Flocabulary

This is a great link with rap songs about parts of a story (my favorite) to other subject related rap songs.  With all the new hip hop, this has the kids up moving and learning vocabulary important to their learning. 

http://flocabulary.com/fivethings/

Have fun! ~ Tara

Outdoor Classroom is a Reality

This morning I found a Brunswick Electric Letter in my teachery mailbox at school.  I was slightly shocked as this was my fourth year in applying for this grant for an outdoor classroom and garden.  This year my letter was in an 8 x 10 burnt orange envelope as previously they had been in a standard white envelope.  I was kindof grumbling into work for many reasons. 
1.  I was running late, compliments of my sleepy husband and need to get two precious girls ready for preschool.
2.  My Sundrop had not fully kicked in nor did I have breakfast.
3.  It was our third grade annual Pumpkin Day, in which for the love of learning, we teachers would prepare a chaotic day of pumpkin learning based activities..... FOR THE LOVE OF KIDS!!!!!
4.  I didn't have jeans that fit properly because I'm losing weight, but that's a whole 'nother story....
5.  My sudrop wasn't working yet...

So I really can't wait for a surprise, so this bad boy was not walking all the way down to my room.  I put down my belongings and slowly (and unexpectedly) opened the envelope.  I knew something was really different when I opened a blue folder and spied a gleaming certificate inside.  Overwhelmed with joy, I was totally jumping up and down, saying "Oh yeah, who has a piranha gun now" (Despicable Me)  I'm just kidding, I was happy, excited, jubilant, elated, screaming "we have our outdoor classroom"  whoooo hooo!!!
I was hugging teachers, high fiving people, and even hugged the PE teacher.... saying--- "get ready, I'm gonna hug you."

Now is the 'put the money to good use part'.  I'm so excited.  We have used this area as a means to teach science for plants and soil.  Now however, we will be able to properly outline the sun and shade gardens, have durable picnic tables for outdoor lessons in ANY subject and a composting bin for great soil.  I plan to post pictures of the garden as we make our way into this great journey.  For now this is green thumb Tara---- OUT!

Bring a Veteran to School Day

Yes, this is a better title because so many of my kids asked how they were supposed to bring a Vet to school.  Haha!

Well this is the first year I can say with confidence we have taught the kids to understand what a Veteran is and why they are celebrated on November 11th. 

We have so many fathers and grandfathers coming in to share some small tidbits about thier military experience... rated G style.  For example:

1. What branch of the military did they serve?
2. Why did they join the military?
3.  Memorable experiences good/bad?

We are also going to give out our Honorary Veterans a certificate of appreciation as we salute them during the brief playing of each military song.  We have printed these certificates on flag stationary.  The students will give thier Veteran the certificate at the end of the program.

Each of our third grade classes will stand for a different branch of the military.  (Be sure to get the compolation that includes the Coast Guard) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdXBewNsaQA&feature=related

We are so excited about tomorrow morning as some Veterans come to share with pictures, some with uniforms and hats and some with the willingness to share with our kids the meaning of Veteran's Day. 

We Salute you Veterans!!  Most Sincerely~ Tara


Here is another military brochure if you do mini-lessons on the different branches or have the students do independent studies.

Click on the pictures to go to my webpage and download the file. Thanks- Tara

After the many events that took place.  Here are a few pictures to show you the amazing time we had.