Thanks so much for taking time to attend conferences during the last few weeks and our readers’ theater presentation on Tuesday.  I know this is a busy time of year and the class truly appreciates the time you share with us.  Thank you.

Blogging

            As I wrote last week, each Thursday we all work to create individual posts on our blogs.  Some of the children are able to complete a post in that amount of time, while others need more time.  For some of the children there will not be something new each week on their blogs.  With practice I think posting will become second nature for us and perhaps for you as well.

While conferencing with families I heard of a few confusions that I hope I can clear up:

1.) The children only need to log in if they are actually going to create a blog post on their individual page.  Logging in allows them to go to their “dashboard” which is where they work to create the posts you see.

2.) Neither parents, nor students need to log in to leave a comment on the class blog or on a student’s blog.  In fact, if they are logged in and wanting to post a comment, they should log out so their comment is posted where they intend it to be posted.

3.) If you’d like to view a post and/or leave a comment go to 3enews@edublogs.org scroll down to the class blog section, open the student blogs, enjoy and comment.

4.) I am the moderator for the blog, so all posts and comments are approved before they actually show on the blogs.  I have been pretty good so far – checking at least once a day.  Don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a comment immediately – it will show up.

5.) The children can work on their blog from any computer but they should be checking with you as we are aware that families have individual guidelines regarding screen time.

The commenting guidelines that the children created are:

• Make a connection with the blogger.  Make sure the comment makes sense.
• Use details and be specific.
• Be nice.  Be thoughtful.
• Make a conversation.  Write a question at the end to keep the conversation going.
• Capitalize I.  Use only one exclamation point or one question mark.  Sign your comment.

Thanks for finding the time to let the children know you are noticing their work and effort.  It is pretty amazing to see each student working in the computer lab creating posts to share learning events they are excited about or finding ways to share favorite things or working to create with some of their favorite technology tools like Animationish and GarageBand.  We are working to build the quality of our posts and to add information so that what is shared explains why it was selected and what the blogger hopes you will notice as you read, look or listen to each post.

Exploring the World

            As our study of maps grows we are beginning to explore the diversity of the world.  We’ve been reading about the different continents to learn how they are similar and how each is unique.  North America has 11 countries.  South America has 12 countries.  Europe has 47 countries and Asia has 51.  We’ll be finding out about Africa, Australia and Antarctica next week.  One thing that we have noticed is that there are fewer countries then we originally thought.  The number seems small to us because the world is so big and there are so many people.

Our goal is to have each student choose a different place in the world to discover. Through research they will develop their expertise and share aspects of the country and its culture with the class and with families at an evening open house.  (Not to be confused with the Parade of the States that will be held in Spring.) It seems as though many of the children are thinking and wonder already.  You may want to talk to your child about different possibilities – several of the children have talked about cities like London and Paris.  I have learned through past experience that it can be challenging to find enough information understandable to eight and nine-year olds about a city.  It is easier and less frustrating to have the broader lens of a country for this research project.

Through this work we will talk about assumptions and stereotypes.  We will explore the ideas of traditions and the difference between native and contemporary culture is.  We are looking forward to extending our study of maps to include an exploration of geography and people as we work to uncover what is the same and what is different.

School Picture Day

            We had a fun performing for you this week.  Thank you for coming.

Bits and Pieces –

• We’re exploring multiplication by collecting things that typically come in certain amount – fingers on hands, sides on triangle, continents on a globe.
• We wrote a narrative about “a time we were playing in our yard or neighborhood.”  We’ll compare this narrative to the one we wrote about a summer memory in the second week of school.
• We began reading Peter and the Starcatchers.  Ask your child to tell you about what is happening.  It’s a pretty complex story with alternating settings – three different ships at this point – and a host of interesting characters.
• We had fun with our map reading challenge.  We had to keep the map real in order to read the maps and find the rooms marked with X.  It was a challenge where we learned map reading, cooperation, collaboration and self-control.
• Secret Friend gifts (both the art and the writing pieces) should be wrapped, labeled with the receiver’s name only and brought to school no later than Wednesday, December 18.
• The Secret Friend Pizza Party Luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 19.
• Music Share is Friday, December 20