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Kordeks Korner
Welcome to Kordeks Korner ! This is a biweekly newsletter to share what is available within our library and on the internet for you to use to support your curriculum. The resources will also be posted on my blog, Kordeks Korner, for future reference.
A Biweekly Newsletter

Chris Van Allsburg

Chris Van Allsburg is a renowned Caldecott winning author and and illustrator. His books contain engaging stories and illustrations. He has written over 15 books such as Polar Express, Zathura, Jumanji, and Two Bad Ants. His books can be used to teach a variety of topics such as inference and context clues. One of his books, Mysteries of Harris Burdick, has been the source of many writing competitions. Mysteries of Harris Burdick has one page illustrations with a title and captions. This format allows students to decided the story behind the illustration. At Chris Van Allsburgs website , you are provided with information and resources to have your students write their own Harris Burdick stories. Currently the New Yorker is having a writing competition because of the release of Chronicles of Harris Burdick. Chronicles of Harris Burdick contains stories written by famous authors about the original images. For more information, visit their website.

The Stranger
By: Chris Van Allsburg Call Number: E VAN Grade: K-4 This story is about a stranger who is brought back to a farm when he is hit by a truck. The stranger has a mysterious connection to the seasons. Suggestion: This story can be used a different way to discuss the changing of the seasons specically in fall and Indian Summers. It is also can be used to discuss clues within stories both text and illustrations.

Bad Day at RiverBend

By: Chris Van Allsburg Call Number: E VAN Grade: K-4 About a village being attack by bright swirly lines which they later nd out are crayon lines.

Suggestion: This book is excellent to discuss importance of illustrations and context clues. Reading the story with illustrations is different from reading the story without them. Two Bad Ants is also another story.

The Widows Broom

By: Chris Van Allsburg Call Number: E VAN Grade: K-4 This is a story about a witchs broom given to a widow and how her neighbors react.
Suggestion: This would be a good halloween story. It could be used for writing prompts about what the broom could do or be used for. It can also be a discussion about prejudice and misunderstanding
Kordeks Korner

The Wretched Stone

By: Chris Van Allsburg Call Number: E VAN Grade: K-4 Sailors nd an abandoned island with an unusual stone. They bring the stone onto the ship. All the sailors are memorized by it and turned into monkeys.
Suggestion: This story can be used to teach inference. The stone in the story is a TV but the only way to infer this is through the brief description, context clues and illustrations.
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Technology Resources

Holt Interactive Graphic Organizer

Website: http://my.hrw.com/ nsmedia/intgos/html/igo.htm Curriculum: K and up Uses: This could be used when doing in-class discussions. You could project the organizer, type in students answers and then print one for each student if it is being used for a writing prompt or project. Also can be used by students individually to create neat graphic organizers. Features: - Simple to use - Variety of topics and formats - Words can be added to sections without changing formatting. - Can be used both electronic as well as being printed

Wallwisher
Website: http://www.wallwisher.com/ Curriculum: Grade 1 and up

Math Pickle
Website : http://www.mathpickle.com/K-12/ Videos.html Curriculum: K and up

Uses: A way for students to post ideas on specic concept, brainstorm, or share information. Can be used following a video for students to share something they learned or brainstorm a new topic during centers. Example: http:// www.wallwisher.com/wall/ authorideas Features: - Can only be found using link, cannot be searched for - Teacher approval for postings - Both Text and Images can be posted - Can move notes around

Uses: There is not one set way to utilize the activities. They can be used whole or small group, introduction or review. Features: - Variety of Math Activities for all grade levels - Includes Powerpoint/Keynote presentations - Worksheets also included - Video explaining to teachers the activity and reasoning - Unsolved $1,000,000 problems

Additional Resources
USAToday and NASA: Space Station http://i.usatoday.net/tech/graphics/ iss_timeline/ash.htm Science Snacks: Projects and Activities Scribd You can Do! http://www.scribd.com/ http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/ index.html Scribd is a way to share PDFs online. It This is website that demonstrates the can be shared through Scribd or it can be different parts of the Space Station. It is a This website has a large variety of simple embedded into a website or blog. You short movie clip showing when each was science experiments that can be done in can share your PDFs and search for other added. If you click on different sections the classroom. Main page is a list of PDFs. This is how I share my newsletters you also learn more information. experiments (Title and brief description) online. (http://www.scribd.com/ kordekc)
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