Week of May 26 - 29: Library Freyday #7

POTATO PANTS! and

The One and Only Ivan (#4)

Happy Friday!

Again this week there will be two books available for your continued listening pleasure.  Our picture book this week is one of this year's Red Clover Books, POTATO PANTS! It's written and illustrated by Laurie Keller.  Our other book is, the continued reading of The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate.

POTATO PANTS!

This week's chapter book read aloud is the continuation of The One and Only Ivan, written by Katherine Applegate, read by Mrs. Frey:

The One and Only Ivan, #1

The One and Only Ivan, #2

The One and Only Ivan, #3

The One and Only Ivan, #4

For more connections, information, activities...

Artful Thursday #7: Making Memories!! (Part Two)

Welcome back to Artful Thursday! Please watch this video with Mrs. Kane and Michelangelo to start:

Then, choose ONE of the following projects for your art time capsule from last week OR just for your wall at home:

• Map Of a Memory. Materials: paper, your choice of drawing or painting supplies. Click HERE for directions, click HERE for video demonstration
• Memory Collage inspired by artist Romare Bearden. Materials: Paper, scissors, glue, photographs, fabric, construction paper, magazines, old books or clothes.... Click HERE for directions, click HERE for a video demonstration. Enjoy this read-aloud of "My Hands Sing the Blues", a wonderful book about Romare Bearden!
• "Spicy" Painted Portraits. Materials: paper, kitchen ingredients (spices, coffee grounds, tea, food coloring... your choice!), paintbrushes or cotton swabs or other household items. Click HERE for directions, click HERE for video demonstration.
• Stitching a Story Pictures - inspired by an amazing art tradition called ARPILLERAS from Chile! Materials: Cloth, scissors, glue, needle, embroidery or thick thread. Click HERE for directions, click HERE for video demonstration

Here is this week's slideshow of all of the "Making Memories" artwork you shared! Please send us photos of your artwork by next Wednesday morning to be included in the Grand Finale final Artful Thursday slideshow! (You are welcome to send us any art projects from past weeks as well that you didn't get a chance to share!)

Click HERE for the slideshow of all of the yearbook cover design entries sent in by third and fourth graders! Well done, everyone! Lastly, our office hours are cancelled today. We hope you will join us again next week! It will be our last Artful Thursday and we have something special and super fun planned!

Wellness Wednesday Week of May 25-29 Mind Bubbles

Hi everyone,

Wow, we have almost made it to the end of May.  We can do this!  Here is my read aloud for the week and I have included a Mindful Kids activity as well.  Be on the lookout for a special surprise during the videos.

Listen to the read aloud here.

Check out this Mindful Kids Activity here and 

click on read more below to see some other ideas.

Week of May 25 - 29 Terrific Technology #7

Students and Caregivers!

Caregivers, I hope you had a chance to check out CommonSense.org in my post from last week. The site can be a bit confusing, but it is so packed with good info, it's worth exploring. Email if you have any questions about it! With so much riding on remote learning, it's really important to keep reinforcing good digital citizenship.

WHAT IS THE INTERNET? And is it the same as the "Web" or the "World Wide Web?" Yeah...is it? Click HERE or the picture.
SHARING DOCUMENTS AND SLIDESHOWS IN GOOGLE: A review of how to share documents with your teacher and your caregivers. Also a reminder that sharing with other students or friends requires permission from your teacher! CLICK HERE or on the picture.
INTRO TO GOOGLE EARTH: Great program for K-4 and beyond! Some students will remember how to navigate and find places, some are new to Google Earth. There are iPad, iPhone and Android versions as well. On desktops, Google Earth needs the Chrome browser. CLICK HERE or on the picture to the right.
GOOGLE EARTH PART 2: I walk you through some more tools in Google Earth, including Google Earth's new Voyager set of cool places to visit. CLICK HERE or on the picture to the right.
And of course there is MYSTERY DOUG! This week, a student asks Doug, How Do Bees Make Honey? I've been seeing a lot of bees lately, so this seemed like a good pick!

