The Shrine Circus

Today was our annual 3rd grade trip to the Shrine Circus. It was loud, colorful, and a lot of fun!I'm posting some pictures and video from the beginning to the end for those students who weren't able to make it. The unfortunate part of the circus in February is that we often have several people out sick! One teacher wasn't able to make the trip this year. Enjoy the show!After the ringmaster started the show, we enjoyed the tiger act. Then we saw a high wire act. They were really amazing!
The next act was a dog act. The dogs were so excited to perform.

Folk Dancing Program

Our third grade learns several different folk dances in third grade. Last night they showed us all of their hard work. I've posted a couple of photos, and a short video. I take the video with my camera, so It's not the best. The video is of the Viginia Reel. That is the dance they learn to do at the Colonial Christmas. Unfortunately, snow canceled that party, so this was the first time anyone saw it.

Salem 100th Day Showcase

This castle was made by Mrs. Vieum out of MANY gallon containers!


This evening we opened the school to showcase the many things that are happening at Salem on a daily basis. There were displays by many grade levels, Mad Science was giving demonstrations, there was face painting, rock wall climbing, Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, music, dancing, and ice cream!It was a lot of fun, and there was a huge crowd. I think we'll start planning for next year tomorrow!
Watching a Mad Science demonstration

The Growing Continues

We have planted some of the starter peat pots in larger pots to give them the space they need. The plants continue to grow, and that makes me very happy. Everyone took home the pea plants that were extra. We don't have enough room to light them all. I've had reports that the home plants are also doing well.I'm hoping we have actual flowers by May!

Life Science

We have started our unit on Life Science. Knowing that I'm not much of a gardener, and knowing that Wisconsin in January is not the best time of the year to grow seeds, I invested in some gardening help. I bought a grow light and a heating mat. Well, after only four days our seeds are sprouting! I thing they must believe they are in California! Their little roots are warm, and their tops are warm too. I'm very excited. My hope is that we will actually be able to get these plants to adulthood. The plants are the big thing in the class. Everyone seems to have cause to wander over to that side of the room during the day to check out the progress. We are looking forward to see what they look like on Monday. I wish I had taken pictures today. Several of the peat pots have sprouts in them.

Colonial Games

Today we tried some games that colonial children might have played. We started by making a buzz saw. At least that's what I've seen it called. So, parents, did you spend hundreds of dollars on a Wii gaming system for your children? Too bad you didn't know that a piece of string, a button, and some wood would have been enough!Or, how about a plate? Yes, just a plate. The class had a great time playing with these. One student commented that they were addictive. I need to think ahead. I forgot I had a video function on my camera. I did take some stills. We also played spin the plate. One student spun the plate and called the name of another student. That student then had to catch the plate before it fell. There was a lot of laughing going on during this game. Jacobs ladders, pick up sticks, jacks, and ring toss were also available to play. Yes, colonial kids had fun too!

Going Colonial

Our Colonial Christmas was cancelled because of a snowstorm, but our class is still enjoying the activities that we would have done. Yesterday, we made oiled windows. In Colonial times glass was very expensive and difficult to get in the colonies. Colonists would oil heavy cloth and place it the opening to let some light in, but they kept bugs and dirt out. We made colorful windows to display. can't believe I forgot to take a picture of a finished one!

Today we learned about Benjamin Franklin and his famous book, Poor Richard's Almanac. We used quill pens and blueberry ink to write some of the quotes from the almanac. The students were very glad that they use pencils for their homework. The activity was fun, but writing a whole assignment that way would be very difficult!