Enjoy your summer

I've created a post so you can share what you're doing this summer with the class. I've started with me, but feel free to share. Don't forget, you can also create a "How I Spent My Summer Vacation" page in the class wiki (and upload pictures).

Meg and I have been busy with packing up the classroom to move back to the main building. We won't be able to move in to the new room until the beginning of the year, so we might head to the beach for a few days before I go to Colorado later this month.

Thanks for the letters, and I'll write back soon.

Don't forget to include your initials when you reply to this post.

What would you like to know about Third Grade?

Dear Second Grade friends,

We would like to help you prepare for Third Grade. If you have any questions about Thrid Grade, please reply to this blog (follow the steps below), and a current Third Grade student will respond to your question.

To post a relpy,

1. Click on the word comments at the bottom of the blog post. A text box will open.
2. Type in the box, then scroll down to the bottom.
3. Choose Anonymous for your user profile, and type the letters you see in the verification box.
4. Your reply has to be approved by Ms. Creagh before it will be published, so don't worry if you don't see it right away.

Please include either your first name or your initials so we can answer your questions.

Thank you

Summer Plans?

Please let us know about your summer plans, if you are taking a trip, going to camp, hanging out with your friends. Feel free to include a hyperlink in your reply if you have a website you want to share with the group.

You can also create a "My Summer Vacation" page in your wiki folder to upload pictures of your adventures.

Please remember to include your initials.

Thank you

Junior Great Books

After reading "The Banza", think about the events, characters, and issues in the story. Also, go back through the story and look for vocabulary words that were used to make the story more meaningful or that gave more detail.

In this blog post, please share a question or two that you would like to ask in our discussion group.

Some rules for your questions:
1. Avoid questions with one word answers.
2. Use "how" or "why" to begin your questions (this will make the responders have to think about their answers and make them look back for evidence to support their answer).
3. Consider using compare/constrast statements in your questions
4. Ask questions that require the responder to form an opinion and support their opinion with evidence from the story.

When you post your reply, you must include your initials. Only posts that meet the criteria will be published.

Thank you

Dictionary Detectives

Use your dictionary skills to create a minimum of 3 questions which requires your reader to know the meaning of the word in order to respond.

For example:

1. When would I feel lethargic?

2. How old would an octogenerian be?

3. What does an ornithologist study?

If you can answer a question, write the question and the answer in your reply. Be sure to include your initials.

Thank you

Going Green for St. Patrick's Day

Today is St. Patrick's Day, and we're going green! Please respond to this blog post by describing some things you can do (or are hopefully already doing) to help the environment. Be specific in explaning how your efforts are affected the environment, and who is being helped as a result of what you're doing.

Use the links below to learn more about how you can help the environment, and try to come up with a plan for something we can do at school to make a difference.

http://pbskids.org/eekoworld/index.html?load=environment
http://www.epa.gov/kids/
http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/73/27/ (scroll down to see the links on this page)

Adapt to your habitat

We've been talking about how plants and animals have adapted to survive in their habitats. For this blog reply, I'd like you to use your imagination to write a short descriptive paragraph (5-8 sentences) from the point of view of an animal or plant.

Your paragraph should include enough detail to describe the trait, explain how the trait is used, and how the adaptation helps you to survive. Remember, this is a story, so I want you to be informative, but also creative.

Read the excerpts below to help you get off on the right foot:

Hi! My name is Fern, and I live in the forest. I spend my days shading the small insects that like to hide under my long, slender leaves...

Whew, am I tired! I've been gliding on the thermals most of the day, looking for something to eat. Even though I didn't have to move my wings very much, it takes a lot of control to keep them extended to their full length of more than six feet.

Make sure you include your initials.

Eleanor Roosevelt

This week we read about some important historical figures. I'd like you to think about what we've talked about and learned from our discussions. You may use the resources on PortaPortal and from your notes to help you.

Cesar Chavez is remembered for his efforts to help migrant workers. As a farm worker, Chavez had a difficult life, traveling from farm to farm, trying to make ends meet. He saw how unfairly workers were treated and he spent many years fighting for fair treatment of workers. Chavez used boycotts to influence the owners of the farms. Because of his hard work, farm workers began to be treated more fairly.

Lyndon B. Johnson was President during a difficult time in our country's history. During his presidency, many people were unhappy about the treatment of minorities. The Civil Rights movement was becoming an important issue for all Americans. President Johnson had to lead the country through this challenging time and help people understand that all citizens should be treated equally.

Franklin D. Roosevelt was another man who faced challenges. As a person, he was afflicted with polio, which made it difficult for him to move around. As a president, he had to help the country get through the Great Depression - a period in our history when millions of people lost their homes and their jobs. During his 4 terms as president, our country faced economic struggles, war abroad, and huge industrial growth.

I would like you to respond to this post sharing your thoughts about Eleanor Roosevelt. What was her legacy? What did she contribute to our nation's history - as a person and as a First Lady.

Take your time planning your reply, look through the links attached in PortaPortal (listed under Social Studies, Historical Figures), and use the steps of the writing process to help you plan, draft, edit, and revise your response.

Don't forget to include your initials. Thank you.

Auburn Raptor Center

Last week, we had a wonderful presentation by the researchers from the Auburn University Raptor Center. Students had an opportunity to see and learn about different raptors found in and around Georgia.

Our next SEM unit is "Birds of Prey", and during this unit, students will learn about the habitats and charateristics of many kinds of raptors.

Please click on the link to the Raptor Center, spend some time researching the different raptors we will study, and choose 1 raptor for your SEM project (we will discuss project options on our SEM day).

In your reply, tell the kind of raptor you want to learn more about, and list 3 project ideas you have for the SEM unit (be creative, and try to think of a project that could help raise awareness or educate others about your bird).

Please include your initials at the end of your reply.

Eeek! - o - nomics!

We've been studying economics, resources, and the relationship between consumers and producers.

I'd like you to reply to this blog post with a personal narrative which describes your own experiences with economics. Include vocabulary words and details so readers will understand how you were part of our economy.

Please include your initials at the end of your post.