Today we had the Simcoe County Minds on Media Day at the school board office. I spoke with Jaclyn Calder and Peter Skillen about the Minds on Media model of professional development.
You can Listen to the conversation here.
Minds on Media Test
Today I am having a great conversation with other teachers about podcasting at the SCDSB 2011 Minds on Media Day. I recorded a little song using Microsoft Songsmith and one of the teachers asked me to show him how to upload it as a podcast. There is a free Academic version of Songsmith available for teachers.
Here it is. twinkletest.
I also talked with people alot about:
Blogging using WordPress, Blogger or Edublogs.org
RSS Feeds
Recording using audacity
Using plugins with audacity
Converting audio and video files using winff
Bayview Family Literacy Day Websit,e: Families, classes and community members record a voicemail about their favorite book to a local Midland phone number. We post these reviews on the website along with the book cover.
Free Tools used:
Gifted Outreach Conference Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the Gifted Outreach Conference at Lakehead University 500 University Avenue in Orillia. We will need to leave the school at 9:00 am shortly after the buses arrive so that we can be in Orillia in time for the 10 am start of the conference. Please come into the classroom as soon as you arrive at school. Remember to bring your lunch. We will be returning to the school between 3:50 and 4 pm., so you will need to make arrangements to be picked up from the school.
There is also a Boys soccer game after school at Huronia Centennial School in Elmvale. Mrs. Kilby will drive the 4 boys on the soccer team from Orillia to the game in Elmvale. You will need to make arrangements to be picked up after the game.
The Gifted Outreach conference is hosted by the Faculty of Education students from Nipissing University and it should be a great day of creative learning activities.
April Gifted Class Newsletter
Mr. McGaughey’s Class News:
Bayview Public School Gifted Class
April 19, 2011
Today in class we calculated that we are almost exactly 3/4 of the way through the school year. There are 49 instructional days left.
We took some time this morning to review the projects and special events we will be working on in the last quarter of the school year.
Next week:
Finish up mathematics numeration unit. Math test on Tuesday April 26.
Grade 4: Social Studies Test Thursday April 21.
Thursday April 21: Scholastic Book orders are due.
Go Conference: The Gifted Outreach Conference (hosted by Nipissing University Education students) is on Friday May 6. A permission form for the GO conference is attached to this newsletter.
Jump Rope for Heart
Bayview School’s Annual Jump Rope for Heart is also scheduled for May 6. We will be having our Jump Rope for Heart together with the Grade 4s on Tuesday May 10.
Federal Election
We have had some good discussions in class about the upcoming federal election. Over the next two weeks we may do some study of the issues in the federal election leading towards a mock student vote on Election Day.
Alphabiography Project: We have been working on the alphabiography project since early February. By now you should have about 10 to 15 entries of about 250 words each. The complete project of at least 20 entries is due on Wednesday May 25. Here is a sample Sample Alphabiography Entry and the Self Assessment sheet for the assignment.
Personal Project: A few students completed a personal project before Christmas. If you have not started a personal project, please see Mr. McGaughey with your topic before the end of next week. You will need to complete a personal project before June 15. Details on the Personal Project Assignment can be found here.
Novel Study: Over the next two weeks in English class we will be starting a novel study. This will follow the format of our twice weekly literature circles that we have been working on for the past month. Basically, you will be responsible for reading several chapter(s), then writing a brief summary of the chapters and preparing to lead one portion of the discussion as character expert, discussion director, illustrator, etc…
Debate: In mid May, we hope to have a debate with another Gifted class from Orillia using the teleconferencing equipment we have at the school. More details on this debate will follow.
Music Video: In past years, students in the Gifted Class have greatly enjoyed doing a music video project. We will be doing this again this year. This project will be assigned in mid-May and will be due in June.
Annual IPRC reviews: I will be sending home information and letters regarding annual IPRC reviews in early to mid-May.
Math: Our next math unit will be on patterning and algebra. We will end the year with units on measurement and geometry, probability, and numeration. I will send home the unit outline when we begin the unit.
Go Conference Information and Permission form
April 18, 2011
Dear Parents:
The gifted students at Bayview school have been invited to the annual Gifted Outreach (GO) conference presented by the teacher candidates of Nipissing University at Nipissing University in Orillia on May 6, 2011.
We will need to leave the school at 9:00 am shortly after the buses arrive. We will be returning to the school, at 4 pm., so you will need to make arrangements to pick up your child from the school on that date.
The Schedule for the day is attached. Students will need to bring their lunch.
While field trips are supervised by the teaching staff, they involve activities beyond those of normal school programs. It is essential that parent/guardians counsel their children on the necessity for extra care and cooperation.
Thank you,
Mr. McGaughey
GO Conference
Topic: CSI: Orillia
Location: Lakehead University
500 University Avenue
Orillia
Date: May 6, 2011
Agenda
10:00-10:20 Opening Address and Welcome
10:30-11:30 Keynote Group A and Workshop # 1
11:30-12:10 Lunch
12:10-1:10 Keynote Group B and Workshop # 2
1:20-2:20 Workshop # 3
2:30-2:50 Closing Ceremonies
3:00 Departure of students
I give permission for my child _________________________ to attend the Simcoe County District School Board GO CONFERENCE on May 6, 2011.
————————- ————————-
Signature Date
Why Writing this on the Computer is sooooo0o Much Easier.
One I can do this (‘.’) <—–He haz waffle.
Second I can easily erase mistakes and can spell faster (An acquired skill)
Third I can add in pictures to show the meaning of what I am talking about. I erased13 tim
es that sentence. Fun fact.
Fourth I can tell Rowan who is reading my post to not ready my post as it is an invasion of my privacy and I do not appreciate it.
Fifth I can post it when I’m done instead of wasting my energy picking up a book and handing it in.
Snow Days
For the past 3 days in my area we have had snow days. It was not a snow day at my school today but it was for me because of my area.
I live in the West zone of Simcoe County but I go to school in the North zone. Today the buses were canceled in the West zone but not the North zone. My bus could not pick me up because I live in the West zone but school was not canceled for me. My mom does not like to drive in the winter, so I stayed home and wrote this blog instead of going to school.
Mr. McGaughey’s Class Students of the Month
10 Digit Dialing is Now in Effect
Anyone living in the 705 area code must now dial 10 digits to make a local phone call. (The area code and 7 digit phone number). This is because we are getting a second area code (249) beginning this spring.
Some of the students in our class have made cartoons using Bitstrips for Schools to explain these changes.
Review of The lost Hero
Snowed Out!
Here is a view out my classroom window of the snow falling into our school courtyard this morning. Unfortunately, the snow squalls prevented Jaime, Trevor, Aislinn, Jennifer and I from going to the Junior Math Road Rally at the school board office today. We were all disappointed.
Just a reminder that we have a PA day on Monday January 24. There will be no classes for students.