Pruett's AIG Blog for IBJ

Mrs. Sorensen and Mrs. Page wrote a grant to install Jones' new Makerspace Laboratory. I'm sure you'll hear more about the specifics of this way-cool place for students to work together to create, build and learn. However, I would like to add that after working with AIG CSG groups today, I was very impressed! Here are a couple of brief videos of students describing the experience! Enjoy! And thanks a million to Mrs. Sorensen and Mrs. Page for their great work!

Recently, someone asked about lists of literature for students to consider. Here's a list that's organized by topic or genre. Check them out! There's some new and interesting titles! It's a long one!! ADVENTURE The Cay by Theodore Taylor. Blind American boy and an old West Indian native are stranded on a Caribbean island.1969. Hatchet by Gary Paulson. Following a plane crash, a boy survives 54 days in the Canadian wilderness. 1988. The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton. A family tries to unravel the secrets of their new home which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. 1968. The Illyrian Adventure by Lloyd Alexander. Vesper Holly and her guardian set sail for the tiny country of Illyria in search of treasure only to find themselves in the middle of a war. 1986. Julie by Jean Craighead George. In this sequel to Julie of the Wolves, Julie returns to live with her father in their Inuit village. 1994. My Side of the Mountain

A letter from myself touting The Duke 4th/5th Grade Talent Search may have come from your children this month. The Duke program offers students enrichment opportunities and resources. Qualification is based on a high test score - higher than that of AIG qualification so NOT ALL students received the letter. Nevertheless, twenty-nine Jones 4th and 5th grade students qualify - which is awesome! If you have any questions about this program feel free to contact me at: 828.350.6723 john.pruett@acsgmail.net Happy Fall!

As you may know, I work with Safety Patrol, Ms. Cain, Ms. Lynch, and Mr. O in the mornings for car riders. I couldn't resist sharing this photo of a helpful Safety Patrol member!  Add taking rocks from shoes to their job description!

Here's one of our groups completing drafts and then publishing via Google Docs. Look to see some writing samples soon!

Here are some of our fifth grade math students honing their numeration and number fluency skills with challenging card games. Students rank the games for difficulty so we can choose those that are suitably difficult. But still fun!

I had the good fortune to hang out with Mrs. McDonald's FANTASTIC second grade class today. During Daily 5.  I was impressed with their understanding of what to do and how to do it! I saw every student engaged and working. Way to go Mrs. McDonald and students! Here is a small representation of their work today: WRITING READING READING TO SOMEONE LISTENING TO READING

ESG in both fourth and fifth grades are preparing for simulations. In this work, students will adopt the roles of scientists to solve real-world problems. Our fourth grade will look for lost space probes while fifth addresses ecological disasters around the globe. Both activities have lots of background reading, video clues,  and many opportunities for students to collaborate. Here are a couple examples of using words and pictures to assess knowledge students bring to the table! BTW, it is perfectly acceptable to know NOTHING about any of the sciences.