May 2018

From the HILLTOP LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER....

From the

Hilltop Library Media Center

14th Annual Summer Book Swap

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS

Students in grades 2-4 participated in the Flipgrid Explorer Series: AQUARIUMS!

Throughout this series we were given a personal tour through the Aquarium of Niagara in New York. Students learned about sea life, diet, animal enrichment, volunteering, and more!  We heard from zoologists, sea life educators, and animal trainers. Hilltop learners were thrilled to see that aquarium educator and trainer, Sam, “featured” and answered many of our students’ questions!  Click here to “HEAR” their questions and Sam’s answers. Once students explored videos and a Hypderdoc filled with links and articles, they were encouraged to direct their inquiry by focusing on an area of personal interest, and then share and present to their peers. Students built websites, created slideshows, Scratch games, Google docs, puppet shows, and more. Students truly applied their knowledge and skills, collaborated, and utilized resources to empower themselves to learn and create. Students shared their project based learning on Mrs. LeMay’s password protected Flipgrid page

#LearningIsSOOOMuchFun! #StudentVoice #GuidedInquiry #ActiveEngagement #AquariumsRock! #EducationalTechnology

Author visits the Hilltop Library Media Center.

Mr. Sean Michael Dolan has 24 years of experience as an English teacher and school administrator, and athletic coach. His first book titled, The Boy With the Sketchbook, highlights friendship, acceptance, kindness, and KICKBALL! He spoke about the writing and publication process, shared real world connections between writing, personal joy, and creativity, and took numerous questions from students.

#libraryauthorconnections #readingrocks #writingrocks

Hilltop Library Media Center Celebrates National Poetry Month!

National Poetry Month @ the Hilltop Library was wonderful! Students listened to poetry, read poetry, wrote poetry, shared poetry, reflected on poetry, explored figurative language, developed writing skills, speaking skills, shared with authentic audiences and simply relished in the joy and beauty of language! Students posted more than 500 “POETRY READ ALOUD” videos to Mrs. LeMay’s 2nd Annual Digital Poetry Party! We were thrilled to have some 8th grade LAL students reply to many of our elementary poetry posts!

Some dates to remember….

• ALL BOOKS ARE NOW DUE BACK TO THE HILLTOP LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER
• **Students with academic, research, or independent reading needs can see Mrs. LeMay for books individually, but large group circulation has ended.
• PUBLIC LIBRARY FIELD TRIPS … June 6-8 All grades to take walking visits to the Mendham Borough Public Library during their regularly scheduled library class
• 14th Annual School Wide Summertime Book Swap, June 11-15 - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

March-April 2018

From the HILLTOP LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER....

Hilltop Library Media Center Celebrates National Poetry Month!

Students in grades K-4 have been reading, writing, sharing and celebrating poetry @ the Hilltop Library. In addition to hand written poetry and digitally publishing poetry, we have modified the publication process by  publishing, sharing and collaborating using PADLET. Padlet is a virtual wall that allows learners to share and express themselves on a common topic easily. Check out our growing Padlet by clicking here.  We are exploring figurative language through poetry and music!  Students used figurative language and tagged (identified) it appropriately with #simile, #metaphor, #alliteration, #rhyme, and #onomatopoeia!  A writeable space is available for budding poets to think, create, and share while they are in the library. Lastly, we kicked off our 2nd annual DIGITAL POETRY PARTY on Flipgrid!. Details and instructions were sent via email at the beginning of April.

Questions...email lemay@mendhamboroschools.org

Hilltop Library

CelebrateD National Women’s History Month

We have been reading and researching amazing women @ the Hilltop Library! Students in 1st-4th grade conducted mini-research using various print and digital sources. In grades K-4 we have been exploring nonfiction, biography, and of course referring to www.loc.gov for some wonderful primary sources!!

Our library classes were  filled with Seuss stories, songs and snapshots for Read Across America Day!   

Connecting LITERACY and STEM @ the LIBRARY!

