Fox Talks

Paper Bag Book Reports

2012-02-03T12:02:00.000-08:00

Don't forget that your Paper Bag Book Reports are due in two weeks on Friday, February 17th! The project details went home a few weeks ago and have been attached to our weekly newsletter. Here are a few samples:

Note cards are inside the drum!

Arctic Animal Research

2012-02-03T11:55:00.000-08:00

Our class did a fabulous job researching and creating a newsletter about different Arctic animals. Last Friday they shared what they learned about their animal with our class and showed off their awesome visual aids. Take a look at these creative projects! You will get to see them all at Open House on March 8th.

It's Been Awhile!

2012-02-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I have never been very good at keeping up with a blog. The truth is that this is my third attempt to write a blog! I thought I would do a better job keeping up with this blog since it is for our classroom. However, it is a new year I will be giving this blog another chance! Here are some pictures from earlier in the year when we were studying about gravity. Each group of students created a gravity powered car, and we had a contest to see which car could go the farthest down a ramp!

Student Council Elections

2011-10-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

This past week our class was full of excitement as students brought in posters and decided to run for Student Council Class Representative. Every third-fifth grade class has two representatives that attend meetings and report back to their classrooms about things students can be involved in around our school. Out of 20 students 10 of them decided to run for this office. All of the students shared speeches on Friday and a class vote followed. I was very proud of all the students that prepared a speech, and had the courage to get in front of their fellow classmates to share their speeches. Sadly, only two students could win this honor but I think it was a great learning experience for everyone.

Great Job Mrs. Fox's Class!!!

Two students that ran for office were not able to be in the pictures above.

Our First Novel Study

2011-09-30T18:20:00.000-07:00

Our class just finished a two-week novel study on the book, Ramona Quimby Age 8. We picked this novel because we felt like the students would be able to make text-to-self connections with the main character, Ramona. Ramona is starting her third grade year and often finds herself in new and challenging situations. She is misunderstood at times, and forced to face new situations as the new school year unfolds. She learns throughout the course of the story that she has an important role to play in her family, even if she is the youngest Quimby. Here are some quotes from the students about the book:

"I loved it because it was funny."

"I didn't like the book because it was too long."

"I liked reading this book because things weren't going very well for Ramona or her family in the beginning of the book, but by the end of the book things were looking much better for her and her family.

Here are the student book covers they made to house the summaries they wrote at the end of each chapter.

First Week Awards

2011-09-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

During the first week of school each student secretly watched another student to catch them doing something positive in our classroom. Then they went home and made an award for that person and presented it to them during our class ceremony on Friday. I was very impressed by the creativity and sincerity shown by all! The students loved this so much they asked if they could do it each nine weeks. I was very proud of them all!! Take a look below.

Beginnings

2011-08-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

The start of a new year is always August, and not January to me so I find myself being reflective this time of year. Reflecting on what I want to do different in my classroom and home, and what worked well and I want to keep doing at both places, and reflecting on my goals and hopes for the new year for myself and my students. This year I am starting at a new school so not only is it the beginning of a new school year, but it is a beginning of a new everything! As I looked at these empty walls for the first time I felt overwhelmed with all that needed to be done, and I found my self somewhat nervous about all the new faces I would soon see in this room and the hallways of this school.

I imagine many of you are also preparing for a new year by making a list of what needs to be accomplished in a few short amount of time, and reflecting on your goals for your child this school year. I know "beginnings" can be scary and overwhelming. Beginning third grade is often a much fretted time for students and parents because it is he beginning of state testing, and this can lead to feelings of being anxious. As I sat in my room for the first time and just felt overwhelmed with all the hundreds of things that need to be accomplished I decided to start with my word wall. It is the largest wall I had to paper and border and I knew I would feel better if there was something up on these walls that made it feel like a classroom. So on day 1 of unpacking I decorated this wall and when I stepped back and looked at it I strangely felt more at home and less anxious.

So as we start this new year together I know you might have many fears and concerns about all the "beginnings" this year will hold, but I want you to know we will take it step by step, day by day, and wall by wall until we cross the finish line in June. This is an exciting time in the life of your student as they make the big leap from primary grades to older elementary grades. We will have lots of "beginnings" this year, but we will also be left with many wonderful memories by the end, and "empty walls" will be a distant memory. I am looking forward to taking this journey with you! Here is to new BEGINNINGS!!

Welcome to Third Grade

2011-08-17T19:38:00.000-07:00

I want to welcome you to a very exciting year of learning! Meet the Teacher is Friday evening (August 19,2011) from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Come and meet me, see your new classroom, find your desk, and drop off your school supplies.