Integrated Collaborative Lessons
Our Library Media Program provides a variety of services to students, staff, and community members. We maintain a flexible schedule, utilizing an online scheduling format for teachers. As the media specialist, I collaborate with teachers on many levels. Lessons are created by me using teacher input and focusing on grade level county scope and sequences. Teachers are realizing the power of collaborative lessons as our school works on STEAM certification. Working with teachers to add the "T" (technology) into their lessons has become commonplace. I have worked with Kindergarten teachers to implement lessons where Kindergarteners use the green screen to show living and non living. I've worked with several teachers add Stop Motion elements to their lessons. In 3rd grade classrooms, we've used stop motion to bring animal habitats they built to life. In first grade
Some examples:
Some examples:
- QR codes: utilize QR codes with many lessons to promote independent practice of math skills after reading books by (Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade)
- Pearler Beads: create a symbol to represent Dr. Martin Luther King after reading Martin’s Big Words (3rd and 4th grades)
- Chatterpix: to make rocks tell about the attributes of rocks after reading Everybody Needs a Rock (Kindergarten)
- Building a life size eagle nest for students to sit in while listening to The Perfect Nest (Kindergarten)
- Coding Mice: to find different continents after reading Because I am Your Teacher, or to follow the trail of Lewis and Clark as they explored the Louisiana Purchase (1st grade)
- Creating a paper quilt after reading The Show Me Quilt to reinforce learning of the Underground Railroad (1st Grade)
Another service we provide is supporting teachers with new technology applications to implement with teaching standards. We collaborate to determine which standards will be assessed.
Some examples of this are:
Some examples of this are:
- QR Math Activities: creating the number with a ten’s frame, missing addends, and hundreds chart math (1st Grade)
- Bee Bots coding: move Beebots to find National Symbols on grid (1st grade)
- MInecraft EDU: creating Creek and Cherokee homes
- OSMO: lessons to support reading CVC words
- Green screen and the DoInk app:
- creating pictures and videos showcasing examples of different ecosystems (4th grade)
- create pictures and videos demonstrating understanding of constructive and deconstructive forces (5th grade)
- Digital Breakout: with a holiday theme to expose the students to the concept in a challenging, yet fun way
- BrainPop: create movies to demonstrate knowledge of content
- 5th grade- WWII
- 4th grade- Westward expansion
- Stop Motion App: create stop motion movies to
- retell stories (2nd and 3rd grade)
- show physical changes and parts of a cell (5th grade)
- demonstrate forces and motion (4th grade)
- Nearpod: lessons supporting content:
- 5th grade- Holocaust
- 4th grade- Credible News, Matter
- 2nd grade- Sequoyah
- 1st grade- Veteran’s Day, Fall
- Kindergarten Veteran’s Day, National Symbols
- Flipgrid: tell point of view, main ideas and how characters respond to major events and challenges
- Goosechase: students play to show mastery of content
- finding text features
- finding properties of matter
- finding examples of living and non-living
- weathering and erosion examples
- Bloxels: creating video game characters based on book characters (2nd grade)
- Hour of Code: give all students a chance to experience coding (all grades)
Maker Weeks for Kindergarten and First Grade Classes
Dowell Elementary is in the process of becoming STEAM certified. Since K and first grade classes attend regularly, One week each month is designated as Maker Weeks. During these weeks we have a hands-on STEAM oriented maker lesson in the Learning Commons. These activities offer a range of engaging opportunities that involve problem solving, creativity, working in a group, and higher order thinking skills. These experiences help our students grow in a more rounded way and provide the teachers with starting places for STEAM activities in the curriculum.
Some examples of these activities are:
Dowell Elementary is in the process of becoming STEAM certified. Since K and first grade classes attend regularly, One week each month is designated as Maker Weeks. During these weeks we have a hands-on STEAM oriented maker lesson in the Learning Commons. These activities offer a range of engaging opportunities that involve problem solving, creativity, working in a group, and higher order thinking skills. These experiences help our students grow in a more rounded way and provide the teachers with starting places for STEAM activities in the curriculum.
Some examples of these activities are:
- Groovy Button Sculptures- After reading Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, students create a sculpture using buttons and playdoh.
- Pumpkin Gate- After reading 5 Little Pumpkins, students create a “gate” out of miscellaneous items trying to hold 5 pumpkins.
- Pattern Wreaths- Students created a pattern out of paper and beads to make a wreath
- Paper Snowflakes- After reading Snowflake Bentley, students create paper snowflakes with assorted patterns and designs.
- Rainbow Builders- After reading My Color is Rainbow, students build a rainbow out of colored popsicle sticks and playdoh.
For grades 2 - 5, quarterly collaborations with grade level teams allows for the planning of STEAM opportunities.
Some of these have included:
Some of these have included:
- Minecraft EDU Pixel Portraits: students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade created Pixel Portraits of significant figures from the social studies curriculum.
- Adobe Spark Movies: highlight the mastery and understanding of the learning of classroom standards
- 2nd grade- Life Cycles
- 3rd grade- Adaptations
- 4th grade- Stars and Planets and Weather
- Electric Circuits: creating pictures using copper tape, button batteries and LED lights
- Pearler Beads: creating simple representations of the water cycle and soil
Student Checkout
Reading Celebrations
The goal of the Dowell Library Learning Commons is for students to leave elementary school with a strong love of reading! One way we do this is by celebrating reading with challenges and acitivites throughout the year.