Week of May 25-29: Tuneful Tuesday #7

Awesome Owls Making Music at Home:

It was wonderful to showcase Adim, Ira, and Colette in last week's Awesome Owls Making Music at Home! 

If you would like to be featured being a tuneful, beatful, artful musician or music lover: Share what you are doing with me, and I'll share it here!

Our adventures continue with The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra (String Savannah) and moving ahead in Ukulele Studies (A minor chord, some new tunes). 

Today's activities are posted below. Enjoy! 

Week of May 25-29: Movement Monday #7

Hello Movement Monday Owls!

 This week we are excited to share with you 2 new lessons:  

1. Nutrition with MJ, Part 1 (grades K-4)
2. Fitness with Mr Williams, Part 1 (grades K-4)  
We hope you enjoy the videos. Feel free to send us a video or photo of yourself playing fitness dice or your drawings of the healthy foods you are eating! We would love to see, just make sure to check with your families first. 

Just a friendly reminder that our virtual office hours on google hangout are every Monday from 11 am-1pm. Please come on by and talk about anything from outdoor adventures to new games you have created.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Google Hangout link: https://meet.google.com/wja-ufgd-bas

Check out this week's BONUS videos: 

Family Fun Cardio Workout: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5if4cjO5nxo 

Nutrition Activities: 1) Nutrition Word Scramble: https://choosemyplate-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/audiences/WholeGrainWordScramble.pdf

2) Nutrition Maze: https://choosemyplate-prod.azureedge.net/sites/default/files/audiences/Maze.pdf 

Stay active and have fun,

MJ & Mr. Williams

Week of May 18 - 22: Library Freyday #6

She's Wearing a Dead Bird on her Head and

The One and Only Ivan (#3)

Happy Friday!

Again this week there will be two books available for your listening pleasure.  One is a picture book, the other the continuation of reading the chapter book:  The One and Only Ivan.  This week the picture book we'll be reading is She's Wearing a Dead Bird on her Head, by Kathryn Lasky, illustrated by David Catrow:  

She's Wearing a Dead Bird on her Head!

This week's chapter book read aloud is the continuation of The One and Only Ivan, written by Katherine Applegate, read by Mrs. Frey:

The One and Only Ivan, #1

The One and Only Ivan, #2

The One and Only Ivan, #3

For more connections, information, activities...

Week of May 18-22: Artful Thursday #6: Making Memories! (Part One)

Hello! Please start with this short video from Mrs. Kane, Michelangelo and Oso the Dog:

We are living in a historic time! This week, you are invited to make some memories in one of these ways:

1. Make an ART TIME CAPSULE! What is a time capsule? It is kind of like a treasure chest for your memories, thoughts and feelings that you save for years and and years and open on a special day in the future. Here are directions about how to make a time capsule! This week you can create your box and start collecting things. Be thinking about what are some things are interesting or different about this time. This could be an activity for your whole family! Next week we will share some ideas for special art that you can create to put inside your time capsule.

2. Be a FORT ARCHITECT! An architect is an artist who designs buildings and spaces. You can draw your dream fort, or build it inside with cardboard boxes, blankets and comfy pillows, or build it outside with materials from nature.

The yearbook design slideshow will be up next week. We LOVE seeing and sharing all the artwork that you are creating! Here is a gorgeous Ansel Adams photo by Petra that I missed posting!

Are you ready for the first ever UES Movie Fest?? (7 minutes total) Grab your popcorn and check out all of the cool animations, puppet theaters and crankies created by UES artists last week:

Week of May 18-22 Wellness Wednesday #6

Hi Everyone,
I hope you are able to soak up some of this beautiful sunshine we are having this week.

1.  Please check out my new weekly lesson below

Listen to a read aloud of Scribble Stones by Diane Alber here.  

