Winter Break

Winter Break is coming quickly. Don't forget to continue learning throughout the break.

Take time to read a good book. Alameda County Library gives access to free audiobooks and ebooks for those who have a library card.

Enjoy a book read to you. Take advantage of websites such as Storyline Online that read great stories aloud.

Try some coding. Go ahead and log into your school account. Try something different on code.org. Perhaps the Dance Party or Minecraft games appeal to you.

How about moving around? You can go geocaching on a hike. This app helps you find treasure. The rule is you put something into the container if you take a treasure out. https://www.geocaching.com/play

Perhaps you are more interested in arts and crafts. Here is a website with some ideas on fun crafts. https://www.parents.com/fun/arts-crafts/?page=1

Whatever you decide to do, have fun, enjoy time with your family, and come back to school with a smile ready for your next steps!

Digital Literacy

All classes have been focusing on Digital Literacy. We discuss internet safety and practice following rules for use of the internet.

TK and Kindergarten: Exploring on websites to learn new things. We spent time looking at the San Diego Zoo Kids website. We are discovering that going on a website is like a field trip. There are fun things to learn, but just like real field trips we have to be safe.

First Grade: What makes a website good for us? First graders are learning how to discover what makes a website perfect for them. What to watch out for and what to avoid. 

Second Grade: Texting etiquette. Second graders are learning to take care in what they write in notes to friends or relatives. We have to watch out for feelings and show we care about the way we write.

Third Grade: Cyberbullying. What is cyberbullying and how can we stop it? What to do if it happens to us.

Fourth Grade: The Power of Words: Words can hurt. We need to be careful about what we say on the internet. Fourth graders also learn what to do if bullying happens to them.

Fifth Grade: Digital Community. We are a digital community. As such we learn to follow norms so that the community functions well. This is an overview of all the rules we have learned about digital literacy and internet safety in all years.

Some great links to digital literacy websites:

Common Sense Media

Cyberwise

PBS Parents

Come in to the Media Center After School

The Media Center is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Please stop by and find a favorite book to read. We are open until 2:25.
We are going to begin our internet safety lessons next week. Please remember that we cannot trust everything that we see online. Right now there is an internet hoax involving Facebook accounts. Most accounts are not being hacked, but people are getting the message that accounts are being cloned. This is mostly for the parents out there. Here is a link that shows what is happening and how to be sure that you are not a victim.
How to check Facebook Account

Welcome Back to School

We are well into our second week at school and have been getting to know each other again. For many of us, school is an awesome place to be. However, there are a few kids that often feel left out or have a hard time making new friends. Don't forget to include them when you are doing games or activities. If you see someone on their own, take a moment to invite him or her to join you. You will make a new friend and won't regret doing so!
In the Media Center we have been revisiting the Specialist Rules. We are reminding ourselves how to care for chromebooks. Our chromebooks are brand new in the Media Center this year and we want to treat them well!
We will use the next couple of weeks to get to know each other. Students will be creating About Me slides in 3rd through 5th grades. First and Second grade students will be doing an About Me page.
After School Library Coming Soon!
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:05 to 2:20 beginning September 25th. Look forward to seeing you there!

Summer Reading Program

Hello Parents and Students,

Summer is approaching quickly and we want to make sure that children are keeping up with reading during the summer. The following are some of the summer reading programs with great incentives:

Alameda County Library They haven't posted their summer reading program yet. However, Readers can use a game board format to complete reading goals. When goals have been reached, you can earn many different things. Usually it ends with winning a free book of your choice.

Half Price Books - Feed Your Brain Half price books also sponsors a summer reading program that includes earning book bucks toward the purchase of more books!  Usually you will earn enough book bucks for one or more great stories.

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program Here you log the books you have read and tell about your favorite. After 8 books, you will earn a free book.

Scholastic Summer Reading Complete the log and record your minutes and you earn prizes along the way. Also contains some fun resources for readers.

Happy Reading and have an awesome summer!

National Library Week

It is National Library Week. Let's celebrate by sharing our love of reading!
Here are some fantastic resources for finding a great book:

Children's Section of the Alameda County Library - There are great resources on this page for young readers. Also, you can check out an ebook with your library card. It's all free!

Reading is Fundamental - Here we have some books read aloud, resources, and activities.

Starfall - This site is always a favorite to find fun interactive read alouds.

Learning games for Kids - Includes many games for different subjects. Some great literacy games.

PBS Kids Island - Has many reading activities for our youngest readers.

Book Trailers for Readers - Are trailers made by students for other students. Fun way to find a new favorite book!

Library of Congress Read - Classics that are free to read online, plus booklists on the best books that are out there to enjoy.

These are just a few to get you started. As always, if you have a website that you use for reading, let me know.  I would be excited to add it to the list!

Happy Library Week!

Read Across America

"Think and Wonder, Wonder and Think" - Dr. Seuss
Today is Read Across America Day. We celebrated this day at Eastin by inviting readers from our community to share their love of reading and experiencing a read through of a favorite book with our students. We were lucky enough to have visits from the fire department, the police department, the sanitation department, the District Attorney's office, BART, and so many more.
March 2 is Dr. Seuss' birthday. We enjoy the work of this great author as we read those books of a silly nature. Without him, we may not have had so much fun in literature. Enjoy these websites that support Dr. Seuss and reading:
http://www.seussville.com/
Dr. Seuss Biography
http://pbskids.org/catinthehat/
Art of Dr. Seuss

Upcoming Events

Lunar Eclipse, Supermoon, Blue Moon: On Wednesday, January 31 we will experience a phenomena that hasn't happened since 1866. What does all of this mean? 

The Moon will pass into the Earth's shadow. This means that the Earth will be between the sun and the moon. It will cause the moon to take on a reddish color. Also, the moon will be the closest to Earth that it will ever be making it appear quite large. And if that isn't enough, it will be the second full moon in a month which is called a blue moon.

You can find out more about the moon in our library Dewey Number 523. 

You can learn more about the moon on these websites:

Nasa For Students

Cool Kid Facts

Nasa Solar System

Since we are in a Science Mode...

Are you ready for the science fair?  It will be here on Friday, February 9th. We have science fair experiment books in Dewey section 507. Come by and ask and I will help you find them!

Get Ready to Read Across America.  March 2 is Dr. Seuss' birthday. We always use this time to get reading. Eastin will be looking for readers from our community for March 1 or 2. If you or any other members of our community can come in and read a book to a class, please email Laura Cox at lcox@nhusd.k12.ca.us.  Thank you!