Week of September 23

We have been reading a short story that uses many proverbs, so the students each wrote their own.  Here are some pearls of wisdom from the Stingray class! 

A horse will not go if you don't make it. 

You can't work hard if you're not thinking.

No one needs gold if you have heart.

If you work hard when you're young, you will not have to work as hard when you are older.

A gold egg still tastes like an egg. 

Beauty on the inside is better than beauty on the outside. 

Don't be afraid, keep on forward. 

A heart is better than power.

When you work hard, your dreams come closer.

The wind powers the sail.

We also began our stock market game.  The students are working in pairs for the game.  First they had to decide on a good name for their team.  Then they worked together to decide how to spend $100,000.  They can buy as many different stocks as they want, but have to buy at least 100 shares of each.  Every Friday we will check the status of our portfolios and will make informed decisions on whether to buy or sell.  Here are some photos of them working to buy their first stocks and their group names.

The Seabury Stockers:

 

 

 A.A.D:

 

 

 Lazers:

RGs:

 

 

 V-S-Stockers:

 

 

 J-K (not the full name for privacy purposes):

In Science, we discussed the 12 different types of finches that can be found on the Galapagos Islands.  Each type has a different beak type, so we experimented on how that difference would influence their diet.  Using popsicle sticks and pennies, we created 2 different sized beaks and used them to pick  up small and large seeds.  The students had to draw some conclusions about how the beak size affected the diet of the birds, both in a normal year, as well as a drought year when seeds are not as plentiful.

Week of September 16

We spent the week reading "The Story of Wang Li"  which contained many different proverbs.  We discussed the meaning of those sayings, some of them were difficult for the students to understand, and we had some great small group discussions about them.  The students will work on writing summaries and their own proverb next week as we finish up with this story. 

 

In math, the students worked very hard in their groups.  In each of the groups, they were able to play a math game to reinforce the concepts, so be sure to ask about the game they played. 

 

We continued working on our summer adventure stories for writing.  Some of the students are onto peer conferencing and editing, so we spent some time talking about how to proofread and mark mistakes, and we highlighted the punctuation and capital letters in our stories to show how often we used them. 

 

In science, we continued with our study of evolution.  We discussed how fossils are made and how scientist can tell just how old certain organisms are.  The students also made their own fossils using plaster and shells or beads.  Here are some great photos from the excavating of the fossils.

 

 

Week of September 9th

We had great week in the Stingray classroom!  We began Mindfulness training and learned how to be aware of our breathing, all while paying attention to the amygdala part of our brain.  Ask your child about how best to do that!  We will continue to practice this all year long, but will have the training with Sol Riou for 7 more weeks. 

We also began work on our study of Evolution and how the Earth was formed.  We made a HUGE timeline of the last 5 billion years and shared it during Gathering. 

Speaking of Gathering, we also shared our optical illusion art.  We did an activity that made our hands look 3-dimensional.  They are on display in our classroom if you want to stop by and take a look. 

 

 

We also began writing an adventure story this week.  We will be working on this over the course of many weeks.  Here are some pictures of the kids hard at work on their stories and what their stories are about. 

 

 

My brother, cousin and I fall through a hole we made and we land in the middle of a forest. There is a trail we follow and we find the Land of Monster Mermaids. -S.B.

 

Rose and DD are my characters. Rose throws DD in the pool and they go down to the bottom of the pool. They keep going and end up in the ocean. -G.H.

 

My story is about a family in Hawaii and we went out to a dance. We went swimming and surfing and the water gets higher and higher. -R.S.

 

My story is about me going to a cabin and I go on a hike, but my parents leave without me and I keep on hiking. -K.M.

 

My story is about 10 boys who go to the World Series. One grabs a ball and it is actually magic. -J.T.

 

My story is about boating on Lake Chelan and it flips. Dolphins come and carry the girl to Dolphin Palace and make her queen! (Oh, and she can breathe underwater). -A.M.

 

My story is about swimming in Lake Montgomery. I found a treasure chest and fell into a hole. I wound up in front of a house with lots of doors, rooms, and stairs. -V.K.

 

The teacher reads a story of summer vacation to the class. The story becomes real and then you are in a boat that capsized in a storm ending up in Nowhere Land! -A.C.

 

My story is about going to Cannon Beach and I am surfing. This big wave comes and I fall into the water and when I come up, I am in the movie The Princess Bride. -L.R.

 

My story is about summer vacation on an island in Texas! I swam in the ocean and a lot of other things happen. -Q.B.

 

 

While bouncing on his trampoline at his house, a boy has a dinosaur falls on his head... -J.L.

We ended our week with a cooking activity.  There is a huge apple tree in the back garden, so we took those apples and made an apple crisp.  YUM!   

Week of September 4

We had a great first week in the Stingray classroom!  The kids were excited to be back at school, start learning the routines, and play with friends.  Here are a few things they really like about 3rd grade:
 
"I love the Stingrays because this year we're doing: Language Arts, Astronomy, Science, Writing, Reading, and Xtra Math."  -S.B.
 
"I like 3rd grade because Mrs. Price is the best teacher ever!"  -A.C.
 
"3rd grade is awesome because we do awesome stuff and we have a good teacher."  -L.R.
 
"I like third grade because of Mrs. Price."  -J.L.
 
"3rd grade is great because you get to see all your friends and do a lot of fun things."  -A.M.
 
"I like third grade because it is fun." -R.S.
 
