Something for my older students...

Here is a link to a great list of books for readers who are approximately 9-14 from National Public Radio.  Although many of our students can read books on higher levels than some of the books written for students their age, the content of these books may not be appropriate.  Please have your parents approve any title you choose to read and I can't wait to hear about them when we return to school!

P.S. Rising 4th graders can also put a comment on the "LS Book Club wiki" - Click here for a link to the Lower School Book Club Wiki

NPR's 100 must-reads

Since you already have gotten "started"...

 Why don't you create a "story" out of your "story starter" and make a little book?

Story Creator App

My Story App

Story Kit

Book Press - a book making app

Picturebook app

Story Robe

Getting ready for summer:)

     As we are winding down our days for this 2013/14 school year we are looking forward to the fun activities of summer.  Hopefully your summer (and mine!) will be filled with relaxing days doing what we would like to do, like swim, go to movies, play with friends, and just be plain lazy!  It is important that we also keep up our academic skills and I am going to write several posts with suggestions of things that your child (or you) can do over the summer.
     This focus of this post is on writing.  I am traveling to Australia in a couple of weeks and I bought a blank journal to take with me so that I can document our travels.  Journals or diaries can be lots of fun, but some folks just don't want to write daily.  Story starters are a great way to "kickstart" writing by giving you a topic sentence or idea to get you going.  I have included a google document with 42 Story Starters as well as several links below which have great ideas to get your thoughts flowing (one is a game that helps with building word fluency).

Scholastic

The Story Starter Jr.

Scribble - a word game

Story Starters from The Teacher Spot website (google document)

Final 3rd Grade Book Club 2013/14

I can't believe that this year has flown by so quickly!  Last week some of the 3rd graders and I got to enjoy two lunch breaks on the front lawn of Moss Hall.  On Wednesday our cafeteria served our lunch out front and on Thursday our book club gathered for the last time of this school year (with Mrs. Stephens as our special guest).  We shared book title suggestions for summer reads which I will add to our book club wiki (soon, I promise!!) - Lower School Book Club wiki link  (remember to use your full St. Mary's email address and your St. Mary's email password to log-in).  If you have any trouble accessing the wiki let me know.  Thanks to Mrs. Moore for the delicious cookies and her support all year!  We have LOVED hearing about the great books that you have read this year and look forward to hearing about your new finds next fall:)

Spring Fun Activities

Here are some fun websites for Springtime activities:

Blooming Gardens

Spring Match Game

Mother's Day Rush (like the Rush Hour Puzzle game)

Spring Slide Puzzle

Spring Word Search

Best Apps for Kids...

I know that many of you have multiple "devices" around your home and if you are like I am you don't want to waste your time (or money) looking for "educational apps".  I recently ran across these websites that review apps and I wanted to share them with you...

SuperKids - this site provides reviews and rating of educational software 

Reading Apps

Appolicious

Anxiety Resources

In conjunction with Middle School Counselor Katherine House's coffee talk tomorrow morning I would like to share a few resources that some parents have found helpful in the past.  As is stated on the Anxiety Disorders Association website - "Anxiety is a normal part of childhood, and every child goes through phases. A phase is temporary and usually harmless. But children who suffer from an anxiety disorder experience fear, nervousness, and shyness, and they start to avoid places and activities." Stress is a part of daily life and it is important that we be good role models to our children on how to deal with it.  Here at school in many of our classes we do yoga stretches and breathing exercises.  Please feel free to share in the comments below any other activities that you have found to be helpful.

Anxiety Disorders Association of America - ADAA website
Huebner, D. and Matthews, B. (2005).  What do do when you worry too much: A kid’s guide to overcoming anxiety.
Chansky, T. (2004).  Freeing your child from anxiety: Powerful practical solutions to overcome our child’s fears, worries, and phobias.
Rapee, R. (2008).  Helping your anxious child: A step-by-step guide for parents.
Manassis, K. (1996).  Keys to parenting your anxious child. 
Fiction book about worry -  The Worry Stone by Marilyn Dengler
NOTE: These resources can always be found under the "Links for Parents" tab at the top of this blog.

After the talk, I will add any new resources shared by Mrs. House.  Hope to see you in the Moss Hall Lower School Library in the morning at 7:30!