Excel Introduction- 2nd Grade

The Second Graders were introduced to a new Microsoft Office application, Excel.  They learned the following vocabulary words: cells, rows, columns, graph, and spreadsheet, selected mulitiple and single cells using their mouse and arrow keys and selected entire rows and columns.  On Thursday they will follow up the lesson with a simple spreadsheet and graph.  After they have completed a couple charts, the Second Graders will do the colored candy project!  This project is a special treat for all of the Second Graders, year after year. 

Online Interview with a Wifelife Expert - 5th & 6th Grade

For homework, the Fifth and Sixth Graders will think of at least 3 interview questions to ask a researcher from the NC Zoo Society.  On Monday we'll collaborate and compile a list of the most thoughtful interview questions.  We will go to the following link: http://www.fieldtripearth.org/ask_qa.xml to post the questions.

Field Trip Earth Skype- 5th & 6th Grade

We're Skyping with Mark, a biologist from the NC Zoo Society on Friday at 2:40 in the student's homeroom! He will be coming to us from Pittsboro, NC. He will speak to us about his work with sea turtles, red wolves, Africian elephants and Midwest falcons in the wild. One of the topics he'll present is animal tagging. The students will preview a slideshow that Mark has prepared for his audiences. They will also preview the NC Zoo Society website.

Future Skyping Opportunity- 3rd & 4th Grade

http://www.foxystale.com
Keep your eyes peeled for more about Mr. Ed White, author of Foxy's Tale and Iditarod competitor.  He offers free video conferencing opportunities for schools.  I contacted Mr. White today, and he has already responded.  We will be scheduling a Skype session for Feb/Mar when the 3rd and 4th Graders do a unit on Alaska and the Iditarod!  The class will read Mr. White's book before the video conference.  The book is a 4th grade level book with 88 pages.

Below is a youtube video featuring Mr. White:

Mammal Slideshow Project- 5th & 6th Grade

The Fifth and Sixth Graders are creating a MS PowerPoint slideshow about a mammal of their choice.  The topics that they will be researching will include physical description, range, habitat, diet, survival and defense, life span, parenting, a day in the life, and an interesting fact.  They will report on six of the above topics.  They will be assessed on their ability to use their own words (no plagerism), using the correct layout, relevance and grammar, spelling and punctuation.  The assignment will be due on October 20th.