Math Games for Kids

This link is a great resource for kids to use in the computer lab and at home to practice math skills in a fun, animated way!IXL Math Games

Latest TED talks video

The 8 secrets to success is a fantastic video. I would love to share it with my students except it has a cuss word in it. I think the video is inspiring because it makes you question whether or not you are doing the right things with your life. I dont really think that they are secrets but they are truly things to "make you go hmmm?" I think the entire thing is about self-reflection and whether or not you are truly fulfilling your own destiny and success.

I recently read the article "Do You Spend Too Much Time Preparing for Standardized Tests?" and really agree with some of the issues that were posed.  It is true that we spend much of our Spring testing students over what they have learned throughout the previous year.  I agree with gathering data and being able to guide our instruction toward making gains in deficit areas.  I do not agree with MORE testing--like in Texas, 15 tests? This seems a little excessive and unnecessary.  I think that the data will provide the information needed with a couple of tests, not 15.  I'm sure that this debate is not going away and that our opinions on the topic need to be heard by many people making these decisions.

10 Picture Tour

One of our fearless leaders, Mrs. Harvey.  She is the enforcer of the "No Bully Zone"

My partner in crime, Sarah Armstrong.

The door to my room. 

The empty gym, kind of a rare thing during the day.

The music room, with our student teacher hiding behind the xylophones.  

My second home. 

The information center in from of our school.

My Classroom from a different perspective.  

Our library in use.  

The doors to a great experience.  

This blog has been created to keep 6th graders and their parents up to date with current events, reminders and important news happening in Mrs. Williams's 6th grade class.

My name is Keri Williams and I teach 6th Grade at Leonard Lawrence Elementary in Bellevue Ne.  I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees from Peru State College.  I am a Bellevue native, I have taught for Bellevue Public Schools for the past 18 years.  I enjoy spending time with my family, I have 3 daughters who also attend schools in Bellevue.  I love to shop, go to the movies and watch HGTV.  I enjoy watching my daughters play sports and spending time with friends.

My experience with technology varies.  My Master's degree is in technology, but that was technology from 1999.  Things are very different now-- I try to be brave and try new things for myself but often times I end up frustrated and have to ask someone else for help.  I am slowly but surely incorporating technology into my classroom.  I was always a PC person until the district ripped our HP's away from us and we were left with this MAC--I am so thankful that they did!  I love this thing!  It is fast and easy to use, my own children all have Ipads and Ipods, so I think that we are transitioning into the MAC world.  In my classroom, technology is limited because the students don't have access to technology in their hands on a regular basis.  We have computer lab and I have assigned a few quizzes through Google Docs and that was really successful.  I use the Rover on a regular basis, I project things from my computer to share with the kids--some You Tube videos, some Learn 360, some quick tutorial type things.  I would love to be more "techie" in my room, it is just still the unknown and I dont feel like I have all the pieces to be successful--soon I hope!

6th Grade

What's New???

We are currently working on an art project called Pointellism.  The students had the opportunity to choose a picture, give it a heavy black outline, now we are filling in all in with tons of tiny dots.  This art form has been used by artists for years.  The students are having a really good time and I am anxious to see the final products displayed in the halls of Leonard Lawrence.