Red Day and the Cougar Assembly
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| Can you spot Ms. Kidwell in this photo??? |
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| Ms. Kidwell giving instructions when the fire alarm sounded during our group "red" photo |
February 13, 2014
Valentine exchange with our Kinder Buddies
February 13, 2014
Our Valentine for Ms. Kidwell
Each student wrote on a heart as our contribution to Ms. Kidwell's backpack for Valentine's Day.
February 13, 2014
Olympic Spirit
This student shared a photo memento about her experience at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010.
February 12, 2014
Student of the Week
Learning about our classmate.
February 13, 2014
Purple Day
As part of our weeklong "Rainbow Week" spirit celebration, we got to have our photo taken with Ms. Kidwell, our admired and beloved Superintendent/Principal. Purple power!
February 12, 2014
Presentation on Editing
We enjoyed a visit from this student's mom who explained to us the "real world application" of editing. We learned a lot about the importance of correct spelling, punctuation, and how it is our duty as a writer to "avoid ambiguity."
February 11, 2014
Thank You Letter to our "Book Angels"
This year, the ladies of P.E.O. Chapter OS (of which I am a member) decided to host a "low sugar, low calorie" option to their annual December holiday cookie exchange The group decided that, instead of bringing cookies, they would like to donate books to children and our classroom got to be the lucky recipient. I provided the titles of mentor texts from my Common Core wish list. This week, as we focused on "Acts of Kindness," the students wrote thank you letters to the ladies for their act of kindness.
February 7, 2014
Math Lab- Multiplying 2 digit by 1 digit numbers and Kapla Blocks!!
I made a personal investment in these Kapla Blocks last year when I realized their potential for inquiry learning and lessons in collaboration. I really love, love, LOVE viewing what the students create. In addition to photo sessions for the blocks, the students rolled 3 dice and practiced the algorithm for carrying when multiplying. What would you like to build NEXT? The sky's the limit!
February 7, 2014
Student of the week sharing.
A new hamster!
February **, 2014
Rainy Day Recess Creations
February **, 2014
Heart Creations with our Buddies
January 31, 2014
Caine's Arcade
This student visited the REAL Caine's arcade!
January 31, 2014
Art in Action
Artwork inspired by Chinese long handscroll artist Wang Yuan Ch'i. Students created perspective by painting the mountains smaller and lighter in the back and by making the waterfall larger in the front. We read the Chinese legend of Mulan to become familiar with the culture and images.
January 2*, 2014
Diorama Presentations
Students gave oral presentations to the class. In the afternoon, we invited our little buddies to visit our "diorama museum."
January 24, 2014
"Walking on Air" continued....
Yesterday, the students designed their experiments and today each group got to execute their experiment. Before each presentation, the group explained their reasoning behind the design of their experiment; after each presentation, we discussed their results and made prediction of why they did or did not succeed.
In the end, with the help of a lightweight table, we learned that it is actually possible to Walk on Air!
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| This student brought something from home to add to his group's experiment. |
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| Walking on air! |
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| All of these students are walking on air! |
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| Semi "Dance Party" on air??? |
January 24, 2014
Math Lab- Area and Perimeter
Continued reinforcement of plane shapes with our pattern blocks and Quadrilateral Parking Lot. Small group informal assessment of area and perimeter and telling time. The geoboard app is very popular. I love it because the rubber bands are virtual!
January 24, 2014
The Scientific Process
Is it possible to "Walk on Air?" Students were given two balloons and some masking tape. Working with a group, they discussed and decided upon an experiment. They recorded their procedure in their science notebooks. Stay tuned for the movie version!
January 17, 2014
Writing with our Kinder Buddies
"How to Build a Snowman"
January 14, 2014
ArtSpark Field Trip
We attended a performance of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" at the SJ Rep. Everyone enjoyed the versatile actors and their beautiful voices. Of course, we dressed up for the theatre!
January 10, 2014
Math Lab- Geometry
Activities to reinforce our recent lessons on plane shapes and solid figures.
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| Quadrilateral Parking Lot |
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| Plane Figure Mind Benders |
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| iPad Geometry |
January 10, 2014
Twin Day!
January 9, 2014
Art in Action
Self portraits in the Renaissance style of Dominico Guirlandaio
January 9, 2014
Project Cornerstone
Learning about the hurtful aspects of gossip and the power of our words with a "telephone" and birdseed activity.
