Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Season's Greetings and Happy New Year!

It is the most wonderful time of the year! Please share with us what you are looking forward to over the holidays. Do you have any special plans for Christmas? How was your Hanukkah this year? Are you going to be spending time with friends and family these next two weeks?

Let's share about holiday traditions and fun!

Native American Legend Brainstorming!

As you know, legends explain something in the natural world.

Please share with us your idea for your own legend. What are you going to explain? How the stars came to be? How mountains were formed?

What is your setting going to be? Who are your characters?

Let your mind go free and be creative! Anything goes in a legend!

"30 G" Rocks!

We love our Thirty Glorious Minutes of Independent Reading, otherwise known as "30 G"!

Please share with us what you have been reading! Have you just finished an amazing book? Did you just get hooked into a new one that you just can't put down?

Can't wait to read all about your reading!

Attitude of Gratitude!

Thanksgiving is just a week away. Many of us will spend time with family and friends. Some of us are even traveling! 

Please share with us your thoughts on being grateful and also tell us what you are thankful for in your life right now!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Veteran's Day is a day to remember and honor those who have fought for our wonderful country! 

Watch this short video on the history of Veteran's Day.

Why do you love our country? How can we show the veteran's how thankful we are? Share with us some of your thoughts on this holiday!

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.

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.

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.

Honesty is the best policy!

Georgina had a tapping feeling inside whenever she thought about stealing a dog. This feeling is her body telling her that she is doing something wrong. If you tell the truth in hard situations, it will feel better than lying.

Please share a time that it was hard to be honest, but you were honest anyway. How did you feel?

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?

Kindess Counts!

Kindness is one of Kinkaid four core values. Acts of kindness both big and small help make a huge difference in our lives. When someone does something kind for me, it makes be want to do something kind for someone else. So, the kindness cycle just keeps on rolling along.

Please share an act of kindness that you have done or that someone has been done for you!

View to Learn!

Enjoy this American Heritage video called Native Americans. You may stop and start the video at anytime so that you can write your brain tracks down on paper. Enjoy!

I can't wait to read your wonders, new learning, wows and questions. Please share at least three brain tracks.

Responsibility and Us

One of our four  Kinkaid core values is responsibility! Please share specific examples of ways you are responsible in third grade. I am excited to read your posts!

Respect in Our Everyday Life!

At our last assembly, several teachers gave real life examples of respect in action! Please share an example of respect that you have either seen, heard or witnessed. I can't wait to hear our stories!

Independent Reading Check In!

We LOVE independent reading! Today I noticed that you all were reading from several genres. I saw people reading fiction, magazines, graphic novels, picture books and biographies! Please share what you are reading. Make ME want to read YOUR book or magazine!

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!

Quality Posts are Us!

We are learning to blog our thoughtful comments! We know that a quality blog comment...

• answers the question of the post.
• is usually three or more sentences.
• has correct capitalization and ending marks.

Please let me know specifically what you think about third grade so far.  What is your favorite part or parts of the day? Do you like our classroom? Do you like our Memorable Lines Wall? Fancy Work Wall? I am very CURIOUS about your feeling about third grade!

Third Grade Rocks!

Hi friends! Please share your comments about third grade so far.

What are you enjoying? What is your favorite time of the day? Share whatever you want.

Virtual MEMORABLE LINES WALL!

Hi summer readers! If you happen to check our blog, please join our Memorable Lines Wall! No need to fill out a notecard! Simply share your line with us. Can't wait to hear from you all!

I'll start...

Love,
Ms. P.

Summer Reading - SO EXCITED!

I am so excited to dig into some juicy, exciting summer reading! As you know I am finishing up Resilience. No Ordinary Time is still a work in progress, of course. Now I am ready to choose some new books. Read my post to find out more!

Please share the titles of some books that you area planning on reading this summer and tell us why you think that you will like them. Also, please share the different genres that you plan to read.

Theme!

We have been working on identifying themes in books during Reader's Workshop!