Kindergarteners participated in Story Time From Space,

a program made possible by The Global Space Education Foundation. Students heard astronaut Kate Rubins read Rosie Revere, Engineer while she was in space!  We discussed STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, as well as the power of perseverance and resilience. Check out more stories from space with your children at http://storytimefromspace.com/library/. For additional titles in Andrea Beaty’s wonderful STEM related series, check out these books from the Hilltop Library!

February 2018

Keyboarding …3rd and 4th graders participated in a mini keyboard unit over the past few weeks during their technology class.  Students are now ready to continue their keyboarding  

practice at home, in school, and whenever they are using a keyboard. Keyboarding is a skill that will improve greatly with consistent practice when using the CORRECT TECHNIQUE. If possible, try to keep an eye on your child's keyboard experiences at home.  Encourage your child to type with ALL fingers and ALWAYS use the technique we learned in class. Students began their practice in school using the Almena Method and www.Typing.com . Students simply log in to Typing.com with their GOOGLE account by clicking "student login" and the "login with GOOGLE" button. This will allow them to login with their existing Google account username and password, eliminating the need to create another login and password. Students have been advised to progress through Typing.com at their own pace, but they should not skip any lessons. Additional practice sites can be found on the keyboarding section of the Hilltop Library Media Center website. Your child has worked very hard to develop the correct technique in the classroom, now it is time for them to continue using the correct keyboarding technique at home and in their daily school/home computer activities. #KeyboardingFun #LifelongSkill

Virtual Valentines Project

During the month of February some 1st graders connect with 1st graders in Peachtree, Georgia! The students of Oak Grove Elementary described the weather, state symbols and explained that most people drive golf carts around their city! Our first graders introduced themselves, shared poetry and various clues about our geographical location. This project was made possible by the Global Virtual Valentines Project

#VirtualValentines #Friendship

American Library Association Announces the Youth Media Awards! On Monday, February 12th Mrs. Cohen’s 2nd grade class was able to view some of the LIVE STREAM  of the ALA awards, specifically the Theodore Seuss Geisel, Caldecott and Newbery Award announcements.   Now it’s time to curate that award winning book order!  Click HERE to view the 2018 awards winners or HERE to view the recorded webcast.

In all classes we discussed various awards and read numerous award winning books.  Students in grades 2-4 learned about the man who started it all….children’s book advocate JOHN NEWBERY!  In addition, students are encouraged to write about and  share the award winning books they have read.

Lastly, many of our 4th graders have been supporting Mrs. LeMay’s new initiative #BookBundles, and recently curated numerous award winning bundles.

#BookBundles #YMA #ReadingROCKS #Caldecott #Newbery #Geisel #CorettaScottKing #Schneider #PuraBelPre #Curate2Learn

Wanted…LEGOS and LEGO BASEPLATES for the Library! If you have loose LEGOS you no longer need, the Hilltop Library will take them! Thank you!

January 2018

International Bookmark Exchange… Students in grades 1-4 participated in the International Bookmark Exchange. Our school was paired with schools in Italy, Hungary and Portugal. We spent time on Google Earth and located our partner schools. We took some time looking at their school websites, and were impressed to find out that Google can automatically translate a foreign website for us!  Hilltop students designed a bookmark and shared some of their favorite things. Many students have already received a bookmark from our partner schools. #htlibliteratureinitiative #bookmarkexchange #readersunite #celebratereading

For more information about the International Association of School Librarianship and this program, go to https://iasl-online.org/Bookmark-Exchange-2017

Kingdergarten and 1st graders have been exploring the BIOGRAPHY section. Ask your child to share our “biography chant” with you.  We have read about Amelia Earhart, Alexander Graham Bell, Pocahontas and more.  Students have partnered up to create their own “Buddy Biographies”, and first graders completed a mini biography research project. 

#BiographiesROCK

 Second graders recently completed their state research and have moved on to creating their digital presentations. This unit helps students understand how connected and equally important print and digital resources really are.  We read Scrambled States of America, then students used print and online resources to locate their state and capital cities, state symbols and more.  Students used www.census.gov, www.factmonster.com and various books to lcoate and record state information.  We discussed the importance of thinking about which type of resource will best suit a researcher’s needs (online vs. print).  When researching population, students agreed that an online source will be much more accurate and current than a print source published 10 years ago. Stay on the lookout for their completed state presentations. In library class we have been exploring author Margie Palitini’s books. We read Sweet Tooth, then learned about personification and how we can use this figurative language tool to jazz up our own writing.

