Where In The World?

Sixth graders in Mrs. Petrie's Math Class are finishing a cross curriculm project exploring research strategies within vested online resources, chart building using Microsoft Excel and presentation design of information synthesized by the students using online poster maker Edu.Glogster.com. Students made connections between their own personal life experiences to those of people in other countries, using data they gathered, prepared and analyzed.  Students used Edu.Glogster to produce and present information about a country they might live in and why.

The Essential question for this project is "How can global human population statistics help us make decisions about our own lives?" The Unit question for this piece is "How do statistics help us understand the world?"

Check out some of the projects!

http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/WhereInTheWorld.htm

Your Digital Footprint

The term "digital footprint" refers to traces of information that active, online people leave through email and attachments, blog posts, forums web pages and digital photo/video uploads. It can also refer to digital information that is collected from television and cable networks as well as car computers.

Being aware of your digital footprint is important for employment eligibility, as well as privacy and security life issues. Learn more from the Quicktime movie posted below.

Click Here

Mr. Griffin's Science Classes Learn About Online Databases for Research

Everybody loves Google! But, is it the best search tool for finding reliable information fast? Students in Mr. Griffin's Science classes dissected sites that offered poor information and located databases offered by the State of Wisconsin's Badger Link, and databases purchased for student research by our school.

WMIS Need2Read Lunch Wiki

The WMIS Library Media Center is open to students during lunch. 6th, 7th and 8th graders have started a WIKI to share books they enjoy and discuss the books they are reading using the discussion thread associated with each new book submission. The Wiki is private. Open to members only. Any student at West Milwaukee Intermediate School may become a member.

New DVD Titles

Over twenty-five new titles. Click Here to check it out.

What Librarian's Make?

Or....
Why Should I be More than a Librarian?
Joyce Valenza has a good deal to say about the Modern School Librarian. Click Here

Circulation Statistics

 

Our circulation statistics are up at WMIS. Teachers worked with reading expert, Stephanie Harvey,  at the beginning of the school year. Ms. Harvey discussed research that tied higher student achievement with quiet, sustained, leisure reading every day in school. Teachers at West are making the effort to get to the LMC as often as possible for student selected reading materials. The LMC is also available to during student lunch breaks.

Statistics from September 1st to November 20th of each school year were used to construct the graph below. Four thousand items represents about a quarter of the LMC collection.



Ms. Petrie's Sixth Grade Math Classes Start Statistics Project

Mrs. Petrie and Ms. Stringer are very excited about the project "Where In The World" which started Wednesday, November 17th. Students will make connections between their own personal life experiences to those of people in other countries, using graphic organizers, Microsoft Excel, and several online reference resources. After they have gathered, prepared and analyzed the information they need, students will use Edu.Glogster to present information about a country they might live in and why.

The Essential question for this project is "How can global human population statistics help us make decisions about our own lives?" The Unit question for this piece is "How do statistics help us understand the world?"

 

Checkout the "Where In The World" links on the WMIS Library Media Page.

http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/Petrie_Stringer/WhereInTheWorld.htm

Sixth Grade Tag

Students in the Sixth grade TAG are working on a MockNewbery Project. They are collaborating with FL Wright Intermediate School, Lincoln Intermediate School and D.C. Everest Middle School. Students are reading through a collection of about 15 titles published in during 2010. They are also writing book jacket reviews (book blurbs) on a WIKI we share with the other three schools. Until the award is announced we will skype with students from the other schools about the books we are reading. On January 10th we will get watch a delayed broadcast of the awards.

Students are also exploring “Google Sketchup” an interactive CAD drawing program. They are encouraged to use tutorials and help menus to make discoveries about components and tool elements. Students are also encouraged to help one another. In January, we will begin to explore independent and small group project ideas. To see an video of some of the drawings go to:

http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/TAG_GoogleSUFall2010.htm

Our next interactive online discoveries will take place in “Scratch” and online animator and game creator from MIT.

Seventh Grade TAG

We have some very enthusiastic kids in 7^th grade TAG this year. Last year they participated in a MockNewbery project. This year they will collaborate with FL Wright, Lincoln and D.C. Everest Middle School on approximately 15 titles, books published during 2010. Students will read books and write book jacket reviews (book blurbs) on a WIKI we share with the other three schools. Until the award is announced we will skype with students from the other schools about the books we are reading. We have also been in touch with a couple of authors of books we are currently reading and hope to set up some skype sessions soon! On January 10^th we will get watch a delayed broadcast of the awards. Awards are announced at 8:00 am Pacific time.

Some students are more interested than others in this project. We may branch off with more independent small group and independent projects before January. We have some terrific script writers and an interest in video production. A couple of students are also interested in learning html. Another group has expressed an interest in game programming. To see an video of some of the Google SketchUpdrawings go to: http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/TAG_GoogleSUFall2010.htm

Our next interactive online discoveries will take place in “Scratch” and online animator and game creator from MIT.

Seventh graders are using Wikispaces to reflect on TAG projects and explore the potential of the tool to help develop an online portfolio of their work in TAG.

Eighth Grade Tag

On November 15^th, 16^th and 17^th, Deb Tryggestad, introduced students to the unique and collaborative aspects of Google APPS. They explored shared calendars, documents, presentations and forms.

Eighth graders are using Wikispaces to reflect on TAG projects and explore the potential of an the tool to help develop and online portfolio of their work in TAG this year. TAG has only been able to meet briefly until now. Students have dappled in Google Sketcup, an interactive CAD drawing program. To see a video of some of the drawings go to:

http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/TAG_GoogleSUFall2010.htm

In December we will focus some of our time on interactive online discoveries within “Scratch” an online animator and game creator from MIT.

Mrs. Kohn's Readers

Mrs. Kohn's 7th Hour Quest students have been using Wikispaces to display their research on non-fiction topics of their choosing. They gathered important facts from non-fiction titles they chose for their research. Using Microsoft Word, students synthesized, wrote and edited their research until it was ready for their Wiki Page.

Students read each other's work and wrote comments to each other about each research study through the discussion feature on the Wiki pages. Mrs. Moe and Mrs. Kohn also contributed to the digital reflections. Students are ready to get started on another project.

Click here to check it out!

Congratulations to Team Girl Power

Team Girl Power was victorious as the winning team of the Fall 2010, 6th Grade, Battle of the Books.
All competitors received gift cards to Barnes and Noble bookstores.

The winners, Irena H., Z'Alezha R., Nicole S. and Danielle Z. also enjoyed lunch at Chilis.

Special Thanks to Mrs. Stark and Mrs. Brinker for keeping score during the tournament for each team.
Ms. Kohn and Ms. Stringer

Check out the slide show at: http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/BOB.htm

Ms. Bauhs Uses Wikis as a Presentation Format - Science

In September and October Ms. Bauhs introduced her Eighth Grade Science Students to Wikis. Students researched, analyzed and synthesised information they gathered on specific topics related to their study of the Grand Canyon.


Check it out!
http://www.wawm.k12.wi.us/Schools/WMIS/LibraryMedia/Celebrations/Bauhs_GrandCanyon.htm