Animal Kingdom Project Research

 
This week we are researching a specific animal from the animal kingdom.  We will be working in both reading and writing workshop learning informational reading and writing skills; then we'll be putting our skills to work to create a nifty animal poster project that will be displayed at Dads and Doughnuts!

The following site is wonderful for finding lots of information about members of the animal kingdom!  http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/.

(Yes, Danny, it's even a University of Michigan site!)

Girls and Boys:  Try this one too!  http://www.biokids.umich.edu/ 

Another excellent research site:  http://tolweb.org/tree/

Students are researching today and tomorrow in the classroom.  If they choose to do research at home they may do so, or they may do all their research in class.

Students may also print items at home for use on their posters.  Having said that, a balance of web-generated items as well as handmade items will be required on the poster.

We will begin assembling posters in class on Wednesday.  Until then, the students main focus needs to be on research.

Thanks for any help you do provide!

Resthaven Field Trip

Photos from Moms and Muffins

Mystery Genre Project

All student signed up today in class with the title of their mystery chapter book. My requirements were that the book had to be a mystery, could not be horror, and had to be at least 100 pages.  Many of the kids came in today (and yesterday) talking about Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Hank the Cowdog, and also the 39 Clues.

I love that the girls and boys are looking at books they may not have otherwise given more than a passing glance!

Between now and December 20 students should read their mystery book and then work on their genre project--a Mystery Mobile!  Mobiles are due in class on the 20th.  All students will receive their mobile materials on Monday and then will be asked to work on the project at home.  Between now and Monday students should be READING their book.  I'm attaching the rubric to this posting.  The rubric may help students as they read to make notetaking a little easier!

Mystery Mobile Rubric

Late Start

Just a quick reminder that Wednesday is a late start day for Waukazoo.  All teachers will be in professional development meetings in the early morning.

Students will start school at 10:35 a.m.

Why does the thankful project matter?

This project made us think about what we might take for granted. (Kenny)
It helps me understand I can be more thankful. (Zoe)
It gets us in the Thanksgiving spirit. (Ashlyn)
It fills our bucket. (Laine K.)
It is time to show thanks. (Sarah)
It helps us be better people. (Lainee R.)
It helps us create our imagination. (Austin)
God probably likes us doing it. (Mia)
To enjoy others. (Ava)
We can express our feelings. (Lilly)
Writing about people makes them feel good. (Dorien)
It reminds us to be thankful for living in our country because of the resources. (Abby)

And...from everyone's page (practically everyone...), "It gives us essay ideas!"

Mrs. Perrien is thankful for her students because:

1)  They never fail to surprise her.
2)  Teaching is the ultimate bucket filler--helping someone overcome an obstacle or realize a strength is a blessing.
3)  Someone always calls her "mom" at least once a month, while she's on the job!
4)  Students remind her that there is great hope for the future!
4)  It's the only job where getting to dress in pajamas, "wear" a python, or use a hot glue gun is just another day at work!

Have a blessed and merry December!

The Elf Factory is so cool!  Thanks to all the parents volunteering their time to help this week.  What a wonderful way for the kids to get more involved in their gift giving.