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  • Apr182013
    Ornithology!

    POSTED AT 02:55 PM

    Ornithology is our merit study for the remainder of the year! We're learning to identify bird species native to Mississippi, recognize some of their bird calls, research and discover fascinating information, and expand our vocabulary with loads of "birdy" words. We're also doing some field study in the pecan grove behind the school to observe birds in their natural habitat. Some of the groups have already had success witnessing birds respond to an electronic bird call app ~ How exciting!

    Hopefully this study will encourage some of our students to pursue and develop the hobby of birdwatching - something that they can truly enjoy for the rest of their lives. They've been eager to share birds that they've spotted at home and have also told us about the feeders and birdhouses that some of you and your family members have.

    Be sure to check out our bird gallery on artsonia when you get a chance ~ we'll be adding to it as we go!

    http://www.artsonia.com/museum/gallery.asp?exhibit=647075
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    Feb112013
    Thank You, Dr. Sue!!

    POSTED AT 10:07 AM

    Thank you, Dr. Sue!!

    We so appreciated Dr. Sue Clifton giving an author's speech to our merit students recently! She showed slides and told them of her adventures in Alaska, Montana, and New Zealand. Her talk was both inspirational and inspiring.

    One important thing that she emphasized is for our students to write... and to write often.  As she says, "A good writer can't NOT write." - in other words good writers are absolutely driven to write.

    Before she left, she drew names and gave away writing journals to encourage our students to write as much as possible. She also presented us with several copies of herJ.K. Puck book to keep in our classroom. Several of the children are already lining up to check them out! (She's also checking with her publisher to see if our students who are interested in purchasing a copy of her book could buy them at a lower price - she'll be back in touch soon!)

    And finally.... Dr. Sue's message to all of our students is this:     Good writers read!

    Visit Dr. Sue's site to learn more: http://www.drsueclifton.com/biography.html
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    Feb042013
    Be Back Soon!

    POSTED AT 03:59 PM

    I'm at a technology conference in Jackson but will be back at school Thursday - looking forward to being back with my sweet students then!
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    Jan042013
    Entomology Programs

    POSTED AT 02:33 PM


    Mark Your Calendar!

    Entomology Program ~ Thursday Jan. 17th and Friday Jan. 18th

    Hopefully, one of the days will work out for you to be able to attend!
    Your child's two program times are shown below:
    Thursday Jan 17th:
    8:00 - Edwards/Moore
    9:00 Hudson/Houston
    10:45 Nicholson/ Cook
    12:00 Hoff/Miles
    1:00 Overton/McCain
    2:00 Sullivan/ Lee
    Friday, Jan. 18th
    8:00 - Nicholson/Cook
    9:00 Hoff/Miles
    10:00 Overton/McCain
    12:00 Sullivan/Lee
    1:00 Edwards/Moore
    2:00 Hudson/Houston
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    Nov292012
    December - 2012

    POSTED AT 11:07 AM

    11/29/12~ The merit students have been doing a good bit of independent (self-directed learning) research lately. The children have been selecting individual topics based on their own personal interests and formulating questions that they're curious about. After writing their questions, they've been using the computer to research the answers. The children have done a great job learning to use Google Search to help them in their research. Also, we've definitely discovered that some answers are much harder to determine than others!

                    Most of the students have finished an entry for thePBS Kids Go! Writers Contest, and we'll be entering them online in the contest in January. (A few students are still working to finish illustrations during their spare time.) We've also continued to add entries on the Artsonia site. If you haven't seen it yet, we hope you'll check it out when you get a chance. We'll continue to add artwork and outstanding classwork to our galleries there. It's a great site!
    http://www.artsonia.com/schools/school.asp?id=14597
                   As you know, December is a busy and hectic month ~ the students are preparing for a third grade Christmas musical along with other holiday activities/parties within their classrooms. Because of this, our merit entomology program will be scheduled some time in January, instead of December. By scheduling it then, hopefully it will be easier for parents/families to work out a non-conflicting time to come and see the program. (The children are bringing home copies of their assigned power point slides to work on speaking parts for the January program.)

