For the Love of Zimbabwe!

The third graders in our school are doing a big project to support children and schools in the African country of Zimbabwe. We will hear about their efforts, see them around school wearing red, and help them collect funds. I thought this week that we might do some research of our own to better understand this beautiful country.

There are 2 parts to this week's blog response.

Part 1: Read article

1. Go to http://www.creedses.vbschools.com/

2. Click Library Media Center

3. Click World Book

4. Click World Book Kids

5. Search "Zimbabwe"

6. Read article entitled, "Zimbabwe"

Part 2: Respond to article. Write an EXPOSITORY comparative/ contrast piece. What are 2 things the US has in common with Zimbabwe? What are 2 differences?

Remember, World Book is a resource for you to use anytime that you need to research a topic. If you were using it as a resource for a project, you would want to make sure to cite your sources!

Have a GREAT week! If you feel strongly about this cause, consider bringing in some money to support our Third Grade friends and thier global project!

Miss Schaech

Reading Response: Week of January 30th

Oh, it feels so good to be back in a Wordmasters Round again. I love learning all these new words and I love seeing YOUR presentations. They have been creative and your classmates have really picked up on the meanings. I am proud of all of your hard work.

Here are the words that will have been presented as of this Friday:
prow
erect
slack
migrant
huddle
mousy
ordeal
decrepit
schooner
demolish
rebellious
disband
settler
condense
mislead
intricate

For your posting this week, I'd like you write a story! In your story, I'd like you to use at least 5 of these words. Your story can be about any topic that you'd like. It can be as long as you'd like. Please make sure your story has character(s), setting, problem, events, and a solution/ ending. See Miss Schaech's example posting.

It's Reading Month!

January is Reading Month!

Creeds has some EXCITING Reading Month activities planned for you!
Listed below are some ways for you to participate:

1. All month we will be reading Chocolate Fever. It is interesting to think that every student at Creeds will know this story by the end of the month!



2. On Fridays, the PTA is sponsoring a "Read In" at lunch. After eating, you can curl up on stage with a book.



3. Mrs. Dawson is sponsoring a Reading Poster Contest. Design a poster persuading others to read. There will be a winner chosen from each grade level. The posters are due January 13.



4. Get caught reading! Anytime you have free time, READ! You could earn a ticket. Turn your tickets into the library. You could be a winner!



5. January 20 is Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character Day!



6. January 26 is Wear Pajamas Spirit Day. We will be having a Drop Everything and Read Celebration in school that day.



7. Every Thursday from 6:00-7:00 is Creeds Reads in the library. For every Thursday you attend in January, you will get a HW pass. The 4th grade teachers will be attending on January 12. Please plan to join us!



8. Your Read A Thon Fundraiser and Logs are due January 31.



9. Brag Tag Reading Logs are due January 14 and January 28.

WOW! What an agenda! Please share this information with your family.

Response for the week:

Which Reading Month events do you plan on participating in?

Wild Ocean Educators' Guide

Click Here for Link

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/document-preview.aspx?doc_id=108529396

Reading Response: Week of December 5

Characters!

My favorite character of all time comes from my favorite book, Stone Fox. To me, Little Willy is a dynamic character. He is diligent in earning money to save his grandfather's farm. He is nurturing towards his sick grandfather. He is kind and respectful to his competitor, Stone Fox.

A strong character and story can teach a lesson that you can apply to your own life. After I read Stone Fox, I tried to be a little more like Little Willy in my own life. If I have a problem and am facing obstacles, I try not to give up. If I am in a challenge or race, I treat the others in the competition with respect. A character like Little Willy taught me how important those things are in life.

For this week's reading response, I'd like you to think about characters.

Answer the following questions.

1. Of all the stories you have read, name a character that has really inspired you. What story did the character come from?

2. What did that character do in the story to inspire you?

3. What lesson did you learn from this character? How have you used this in your own life?

Reading Response: Week of November 28th

I hope everyone had a restful, relaxing Thanksgiving break. We are moving into December and I am pretty sure 2012 will be here before we know it!

Our first Wordmasters Challenge is on December 8. Have you been trying to incorporate some of the words in your conversation or writing? When Miss Schaech does practice in the classroom, do you feel that you are understanding the meanings of the words? Between now and the challenge, we will be doing lots of practice in the classroom. I know you'll do great. Keep looking at your Wordmaster packets for review.

Assignment for the week.

Take 3 of your favorite Wordmaster words (that we have discussed so far). Use each of them in a descriptive sentence and share them on the blog. After you write and post your sentences, take the time to read some postings of your classmates. Reading other people's work will give you even more experience with these words. (Plus, isn't it fun to read what our friends write?!)

I am excited to read your thoughts!!!

Miss Schaech

Reading Response: Week of November 11

Advertisements are a classic form of persuasive writing. The author of an advertisement is usually trying to CONVINCE you to spend money on their product.

Directions: Look for an advertisement. It can come from any PRINT source (newspaper, magazine, internet, mailing).

Questions about the ad you found:

1. Where did you find the ad?

2. Who is responsible for the ad? (Hint: Look for a logo—a symbol used by companies

to identify their products.)

3. What is the ad trying to get you to buy, do, or think?

4. Who is the ad meant for (the target audience)? What makes you think so?

5. Is there anything in the ad that you feel is untrue or misleading? If so, what is it?

SEE MISS SCHAECH'S EXAMPLE POSTING ABOUT THE CRAYON ADVERTISEMENT. DO NOT BASE YOUR RESPONSE ON THE CRAYON ADVERTISEMENT.