A Classroom without Walls!

Think deeply, ask questions, share your ideas, explore the world...

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Winter Break and Holiday Traditions!

Winter Break and Holiday Traditions



It's so exciting! Winter break is near! What are your plans? What are you looking forward to most? Are you traveling or staying in Houston? If you celebrate Christmas, what are some of your family's traditions you look forward to every year? If you celebrate Hanukkah, what are some of your traditions?

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Independent Reading Check In!

Books can really add a lot of joy to your life! I always like to have a good fiction book around...like a good friend. Lately, you know I have been reading a book called A Path Appears. This book is not for enjoyment and entertainment. It is a book that teaches about how to make the world a better place. It has changed the way I see the world! Books can be
entertaining and POWERFUL!

What have you all been reading lately? How has the book entertained you? How has it changed you?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The One and Only Ivan

Ivan has been in his domain separated from his kind for years. He has made friends with Bob, Stella and Julia. Now, Rudy, a precious baby elephant, has arrived.

Please share your thoughts on this wonderful book so far. Which character is your favorite? Why? Do you like Katherine Applegate's sparse style of writing short, powerful sentences? Can you think of any memorable lines or themes so far?

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Panda Path Reflections

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!

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Legend Brainstorming!

As we have read several Native American legends, we have enjoyed creating our own list of the important elements of a good legend.  Most importantly, we now know that the main purpose of a legend is to explain something in the natural world.

Let's brainstorm some ideas for our legends!

What will your legend explain? What are some possible character names that you will use? Think about our character list that we started in class.  Will the Creator/Great Spirit have a role in your legend? What about the number 4?

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Science Study Hall!

Monday is your first science test. You've been learning about the metric system and nutrition. Please share four to five facts that you have learned during these units. What is your studying strategy? Be sure to write in complete sentences and  use the correct punctuation and capitalization. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Electronic Reading vs. Paper Book Reading

We have really enjoyed "E" reading each week on our classroom iPads!

So far we have focused on...
  • True Flixs
  • Book Flixs
  • Follett Shelf 
  • Kid Rex Safe Searches
  • Infobits
Please share your thoughts on "E" reading. What is your favorite text to read? Do you love to read books on Follett Shelf? Do you love the True Flix books? 

Which do you really prefer "E" reading or paper book reading?  

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Because of Winn Dixie

"I could feel her listening with all her heart, and it felt good."

Gloria Dump is really turning out to be a lovely friend to Opal. Pleases share your thoughts about their budding friendship.

Also, I really love how the preacher listed 10 things about Opal's mom. For fun, you can experiment making a top 10 list about your mom, yourself or any important person in your life.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Research Workshop Rocks!

Congratulations on your new membership to the research group studying either the Shoshone, Comanche, Hopi or Shawnee tribe!
Please share what you want to learn about your tribe or what you have already learned.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

View to Learn!

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.


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Marvelous Math Groups!

We are really enjoying our math rotations! Please share what you like about them so far. Do you have a favorite station? Do you have a favorite game so far? WHY do you like it?
What are some great strategies from Reader's Workshop that you use to solve difficult math problems? Do you like to solve problems on slates with a letter as a mystery number?

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Writer's Corner

How are your personal narratives coming along?

Have you written an awesome hook? What kind was it?
What is your story about? Have you tried a "show not tell"? If so, what was it? 
Are you ready to publish or are you revising or writing your first draft? Let's chat about our writing!

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

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!


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

What remains?

Today in Reader's Workshop we talked about what we are left with after reading a great book!
  • unanswered questions about favorite character and their futures
  • wonders
  • powerful images
  • morals/lessons
These are just a few of the treasures that great books leave us after the last page has been read.
Please some of what remains with you from a favorite book!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Living History Highlights!

I had a wonderful time listening to the fourth graders give their Living History speeches! As I was listening, my brain was surfing for new learning and fun facts. Also, I noticed that many of the famous people featured demonstrated amazing character traits that lead to their successes.

Please share your new learning, fun facts and/or thoughts about the important character traits of these famous people.


Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Glorious Independent Reading!

I am so happy that Mrs. Cabellero and Mrs. Kuhn helped me get unstuck in my reading! I am now happily reading The Thoughts and Happenings of Wilfred Price Purveyor of Superior Funerals. Many of you helped friends get unstuck this week!

Please share your independent reading joys! Just let us know what you are falling into right now or what you have read recently that was just great!  Share whatever you would like! 