January 5, 2014
First Day Back at School
Hot Cocoa, "The Garden of Abdul Gasazi" (continuing our author study of Chris Van Allsburg) and completing a Common Core workbook with a partner.
December 20, 2013
Our New Year's Party
Dressy clothes with holiday bling, parents invited to join us for our countdown to 12 noon, balloon drop, sparkling cider, and a friendly rendition of Auld Lang Syne.
December 19, 2013
Art in Action
Collage art inspired by Joan Miro.
December 18, 2013
'Twas the Week Before Christmas
Glue, glitter, and literacy activities based on holiday-themed mentor texts.
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| Nam's Creation. Each ornament contains the name of someone in our class!
Sharing persuasive essays "Why I Should Be Santa" based on the book "How Santa Got his Job."
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December 17, 2013
Polar Express Day
PJs, hot cocoa, and a magical day of Language Arts activities.
December 16, 2013
December Holiday/Tradition Oral Presentations
December 13, 2013
Math Lab "Holiday Style"
Dreidels, Christmas Shopping word problems, division quizmo, and learning from our mistakes by correcting errors on our division benchmark test.
December 6, 2013
Student Store
Two enterprising students decided to open up a store. They made "currency," awarded "money" to their classmates based on their performance in AR and ALEKS, and then brought items that their classmates could "buy" with their "money."
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| The price list |
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| Eager customers |
December 6, 2013
Desk cleaning EXTREME VERSION
This student's desk sparkles inside and out...and UNDERNEATH!
December 6, 2013
Adorable Lunches, continued...
A jello gingerbread man!
December 5, 2013
Art in Action
We learned about perspective through our lesson inspired by the work of Albert Bierstadt. Please visit our Art/Music tab for a video about Bierstadt's work.
December 5, 2013
Learning about the Brain
Personal contact with experts is an important part of educating 21st Century learners. That's why we were thrilled to have Ava's grandfather, Dr. Schraa, visit our classroom to teach us about his specialty, the brain. Visit our Science tab for a Word Cloud that we created from sentences about things that we learned from him.
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| Did you know that you use BOTH sides of your brain to draw a clock? Your right brain helps you draw the circle; your left brain helps you draw the numbers. |
December 3, 2013
Introduction to the Scientific Process
Working in teams of 4 to match definitions with the key words.
December 2, 2013
Learning about Chanukkah in Room 14
What a treat to learn about the miracle of the oil burning for 8 days, listening to a reading of "The Trees of the Dancing Goats" by Patricia Polacco, and learning how to play the dreidel game.
November 29, 2013
Our "Candy for Andy" Care Package...ready for the mail.
November 28, 2013
Art in Action- Van Gogh's Starry Night
Here are a few of our creations. Stay tuned for the "Starry Night" video featuring everyone's art. Also, you might want to check out the videos posted on our Music/Art tab. The students LOVED watching the domino video after creating their own version of Starry NIght.
November 26, 2013
Our Turkeys, Part 3
Loving our turkeys....
November 26, 2013
Our Turkeys, Part 2
Today we made turkeys with our Little Buddies.
Our Turkeys!
We made our "Googlie-Eyed Turkeys today! Our turkeys are "training" for us to help our Little Buddies create their turkeys tomorrow. Each student wrote something for which he/she is thankful on each of the tail feathers. We love our turkeys!
November 22, 2013
Academic Awards Assembly
This year, students will be honored each Trimester. Honors are: Math Masters, Awesome Authors, Supreme Scientists, and AR Grade Level Goal Awards. Although, I am proud of the progress of EVERYONE in our class....and I am sure they KNOW it....below are some photos of those who received medals for Trimester 1.
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| Serious photo |
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| Silly photo |
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| Add caption |
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| A Silly Celebration after reading 400,000 words! |
November 14, 2013
Art in Action...Van Gogh!
The students learned about Van Gogh and used thickened paint, color mixes, and dots of highlights to create their interpretation of "Starry Night." Please visit our "Music and Art" tab for some interesting videos about Van Gogh's art (Including the popular "Domino Project"). Don't worry, their paintings have inspired me to create another "Class Movie" featuring ALL of their creations. Can you guess what music I'll use??
November 14, 2013
Thank you Mrs. Bowen...
...for being our Guest Teacher for two days, while Mrs. Dufort was away. It was really fun to use the dictionary to learn the vocabulary of the Star Spangled Banner and ESPECIALLY exciting to receive our first letters from our PenPals.
