Panda Path Reflections...hearts filled with JOY!

We had the most rewarding experience today sharing our books with new Pre-K friends at Panda Path!

 Reflecting on the day, what did you enjoy most? How did it feel reading and giving the books to the students? Please share any thoughts that you have about this wonderful experience!

Holiday Tradition Sharing

     December is a month of celebrations. Our classmates celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas. I am sure each of us has special family traditions, food and fun activities. Please share some of your favorite holiday customs with us!

Science Chat

Monday is your first science test. It is mainly on nutrition and also on the metric system.  I know that you are already studying. I would love to hear four to five facts or interesting things that you have learned during this unit. Please help me increase my background knowledge on these topics.

Unexpected Hurts

Georgina keeps having to push down a tapping inside of herself. That tapping is her conscience telling her that she has done something bad.

Do you think Georgina is surprised by how stealing Willy is much more complicated than her simple plan in her notebook?

How have Georgina's actions already hurt Carmella?

How is Willy being hurt by Georgina's plan so far?

Has she hurt her brother Toby in any way?

Is Georgina hurting herself?

Book Fair Buzz!

Book Fair was amazing this year. Please share some book titles that you purchased and why you chose them! Are you enjoying your new books so far. Tell us all about it!

Ralph Fletcher!

Lauren commented, "Ralph Fletcher is the most kid-like author we have had at Kinkaid!"

I couldn't agree more with her! Not only was Mr. Fletcher very funny, he gave us many helpful writing tips and advice. Please share some of your favorite Fletcher Tips!

Authors...TAKE TWO!

Laura Seeger's Writer's Notebook! Just like ours!

We have had the privilege of meeting and listening to two fantastic authors!

Katherine Applegate is a Newbery Award winner for The One and Only Ivan and Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a 2- time Caldecott Honor Winner for Green and First the Egg.

Write about two things that you learned, thought was interesting, or stood out in your mind from each author.  

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

Georgina has a plan to steal a dog for the reward money. She wants the reward money so that her mom can afford to rent an apartment again.

She plans to do something bad to do something good. Do you think that it is ever okay to do a bad thing so that you can do something good? If you were in Georgina's shoes, what would you do?
How do you think living in a car is hurting Georgina?

Grateful Hearts!

During the movie we viewed at assembly, the teacher asked her students to write about the things for which they are thankful. Let's try it ourselves. I am sure that we will do a better job!

I'll start...

George Illustrates!

George read the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. He illustrated a character named Jack.

Please share a specific compliment with George about his great work!

Shawnee Sharing!

These nomadic Native Americans roamed the forests with other Eastern Woodland tribes. They certainly had troubling times with Europeans like the other tribes!
Please share some fascinating facts that you have learned so far.

Hopi Happenings!

The Hopi people got their name from a word that means "peaceful people". Hmmm...very interesting and quite a contrast to our Comanche tribe!
Please share interesting information from your research so far.

Shoshone Shout Out!

The People of the Great Basin survived in smaller groups in desert-like conditions! They were tough and clever people.
Please share some of the facts that you have learned already!

Comanche Conversation

The Lords of the Plains were highly skilled horsemen and expert hunters! They ruled the plains!
Please share what you have learned so far in your research.

Kinkaid LS Databases!

Enjoy Kids Info Bits at home!

Kids Info Bits!

Leaving Home

Ivan sees the large Ivan-sized box.

He realizes that even in a bad situation there are some good things. Please share your thoughts on this true statement. You could write about the things Ivan will miss. You could share your personal connections to this idea.

Let's have an interesting conversation. I will start!

Artist in Residence

Please enjoy Charlie's beautiful koala drawing. I know he would love to read specific compliments about his work.

Think about color, background, shading, detail, etc.

Building Native American BK!

Here is your chance to choose a video and build more background knowledge about Native Americans!
Enjoy your "view to learn" experience and share some new learning or general thoughts with us!
View to Learn/Native Americans

View to Learn...American Heritage Video

Enjoy viewing this video again! You can stop and start it whenever you want. Feel free to post some brain tracks! Try to share at least three facts that are new learning to you.

Independent Reading Rocks!

I love to read for fun! I read everything I can get my hands on!!!

Please share the book that you are reading and tell us why you like it! Let's have a reading conversation! Make ME want to read YOUR book!

The One and Only Ivan

Ivan, Ruby and Bob are friends. They are trying to make connections and survive in a very unnatural domain. 

I try to imaging what it would feel like to live in a small area separated from other humans. Please share what you think would be painful about that experience. Also, share what you think Ivan, Ruby and Bob's friendship mean to them.

Step-up Day Helpful Ideas!

I can hardly believe that we just have a precious few days of school left!

