Reader's Theater

Our class has been practicing reading with fluency and expression.  We have practiced reading with punctuation, reading with meaningful inflection, and bringing characters to life by creating a movie in our mind with actions and character voices.

We put on two plays for our reading buddies.  One was Moo Who? by Margie Palatini and the other was Piggie Pie by Margie Palantini.  I think some of the students in our class have a future on stage!

Here is the link to the videos: http://3laquay-2012.wikispaces.com/Bringing+Characters+to+Life

What did you learn through preparing for this reader's theater? 

Ms. LaQuay's Top Ten Thanks This Thanksgiving

Today I am taking time to think about my blessings.  I am especially thinking about the many reasons I am thankful to be a teacher.  I created my top ten list in a slide show!  I hope you'll read it and let me know what are you thankful for this year!

Click on the LINK below to read it...

My Top Ten Thanks This Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jack Gantos

We had a very talented children's author visit our school.  He shared his love of books and bookish questions and thinking.  His books illustrate his life that is full of fun and adventure and his stories make us all laugh out loud.  Many of the stories he shared are based on his journal from when he was a child and we found those stories unbelievable!  I feel so lucky to have had this opportunity to learn with Jack Gantos in our classroom.

What did you enjoy most about Jack Gantos visit to our classroom and school?  

What did you learn from his visit with us?

Did he inspire you to try something new?  If yes, what did you try?

Team Building Experience

Today we spent 2 hours outside working together.  We participated in several different activities that gave us real experiences with working in teams to solve problems.  Here are some of the activities we participated in:

• Octopus & Little Fishy
• I LOVE ASW
• Create a machine/ Tennis Ball
• Make a circle, square, triangle
• Blindfolded--Capture the keys
• Marble through the tube

After this activity you all spent some time reflecting on your experience.  You thought about what you did well and what you want to work on to be an even better teammate next time.

Now, I want you to reflect even further.

Which of the activities did you find the most challenging to participate in as a team member?  Why?  

What was your role in the team--a leader, follower, or both?  (Please explain.)

How To Post a Quality Comment

Tips to write a Quality to Comment on a Blog Post

1. Compliment in a specific way.
2. Add new information or facts about the topic of the post.
3. Make a connection with the blogger and other commenters to get a conversation going.
4. End with a question about the topic.
5. Proofread your comment!

These are the tips we've learned about how to write quality comments on a blog post.

What tips do you see our commenters using in their blog posts?  

Are they leaving compliments? 

Are they adding new information?

Are they making connections with one another?

Are they asking questions connected to the topic?

Have they proofread their comments?

Picking Books

On Tuesday, we learned that their are a lot of similarities between how people pick shoes and books!

I PICK--

• I choose not you, I choose my book.
• Purpose- You have a reason to read the book
• Interest-  You're interested in the topic/ story
• Comprehend - You understand the book
• Know - You know most of the words

 This video is fun!  Maybe our class should make a video too!

Do you think you're picking good books for yourself?  Tell us an example of a book you picked and tell us why you think it was a good choice.

Open House

On Thursday we had Open House in our classroom.  Jan made a wonderful sign and students held it up for some fantastic photos.  The evening began at 6:00 in the theater where our new principal, Craig Belshe, shared his first impressions about our school.  He also shared about the change in our reporting system to "Standards Based."  In our class turn out was parents for 15 out of 20 students. 

The agenda was:
6:20 Greeting/ Agenda and sign in table  (Help Wanted--Please Volunteer!)
6:25 Parent Night Quiz
6:30 Class Webpage -- 3laquay-2012.wikispaces.com  (Top Ten Tidbits for Parents)
6:40 Scavenger Hunt -- Investigate your child's learning in the classroom!
6:55 Closing & Wrap Up

I would love feedback from parents.

What worked well at Open House for you as a parent?
 How could I make the next presentation even better for you (or for parents at Open House next year)?

Compliments and suggestions are welcomed!

First Full Week of Third Grade

We've just finished our first full week of third grade.  We have had many different fun activities to get to know one another over the first 8 days of our new class.  I've listed a bunch of the activities below...

• Eggbert Project
• Musical Laps
• Fruit Basket
• Scavenger Hunt
• Morning Greetings
• Family Photo
• Favorite Book
• Hopes and Dreams
• "All About Me" -- The Math Curse!
• SMARTS
• Wacky Interviews

What activity did you enjoy the most?  Why?