Some of the ways we have celebrated reading with our students include:
Some of the ways we have celebrated reading with our students include:
- Beanstack
- Creating challenges throughout the school year to motivate students
- Top logging readers each week get announced on the morning announcements and get to take a orange rolly chair to their class to use on Friday.
- Challenge to 5th graders to log more minutes than I do. Each person who succeeds get a fun treat.
- Pie in the Face challenge to end the school year: 40,000 school wide minutes in the month of May = Pie Mrs. Pszczola in the face.
- Creating challenges throughout the school year to motivate students
- Monthly Reading Challenges with the top readers being celebrated on the morning news and posted on the wall.
- Tuesday Trivia Each Tuesday I have a trivia question on the morning announcements and students place their answer in a box. Then I draw a winner from each grade level. The winner gets a bookmark, and a bag of "bookworms" (sour gummy worms)
- StickTogether picture where students can place color blocks when they read books.
- Read Across America Students get to hear a variety of community leaders, former students, parent, from all over.
- Visiting Authors and Illustrators Each year we have the opportunity to have author and illustrators visit through Cobb EMC. We also have virtual visits with authors and illustrators.
- Guest Readers We have had local celebrities visit to Dowell to act as mystery readers for our students.
Reading Programs
Different reading programs thoughout the year motivate and encourage a love of reading. Examples include:
- Guess the Book: We choose a line from a book and students (and staff) try to guess what book it's from.
- Pop-a-Top and Read: Students pick a favorite book to sit outside to read with a can drink.
- Book Trivia: Trivia questions on morning announcements weekly.
- Book Talks: Staff goes on announcements each week to get kids excited about different books.
- Extended Library Hours: accommodate families and provide more opportunities for them to choose books after regular school hours.
- Book Swap: students bring a favorite books from home to swap with others. This allows everyone to get a new book to keep before breaks.
- Book-a-Lantern Contest: Students and staff create a jack-a-lantern based on a book character.
- Book Character Parade: Students and staff dress up as a favorite book character.
- Book Walks: books are displayed down the hallways for students to read on the go.
Professional Support
Throughout the school year we offer technology support to all stakeholders. This includes administration, teachers, parapros, and parents.
Working with our TTIS (Teacher Technical we schedule time to work with our Paraprofessionals to support them in using technology for teaching. During the pandemic, and virtual learning, extra support was provided for Parapros so they could continue to be a part of the learning experience.
Working with our TTIS (Teacher Technical we schedule time to work with our Paraprofessionals to support them in using technology for teaching. During the pandemic, and virtual learning, extra support was provided for Parapros so they could continue to be a part of the learning experience.
Providing support and resources for teachers and teaching staff is an important function of the Learning Commons.
Some of the ways we do that are:
Some of the ways we do that are:
- 10 Minutes of Tech
- Lunch and Learns
- Collecting resources for units
- Quick tech support
- Technology assistance during virtual learning
In addition to being open to students and staff, the Learning Commons is open to parents and Partners-in-Ed throughout the year. The computers and resources are available as needed.
Teachers participating in Technology Lunch and Learns
Administration Support
Supporting the admin is one of the functions of the Learning Commons. There are many ways that that support is manifested throughout the year.
Guidance on Tech Spending
Helping decide where to spend SPLOST money, Title 1 money and other funds is one of the ways to support admin. Being hands-on with the technology in the school and keeping good records allows for informed decisions about technology purchases.
Title 1 Inventory
Thorough records are kept of all Title 1 items to accommodate a smooth and efficient inventory each year.
Testing Technology Support and Management
All computers are prepared for testing before Iowa and CoGAT, Access testing, SKI and Milestones. During each of the testing windows support is provided as well to keep testing moving as smoothly as possible.
Keeping track of devices during checkout and return
The daunting task of providing devices for students during the pandemic was handled with strong organization, clear instructions, and a positive attitude. Parents were directed to the Learning Commons with questions and needed tech support. Parents were very appreciative of the prompt support and admin was happy with the positive PR.
Creating and maintaining a silent car rider dismissal system Using O365 and Simplicity panels, a system was created which reduced chaos, sped up the dismissal process, and exceeded expectations.
Other Duties as Assigned: Any time the admin needs guidance or assistance with any technology type scenario, we are happy and willing to assist.
Guidance on Tech Spending
Helping decide where to spend SPLOST money, Title 1 money and other funds is one of the ways to support admin. Being hands-on with the technology in the school and keeping good records allows for informed decisions about technology purchases.
Title 1 Inventory
Thorough records are kept of all Title 1 items to accommodate a smooth and efficient inventory each year.
Testing Technology Support and Management
All computers are prepared for testing before Iowa and CoGAT, Access testing, SKI and Milestones. During each of the testing windows support is provided as well to keep testing moving as smoothly as possible.
Keeping track of devices during checkout and return
The daunting task of providing devices for students during the pandemic was handled with strong organization, clear instructions, and a positive attitude. Parents were directed to the Learning Commons with questions and needed tech support. Parents were very appreciative of the prompt support and admin was happy with the positive PR.
Creating and maintaining a silent car rider dismissal system Using O365 and Simplicity panels, a system was created which reduced chaos, sped up the dismissal process, and exceeded expectations.
Other Duties as Assigned: Any time the admin needs guidance or assistance with any technology type scenario, we are happy and willing to assist.