Remember When We. . . Did Some Research?

In January of this year, 4th and 5th grade students completed a research project using books in the You Wouldn't Want to Be. . . series.

The work was completed in multiple steps--the first was a ticket out that became a display you can see below.

If you want to see more of the work students completed, along with pictures of their work, you can CLICK HERE to see the original post.

Remember When We. . . Celebrated Picture Book Month?

November is Picture Book Month, and for the first time last year, we at Dallas Center Elementary celebrated!

Several staff and teachers in the building participated in a fun photo opportunity, and even our friends in the library got involved!

Want to see more pictures? Want to watch a video about Picture Book Month? You can CLICK HERE to see the original post.

Remember When We. . . Read Not a Stick?

Two years ago, Antoinette Portis's book Not a Stick was an Iowa Goldfinch Book nominee. The book features our creative hero telling us repeatedly that what he's got is *not* a stick--and he's very imaginative in showing us what he has instead!

After we read the book aloud with our students, they had the opportunity to imagine what their "non-sticks" might be instead.

Want to see the original post and more of our students' work? You can CLICK HERE to do so!

Remember When We. . . Made Discovery Bottles?

In a strange twist, today's "Remember When We…" post originally took place almost 2 years to the day!

After looking at several examples of discovery bottles online--and searching Pinterest for inspiration and directions!--we dove into the project with our K-5 librarian friend Ms. Taylor from Shuler Elementary in Waukee, IA. 

How did the bottles turn out? Take a look:

All 3 of us were able to take 6 bottles to our libraries to use as a center. Some of the bottles were school colors-related, some were beach-themed, and others were ABC-related. We even had magnetic discovery bottles! While the project took a lot of planning and a full morning of construction, the bottles remain one of our students' favorite centers!

Want to see the original post? CLICK HERE to see more pictures and descriptions.

Remember When We. . . Participated in a Google Hangout with Zoo Atlanta?

After The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate was named the Newbery Winner for 2013, the interest in Ivan the Gorilla was stronger than ever. Zoo Atlanta, home to Ivan for many years, hosted a Google Hangout with schools across the country to talk about their famous gorilla.

Mr. Clark's 5th grade students were scheduled in the library at the time of the hangout, so they were able to participate. They even asked a question to the moderators via Twitter, and their question was answered!

The entire hangout was archived on YouTube, so students who were unable to attend could watch later. You can see the recording, as well as the original post, when you click HERE.