School-Wide Spirit Week- Updated Fun Days

We have School-wide Spirit Week next week, so we have edited our fun days to coincide with them!

Monday- 12/12 Stocking Day- Wear you Christmas Socks
Tuesday- 12/13 Wear Red & Green- Christmas Bows, Ties, etc.
Wednesday- 12/14 Ugly Sweater Day or Gingerbread Boy/Girl Day
Thursday- 12/15-  Parent Involvement and Class Brunch (8:15-9:30)   Santa's Workshop Theme: Dress up like you work for the "BIG Guy."
Friday- 12/16- Holiday Hat Day; Snow Theme Day-  Our Class has earned PJ day and Electronics day this day!   Yay!!!


Monday- 12/19 Christmas Cookie Day
Tuesday- 12/20 Reindeer Day- Dress like a reindeer!
Wednesday- 12/21 Polar Express Day- Wear Your Christmas PJ's.   This is an early release day.

Upcoming Events: Holidays

Upcoming Events: Holidays

Here's info to keep you informed about what is coming up!  This list will continue to expand, but hopefully this will help with some of the holiday madness.  Of course the "dress up" suggestions are OPTIONAL and meant to add a little holiday fun & cheer, NOT stress!

11/30 Cookie dough pick up (3:30-5:30)
12/2  Government SS tests (3 levels, 3 branches); Note and $6 due for Movie Trip

12/5  Santa Claus Day: Wear your favorite Santa hat!
12/6  Field trip to the movies to see "Moana" ($6 and note was due on 12/2)
        Spirit Night for UCES @ McDonald's (5-7)
12/7  Candy Cane Day: Dress in red & white.
12/8  Christmas Tree Day: Wear green.
12/9 Hot chocolate sales; Elf Day: Dress like an elf!

12/12 Snow Day: Wear something with snowflakes.
12/13 Stocking Day: Wear your Christmas socks.
12/14 Gingerbread Day: Dress like a gingerman (or lady).
12/15 Parent involvement and class party (8:15-9:45)
12/16 Box tops deadline

12/19 Christmas Cookie Day
12/20 Reindeer Day: Dress like a reindeer!
12/21 Polar Express Day: Wear your Christmas PJs.
     Early release for the holidays

Craft Day Success and Class News

Thank you SO MUCH for all the help today.....sending crafts, building crafts and loving on children! We had a fabulous day!   Such a fun time of making ornaments, crafts, food and just having fun!
So blessed to be part of such a wonderful group of young people and their families!
Thanks for your help in making today a memorable one!


Cookie Dough Pick Up- November 30th: 3:30-5:30

Movie Day- Tuesday, December 6th- Note next week in folders!

Christmas Party- Thursday, December 15th @8:15-9:45    Save the Date!



Below are some fun Thanksgiving Websites:

http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/

http://akidsheart.com/math/mathgames/thanksdinner.html

http://www.abcya.com/thanksgiving_crossword_puzzle.htm

http://www.abcya.com/word_search_thanksgiving.htm

Scholastic Book Orders- ONLINE

Scholastic Book Club Orders can now be placed ONLINE!

Finally, yes, I know!!!!!!

Go to this link:  Scholastic Book Order

Type in this Code: MBCJF

It will ask you if I am perhaps your teacher.....and such.   Say, yes.  :)

Order away!   I LOVE BOOKS!   There are all sorts of books to choose from!

If you are unsure of the Lexile or "content" of the books- you can go to Lexile.com and type in the title or to Common Sense Book Reviews

Their reviews cannot replace YOU- but it can sure give you a starting point!

Love of reading starts at a young age!   Hope we can instill it into our children NOW!

Welcome Back from Fall Break!

Fundraiser Packet and letter- both went home today!

The kids are EXCITED to "steal" my crazy emoji!  Go figure!  

We have lots going on this week:

• Thursday- Picture Retakes
• Friday- Book Character Dress Up Day
• Math Homework due Friday!  Practice 2's and 5's too!
• Please read both sides of the spelling/vocabulary sheet this week!
• The IRA is the haunted house story organizer- (This can be about the book character- two birds=one stone!)
• The Design a Web project is due NO LATER THAN Monday 10/31.    Remember: It's a 3-D project, so be creative!

Science at the South Pole

South Pole Skype Today     Well, attempted Skype anyway!  

