Ready, Set,......GO!

The summer days will soon come to an end and children will get ready to start another school year!  It is always an exciting time for students and teachers.  As I look to begin my second year as K-8 TAG Interventionist, I think about how this role evolved last year and understand ways I can make it even better this year.   Last year students embraced the challenges and went beyond my expecations with their "Bucket Lists of Learning" Presentations.   The partnership with Mr. Schmitz and Mrs. Mickelson was valuable and technology became a learning tool for all of us.  This school year opens up a new slate for learning and I look forward  to working with a variety of students as we extend our thinking and learn beyond our limits!!  More to come in the near future.  Happy New School Year to everyone!  

Learning About Ice Skating in this summer heat!

One of my second grade students is very interesting in the sport of ice skating.  Not only the physical skill but also the history and beauty of the sport.  Take a look at her iMovie and learn something new about one of her favorite topics.

  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USs3oE1FHC0&feature=youtu.be

Learning from Kindergarteners......

Have you ever wondered what astronauts do on the moon?  Do you know how a tornado is formed?  What is Jupiter made of?  These topics and many more were the focus of research for a group of kindergarteners.   Over the past six weeks, books have been read, facts have been collected, and presentations have been organized.  This group of kindergarten learners have worked hard to present facts to you that they have researched as part of their TAG Time learning.  Link to the video below and listen and learn from this talented group of students....enjoy!

http://youtu.be/BPMC7trB3Is

It's Presentation Time!

This is a very exciting time of the year for many reasons!  TAG Time students have been very busy researching, reading,  and recording information about a topic that they chose from their Bucket List of Learning.  They are planning to present their Presentations to their classmates the end of this week and next week.   Please view the video below that explains the process that the sudents experienced to show their knowledge!

http://youtu.be/z5-iKH6AhQc

Popular "Presentations"

A group of students, first grade through fifth grade, are coming to the end of weeks of research.  Each student is collecting data on a chosen topic and getting ready for Presentation Day!  Mr. Schmitz and Ms. Susi took the time to introduce five different iPad Presentation apps. that the students can use to demonstrate their research and knowledge.   Haiku Deck, Prezi, iMovie, Book Creator, and ThingLink are all apps. that can be used to "share out" information.  Students will make decisions about how they want to display their new knowledge.  The students hope to share their Presentations with their classmates and also share the new apps. that they have learned how to do!

The Money Bag Challenge

This morning a group of 5th grade students at Yahara found themselves solving a crime!  These students were involved in a "bank robbery" simulation.  They were told that the police department needed their help.  There was a robbery at a local bank and the detectives needed to know the total amount of money that was taken and they needed to know ASAP.  After choosing a task leader, the "money bag" was dumped on the table and the students had to coordinate their efforts to count the money and report to the 'detectives'.  The students worked together as a team and within 20 minutes they were able to report that the robbers stole over $26, 000.00!

Research and Presentation

The last strand of 'TAG Time" for this school year is Research and Presentation.  47 students kindergarten through 5th grade have chosen topics that interest them and have created fact boards to collect data.  After a couple weeks of research, students will choose a mode of presentation and present their information to their classmates, teachers, and families.   An array of topics are being researched ranging from the Great Wall of China, to Jupiter, to Manatees, and many more!  Lots of new knowledge is being learned!