As we read Chris Van Allsburg's "The Stranger" this week we'll be studying other fantasy examples in movies and literature.
In this preview from "Avatar" think about what is "normal" about Pandora, and what makes it a "fantasy"?
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
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Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 26, 2010
Shopping?
Out shopping this weekend?
Stay in and check out our December Book Order. Great deals for you and free books for our class!
Check out our book order page at Scholastic and use our book order code GNTJN to send them to my room.
Don't want to order online? Paper order forms will be sent home Monday!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.
Stay in and check out our December Book Order. Great deals for you and free books for our class!
Book orders will be Due December 3rd and never take more than 7 days to arrive.
If you'd like to order something and pick it up at school without your little 4th grade elf knowing, just let me know.
Check out our book order page at Scholastic and use our book order code GNTJN to send them to my room.
Don't want to order online? Paper order forms will be sent home Monday!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Lincoln Thanksgiving Proclamation
Have a wonderful and thankful Thanksgiving today.
Here is Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1863. Even in the midst of a civil war Lincoln remembered and was thankful for everything the country, people, and he still had.
I'm thankful for the creativity, interest, insight, and enthusiasm of young learners.
I'm thankful for the well behaved, knowledgeable and respectful students at our school.
I'm thankful that even through setbacks students continue to learn, grow, and succeed.
I'm thankful for the privilege of teaching and watching your children grow into amazing people.
I'm thankful, well, for Lincoln's decree of a national holiday and a few days off!
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Secretary of State
Here is Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation from 1863. Even in the midst of a civil war Lincoln remembered and was thankful for everything the country, people, and he still had.
I'm thankful for the creativity, interest, insight, and enthusiasm of young learners.
I'm thankful for the well behaved, knowledgeable and respectful students at our school.
I'm thankful that even through setbacks students continue to learn, grow, and succeed.
I'm thankful for the privilege of teaching and watching your children grow into amazing people.
I'm thankful, well, for Lincoln's decree of a national holiday and a few days off!
By the President of the United States of America.
A Proclamation.
The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.
In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.
Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.
No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.
I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.
By the President: Abraham Lincoln
William H. Seward,
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Night before Thanksgiving
The very next evening,Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.
Eight families were blessed
With eight fluffy
Thanksgiving turkeys
As guests.
They feasted on veggies
With
jelly and toast,
And everyone was thankful
(The turkeys were
most!).
So each one gave thanks
For love and for living
And
they all had a wonderful
Happy Thanksgiving.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tiny Visitor
Some students, especially 3rd graders, have seen this little guy. Isn't he just too cute!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Air Force Brass Band Visit
Check out this amazing performance the students were lucky enough to see last week! The Air Force Academy Brass Band visited and with just 6 members recreated a number of classic songs, patriotic songs, and toe tapping numbers for our enjoyment.
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Make sure your speakers are on, but not too loud!!
If you didn't notice, I also have officially learned how to upload to YouTube and then embed in the blog. Teachers keep learning too!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Working Hard!
Students are also often reminded about the importance of going back into the text to find answers!
focus, focus, focus!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Critter Visit
A few weeks ago we had a family pet come visit.
The reading passage for the week was all about sea turtles.
These guys ate chicken and papaya!
The reading passage for the week was all about sea turtles.
These guys ate chicken and papaya!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
100% Engagement
As a school we are working hard at what we call "100% engagement"
This means that during academic times students are following the lesson, particiapting, and actively learning.
Our Promethean Board ActiVotes (clicker in system) also helps keep students accountable and engaged with the lesson. The immediate scoring of a question with the ActiVotes keeps eyes and brains on the lesson.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Turkey in Need of Dressing
By now you have seen this poor turkey.
He or she really needed dressing.
And wow, what outfits they came back to school in!
Elvis, Police Captain, disco dancer, professional golfer, rock star, and many more creative costumes!
Our next writing project is a biography of these Turkeys!
Want to dress another turkey complete with a crown, leggings, and sunglasses? It still isn't as cute as some of the ones at school right now!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Onomatopoeia
We are working in writing on learning about different types of figurative language. This means students are learning words, phrases, and techniques to add style and interest to their writing.
What sounds did you hear today?
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Attendance
Nine students received awards for perfect attendance first quarter. This is a great accomplishment, often really due to their parents! Nice job!While we DO NOT want students to be sent to school sick (if they've had a fever in the last 24 hours) attendance is very important. If you have specific questions about attendance please contact our front office.
Missing one day could mean missing:
- The weeks main vocabulary lesson
- Introducing a new concept in math
- Review of material before a test
- Writing conference based on their work
- Their only time seeing a specials teacher for the next 3 days
- Discussion about the next paragraph, chapter, or line in reading
- A test or assessment to guide our instruction about how they are progressing
- Practice for readers theater with their group
- Getting to experiment with hands on materials in science
- A guest speaker, presentation, or assembly
- a lot of assignments...
As cold and flu season is upon us, please remind and encourage your child about all the healthy measures to take to stay healthy.
Thanks to all those kids who are there each and every day ready to learn and the parents getting them there!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Minotaur
This week during our focused reading time my reading group will continue to read about the Greek myths, this time about the Minotaur. These myths have many different versions so explore some additional myths outside of class. If you would like to listen to one about the Minotaur this week go to Storynory and you'll find many myths, including one about the Minotaur.
As someone who loves classic literature, it is exciting to see how interested students are in the Greek myths. The mythology and literary importance will continue through high school and college level classes.
Classic pieces of literature like Homer's epic poems Illiad and Odyssey have many references to these Greek myths. The characters and stories continue to be referenced throughout literary history into Shakespeare, poets such as Tennyson, Keats, Byron, Shelley, and American writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and T.S Eliot.
My English Literature Loving Heart is Pitter-Pattering!
Does your child want to learn more about the Greek Myths? Check out this site for kids!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Athena Inventions
In my focused reading group this week we are reading a greek myth about the goddess Athena. She is considered in the myth the godess of wisdom and had many inventions "credited" to her.
One is the plough. Many students aren't familiar with farming or an old fashioned plough, so here is a video to see what that looks like!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
One is the plough. Many students aren't familiar with farming or an old fashioned plough, so here is a video to see what that looks like!
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Maisy
When is the last time you saw a tutu dancing across the lawn? Are you getting YOUR exercise?
I'm sure after Maisy did her outdoor dancing she ate a healthy dinner and did some evening reading with Miss Essick.
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
I'm sure after Maisy did her outdoor dancing she ate a healthy dinner and did some evening reading with Miss Essick.
Posts on More Than the ABC’s may include links to external websites. Links to external sites are not under the editing control of the author of More Than the ABC’s. Please ask that children use adult supervision when visiting websites outside of this blog, especially YouTube. While there are many great videos, please considering the ability for the public to post and comment on videos on YouTube.
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