RAIN ....

 A fun BIG BOOK that I usually read in the Spring with the children is RAIN, by Robert Kalan. But, since we are studying water and the water cycle, I thought I would introduce it a bit early this year. It's a cute book that most children can read because of the picture clues ... it is also a GREAT book to use to teach writing. The book also helps with directional words, top, bottom, left, right, landscape, portrait .... and the project is TOUGHER than it may look. We worked on a few drafts ... and turning the paper to portrait and adding the words RAIN to look like RAIN is something that doesn't seem natural .... but we plowed through it and I think the drawings and writings came out FANTASTIC!!!!!  So here are our Final Drafts of our
RAIN on the __________ pages. This project focuses on creative writing / sentence writing, art and math concepts!



Pages from the book RAIN look like this ....

 

 

 

 

School Days ....

The third grade class has been studying about finances and businesses. They have set up a school store which is loaded with pencils, erasers, markers, folders and notebooks. The store is open each morning from approximately 7:30am - 7:55am -- things are reasonably priced. If you would like your child to visit the school store, have them bring money in an envelope or zip-lock bag and I'll send them down the store before school starts! 

The Manara Mobile School Supplies Cart!

 

Our Class Rocked the Red for HEART Health!

Thanks everyone for participating!!!!!!!!!

and thanks Mr. Riehl & Mrs. Duffy for joining our class for this picture!

 

 KINDNESS Celebration

 

 The children enjoying their teeny cupcake from ME!

 

 

Cuteness from Kindness Week!

 

I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!

And looking forward to seeing you on February 27th for our Water Showcase.

 

 

 

Fundraising Posters Revealed UPDATE

UPDATE -- WATER WEDNESDAY RAISED A LITTLE OVER $200!!!  With our Kinder dress downs and some other donations we have collected enough money for 6 Water Kits and have some money towards a 7th KIT .... keep that change coming in!!!!!  Let's get to 10!!!!!!!!!!!!

A couple weeks ago, the children started working on their rough drafts of their Water Fundraising Posters ... we first looked at Fundraising Posters on-line and the children discussed details and colors and how most posters had BIG, BRIGHT, BUBBLE letters! They were a bit hesitant and many said they thought this would be a HARD project!!!

After they were happy with their background picture rough draft, they chose a slogan to write on their poster ... they played with making bubble letters and practiced writing with markers.  On Monday we were ready to conquer our FINAL drafts ... a few children were absent so will have to make up this work during the week.

I popped on the classical music and the kids got their Poster Paper and they began to lightly sketch their background drawing. When they felt ready ... I pulled out the Water Colors and the kids began to paint .... It was wonderful to see their drawings coming to life!  We let the paintings dry and Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning, the children added their slogans ....

 

 Today the children got in 3 teams of 6 and we went to 1 fifth grade and 2 third grade classes.

Each team showcased a couple posters and then announced that tomorrow is WATER WEDNESDAY. (What is that you ask?)

They told the audience that they could dress down on Wednesday if they brought a $1.00 and donated it to the Kinder classes for our Water Filtration Fundraiser.

Each group also told the audiences that the filters cost $52.00 and last 10 years, when properly cared for.

These presentations help the children gain confidence presenting information in front of an audience.

They learn how to work as a team and support each other.

They have become experts in the subject and are able to share that information and answer questions about the topic.

Presenting to Mrs. Hoyt's class ...

Answering questions

Presenting to Ms. Moore's 5th grade class ...

Sisterly LOVE!!!!

Mrs. Lymbery's 3rd grade class ... I love the "spotlight" look!!!

Here are all the kids posing with their POSTERS!

I'm so proud of how far they have ALL come!!!!!

Yacoub came up with our class winning slogan

HELP US COLLECT COINS TO

BLAST WATER EVERYWHERE!

**A few children were absent when we did the final drafts ... they will complete their final drafts in the next few days as time allows.

We cannot wait for you to come see all of our work and present the fundraising money to Buckner on Friday, February 27 from 11:45 - 12:30pm

Watch for your invitation .... COMING SOON!

Writer's Workshop

I love seeing the children grow as writers ... each day their sound spelling becomes better, their handwriting goes from almost unreadable to forming letters correctly and writing on lines and using finger spaces between words! I also enjoy seeing them use their imagination to finish writing prompts ... and PUSH themselves to write more than one sentence!

Yesterday the children started their own book .... I Am ___________ .  We used I Am Skippyjon Jones as a guide and created our first drafts! The children are writing things about themselves; from being a big brother, to a great learner, to a wonderful friend. It is incredible to see what they are writing about their identity!

I hope to have their final versions finished by February 12!

WE ARE WRITERS!!!!!!

TRY THIS AT HOME

You can try this at home .... take ANY early reader that uses repetitive text. 

(i.e Brown Bear, also - there are a bunch of Rookie Reader books on Amazon.com - these all have repetitive text)

Read the story a few times with your child.

Fold 2 pieces of paper together and staple (make a small book)

Have your child create a cover and then have the child write their words in the book using sound spelling.

Next, have them sketch simple drawings.

FINAL VERSION

Have the children write the book again in their VERY best handwriting and you can help them with correct spelling of words or work with them on more sound spelling.

Use a pencil and draw final versions of illustrations ... then color the illustrations.

ON THE VERY BACK PAGE -- glue a picture of the child and have them write their AUTHOR BIO

Name, Age, Where they Live, Their Hobby, etc.

A fun rainy day (or two, or three .... project!)

This project helps with comprehension, writing, sequencing, drawing, fine motor! 

HAVE FUN!

ALSO -- I just wanted to share with you the first Character Sketches I just received from my illustrator for my next book; Violet and Red are the main characters in -- Red Goes To Kindergarten.  It's always very exciting to get to the illustration part of the book and see the words come to life!  This book should be released early Summer ...

Counting Money

The children are learning about counting money and I found this great song on YouTube that they really like .... have fun!  It will get stuck in your head ....
We may be singing this at this weeks Community Circle ....