Country Visits

We're gearing up for our class visit to China.  The kids and I research and read all about a different country each month to develop our understanding of different cultures as well as to enhance our foundational geography skills.  I incorporate reading, writing, research, presentation skills, science and social studies in most country studies.  I LOVE to learn and this is one way that the kids and I can learn together.   Lucky me, I just received a new student who moved to the US this month from the UK.  Even luckier, he has previously lived in Shanghai.  Still luckier his mum was willing to come in to share photos and stories of their time there.  The kids were enthralled!  They just loved every moment of her engaging storytelling.  I can't wait to hear the parents relate their child's excitement at learning that the reason the Chinese take their shoes off upon entering a house is because it is not uncommon to "have a poo or wee in the street."  I'm sure this fabulous fact will also make their homework on Tuesday night when they write "What I Learned About China".

Here's our list of countries for the year.  I'm really looking forward to Tanzania. I love to learn about countries in Africa.

Laundry and dishes are done on this snowy Saturday so I've rewarded myself with some extra search time on the computer.  I have just finished downloading several free documents from Adventures of a Third Grade Teacher. They're great!  Thank you Amber!

I'm learning more every day about the business of blogging.  Blogs like the two I've mentioned so far (in this and a previous post) have been a huge help.  Still trying to figure out "grab my button", how to rework my background and use different fonts.  Sadly my MO is to learn though play.  I end up learning so much but in a round about, unfocused sort of way.   What I have been most impressed by is the positive tone of each and every blog.  I know we teachers love kids but sometimes the paperwork and other minutiae can wear us down.  There's a little bit of a pep talk in each blog I read.  Thanks teachers!

I've also loved all the free fonts from kevinandamanda.com.  Another big thank you!!

So far I'm pretty sure no one has even visited this page.  Not doing much in the way of advertising since I'm really just blogging for myself at this point.  Kind of curious if anyone will discover it.  :)  We'll see.

Here's something I made this week for my students.  They are writing narratives with a focus on character.  At school we have a couple of book clubs in progress.  One club is reading Carl Anderson's book Assessing Writers.

I really enjoy his book and the conversation that ensues with my fellow teachers.  I attended his week-long workshop a few summers ago and totally transformed my writer's workshop as a result.  Putting the children in the driver's seat, allowing them to feel greater ownership and responsibility for their writing is a game changer.  One of the ideas that was presented in our book club discussion was the idea of embracing the art children create as a means of planning writing pieces.  I have always wondered just how much art before writing is "ok".  As a third grade teacher, my rule has been that there must be more text than drawing on a page.  This time I thought I'd rethink and not only allow but require students to draw before they write.  I used the document below to help students think about what they should draw to create a complete character.  I'm hoping to see a correlation between detailed art and elaborated writing!

If anyone actually reads this and is interested, I'm happy to post it so that it can be downloaded.  I just haven't figured that bit out yet.  Off to do a little more investigative "playing".

MLK Happenings

I am always impressed by the shock and awe my students demonstrate after learning about the Civil Rights Movement.  They are so lucky to live in a time when people are, more than ever before, treated with respect regardless of their color.  There will always be ignorant people, and not only with regard to skin color, but through amazing positve role models and fabulous books like My Dream of Martin Luther King by Faith Ringold, our children/students will continue to evolve and grow so positively with perspective, empathy and understanding.

I love to teach them the story of Ruby Bridges.  There was a fabulous Disney movie produced several years ago though it is something I would suggest viewing at home rather than in school because some of the scenes may be too sensitive and may require mom and dad's perspective.
Ruby Bridges Movie

I borrowed an idea shared by 4th Grade Frolics today.  My kids had a fabulous time dreaming their own dreams for a better world.  Thanks for the fabulous ideas!!

A Little Snow Action

Waiting to Hear....
I am sitting at my computer constantly refreshing the screen wondering whether or not a delay is in order.  Everyone else in surrounding areas seems to have one and I did hear the snow plow...  I was hoping for an extra 90 minutes to REALLY get organized.  Guess it's time to get to work!

Here's a picture of the deck last night.  Wishful thinking!

Checked a friend's facebook status and did a little sleuthing - 90 minute delay!