Kindergarten | First Grade | Second Grade
Media | Technology | Third Grade |

MEDIA
Kindergarteners are learning about the author, illustrator, publisher and copyright with the song "Hi Ho Librario". We read many stories, including "I'm Gonna Like Me", (about self esteem) "Aaron's Allergies" and "Pitch In", a story about cooperation. This year we will be learning about fiction and nonfiction books (and how they are shelved), the Caldecott Award and book care.

First Graders will review fiction and nonfiction books and practice ABC order for fiction books. So far we have read "Axle the Freeway Cat", "Click,Clack, Moo" and "Space Case" and reviewed the Caldecott Award. Students reviewed the proper way to care for books.

Second Graders learned about the elements of a story, and read "Axle the Freeway Cat", "Harry in Trouble" and "Cam Jansen and the Library". Students reviewed the proper way to care for books.

Third Graders read "The Polar Express", "The Librarian of Basra", "Biography of Louis Braille" and "The Mystery of the Flying Orange Pumpkin". Students reviewed fiction and nonfiction books, as well as biographies. We discussed where these books are located in our media center.

Fourth Graders learned about the steps to good study habits, and how to locate the various sections in our media center. A review of the Dewey Decimal System included the "Dewey Rap", a song which helps the students remember the ten sections of nonfiction in the media center.

Fifth Graders learned about test-taking tips and reviewed the location of the various sections of the media center. They have started a unit on reference books, where they will learn about the almanac, thesaurus, dictionary and encyclopedia.

Technology
3^rd GRADE—KEYBOARDING  
In Montville computers are used at every grade level.  In the elementary school, technology has taken on greater importance over the past few years.  As the work load increases, typing correctly and being efficient at the computer has become extremely important.  In our digital world, keyboarding has become essential and parents can help their child successfully achieve this skill. 

Third graders are enthusiastically using our AlphaSmart keyboards to master keyboarding.  When the cart is wheeled into a classroom, each student uses an assigned AlphaSmart providing technology access to an entire classroom of students.  Our goal is to use correct fingering techniques.  Emphasis is placed on accuracy, not speed.  Students are encouraged to practice typing at home.

Monitoring your children is extremely important.   The most important aspect of keyboarding is technique.  Is your son or daughter sitting up properly, feet flat on the floor, fingers curved, elbows by his/her side, and wrists slightly off the table or computer?  Eyes are on written work or the monitor, not fingers.  Praise your child for using the correct fingering and not the “hunt and peck” method.   Thank you for encouraging your child to practice this important skill correctly.   

5^th  GRADE—POWERPOINT
After reviewing keyboarding techniques, fifth grade students will move on to PowerPoint.  PowerPoint is a powerful tool that enhances a presentation.  It provides the main points in a visually exciting way.  It combines graphics with text to give the most effective presentation possible to an audience.  Here are a few ideas to keep in mind while creating a PowerPoint presentation:

•           Do not use large paragraphs of text
•           6 x 6 rule: No more than six lines per slide
  and no more than six words per line
•            Each slide should contain one graphic
•            Do not overdo it with animation effects
•           Choose one or two kinds of slide transitions
  for the whole presentation

This is a great software program for book reports, speeches, instruction, etc.