Please share some of your thoughts about third grade in our classroom. What are your favorite times of the day? Do you especially like our Thirty Glorious Minutes of Independent Reading? Why? Do you look forward to relaxing on a bean bag and listening to a great chapter book during Read Aloud? How about math groups? Blogging? What else? Pioneer Journals, Native American iMovie?

Please help me will some ideas to share with our rising third graders on Step Up Day! I am planning on sharing this blog post with the future third graders!

P.S. Please show them that good bloggers check over their writing for correct capitalization on punctuation before posting!

Living History Museum

Yesterday we visited fourth grade's Living History Museum! Please share some interesting facts that you learned about the famous people at the museum. Also, share your thoughts and feelings about being in the museum next year!

Make sure to write three or more thoughtful sentences.

Kinkaid Art Car Parade!

Today we had an all Lower School Art Car Parade! It was a fabulous experience for all involved. We learned a lot about the history of the Art Car Parade from Ms. Mary Forbes, the Assistant Director of the Art Car Museum.

Please write three of more sentences about your experience today and what you learned!

Art Car Parade

I am so excited about Kinkaid's Art Car Parade! Please write three or more sentences describing your art car and how you feel about this project.

The Heritage Society

We had a wonderful day today at the Houston Heritage Society! We toured some historical buildings of downtown Houston, and had hands-on experiences with artifacts from the past!

Write 4 sentences reflecting on your favorite parts of the field trip. What did you enjoy most? What did you learn? What are the parts of the day you will never forget?

Pioneer Hour Reflections

I am so proud of each of you! Your journals, iMovies and Voice Thread were thoughtful, historically accurate and VERY entertaining!

Please write three or more sentences about Pioneer Hour today. Which project were you the most proud to share? What was the best compliment you received? What did you think about how we set things up?

Courage

In assembly last Friday, Mrs. Babine talked about courage.
She said that one way to define courage is the ability to do something difficult even if you are afraid.

Please share a time when you have had the courage to: 

• tell the truth the first time you are asked/admit a mistake
• stand up for a friend
• stand up for yourself

How did you feel when your were admitting a mistake. Were you nervous? Were you sorry for what you did? Has anyone ever stood up for you in a tough situation? Make sure to write at least three good sentences.

Your PIoneer Family

Please tell us about your pioneer family. Who is in your family? What are the personality traits of the people in your family? Share a few good and bad things that will happen to your precious family on the trail!

Would you stay or would you go?

Knowing what you know now about the dangers of the Oregon Trail and the promises of a better life, would you choice to stay in Independence, Missouri or risk it all on the trail?

Please explain your answer!

Structures and Electricity

Make Mrs. Sayuk proud! Teach me some information about structures and electricity. Impress me!

Voice Thread Research

Oh my goodness! I forgot to put this post on after school! I apologize for the late posting.

Please share your new learning or background knowledge about your slide for our voice thread about the Oregon Trail!

Spring Break!

I am so excited about Spring Break! I am going to do many things. Please share what you are looking forward to doing. Let the good times roll!

Westward HO!

We are just beginning to gain background knowledge about life on the Oregon Trail!

Please share a few fascinating facts about The Oregon Trail that were part of your new learning list from our brain tracks note taking this week.

Laurie Keller is coming to town!

Laurie Keller is visiting Kinkaid on March 4th and 5th!

Laurie Keller Website!

Please explore her wonderful website and share anything you learned about her personally in the About Me section or comment on your favorite Laurie Keller book!

Valentine's Day Ideas!

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day!

Please give your friends and me some ideas for showing kindness and love towards others! These ideas can be big or small. Remember, sometimes the little things mean the most!

International Fair

I had a wonderful time in China and Argentina! As Henry said so well, "They really went all out!"

Please say any new learning from either one of these experiences! Also, please share activities or foods that you particularly enjoyed.

The Museum of Fine Arts

Today we viewed Pre-Columbian functional art. Each piece of art was created before Christopher Columbus came to the Americas. These works of art each served a purpose.

As we created our own vessels out of clay, I enjoyed observing you all in action! I was so very impressed with your vessel details...the legs, the heads and the handles. I loved Dylan's long necked vessel...so creative!

Please share some interesting facts that you learned from Ms. Claudia and your feelings about the day!

The Thing About Friendship!

We are now reading about Georgie, Russ and Andy coming together as a group of friends.

What do you think you need to know about friendship and people in general to make a group of three friends really work? Think deeply about this question and explain your ideas.

New Year's Resolutions

I have not really thought about what I am going to work on specifically for 2013. Please take a few minutes and think about an area in your life that you would like to improve, something you would like to learn or whatever comes to mind!

Independent Reading is the spice of life!

I could talk on and on about the books I am reading, the books I have read and the books I want to read in the future!

Let the conversation begin!

Argentina and China

Yesterday we discovered a wonderful database called Culture Grams!

Please think of some interesting questions about each country that you could research on this database or another source! Be thoughtful and please don't repeat a questions that someone else has typed!