You can even share your experience helping a friend or being helped!


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Post Pioneer Hour Wrap-up!

We had wonderful time sharing our Westward Expansion projects and work samples! I am curious. What was your favorite activity that we did during this unit? Was is the journal, the iBook with widgets, time line, map or brain tracking?

Did you enjoy Pioneer Hour? Tell us some of your thoughts about this experience.

I am so proud of my pioneers!
Love,
Ms. Priscilla Peach

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Dreams CAN Come True!

 In the past two weeks, we met two inspirational men who shared the same message. Even though these men have extremely different careers, they both spent time when they were young thinking about what they love doing. 

Mr. Escher and Mr. Yaccarino studied and worked hard to make their passion a career. Dan Yacarrino suggested we take time to close our eyes and think about the thing we most love to do, what makes us happiest. 

Please reflect on your interests. What do you love to do? What do you hope you can do every day in your work when you grow up?

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Science Shout-out!

Make Mrs. Sayuk and me proud! Teach me some information about circuits and electricity. Teach me also about bridges. Impress me with your knowledge. Use your notes and review if you need to and have fun!



Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Do you like book trailers?

Watch both of Dan Yaccarino's book trailers for his book All the Way to America.

Now comment and share your predictions for this book.  Enjoy and good luck!

Pioneer Journaling Fun!

We are all having a lot of fun journaling from a pioneer child's point of view. It is such a pleasure for me to listen to you all share your journals that are packed with historically accurate facts. Each one of you have weaved the facts into your writing in such clever ways.

Please share some of your thoughts about your experience writing historical fiction. You may share some of your favorite lines that you have written or just tell about your feelings about writing in this genre.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Spring Break Buzz

Spring Break is around the corner! I know we are all excited to relax, sleep in, read and maybe even go on a trip. What are your plans for Spring Break? What are you most looking forward to? What books are you planning on enjoying? Are you going to be reading a paper book or on an electronic devise! Fun times!

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Life on the Oregon Trail

We are working on gaining background knowledge about life on the Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion in general. We have a lot of new learning that we have gained through video, books and now Webpath Express searching.

Please share some interesting new learning with us! Bring on the fascinating facts!

Hispanic Flamenco Ballet

We were all very impressed with the Hispanic Flamenco Ballet performances that we saw this week. Please share your reflections about this wonderful experience!

Realistic Fiction Rocks!

Please share your story plot with us! We want a preview of your book. You might want to share your hook or problem, but NOT the ending!

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Jesse Jones Park...

We had a wonderful time visiting Jesse Jones Park last week.

This model Homestead really showed us what life was like in the 1820's and 1830's in our area! Please share any new learning with us. What surprised you? What was a favorite part for you?

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

The Oregon Trail!/View to Learn

We are busy gaining background knowledge about Westward Expansion!

Please get your earphones and your Learning Log out. Write brain tracks as you view this video. Remember you can stop and start it. Then share some new learning with us!  Enjoy!


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

International Fair Reflections!

We had a wonderful time in India and Australia! Please share your thoughts about your experiences.

What were your favorite activities? What food was your favorite? Were you surprised by anything? 

Share any new learning!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Independent Reading Sharing!

We didn't have time to meet with our reading partners today. So, let's all share together! I can't wait to tell you all about my new book!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Australia and India...Read and View to Learn!

Let's enjoy some reading and view to learn about our International Fair countries!
Australia and India: Read and View to Learn!

Please share a few pieces of new learning OR some background knowledge that you already had.

Isaac has actually been to Australia! Bring it on, Isaac!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Because of Winn-Dixie

"I could feel her listening with all her heart, and it felt good."

Gloria Dump is really turning out to be a lovely friend to Opal. Pleases share your thoughts about their budding friendship.

Also, I really love how the preacher listed 10 things about Opal's mom. For fun, you can experiment making a top 10 list about your mom, yourself or any important person in your life.
Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Winter Break highlights!

Please share any highlights about your winter break! We would love to hear about your travels, your family, your fun activities...whatever you feel like sharing!

Reading Engagement is high!

We have just now gotten back into full swing with our independent reading books! Please share with us your thoughts on any book that you are excited about right now. It could be a book that you just finished, have just started, are in the middle of or whatever!

You can share favorite parts, memorable lines, interesting characters, fancy words, etc.!

I bet you know what book that I am going to write about!