Shawnee-Pakistan Partnership Newspaper Article

This is an article on our partnership with the Beaconhouse School in Multan, Pakistan.
Prairie Ridge-Pakistan Partnership Newspaper Article

Winter Holiday Party

Thank you to Erin Dedrickson for organizing our winter holiday party. Also, thank you to all the parents who sent in items for the party and volunteered to help at the party. The kids really had a wonderful time.

Skype with Dr. Derek Burkholder-Shark Researcher

The students Skyped with Dr. Derek Burkholder, a marine researcher who studies sharks. They learned many amazing facts about sharks and what takes place with shark research.

Gifts from Taiwan Pen Pals

The students are posing with pencils they received from their Taiwan pen pals. The pencils were bigger and can be sharpened on both ends.

Pay it Forward-Christmas Ornaments

As we continue our Pay it Forward year long project that works on citizenship, the students weaved ornaments and made cards to bring a smile to residents in a local nursing home.

Blabberize Opinion Writing

We have been working on opinion writing. The students chose an item they really wanted for Christmas and wrote from the point of view of the item, giving reasons why their parents should purchase it for them. They used Blabbarize to publish their writing.

Ryan-Skylander
Jayda-Tea Cup Dog
Cassie Tablet
Rodolfo Wii U
Libby-Just Dance 2014
Ethan-Xbox 360
Lucas PS4
Jane-Kindle Fire
Madeline-Curling Wand
Natalie-Pony
Sam-PS3
Max-Microsoft 2 and 1
Sofia-Kindle Fire
Nick-Electric Bumper Car
Jack W. - Wii U
Oliver- Xbox 1
Bryce-Surface 2
Dylan-Acer
Jack G. - Skylander
Alex-Surface 2
Chloe-Wii U

Bouncing Narrative Writing Storybirds Kansas-New Zealand

The students wrote bouncing stories with a grade 3 classroom in New Zealand. We wrote two pages, they wrote two, we wrote two more, then they ended the story. It was a wonderful way to work on writing.

Here is a video Mrs. Prabhakaran's class made for us.
Here is a video we made to introduce ourselves.

Division Animoto Projects

We have been studying division. To apply what they learned, each student chose a theme. They researched the cost of items in the theme and rounded the cost to the nearest dollar. Next, they decided how many people would share the item and determined the cost each person would pay. Finally, the students found pictures and created their division Animoto video.

Chloe Candy Division Project
Oliver's Soccer Division Project
Natalie's Horse Division Project
Division Sharing Max Project
Lucas's MLS Division Sharing Project
Ryan's Skylander Division Sharing Project
Sam's Division Sharing Project
Cassie's Scottish Division Sharing Project
Dylan's Gymnastic Division Sharing Project
Jane's Softball Project
Madeline's Sleepover Division Project
Libby's Division Sharing Project
Nick's Division Video
Jayda's Division Sports Project
Jack G.'s Division Sharing Project
Rodolfo's Candy land Division Project
Alex's Division Math Project
Sofia's Basketball Division Project
Bryce's Baseball Hat Division Project
Jack W.'s Car Division Project

Creating Electro Magnets

We continued to learn about force last week. The students created their own electromagnets to understand how they work compared to the traditional permanent magnet.

Madeline, Team Leggett MVP Dec. 2-6

Madeline was Team Leggett MVP the week of December 2-6. She is a hard worker who loves helping others. Thanks for being a wonderful MVP, Madeline!



Skype-Grade 3 Pakistan Classroom

The students came back to school at 9:00 pm for a Skype with our grade 3 Pakistan partner classroom. We really learned a lot and are excited for our continued projects we will do together.

 

Curriculum Update December 9-13

Wow! The weather is really getting cold. I hope everyone stays warm.

Some key dates:

Dec. 19 - Winter parties (They begin at 3:00 pm)

Jan. 7 - 3rd quarter begins

Jan. 16 - Third grade field trip to School of Economics

 

ELA/SS: We will continue our economics unit in SS this week. The essential questions we will be focusing on are:

-What are the cost and benefits of spending and saving?

-What shared responsibilities in your community are met through taxes?

-How is resource use in your community impacted by beliefs and ideas of the people who lived there?

-How have goods and services in your community changed over time?

-What resources are abundant in your community, are limited in your community and how does this influence the decisions the community makes?

