Now Showing: Fantastic Fables!!!

Just click on the fable you'd like to view.  Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think.

Have a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving!

The Nosy Eagle - Group 4HZ
The Hawk and the Peacock - Group 3HZ
The Duck and the Snake - Group 5HZ
The Chipmunk and the Bear - Group 6HZ
The Pig and the Elephant - Group 8HZ
The Alligator and the Fish - Group 3MS
The Frog and the Snake - Group 7MS
The Turtle and the Scorpion - Group 2HZ
The Turtle and the Deer - Group 1HZ
The Turtle and the Puppy - Group 5MS
The Pig and the Evil Wolf - Group 8MS
The Pony and the Sand Boa - Group 7HZ
The Cat and the Dog - Group 2MS
The Swan and the Pig - Group 6MS
The Cat and the Wolf - Group 1MS
The Grasshopper and the Skunk - Group 4MS

We Maxed Out On Fun!

Today we took our first field trip of the year!  With excitement in the air, a sea of blue t-shirts eagerly piled onto a bus and headed to the IMAX Theater.  We arrived and were fitted with the ever-so-stylish 3D glasses, then settled in to witness the wonders of the Universe in, Hubble 3D.  We were left truly in awe.  The Orion star nursery was my favorite part.  Those tiny solar systems developing in cocoons...wow!  What was your favorite part?

Then it was off to the picnic area for those delicious homemade lunches...thanks moms and dads!

Finally, it was back into the theater for our final feature of the day, Under the Sea.  We witnessed the majesty of the ocean and its inhabitants.  Some were adorable (could those seals have been any cuter), some were creepy (sea snakes...aaaggghhh!), and some were fascinating (those leafy sea dragons).  All in all, a very enjoyable film. What was your favorite sea creature?  Which movie did you enjoy the most?  Why?  Check out more of the fun below.

Persuasive Writing Menu Choices

Here is a menu of choices for the second persuasive writing project we will be working on this year.  We have already done some writing to convince an audience with a group of friends, but now we will work individually to develop positions and create an argument.  Students were asked to peruse this menu of choices in class today.  They were asked to select their choice and copy it into their notebook before brainstorming with a partner.  Students are welcome to begin pre-writing at home over the long weekend, but they should not begin a draft until we learn more about the elements of persuasive writing in class.  Pre-writing is optional, not required.

Pretend you are a Christmas tree at a Christmas Tree Farm.  You really want a family to choose you.  Here comes the family now.  Create an advertisement that would convince them to choose you for their tree this year.

Imagine that you are a turkey…gobble, gobble!  You DO NOT want to be eaten this Thanksgiving.  Convince the hunter who has captured you to release you and eat other foods instead.

Write a letter to your parents convincing them to get you a pet.

Write a letter to Santa convincing him that you’ve been good and deserve a certain gift this Christmas.

Write a letter to the lunch lady convincing her that she should serve your favorite foods more often.

Pretend a litter problem has developed on your school’s campus.  Students are throwing trash on the ground, leaving empty soda cans and bottles outside on benches, and dropping napkins and other trash on the cafeteria floor rather than carrying them to the trash can.  Your principal has reacted by cancelling all outdoor recess until the problem is taken care of.  What is your position on this issue?  Make a poster convincing your classmates to stop littering.

Think about where people live.  People live in small towns, large towns, or even big cities.  Some people live on farms or in houses in the country.  Some people live inland and some live at the beach along the coast.  Think about where it is best to live and why.  Choose the one place where you would like to live and give reasons why you think it is the best.

Because of budget cuts, your school district is thinking of getting rid of resource classes for next year.  Write a letter to the school board that states your position and convinces them to change their minds.

We all know what happened to the gingerbread man when he rode on the foxes’ back to cross the river.  Write a conversation between you and the gingerbread man, where you convince him to use another method to cross the river.

P.S. Don't panic.  Fantastic Fables will be posted in time for you to share with your family on Thanksgiving.  But beware...they're so good, you won't even be able to eat your turkey dinner because you'll be so busy signing autographs for all your adoring fans!!!

Fantastic Fables In Progress!

What began with a study of common characteristics of fables, a review of common morals, and the creation of a story speed bump, has transitioned into the production of puppets and backdrops.  Our classes are preparing to wow audiences and convince others to have good character!  Check out these photos of students as they develop their fables and prepare to bring them to life with a puppet show!

Students practicing their show.

Students coloring their backdrop.

This group constructs a blueprint for their backdrop.

Fantastic Fables: Sample Teacher Video

Our persuasive writing unit project is nearing completion.  We have studied the way the writers of ancient and modern fables have used the art of persuasion to convince readers to make good choices and have good character.  Groups in both classes have carefully designed and planned their own original fables focused around a moral, or persuasive lesson.  They have also designed puppet figures and backgrounds, drawing on teamwork and active listening skills acquired in our second step lessons.  Enjoy this sample video by the teachers, but be sure to check back next week for some photos of the students working together to develop ideas.  You'll also be able to watch their fantastic fables right here on the blog!  Don't miss it!

Chapter Book Challenge

Wow!  Our students have accepted the Chapter Book Challenge and have been reading up a storm.  Each time a student completes a chapter book, they fill out our Completion Clipboard and are on their way to earning a book spine on our Chapter Book Shelf!  Students must come to a teacher meeting with their completed reading log in hand, to discuss the book they have completed.  After a discussion about the book and a check of the reading log, documenting the student's reading progress, students are able to create their Chapter Book Challenge book spine.  Students select from this list of genres:

• fiction (yellow)
• realistic fiction (red)
• mystery (blue)
• nonfiction (green)
• hybrid text (pink)
• poetry (purple)

Our Chapter Book Challenge Shelf is quickly expanding!  We are so excited and proud of our readers.  Keep up the great work!

Chapter Book Completion Clipboard

Example of a Stellar Student Log

Caught in the Web of Reading!

In celebration of students meeting the Readers To Leaders reading goal for the first nine weeks, Mrs. Phillips got caught in the web of reading!  95% of the readers in our school are on their way to reading one million words this year!  For this particular celebration, two students from each class that met their reading goal, were selected to help duct tape Mrs. Phillips to the lobby wall.  Sounds like a punishment, but don't feel too badly for her; she had plenty to read! To be invited to the next celebration, students must be reading daily in class and at home, keeping track of their reading on their reading logs.  As third graders, having read at least 6 chapter books in the first nine weeks is expected in order to be on the right track.  We are so proud of the efforts of our readers!  Keep up the good work!  Stay tuned for news about the next celebration!

Two of our readers, preparing to tape Mrs. Phillips!

Halloween Scream!!!

What's in the bag?  That was the question of the day!  During our Fall Celebration, those who dared, reached into a mystery bag and had to guess the contents.  The bags had names of course...Goblin Eyes, Mummy Snot, Frankenstein's Brain, Witch Fingers, Intestines...you get the picture. 

It was up to our students to use only their sense of touch to discern what these bags might actually hold...no we did not manage to get our hands on Frankenstein's actual brain.  What began as squeals of anticipation and excitement, did eventually turn into shrieks of dread and revulsion!  Even with our gag reflexes put to the test, we screamed for more!  Check us out! 

Well guys, now that it's over, what did you think?  Which bag was the easiest to guess?  Which bag contained the grossest mystery substance?  We're dying to hear from you!