Over my weekend
I went apple picking at alonholm farm on Friday and I picked this really pretty apple and it came of the tree the way it was and it was so shiny! After we went apple picking alonholm farm has this playground that has animals and we went to that because my brother was with us. And over by the animals we petted the horse and fed the bunny! Then I went to my grandma and grandpa's and saw there new kitchen it got it redone. There kitchen looked really nice! And then we went to the mall and got my mom some shoes. I also got my sister to buy me a soft pretzel with  cinnamon on it! Then we went to zacaries and played on the plaything and then ate!

NECAPS are here!

Dear Families, Next week students will be taking the NECAPS.  This is our testing schedule.  In class, we have been working on a few of the practice pieces to help kids feel more comfortable in taking the test.  These kids are ready to hit it out of the park.   Please try to have kids get plenty of sleep and eat well during this time.  For my part, I will not send homework during these weeks so that kids will not have that added stress.   NECAP Testing Sessions and Time: Grades 3 and 4
Date	Test Session	Scheduled time
10/7/13 (Mon)	Reading Session 1	8:15-9:45
10/8/13 (Tue)	Reading Session 2	12:45–2:15
10/9/13(Wed)	Reading Session 3	8:15-9:45
10/10/13(Thur.)	Math Session 1	8:15-9:45
10/14/13(Mon)	Math Session 2	8:15-9:45
10/15/13(Tue)	Math Session 3	12:45-2:15

Evidence

Citing evidence and using it to construct an argument is a big idea of the Common Core (so I've been told:).  In class we created an area to display arguments and evidence.  Right now we are reading Chomp, by Carl Hiassen.  He writes of a TV survivalist gone bad in a Florida Everglade.  As I read we began to wonder if the character, Derek Badger, was a thinly veiled characterization of Bear Grylls, who stars on Man versus Wild.  So, we have been collecting evidence!  
So far we've noticed that they both like to swoop in on helicopters, they both have camera people when they act like they are all alone, and they both exaggerate the danger. 

What do you think?  What's your evidence?  

I hope kids go home and play in the sink tonight!

Today we investigated air using some old tried and true tricks.  See if your kids can keep a paper towel dry if they submerge it in water.  Can they pour air underwater?

Here is a lovely tribute to our atmosphere!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6jIMkPwahQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWxJwdNjOFOUvKAhsYo41lg

The Metric System!

In math we learned about the history of the metric system.  We started to measure things in centimeters!  Hats off to Kristian, who made the connection to last month's calendar.  He reminded us that the base 10 pieces we use are 10 centimeters, but they are also 1 decimeter!  

Finally, we watched this video on measurement.  Feel free to review it at home!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQPQ_q59xyw

Busy Day Today

We have been looking at NECAP examples.  Boy, can these kids write!  Yesterday and today we looked at comparing two poems.  In math kids took their Unit 1 test.  So far we have at least ten one hundreds!

Mrs. Pearson is getting old......

I just made myself swing sick on the swings today. I don't know how those kids can do it!