Published Writing on IPads through Scribble Press

We are authors!!!!  Everyone is excited to see their individual books and show them to the world via our blog pages.   There are a few students left to finish, but most are done writing and illustrating their pieces with the use of an app titled "Scribble Press".  This app allows students to write and illustrate their books before linking them and sharing them via blog pages and other modes presentation.

By the end of the week, please check out our 3B books (written from student selected pieces of writing) on our student blog pages.  There will be a link given on the blog page for you to click on and read.  There is also the option to order the books published (parents choice) if you would like.  I know the students would love to have parents post comments as well.

This was done after the students had their first round of the writing process, which involved a sloppy copy, editing, revising, and publishing.  

So just remember to look at the end of the week! Enjoy!

 

Reminder to Check Edmodo

The students have been doing a fabulous job working on various activities at home or coming in and finishing iPad activities in the morning.

I have not posted any assignments on Edmodo lately due to book clubs, but I will be starting that back up again.  So this is a reminder to students to check Edmodo every night after 4:30 to see if there is a post or activity to be completed.  This is a powerful way to introduce new concepts before we work on them in class, do individual activities, review concepts, as well as collaborate together.

Two weeks ago I introduced the students to the concept of ray, line segment, and lines in math thru the use of Edmodo.  Today, we started our unit on these concepts and the students buzzed through it because they already had the prior knowledge and skills needed to recognize and differentiate them.  The students were also much more confident in the task given them today simply because they were introduced to the ideas previously.....without even me saying a word.  I just used Edmodo.  It was awesome!

So please remember to check Edmodo nightly to see if there are assignments or activities to be completed.  Those that do not have internet need to remember to come in after 8:00 in the mornings to work on Edmodo or simply check it.

Successful Book Clubs Lead to Love of Reading!

I continue to be impressed and amazed with the passion for reading the students have with our book clubs.  The students are reading, sharing wonderful thoughts, analyzing their reading, having deep discussions, and most importantly....enjoying reading!  Love it!  Students are reading, blogging, and asking for more books constantly!

Most of the groups have wrapped up, or are finishing up, their second or third book for book clubs.  I think I am going to let all groups finish this week and then start fresh with new books when we return after break next Tuesday. (So there will be no required reading over break.)  So don't be surprised if your child tells you that they do not have any book club reading this week as most of the groups finished their book today.  There are two groups still reading and will try to wrap up the book by this Thursday.

We even had one of our book clubs from 3B go over to Mrs. Buehler's room today to model successful book clubs and what they look like.  Mrs. Buehler said those 3B students did excellent and her students are excited to start trying book clubs as well.

Keep reading 3B!

Done with Iowa Assessments! Time to Celebrate!

I think that all of us, me included, can honestly say we are glad to have Iowa Assessments completed!  It was so nice to have a normal morning today without any odd interruptions like testing.  The students also commented that it was a super morning getting back into our literacy routine.  I was pleased with the effort of most of the students with the Iowa Assessments.  Students earned "effort points" after each test that will be totaled up and used to select from a variety of prizes.  They will choose their prizes this Wednesday.

Great job 3B!  Pat yourself on the back!  We survived!

For the 3B Students... Book Review Blogs

This is just a list of suggested topics that students could write about for the book club review on their blog pages.  Many students stated they wanted to work on them at home this weekend (as they are loving their book clubs) so I told them I would post the list via my blog.

Here you go kiddoes!
1.  What are book clubs?
2.  What do you like about book clubs?
3.  What was the title of your book and who was the author?
4.  What was your book about?  (I would think you could tell at least 5-8 events from the story, if not more.  BUT.....don't give away the ending!)
5.  What was your favorite part and why?
6.  Other thoughts you have such as who was your favorite character?  Why do you think the author wrote this book?  What questions do you have about the book?
7.  Would you recommend this book to others?  Why or why not?
8.  What would you rate it (1 star for "not so good" and 5 for "super"?)  Anything in between works as well.  Why?

9.  Add a picture of your book as well or other pictures that go with the story.

Enjoy your blogging!  I look forward to reading them this weekend!

What is This????

Today I am going to introduce something called a QR Code.  We will be using them for different activities as well as learning how to make them ourselves!

Where have you seen these before?

Comments about Iowa Assessments...I Think I Can!

Just like the Little Engine that could...it is important to tell yourself "I think I can. I think I can."

It is time.....time for Iowa Assessments.  These were once called ITBS, Iowa Test of Basic Skills.  This is the first year 3rd graders will be taking the assessments.  3rd grade teachers have spread the different tests out over the next two weeks so that the students are not overloaded and stressed.   We will be taking one or two tests daily starting tomorrow, Wednesday, thru Thursday of next week.  Please try to schedule dental appointments around these two weeks as it is harder to do well when you miss a day and have to make the assessment up.

