Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Cleopatra Rules and Gone-Away Lake

Our new feature for Tuesdays and Thursdays is "What Are You Reading?".  First thing in the morning I visit homerooms and roam the halls asking people what they are reading.  Here is one of today's conversations.





Friday, October 19, 2012

Ms. Skala and Ms. Welch are reading...


Two new posters adorn the entrance to the main office at Prairie Creek. They feature the current reading selections of our principals.
Prairie Creek Main Office entrance

Among Ms. Skala's is SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS
Everyone is talking about WONDER.

Friday, October 12, 2012

The Leopard Tree


The Leopard Tree is a story about three orphans from Africa who are determined to travel to New York to get a message to the head of the United Nations about the help millions of African children need!  The guide book on their journey to America is “The Wizard of Oz”.  This book will inspire you to make a difference! 

Interested in learning more?  http://www.theleopardtree.com/

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

Studio You

The club formerly known as Anime met today.  Our previous brainstorming meeting showed two areas of interest - video games and movie making.  Studio You might be a better name for this group!
The large crowd of students today viewed some possible options.




SCRATCH

Like playing video games?  It is time for you to design them!



Video Production

There are many possibilities for this option:


Stop Motion with Clay. A recent example is The Pirates! Band of Misfits.

Our first attempts might be a little less polished. Here is the first film by a 6th grade team from my old school in North Carolina.


Stop motion can also be made with Lego characters or other action figures.  Here is a great example shared with the group by Joel from Neighborhood 53 at Creek (Mrs. Miner/Mrs. Pickering). Notice how Joel uses music to set the mood, pacing, and action of the film.



Films using puppets are another great video production style.  The muppets are one of the best know examples.

Our first films might look like this version of Little Red Riding Hood.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Collections

My daughter collects Moshi Monsters.  Do you have a collection?