 In 3^rd and 4^th grade we are reading narrative non-fiction and biography books. We are exploring various primary sources to enrich our understanding of the text, and recalling details as we write about the stories.

  

December 2017

Physical Education:

All the classes are enjoying a little Basketball time in the gym.  The 4th graders will get to the end of the unit where they will be able to work on playing 3 on 3.  The 3rd graders will use the proper shooting form.  

B.E.E.F. ( ask your child what that stands for ) while aiming at a 10ft hoop.  1st and 2nd graders will end the unit dribbling with their right and left hand and feel good about how they are doing.  This will be done using music.

Enjoy your Holiday.  When we get back it will be VOLLEYBALL TIME

Music: This month was spent rehearsing and finalizing details for our holiday concerts.  Happy Holidays!


LIBRARY & TECHNOLOGY:

 

2nd, 3rd and 4th Graders participate in the HOUR of CODE during Computer Science Education Week (Dec 4-8).

We live in a world surrounded by technology. In order to continue our exploration of how technology
works, our 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade technology classes experienced an HOUR OF CODE++ @ the Hilltop Library.

We read Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, and then spent time discussing algorithms, loops,
debugging,the importance of attending to details, critical thinking,using models and simulation to explore
complex systems, perseverance, pair programming and collaboration.  All of these elements are not only
critical components of computer programming, but are applicable to all areas of learning. We followed
the Flipgrid CODE Explorer series where we listened to real life CODERS from Flipgrid share their
knowledge and experience.

Students used various programs to write code using a visual programming language called Blockly.
All 3rd and 4th graders have access to Mrs. LeMay’s Hour of Code Hyperdoc through their Google Classroom.
This document has all of the links to videos and programming platforms we used throughout this unit.
Click here to check out our PADLET and read what some Hilltop students had to say about CODING.

For more information about the Hour of Code, go to https://hourofcode.com/us.

1st Graders explore digital and print informational texts…

First graders recently learned how to use a browser to navigate to
the Internet and type in a specified URL.
In addition to reading various informational texts, students have learned how to access the
PebbleGo online database to support their first mini-research project. Students identified
a topic, located information and included a citation for their article. Ask your student
to share Mrs. LeMay’s Lollipop Story about giving proper credit to ensure we seek and use
information respectfully and responsibly. Click HERE for more information about creating citations.

***NEW*** Book Bundles @ the Hilltop Library! Hilltop Readers can now
check out a “Book Bundle” that focuses on a specific theme.  Many 4th graders are helping
Mrs. LeMay with this new initiative by bundling books and designing book bundle theme cards.
Book bundles encourage and inspire readers to explore various genres and topics.  #BookBundles!

November 2017

Library & Technology:

Global Read Aloud 2017 …. 1^st and 2^nd Graders participated in the 2017 Global Read Aloud. We explored books by Mem Fox and connected with Redwood Elementary School in West Orange, NJ and WR Odell Primary School in Concord, North Carolina. We used Google Earth to explore the geographic location of these two schools in relationship to Hilltop School. 2^nd graders read Koala Lou by Mem Fox, and identified and shared the main character’s internal character traits. 1^st graders read Whoever You Are?  by Mem Fox, and identified and shared ways in which all humans are alike, as well as some of their favorite things. All communication and collaboration took place on Mrs. LeMay’s Flipgrid video pages where students from both schools recorded and shared their introductions, thoughts, reflections and ideas. For more information about The Global Read Aloud go to https://theglobalreadaloud.com/

3^rd & 4^th Graders explore Digital Citizenship @ the Hilltop Library!  We have been discussing ONLINE SAFETY, RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY. Students completed a Digital Citizenship HYPERDOC in their Google Classroom, and used online sources, technology tools, creativity and  Google Drawing to create a Digital Citizen Superhero. Click Digital Citizenship for students and click Cyber-Safety for links and information for parents and caregivers.

