update

Hi 3E! What are you reading?

Mrs. Eaves Uncategorized ,

Before vacation started Hajna asked me to write down my reading goals for the vacation.  I said I would try to read: 4 adult novels, 2 professional books, and 10 children’s books.  I also said I would make 2 posts on our blog and 3 or 4 post on Kid’s Books 101 – the book review blog I have with Matt.

Here’s what I’ve read so far:

Stick Dog

Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog

Ivy and Bean Take the Case (Ivy and Bean, #10)

Just Grace, Star on Stage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think kids in our classroom will really like reading these books.  What Stick Dog and his friends will do for food is pretty funny.  The next book is Stick Dog Wants Pizza and I am wondering what will happen to Poo-Poo the Poodle, Karen the Dachsund, Stripes the Dalmation and Mutt, the Mutt when they work together to ease Stick Dog’s growling stomach.

Stick Dog has an interesting website.  You can read about the books, play some games, and learn how the illustrations are created.  Tom Watson suggests that you create your own Stick Dog stories after you learn how to draw him.  That would be fun!

Both the Ivy and Bean series and the Just Grace series have ten books in them.  I’ve read everyone of them and have enjoyed each one.  I like the characters – they are good friends, they work through different problems – sometimes smoothly, sometimes not, and they deal with their feelings honestly.  You can learn more about Ivy and Bean here and about Just Grace here.  What is your “super power?”  (And did you notice the new Just Grace book comes out next week!)

After we read The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, I discovered a Seven Wonders series.  I decided to see what it was like and so I gave  Lost in Babylon a try.  It’s an adventure series for older kids.  I thought I had gotten the first one, but it was the second and so I had a little bit of trouble following the story.  Essentially a group of kids is traveling back in time to each of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World in order to find magic hidden by the rulers of Atlantis and to save their lives.   I will read the first one and then decide if it a series I’ll finish.  So far so good.

Lost in Babylon (Seven Wonders, #2)

The Valley of Amazement

Leaving Everything Most Loved (Maisie Dobbs #10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve read two adult books.  A new one by a favorite author Amy Tan, The Valley of Amazement and another in a favorite series, Leaving Everything Most Loved.  I’m in the middle of three different professional books that I think I’ll be able to finish, but I’m not sure.  Our family from New York is arriving later this morning and staying for the weekend.  I’ll do my best.

So far, I’m half way toward achieving my goals – 2 of 4 adult novels done, half of 3 professional books done, 5 of 10 children’s chapter books done, 1 of 2 3E News posts done, 0 of 3 or 4 Kid’s Books 101 posts done (better get moving on that one!)

Happy Vacation!

I hope you’re reading too.  Leave a comment to let us know!

Work Our Student Photographers Captured

Mrs. Eaves Projects and Challenges ,

For the last two weeks we have been exploring symmetry and design.  At  first we worked with pattern blocks and then tried to create original symmetrical designs with pasta.  We used snowflakes as our guide…  Class photographers, Joe, Gabby, Trevor, Sam, Noah and Collin captured some of the designs we created, as well as all the other photographs in this post.  Well done – you have great eyes for action and detail!

We’ve also been working on independent research projects.  We’ve been reading, synthesizing, writing and drawing to share our growing understanding and expertise.  We are looking forward to sharing with our families at a classroom museum event in January.  Please be on the lookout for details as we plan and prepare for this event.

Finally, a major portion of our writing work this week has been capturing the stories behind our 3E Wonders. We will use our stories, drawings and photographs to complete the classroom map of North Hampton.  We trust this  work will show our next steps of learning with regard to paragraph writing.  Some students worked in groups of two or three and a few children worked alone to synthesize the information they had gathered about their chosen site.  Perhaps we should publish them so you can go on a self-guided “Wonder” tour.  Would you use one if you had it?  Leave a comment and let us know.

Along with those things we have also done the usual – reading, writing, creating, playing and sharing with each other – mostly in English, but sometimes in Spanish.  You’ll find Señorita Hoy in one of these pictures – we’re talking  about animals.

 

Have fabulous vacation.  We hope it is happy and joyful.

Happy New Year from 3E! 

A good day

Mrs. Eaves Uncategorized

Dear Families,

We had a great day today.  The children sewed, researched, created symmetrical designs, read, wrote and worked on spelling.  They redrafted their “wonders” stories, got library books and were excited to discover why Prue was in danger in Wildwood.

They are looking forward to discovering who their secret friends are and looking forward to sharing their writing and original art.  That pile of presents inside the door is almost unbearable.

We continued our discussion about the habits that lead to success – optimism was the one we talked about today.  We discussed what it meant and imagined how having a positive outlook, not getting down when things are challenging or don’t go right could lead to good things.  We also talked of how hard focusing on the good things can be – your children are are willing to help me overcome my avoidance of and embarrassment about not being able to play basketball.  They have no idea of a trial they have agreed to. (If I say they can bail at anytime – I am not showing very much optimism – but honesty for certain!)

Thank you for being such caring, supportive and wonderful families.  Your children truly feel blessed and 3E is very grateful to have you all helping us to have the best school year possible.