We will be preparing for upcoming School of Economics field trip on January 16th.

In reading, we will be reading money articles and having discussions, while incorporating the vocabulary and spelling.

 

Also, we will focus on reading fables and folktales in reading. The students will analyze the morals of the fable and compare and contrast fables written by the same author.

Spelling/Vocabulary: Here are our new words. Both tests will be on Friday.

needs: things you must have in order to live

wants: things you would like to have but do not need to live

goods: something you can touch or hold

services: something that one person does for someone else

income: payment you earn

spend: the amount of money paid for a particular purpose

borrow: to use something that belongs to someone else, then return it

lending: to grant someone the use of something on the understanding it should be returned

tax: a contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers’ income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services and transactions

economy: the way a country manages its money and resources to produce, buy and sell goods and services

interest: the fee for using someone else’s money

credit: the ability to borrow money

opportunity cost: when you have several things to choose from, you make a decision and have to give up something that was the next best thing

save: keep and store up for future use

budget: a plan for saving and spending money

Here is a link to practice the vocabulary:

http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_11/Economics_VocabSpelling_Test_on_Dec13_stQpO.htm

Here is a link to practice spelling:

https://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=15728686&x=c084b

Math: We are continuing to work on division through a division project this week.

Writing: We will write from the point of view of an object the students would like for Christmas. They will give reasons why it should be purchased.

Have a fantastic week!

Curriculum Update December 2-6

Wow! I can't believe we are already in December. This school year is already almost halfway over! I hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Here is the curriculum for the week:

ELA/SS: We will begin our economics unit in SS this week. The essential questions we will be focusing on are:

-What are the cost and benefits of spending and saving?

-What shared responsibilities in your community are met through taxes?

-How is resource use in your community impacted by beliefs and ideas of the people who lived there?

-How have goods and services in your community changed over time?

-What resources are abundant in your community, are limited in your community and how does this influence the decisions the community makes?

 

We will be preparing for upcoming School of Economics field trip on January 16th.

In reading, we will be reading money articles and having discussions, while incorporating the vocabulary and spelling.

Spelling/Vocabulary: Here are our new words. Both tests will be on Friday, December 13th.

needs: things you must have in order to live

wants: things you would like to have but do not need to live

goods: something you can touch or hold

services: something that one person does for someone else

income: payment you earn

spend: the amount of money paid for a particular purpose

borrow: to use something that belongs to someone else, then return it

lending: to grant someone the use of something on the understanding it should be returned

tax: a contribution to state revenue, levied by the government on workers’ income and business profits, or added to the cost of some goods, services and transactions

economy: the way a country manages its money and resources to produce, buy and sell goods and services

interest: the fee for using someone else’s money

credit: the ability to borrow money

opportunity cost: when you have several things to choose from, you make a decision and have to give up something that was the next best thing

save: keep and store up for future use

budget: a plan for saving and spending money

 

Here is a link to practice the vocabulary:

http://www.classtools.net/mob/quiz_11/Economics_VocabSpelling_Test_on_Dec13_stQpO.htm

Here is a link to practice spelling:

https://www.spellingcity.com/view-spelling-list.html?listId=15728686&x=c084b

 

Math: We are continuing to work on division. We will focus on relating division and multiplication, fact families, algebraic connections, and problem-solving with multiple step problems.

Writing: We will work on point of view when analyzing opportunity cost in situations and saving versus spending.

Have a fantastic week!

Skype with Solar Cooker International Executive Director, Julie Greene



Solar Cooker International Executive Director, Julie Greene, took the time to Skype with the students about solar cooking, how solar cookers work and how they help people throughout the world. Below are photos of the Skype and of pot holders the students decorated to go with the solar cookers. They are being used in Kenya.

 

Olympic Torch Runner - John Tait Skype

We recently Skyped with UK Teacher, John Tait, who had a chance to carry the 2012 Olympic Torch. He talked about his experience running with the torch and told the students the history of the torch. They were able to look at the actual torch while Skyping. Thank you, John!

Global Relations Speaker-Dom

The students have been learning about global relations as they collaborate with students in New Zealand, China, Australia, Pakistan, Taiwan and France on different projects. Thank you, Dom, for coming in and sharing your expertise on global relationships and policy with the students.