November 8, 2013
Candy for Andy!
In observance of Veterans Day we are writing to a 22 year old young man from the SC mountains who is currently deployed with the Marines in Afghanistan. Today we started to fill our box by sharing some of our Halloween candy, because Andy didn't get to go trick-or-treating. Baby wipes, cookies, and Chef Boyardee cans are on Andy's wish list. Andy loves to read and write stories--just like us--and we hope he'll come to visit us when he safely returns.
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| Rin's Pre-Veterans Day lunch |
November 7, 2013
Board Games with our Buddies
November 6, 2013
Halloween Data
Learning to create our first bar graphs with data from our Trick-or-Treat candy tally charts. Bar graphs are tricky!
October 31, 2013
Halloween
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| Minions galore! |
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| Minions were even in Rin's lunch! |
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| Please tell us another spooky story! |
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| Thank you moms! |
October 30, 2013
El Dia de los Muertos
Aydan brought back some interesting artifacts from Mexico and shared them with the class. We also learned about this tradition that is unique to Mexico by watching a video that is posted on our Splash Page.
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| This student brought a book to share. |
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| Rin's lunch for that day! |
October 29, 2013
Math Lab with a Halloween Theme
Working together to create spooky scenes with pattern blocks, Boo Bump, learning how to plot ordered pairs (for the first time!) on a Halloween Point Plot sheet, multiplication Bingo, and spooky computer/iPad games.
October 2013
Art in Action
African Textiles
October 2013
Working with a partner and using a thesaurus to find replacements for over-used words.
October 2013
Story telling time
October 2013
Making Ghosts with our Buddies
October 2013
Expressing art in our classroom
Nam created this amazing artwork in his after school art class.
(**I need to rotate it)
This student is singing a song she created.
October 2013
Math Lab #2
Multiplication focus and adding the states and compass rose to our Salt & Flour maps.
October 2013
Making Halloween windsocks with our Buddies!
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| Reading with our Buddies when we have completed our project. |
October 2013
Project Cornerstone
October 2013
Lunch surprises!
October 2013
Creating our Salt and Flour maps of California.
October 2013
Sharing our Caine's arcade creations with our Buddies.
They put their final touches on their game shared their games with Ms. Ray's class as part of the Internationally recognized "International Day of Play." Engineering, creation, and cooperation!
October 2013
Our door for October.
Fall leaves and haikus. 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables. I LOVE how every leaf and haiku is unique--just like everyone in the world!
October 2013
Our PJ/Stuffed Animal Day
We got to be the first class to have a party for helping Mrs. Carino, our new Assistant Principal, learn ALL of the names in our class. She certainly exhibited the "Loma Way" by striving to learn the names of the LARGEST class in the school! Our reward: the party of our choice, cookies (provided by Ms. Kidwell) and a movie (Hercules!).
**Note to myself. I'll crop this photo soon.
Our "Atomically Awesome" Class T-shirt for the Gala
Everyone in our class is represented on our class Tshirt!
**I'll rotate these photos soon!
October 2013
Learning from each other
This student is sharing how to use a times table.
October 2013
Math Lab #2
Focus on rounding (Roll and Round), multiplication (Multiplication Bingo and Computer/iPad Games), familiarity with geometric plane shapes (Pattern Block Animals), and learning how to play Bridges/Squares! Thanks to our Math Lab Team of parents!
September 2013
Our first Art in Action lesson
We learned about ROYGBIV, color value, and how give objects dimension and texture through highlights/shadows and brushstrokes. I can't wait to see the students apply their knowledge to their Jack o' Lantern illustration next month. Many THANKS to our Art in Action team of parents who prepare and present these hands-on lessons!
**I'll embed the ROYGBIV video here soon!
September 2013
Caine's Arcade Day #2
Actually these photos were supposed to be from Day #3. On Day #1 we watched a video about Caine, discussed his personality traits, and answered some comprehension questions about the video. On Day #2, we gathered into groups of 2 or 3 and wrote out our plan for our arcade game. Well....the students were so excited about their plans that they couldn't wait to get started. Although I had planned to purchase duct tape after school, Mrs. Dufort threw her lesson plans "out the window" and our class easily "made do" with the supplies in our classroom and spent the entire morning visualizing, compromising, problem-solving, and creating. Stay tuned for our class documentary on the project! Mrs. D just needs another day off to compile it!
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| I'll rotate this pic soon! |
September 2013
A Discovery on the playground!
