Skip to main content

Jammin' Through January!

This week we have taken project time to practice our keyboarding skills with Dance Mat Typing. We know that skill is crucial to our effectiveness using technology! Students can practice at home -- use the link here on the blog under Academic Extensions to find the website!



Check out that awesome hand position!

In language arts, we have been combining our reading and writing skills. Second grade completed their first expository essay together!! They also continued their biography study of heroes with Helen Keller, Rosa Parks, and Lucille Ball. We will take their information forward next Tuesday for the second expository essay. Second grade has also been focusing on writing detailed and thorough 3,2,1 reflections. Third grade has continued their focus on endangered animals and nonfiction text. We've worked hard on our cursive, Homonym, and Mountain Language too. Fourth Graders are following Joe Ranz' journey to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. Knowing his background is preparing us to understand how he's developed grit, persistence, and strength. Our expository essays this week focused on courage.

We shared some fantastic presentations in science this week! Not only did our scientists get to share and reflect on their own experiences, they learned from their peers' projects as well. Topics ranged from spherification of liquids to coin-powered batteries. The amount of time and effort given to these projects was apparent. Congratulations on a job well-done, scientists!





In social studies, we read Each Kindness (piggybacking on Dr. Schneider's morning messages) and applied the story's message by writing our own ideas for creating ripples of kindness at Kiker. We talked about the many opportunities we have in various settings--the classroom, at lunch, and at recess--to make a positive impact.

We tied that message to one of our great heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. After reading The Colors of Us, we discussed the beauty and diversity of our outsides and the uniqueness of our insides. We ALL have value and have so much to offer!

In math this week fourth graders discussed the advantages and disadvantages of different savings options. We made a budget for a weekly allowance and discussed what the purpose of financial institutions are. We also played a game called Snack Stand that involved play money and making a profit. Third graders learned  that  credit to buy something affects the cost. We discussed how and why you should save money and how making decisions involves income, spending, saving, giving, and credit.  Second graders learned how saving and spending are different. We discussed what happens when you save money over time and how deposits and withdrawals are different. We ended the week with what it means to borrow money.

*A very important AISD survey will be coming home today if you haven't already received it. Please take a few moments to complete it (either the hardcopy or online). We appreciate you providing your feedback!

Enjoy the long weekend...Happy Birthday, Dr. King, and thank you for your legacy!
SBLC Trio


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Patriotism, Good Citizenship, and Important American Symbols

This week we are studying in depth the intent, meaning, and importance of many American symbols, documents, songs, and speeches. In doing this, we are using some neat tech resources: Star-Spangled Banner Smithsonian Site Our Country's Flag Flag Manners The Pledge of Allegiance The Declaration of Independence The Constitution The Bill of Rights American Symbols

Texas Regions

*Parents, this is an in-class assignment. Hello, SBLC Super Stars! Today, you are explorers of the four Texas regions. If you get finished--AND your have double checked your work--please make a comment that includes your name and something you enjoyed learning today! Directions : Carefully read below and use the links to investigate the characteristics and history of each region. Remember to write neatly and double check spelling...everything you do deserves your best effort! :) 1. A  sub-region  is a smaller part of a region or area. What are the sub-regions within each Texas region? Look at the picture below to see how to record your findings in your notebook. Now, click here to find your answers:  http://bookbuilder.cast.org/view_print.php?book=41216 2. On the next two pages in your notebook, create a half-page "fact sheet" for each region. Set your pages up first! Use a ruler to make straight lines and create a half page for each region. Then write:

Energy Websurf

Hello, super scientists! Click on the links below to complete your Energy Websurf. Read all directions and double check your work for accuracy!  When you complete your Websurf, leave a comment telling something new that you learned today. Remember--comments with errors will not get posted, so double check before you post! :) 2nd grade Part I: Sources of Sound http://www-g.eng.cam.ac.uk/mmg/teaching/peterstidwill/interact/resources/oceanodyssey.htm Part II: Light and Shadows http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/light_shadows/play/popup.shtml Part III: Watt's That, Jr. http://energyquest.ca.gov/wattsthat_junior/power/index.html 3rd grade Part I: Geothermal http://energy4me.org/all-about-energy/what-is-energy/energy-sources/geothermal/ Part II: Tiki the Penguin-Energy http://tiki.oneworld.net/energy/energy8.html Part III: Types of Energy http://c03.apogee.net/contentplayer/?coursetype=kids&utilityid=demo&id=16168 Part IV: What