The kindergarten classes at Ford celebrated Read Across America week with a storybook parade! Students read a book and then dressed up like their favorite character. The students marched through the halls of Ford advertising their books. Many of the teachers were also in costume. What a wonderful way to turn kids on to reading! A fun time was had by all
We have not been absent from the media center this year here at Ford as it might appear by this blog. I have spent an inordinate amount of time redesigning the Ford school website using our new Web development program along with redesigning our media center layout to better facilitate student use of computers for instruction. Both turned out very well, though we are still making some small adjustments here and there!
Last week we enjoyed having Chad Crews visit our K-3 students. As you can see from the photos, the students had a great time and I think Mr. Crews did as well. His show brought in facts about animals and books, with a little bit of magic thrown in.
Interested in using a free wiki with your class? Check out the Power Point presentation for step-by-step instructions for using PB Wiki. It's as easy as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!
Fourth Grade teachers in collaboration with Mrs. Harp will be once again using Wikis to enhance leanring. Please watch the video below to see how a wiki can be used in the classroom.
Ami Blackford demonstrated the creation of a book from the idea to publication. Students at Ford enjoyed learning about all of the steps in producing a great children's book. Ms. Blackford shared excerpts from her book Quest for the Dragon Stone. A question answer period was held and students were able to ask lots of questions about what it takes to become a published illustrator/writer. A great time was had by all.
Don't forget to bid on Ami's workshop during the silent auction at the Spring Fling in April.
Our own Sonjia Chiprany was named Support Personnel of the Year at Ford for the 2008-2009 school year. We are so proud of her and all that she does to create the warm and inviting atmosphere in our Ford Media Center.
Each year the staff votes on the support personnel who best represents what Ford is all about. Ms. Chiprany had some really wonderful competition, but her excellence in all that she does moved her to the head of the class. Way to go Ms. Chiprany!
On Saturday, January 26, a small group of Ford students will compete in the annual Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl. Students from many different schools were assigned to read the books nominated to receive the GA Book Award. After reading all of the books and discussing them within each school's book club, students then compete against other schools by answering questions about the books.
Coaches for the Book Munchers are teachers Deborah Taylor-
Wong, Donna Toner & Drena Varghese.
Ami Blackford, author and illustrator of the new series The Duncan Family Adventure, will bring her own brand of magic and storytelling to Ford students in February. Ami is a recent graduate of the Atlanta College of Art where she studied to become an artist in order to illustrate her own tales.
Students can also win a private art lesson with Ami. During the Spring Fling, parents may bid on this opportunity. Books by Ami: Quest for the Elfin Elixir and Quest for the Dragon Stone
Michael P. White, illustrator of some of our favorite books will speak with grades 2-4 on Wednesday, January 9th. Michael has illustrated such classics as The Library Dragon and Old Jeb both by Carmen Deedy and Harriet's Horrible Hair Day by Dawn Lesley Stewart. He will demonstrate how he plans and draws illlustrations for children's books. His books are available for purchase through the Ford PTSA and the Owl's Tree Bookstore.
In a continuing effort to create a collaborative work relationship, Mrs. Wiltshire and Mrs. Harp have been working together to teach students about the early events leading up to the Revolutionary War. Students selected a topic to research under the direction of Mrs. Wiltshire. Mrs. Harp worked with students in the selection of appropriate web sites approved by the county.
After students gathered the information about the topic, 5 groups took the information and created storyboards for use in the production of Photo Story presentations and Movie Maker movies. These students were required to research the assigned topic, organize the information in a storyboard, create illustrations, and scripts and learn how to put this information into a movie or slide show.
Click below to view examples of student work.
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