Take a Stand...Lend a Hand Near North Anti-Bullying Assembly

     Take a Stand...Lend a Hand was a fabulous assembly presented March 24, by students in  rooms 101, 205, and 207. It was about bullying. 
     Ms. Saulsberry started with a great introduction and it just kept getting better. 
     Mr. Moore motivated the students and staff with his inspiring presentation, sharing information on bullying. He let everyone know that we are a family at Near North and We Will Take a Stand Against Bullying. 
     There was also a great skit called "Lost Phobia" as well as "Did you know facts?", and personal reflection. To top it off add in some great poetry, comercials on the big screen and upbeat music. It was a fast paced, inspiring assembly. 
     

The students did a magnificent job!

Quite a group of performers...Dontrell, Deandre H., Steven, Chris, Dedric, Danny, Jack, Georgia, Remiko, Tareon, Casimir

(I will add the rest asap)

The staff did a fantastic job also!

Mr. Moore, Ms. Saulsberry, Mr. Witkowski, Ms. Sturdivant, Ms. Harrington and Ms. Castillo did a fantastic job coordinating and working with their students. 

Below are some great websites where you can see videos, play games, and create your own avatar, while learning more about bullying. Remember...Take a Stand-Lend a Hand.

Fun with Art

     Camilla, one of Near North's aspiring artists asked if I would put some great art programs on our blog. 

Of course Camilla I would love too!

Here they are!

Daily Doodle Live is really cool. Take a free online class. 

To Infinity and Beyond!

     I just learned today that Tony (Room 204) has a keen interest in "Space" particularly black holes. He asked for me to put some things of interest to him and others on our blog.

Here they are Tony!

Flat Stanley in Chicago

   

Flat Stanley's International Adventure! 

Flat Stanley has just arrived in Chicago after leaving some wonderful new friends at the Sonning Common Primary School, Oxfordshire,UK. 

Now he is visiting the students of Near North Elementary School. Hey! That's us! 

Look at all the wonderful places in Chicago that Flat Stanley can visit. He may even get a chance to catch a basketball game...Go Bulls!... and eat a "Chicago Style" hot dog (no ketchup for us) or maybe a slice of Chicago's famous deep dish pizza.

Check out our "Flat Stanley in Chicago" slide show. Flat Stanleys created by Rooms 107 and 110.

To learn more about "Flat Stanley's International Adventure" project please visit http://www.stanleylambchop.com/

Origami Cranes for Japan--Tutorial by Alexis

Near North art students are joining other students from around the world in making paper cranes to help Japan rebuild.

Make Paper Cranes, Rebuild Communities

"On Friday, March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake struck Sendai, Japan, resulting in a devastating tsunami that ravaged the coast just 180 miles from Tokyo.

Students can help Japan by making paper cranes. These simple yet powerful gestures will trigger a $200,000 donation from the Bezos Family Foundation - $2 for each crane received - to Architecture for Humanity's reconstruction efforts in Japan. Once we reach our goal of 100,000 submissions, the cranes will be woven into an art installation - a symbolic gift from students around the globe to Japanese youth." via http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/

     Today I had my first lesson in origami crane making, from my master of origami student, Alexis. He did an excellent job teaching me and made this tutorial for others to follow. Alexis thinks this is a great way to help Japan and plans on making many cranes himself.


     Alexis also came in to teach Room 202 how to make cranes and is looking forward to teaching other classes.

Alexis, thanks so much for all of your help!

     If you would like to make cranes and help raise money for Japan please use this wonderful tutorial by Alexis, Room 201. 

HELPING JAPAN--Origami Cranes Tutorial by Alexis from Karen Bolotin on Vimeo.

This is a brilliant idea! Click on "Activities" when you get there. 

For more information on this project please click here.

All cranes should be mailed to 

Students Rebuild
1700 7th Avenue
STE 116 # 145
Seattle, WA 98101

 Email to receive a pre-paid shipping label for large boxes (over 50 cranes please). info@studentsrebuildiorg

Great sites for Origami

mercedes bird show

Hi my name is Mercedes and I am in room 104 and I have made a new slide show. Watch and please enjoy.