Force and Interactions

We have been exploring how forces are always acting on an object. Our driving question was, "How do you know that forces are acting on an object?"
The students have explored this concept by building pendulums, testing the angles of flying disks, seeing the difference between forces needed to get a bouncy ball in a cup versus a tennis ball, testing air resistance and understanding how to measure distance with paper airplanes, testing speed with aiplane gliders, creating ramps to see and angles, height and friction impact the distance a car will travel and building a rollercoaster amusement park to test Newton's Laws. Here is a video of some of the investigations.

Wilderness Dave Skype

David Freeman took the time to Skype with the students about the different communities of animals he has come across while traveling the world through his ocean explorations. He also spoke with them about the forces in beaches and coastlines and different life cycles of animals. Thanks, David!

Skype with the Digits

We Skyped with the Digits. They helped the students understand how to tell time with an analog clock.

Alex, Team Leggett MVP November 18-22

Alex was Team Leggett MVP during the week November 18-22. Alex brings a lot of enthusiasm to class. He loves to volunteer and loves to take on challenges. Congrats on a wonderful MVP week, Alex!

Libby, Team Legget MVP November 11-15

Libby was Team Leggett MVP November 11-15. Libby loves learning about anything new and asking a lot of questions to "dig deeper". Congrats on a wonderful MVP week, Libby!

Sploder Video Games

The students recently completed their video games. They had to create a game with at least three different levels. Then, they wrote a blog summarizing their game, problem solving steps they used and why they designed the game the way they did. Afterwards, they played another student's game. They had to blog about what they would rate the game and cite evidence from their game to explain their thinking. Finally, they had to explain whether they would purchase the game. Next, their family members will play and rate their games. After this, they will write another blog explaining what they would do different when creating their next game.
Feel free to play the games. They all did an awesome job!
Alex: Awesome Game
Bryce: Duck Mania
Ryan: Death of Terror
Chloe: Dun Dun Dun
Jack W.: Wambo 35
Libby: Dun Dun Dun 2
Ethan: Hump Day
Sam: The Hard Battle
Oliver: Procore
Cassie: Escape
Lucas: Crystals and Tunnels
Natalie: The Fight to the Treasure
Madeline: What Did You Just Say
Jane: Fire Bom
Jayda: Try Try
Max: Never Again will it End
Rodolfo: Wild Robots
Sofia: Escape Neverland
Nick: To Win
Jack G. Monster Hunter
Dylan: The Outside Wonder

Genius Hour Projects

We have been working hard on our genius hour. This is a chance for the students to research anything they are passionate about. Here is a link to their first round of projects.
http://leggettgeniushour.weebly.com/

Multiplication for Kids by Kids

What do you do when you want the students to take ownership of their learning? You have them create their own website. The students created their own multiplication website filled with songs, stories, games and explanations they created demonstrating meaning of multiplication. They really did a wonderful job!
http://multiplicationforkidsbykids.weebly.com/

Curriculum Update November 18-22

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. I can't believe it is almost time for Thanksgiving already! We have been lucky to have some very nice weather in December.

 

Please note, we will reschedule our Skype with our grade 3 class pen pals in Pakistan. Unfortunately, some conflict took place over the weekend and their schools will need to be closed for a few days. I will let you know of the new date when it is rescheduled.

 

On Thursday, we will be presenting our movies to many city leaders in Shawnee. The students will also share what they feel the city is doing well in and what areas of improvement needed. You are welcome to attend. It will be at 2:00 pm.
 

ELA/Science: We will continue our force and interactions unit. The overall guiding question will be, How do you know forces are acting on an object?" We will be conducting investigations to better understand how unbalanced and balanced forces impact motion. We will continue identifying the main idea of a text by recounting the details and explaining how they support the main idea. The students will also create and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of what they are reading.

Spelling/Vocabulary: We are continuing to focus on force, incorporating how magnetism is a force. We will not have a spelling or vocabulary test over new terms. A new list will come out on December 2.

Math: We are now exploring the meaning of division. Students will understand how division is sharing, repeated subtraction, how to find missing numbers on the multiplication table, writing division stories and how to choose an appropriate equation with problem solving.

Writing: We will continue to work on opinion writing this week in math and in science.

Have a fantastic week!

 

Cards and Candy to Support Operation Gratitude

Our class collected candy in support of Operation Gratitude to send to the troops. We also sent cards the students created. We appreciate everything the troops do to protect our country!