Learning to Write Comments Using Paper Blogs

rules for writing comments using paper blogs

"writing comments" web

paper blog post

and we started...We used a pack of post-it note and pencils.

Learning an offline way to write comments on blog posts using paper blogs is so much fun! After reading the rules of a good comment, we were divided into five stations. The leaders of each station were responsible to read the blog post to their groups and were the first to compose a comment. Then we took turns commenting on the blog posts and sometimes on our friends' comments....and the excitement grows!

Dear families, you are also an important part of the comment section and we'd love to hear from you. Thank you for all your support!

I'd also like to thank the special guest on the live interactive webinar, Ms. Karen McMillan. The paper blog was an interesting way to introduce second graders to commenting on blogs!

Oscar's Trip to Guangzhou-China

We've just got some photos of Oscar's adventures while he was in Guangzhou, China during PE activities, in the classroom, in the cafeteria, and in the playground. He also pretended that he was a teacher and our friends in China learned new things and at the same time had fun!

Goodbye Oscar

We really can't BEAR to say Goodbye, but we must...

Oscar, we'll miss you terribly! You made saying goodbye difficult! So...it's goodbye from us and goodbye from you and off to France where our friends can't wait to welcome you....wish you a safe and sound flight! We'll keep following on your adventures around the world!

To The Naval Base With Oscar

We had a big surprise for Oscar! We took him with us to the Naval Base to celebrate our Independence Day!

click on play button to listen to the photo talk



and sing, too...

IN THE NAVY
Where can you find pleasure
Search the world for treasure
Learn science technology
Where can you begin to make your dreams all come true
On the land or on the sea
Where can you learn to fly
Play in sports and skin dive
Study oceanography
Sign up for the big band
Or sit in the grandstand
When your team and others meet
Special thanks to Mrs. Siham Othman and the KG teachers for having us celebrate Independene Day in a patriotic way with our cute guest, Oscar!

New Friends From Spain, Madrid

Our friends' classroom

We have participated in a wiki activity with our new friends from Santa Joaquina de Vedruna- Mirasierra in Madrid, Spain. They have shared their voicethread and showed us their science group work, the map of Spain and creative posters.
Special thanks to Ms. Maria Sanchez. We can't wait to begin sharing the "Hot Spots" project with you and Ms. Edna Pythian.

Flat Stanley In Lebanon

Flat Stanleys with our friends in Colorado, USA

with a passport

and now in Lebanon

Hello! I am Flat Stanley :)

We're participating in Flat Stanley Project, which is based on the book "Flat Stanley" written by Jeff Brown.

Last month we made paper Flat Stanleys, put them in an envelope, and mailed them to our friends at Sunset Elementary School in Craig. Today we were so happy to meet the new guest. Flat Stanley had a very long flight to our country. He came holding his passport with him. After discussing the project, we decided to take him along on outings, take photos, and keep a journal of his experiences. We'll make a little "sleeping bag" for this flat character and treat him as an honored guest!

It's a wonderful way to come together to share and learn from each other.

Celebrating Special Days With Oscar

Independence Day

Eid Al-Adha

Eid Al-Adha Cards From Colorado

Thank you Mrs. Arnett :)

Eid is love...Eid is beauty...Eid is caring... Eid is sharing!

Our dear friends at Sunset Elementary School in Craig, Colorado have sent us bright and colorful cards.

May God send his love to fill your hearts with a lot of happiness like the Eid Day. Thank you for making our special day more joyful!

EID ADHA MUBARAK TO ALL!

Color Changing Beads From Our Friends In Colorado

We got color changing beads from our friends at Sunset Elementary School in Craig, Colorado. We made friendship bracelets in the sunlight and we saw how the beads changed color into a rainbow of color! Then we took our bracelets inside and noticed how the beads changed into white. We loved those frienship bracelets and the beautiful bookmarks, too! Thank you friends!

