Spanish classes showcased their language skills by completing sentences in Thinglink.
Students have been creating videos for both STEM and art, using the green screen and spaces within the library to do their creating.
Friday, September 30, 2016
The last week of September
Wow! It's hard to believe that September is almost over. The students are all acclimated to the middle school. This week was a great week of research as well as helping students find books. Mr. Pratt's students came in to find realistic fiction novels to read. It was great having the chance to tell the students about some of the excellent books we have in our library. It was even more fun helping them pick out a book that spoke to them. I can't wait to hear what they have to say about the books after their done reading them and I look forward to helping them pick out new books next month.
Ms. Horne was in with her students working on researching the country of Cambodia. The students were introduced to the different databases that Park View has available to them. We also discusses search terms and ways to help themselves be successful when searching for information.
Ms. Horne was in with her students working on researching the country of Cambodia. The students were introduced to the different databases that Park View has available to them. We also discusses search terms and ways to help themselves be successful when searching for information.
Friday, September 23, 2016
Homecoming Week
Homecoming week is always exciting in the middle school. Students and staff dressed up for some fun spirit days. Our annual super blue and gold picture was taken.....in the rain for 8th graders and rescheduled for 7th graders, but the spirit is running through the building no matter what the weather.
This week Mrs. Kelly's students were in the library throughout the week using MovieMaker to complete movies that tied in with their Where I'm From poems. It was awesome seeing the hard work student put forth in their movies and the poems they wrote were exceptional.
I also saw Mr. Rixmann's WLEX students who came in to check out books for their reports on German topics. A great variety was chosen, such as: the Berlin Wall, dachshunds, biographies, World War II, and porsche. I visited Mrs. Schriendl's science class for two days. One was discussion our Acceptable Use Policy, the other was helping sign students up for Twitter and setting their security for Twitter. Mr. Pollnow's class rounded out the week where the Acceptable Use Policy was reviewed. All students, with the exception of absences, at PVMS have reviewed our AUP form and are aware of the expectation we have in our building when they are using school technology or technology they bring in to school.
This week Mrs. Kelly's students were in the library throughout the week using MovieMaker to complete movies that tied in with their Where I'm From poems. It was awesome seeing the hard work student put forth in their movies and the poems they wrote were exceptional.
I also saw Mr. Rixmann's WLEX students who came in to check out books for their reports on German topics. A great variety was chosen, such as: the Berlin Wall, dachshunds, biographies, World War II, and porsche. I visited Mrs. Schriendl's science class for two days. One was discussion our Acceptable Use Policy, the other was helping sign students up for Twitter and setting their security for Twitter. Mr. Pollnow's class rounded out the week where the Acceptable Use Policy was reviewed. All students, with the exception of absences, at PVMS have reviewed our AUP form and are aware of the expectation we have in our building when they are using school technology or technology they bring in to school.
Friday, September 16, 2016
September is Moving Along!
This week I had the opportunity to work with our 8C House, 8A House, 7C House, and 7B House. We reviewed the school district's Acceptable Use Policy and made sure the students understand the expectation the school has when they are using district technology or their own technology within our building. This was an excellent review for our students and a great reminder to read the agreements that we sign.
Mrs. Kelly's language arts students came in throughout the week as well. They were working on scanning pictures for a movie they are creating. Scanning is something not many of our students were familiar with, so this gave them a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
My favorite part of the week was all of the students that came in to check out books. It was great seeing the students asking each other as well as myself about the books they have read and what they recommend.
Our display of all of the 7th graders favorite books is down and located in the library for all to come view. As the title says, "Books Make Life Sweet."
Mrs. Kelly's language arts students came in throughout the week as well. They were working on scanning pictures for a movie they are creating. Scanning is something not many of our students were familiar with, so this gave them a great opportunity to learn a new skill.
My favorite part of the week was all of the students that came in to check out books. It was great seeing the students asking each other as well as myself about the books they have read and what they recommend.
Our display of all of the 7th graders favorite books is down and located in the library for all to come view. As the title says, "Books Make Life Sweet."
Monday, September 12, 2016
The 2016-2017 School Year has Begun!
The beginning of the school year, a time of excitement, new opportunities, and learning; not only for students but for staff members as well. This summer I had the chance to read many amazing books, especially some of the books off of the Battle of the Books list. I also had time to explore new technologies, listen to podcast, be part of educational twitter chats, and work on new curriculum, all of which will help me help the students and staff in the building.
This week all 7th grade students came to visit the library technology center to learn the expectations of the library, make sure all students were able to log into the various tools online that they will use throughout the school year. All the 7th graders recommended a book that they loved reading which will be part of a library display. It's been great meeting all the new 7th graders. I'm impressed with their manners, enthusiasm, and interest.
This week all 7th grade students came to visit the library technology center to learn the expectations of the library, make sure all students were able to log into the various tools online that they will use throughout the school year. All the 7th graders recommended a book that they loved reading which will be part of a library display. It's been great meeting all the new 7th graders. I'm impressed with their manners, enthusiasm, and interest.
Friday, May 20, 2016
May 16 - May 20
Students throughout the school are finishing up projects and papers. This week I spent some time helping Mrs. Nowak's students do research using the GALE database, World Book Online, and Encyclopedia Britannica. Students have been finishing up their independent novels and completing their reviews of the novels. Mr. Chitwood's 8th grade math classes worked on video taping demonstrations to incorporate into their Google Slides presentations that they are working on in groups.
Some examples of the Digital Citizenship projects that Mrs. Jones' class worked on the past week are below.
Digital Citizenship
Some examples of the Digital Citizenship projects that Mrs. Jones' class worked on the past week are below.
Digital Citizenship 
Cyberbullying
Staying Safe Online with Social Media
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