Third grade is starting to evaluate websites. Today we looked at this one and noticed that the pictures, patterns, and colors help make it appealing and easy to read. The pages load quickly, the links work, and the facts are useful. We found the information about the makers of the website and even found how we could contact them. Is this a good website? Third grade thinks so! So check out National Geographic Kids!
Fifth grade saw this solar system website projected in the lab and found it fascinating. They wanted it posted to the blog so they could look at it some more. So here’s the link!
http://www.gunn.co.nz/astrotour/?data=tours/retrograde.xml
Bunnicula sure is funny! Poor Chester – I wonder if he will ever succeed in getting his family to understand what he thinks is going on!
As I read the book, I keep thinking: Where did Bunnicula come from? The only information we readers have about Bunnicula’s life came from that note hanging around his neck that said, ”Take good care of my baby.” How did Bunnicula end up in a movie theater? Who put him there – and why? What was he doing before he came to live with the Monroes? What do you think? In the comment section, please write the story of Bunnicula’s life before he arrived in the movie theater. Maybe your family can help you. I really need to know!
Bunnicula is a spectacular book because it’s really funny. Harold the dog thought that Bunnicula had gotten Mr. Monroe because his face was all white with shaving cream. Chester put the towel on his back because he was pretending to be a vampire but the family thought he was just cold so they put on his kitty sweater. Harold told Chester if he stood in front of Bunnicula’s cage, Bunnicula would laugh himself to death because of the purple cowboy mice on the sweater. You should read this book. Once you get to the middle part of it, you’ll be laughing hysterically like a hyena. Maybe you’ll laugh so hard you cry.
Posted by 3rd grade
This week in school, third, fourth, and fifth graders have been following the Iditarod, the famous Alaska dogsled race from Anchorage to Nome that’s run every March. Overnight, there were some exciting developments in the race. If your child would like to check on musher standings at home over the weekend, the official Iditarod website is here: http://iditarod.com/.
Last night, families received their copies of our One Book/One School selection, Bunnicula, a Rabbit Tale of Mystery. Before the concert, Miss Holloran read the introduction about Harold the dog, who turns up at the door of the author holding the manuscript of the story in his mouth. In the introduction, the author leads you to believe the story you are about to read is true. If it is true, does that mean it’s nonfiction? Do you believe it to be true? Why? Why not? Post your answer below and be sure to tell why you think what you do!
Post as a family or post yourself! But if you post on your own, be sure to ask a parent first – and don’t forget not to post private information!
When fourth grade goes online looking for information, they use these four search engines made just for students. It helps them find research information that kids are able to understand. Each search engine has a search or find box. Some of them have reading levels, some have places to ask questions, and some have search by letter. Before they use Google, fourth graders should try these search engines:
Yahoo Kids
Kids’ Click
Quintara for Kids
Ask Kids
written by fourth grade
ps: you can find a few more research resources here! -Mrs. Hunewell
Kindergartners have been experimenting with brush widths, brush styles, and paint colors in TuxPaint, our free painting program. Some of the things they like about the program-
“You can color things that you want.”
“You can paint whatever you want – like a triangle.”
“It’s very fun and you get to paint lots of pictures.”
“There are penguins in TuxPaint.”
The free program is available for download at http://www.tuxpaint.org/download/
Look! The winner of the 2008 Ladybug Award was just announced! Congratulations to Ms. Broach! Click here to see how your favorite book did in the contest!
The NH Ladybug Award is annually given to an outstanding children’s picture book. Librarians choose the ten nominees but ultimately the award is voted on by NH children from kindergarten through grade three! By this time of year, most of DES’s potential voters have heard most of the books. Students will vote online just before Thanksgiving but before we do, we’ll all be reminded of the nominees by listening to this podcast written and recorded by the third graders. Which book do you think will win? Stay tuned and we’ll post the winner as soon as it’s announced!