We had fun exploring the science of ultraviolet light with these amazing white beads! We placed the beads in a glass jar and exposed them to direct sunlight. The beads changed color fast. Then we arranged the beads in the sun so that they are completely shaded by sunglasses. The sunglasses protect the beads from changing color. All sunglasses should be UV protectes, in order to protect our eyes from the sun's damage.
After that, we took a few of the beads and covered them with a thick coat of sunscreen. We placed the beads on a paper and left them in the sun. The sunscreen was effective in keeping out harmful rays. Now we understand why doctors recommend wearing sunscreen, even on couldy days!

Oscar With Goldilocks And The Three Bears

building background: situation: good manners/ poor manners

predicting what the vocabulary might be- move the picture to find out.

The Three Bears

Father Bear is very fat... Mother Bear is very slim...

Little Bear is so cute I could die... WHAT A HAPPY FAMILY!

retelling the story in small groups
Extending the story: We discussed with our friend Oscar what happened to Goldilocks when she ran away, where she went, and what she saw.

'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' is Oscar's favorite folktale. We had fun listening to the story and using the interactive white board to reinforce vocabulary. Then we retold the story in small groups to bring the characters to life for Oscar. After that, we wrote a letter from Goldilocks to the three bears.

Finally, we learned how to pick a book that is “just right” for us to read by using this Goldilocks Test. We ask ourselves these questions, if our answer is yes, the book is probably:

Saying Hi To ePals Around The World

This month's activity on ePals website is how we say "Hi" in our countries. We sent them this video done by us, first grade students. We told our epals how we greet new friends in our native language and an explanation of what was said in English.

Oscar In Lebanon

HI! I AM OSCAR, THE FRIENDLY LITTLE BEAR!
It was such a long flight around the world visiting new places and meeting new friends. I've visited England, Poland, China, India...and now I am in Beirut, Lebanon with a new adventure with the kids at Makassed Khalil Shehab School.

Finally Oscar arrived safely from India...We have waited so long!
We're so happy to meet him...he's so cute!
Oscar has a new uniform :)
just fit!
We helped him put on his uniform....
with Omar's Teddy Bear wearing a traditional Lebanese clothing: baggy black pants that are called 'Shirwal' and a red fez 'tarboush'.


welcoming Oscar with an Arabic song in the music class

a poem for Oscar

and a special song for Oscar :)

Oscar, we're so happy to welcome you in Lebanon. We promise you'll enjoy your time with us...

Our Visit To Fish Hoek Primary School In Cape Town, South Africa

a warm welcome

a start of a global environmental project

touring the school

a welcome song

Fifa World Cup 2010 song

We were so excited to meet the children at Fish Hoek Primary School. The school is located in the scenic Fish Hoek Valley near Cape Town, South Africa. It is a happy school where the learners are developed to their potential in a loving and caring environment.

Upon arriving the school, we were introduced to the teachers and welcomed by the students who greeted us with a joy-filled song. The kids were so adorable and incredibly sweet. We saw their cheerful drawings painted on the school bulletin boards and their amazing collaborative projects.

Thanks to Microsoft and Fish Hoek Primary School stuff who helped make this part of our visit during Microsoft World Wide Innovative Education Forum one of the most amazing experiences.

Second Graders at the Dominican School for Deaf Children in South Africa

Makassed Khalil Shehab School is now on their map! a memorable experience...you are in our hearts
MISSION STATEMENT

"We, the Dominican School for Deaf Children, Wittebome, will strive with LOVE and CARE to recognize the needs of all given into our charge, and we commit ourselves to guide them in truth to achieve their full potential."

School Net South Africa has worked with the local authority to plan school visits to Microsoft Innovative Teachers who attended the World Wide IEF. We visited Dominican School for Deaf Children in the suburb south of Cape Town. The children in this school are from economically depressed communities who are able to contribute little or nothing to the cost of their children's education. Never the less, it is essential that these children are given an education which will enable them to function as independent and productibve adults. The pupils enter school at the age of 4 or 5 years. They come from all over South Africa and Namibia and proceed through school according to their levels of ability. The aim is equipping the pupils with the educational, vocational, and social skills necessary for independent maturity.

It was an unforgettable experience!!!

Thank You for inviting us to your school...

Thank You for the beautiful and warm welcome...

Thank You for helping us learn and communicate with your kids...

We can't wait to begin collaborating with you!

Special thanks to Microsoft for organizing the school visits!