****************************************************** A Rube Goldberg machine is one where you take a simple task and make it as complicated as possible. Here is a sample comic of Rube Goldberg's:
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Try your hand at making your own Rube Goldberg machine with this Tom and Jerry Game:
New word for the month: Algorithm Which means: A precise set of steps which helps the computer, robot or human get to its goal. This is what we are doing when we make a recipe, set of instructions, or code. Code is what we use to help the computer or robot do its task correctly. Here are some videos which explain more:
******************************* For beginners (1st, 2nd & 3rd grade): Course One in CODE For middles (3rd - 5th): Course Two in Code
Skip the unplugged activities ******************************* If you want to try: Blockly In the bottom left hand corner, click on the blue button "Clear Data" and then "OK" or else the last student's game will appear. Go to the second activity on the curvy line, "Maze."
Then move down to the similar Angry Birds which is also called "Maze Sequence" in the list of the activities. It is the third one down.
And "Flappy Bird" is huge fun too! (What is it with these birds?)
Tynker has some really cute coding activities for kids!
Show your parents the Code site and maybe they will help you sign up.
NEW: Bits and Bricks (Lego) Other fun coding sites are: For those of you doing Scratch Coding Through CS Club, click HERE to log in. This will be set up by your homeroom teacher OR your SUN teacher.
I will add more, when I find them, on this page. But remember . . . You need to read and think if you try these activities. If you want to sign in with an email, ask your parents to help you do that. You will be able to save your progress then.
I have started a second PortaPortal with links ordered by subject. The first one is ART (which includes music) and I have put back all the working links from the old PortaPortal, and I've added a few more. I will be adding sections and links so watch it grow. Here are some of the sections (to come):
Lil' Drac, a fruit bat, was hand raised by volunteers. The cotton swab feels like his mother's tongue. A tiny foam tip is used to give him his milk (Remember he is a mammal!). The volunteers keep him nice and clean. Bats like to hang upside down. Lil' Drac loves to rock after he eats. Watch how he does that. ********************************************
This is the second video about Lil' Drac. Watch him grow. His first solid food was a bit of banana in goat's milk. Wow! He sure loves it! I love his little ears. Next he gets to fly. AWWWW! It takes a while to learn. Watch how he climbs up the hand. And even though he is all grown up, he still likes to rock . . . How cute is that!?! ***************************************************** Some links to learn more about bats: http://www.bats4kids.org/
There are things in this world that are unique . . . and perhaps you have never seen, nor heard of these marvels . . .
*********************************** You can create your own marvels with simple pencil, paper and pen. I love tangle patterns . . . relaxing and fun and beautiful!
To make a paper stump: Tear off a small corner of a piece of scratch paper (about as long as your finger). Roll it up as tightly as possible and use the rough edge to rub on the pencil shading to blend it. Blend carefully in the direction you want the shading to go.
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A song about bats . . such an interesting creature . . .
Always try . . . and try again, and again . . . because YOU can do it! Whatever you set your mind to do. Don't let anyone tell you, you can't . . . because YOU can! I know you can because I watch you and I dream of great things for you! You are my hero . . because I see you learning and growing and trying . . . KEEP TRYING!
This next set of activities will take about ten minutes altogether. Please do them in order. At the end of these blog activities you will be doing some practice typing of your own.
The keyboard above shows the "Space Bar" in red. You press that key one time to make a space between words or make a space after each punctuation mark. You can also use the space bar to wake up your computer. When you are keyboarding you will use your thumb to press it.
Click to Listen
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The keyboard above shows the "Return Key" in green. You press that key to make a new line for a new paragraph. Do not press it when you are typing in a paragraph, because the computer will start a new line automatically. We call that "wrapping." When you are keyboarding, you will use your right little finger to press that key.
Click to Listen
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The keyboard above shows the "Tab Key" in blue. You press that key to make an indentation for a new paragraph or a list of things. When you are keyboarding, you will use your left little finger to press that key.
The keyboard above shows the "Shift Key" in green. You press AND HOLD one of those keys to make a capital letter. You must press and hold with your little finger while you press the key you wish to capitalize or make the symbol at the top of other keys (such as the number keys). When you are keyboarding, you will use the little finger on the opposite hand of the letter you are capitalizing.
Click to listen
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Time for some practice. First watch this video . . . then you will do your own little story.
Mr. Rogers was always one of my favorite people because of his kindness and his great love of learning . . . and his huge respect of children: ********************************** His shows are still on PBS and still very enjoyable.
Hi Grout Students and Families, I hope your Summer is as wonderful as mine! I miss school, and sometimes I dream about being there. I miss all of you. I hope you are getting a chance to do lots of reading! I wanted to let you know that I am making changes to the PortaPortal. I don't know if you will notice. Mostly, I am moving boxes around and organizing. I want to make it easier to use.
I have been enjoying lots of time to read outside in the garden. I've also been taking my two cats out there to explore my tiny backyard. I have been teaching them not to leave the yard, and that isn't easy. Here is a picture of Sylvia:
She can be a little shy sometimes. Here is a picture of Lucy when she thinks she sees something exciting:
Remember that if you want to contact me, do so through the blog. I get the messages in my email. Do you have ideas for the blog? Did you find an interesting and educational activity or game to add to the PortaPortal? I would like to hear from you.
