Check out the MN Loon Camera.  I love watching it!
The first egg was laid on Monday, May 12.

http://mnbound.com/live-loon-cam/

I just learned about a GREAT website!  It has lots of fun games for math and reading.  Check it out!
Arcademics

Gold Medal Reading!!

For each book the students read on RAZ Kids they put a sticker on their gold medals.  Today we had our "closing ceremonies" and here are our champions!

What an amazing girl!  We read about her in our Time for Kids magazine.
She is from Plymouth, MN
Read Indeed

Good spelling aps

Reading Rockets.org is a great resource for teachers and parents!  Go to their website and sign up for their monthly newsletter.

http://www.readingrockets.org/pdfs/Top-10-Spelling-Apps.pdf

Math 3D Robots

Math students are encouraged to build a 3D robot at home.

It is a fun project to reinforce our geometry work in math.  Please collect cereal boxes, tissue boxes, balls, Pringles cans, wrapping paper tubes or anything else you can think of!  Use these shapes to create a one-of-a-kind robot!  Students will share their robots with the whole class.

Please send in the robots anytime during January.

Developing a Reader

“The more you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

- Dr. Seuss, "I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!"

As a school community we are passionate about getting every student to develop a love of reading.  As I was reading a book this past weekend, I kept thinking about our students at Bel Air and how eager they are to learn.   As you continue to look for ways to engage your child with literacy, please remember that the #1 influence in your child’s life is you.  As adults we need to model what good readers do and show the kids that reading is not just a subject, it is a magical key that will open so many doors in their life.  In order to keep this passion going, here are a few things to consider:

●     Set a good example as a reader - let kids see you reading every day.

●     Get a subscription in his or her name to an age-appropriate magazine for your child.

●     When relatives and others ask for gift ideas, suggest magazine subscriptions, books, apps, technology or a bookstore gift certificate.

●     Make reading fun - a time that you and your children look forward to spending together.

●     Keep lots of books, magazines, and newspapers around the house. Visit the library often and shop for books at garage and yard sales, swap meets, and used bookstores.

●     Don't fret if "Captain Underpants" has captivated your child rather than Robinson Crusoe. The important thing: he's reading! Encourage it and he's likely to move on to more sophisticated titles as he gets older.                                                                            © 2002, 2003, 2004 NEA.org all rights reserved

Also I am sure you have noticed kids are highly motivated when using technology.  Kids love being on the computer or tablet.  Technology can be an effective tool for students to experience literacy skills and books at their level.  Once you give them access to the device, you may never see it again. 

• http://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/reading101/literacyapps/

• http://www.storylineonline.net/

• http://www.mightybook.com/

• http://pbskids.org/lions/

• http://www.longleaf.brevard.k12.fl.us/2013-14_Top_Ten_Reading_Websites_for_Kids.pdf