Welcome Back from Vacation!

Welcome back to class!  It was a nice winter break for many of us and winter-y for sure!  We've returned to school with below zero temperatures again, but have no fear, our brains aren't frozen yet!  There's still lots more to learn!
We had a FABULOUS lesson today from our Four Winds parents Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Morgan.  We talked about insulators and types of insulation and even conducted an experiment on the best insulators.  In case you are wondering, of all of our choices, bubble wrap was the best insulator.
In Daily Five we started our discussion on making connections.  We started reading the book Mrs. Mack by Patricia Polacco while Ms. Allen modeled making the three types of connections all good readers make when they read.  They are text to text, text to self, and text to world.  Then, the students began reading NEW books in their literature circles!  Titles include: Socks by Beverly Cleary, Rules by Cynthia Lord, The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman, The Secret Tree by Natalie Standford.  Just like an adult book club, students will be reading a common book and discussing the events with their peers.  Be on the lookout for assignments that might pertain to their literature circle assignments!
We've had a great day and a good start to the week!    Keep up the good work KIDS and PARENTS!

Team Building

Today we played All Aboard in morning meeting. The object of the game was to get all of the students' feet into the two foot by two foot square. They did it!

Posted with Blogsy

Teachers Teaching Teachers

Welcome to class!  We're going to be learning about Google Blogger today.  Google Blogger is a FREE weblog publishing tool that allows you to share text, photos, and video. We'll go over the basics today - setting up a website, making posts, and navigating around Blogger.  If we have time, we'll talk about adding pictures to posts and an app called Blogster.  Thanks for signing up!

A few housekeeping items:  There's a bathroom here, but you may want more privacy. If so, there's an adult bathroom near the office.  To get there, go back down the ramps and through the double doors and the bathroom will be on your left.   If you are looking for water, go back toward the office and you'll see a hallway on your left.  Take that left and you'll see the fountain and water filtration system immediately to your left.

After today's session, you need to fill out a PD form for your hours and a session feedback survey.
Both are available below:

Professional Development Hours

Google Blogger Survey

Thanks for coming out today to learn about Google Blogger!  Have a nice LONNNNNGG weekend!

We're All Aglow!

Our electricity unit is sparking a current of interest! Here's a group making a simple circuit:

Posted with Blogsy

What We Know About Electricity

Today, we brainstormed what we know about electricity. Here we are brainstorming:

• During a thunder ant lightening storm electricity come in a straight line or in a ball
• Las Vegas uses the most electricity in the US
• We use electricity for lights, tv, cameras
• Static electricity can happen when two fabrics rub together
• Most lightening bolts come from the ground
• Some cars can be safer than houses in storms
• Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, and Nikola Tesla manipulated electricity

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Teachers Teaching Teachers

This Friday, while the students are beginning their lovely long weekend, teachers will be learning new skills from other teachers. I get to teach about Google Blogger! How fun is that!? I also get to show everyone this new app called Blogsy. My biggest reason to use Blogsy is for uploading picture more easily. Let's see what happens when I try uploading a picture:

 

Posted with Blogsy

Welcome Back to Class!

It's been a lovely two weeks off on our holiday vacation. We're well rested and ready to run toward the next vacation (just kidding).
A few reminders:
Early release is on January 16th
No School on January 19th in observance Martin Luther King Jr.
Please be sure to send your child to school with appropriate winter clothing and be sure it's labeled.
Onward to February vacation!  Only 5 weeks (we have so much to do)!  WOWZA!