Great Graphing 2^nd Graders have been collecting and analyzing data, inputting data into cells and spreadsheets, highlighting columns and rows, and creating digital graphs. Students surveyed their classmates’ eye color and created a corresponding graph, as well as their thoughts on bats.

2^nd Graders have also learned all about Tall Tales and the 398.2 section of the library – ask them to sing you our 398.2 song!  We discussed the use of exaggeration in various TALL TALES, including Paul Bunyan, Pecos Bill and John Henry.

1^st Graders have been busy in the Technology Lab! In just seven weeks they have explored and learned how to use Microsoft Paint, Sticky Notes, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, and Kidspiration. We have now turned our focus on learning about the Internet, URLs, websites, browsers, and of course the importance of always asking permission before using technology.  Students understand the importance of only navigating to sites and sources provided by a trusted grownup. On our next journey we will be exploring online information sources starting with an online database called Pebble Go.

Music: All grade levels started preparing for the upcoming holiday concerts on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 in Hilltop’s Gym.  (Snow date is Thursday, December 21, 2017 - concert times are the same).

The theme is Ready, Set, GLOW! Concert times are:

9:00 a.m. - Grades 1 and 2 (approximately 30 minutes)

10:15 a.m. - Grades 3 and 4 (approximately 30 minutes)

2:30 p.m. - Kindergarten (approximately 20 minutes)

Fourth graders are working on recorder songs with G A B and E in preparation for earning their next Recorder Karate belt, demonstrating understanding of 4/4 time signature, and learning how to play hand chimes, hand bells, and melody/resonator bells to accompany a song in the holiday concert.

Third graders created a melody on the xylophone from a rhythmic ostinato with half notes and have been honing their skills on reading and performing rhythm patterns with half notes, tied quarter notes, and half rests.

Second graders are developing the ability to use ostinati on xylophones to accompany short songs and are learning how to describe A and B phrases/sections of songs.

First Graders are demonstrating how pitches can go higher and lower on xylophones, maintaining steady beat to varying tempi through body percussion and instruments, and learning to follow a conductor’s (teacher’s) beat cues while playing classroom percussion instruments.

Kindergarten students continue to experience new classroom instruments like finger cymbals, flute woodblock, and claves.  They also re-visited “old favorites” like shakers, drums, wooblock, triangles, and jingle bells in fall and Thanksgiving songs.  

Physical Education:  LET’S GET DANCING….

Two main events take place  In November, the children finish up the presidential Fitness testing.  (The Fitness test are:  Sit ups for 1 min, Shuttle Run, Jog in the gym for laps depending on the grade, and also perform a sit and reach test to see how flexible they are.  These tests are repeated in the spring.) and Their  

Dance moves get underway.  For the 4th grade, they learn how to square dance, the 3rd graders perfect the Cotton eye joe, 2nd graders enjoy the YMCA, and the 1st graders do the Chicken dance.  These are just a few of the dances the students of Hilltop school are taught. The Kindergarteners will be enjoying some fun activities on scooters.    Enjoy your THANKSGIVING.

I am thankful for Having your children be a part of my Physical Education Program

Art:  Fall is all around us, and Hilltop artists have been responding to the beautiful nature. Kindergarteners have been practicing lots of cutting and gluing for the fall art projects, as well as exploring painting.  First graders are finishing up a barn landscape painting, a traditional first grade project where aerial perspective and proportion is learned.  Second graders have finished the learning experiences of colors and have started to delve into texture that is next element of art in line to learn. Third graders have finished the fall still lifes, made of unity and balance.  Rhythm and movement are the next principles of art to start for the third graders.  Fourth graders have finished their symbolic portraits, inspired by the artist Arcimboldo.  They have started to learn about facial proportions and are working on drawing foreshortened selfies.

All of these artworks will be sent home this month.  Please keep and enjoy the artworks at home but return the art folder for more works to come.  Don’t forget to sign and date the front of the folder!