Week of May 18 - 22 Terrific Technology Post #6

Students and Caregivers!
Caregivers, I hope you had a chance to check out CommonSense.org in my post from last week. The site can be a bit confusing, but it is so packed with good info, it's worth exploring. Email if you have any questions about it! With so much riding on remote learning, it's really important to keep reinforcing good digital citizenship.
Third Graders..(and Fourth Graders!)Third Graders are starting their Animal Slideshow project, so I put in three videos on Google Slides. One is a quick review of the basics. The second video is how to put photos into your slideshows. Third is how to put videos into your slideshows! And for those who want to push on a bit, Google allows you to add audio to your slideshows. It is on the Insert menu.

DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP Two videos with more tips on staying safe. The first one, Protecting Your Private Information, is for grades 2-3. You can also click the picture to the right. The second one, Internet Safety on BrainPop, is probably more for 3-4. Students in those grades saw it in school, but it is a topic that should be discussed at home as well. They do overlap a bit, but the messages are worthing hearing over and over! Watch them both! You can also click the picture to the right.
GOOGLE SLIDESHOWS REVIEW Or and introduction to Google Slides for anyone! Click HERE or the image to the right.
ADDING PHOTOS TO GOOGLE SLIDESHOWS Click HERE or on the image to the....WHAT IS THAT THING?
ADDING VIDEO TO GOOGLE SLIDESHOWS Click HERE or on the image to the right.
And of course there is MYSTERY DOUG! This week, a student asks Doug, "Were there ever dragons?" CLICK HERE or the picture to the right to watch it!

Week of May 18-22, Tuneful Tuesday #6

Awesome Owls Making Music at Home:

Adim from Grade 2 has been focused on building piano skills: Here is a fine example of 4 hands piano (the other two hands belonging to mom, Olga). Beauty and the Beast

Ira and Collette have used this time to bond with their great-aunt, who is a piano teacher out of state. Here are some images of them in action. Ira at the piano   Collette at the piano

If you would like to be featured being a tuneful, beatful, artful musician or music lover: Share what you are doing with me, and I'll share it here!

Music activities for this week are below. Enjoy!!

Week of May 18-22: Movement Monday #6

Hello Movement Monday Owls!

 This week we are excited to share with you 2 new lessons:  

1. Shooting on goal in Soccer with Mr Williams (grades K-1)
2. Frisbee Activities with MJ (grades 2-3-4)  
We hope you enjoy the videos. Feel free to send us a video or photo of yourself practicing soccer and frisbee skills, we would love to see! Just make sure to check with your families first. 

Just a friendly reminder that our virtual office hours on google hangout are every Monday from 11 am-1pm. Please come on by and talk about anything from outdoor adventures to new games you have created.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Google Hangout link: https://meet.google.com/wja-ufgd-bas

Check out this week's BONUS videos: 

Inspiring Soccer player: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn4ncp9WQlU
Ultimate Frisbee game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g65TluQsEhM

Remember to have fun, be creative and do your best! 

Stay active and have fun,

MJ & Mr. Williams

Week of May 11-15: Library Freyday #5: Tom's Tweet and The One and Only Ivan (#2)

Happy Friday!

Again this week there will be two books available for your listening pleasure.  One is a picture book, the other the continuation of reading the chapter book:  The One and Only Ivan.  This week the picture book we'll be reading is Tom's Tweet, by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Dan Santat:  

Tom's Tweet

This week's chapter book read aloud is the continuation of The One and Only Ivan, written by Katherine Applegate, read by Mrs. Frey:

The One and Only Ivan, #1

The One and Only Ivan, #2

For more connections, information, activities...

Hip Hop Music Link

Hey Students!

I guess I didn't put in a link to the Make Your Hip Hop Music site. Click HERE to get there! 

My apologies!

-Mr. Jarrad

Week of May 11-15: Artful Thursday #5: It's Showtime!

Do you LOVE watching movies or cartoons? Have you ever thought of them as Art before? Here is a short video from Mrs. Kane and Michelangelo to start:

Then, click "Read More" below and choose ONE of the following Art lessons! 

