Winter Break and Holiday Traditions

Winter Break and Holiday Traditions

It's so exciting! Winter break is near! What are your plans? What are you looking forward to most? Are you traveling or staying in Houston? If you celebrate Christmas, what are some of your family's traditions you look forward to every year? If you celebrate Hanukkah, what are some of your traditions?

Ivan!

The One and Only Ivan

Ivan the Silverback has been in his domain separated from his kind for years. He has made friends with Bob, Stella, Julia and precious baby elephant Ruby.

Please share your thoughts on this wonderful book so far. Which character is your favorite? Why? Can you think of any memorable lines or themes so far?

Themes

Themes - Big Ideas

Today, we discussed the difference between plot and theme. Plot is the main events in a story. Themes are big ideas (patience, kindness, perseverance, anger, friendship etc). We have been focusing on the themes or big ideas from our own reading books and class read-alouds. Please write about a theme you've discovered in your reading or class read-aloud and give an example. I will write one as well! Please read my example before you write your blog entry.
**Attention: Setting is where a story takes place. Please focus on the THEME (messages in the story).

Panda Path

This week, we visited the Panda Path pre-k students at the Spring Branch Family Development Center. We brought books to read and donate. Please describe your experience. You may write about what you enjoyed and what was challenging. How did it feel to give away the gift of a book? Did you learn anything about your buddy? Would you like to return? Please write in complete sentences.

Giving Thanks

We are learning that the Native Americans practiced gratitude often. They even thanked the animals for giving them the gift of food. Thanksgiving is just weeks away. Many of us will spend time with family and friends. This holiday gives us time to think about what we are grateful for. 
Please share some of the people and things that fill your heart with gratitude! Write at lease 3 sentences please. 

Science Share

Monday is your first science test. You've been learning about the metric system and nutrition. Please share four to five facts that you have learned during these units. What is your studying strategy? Be sure to write in complete sentences and use the correct punctuation and capitalization. 

Disappointment

Today, we faced some disappointment when our field trip to Panda Path did not take place. Disappointing events can be hard and emotional. In writing workshop today, we wrote about some other times we have been let down and how we coped with it. Please think back to writing workshop. What is one time in the past that you have been disappointed? How did you fix the problem? Did someone help you make a plan to make things better? 

Reading Share

We love to read! We have been reading nonfiction and fiction in class. Please write about what book or books you have recently finished (in school or at home). Then, write about what you are reading now and what you plan to read next. We should always be thinking about what we want to read next so that we are always reading! Reading each others' responses may give YOU an idea about what to read next!

Wonder Wednesday

Today we started Wonder Wednesday! We learned that there are great web sites for SAFE searches of information. We should not just "google it". What do you wonder about? Did you find something about your wonder on Wonderopolis? Explore Wonderopolis and write about what you found! http://wonderopolis.org/ You can keep your wonders about creepy creatures for Halloween like we did in class or, focus on a new wonder. YOUR CHOICE!

Native American Learning

Today we watched the movie American Heritage: Native Americans. The movie is posted below if you would like to watch any part again. Please try to share at least three sentences of new learning. What region are you most interested in studying?

Native Americans - What do we know? What do we wonder?

This week, we have worked with Upper School students to begin wondering and learning about the Native Americans. Please write at least one sentence explaining a new fact you learned. Also, write two sentences telling what you wonder about Native American life. What do you want to know about how tribes lived?

Read Aloud Reflection

How to Steal a Dog - Reflection

"I knew I had made the right decision because my tapping insides had finally settled down. But I still felt bad about what I'd done. I wished I could turn back time far enough to where I could do things different." Georgina pg. 169

Today, we finished reading How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor. What are your thoughts about Georgina's actions? What are some of the big themes in the book? Do you have any lingering questions? How did you feel after we finished the book today?Please write a few sentences. Remember to use correct capitalization and punctuation. 

Independent Reading

We love to read for fun! Let's have a reading conversation.

Please share the book that you are reading and tell us why you like it! Make US want to read YOUR book!

Welcome to our 3rd Grade Blog!

Dear third graders,
Welcome to our class blog! This is a place to discuss and think critically about our experiences in school. We have begun math groups, reading workshop and writing workshop. Please write a sentence or two about your favorite 3rd grade experience in our classroom so far.

Terrific Technology Projects

Please view your classmates' projects on the Kinkaid 3rd Grade Website. Write a message to the author of the project your viewed. What were you impressed with? What did you like? What did you learn? What might you want to try next time you create a project?

Living History Museum

Yesterday and today, we visited 4th Grade's Living History Museum. We took our clipboards to write down key facts and information about historical people we are interested in. Please list the people you visited. Then, choose one person to focus on. Share his or her character traits and what they are remembered for.

