Pysanky Eggs

Today the students read the story Chicken Sunday by Patricia Polloco. In this story, a group of children made traditional Pysanky eggs using melted wax and dye. The children were very excited to make their own, modified version, today.

Non-Snow-Day Fun

We're missing quite a few of our students today, but that hasn't stopped us. Today the students were exposed to the iPad app String. This is another augmented reality app but this time, instead of the students creating the system, the trigger and response were created for them.

Students were amazed by what they saw (see the video below). When they pointed their iPads, a little green monster magically appeared on their desk and began to wander around, a dragon emerged from a wall a flew off, or a shoe began to hover in the air.

Students interacted with the virtual objects and took their pictures with them. We are now in the process of writing a story about our fantastical creatures.

Simple Machines

Today we continued our work with simple machines. Students were divided into teams and sent to explore Kozy. Their task was to find as many different examples of simple machines as they could and document each using the iPad's camera. The children did a great job and found many unique examples.

Below are some of the examples that the children found. See if you would have thought of them.

What a great field trip!

Today the students took their second field trip to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center and it was fantastic!

The first portion of the trip found the children learning about three different habitats-forest, prairie, and pond. During the discussion the students learned about the things that each habitat provides to help organisms survive. Students then set off on a hike around the Audubon Center where they explored the different habitats and learned a little more about them first hand.

During the second part of the trip the students learned a little bit more about Native American history and culture. It began with what was, for many, the highlight of the trip-a Native American dance demonstration. For this portion, an Apache spoke to our class and performed the "Grass Dance" for us. He then led some students in another dance and exposed us to traditional song. Throughout it all he spoke a little bit about himself, his outfit, and Native American Culture.

Following, the students explored some artifacts pertaining to Native Americans of the past and were able to enter a Wigwam that was still under construction.

The trip was fantastic, be sure to ask your child about it. To see the pictures larger, click on the slide show.

Volcanoes!

The students did a great job on their volcanoes and had a blast watching them erupt. Click here, or on a picture, to see all of the pictures larger.

Measurement is Back

We started our new math chapter today and we are again studying measurement. Today the children worked together to find objects in our classroom that were about an inch, centimeter, foot, and yard/meter. These objects will become "Benchmarks" that the students can use to better visualize and estimate how big each of these units of measure are. 

High Interest Day

On November 15, students at Kozy participated in High Interest Day. On this day students were able to participate in activites ranging from juggling to scuba diving; from fire fighting to scrapbooking; and from quilting to martial arts. Some students were even lucky enough to play a game of Quiddich. To see the pictures, click here

Measurement Day pt 2

Today we continued collecting measurement data. Students used rulers and yard sticks to measure the lenght of the classroom. After, they used the same tools to measure the distance that each could jump. The measured first in feet and inches and then converted that distance to inches only. 

Measurement

In math we continue collecting data; however, we started collecting a different type of data. Today we used rulers to measure our feet to the nearest half an inch and to measure how far we could blow a pattern block. We then took the data and created a line plot.

Students learned proper measurement technique. The most important of which is to always align the end the of the ruler with start of the object you are measuring.

Graphing

For the past week the students have been working on collecting and managing data. Most recently they went to different classrooms and surveyed the students on their "Favorite place to play." The students then returned to the room and determined the best way to group and categorize the data before graphing it as a bar graph.

Today the students continued that work by using Microsoft Excel to create the same graph.

Data

Today the students started their first lesson on data. They were all given a list of twenty responses to the qusetion, "Where do you like to eat?" They then had to determine what they wanted to learn from the data and organize it in a way that would help them answer their question. 

Ice Skating!

Yesterday was third grade's field trip to the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and the Pettit Ice Center.

We started our day at the MSO where the children were able to listen to, and learn about, parts of several of Mozart's operas as well as others inspired by Mozart.  Music included pieces from The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figero, and even West Side Story.  The children all behaved wonderfully and seemed to enjoy it.

After leaving the symphony, we went to the Pettit National Ice Center to ice skate.  Each year I am amazed at how much better the children get after only a short time on the ice.  Children always start the session hugging the walls, but end it skating around like pros.  Some even started skating backwards! 

To see more pictures, visit: https://picasaweb.google.com/jmborzick/2012PettitIceSkating#

Read it to Beat it Challenge

Yesterday we all enjoyed our field trip to the US Cellular Arena to be part of "Read it to Beat it." We joined over 4,500 other students to break the world's record for the largest read aloud.

Prior to the event, each student recieved a "goodie bag" containing gift certificates, a new book, and a United Way t-shirt.  We were then entertained by mascots from the Bucks, Admirals, and Wave as well as WMYX's Van "The Man" McNeal as he energized the crowd for the exciting event. 

The main attraction began when Ryan Grant, Craig Counsell, and Tom Barrett began reading to us from three different books.  After they had succesffuly read to us for over 30 minutes, and the attendance was confirmed, the record was broken and the event will be listed in the Guiness Book of World's Records.

After lunch, the students were entertained by shows from the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Schlitz Audubon Center.  These shows taught the students about Wisconsin's bird's of prey and about the importance of the honey bee. 

To watch a brief newscast of the event, click here.  At about the one minute point, see if you can spot one of Kozy's teachers.  To see more pictures, click here.

Mr. Source Assembly

Yesterday, the students participated in an assembly led by Mr. Source, a martial arts instructor.  During the assembly the students learned a few self-defense techniques while also learning about self-discipline, responsibility, and respect.  Students also learned about peaceful ways to deal with bullies.

The children really responded to Mr. Source and I was impressed both by their behavior and by the speed at which they learned his lessons.  As a fund raiser for the Kozy PTA, Mr. Source will be offering Tae-Kwon-Do lessons that emphasize learning, focus, discipline, and respect.  Lessons are $30 for a 3-week session with all proceeds going directly to the PTA. 

Sign up sheets are going home with your child today.

Dance Party

To celebrate the end of the first quarter, every Kozy student who did not have an office referral for the quarter participated in a dance party. Students had a wonderful time dancing to songs like the Chicken Dance and the Freeze song.  To see pictures from other grades, visit Kozy's School Site.

Adventure Day

Today the children participated in the long awaited Adventure Day on a beautiful October day.  Unlike last years' class, they were able to "treasure hunt" and rock climb in warm, sunny weather and the children made the most of it.

Each group worked hard at Pulaski Park and managed to solve the clues and navigate the park with little trouble allowing them to find each station and earn their prize.  After, they each channeled their inner monkey and climbed the 25' rockwall.  Many students reached the top multiple times. Finally, they returned to the classroom where they learned a little bit about Chinese writing and wrote their names in Chinese.

It was a great day and the children had a fantastic time. 

To see more pictures, click here.

Walk to School Safety Assembly

Wednesday, October 5, is our annual walk to school day and to prepare for it the students participated in an assembly led by the Cudahy Health Department.  During this assembly the children learned how to be safe while going to school.  Tips included:

• Wearing helmets when on a bike or skateboard
• Walking, not riding, your bike accross the street
• Staying on the sidewalks
• Looking both ways before crossing the street
• The importance of wearing bright or reflective clothing at night. 

Watch your child's folder, and this blog, for more infromation about walk to school day.