Today we had the most amazing opportunity to Skype with Savannah's aunt who is working for the National Science Foundation at the U.S. South Pole Station.  Unfortunately our Skype video connection didn't work, but we were able to speak with her and two colleagues about living and working at the South Pole.  It was a super cool experience!  We learned that the high temperature has been 0.5 F and the low has been -107 F!  Now that is COLD!   

They have a greenhouse, but most of their food is frozen.  Well, that makes sense.  

A heated pole in the ice melts water to be pumped up for use in everyday needs!  It runs like a small city with medical care, library, a gym, kitchen, and housing!   SO COOL!   

Legos are for EVERYONE!  Star Wars Fans are EVERYWHERE~

If you'd like to learn more about the U.S. South Pole Station, click HERE to go to their website.

Math Tools

Friendly Sites for use in math practice:

Sheppard Software

Online Flash Cards

Math Homework for this week:  "Little G" Math Workbook Pages 19-20- they pick 2 problems per row to complete (total of 14 problems required) but can complete them all for extra credit!
Due Friday!

Double Purple? Picture Day TOO!

Yes, More important papers today..... Please return the folder again tomorrow!    Thank you so much!

Tomorrow is Picture Day- Wear your Best Smile to school!  Remember this will be your Yearbook Picture!

We will Finish up with Heat Energy this week!  Fun times learning all about Thermal Energy, thermometers, water temperature, insulators and conductors!
S'mores, Solar Tubes, Building Coolers, and measuring water samples have all added to our "memory bank" and now it is nearing time to show what you know!   We will have a Quiz on Friday!

Upcoming Science Unit:  Rocks and Minerals

Looking Ahead:

Next week is SPIRIT WEEK!

Monday- Conference Day- (no school for students) a few spots are still available- Send a note, email or call it you would like to schedule a conference.

Tuesday- Favorite Sports Team

Wednesday- Wacky Tacky Day   

Thursday- Decades Day (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, etc)    

Friday-Panther Spirit Day  

Monday- Fun Day, Picnic and Science Labs

We had a great day!   Math Learning Stations this morning and Science Labs this afternoon!
We also had another 1,000 Dojo Point Picnic today!  Way to go!!!!

Update on Fall Festival- Saturday, September 24th from 3:00-7:00 (an hour earlier than before...not a typo.)

If you would like to donate something for our "In Nature's Garden" themed basket- that would be wonderful!  We still need something great for it to all go into.....like maybe a garden cart or a wheelbarrow....if you happen to know a business that needs someplace to make a charitable donation. Just saying.  :)

We are also collecting Toys for the 3rd Grade sponsored Toy Walk (new toys starting at around $5.00-$10.00).   If you can help with a donation, it would be greatly appreciated!  

Thursday, 9/22 Picture Day- Wear Your Best SMILE

If you would like to schedule a conference, please let me know!  September 26th is mostly booked, but I can meet most days at 3:00 or 3:20 (or later as needed.)

Tuesday- News and Folders Info 9/13

Our principal asked us to share the following information with you:

• School begins at 8 AM.  Students arriving after 8 AM are considered tardy.  Please walk your child to the front office and sign them in if you arrive tardy to school.
• Parents are invited and welcome to join their children for lunch one day per week.  Any parent planning to join their child for lunch should send a note to the child's teacher prior to the visit.  The child and visiting parent will sit at the designated "parent table" in the cafeteria.
• The parent pick up line closes at 3:15 each day.  Please pick your child up by 3:15.  Students who are not picked up by 3:15 will be in the office awaiting parent pick up.  Parents will need to come to the office with photo ID to sign their child out.
• 
  
• Picture day is September 22.

PROGRESS REPORTS ARE NOT going home today as scheduled due to some computer glitches.  They will go home next week.  Thanks for your understanding.

Also-  Thank you SO MUCH for the Fabulous Scrumdillyicious Snacks today!  The kids looked amazing, and we had a great day!    Check Out Dojo for Pics!  

Weekly Update for September 7, 2016

 Learning.com Keyboarding Program

Today we started using Learning.com to learn how to keyboard correctly.  The kids really enjoyed their first experience, and some of them even earned their first (virtual) certificate!  To access this program:

1. Log in to Clever.  (Students click on the "Log in with Active Director" and then enter their 5-digt number (NO uc)   then their UCS + 5 digit number.)
2. Choose Learning.com and click on the lesson that is BLUE!  

(Students MUST log in through Clever to access the program as it is a paid subscription.)
Enjoy this fun way to learn keyboarding skills!
We have lots going on at UCES and in room 154!

