Last week we read The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward. As we read, we searched for examples of the animals synergizing with one another and the Busy Tree. The kids did a great job finding all of the examples in the book!

Afterwards, we acted out the story using the kids as the characters from the story.  By using, string we showed how all the life in the book was connected and depended on each other.

Finally, we created a window book to illustrate and explain the different relationships in the story!

This week we will start learning about oceans, streams and lakes. Start the unit off with a sweet treat:

Ingredients:
-Vanilla Wafers
-Clear cups
-Blue yogurt or you can dye it with food coloring)
-Fish fruit snacks or gummies

Directions:
-First, crush the Vanilla Wafers into crumbs (this is the sand) and place in cups
-Then, pour blue yogurt on top
-Lastly, place fruit snack fish on top

What a night last night!  We had a great turn out at our first science night of the year.  We had a blast teaching all the students about our incredible oobleck (is it a solid or a liquid?) and watching families trying to figure out how to make magnets float. I want to give a special shout out to all of our student leaders who helped man the tables and teach the various activities to all the families in attendance.  Check out this short video that our wonderful music teacher Ms. Roeber put together:

All week long we have been reading stories and placing the stories into one of two categories: fiction and non-fiction.   Fiction books are “fake” or fantasy.  Non-fiction books are books that are “not fake” or real.  Non-fiction books are trying to teach us about a topic.

A book about the different types of frogs that live in the rain forest would be non-fiction.  A book about singing and dancing frogs in little top hats that live in the rain forest would be fiction.  Take some time to read your library books this week and decide if they are fiction or non-fiction. Also, explain how you know that the book is either fiction or non-fiction.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

We had a busy and exciting this week!

On Wednesday, we wrapped up our Properties of Matter unit in Science by exploring the properties of a pumpkin! The kids had fun but were a little hesitant to discover the texture of the inside.  Here are some of the texture words that the class came up with to describe the inside of the pumpkin: squishy, soft, sticky and gooey.

On Thursday, we started off the morning by being physically fit and participating in the Turkey Trot! We walked two laps around the outside of the school grounds which equaled almost a mile.  Some of the students dressed up for the occasion to make it extra festive!

In science, we started our unit on soil. The students had the chance to explore soil and come up with some questions that they would like to answer during the unit.

Are dirt and soil the same thing? What is dirt made of? How does soil help plants grow? Why is dirt brown?

This next week we will be working with soil in science. I am asking my students to please bring a partially full sandwich bag of soil from their home.  This soil can be from a plant, garden or the backyard.  It would be wonderful for the students to see just how many different types of soil there are in our community! You can carry over the fun at home by creating this tasty treat:

Sweet and Salty Soil Recipe

Ingredients:

Chocolate Jello pudding Cup

2-3 pretzel sticks

2 Gummy Worms

2 Oreo cookies

Instructions:

1. Place the Oreo cookies in a baggie. Crush the cookies into smaller pieces. The cookies will represent rocks in the soil.
2. Break your pretzel sticks into different sized pieces. The pretzel sticks will represent sticks or twigs in the soil.
3. Mix the pudding, pretzel stick pieces, gummy worms, and Oreo cookie chunks together in a cup. Enjoy!

Let me know how you enjoy eating soil!

Red Ribbon Week got started with a bang this year with a visit from the Reagan Rattlesnakes.  Mr. Rochkus and Mrs. Lomas couldn’t stand being left out and decided to join in on the Thriller dance!

In Science, we have been focusing on properties of matter: length, mass and today we explored with texture! The kids had a blast using their sense of touch to describe items in a brown paper bag.

Today in halls and classrooms all around the school students were showing their support of Red Ribbon Week by wearing “wacky tacky” ensembles. I think they look pretty good!

Everyone can win! I want everyone to be a success. I don’t have to put others down to get what I want. It makes me happy to see other people happy. I like to do nice things for others. When a problem comes up, I help think of a way to solve it. We can all win!

Today we read The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins and learned how the kids could share their cookies and make everyone happy even though they were getting less and less.

Think about a time at school when you could practice “Think Win-Win” and make everyone happy! I would love to hear what you have to say

Also, don’t forget tomorrow is picture day!

I am in charge of me! I have a “Can DO” attitude. I choose my actions, attitudes and moods. I do the right thing without being asked!

Taken from http://www.theleaderinme.org/resources/7-habits-posters

On Monday, we read The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper and discussed how the Little Engine could have been negative but chose to be positive.

How can you be proactive? Post your answer through comments. I look forward to reading and responding!

Work first, then play!  I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am organized.

Taken from http://www.theleaderinme.org/resources/7-habits-posters)

Today we read The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone. We read about how the Little Red Hen did all of her work first and then was able to enjoy the cake she baked.  The cat, dog and mouse on the other hand were not able to enjoy it with her because they chose to play instead of work.

What things should you be putting first? Comment and let me know! I would love to hear from you