Keyboarding Practice

Every January, third graders begin to learn to type. The program we use, Type to Learn 4, is a series of lessons, games, and challenges through which students progress to learn the efficient use of the keyboard. For kids who like to practice at home or in after school programs, here's a link to a previous  blog post about alternatives to Type to Learn: http://snipurl.com/26klttv.

And for all you third graders, this is how fast you'll eventually type if you train your brain the correct way now. Sit up straight, index fingers on the f and j, curl your fingers...

Phases of the Moon

This week we read Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and a few monthly selections in A Child's Calendar by John Updike. As a follow up, we looked at an online moon phases calendar.  This calendar shows the phase of the moon on any given day of the month. You can even manipulate the calendar to find out what the moon phase was on the day you were born - or what it will look like on the day you  graduate from high school! Students were fascinated with this concept of moon phases and quickly saw the natural pattern that emerges from tracking the shape of the moon over time. I've printed this month's off and hung it outside the Library Media Center so students can use it for reference!