All posts by lspady

2014 Spelling Bee

During the week of October 6, 4th through 6th grade teachers will administer the qualifying spelling test in the classroom.  The top 10-14 students will compete in a school spelling bee which will be run a little different this year.

On Tuesday, October 21, Hillside, Westbrook, Swanson, Loveland, and Sunset will have their spelling bees at Underwood Hills on 90th and Western.

On Thursday, October 23, Westgate, Paddock Road, Oakdale, Rockbrook, and Prairie Lane will have their spelling bees at the Community Conference Center (CCC) on 108th and Grover.

School vehicles will be used to transport the students to Underwood Hills and the CCC where they will compete in the spelling bee.  Parents and family are welcome to attend.

Below is the tentative schedule for each day.

October 21 at Underwood Hills

  • Hillside 9:15-10:15
  • Westbrook 10:30-11:30
  • Swanson 11:45-12:45
  • Loveland 1:00-2:00
  • Sunset 2:15-3:15

October 23 at CCC

  • Westgate 9:15-10:15
  • Paddock 10:30-11:30
  • Oakdale 11:45-12:45
  • Rockbrook 1:00-2:00
  • Prairie Lane 2:15-3:15

2014-15 Seminars and Contests

We are excited to offer a variety of seminars this year.  All students are welcome to attend, however there will always be some sort of “ticket” that needs to be completed first.  The “ticket” might be a qualifying test or a project you develop.

Westside Schools often get invited to special contests (math contests, quiz bowls, etc.)  Those contests are not listed below, but make sure to check this site often for updates!

 

Loveland Peabody and Sherman Creations! Take 2

The students created short scripts about a historical event, person or landmark.  They researched their topic for facts that they embedded within their story.  We also learned about puns and the mechanics of script writing.  (Thanks to Reese’s mother for sharing her knowledge with us!)  We also learned about writing puns and the different types of puns.  Please enjoy the following short videos!

 

Will, Oliver & T.J.

Maren & Mara

 

Laila & Chiharu

 

Hayden & Ellie

 

Zach & Braeden

 

Max

Kenan & Korbin

 

Paul & Isaac

More Loveland Peabody and Sherman Videos

Loveland Peabody and Sherman Creations! Take 1

The students created short scripts about a historical event, person or landmark.  They researched their topic for facts that they embedded within their story.  We also learned about puns and the mechanics of script writing.  (Thanks to Reese’s mother for sharing her knowledge with us!)  We also learned about writing puns and the different types of puns.  Please enjoy the following short videos!

 

Erin, Zola & Claire

 

Avery, Jude & Luke

 

John & Abe

Braylon & Jack

Eleanor, Abby & Isabella

 

Max & Judah

 

Victoria, Bella & Katie

 

Ryan & Harrison

More Loveland Peabody and Sherman Videos

Sunset Hills Peabody and Sherman Creations!

The students created short scripts about a historical event, person or landmark.  They researched their topic for facts that they embedded within their story.  We also learned about puns and the mechanics of script writing.  (Thanks to Reese’s mother for sharing her knowledge with us!)  We also learned about writing puns and the different types of puns.  Please enjoy the following short videos!

 

Ramya

Ella, Ava & Abby

Tyler & Mitchell

Griffin, Will & Matthew

Cameron

Christiano, Andrew & Will

 

Barrett

Reese, Reagan, and Thomas

April/May News!

Hello All!   It is hard to believe that we are winding down another school year.  We have accomplished a lot and  there have been some unique opportunities for students this year.  Please check out the main page of the EY Blog and click the “What’s New” button for some pictures and information about some of those happenings.  There is also a listing of summer opportunities for gifted students.

We are all busy working on our Mr. Peabody and Sherman scripts.  The students have a topic chosen and are researching to find facts that will be imbedded in their script.  Everyone has had a short lesson in script writing and puns.  I am anxious to see how they turn out!  Stay tuned!

We also are finishing up our vocabulary enrichment, “Wordly Wise”.  I have seen a lot of growth in this area.  I will encourage them to finish strong!  They may not see the value of this right now, but I think they will later.  🙂

Thanks so much to all the parents that helped with transportation to the Brownell-Talbot Math Contest for grades 5-6.  I really appreciate all the support!

That is all for now!  Now that is seems to be finally here, enjoy the spring weather!

 

 

 

May Day Fun

 

Pizz

Over 160 slices of pizza were consumed Thursday morning at a Blind Taste Test at the Westside Community Conference Center.  Twenty 3rd-6th grade students had an opportunity to give their input on the pizza that will be served in Westside cafeterias next year.

IMG_5958

Later that day, over fifty 5th-6th grade students participated in the Brownell-Talbot Math Contest.  Students completed an individual and team contest in addition to several math challenge activities.  Congratulations to the following Westside students who brought home honors.

  • Ava from Oakdale placed 3rd in the 5th grade group
  • Gus from Rockbrook also placed 3rd in the 5th grade group
  • Chiharu from Loveland placed 5th in the 5th grade group
  • Graham from Swanson was a top scorer in the 5th grade group
  • Victoria from Loveland placed  1st in the 6th grade group
  • Kenan from Loveland placed 2nd in the 6th grade group
  • Theo from Paddock placed 3rd in the 6th grade group
  • Ashleigh from Paddock placed 4th in the 6th grade group
  • The Paddock team of Theo, Ashleigh, Emma, Cindy, and David scored 71 points and placed 2nd in the team contest.
  • The Loveland team of Victoria, Kenan, Korbin, Eleanor, and Bella scored 70 points and placed 3rd place in the team contest.

Congratulations to all students who competed!

 

Diff Tip: Post 1

Product Differentiation refers to culminating projects that allow students to demonstrate and extend what they have learned.

Differentiating the product allows students to use different methods to demonstrate their knowledge and it is motivating for all kids, especially high ability learners, to be offered a choice of product.  Solution?  There are hundreds of quality web-based technology tools that students can use!

Check out this page of web-based tools and then leave a comment and share a tool you’ve had students use before.

Explain Everything

Although I like to recommend free apps, Explain Everything is one that I feel is well worth the money.  At $2.99, it allows students to explain their thinking as they are completing a variety of tasks.  As a former math teacher, I was good at having students complete problems on paper, but I didn’t have them EXPLAIN what they were doing.  Explain Everything is the perfect app to check for understanding as kids explain a process.

In the Fraction-Decimal-Percent Video, students are describing one method for converting a fraction to a decimal and percent.

FracDecPer Video

 

I also had my 1st graders use Explain Everything.  They typed a few rhyming words, made a sentence and then illustrated it.

 

 

What are some ideas you have for using Explain Everything?  Leave a comment!