Our Awe-inspiring African Adventure!

Recently we were fortunate enough to have

the Giant Traveling Map of Africa visit our school!

We journeyed to Africa three times during the

week that the National Geographic map was here!

Watch and enjoy the slide show about our adventure!

Adventures in Africa! on PhotoPeach

 

What did you enjoy most about our visit to Africa?

What interesting Africa facts did you learn?

What facts can you add?

Learn about the Chumash!

Recently Mrs. Ranney spent a beautiful Saturday morning 

hiking at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa 

on the western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains 

National Recreation Area.

Within the park is the Satwiwa 
Native American 

Indian Cutural Center which includes some interesting exhibits about the Chumash Indians.

Since we are about to begin reading Badger Claws of Ojai, the story of a Chumash Indian boy, she thought the class would enjoy some photographs and information.

Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center on PhotoPeach

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What fact did you find the most interesting?

What other facts do you know about the Chumash tribe?

Magnificent Multiplication!

During the month of November, Carly and Jamie were both winners in our 
Family Blogging Month Commenting Contest!  
One of their prizes was to create a post of their own. 
They chose to work together. Please enjoy what Carly and Jamie created!


 
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We have been learning multiplication. Here are some tips.

We hope you learned some tips about multiplication.

What tricks have you learned or used for multiplication?

Do you know any other tricks for multiplication?

Who taught you those other tricks?

Is your favorite operation in math multiplication?

What is your favorite multiplication equation and why?

What is the first multiplication equation you learned?


Please leave us a comment and answer some of our questions!

Learn to Use an Online Encyclopedia!

The PFC (Parent/Faculty Club) generously purchased a one year subscription to World Book Online!

The students in Mrs. Ranney's class are learning how to research!

1. Go to the school website.
2. Go to the Learning Links
3. Select:  World Book Web
4.  The username and password have been sent to each parent via email.

Since the class has been visiting the Giant National Geographic Map of Africa this week....

 

Why not use the World Book Online to learn about Africa?

 

Learn and share some facts about Africa in your comment.  We will use the facts in our class slide show about the Giant Map of Africa!

Here are some examples of facts that you may want to research:

• How tall are the Pyramids? How old? What are they?
• What is the source of the Nile River?
• How many days does it take to scale Mt. Kilimanjaro? (on average)
• What are some facts about the Sahara Desert?
• How big is Lake Victoria?
• Where is Victoria Falls?

A Variety of Van Allsburgs!

Recently in our reading text books, we read The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, Chris Van Allsburg's first children's book. It is a clever and mysterious story about a dog named Fritz who runs into Mr. Gasazi's garden. Fritz is possibly turned into a duck by Mr. Gasazi, but the reader never really knows for sure. Mr. Van Allsburg leaves that up to the reader to decide.

Because Mr. Van Allsburg is such a talented writer and has written so many wonderful books, Mrs. Ranney read three more to us.

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The first one we listened to was called Two Bad Ants. Through their experiences in the jar of crystals, which turn out to be sugar, these ants learn that they are better off staying with their colony rather than venturing out on their own.

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The second book we enjoyed was Bad Day at River Bend. The story seems to take place in an old western town. Everything and everyone in town is being covered by a colorful greasy slime. However, at the end it is revealed that all the characters are in a young boy's coloring book!

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Finally, Mrs. Ranney read The Widow's Broom to us. It was an eerie tale in which a witch's broom comes to be owned by a widow. The neighbors are very upset about this enchanted broom who does all the widow's chores and want to do away with it. However, the widow comes up with an extremely clever plan to trick the neighbors and keep her broom!

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Which of these stories did you like best and why?

What other books by Chris Van Allsburg have you enjoyed?


Please leave a comment and give us your opinions.

Ring in 2011!

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 A great way to start off a new year is to set goals for yourself.

Think about what you'd like to accomplish during 2011.

Choose a school goal and a personal goal.

Some school goal examples are:  to build a better vocabulary, to master all the multiplication and division facts, or to read over 3 Reading Counts books every month.

Some personal goal examples are to improve in a sport or on a musical instrument, to be more helpful at home, 

or to start a new hobby. 

Write about these goals in your comment.

Be sure to include the steps you will take 

to help you accomplish your goals!