Computer Science Education Week @ Jefferson

Computer Science Education Week @ Jefferson

December 5th-9th marked Computer Science Education Week around the world. Originally called "Hour of Code," this week was designed to expose students to computer coding and raise awareness about the need for computer science education. Besides being fun, there are important reasons why students need to have more computer science education. According to the Computer Science Education Week organization (csedweek.org), California currently has nearly 69,025 open computing jobs with only 3,525 computer science graduates in 2014; only 15% were female.  

Jefferson 3rd-5th graders participated in this event during their library and technology classes by learning basic computer coding skills through the Code.org website.  Jefferson parent, Leyla Alieva, a computer programmer, joined two classes to talk about her career in computer science and teach students basic coding.  When asked how they liked coding, most students gave two thumbs up! One 5th grader reported he loved it so much that he now knows what he wants to be when he grows up --a computer scientist. 

To learn more about coding and computer science, go to Code.org.  

Code.org 

Digital Citizenship Week --October 16-21

In honor of Digital Citizenship Week, all K-5th grade students at Jefferson are engaging in conversations on topics connected to Digital Citizenship during their library classes. What is Digital Citizenship?  Well, it is basically how one behaves online.  A good digital citizen is someone who is safe, responsible, and respectful while using any type of online technology.  Students in grades K-2 saw a video by Common Sense Media called My Online Neighborhood and discussed basic rules about computer use and online safety.  3rd-5th graders watched a different video by CSM, Power of Words, and discussed online communication and how to deal with cyber bullying using the acronym STOP (Step away, Tell a trusted adult, Okay websites only, and Pause and think before posting).

Because digital citizenship is so important, we will continue lessons on this topic throughout the school year following Common Sense Media's curriculum.

To learn more about digital citizenship or to find resources, please go to www.commonsensemedia.org.  

Jefferson Jaguars Book Club

When: 12:30-1pm (Dates below) --Bring your lunch with you.

Who: 4th/5th Graders

Where: Jefferson Library

What: Talk about the featured book.

Jefferson Jaguars Book Club

September 30  --The Real Boy by Anne Ursu. Illustrated by Erin McGuire. Published by Walden Pond Press, 2013.   

November 18 -- Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein. Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013.  

January 6  -- Rump by Liesl Shurtliff. Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013.

(Vote for California Young Reader Medal Favorite)

February 3 -- Book to be announced

March (TBD)

April (TBD)

May (TBD)

 

Welcome back to school Jefferson Jaguars!  I hope everyone enjoyed their summers, read great books, and explored new things.  The library will open next week starting Monday, August 22^nd.  All kindergarten through 5^th grade classes will visit the library at their scheduled times.  3^rd – 5^th grade classes will begin technology classes next week, too.  If you are interested in volunteering in the library on a weekly basis, please stop by the library and let me know.  I look forward to seeing everyone back in the library for another fabulous year of reading and learning.  See you soon!

Ms. Cahuas  

Summer Stride at the San Francisco Public Library

School is out and summer vacation is underway.  Research has shown that children who read and engage in learning activities throughout the summer do much better academically when the school year starts again.  Conversely, children who do not read over the summer have been shown to experience "summer slide," the loss of important skills learned in the previous school year.  One of the best ways to prevent summer slide is to participate in the San Francisco Public Library's free Summer Stride program.  In addition to summer reading opportunities, Summer Stride offers arts, crafts and science activities, trips to local National Parks, concerts, and much more.  Some branches even serve free lunch!   So, head to a local public library to check out books, use computers, and participate in fun activities now through August 14th, 2016.  

Link to SFUSD Suggested Reading Lists available at the SFPL.

5th Grade Book Review Podcast Project

As a final project with 5^th graders this spring, I decided to have students give podcasting a try.  I wanted a project that would blend technology and literacy, so podcasting provided a perfect platform for this.  A podcast is essentially an audio recording that can be listened to on a variety of devices including cellphones, laptops, and iPads. This format allows students to produce and share their work with others and expand their skills in technology, collaboration, and literacy.  

The process of creating podcasts involved writing a review of a favorite book, transforming the review into a script for the podcast, recording the podcast with GarageBand software, and uploading the audio file to the library website.  Although students encountered a few technological glitches, the project proved to be a success.  Please visit the Jefferson Library Website to listen to some of the podcasts.  

 Read Across America Day

March 2nd, 2016

Jefferson held its annual "Read Aloud Day" on March 2nd, 2016.  Parents and community members including District 4 Board of Supervisors Representative Katy Tang, local Fire Engine 22 Firefighters, and Woodside International High School students visited classrooms and read books to students.  Read Across America Day was started in 1998 by the National Education Association in an effort to celebrate and promote children's literacy because children who are motivated to read and spend more time reading do better in school.  Jefferson students were excited to hear so many great stories read by so many wonderful community members.  We thank all who participated and gave their time to help promote a love of reading at Jefferson!  

Jefferson Library Update, February 2016

Dear Jefferson Community,

With the second semester of school underway, the newly renovated library has been bustling with activity. Students have been excited to listen to and check out some of the nearly 700 new books recently purchased with PEEF funds including award-winning chapter books, early readers, information texts, and picture books. Jefferson students love to read!  Also purchased with PEEF funds were six stools and a rug for a cozy reading nook.

Unlike other schools, Jefferson has a full-time librarian, so students receive weekly library instruction and 3^rd-5^th grades have additional computer instruction every other week. During library visits:

·      Kindergartners are learning about different authors and illustrators and how to choose books independently. 

·      First graders are learning about literary genres and concepts about non-fiction books. 

·      Second graders are using the library laptops to learn how to search for and locate books in the library. 

·      Third graders learned how to access eBooks on the library website and are learning how to create Google documents. 

·      Fourth and fifth graders honed their research and Google Slide presentation skills. 

·      Third, fourth, and fifth graders learned about important digital citizenship topics such online safety, website evaluation, and cyberbullying. 

As my first year at Jefferson, it has been a delight to help create a new library space and program. I have enjoyed working with all the Jefferson students, teachers, and parents in this endeavor. The enthusiasm for learning and reading that I witness each and every day is pure joy. 

A special thank you to Emma Smith and Siobhan Clare, our wonderful parent library volunteers. If you, too, would like to know how you can support our students as a library volunteer, please stop by or send me an email.

Sincerely,

Ms. Sarah Cahuas, Jefferson Librarian

cahuass@sfusd.edu

Greetings from the new librarian

Hello! I am the new librarian at Jefferson Elementary School. This is my fifth year as a librarian in the San Francisco Unified School District.  I have also worked at Rooftop, Alamo, Sutro, and the Chinese Education Center.  Before becoming a librarian, I taught kindergarten and pre-k in New York City and worked as a literacy research assistant in Detroit and Minneapolis.  I have a Master's in education and just recently completed my school library certification. I wanted to become a school librarian because I love books, am interested in literacy, and also love helping students research different topics.  I am originally from Detroit, Michigan and moved to San Francisco in 2002 with my family.  Outside of the library, I enjoy taking dance classes, listening to all kinds of music, hiking Bay Area trails, and traveling.  The library is open before and after school, so please stop by to say "hi."

Sarah Cahuas