All I ask from you as parents is to make sure your child gets enough rest and eats a great breakfast before school every day.  I would also appreciate it if you talk to your 3rd grader about trying his/her best on the test and taking his/her time.  We have talked about these things in class, but I think hearing it from their parents would show students how important these test are.  BUT....do not "overtalk" about the tests and stress the students out either.  Simple remind them to do their best!

Snacks will be provided daily  ("Brain Food" I like to call it) by the school for students each testing day.

You can do it!

Report Card Time....Comments About Science

The days we miss due to snow or have late starts/early outs really does harm to our schedules.  It is tough to get everything in during these days of cut time and to do it well.  On days where we have late starts or early outs, Mrs. Sovereign requires that we do literacy and math.  Luckily our literacy involves a lot of nonfiction and readings connect to science and social studies.

Because of the limited time with science instruction this past quarter (many days not having science at all unless it is something we read about in literacy that connects to science), there will not be a science grade posted on your child's report card for 3rd quarter yet.  While the quarter officially ends today, we will hopefully finish up some activities, lessons, and assessments within the next 2-3 weeks and a score/assessment/grade  will be added then.  While we apologize for this, we as 3rd grade teachers did not want to just put a comment or assessment on the report card based off a few observations/activities.  This would not be fair to the students.  Mrs. Sovereign has agree with us that it is better to wait and then add the assessment/grade when we have spent more time and have more information about the student.

The pictures below show we have had SOME time with science (when we have had full days of school, which are few).  Students are working in groups preparing lessons about different simple machines.  They are loving the responsibility and the individualized learning is fabulous!  Hopefully the groups will be ready to start presenting sometime next week.

If you have any questions about the above information, feel free to contact me.

Amazing Book Clubs!

A book club enjoying Stone Fox

We are really loving our book club readings and discussion!  While each group has only met twice, I am amazed at the in-depth discussions going on and thoughts shared!  Mrs. Sovereign even sat with a group last week to listen for a little bit and was amazed herself!

Book clubs are simple that, a group of students or people reading and discussing the same book.  They are very powerful and create a passion for reading that is sometimes overlooked in education when you have a series to direct your reading. It also creates responsibility in the students as most of the reading is done outside the classroom and must be done in order to join the group on designated days for discussion.  The students will enjoy book clubs in 4th and 5th grade as well.  It looks like it has been a wonderful start to building our love for reading.

A book club enjoying Chocolate Fever

I encourage you to ask your child what book they are reading for book clubs (when they finish one, they will receive/select another to start with their group) and what it is about.  They are also using "thinking tracks" with post-it notes to record their thoughts while they read at home so ask them to share some of those as well.  These thinking tracks are used to guide discussion and share thoughts when the book clubs meets the next time.  They also help build comprehension of reading as the child is showing his/her thinking.

Great start to book clubs 3B!  Keep it up!  I look forward to our next discussions tomorrow!

World Read Aloud Day! Incredible Day of Guest Readers!

Wow!  I can not write in words what an awesome day we had yesterday in 3B for World Read Aloud Day!  This was a day celebrated around the world encouraging everyone to take some time and read aloud enjoying the sound of words.

Well Crestwood went big to celebrate!  We skyped in with many wonderful authors, great storytellers, government officials, and local celebreties!  When I told the students in the morning about the great day we had planned, they were beyond excited.  Here are pictures of the wonderful people who took time out of their day to read to students or  Skype in and read with us, as well as answer questions from the students.

Students listening to Sweet Tooth

The Cat in the Hat

We started the day with a reader's theater of the story Sweet Tooth done by Mrs. Foster, AKA The Cat in the Hat, and Mrs. Suckow, the sweet tooth.

A story that we have loved in literacy this year has been Tops and Bottoms written by famous author Janet Stevens.  Well, she happened to be on vacation with her sister in Las Vegas but she took some time to Skype in to students at Crestwood and read the story that we love out loud!!!!  Her sister was with her and they shared how they write books, showing us their storyboard for their new book, and answering questions about being authors!  This was a super experience for all students to enjoy hearing a popular author read and share thoughts about writing/reading!

Author Janet Stevens reading to the students 

Then we were honored to have Governor Branstad Skype in and read to us a story as well about the ABS of Iowa.  I was amazed by the discussion students had with the Governor, asking him questions about his job, his favorite books, and if he was a Cyclone or Hawkeye fan.  He also wanted the students to leave with the message to continue reading and dream big!

Governor Branstad reading to the students thru Skype

Our next skyped in reader was Mrs. P.  She is a wonderful storyteller that had the students wondering if she was telling the truth or a story when she shared about her pet eels and other strange pets she has.  She is hilarious and kept the students engaged as well.  Again, students had time to ask her questions about reading, writing, and her life.  This was a very enjoyable Skyping experience.  (If some of you adults ever watch the Drew Cari Show years ago, Mrs. P was "MiMi" on that show.  She is now a popular storyteller for children and holds writing contest and other wonderful activities building the love of reading in students.)  We follow her on Twitter and visit her webpage.  She even sent us a Tweet at the end of the day yesterday!