Owl Update

Live TV by UstreamThe 6 owlets are getting quite big. They are also getting more feathers. Aren't they cute?

Bald Eagles of Decorah, Iowa

Live Broadcast by Ustream.TV
Update: It's getting exciting. Keep checking back. Eggs will begin to hatch around April 1st.
Update: April 4th...2 eggs have hatched.  One more to go!

Solid Edge Garage

Hey Kids! If you liked FLABBY PHYSICS I think you will also like Solid Edge Garage.  It's a cool obstacle course that you have to adjust (with a wrench of course) to make work. Can you do it? Sure you can! Give it a try. Any students completing the course will have their names added to the Solid Edge Garage Hall of Fame below.

If you have not tried FLABBY PHYSICS yet and want to try it click here.

Solid Edge Garage Hall of Fame

Career Corner: Aviation

As you may know Near North's "Career Day" is just around the corner. That's why we're going to showcase some careers that students are interested in. The new feature will be called Career Corner.

Aviation as a Career

     As many of you know Steven (Room 207) is an avid fan of aircraft of all kinds. I talked to Steven about his interests and he said that he is especially interested in military aircraft from countries all over the world. He keeps up on what's current but also like to learn about antique aircrafts. 

     Steven is interested in a career in aviation and would like to get his training by joining the U.S. Air Force. When he completes his time with the Air Force Steven might be interested in designing aircraft.

     Steven often shares his aviation knowledge with others, so if you're looking for information on aviation please give Steven a holler.

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Below you will find some neat websites to learn more about the world of aviation.

America by Air is a great site to explore. It has all types of games, stories and pictures about aviation and its history. 

Click on the picture to visit America by Air.

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Learn more about airplanes by creating your own "Shuttle Dart". Click on the image below to get started. Make sure you have a square piece of  paper ready. Work with a partner. It will make it more fun and you can help each other.

This is a fun way to practice learning to follow directions!

Video tutorial-Easy to stop and start as you follow each step.

Written instructions...Click to print!

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Air Near North Day!

April 8, 2011

Any 6th-8th grade student who has created a "Shuttle Dart"  is invited to take place in "Air Near North Day". 

Rules

1. Contest is for 6th-8th grade students.
2. Any student participating must sign up in the art room by April 7th. You must have your teacher's permission to participate.
3. All participating students will come to the third floor with their "Shuttle Dart" glider on April 8th  at 12:30. Do not be late.
4. Sign in sheet will be available and that will be the order in which students will throw.
5. Each student will get two warm up throws and 1 throw for the contest. 
6. There will be several prizes. (Hints...Decorate your Shuttle Dart with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Do not use glitter!...Practice throwing your glider outside at home!!!
7. All students will use appropriate language.
8. Students will encourage one another.

***Please remember if you do not win this time, it is not the end of the world. There will be plenty more opportunities for you. This is just a fun activity for you to socialize with your classmates and have fun!

***Hopefully Steven will make an appearance at "Air Near North Day" since he is the inspiration for this contest.

If any one else has an idea for another "Career Corner" post please see MS. Bolotin.

Thanks and hope to see many of you April 8th! 

Flabby Physics is tons of FUN!

Click the picture to start the game.

WARNING: It's not as easy as it looks and it's much more fun than you think.


Flabby Physics comes highly recommended by Ms. McLaughlin and her students. They are from Alabama!

Can you find Alabama on the map?

Students that have Successfully Completed Flabby Physics

Joseph (104)

Mercedes (104)

Curtis (104)

Animal Sounds Library

Have you ever heard the sounds of a lowland gorilla or a California sea lion?  Well here's your chance.

Click on the picture below to listen to animal sounds. There are over 40 animals to listen to.

Flag Identification Contest

In the News...Japan

     Many Near North students have been asking about Japan, because of the recent earthquake and tsunami that has devastated parts of their country. 


Below I have added some links for students to find the answers to many of their questions.

Before and after photos

Interactive: When you get to this site hover over each satellite photo to view the devastation caused by the earthquake and tsunami. 

Find Japan on Google Maps

Click on the link above.