Buried pipes!
September 2013
Bon Voyage!
This student who was in my class last year, has set sail for 2 years. We will keep up with his travels.
We learn best when we teach each other!
How to use dialogue and quotation marks in our writing.
September 2013
Guess who's in the spotlight!
September 18, 2013
Buddies!
September 14, 2013
Ohlone Day at Henry Cowell Redwoods
About half of the students from our class attended this fun and educational hands-on event with their families. We shared these photos and our experiences in class this week.
September 13, 2013
Our First Math Lab
With thanks to 7 volunteers, the students rotated through 5 stations that were designed to reinforce the concepts we have been learning in a FUN way! Place value and rounding were our focus for this Math Lab.
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| Hanh preparing our booklets for ALEKS, our digital math program. |
September2013
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| Our drawings for our Gala Class Treasure Tshirt |
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| Cubes are FUN! |
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| Free Time Collaborative Creation |
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| Rin created this flow chart for Piper to access the Accelerated Reader Program |
Meeting our Little Buddies for the first time
Our Buddy Class is Ms. Ray's Kindergarten. It is so exciting to be a BIG Buddy for the first time!
September 20, 2013
Bento Box Lunches
The class agreed that I should start a "scrapbook" of this student's lunches created by her mother. More to come, I am certain!
August 2013
It's Okay to Be Different
Interviewing a partner and creating a Venn diagram showing how we are alike and different.
August 27, 2013
Our first "full class" photo. 29 eager, precious, and amazing students. Whew, I just counted and they're ALL there!
August 21-30, 2013
Getting to know each other better as we share treasures/souvenirs/memories from our summer during the first two weeks of school.
First Day of School; first few minutes of school. Their "third grade pride" is already showing!
August 17, 2013
Our classroom prior to the first day of school! Ready and awaiting the "crew" of Pier 14!
Posted August 14, 2013
Dear incoming 3rd graders and your families,
Here are some photos that I took last year. I take LOTS of pictures, so I hope you like to have your picture taken! Our first photo will be a group picture taken on the first day of school. :-) If you look through the photos, you'll gain an idea of some of the fun and educational activities that will occur this year.
love,
Mrs. Dufort
Last Day of School Luau!
June 6, 2013
EVERYONE is going to miss our blocks and Lincoln Logs! One final creation...
June 5, 2013
Madasgascar Hissing Cockroaches!
June 5, 2013
Squirm!
June 5, 2013
Making Scarecrows for the garden. How fun!
May 31, 2013
"Learn to Discover: Engineering" Science Enrichment
May 2013
Art in Action Collage!
May 2013
Native American Day
May 2013
Ducklings came to visit!
May 2013
"Learn to Discover: Robotics" Science Enrichment
May 2013
Open House
May 2013
The "Quakes and Shakes" Assembly by Lawrence Hall of Science
May 2013
May 2013
Our Crayfish Arrived!
May 2013
Mother's Day Cards
May 2013
Jogathon!
May 2013
Go girl! Her personal best!
May 2013
Art in Action
May 2, 2013
Our Tide Pool Field Trip to Natural Bridges
May 1, 2013
Biography Timeline Presentations
April 26, 2013
Painting our "Red Clay Cheyenne Shields" with Art in Action
April 26, 2013
Field Trip to Waste Management's "Materials Recycling Facility" (MRF) and Olson Elementary in Marina to meet our PenPals!
April 25, 2013
Here is my video "scan" of the full floor. What you see is ONE day of recycling! The piles that you see were being brought in during our tour. At the end of the day, there will be NO piles!
This is the "Plastic Line," where sorters pull out anything that contains plastic on the conveyer belt. They have to be "quick" and "focused" employees!!
The "Glass Line" bubbling with bits of glass.
Each palate of recycled plastic bottles is worth $5000.00! That's why they keep them locked up behind the cyclone fence that you'll see in the next few pictures.
"Oh, the things we do for our kids!" Our SUPER GLAM photo of our chaperones!!!!!
Our class LOVED, LOVED, LOVED their Penpals' desks! They are REAL wood on the top and have curved sides. Mrs. Williamson says "Hang on to the old desks that you have. These desks are 4 inches wider and take up too much room in our classroom." Anyway...sleek new desks below....and their Room Parents serving us 14 Extra-Large Pizzas!
The poster that our class signed and left as a gift for their classroom. Go Olson Orcas!!!!