Mrs. P skyping in and sharing her funny stories

Our last special guest reader was a local celebrity, Officer R, as he said to call him.  This was Noah's father, Officer Ruroden, and he read to all the 3rd grade students!  The book he read had a powerful message of having good friends and "buddies"!  The students enjoyed asking him questions as well.  I think it was a wonderful way to end a fun filled day!  I can't thank Officer R enough!  Thanks so much!  We loved it!!!!

Noah and his dad, Officer Ruroden

Officer R reading to the students

So as you can tell, it was a busy and memorable day!  It is even better to think about how this same celebration happened around the world!

Read Across America

Last Friday the students and myself had a super time celebrating Read Across America and Dr. Seuss's birthday!  We read some wonderful Dr. Seuss books, did a blog post based on the book The Lorax after watching the original movie, and ended the day with some yummy "Seuss Soup".  It was a great day to celebrate a well known author as well as be reminded of the importance of reading.

I used an app on my iphone to take some great pictures of the students.  I have posted Jacy's picture below.  You can see the rest of the students' pictures posted on their lockers at Literacy-Tech Night next Thursday.

Take a look at the students' blogs written about what they would do to save the earth if they were the Lorax.  They would love some comments!

Remember to Check Edmodo

Just a reminder to students in 3B to check their Edmodo each night after 4:30.  I have been posting activities and lessons on Edmodo for students to continue learning and practicing while they are not at school.  Learning is never ending and part of that learning should be digital.

If you do not have a computer at home or access anywhere, please remember to come in after 8:00 and complete the Edmodo activities before 8:30.

Just wanted to send out that little reminder.  Most students have been very responsible and getting tasks completed on time.

Reminders on Cadet Pride and Character Counts

These crazy snow days have thrown many of the students off routine.  Last week I was gone a day to meetings, and that did not help either with student behavior as sadly, I have some students who think because I am gone, they can be disrespectful to the sub.  Others, I was very proud of for being respectful and responsible.

As a reminder to encourage positive behavior, we do Cadet Pride tickets.  I know everyone is familiar with those so I will not be going into detail about them.  They focus on the positive, as it should be!

I am seeing a lot more inappropriate behaviors that are not Cadet Pride choices, so we are going to try something.  In the past, the 3rd grade teachers used a sheet called "Character Counts Communique". We have not used it this year, but a few of us are starting this week with it.   It is a sheet students fill out when they are NOT demonstrating good character.  While it is the opposite of Cadet Pride, students are reminded what they need to work on changing.  With some of the behaviors I saw from students in 3B last week, there is a need for more accountability as well as communication to parents if problems arise.   The students mark the pillar that they broke, write about the behavior as well as what they will do to make sure it does not happen again.  The sheets are then sent home for parents to sign and return to school the next day.

I hope that I will not be sending many home, but I wanted to make parents aware of what these sheets are if they do appear.  Please discuss with your child the pillar they broke and what they can do to make sure it does not happen again.  Then return the sheet signed, by the following day.

Thank you for helping build good character in our students.  My main focus is the positive behaviors demonstrated with Cadet Pride, but we have some little issues that we also need to put to a stop.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me.  Thanks for your help and cooperation.  Let's get more Cadet Pride tickets 3B by demonstrating good character!  You can do it!!!

Starting Book Clubs!

The students were very excited today to start something new, book clubs!  These are just like they sound.  A group of students reading and discussing the same book focusing on sharing the enjoyment of reading.  (We are even throwing in some snacks and stuff on Friday as adult book clubs would.)

Your child started his/her book club today in the classroom.  We modeled and talked about recording our thoughts on reading tracks (post-it notes) and stopping to think about reading so we can share thoughts and ideas with our group.  After starting the book today, each group then decided how much they would like to have read by Friday of this week.  The number of pages was decided by the group, not me!

So 3B students are responsible for the following by Friday:
1.  Reading to the decided page.
2.  Recording thoughts and ideas on post it notes and sticking them in the book

They should return their book and tracks on Friday when their group will remeet, share thoughts and ideas, have deep discussion and continue on with their book club.  Some groups have shorter books for the purpose of just getting started and getting in a routine of understanding book clubs.  Once a book is completed by the group, they will be given another one.  The reading during the week is NOT done in the classroom but at home.

They are all very excited and ready to jump in to enjoy their super books!

Here is a another picture, per request of students, of the symbols used for reading tracks. I would also encourage the students to write a thought or two with each symbol so they remember specifically what they thought.

Have fun and enjoy!