2016 Get Georgia Reading

April 22, 2016 April 22, 2016

Summer reading in Georgia starts...now! Free access to tons of books, spanning genres, languages, audience age ranges you can access 24 hours a day – every day – through Aug. 31.

You can search from more than 50 different categories and genres, fiction and nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, titles for struggling and reluctant readers, and Spanish and bilingual titles. It’s like having your own personal library right at your fingertips.

Ready, Set, Read

During 2015, kids throughout the state read 103,636 books and spent 60,719 hours reading from mid-April through August.

“This year, we’re challenging Georgia to top last year’s numbers by reading more than 200,000 books and spending over 100,000 hours reading,” said Get Georgia Reading Campaign Director Arianne Weldon. “We want you to light up your community on our heat map.”

Here’s how you can get reading, right now: To login, go to myON.com and click the red Log in now button. ​School Name: Get Georgia Reading, Georgia Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Note: Do not cut and paste. Start typing "Get Georgia" and select the school from the drop down menu when it appears. Username: read Password: read Click the Sign in button, select a book, and start reading.

For more information, visit Get Georgia Reading.

iPads in Music Class

February 23, 2016 February 23, 2016

    A visitor to Irwin County Elementary School might notice that one classroom sounds a little different from some of the others.  The noises from Dee Hodnett’s classroom filter out into the hall; recorder music, classical tunes, and children singing or calling out excitedly are just some of the things that happen in the room.  Dee Hodnett, the music teacher at I.C.E.S., has added a new facet to her classroom instruction with a set of mini-iPads for student use.  These devices revolutionize the way Mrs. Hodnett can bring music into the lives of her students.
     Hodnett uses the iPads as a teaching tool in many different ways.  Her students can take interactive quizzes on music topics through a program called Kahoot, with their answers automatically posting on the board in a real-time trivia contest.  Students compete to see who can reach the top of the leader board and receive prizes for their musical knowledge.  Students in every grade use the Kahoot program.
     Mrs. Hodnett uses a program called Quaver throughout her music instruction.  Quaver is a performer who teaches children about music, interacts with children at each participating school in multiple ways, and provides an app and web tools for children to learn about music and even create their own sheet music.  Quaver even Skypes with students and answers their questions.  In the past, Hodnett had to put Quaver’s tools on the board and call the children up individually, but now each child has access to the program at the same time via the Quaver app on the iPad.
     If any time is left in the class period after the group musical instruction, students may use their iPads to complete assigned tasks or play musical games.  Every single app on the student iPads was downloaded for free and is music-related.  Students can help play classical music, identify musical notes, or watch pianists play complex pieces. 
     Mrs. Hodnett sees great potential for her iPads as a classroom tool, saying, “I am glad to have another way to show students that everyone has their own special musical gifts.  In the world of music, there is a place for everyone.  The students and I are so grateful for this new tool.”

Coming February 22 to Our School!

February 12, 2016 February 12, 2016

LUNCHBOX BUDDIES!

Because our school participates in the Community Eligibility Program (all students may eat breakfast and lunch free of charge) we are thrilled to be able to offer this exciting option to students who choose to bring their lunch from home.  Introducing:  LUNCHBOX BUDDIES!

This lunch option will consist of:

• 4 oz. yogurt

• 1 oz. cheese stick

• Individual bag of grain based chips

• Their choice of fruit or vegetable

• Choice of milk (not required)

All a student has to do is come through the lunch line carrying their lunchbox and they may receive a LUNCHBOX BUDDY at NO CHARGE!  All the parent has to do is pack a sandwich!

The Lunchbox Buddies program begins FEBRUARY 22!