Monday, June 18, 2012

Summer is here!  It is a great time to keep reading and keep learning. 

discoveryschool.com


Here is the link for the Newton Public Schools Summer Reading List:



Don't forget to go to the Newton Public Library this summer while the Williams Library is closed. They have a wonderful summer reading program with lots of activities for kids.  Here is the link:


Have a great summer. We will have great new books at the Williams Library in September.

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Know your Williams School history

Do you ever wonder who came before you at Williams School? We have a long history as one of Newton's 15 elementary schools. Many students, teachers, principals, secretaries, custodians, and other staff have served and been served by our wonderful community. I have delved into a litle bit of the past at Williams. You can read about it, see some pictures, and view a video montage at the following link:

Williams History Page

Enjoy your trip down the Williams Memory Lane.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Tech Talk at Williams Prezi

Last month Dr. Connolly hosted a morning coffee on the subject of how teachers are using technology at Williams. Many teachers spoke about technology use in their classrooms. We are using various web 2.0 tools, software, ipad apps, and databases. Each classroom now has an LCD projector and document camera thanks to the generosity of the PTO.
If you missed the presentation it you can watch the Prezi at the link below:

Technology at Williams Prezi


A Prezi is cloud-based presentation software. You create slides on a canvas that zoon in and out that are engaging and easy to share with others.  It is similar to a Powerpoint, but it is created and stored online.







Friday, March 23, 2012

Fourth Graders Learn about the Underground Railroad and create posters online

As part of their Civil Rights unit, the fourth graders visited Newton's own stop on the Underground Railroad. on Thursday, March 22nd they toured the Jackson Homestead on Washington St. They learned about how the Jackson family helped African Americans to safety and freedom. They saw many interesting artifacts and heard stories of people in Newton fought slavery.

In library class students used an interactive web site created by Scholastic called "The Underground Railroad-Escape from Slavery. They answered questions about how and why African Americans and others took great risks to deceive slaveholders and make the journey to freedom. You can take a look at this activity at:

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/bhistory/underground_railroad/escape.htm

Then they used a web 2.0 tool called "Web Poster Wizard" to share their findings. Please take a look at their posters online at:

Underground Railroad posters

You can also listen to an explanation of this assignment at the following link:

Cinch broadcast

They learned a lot, and so will you!!

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Voicethreads by the Second Grade

Voicethead is a web 2.0 tool that allows you to upload videos, images, and other media. People can comment using audio and the written word. Our second graders have created a talking library ABC book using voicethead. Each class created their own book. They also created KidPix slideshows to present demonstrate their understanding of fables. Students worked in partners to read a fable, write a moral, and illustrate it on KidPix. We then uploaded it to voicethread. Please take a look at our voicethreads at this link:

Class Projects created in the library: Newton.Public Schools

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

More good news from the library for Williams School learners!!

For the remainder of the year the city has purchased a subscription to Grolier Online Encyclopedia. This resource is available for school and home use. It has an elementary, middle, and high school level of the encyclopedia. It contains videos, images, current events, and feature stories.  It also includes newspapers from around the world and a dictionary.  At home you will need a user name and password for access.  Please check your Williams Weekly for log in information for this resource. Remember that you also have subscription access to PebbleGo databases and Tumblebooks library at home. These are also password protected. If you have misplaced your login information for these resources please contact me at school.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Technology update

Many thanks to the PTO for supporting our technology drive. We were able to add 6 new laptops to our inventory. Each fifth grade received 2 machines and each fourth grade 1 machine. We will be adding more technology soon to support our first grades. We could not do this without your generous contributions and we are very grateful.  


We also added two ipads to our technology inventory. They will be housed the learning center and in the Inclusion room. All Williams School learners will have access to this tool.

Holiday Gift Books have arrived in the library



I would like to thank everybody for contributions to the library during the holiday season through the Library Gift Book Program. We were able to add 30 new books to the collection.  Carole McElduff and Anne Stephens continue to do a stellar job of organizing the effort so our kids can have additional resources.


Here are a few anotated samples:


Amelia Bedelia's first field trip by Peggy Parish. Amelia's class visits a farm which results in confusion and humor.


Ancient Egypt: Tales of gods and pharaohs by Marcia Williams, retells nine myths in comic book style.


Magic Trash by J.H. Shapiro, a biography of the urban environmentalist Tyree Guyton.


Animal Tracks by Karen Latchana Kenney. a book for younger learners about different types of animal tracks from animals around the world.


No two alike by Keith Baker. This picture book follows a pair of birds on a snowflake filled winter's journey.


Gooney Bird on the map, by Lois Lowry. Another book in the humorous Gooney Bird series.


Lucky for Good by Susan Patron, the author of the Newbery winning, The higher power of lucky. 


White Water by Michael S. Bandy. Explores the serious of topic of Jim Crow laws through the beauty of a wonderfully illustrated picture book. 


A storm called Katrina by Myron Uhlberg. Tells the story of a family's struggle to survive the hurricane.