Lunch with our PenPals and introducing our "Loma Lunch Buddies" to our Pen Pals!
This Loma student lost a tooth during lunch and got to go to the office to get an "Olson Tooth Necklace." Everyone cheered when he returned!!!
Picking up the "ingredients" for our friendship bracelets!
Olson Elementary...view from the bus...as we departed...just minutes (or less!) before their scheduled fire drill at 1:15.
Dante receives the President's Citation for Physical Fitness
Mrs. Bennett presented Dante with this award, signed by the President, to recognize his commitment to physical fitness
March 18, 2013
Estimating, Counting, Graphing, and Eating our Lucky Charms!
March 18, 2013
Yes, it's true! We're going to meet our Penpals on April 25th! Salvador drew this picture for his Penpal, Nick.
March 16, 2013
Salvador's Native American Report
Salvador gave his first oral report on the Native American topic of Buffalos. EVERY part of the buffalo was utilized by the Native Americans. The hooves even made glue!
March 12, 2013
Our new "Art-in-Action" display and our "Student of the Week" presenting his display.
March 4, 2013
PJ/Stuffed Animal Day, Math Lab, and Art-in-Action.
March 1, 2013
What a fun way to spend a Friday!
"A Day in the Life" Post Valentines/Pre-Winter Break
February 15, 2013
Finishing our "The Nine Days of Valentines" multiplication of money project.
Our "Movie Day" Student Council Spirit Day. We invited our Little Buddies to watch Disney's "Hercules" and eat popcorn in our classroom "theatre!"
The "newlyweds," Max and Maxine, in their honeymoon boat. Here is the message they left us this morning.
Valentine Exchange
February 14, 2013
Max and Maxine's Wedding
February 14, 2013
Click on the link below to view the wedding festivities!
Max and Maxine's Wedding VideoMaxine's Trip Down the Aisle
The Ceremony
The Nine Days of Valentine's
Student of the Week
Making Valentine Animals with our Buddies
Rainy Day Lunch Creations
Math Lab
February 14, 2013
We have just learned how to multiply dollar amounts by one digit. What a fun to practice our new skill. We sang the song first and then made up (and MULTIPLIED) our own verses. "5 Cans of Tuna!"
Student of the Week
February 13, 2013
February 8, 2013
Rainy Day Lunch Creations
February 8, 2013
Math Lab
February 8, 2013
Practicing 3-digit by 1-digit multiplication and "Telling Time" Bingo!
Art in Action
February 1, 2013
We created artwork inspired by the artwork of the famous 17th Century Chinese artist Wang Yuan-Ch'i. 
Our Dioramas
January 29, 2013
We LOVE the "little worlds" that we built!
How to Train a Dragon by Alec
Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test by Andrew
Little Dog Lost by Isabella
The Empty Envelope by Patrick
Rascal by Annika
Search for the Sunken Treasure
by Nicholas
Season of the Sandstorm by David
The Fantastic Mr. Fox by Amelia
The Invisible Fran by Zachary
Washington D.C. by Calyx
Race Across America by Mathias
The Stone Idol by Matthew
Juliette the Valentines Fairy by Michaela
Warriors into the Wild by Chelsea
Big Trouble in the Big Apple by Chloe
Singing Sensation by Natalia
A Perfect Time for Pandas by Angelina
Who Could That be at This Hour? by Dante
Secret Agent by Steven
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Kurt
Chewy and Chica by Miranda
The Last of the Mohicans by Daniel
Horse Diaries by Simone
Student Council Report
January 29, 2013
Our elected classroom representatives giving their report of the meeting. Friday is "Jersey Day!"
A Special Birthday
January 25, 2013
Ms. Kidwell invited the WHOLE school to sing "Happy Birthday" to two special boys at our morning assembly. We even used sign language! Later in the day, our student's dad brought cupcakes covered with lots of yummy frosting.
Paper Airplane Contest
January 24 and 25, 2013
We created paper airplanes with our Kinder buddies out of recycled paper and then the whole school flew them outside to see which airplane could fly the farthest.
Math Lab
January 25, 2013
Today we did activities related to our current unit on geometry. Below are pictures of our productice morning learning to play Quirkle, recognizing geometric shapes in Native American symbols, creating geometric solid shapes with our new magnetic building set, collaborating on a Kapla Block creation, playing Synonym Bingo, learning from our mistakes by correcting our errors on our recent math Pre and Post Tests.