• You can keep the Benchmark Assessments Report for your records.  We will discuss the results and where we are headed at upcoming conferences.  If you would like to schedule a conference, please send a message on Remind, Dojo, Email, or feel free to call!
• Consider donating something to our Fall Festival "In Nature's Garden" basket to help 3rd grade!  We would love our wagon/cart to look beautiful!   If you are talented in this area, we would LOVE your help!!!
•  "Our School Bank" is coming to UCES- send the small form and at least $1.00 if you want to participate!
• Tuesday, September 13 is Roald Dahl Day!  Students are encouraged to dress up as one of their favorite Roald Dahl characters.  If you could send in a scrumdillyumptious snack, please let me know! 
• Picture Day- September 22
• Fall Festival- September 24

   

Heat Energy Video

Click below for the Bill Nye video we watched this afternoon on Heat Energy:

http://bit.ly/18WTJxx

Elephants Brush Their Teeth???

Elephant Toothpaste????   Students are to categorize ways to produce heat: burning, friction, and
"mixing one thing with another." 

We had FuN today with a Demonstration lesson on this one!  
The exothermic reaction was EPIC and Super EXCITING for our classes and a few fourth graders who wandered over to watch and feel the outside of the bottle.

Mrs. Dyer was kind enough to capture pics and share them to our Class Story on DOJO and to post a video to her blog!  The link is below:

http://hdyer3.blogspot.com/2016/08/elephant-toothpasteheat-energy.html


As an aside... no elephants were harmed in this experiment. ;)

This is the link to the actual experiment: https://sciencebob.com/fantastic-foamy-fountain/

Solar Ovens.....and S'MORES!

Transfer of heat energy to various objects, namely our marshmallows and chocolate, was a HUGE hit!   A great big THANK YOU for all of our supplies and to our wonderful volunteers, Ms. Kari and Ms. Kitty.    The engineering that happened from our students was inventive, creative and simply wonderful.

A BIG SHOUT out to Chick-fil-A for donating boxes and foil lined bags for our project, such a supportive establishment.  (Plus, they rate right up there with: let's eat there 3-5 times a week if the Cook kids get to vote!  Certainly high on the list!)

Here are a few pics of our epic adventure....(which so happens are from Wednesday.  As I was EXHAUSTED after church and did not get to complete this post. )

 The above "ovens" were "test ovens" without black paper added.

It WORKED!!!!!  The ovens were a success!  

 

Island Hopping Today!

We went Island Hopping Today!  I wish it was in the Caribbean, but it was on the blacktop.
The use of our imaginations allowed us to avoid sharks and swim from one island to another in hopes of making it to "Century Island."    Super fun way to introduce/practice/enjoy using Rounding to the nearest 10 or "Decade Number"!   I posted pictures in Class Story on Dojo!   Hope you enjoy them!

Math Homework- 10 Minutes of Reflex Math.  If you do not have a device at home, please use flash cards to practice (I sent them home with a few students.  Please let me know if you need some.)

Science-  Work on your design for your Solar Oven.  If you would like to bring in a small box, please do so!  (Think, Pop Tart Box or something small like that...)

Have a lovely evening and I will see you in the morning!
Mrs. Cook

Reflex Math and Tumblebooks

Today was a Marvelous Monday!   The homework for tonight is 10 minutes of Reflex Math.

Click the Link Here:
https://www.reflexmath.com/

Login is: jesscook
Click either: JC3 or HD3
Then each student will click on his/her name and type in their password!   Ask your child where they stored their password.

Hope you have a blessed night!
Mrs. Cook

Also, we now have a subscription to Tumblebooks.  You can click the link below and listen to books or read along!  They have a great selection of fiction and non-fiction books!
http://www.tumblebooklibrary.com/auto_login.aspx?u=unioncboe&p=reads.

1st Week is in the Books

WONDERFUL 1st week of School!   

This has been one of the best beginnings of school in my career.  The little people in both JC3 and HD3 are amazing!   They are funny, creative, thoughtful, caring, and insightful.  I got that from knowing them for about 5 minutes!

DOJO- Both classes ranked in the record books by earning a cumulative class reward of 1,000 points mid-week and earned a Picnic Reward!  Way to go guys!   Pics of said event were posted on DOJO Class Stories for your enjoyment!   You can login daily and see how your child's day went, what specifically they may have earned points for and you can send messages via DOJO to me!  (As a side note: All changes to transportation must come via a paper note or call to the office by 1:00 PM...not a message or email.)

