Playing games in the classroom

What did you do today in school?

WHAT!!! You are playing around in class?

Is this the type of conversation you are having after school? Do your families think you aren't really learning anything in class?

Well let's talk about games and playing in the classroom.

There are many reasons to play games in the classroom: 

Learn important skills, develop connections to content, actively engage students, form positive memories of learning, simulate real life experiences, foster positive collaboration, improve problem solving and systems-thinking, provide challenges and support, improve differentiation, motivate and encourage participation.   

There are many articles, studies, surveys, and information supporting the use of games in the classroom.

Here are some links to articles to read more about gaming in the classroom:

We use games in the classroom to build social skills. To help our students learn how to work together with others in positive ways . We use games to build skills necessary for future learning and working. We use games to allow students time to decompress and absorb the learning the is taking place in the classroom every day.

Gaming has a place in our world that can not be denied.  

If you have any questions about how games and playing is helping your student learn, please contact Ms. Taylor-Stevens 

We played with computers, build things with Lego bricks, and had fun playing games.

How Virtual Games Can Help Struggling Students Learn

Five Reasons to Use Games in the Classroom

Games In The Classroom: What the Research Says

 

Can Digital Games Boost Students’ Test Scores?

Thank you,

Ms. Taylor-Stevens

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Welcome Back Information

Welcome back to school!

Hope you had a  great relaxing fun filled summer break and are ready to start learning all the neat stuff in 5th grade.

Here are some important things for you and your family to know about:

1. Keep up with the happenings of our class through multiple multi-media sources. 
1. We have our class page at http://www.amphi.com/schools/nash/teacher-staff/rstevens.aspx
2. We have our class blog at http://nanooksonline.blogspot.com/
3. We have our class Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NanooksOnline?ref=hl
4. We have our class Twitter page at https://twitter.com/NanooksOnline
5. We have a secure and safe learning environment in Edmodo at https://www.edmodo.com/
2. We have an email/messaging service that will send out messages, reminders, notices, and updates to you phone or email account.
1. You can sign up at https://www.remind.com/join/20142015na
3. You and your parents can contact Ms. Taylor-Stevens multiple ways
1. Through Facebook page, class blog, twitter account, and Edmodo 
2. Email at rstevens@amphi.com
3. Stop by class
4. Send a note
5. Leave phone message

You and your family are encouraged to check out all of these great communication resources for our class. Please sign up to use and follow as many of them as you can so that you can always keep up with what we are doing and never miss something important.

Also, please provide Ms. Taylor-Stevens with your contact information and how you would prefer to be contacted. Email is best for keeping the communication lines open, but we can work with any method that you need to use.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Back in the classroom

Today was the first day back in the classroom.

Things aren't too badly out of place. Should be able to have the room ready soon.

Will post pictures as the room comes together.

See you soon for another great year of learning.

Upcoming end of year events

April 14 to 18 end of year classroom testing begins
April 21 to May 7 School wide MAPS testing
May 7 Youth Orchestra Concert at TCC Music Hall
May 8 AVID program visit to Nash 5th graders
May 13 La Cima visit to Nash 5th graders
May 15 Nash 5th graders to La Cima
May 16 UA Field Trip
May 19 5th grade Farewell Day
May 21 Beach Day and End of year class party
May 22 5th grade celebration in MPR/Last day of school


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

What we learned today. . .

Today we started to learned howto raise our classroom expectations higher. We did this by learning how to use our brains in class better-to activate our brains and to interact with others in a controlled learning filled environment.

1st we learned and practiced CLASS! YES!

CLASS! YES!

2nd we learned and practiced TEACH! OKAY!

TEACH! OKAY!
 
3rd we learned and practiced 5 CLASSROOM RULES!

5 CLASSROOMS RULES!

Finally we reviewed the things we learned today so that we can have our brains engaged and learn, learn, learn!

REVIEW 

 We will continue to learn how to engage our brains, so stay tuned.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Uneaten Breakfasts

We don't always like the breakfast in the classroom but we don't waste it.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Classroom Setup Day 2-Setting up special things for this year.

After spending 4 hours and 45 minutes setting up yesterday, my daughter and I were back today working hard to get the classroom ready for the school year. Hope you all enjoy it.

Desks are ready

Groups are ready

Even have floater desks for working alone

   Bulletin Boards are Ready

Calendar is in a new place

Something new for this year

 Doors, cabinets, and some decorations are up

Bathroom sign out is READY!

Can the class READ 1,000 books this year?

Group materials are being put together

New Field Trip Lanyards

So stop by on Tuesday from 1-3 pm to meet the teacher and check out the classroom.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

2013-2014 Classroom Set Up Day 1

Today is the 1st day back in the classroom. It has come together very quickly.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Follow along with the class as we spend a great year learning:

Nanooks Online Blog
http://nanooksonline.blogspot.com/

Nanooks Online Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NanooksOnline?ref=hl

Nanooks Online Twitter
https://twitter.com/NanooksOnline 


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

One week until school starts. . .so what should I do

Here are a few things you can do this week before school starts:

Free 1st Sunday at the Tucson Museum of Art 8/4/13

Cinema La Placita Outdoor Film Series

Bat Bridge Discovery

Tucson Botanical Gardens

Lizard Walk at Agua Caliente Park

Lego Club

Free Drum and Dance workshops for kids

Cool Summer Nights at the Desert Museum


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Get all our updates-Please follow us

http://www.networkedblogs.com/blog/nanooks-online

Stay up to date with the class happenings.

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

2013-2014 Meet the Teacher

Please plan to stop by and meet your 2013-2014 teacher next Tuesday August 6, 2013 from 1-3 p.m.


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

2013-2014 Class lists

This years class lists will be posted on Monday August 5, 2013. Stop by the school to see who your teacher will be for this great year of school


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Teaching with Glass - AGL Initiatives - Andrew Vanden Heuvel | AGL Initiatives – Andrew Vanden Heuvel

Teaching with Glass - AGL Initiatives - Andrew Vanden Heuvel | AGL Initiatives – Andrew Vanden Heuvel


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Keep up with what is happening. . .Please follow us

Please follow us on 

Twitter 

Facebook

Blogger 

You will be able to keep up with all the happenings of our class throughout the year.


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Don't Forget Your School Supplies

BACK TO SCHOOL sales should be starting soon.

Remember to take the list of supplies you will need for 5th grade with you to the stores this month (July) when you go school shopping.

It is better to get as much of it at possible during the sales at the stores then to wait until school starts and end up paying more.


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Internet Access for $9.95 a month

If you child qualifies for free or reduced meals at school you can get internet access at a reduced rate.

Click the link below to find out more

http://www.cedmagazine.com/news/2011/11/cable-fcc-to-offer-low-cost-broadband


Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Tucson Museum of Art

Tucson Museum of Art

Remember that the 1st Sunday of each month is free. So plan a trip or two so that you can look at all the wonderful art.


Free Sundays 12:00-5:00 pm 
Sunday, May 5 

Sunday, June 2

Sunday, July 7

Sunday, August 4
 

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

Learn more about Engineering jobs.

Architecture and Engineering Occupations

Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."

AIMS Testing

AIMS is Coming-April 15-18

April 15-Science Test
April 16- Reading 1 and Math 1
April 17-Reading 2 and Math 2
April 18- Reading 3 and Math 3




Thank you,

"If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not. . . you'll find an excuse."