Let's think back to The One and Only Ivan and How to Steal a Dog. Think very carefully. Can you think of a theme for either of these books? Please share your theme and the reason why you think that it works for the book! Also, you may think of a theme for the book of your choice!

Enjoy!

Next year's third graders!

As we get ready for Step Up Day, let's be thinking of our favorite parts of third grade! Please share what  you love about his year. What are some things that you think the future third graders will enjoy!  Please be as detailed as possible! Let us know specifically what you loved and why.

I can't wait to read all about it!

Feature Article!

We been working on planning and writing our feature articles! Please share your focus or some general facts about your topic. Also, you may want to share why you choose your topic. What inspired your interest in this topic?

Please share some special elements that you plan to include such as...Power Words, maps, pictures, mini-article within an article, "Think" circle, etc.

Field Day Fun!

Field Day is a wonderful day. Students and teachers from all three divisions of the school come together to have fun, participate in the events and enjoy the fair.

What is our favorite part of Field Day? Please be thoughtful and explain you answer.

Independent Reading Check In!

Believe it or not, I am still working my way through No Ordinary Time! I am really enjoying learning about how Franklin Delano Roosevelt got his third presidential term. Also, I love reading about the friendships that of Franklin and Eleanor had with many different people. My backup reading is still recipe books and Time magazine. 

Tell us all about what you have been reading lately! I can't wait to catch up on your independent reading!

Maker Space Fun!

     We have had a blast sampling our Maker Space this week! Please share how working in Maker Space makes you feel. What do you like about it? If you could create your own Maker Space for Kinkaid, what would it be like? You may also tell us about your creations!

Blog with our Buddies!

Please click on the link below and blog with our buddies! Simply watch a video and comment. Enjoy!


Mrs. Greer's Blog!

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!

Fraction vs. Decimals!

As we all know, both fractions and decimals represent parts of a whole. Which do you see more in your everyday life...fractions or decimals. Please give some example. Do you think fractions or decimals are more useful? Please share your thoughts.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka visits Kinkaid!

I am so excited about our visit with Jarrett J. Krosoczka! Please share your wonders about him and his work. I can't wait to see what he will present at the assembly tomorrow morning!

P.S.

I am so sorry that this post is LATE! Teacher error...big time! If you don't post, you have a pass!

Chinese New Year!

Today was CAFE's first meeting, and it was a great success! Many thanks to our friends, Eric Wang and Peyton Young for presenting on the topic of Chinese New Year. It sounds like you all learned so much! What did you learn? What was your favorite part? Share with me your reflections on CAFE!

If you did not attend cafe, click here to read about Chinese New Year and share with us some new learning.

Love and Kindness are in the air!

This Saturday 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!

Travel Reflections!

We had a busy week of international travel this week! We traveled to Guatemala and Greece in two days. I am tired just thinking about it! Now that our suitcases are unpacked, I am savoring the memories. Please share your new learning, favorite activities and thoughts on each country!

Greece and Guatemala!

We have been digging into Culture Grams to gain new learning on Greece and Guatemala. Our Venn Diagram is going to be very educational for others to read! Please share some of your new learning about either country!

Brain Tracks from Reader's Workshop and Library

Greetings, Pioneer Researchers!

Today we read about what life was like when the pioneers arrived in Oregon. Please share some of your brain tracks from your reading today. You may also share some of your tracks from Roughing It on the Oregon Trail!

Westward Expansion View to Learn!

Please enjoy this video about The Oregon Trail and Westward Expansion. You can start and stop it as you make your own brain tracks on paper. Then, please share your new learning. I know you will have a lot of BK in this video, but try to focus on new learning. 

Enjoy! 

Holiday Reflections and New Year's Resolutions

It was wonderful to hear about your Christmas, Hanukkah  and NewYear celebrations! Some of you might want to continue sharing about some special surprises! Also, feel free to share some New Year's Resolutions for 2015. It is going to be a wonderful year!