Health Component Added To Our ESP

The majority of our research, collection of information, and new concepts that we learn are put into our Electronic Student Portfolios. (ESP)   We have now added a 20 page Health Component (20 slides on power point) that will display the students' knowledge of what it takes to be and stay healthy.  This is coordinated with over 20 songs that we sing about the food pyramid, germs, exercise, eating and living healthy, and filthy habits that all help us to be healthy citizens.  It concludes with a contract/promise to do our best to make healthy choices.

Bulb Growing

Shhh! Don't tell anyone what kind of bulb we are forcing in our classroom.  We predicted what we were growing and what we thought might happen.  We then worked as botanists daily to record data.  Since we are using a clear vase with water instead of dirt to grow the bulb, we can observe what is happening that usually we would not be able to see with the roots growing in the dirt. 

What a treat this has been, as over the weekend on Day 5, the roots grew about 4 inches and completely took over the complete bottom part of the v-necked vase.   What we had available to observe on top was slow but progressive. And then the second shoot came up from the bulb. The students get so excited with each new development.  Our guesses and predictions will soon come to see whether or not we were correct!

Pumpkins At School

Thank you Gail, Rosie, and Ed...because of you, our class all got a pumpkin!  We have discussed many things we can do with them, including using shaving creme on them to practice our spelling words.  Then we'll take them home for jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin bars, and pumpkin pie!  Students will get their names put into the bucket for a drawing for every new thing they do with their pumpkin.   http://agweb.okstate.edu/fourh/aitc/lessons/extras/recipes/pumpie.html  Check out this sit for Pumpkin Pie in a Bag, Pumpkin Ham Soup, Roasted Pumpkins, and facts about pumpkins.

Interested In Gardening And Want To Win Gardening Prizes??

Check out this site...look for great ideas and apply online to win great gardening supplies.  This would be a great opportunity to plant some mystery fruits and vegetables. Bok choy was a Mystery Vegetable we had recently that Haley told us about. No one guessed it, but Yuki said her mom does cook with it.

The award is open to any adult in the United States who wishes to garden with preschool to high school-aged family member(s) and feels that gardening is a great way to build lasting memories. A focus on nutrition, sustainability, and socialization is a plus.
 $500 gardening kit will be awarded.  Start planning now!

http://www.kidsgardening.com/grants/heinz.asp

Nutrition For Kids

http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/nutritionforkids/index.htm  Check this link out to  find facts for your "electronic student porfolio."

Mr. Bonn Visits Our 3rd Grade Classroom

Check out all the crops he brought for us to see. Thank you, Mr. Bonn!

7 Continents

Students will be creating a power point slide show of the "7 Continents."  The first continent will be South America. One paragraph is required for a satisfactory grade, and two paragraphs minimum are required for an S+ grade.  Include the location, (hemisphere) of the continent, bodies of water around or within the continent, number of countries, languages and cultures, mountains, rivers, or other prevalent aspects such as rain forests, canyons,  deserts, etc...

The second paragraph should include crops raised and transported to other countries. 
Have any of these crops been a part of our "mystery fruit and vegetable" examples?  Think about its length and width, its weight...ounces or pounds, the circumference.  Pay attention to their price in the grocery store. How much would it cost if  if you got half a pound? How about two or three pounds?  Always make "math happenings" a part of your life and learning.

 Students should hyperlink at least one site to their slide that would allow them to read and gain future knowledge about the country they choose.  Students may add another slide if we have a class song regarding that continent, to type the song onto that slide.  Students may either record themselves singing the song on this slide, or we will sing as a class.  This will be an electronic library of the world we live in and study.  Students can expand on these slides, and document as much as they'd like about the countries they learn.  Many students need this opportunity to expand their knowledge, challenge their abilities, and reach for the stars.
All about South America:

http://www.shelburnefilms.com/T_video1.htm
Organic Farming:
http://www.kww-southamerica.org/content/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=142
Banana Farming
http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/profiles/documents/FavoritaProfilewithhorizon.pdf