                  During the month of December, we'll be continuing with more independeng research and reporting and will also be working on creative writing skills. (Plus much, much more!) Hope your November has been good and that your December is even better! As always, thanks for all of your support and encouragement at home.
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    Oct172012
    Artsonia & Book Writing Contest

    POSTED AT 10:28 AM

                   After learning about the PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest, we paused our entomology unit to work on some creative writing. Every child in the merit class has written their own book! They're currently working to finish up their illustrations to go in the books. We're planning to enter them in the contest in January.

                   Since students have worked so hard on their book illustrations, we've put some of them on a school art site called "Artsonia". You can find your child's illustration here and even join his/her fan club! (and invite others to join it, too!)
     
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    Sep182012
    9-18-12

    POSTED AT 02:58 PM

            Our entomology study is in high gear. We've been identifying and researching insects, taking notes, and using creative writing skills to write stories about insects. In addition, we've been drawing and labeling the antomies of insects, reading graphs about insects, and conducting our own field study! We're also learning about complete and incomplete metamorphosis. There's so much more to be learned, so stay tuned!

            And in case you haven't heard, Dusty (the rough green snake) has a new home in our room! He's in a brand new larger terrarium where we can get a MUCH better view of him. Fortunately he's still hanging out on the branches in his terrarium most of the time, so we get to observe him a lot. We've been capturing a few insects and other invertebrates for him to snack on, but we haven't been able to watch him eating yet. (He's pretty secretive.) Hopefully we'll get to see him in action in the future!

             By the way, be sure to check out the merit photo gallery - it's a work in progress - more pictures to come soon!http://teacherweb.com/MS/BatesvilleIntermediateSchool/Hawkins,Molly/gallery2.aspx

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    Aug272012
    New Study!

    POSTED AT 10:32 AM

             The merit picnic was lots of fun, and I think everyone enjoyed it. I hate that there were conflicts, and that everyone wasn't able to be there, but I certainly understand ~ this time of year surely is hectic and busy!

             We've just begun a new study today ~ entomology! We took a look at some edible insects today on a website that sells insect snacks and bug candy ~ Many of the students said that they'd like to give edible insects a try! A few of them said that they'd even eaten some before! (I haven't tried any before, though I think I might not mind tasting them if they've got enough chocolate on them - ha) Here's the site we visited in case you'd like to check it out for yourselves:http://www.hotlix.com/

               We'll look forward to learning lots of interesting information and new vocabulary as we delve into this fascinating topic!
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    Apr132012
    merit news

    POSTED AT 02:41 PM

     Here's a little synopsis of a few of the things that have been going on in merit class lately:

     During the last few weeks the students have:

     
    *  helped coauthor and independently illustrate a class dog book together  (These will be sent home soon.)
    *  used data to create bar graphs of the weights of a variety of dogs
    *  used the computer to independently research and solve web quests
    *  worked on vocabulary building
    *  read a variety of passages about dogs and taken their own bulleted   notes in their journals recording important points
    *  used the computer to research and type suggestions for our upcoming dog  program

    And currently:
    Each student has selected several areas of interest to research further for the dog programs. 

    Students have begun reading information from books, pamphlets, and the internet to use to write their own speeches for the program. 

    The speech writing will continue through most of next week, and then class rehearsals will begin.

    We'll get the program dates set in the next few days so you you'll be able to mark your calendars and hopefully be able to attend!

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    Mar272012
    3/27/12 ~ Continuing with Dogs

    POSTED AT 03:33 PM

    We've been learning lots!  Our study has included both wild and domestic dogs.  The students are reading & using the internet to research and have been taking notes about what they've learned.  They write their notes in the journals that we keep in class.  They've also been adding illustrations and diagrams to their journals as well.

    Today we did a web quest test ~ the students had to use internet links that I provided to find the answers to ten questions.  You can click on "Dog Quiz" on the left and see the quiz.  (The links to use are on the "Dogs" link on the left, too.)

    We'll continue with our study and will be having some interesting class visitors soon! :)  Also, we'll begin working on a program to share with students, staff, and families in the near future ~ stay tuned!
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