Pioneer Reflection

We had wonderful time sharing our Westward Expansion projects and work samples! I am curious. What was your favorite activity that we did during this unit? Was is the journal, the iBook with widgets, Aurasma, time line, map, brain tracking or viewing to learn with Little House on the Prairie? Please give a detailed explanation about what you liked or did not enjoy as much. 

Living your Dream

Dan Yaccarino

Charlie Escher

 In the past two weeks, we met two inspirational men who shared the same message. Even though these men have extremely different careers, they both spent time when they were young thinking about what they love doing and what they were interested in. Mr. Escher and Mr. Yaccarino studied and worked hard to make their passion a career. Dan Yacarrino suggested we take time to close our eyes and think about the thing we most love to do, what makes us happiest. Please reflect on your interests. What do you love to do? What do you hope you can do every day in your work when you grow up?

Dan Yaccarino uses his passion of drawing every day as an illustrator, animator and art teacher!

Charlie Escher uses his passion for action, space and planes every day as a Navy pilot!

Science Share!

I know you have been working hard to prepare for your science testabout structures and electricity. Impress me with your knowledge! Write at least three sentences explaining what you know. 

Visiting Author

Dan Yaccarino

In less than two weeks the author, Dan Yaccarino, will be visiting our school.  Today CAFE attendees read All the Way to America, which is a book about immigration and the American Dream.  We also read Jacques Cousteau (please watch) who became our guide of the oceans.  Please visit Mr. Yaccarino's website and read more about him.  You may want to watch a few of his videos. Please tell us what you have learned about Mr. Yaccarino and write 2 or 3 questions that you would like to ask him as an author and illustrator. Be original!!!  

Spring Break!

Spring Break is near! I know we are all excited to relax, sleep in, read and maybe even go on a trip. What are your plans for Spring Break? What are you most looking forward to? In three or four well-written sentences, please share with us your Spring Break plans or hopes!

On the Trail!

Think about your pioneer family. What are some good things that might happen to your family on the trail? What are some bad things or dangers your family may face? 
Think about all of the knowledge you have been learning from research and reading Joshua's Journal.
Please write at least 2 good things and 2 bad things that might happen to your family. Write in complete sentences. 

Pioneer Personalities

Westward Ho!
Today we chose our pioneer names. Introduce yourself to the wagon train. Tell your name, age, gender and your role in the family. Use your knowledge from our research and Joshua's Journal to tell about your responsibilities on the trail.

Spanish Field Trip

Yesterday, we travelled to Stevenson Middle School to see two performances by the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet. We learned about many types of dances from all over Latin America and Spain.
Please reflect on your memories from the performances. What was the most interesting or impressive to you?

To help your memory, we saw these dances from Latin America:
Mexico: Jarabe Tapatio
Colombia: The Cumbia
Dominican Republic: Merengue
Cuba and Puerto Rico: Salsa
Brasil: Samba
                                                      Argentina: Tango, Gauchos Dance: Malambo, Boleadoras

Spain:
La Jota
La Tuna
Zarzuela
Sevillanas
Flamenco

A Long Trip

This week in library, we finished reading Roughing it On the Oregon Trail by Diane Stanley. We learned that the pioneers travelled 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri to Oregon Country. The trip was slow-going and took 6 months by wagon! Think about the longest trip you have been on. How did you get to your destination (bike, car, plane)? What did you do for entertainment? How did you feel when you arrived?

Westward Expansion

Stay or Leave?

The year is 1844. People are talking about President Polk's words, "Manifest Destiny." We learned today that Manifest Destiny was the belief that Americans were destined to conquer the continent Ocean to Ocean. Will you be a pioneer and travel the Oregon Trail for 6 months to help America grow? Or, will you choose to stay put. What are your reasons for leaving on the trail or staying in your current home? Use your knowledge of why people stayed and why people headed West to help guide your decision. 

International Fair 2014

This week we visited Australia and India!
What are your feelings about your travels?
What was your favorite experience in both countries?
Please share your new learning with us too!

Westward Expansion

Today we viewed a short video about the Oregon Trail. What is a fact that impressed you or stood out to you?  What are at least two wonders you would like to investigate further? Please read each other's comments and try not to repeat posts.

Realistic Fiction

In preparation for our realistic fiction writing unit, we have been identifying character traits in the stories and texts we are reading. Please start brainstorming a fictional character you might want to write a story about. What are his or her physical traits (looks) and personality traits (how he/she acts)? Think of a problem your character might face in your fiction story and share with us!

International Fair

Have you found the answer to your wonder about Australia or India yet? Use this link LS Subscription Databases to read more about Australia and India. Please write two new facts you have learned about either country. Please read your classmates' responses and try to post something new and different. 

International Fair Wonders

What are your wonders about India and Australia? Please write at least one QUESTION you hope to learn the answer to for each country. Read your classmates' posts. Please do not repeat questions!