We also use REMIND as a communication tool, as well.  This site is amazing.  You will receive a short text straight to your phone with reminders: test tomorrow, don't forget your Boxtops, reward day- bring a towel, tomorrow is ______, bring _______.  You get the idea.  I receive Reminds from all 3 of my children's teachers and LOVE it.  I am a well informed mama.   You can also message me via Remind.   I am more "plugged in" with DOJO since I am using it all day rewarding points for good choices, but I will see the Remind messages and get back to you within 24 hours!


Math: Place Value-Rounding 
We have been learning lots of procedures and routines, using an awesome site for estimating and learning to use our Math/Science Journals!  Plus playing war.  Place value war.  =)

We will begin Math Homework via Reflex Math each night for Multiplication Fact Practice starting Monday!

Science: Heat Energy  
We are exploring heat energy.    This next week we will be constructing/adapting/engineering some Solar Ovens in which to make/melt/cook S'mores.    We will "harness" the power of the sun for this venture!  The plan is to create Wednesday morning around 8:00.  If you signed up to help, thank you.  If you sent or are sending supplies, thank you!  Hands-on Science is the kind that will be remembered~

I hear and I forget.  I see and I remember.  I do and I understand.          -Confucius

Day 2 Homework and Routines

Today was great, and for a Monday it was spectacular.

On a daily basis, you will want to check the agenda and sign it.  Please link to Mrs. Dyer's blog from the link at the top of mine.  She is a "master" blogger.....much more detailed and experienced than me.   There are great things on her blog.  Seriously.  Go there daily, as well.

See you tomorrow.

Off to a Great Start in Room 154

We had a fabulous first day!  I loved meeting your little people and getting to know a tiny bit about each of them.  This next week we will fall into routines and practice procedures, over and over again, as we learn the expectations of UCES, 3rd Grade, and Mrs. Cook and Mrs. Dyer.   During this time, we will both implement Class Dojo, a really fun behavior monitoring and communication tool.  If you happen to need another copy of your login page, please write a note in the agenda or send an email and I will send one to you!  Your child will earn points for making good choices and then be able to use the points to purchase coupons and items from a class store.  Nothing like reward for your hard work!  

One important thing we did on Friday was organize our binders.  Click HERE for a super cool post that Mrs. Dyer created about organizing the binder with the agenda and pencil pouch!

Normally posts won't be this long, but I (and Mrs Dyer) wanted to give you some important information for the beginning of the year!

Starting in 3rd grade, students have an agenda/planner/calendar in which they will write down important information such as events, homework, and notes!  This will serve as a great way for you to communicate with me and for me in turn to communicate with you.  It is very important for you to read and sign the agenda each night.  They will be checked daily during morning routine.  (Changes in transportation need to be made on a separate piece of paper and not written in the agenda.  We have a red basket that all notes go in.   Parent notes, absent notes, doctor excuses, bus notes, parent notes, etc.)  

The kids were pretty excited about their weekend homework.  Hopefully they explained it to you correctly, but here is clarification.

Agenda p. 1 means to look at p. 1 of the agenda for the blog info and my email address.  

Heat Energy is our first science unit!  Look around your home for anything that may produce heat! You can simply record it in the agenda/planner.

Olympics means that Mrs. Dyer encouraged them to watch some of the Olympics.  They will begin studying ancient Greece and the Olympics this month, so what a wonderful opportunity!  (Of course she will not penalize them if they do not watch any of it.)

Read means just that!  Please read over the weekend!

P.S. If you've managed to read this far, please write a note in the agenda (on the August 5th Spot someplace) saying "I read the blog!"  Students will earn an extra Dojo point for teamwork, because it takes us all working together.  You are a vital part of this team!  I am looking forward to what this year brings!      

-Your 3rd Grade Tour Guide

Mrs. Cook =)

JC3 Daily Schedule

Here's our daily schedule. 

8:00 Morning message;  Math and Science

9:00 Portuguese or RTI/Enrichment

9:45 Snack time- bring something healthy from home

9:55 Specials*

10:40 Math and Science continuted

11:20-11:50  Lunch- you are welcome to join your child for lunch any time!  Check in at the office 1st.