Wellness Wednesday Week of May 11-14 Nobody Hugs a Cactus

Hi friends,

Here is a read aloud for the week.  As you are listening to the story think about how an act of kindness can change how you feel and how it might change the way someone else feels about you.  I hope you enjoy the story.

Nobody Hugs A Cactus Read Aloud

Check out the ideas for activities below ...

Week of May 11-15, Terrific Tech Post #5

Students and Caregivers!

Quite a range of topics today. Younger students might enjoy Mystery Doug and Hip Hop! Those are also great for older students as well as Padlet Nudge and Google Meet Skills.
Caregivers: The Intro to CommonSense.org foundation shows you some of their great resources about Digital Citizenship and choosing media that is kid-friendly.

MYSTERY DOUG: I love Mystery Doug! I will put a link to an interesting question and his answer in my posts. This week, a student asks Doug, "How are toys invented?" CLICK HERE or the picture to the right to watch it!
PADLET NUDGE! A few weeks ago, I posted a video about using Padlet. CLICK HERE to see it again.  For today's new video CLICK HERE or the picture on the right. It's  about posting to Padlet by recording your voice, instead of typing for a video. Watch that, then go to one or more of the three Padlets running right now. I'd love to see more posts to them!  Padlet on What's been a good thing about shutting school? Or a bad thing? Or any thought about how life is different? Padlet on Mystery Doug: Germs! Germs! Germs! Padlet on Switch Zoo - Make your own animal
MORE DIGITAL MUSIC!! Enjoy making your own Hip Hop music with two turntables! All online! With a TERRIFIC introduction about how Hip Hop started. CLICK HERE or on the Picture at right to get going!
GOOGLE Hangout/MEET SKILLS: How to present/share your screen with your teacher, how to use gallery/tiles/grid view for weekly class meetings; how to Pin the Tail on Your Teacher! CLICK HERE or on the picture to the right.
DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP: For Caregivers, an introduction to Commonsense.org. This organization is fantastic! They provide reviews of movies, TV programs, games, and apps for caregivers. They rate movies in terms of how appropriate they are for children. Their education section is the foundation of our District's Digital Citizenship Curriculum. Great resource for parents! Click Here or on the picture to get started!

Week of May 11-15: Tuneful Tuesday #5

Hello everyone!

Our learning continues in learning about orchestral instruments for K-1 and ukulele studies for grades 2-4.
Remember, our new learning is based on learning from prior weeks. Check out the earlier music weeks if you missed anything :-).

Also, don't forget to check out the Sweet Treats, as well! They are for all ages and can be done whenever you want :-).

If you hav anything special that you would like to share, please let me know! We have so many talented young musicians and artists at UES, and I would love to share what YOU are doing at home!

And, remember that Tuneful Tuesdays are also Music Office Hours! See you there?

This week's activities are below:

Week of May 11-15: Movement Monday #5

Happy Movement Monday Owls!

 This week we are excited to share with you 2 new lessons:  

1. Soccer passing with MJ (grades K-1)
2. Catching a Frisbee with Mr Williams (grades 2-3-4)  
We hope you can be creative in practicing these new skills. If you'd like to send us a video or photo of yourself practicing soccer and frisbee we would love to see! Make sure to check with your families first 

Just a friendly reminder that our virtual office hours on google hangout are every Monday from 11 am-1pm. Hope to see you there! https://meet.google.com/wja-ufgd-bas

Check out this week's BONUS videos: 

Soccer passing activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8IQxdWnyjc
Frisbee catching activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y60GqSRNsxs
Remember to have fun, be creative and do your best! 

