February Curriculum
Our short month still left time for lots of fun learning. February introduced biographies at all grade levels. We explored narrative nonfiction picture book biographies to learn the stories of people we may not have known before. We discussed what makes a biography a biography and how we can identify these books. Favorites included Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and his dinosaurs, The Harlem GlobeTrotters, and inventor and NASA scientist Lonnie Johnson.
Kindergarten completed their first author study while exploring the work an author does creating stories and characters. In March we change gears and, at Phillips, I move into the classroom where kindergarten and first grade will explore and learn on their computers.
Fourth Grade: Lego WeDo Floodgate Project
At the Lowell School in our Digital Learning and Libraries program we explore problem solving in many different ways. STEM experiences help students to become better researchers, learners, problem solvers, and critical thinkers. This year, fourth grade undertook a guide project using the Lego WeDo kits. Their problem was to prevent river flooding by creating and programing a floodgate to open and close at different points in the year. To do this we researched about floods and water to identify why they were devastating events. Lego models were then built followed by coding by month. Some even coded alarm sounds to warn residents.
Author Study: Mo Willems
What is an author? What work does an author do? What are characters? Kindergarten students explored these questions through the work of local author and kids lit legend Mo Willems. We read a variety of Mo WIllem's books seeing how they are the same and different. And, if you've seen some pigeon drawing at home, we learned how Mo draws The Pigeon and Piggie from the Elephant and Piggie Books.
- My child has a library book from before quarantine. What should I do with it? Please bring it back! There is no penalty for pre-quarantine books and I would love to have them back in the library so other kids can enjoy them.
- Will kids check out books this year? No, our library is still in storage and the number of books is limited. Kids will have a chance to enjoy books during library class this year which will, hopefully, inspire some ideas for outside reading.
- Where can we access the databases and encyclopedias? Use the Lowell Library website and under SEARCH find a list of the databases students have access to through the school.
- What will students learn without the library? Don't worry! I selected a lot of books to continue our read alouds each week. We will also take this time to explore more aspects of our digital learning curriculum such as digital citizenship and computers as tools.
J.R.Lowell Library
Email: kelly.mccollum@watertown.k12.ma.us
Website: http://lowelllibrary.com
Location: 175 Orchard Street, Watertown, MA, USA
Phone: 617.926.7770
Twitter: @jrlowellreads