12:00 Recess

12:40 Switch classes and go to Mrs. Dyer for Language Arts (reading, grammar, writing)

2:35 Switch back for end-of-day routine (check agendas, pack up, review, etc.)

*Specials:       Wear Tennis Shoes EVERY Friday!
Purple Week: Mon. STEM; Tu. Art; Wed. Music; Th. Writing; Fri. PE
Gold Week: Mon. Writing; Tu. Art; Wed. Music; Th. STEM; Fri. PE

Third Grade Supply List

Supply List for Mrs. Cook’s Third Graders

• 2” Binder with Pack of 5 Tab Dividers
• 2- Packs of Wide Ruled Paper
• 2- Packs of No. 2 Pencils
• Erasable Colored Pencils
• Markers &/or Crayons (24 count or less, please)
• 2- Pocket Folders with Prongs
• 2-Marble Composition Books
• 3” x 3” Post It Notes (Your Favorite Color)
• 2- Glue Sticks
• Highlighters
• Black Expo Markers
• 2-Blue Pens
• Pencil Pouch
• Fiskars type Scissors (your old ones are fine)

Moving.....Transformation.... I'd forgotten that I'm getting OLD!

Okay, so moving back to 3rd grade is WONDERFUL!  Best news EVER.  No greater story ever told.  Seriously.

Have you ever moved?   I know moving the contents of house is BIG, like a huge big deal..... I've done that too.  Twice.  I've moved classrooms ten or eleven times in the course of my career, so I'm not a stranger this occurrence.  My happy, I'm moving to my happy place vibes......... are countered with:  

The rain on my joyous parade.  The fly in my 3rd grade ointment.  The trouble in my paradise of grade three....moving in, settling, unpacking, becoming one with my new room!   I had forgotten how much WORK lugging boxes, bins, supplies, books, crates, chairs, stools, bookcases, tables, and last but not least the couch.  Said boxes must be unpacked and sorted in an orderly fashion.  This took approximately a zillion years (wee bit of hyperbole there.)  I am officially ranking in the not young anymore category.  Who knew?

Every time that I move a room, I hope that it will be the last time..... of rearranging, hot gluing, stapling, rearranging again  and generally "getting to know" the  space that I am working within. Well, I am now on good terms with Room 154.  You can find me there most days.  

Welcome to Third Grade- This pic was captured on Monday, July 11, 2016 at 6:51 PM as Grace Cook, age 9, and I were finally leaving for the day!  She was my superhero, helped move all those boxes and unpack them.  Many hours of summer have gone in since then..... still not Meet Your Teacher "ready"

but closer:

I cannot WAIT to MEET my STUDENTS!  

If you are my future student- Hello, come see me at Meet Your Teacher!  

I'll be in Room 154- Your Classroom & Future Home for the next 180 days!  

New School Year, New Building, New Grade Level= NEW ADVENTURES

So excited to be moving BACK to 3rd grade!  After this school year, I have officially taught first, second, third, fourth and fifth grades!   Third is by far one on my Favorites (probably my absolute favorite---shhhhh- don't tell anyone.)

Matt, Sarah, Conner, and Grace are all pretty important in my life.  Matt is my husband of 20 years, and he is a wonderful craftsman.  He creates some beautiful things out of wood.   Sarah will be a sophomore next year at UCHS and wants to be a pediatrician.  Conner will be in 8th grade at UCMS, and Grace will be in 4th grade at UCES.  Our family leads an extremely BUSY life, much like yours, I feel sure.  So if you are in my class, we will lead busy lives together next school year, and I promise we will have LOADS of fun along the way!

Barking, chasing, and overall loving at our house comes from none other than: our rescue pet, Nick, a red-bone hound dog.  We also have a Shetland pony, Sweetie Pie.  I sometimes think that she is secretly an escape artist/ninja spy, as we often get calls from the neighbors to say that she is visiting their house!  We also have a seasonal army of frogs that come to live in my small garden pond.  They are not totally welcome, but they come each year anyway.  Also, I am holding out hope for chickens, because I really, really, really want chickens.  Anyone have chickens that they want to give away? Just Kidding.  Kinda.

During my free time (hahahaha), I love to read and go camping with my family.  I am currently trying to learn how to crochet and knit.  I am all thumbs but have hopes of making a scarf.
I hope you are trying something new also!  You never know what you may be good at until you try it!

I hope you have, are having, or had a great summer (depending on when you read this.)

Looking forward to the BEST 3rd Grade Year Imaginable!
Mrs. Cook