Merry Christmas!

I am very excited to spend one last day of 2012 with our class!  We get to finish holiday rotations with our 3rd grade team, drink hot chocolate, watch a movie (our PBIS reward for Decemeber), wear pajamas, and hang out with our kindergarten book buddies!  What a super fun day!  

I hope your family has a very special Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!  Thanks for sharing your kids with me!

Super Spellers!

Way to go Eli, Isaiah and Tygan! The boys did a great job representing our class at the grade level spelling bee this morning. While they won't be moving on to the middle school, they should be extremely proud of how well they did!

Look at our Talented Class!

When I finally had time to listen to all the Google Voice entries this weekend, I came upon a fantastic surprise. Our very own Addie had left me two messages that made my day! She played me two pieces on the piano. They were so great that I had to share! What a fun surprise!

Voices of our Kiddos!

Below you will find some of the fantastic posts from the students who called our Google Voice literacy hotline!  I am so proud of how they did.  It brightened my morning every day to hear their cute little voices say something.


Silverio: Addie: Tygan: Yessenia: Zach: Brianna: Allison: Jade: Isaiah: Paige: Abby: (this makes my heart smile!) Luke: Nicole:

Photo Op!

Yesterday we had a very fun day with Mrs. Day, Zavion's mom coming in.  We were able to take pictures for a special project we are working on.  We also took some holiday pictures with some fun props.   I will post some when we get them back from her.  THANK YOU for coming in, Mrs. Day!  (and thanks to all the parents who saw my email and sent their child in a black or white shirt!)

Grateful Video

What a Great Group of Readers!

Now that we are using Google Voice, I will pick a few phone calls each week to display on our blog.  Today's post includes some of our class reading a page from their at home books.  This was their very first Google Voice assignment and they did great! I love hearing all their little voices!

Google Voice

Hopefully you saw the note about your new literacy hotline using Google Voice.  I am so excited to hear all the things that the kids have to share by calling in!  The pages they read this week have been excellent.  On Friday, I'll be adding some to the blog for you to listen to!  Thanks for your help with this!

 If you didn't, please ask for another copy.  I won't be posting our phone number online to avoid SPAM.

Teaching Today

In last month's Teaching Today paper that goes to all the teachers in Wisconsin, our school was featured for using the Spirit Sticks this year.   A few students had quotes and Paige had a nice picture included. If you click on the picture, it will get bigger.  Enjoy!

Keyboarding Begins!

Today the third graders will be starting keyboarding.  They are using a program called Typing Club from Google.  It has been tailored by Ms. Zurawski to fit our third graders.

Students are working on 3 things - accuracy, speed, and ergonomics.   They know that ergonomics means their posture and how they are working at the computer.   In 3rd grade to attain "secure" students must be at 75% accuracy and 15 wpm (words per minute) after learning all the keys on the keyboard.

Student may practice at home.  They can only practice levels they have already passed.  They may not move on to new levels at home unless I have specifically asked them to (usually only for a vacation or such).  



wdpsd.typingclub.com

Interesting Stats!

I found this pictures about reading and thought it was too interesting not to share!

What a Busy Tuesday!

What a fun Tuesday we had!  It was jammed pack full of things!  Here is a list of all the NEW things we did:

• Took our first WKCE tests
• Used Senteo clickers (the response system) as practice
• Used Senteo clickers for a human body quiz
• Learned some new games for word work! 
• Met Landon
• Had Mr. Krahn teach us about our bones, muscles, and injuries
• Watched 3 of our friends get their ankles taped by Mr. Krahn!

Abby getting taped

Zach getting taped

Bradley getting taped

The class with Dr. Krahn 

We Labeled Logan!

We are learning about your major muscle groups so today we figured out where they were!  First, we labeled Logan with numbers and students tried to figure out what muscles were in each group.  Then we labeled him with the names we need to know!

Fireman Fun on Friday!

For fire safety week, the Lawrence Fire Department came to visit us on Friday afternoon.  The kids discussed plans for how to get out of the house, having a family meeting spot, and how to stop, drop and roll.  We also saw a fireman in full gear and practiced grabbing him to let him know where we were.  We learned we should do the same thing if our house was on fire!

I even geared up for the kids! 

We Labeled Luke!

So we learned the scientific names of bones the other day.  What better way to figure out where they are than use one of our classmates!  Students had to figure out where to put the labels to show where bones are.  Luke was a good sport about the whole thing!  The Mr. Bones on our door now has the labels on instead!

Book Buddies Started!

Today we began our book buddy adventures with Mrs. Neuen's kindergarten class.  Throughout the year we will meet with them a few times a month.  We will be reading, working on projects and trying new technology with them.

Today we did a get to know you activity using M&M's.  When the kids picked a color, they had to look at the SmartBoard and say something about themselves, based on the color.

Enjoy some pictures of the fun!

Scoot Pad

This week the kids starting using a website called Scootpad.  We are very excited that it exists because it helps them practice concepts for reading and math that they need to know by the end of 3rd grade.  These concepts are quite a jump because of the new Common Core standards.  The kids think it's fun to practice, send positive remarks to friends and earn rewards.

At conferences, you will learn how to access your student's information.  I will be setting rewards they can earn at school and you could set rewards for them to earn at home.  This resource just started in 2012 and it's completely free - which is AWESOME!

Math Facts

Due to the new Common Core state standards that Wisconsin adopted and we are now teaching from, the math facts fluency cut-offs have changed.  They are MUCH tougher than they used to be.  This affects everyone - K-5, not just 3rd grade.  I put together some graphs for the kids to see their progress.

Keep practicing those addition, subtraction and multiplication facts at home!

Math!

I just have to say how impressed I am with the students' abilities in math so far.  With the new Common Core state standards that we are following along with our new math curriculum, it has been a lot of change.  We started the year with multiplication which I'm sure threw a few kids off.

There are also MANY new procedures!  There are study sheets, and check sheets, and page protectors and math boards!  There is a lot for the kids to keep track of and keep organized.  We model and practice A LOT at school so they can continue at home.

I just have to compliment the kids on how great they are doing!  I am SO impressed.  They have been coming with the facts practiced, their homework done, and it makes it so much better for everyone!  Keep up the great work!

MAP testing

The kids did a great job with their first round of MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) testing in the computer lab.  They took one reading test and one math test.  Their scores will be sent home once they are finalized by the company.

I was very impressed by how seriously the kids took the test, how quiet and well behaved they are after finishing and the scores they achieved!  I can't wait to see the gains they make when they take the next round in January!

Spirit Sticks

We have something new and exciting at Hemlock Creek!  All the students received a spirit ring today!  These rings will be used to collect spirit sticks.  Sticks can be earned for being a Phantastic Phantom (Respectful, Responsible, Safe) as well as for special school things like Fuel Up to Play 60 and Box Top Challenges!

Right now, these Boo Sticks are for sale.  They are $1 or the entire set for $5.  The proceeds are going to our Artist in Residence that we will have this winter.

Let me know if you have questions!

Welcome to our New Blog!

Thanks for visiting our new blog! Sorry I had to move it, but I want to be able to easily share videos this year.  On the side you will see a spot to subscribe via email.   This will notify you of updates to our blog.  Now that the change has been made, please look for updates 2-3 times a week.  Feel free to share with other family members and friends who may be interested in what our class is doing!

Mrs. Krahn