"I like 3rd grade because all of the special benefits."  -Q.B.
 
"I love 3rd grade because we are the stingrays and my friends and my teacher."  -G.H.
 
"3rd grade is great because we have Mrs. Price to teach us!"  -K.M.
 
"3rd grade is good because it is very organized and very clean."  -V.K.

"The Stingrays are awesome because my desk is BIG."  -J.T.

"3rd grade is great because we have a bean bag."  -D.F.

Weeks of May 20th and May 27th

This is the blog.  Read it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Language Arts: For Language Arts we are kind of rushing since we get out of school in 9 1/2 days.  It is a great challenge to see who can finish the book in a matter of 9 1/2 days.  Some of the kids are almost there.  

Math: This week in math we measured things and did scale drawings.  We also found perimeter and area of a classroom. 

Writing: We are continuing to work on the picture books.  Mrs. Price said we are going to type it up on Tuesday.  I can't wait.  I wonder when we are going to start drawing the pictures.  That will be fun!

Science: In Science we are learning about DNA.  We made one out of pipe cleaners and beads.  We also had to draw a mom and dad.  We had to chose eye color, hair color, cleft chin, widow's peak, etc.  We can make it up or use real parents.  That's what we are doing in Science.  

Social Studies: We left on a westward trail this week.  Some of us are going to Oregon and others are headed to California on 2 different trails.  We had to figure out all of our supplies.  Mrs. Price has cards that will tell us how the trip is going and we will have to make decisions about what to do.  Some of us might have trouble with our wagon or get attacked or even lose people in our party.  We have to keep a journal about our adventures.  

PE: We had our last PE with Ms. Nancy.  We will have the rest with a substitute.  Ms. Nancy will be here for field day.  

French: So right now we are still learning the body parts.  We are transitioning to animals.  

Music: This week in music the class did acting out small plays.  My group did a zombie apocalypse.  It was funny.

Week of May 13th

Language Arts: In Language Arts we are reading books about the Oregon Trail.  We are still working on our plays too.

Math: Thursday was the last day of the Stock Market game.  The green group also had a math test.  Purple group is working on adding and subtracting fractions.  It was fun!

Writing: Our class is writing our young author's book.  One student is writing about a mustache and I am writing a scary story.  

Science: This week in science we are studying genetics.  We looked at how you get blue eyes or brown hair.  We made our own creatures and made Punnett squares.  

Social Studies: In SS this week we are studying the Oregon Trail.  We are in groups to gather supplies to go on the Oregon Trail.  We made  up a group name and fake names for ourselves.  We have to decide which trail we're going on and everything else.  That's what the Creators are doing in SS. 

Recess: At recess 4 square is in the house!!  Lots of people are playing it! Also people like chalk and hopscotch.  At lunch we're doing a lot of eating and talking.  Also we're listening to Frindle on audio.  YUM!

Grandparents and Special Friends Day: For Grandparents and Special Friends Day, our grandparents (and others) came to school.  We made a Venn Diagram, did an art project with them, played a math game with them, showed them our stained glass, and had cake.  We also went to the book fair with them and gave them magnets with pictures of us.  It was a grand-party!  It was really fun!

Book Fair: The book fair is epic!!!!  They have lots of cool books, chapter books and picture books.  Check it out!!!!

PE: We made hopscotch.  It was fun.  We also played bonball.  It is a lot like baseball.  

Performing Arts: We are working on a play for performing arts.  No more information though.  It is a secret!

French: So in French we are studying about the body.  So far we know les youx, les areilles, and les hez.  There is also le cheveux, les epaule, and le scas.      

What you are reading right now is the blog.  I mean duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Language Arts: In Language Arts we are reading about and studying pioneers! We write a play about the chapter after we read it.

Math: This week for math we did (GASP) MATH.  But...it was really easy.  We did reflection, rotation, and translation in the green group.  The purple group is adding and subtracting fractions. 

Writing: Our writing has changed! A lot of people are making "story maps" to lay out our stories for our books.  Mine in particular is about a bunny who wants to be a rock star.  

Social Studies: In social studies we're studying the Oregon Trail.  The Creators partnered up and did math by adding how much stuff they should bring on the wagon.  We also watched some videos from Lewis and Clark.  We watched some from the Native Americans' point of view and Lewis and Clark's.  That's what we're doing for social studies.  

Science: In science, we made punnet squares because we are studying genetics.  We made paper pets and used punnet squares to make their offspring.  It was cool.

Computer: The last 2 weeks we have been working on a Cape Disappointment PowerPoint.  Making the PowerPoint was fun!  I liked adding animation.  It was fun!  

More on Computer: IXL is over.  I am sad.  We got a lot better at math.  I can do 13x12 now!

Art: We are making a super secret project for Mother's Day.  Find out more on Sunday!

Artist in Residence: In art we are working with stained glass.  We are making a glass table and stained glass mosaics in frames.  

Library:  At library the class went after French because we were going to the play on our regular day.  The librarian brought 2 dogs.  They were cute and happy and small.  

Brownie Points: We are so, so close to getting a brownie party.  We just need 2 more.  We already have 10 so we need and I mean, NEED to get 2!

MS Play: On Thursday, the lower school students went to a play at the middle school called "Smote."  It was a catch on King Arthur.  They named it "Smote" because the author used it so much in the book.  Everybody there laughed and clapped so hard.  It was a great play.