Ford Media Center

How to be a Successful Illustrator/Author: Ami Blackford

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.

Congratulations to Ms. Chiprany!

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!

Book Munchers Compete in Helen Ruffin Bowl

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 /Illustrator

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, to Visit Ford

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.

Collaborating With Mrs. Wilthshire's 4th Grade Class

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.

The Stamp Act

Author Melanie Chrismer Visits Ford

Author Melanie Chrismer engaged students in grades K-2 as she taught math skills through literature.  Ms. Chrismer visited Ford on December 4th.  Students participated in hands-on activities as Ms. Chrismer spoke about math in the everyday world.

Books written by Ms. Chrismer may be found in our Ford Media Center. 

Ford PTSA provided the program through the help of Katie Gotsick and Miss Virginia of the Owl's Tree Bookstore in Powder Springs.

Ford Media Center Celebrates the Season

Ford students enjoy a cup of hot chocolate as they listen to stories of the holiday season.  During our annual Holidays and Hot Chocolate, students are entertained with tales read by our administrators, library personnel, and other holiday mystery readers. Some classes will be lucky enough to be serenaded by our own guitar pickin' custodian, Brian Tidwell. 

From the Ford Media Center we wish you a wonderful holiday season.

Thank you, Shirley Strickland!

For the past 2 1/2 months we have had the very special privilege of working with Shirley Strickland.  She has helped catalog books, read stories and assisted with many jobs imporatant in keeping our Ford Media Center running smoothly.  We are sad to have to tell her farewell.  Tuesday, November 20th is her final day as a volunteer, but she will be substitute teaching for us on occasion.  Ms. Sonjia and I wish her the very best and thank her for all of her work.  Thanks, Shirley!

Wiki Anyone?

Mrs. Wiltshire's 4th grade and Mrs. Harp are working on presentations for a study of the American Revolution.  Students were taught how to navigate through Sirs Discoverer, a database from the Cobb Virtual Library, as part of their preparation for researching this time period. Mrs. Wiltshire and her students will decide the type of presentations to be used and Mrs. Harp will facilitate in the creation of these. 

Students will be creating Power Points, movies, narrated video podcasts, and a wiki.  Wiki's are interactive blogs that students are able to post research findings and edit each other's work.  This wiki will be open to editing by all 5th grade students studying the American Revolution with the hopes of encouraging writing and communication skills along with meeting the social studies standards.

Visit the American Revolution Pathfinder Wiki at http://fordelementary.pbwiki.com/Revolutionary+War+Pathfinder

Check back later in December for student posts on thie topic.