See you later!
Hugs, Ms. Wolfsong
P.S. Don't forget to practice reading, math, and writing.
Dear Fifth Grade, It's always sad to say goodbye . . . but I have the confidence in your abilities to continue learning and making the right choices which are good for you and others. Please, feel free to visit the PortaPortal and the blog whenever you wish. Imagine the possibilities of discovery. I am still learning and much of what I learn . . . I learn from my students. Let me know what Middle School computer lab is like by dropping me a line in the comment section of the blog. I don't publish all the comments, especially if you wish to have your comments kept private, I will honor your wishes. Remember to read daily . . . THINK always . . . be happy, and learn new things for the rest of your lives. Have the best summer vacation ever . . . Love You All!
The story of "The Giving Tree" is so moving and a little sad. See what you think of this story. What does it have to say to you?
The author is famous for his children's books, poetry and illustrations. Here is a link to his webpage and lists of his books and other activities: http://www.shelsilverstein.com/
Look for new additions and the return of old favorites.
BrainPop links are available with a username as a temporary addition to Portland Public School's Internet subscriptions. Be sure to use the username and password provided.
I put "Grizzly Adventure" back as a Summer treat. A little celebration for the end of testing.
I have also re-added "Useful and Fun for the Whole Family" near the bottom of the PortaPortal. There is also a new page of super fun puzzles and strategy games.
I am always looking for new, fun, educational or brain-working websites. If you know of any, feel free to add a comment here or email me during the summer.
No matter where you go, if there is Internet . . you can find me.
120 Sylvia Wait a moment for the puzzle to finish loading and then you can expand it by clicking on the right bottom corner. Don't forget to put the corners and edges together first! Then look for colors and shadows to finish the rest of the puzzle.
Below is a Libravox recording of "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll
The story is read like a play with different readers acting out the parts. The first part of the recording is an introduction of the readers and the story itself. Click on the sideways triangle to start the recording.
Here is a game for free time! Wait for the game to start . . . then click the button. Use your arrow keys to run and your spacebar to jump. ***************************
1. Do what your teacher tells you to do! That is YOUR job so do it! 2. If you are given choices of computer activities, do NOT do other things. 3. "Free Time" is a very rare reward. DO NOT ask for Free Time! When you do get "Free Time" you may pick from the computer folders, dock, or PortaPortal activities, only!
There will be NO viewing videos unless otherwise approved by your teacher!
There will be NO use of the computers' cameras.
There will be NO use of the Internet except for what is provided through the PortaPortal. . . only those sites listed and not other links that you may find.* *******************************************************
REMEMBER:
Headphones are to be lifted "Up and Over" and stored behind the yellow number on the computers.
At the end of class, always always, "Command + Q"
At the end of class always log out, and restore the mouse and keyboard to home position.
1. Do not touch the computer screen ( point if necessary).
2. Keep your hands off of other people's mice and keyboards.
3. Do not bring fluids ( drinks or ice ) near the computers.
4. No use of glue or scissors are allowed near the computers.
****************************************************** Thank you for complying with these few and simple rules. We can make our computer time fun and instructive while keeping the lab a safe and civil place.
* I have installed "Ad-blocker" on all the lab computers. This is a free app and blocks all inappropriate advertising on the browsers used in the lab.
I will occasionally embed a game on this blog as I don't always approve of the sites for my students. Plus, I am just beginning to learn how to embed on this blog. This game is merely a cute funny activity. ENJOY!
Making animations is quite fun. On your computers is a folder. Inside the folder is a program called Stykz. This is NOT an Internet App. It is actually installed on the computer. Watch this video I made for you and then give it a try:
*********************************** Here is a playlist of various Stykz activities . . . Some will explain how to do things and others will show you what someone else did . .. Hopefully you can get some ideas from this. Think of a story you would like to tell, using Stykz. Use a story board to plot out your story.
Click on play all. Close the advertising if you can. The third video, in the list, of someone dancing, was made by "Pivot," which is another stick figure animation program. Remember some of these videos are very good . .. It takes a long time to learn how to use the program. Each video takes patience and a long time to make.
This is Lucy, one of my cats. She is standing next to a basket of shredded tissue paper. She likes to rip and tear soft papers. If she discovers a roll of unattended toilet paper, she will attack it and tear it to pieces. Finally I gave her, her own basket of papers where she can rip and shred to her heart's content. It's a perfect solution!
The PortaPortal:
Sometimes things happen to web sites. Maybe they go away. Maybe the advertising changes and becomes inappropriate for the innocent eyes of children. Sometimes the old link re-directs to another web site. Other times I find violent games somehow attached to web pages for kids. As a rule, I don't allow these links to remain on the PortaPortal.
The Internet is a huge place and not always safe. I try to keep my PortaPortal safe for my students and I always welcome suggestions or information if something isn't quite right.
Please, always feel free to send me an email if you do have suggestions.
