phi·lan·thro·py

The world is filled with everyday people who go out of their way to be kind and helpful. We will read two Chickadee nominees that are remarkable true stories of how people can make a difference in the lives of others. We will also read a fiction story about kindness and accepting differences and the greatest gifts of all, love and time. 

“People began to grow angry about Ivan’s lonely life. Children and adults wrote letters, and signed petitions, and held protests.”

Zoo Atlanta

“I make a promise to my pets. I promise that if I can ever find my voice, I will be their voice and keep them from harm.”

Animal Fact Guide:Jaguars

"All the other eggs were given endless gifts: fast toys; vast toys; flashing, clattering things that made a noise. But Little One was given love and time, the greatest gifts of all."

San Diego Zoo Watch this video to learn about African Penguins.

Don't forget to visit Pebble Go for information about penguins of all kinds.

Would you like to be a philanthropist?

Join South school in their fund drive for Koins for Kenya.

Koins for Kenya LINK

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Main Entry: phi·lan·thro·py 
Pronunciation: f-lan(t)-thr-p
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -pies
1 : a spirit of goodwill toward all people especially when expressed in active and generous efforts to help others
2 : a charitable act or gift
3 : an organization which distributes or is supported by charitable contributions 
- phi·lan·thro·pist  /-pst/ noun

The Three Little Pigs Retold by Kindergarten and First Grade

Folktales are stories that have been passed down from generation to generation, usually by word of mouth.  Our kindergarten and first grade students practiced their own oral story telling skills to retell the story of the Three Little Pigs.  This is what they came up with.

Mrs. Richard's Class

Ms. Schintzius's Class

Mrs. Joki's Class

Mrs. Linscott's Class

Mrs. Wilgus's  Class

Welcome Winter!

Blizzard by John Rocco

Blizzard is one of this years Chickadee nominees.  We begin reading the nominees on our first week back and will vote for a winner just before February vacation. What is your favorite thing to do when it snows? What makes a blizzard a blizzard?  How can you be safe when a blizzard comes? What are some of your favorite winter sports and activities? 

Here are some great sites to learn more about winter weather:

Weather Wiz Kids LINK

UCAR Center for Science Education  LINK

Kids Connect LINK

NOAA LINK

Owlie, Safety Brochure LINK

Learn about Snowflakes, Hibernation, Solstice & Equinox, and Seasons on BrainPop.

Learn about Winter on BrainPop Jr.

Follow Deanne's board winter on Pinterest.

Hour of Code 2015!

“The 'Hour of Code™' is a nationwide initiative by Computer Science Education Week[csedweek.org] and Code.org[code.org] to introduce millions of students to one hour of computer science and computer programming.”

Visit Code.org and see what computer programming is all about. LINK Choose from Star Wars, Minecraft, and Anna & Elsa.

To save your work, login with your Google account. Look for where it says SIGN IN at the top right side of the screen. It's the yellow box.

Click where it says, "Sign in with Google Account" and follow the directions.

Have Fun! Return to the code.org site as often as you want to practice your computer programming skills.  See Mrs. Tibbetts if you want to take it to a higher level and learn about other ways to learn computer programming.

Meet the Author-Mo Willems

Mo Willems, one of our favorite authors has three new books:

• I Really Like Slop! (Elephant & Piggie)
• I Will Take a Nap (Elephant & Piggie)
• The Story of Diva and Flea (A chapter fiction book!)

Learn more about I Really Like Slop in this video.

Learn more about how Mo collaborated with illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi to create The Story of Diva and Flea in this video.

Visit Pigeon and all of the Mo Willems characters at Pigeon Presents LINK
Visit Mo Willems website here. LINK
Doodle with Mo on the Today Show LINK

What is your favorite Mo Willems character?

Meet the Author!

Loren Long

Loren writes the Otis books.  He is an author and an illustrator.

Loren Long Video

Loren Long Website
Otis the Tractor

At Home, Online Resources

We subscribe to three PebbleGo databases; animals, science, and biographies. Email Mrs. Tibbetts for a copy of the parent welcome letter which includes login information.  Login information will also be provided to students in their library classes.

TTL4 is a fun program that teaches students keyboarding skills. It is a paid subscription, available free to students in grades three and four.  Students will login with their district usernames and passwords. Download onto your computer following the instructions on this LINK. This may take some time to download depending on your device.