Stay active and have fun,

MJ & Mr. Williams

Week of May 4-May 8: Library Freyday #4:

Week of May 4-May 8: Library Freyday #4: 

The Day the Crayons Quit and The One and Only Ivan

Starting this week there will be two books available for your listening pleasure.  One is a picture book, one is a Chapter Book.  This week the picture book we'll be reading is The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt:

The Day the Crayons Quit

This week's chapter book read aloud is The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate:

The One and Only Ivan

For more connections, information, activities...

Week of May 4-May 8: Artful Thursday #4: Spring Surprises!

Spring is full of joy and surprises here in Vermont. Please watch this short introduction from Mrs. Kane and Michelangelo the Monkey to start:

Then, you are invited to choose ONE of the following art lessons ...

Special Art Announcements from Mrs. Kane!

YEARBOOK COVER (AND BACK) DESIGN CONTEST!!

It’s that time of year again.  We are having a yearbook cover and back contest!  Any third or fourth grader is welcome to make a submission.  One entry will be chosen for the front of the yearbook, and one for the back.  ALL ENTRIES WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE YEARBOOK! Entries must be sent to Mrs. Beaupre by Friday, MAY 15th.   (One entry per person, please!) You can scan/email them to LindaKB@mpsvt.org. Here is a letter from Mrs. Beaupre with all of the details, and here is a video from Mrs. Kane with some design tips!

ART SUPPLIES FOR STUDENTS!!! 

The amazing MRPS PIE group is collecting donations and has been giving art supplies out to families. If you are a student in need of some basic art supplies, please let Mrs. Kane or MRPS PIE know! Please email kristinak@mpsvt.org or mrpspie@gmail.com. You can learn more about MRPS PIE (and how to donate!) by visiting their website!  

Week of May 4-8 Wellness Wednesday Week #4

Hi UES, 

This week’s lesson is all about how our thoughts can make us feel certain feelings.  We are always in
charge of how we choose to act and this comes from how we are thinking.  Stay tuned below for a
very special guest teacher as well ….

When we are calm, we can trust our thinking.  If we trust our thinking when we are upset or mad
it can make things worse.

Here is another read aloud for today from the book, What is a Thought? (A Thought is a Lot)
by Jack Pransky and Amy Kahofer.  

You can find the video here.

After the read aloud, check out some ideas below for how to get back to a
calm body when you are not feeling that way to begin with.  

Week of May 4 -8: Terrific Technology #4 Germs, Creatures and Tech Skills

Hi Friends!

Quick a range of activities this week! First one is for K-4 students (Younger kids just go to the Green Germ link for the video). We'll start off with a super video from Mystery Doug about how germs get in your body. School is closed because of GERMS! What's a "germ"? Good question! It means any tiny tiny tiny living thing that can make us sick. Like the Corona Virus!
This activity as three parts:

a. CLICK HERE for my quick intro video with instructions for the Padlet activity at the end, then...

b. CLICK  The Green Germ for the video

How Germs Get in Your Body

c. Then...CLICK HERE to get to a page on Padlet to write down your thoughts from the video.

Caregivers/Teachers/Students of all ages, the Mystery Doug video shows WHY we are supposed to wash for at least 20 seconds!  Watch to the end to see the Green Hands Guy wash his hands! 
Click the READ MORE link below for more stuff!

Week of May 4-10: Tuneful Tuesday #4

Hello everyone! Make sure you are getting outside and enjoying this beautiful weather. And when you are done, come make some music with me!

Some of this week's music activities will continue the work of prior weeks. If you think you might have missed a prior activity, please use the labels "Music" or "Tuneful Tuesday" to help you find just the music blog posts, and you can access everything from there.

I also have some fun and engaging music learning opportunities that are stand-along activities. Look for the section labeled For All Grades. I'll update this weekly with fresh activities for all ages.

Office hours are now on Tuesdays from 11 am- 1pm, and you can talk directly with me through Google Meet, and HERE is the link. (It's also at the top of the page, too!). You can stop in to introduce yourself, sing me a song, show me something musical or has a cool sound from your house. Just make sure your parents know you are signing into Google Meets first!!

All activities for today are below. Enjoy!