Star Party
January 16-17, 2013
This is the BEST day (and night) of the year to be a 3rd grader! The San Jose Astronomical Society shared their telescopes and expertise with us as we gazed at the waxing crescent moon, the blue stars of the "Seven Sisters" (Pleiades), Jupiter (and its 4 stars), and the Orion Nebula (where new baby stars and galaxies are being created).
This event could not be held without the support and participation of our parents--TB tests, sleeping bags, star cookies, and ALL! Thank you!!! :-)
New Year's Party
December 21, 2012
Choral Performance
Sharing some holiday spirit at our Cougar Assembly!
December 21, 2012
Santa's Workshop--adding the final touches! Our "Glitter and Blue" day!
December 20, 2012
Some photos from our week of "Holiday Magic"
December 19, 2012
Monday- Santa's Workshop and Holiday/Tradition Report PresentationsTuesday- Field Trip to SJ Rep to see Dickens' "A Christmas Carol"
Wednesday- Polar Express Day (wear your PJs)
Thursday- "Glitter and Blue Day" (the girls will wear sparkles and the boys decided that they will wear "Blue" instead of "Glue!")
Friday- Choral performance at Cougar Awards Assembly and New Year's Party
ArtSPARK Field Trip to San Jose Repertory Theatre to see Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." What a surprise to find out that Ian (Director for the TIMPAC shows in 2010 and 2011) was IN the show (cast as Bob Crachit and other roles)
Wednesday, December 19
Polar Express Day. All aboard!!!!!
Enjoying hot chocolate "as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars--well, almost!" Marshmallows, candy canes, and straw/stir sticks were fun!
Art in Action #3- The technique of Vincent van Gogh
November 2, 2012
We learned to use short and varied brush strokes--and even the "blunt" end of our brush to create our own "post-Impressionist" version of van Gogh's "Starry Night."
After our lesson, I had time to share Don McLean's "Starry Starry Night" and a domino version of the painting with the class. These two interesting video clips are embedded on our Music tab.
Halloween!
October 31, 2012
The day we ALL have been waiting for arrived. Many thanks to the families who provided food, crafts, and service for our party!
FOSS Science: Shadow observations
October 28, 2012
We finally had a sunny day to do our second field observation. Here we are tracing our shadow in the morning and afternoon and relating it to the changing position of the sun.
What Will You Be on Halloween?
October 28, 2012
Here we are singing the song "What Will You Be on Halloween?" and trying to guess what Steven will be based on his pantomime. We also did this activity with our Little Buddies today.
Math Lab, Halloween-style!
October 28, 2012
Today we had Boo Bingo, Ghost Blaster Computer Math Games, Halloween Point Plots, Help the Witch Find her Broom, and "Work Together and Create Something Spooky with Pattern Blocks." Here's some pics of our hand-on experience. Thanks Math Lab Parents!
NEW Computers for our Lab!
October 19, 2012
With heartfelt thanks to the generous families who participated in the "Above and Beyond" campaign, here's a "Sneak Peak" at our Computer Lab. We can't wait to use them on Monday!
Fun Friday!
October 19, 2012
If the student's have earned it, the last hour of our week is FUN! Here we are watching our "Multiplication Rap" video. ALL of the students got to have Otter Pops today to celebrate that we ALL have passed our x2 Timed Test! When we finished our Otter Pops, we got to have Free Choice. Below are some of the Lincoln Log creations that I was asked to "save" for posterity!
"The Amazing Back-Flippers"
October 19, 2012
FOSS Science- Tracking the sun
October 16, 2012
Art in Action- African Textiles
October 12, 2012
We learned about the techniques used to create Kente (Ghana) and Adire (Nigeria) cloth. The students learned that the fabric has "rhythm"--as the patterns are repeated. Our parent volunteers next taught the class how to weave a mat and then the students stenciled their mats using their own geometric and organic designs.
Q: In math, we have been remembering that "rows" go from left to right and "columns" go up and down. In weaving, there is a warp and a woof (or weft). Do you know which one goes from left to right? The answer is below the pictures.
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| We read Kente Colors to prepare for our art experience. |
A: Actually, the warp can be either "left to right" or "up and down." The warp consists of the the threads that are held tight. The woof (or weft) is the part that is threaded through (over and under) the threads that are being held tightly. For our project, the warp was the long yellow and green strips that ran left to right.
Here's a fun animated weaving video--and the bonus is that it is set to the lively music of a Mozart symphony. I am 80% certain that it is Mozart--this piece is in our classroom "listening library." However, the FIRST student who can confirm or correct me (by using an audio ID app or other resource) will receive a ticket!
Congratulations to Amelia (and her dad) for confirming that the piece is Mozart. She wins the ticket!
Three Boys and their volcano
October 12, 2012
Some "free expression" with our geometric pattern blocks. I was told to note the 3 rhombus "ships" in the foreground.
Project Cornerstone
October 11, 2012
Angelina's mom shared a photo book about friendship and we did an activity with 3x5 cards to identify the actions that we expect of good friends.
"Magic in the Mountain"
October 5, 2012
Here are some photos of the amazing event which raised precious funds for our school!
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| Our class treasure. " Third Grade Rocks!" |
Author's Chair
October 4, 2012
Here is Calyx sharing the "book" she created. Students may create their own books as a "may do" activity.
Making our Salt and Flour Relief Maps
September 24, 2012
California never looked so GREAT! Many thanks to our parent volunteers!!!
Third Grade Girl Scouts
September 2012
Mrs. Dufort is glad that she LOVES Girl Scout Cookies!
Buddies
September 28, 2012
We love our Little Buddies!
Math Lab #2
September 28, 2012
With a "full pool" of 6 parent volunteers, we were able to accomplish great things at our second math lab. Place value bingo, flashcards, tests correcting (we LEARN from our mistakes!), painting our Salt/Flour Relief Maps, and learning about geometrical shapes with pattern blocks.
Our Gala "Class Treasure"
September 28, 2012
It was so exciting to see our "Class Treasure" when it was "unveiled" to us by Matthew's mom, Lori. Third Grade Rocks!
We love you, Mrs. McGrath!
September 27, 2012
It all started with one idea; Simone's idea that "we have to get EVERYONE in the school to sign a poster for Mrs. McGrath." Simone told her "idea" to a few of her classmates and they decided to "invite" themselves to the principal's office to share their idea. Ms. Signorelli gave them the paper and their idea "took flight." The girls collected signatures and sentiments from most of the classes and presented the poster to Mrs. McGrath at the assembly. Mrs. McGrath has been at Loma for 12 years--and she will be missed by all of the students who love her. Thank you Mrs. McGrath!!!
Art in Action
September 21, 2012
Learning about Johannes Vermeer, shading/highlighting, tints/shades, primary and secondary colors. What artists we have!!! Thank you to our "Art in Action Team!!!"
Clock Buddies
September 20, 2012
Making "appointments" with our "clock buddies" in preparation for a year of discussion and collaboration. Mrs. Dufort will say, "Pair up with your 2 o'clock "clock buddy" and everyone will know WHERE to go....hopefully!
Our FIRST Math Lab
September 14, 2012
We enjoyed a fun and educational morning applying our place value, addition/subtraction, math fact and geometry skills with "hands-on activities! Thank you to our "Math Lab Team" for making our "Math Lab Fridays" possible. The next Math Lab is September 28!
Ohlone Day
September 8, 2012Nine families from our class enjoyed a relaxing and educational morning under the oak trees in Henry Cowell Park. Activities included: building a reed boat, drilling holes in wood, making a fire from heat caused by friction, hunting with a spear, hunting with an atl atl (a spear "supercharger"), experiencing an archaeological dig, learning how to cook acorns with hot rocks and a "basket bowl," listening to a storyteller, taking a nature walk to learn about native plants, and playing some Native American gambling games. Of course, a big highlight of the day was gathering together to watch the Ohlone dancers perform at 11:30 a.m. We got to hear about their respect for the environment and their heritage as they performed songs and dances about the ocean, eagles, the "Walking Song," the "Corn Grinding Song," and others.
Drilling holes......
Watching the Ohlone singers/dancers....
Making reed boats....
A Native American gambling game. 6 Black Walnuts (heads or tails) and sticks as the "prize!"
Local tribes and band--and their diverse languages...
Acorn mush demonstration. It was cooked in a basket with hot rocks. Many of the students tried the "mush" and said it was "delicious and sweet!" Acorn mush comprised 70% of the Ohlone diet. That's like eating acorns for breakfast AND lunch!!! Would you think that is "yummy?"
Author's Chair
September 7, 2012Sharing our "The Important Thing" paragraph poems.
Souvenirs from our Summer
August 24, 2012Here are the students sharing items they treasure from their summer.
