Thursday, May 21, 2009

Check Out These COOL Ocean Sites!


IMAX Under the Sea 3D -- Watch the Trailer!
Be sure to check out the games and webisodes, too.

The New England Aquarium -- Experience a Whale Watch!
Link
Listen to whales squeak, warble, groan, whistle, and much more!!!

Play Ocean Games!

NOAA Ocean Service Education -- Fun and educational activities for you to enjoy! Click on the many links!

Living Sea Aquarium


I hope you enjoyed our in-school field trip today. Hopefully some of you will be able to visit the aquarium with your parents.

Did you know that you can visit the aquarium and watch them feed the sharks or stingrays?
Free shark and stingray feedings every Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Free stingray feedings every Monday - Friday at 2:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Skyping Candace Fleming


We received GREAT news from Mrs. Polito today!  On Monday, we will be skyping Candace Fleming, author of Boxes for Katje.  We read her book as a kick-off to our service project, Operation Iraqi Children.  Click here for Candace Fleming's website.  Read her bio here.

Historical Reenactment Part 5

Historical Reenactment Part 4

Historical Reenactment Part 3

Historical Reenactment Part 2

Historical Reenactment Part 1

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Reminders...

  • The 5th graders are having a book sale tomorrow. We will get to "shop" at 10 a.m. so don't forget to bring your money!
  • Spelling and grammar tests will be tomorrow, NOT Friday, due to our field trip.
  • Historical Reenactment will be this Friday from 9:15-11:15. We will be outside the entire time, so dress appropriately for the weather, and remember to wear old shoes. It might be muddy out there!
  • Don't forget to return the bottom portion of the green band form to Mr. Berry!
  • Your extra credit historical fiction report is due FRIDAY!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

The Gold Rush!


Click here for spelling, vocabulary, and other activities for this week.


Monday, May 11, 2009

What's Our Next Read Aloud Book?

We have one more chapter of Shakespeare's Secret left.


Click here to find out what we'll be reading next!

School House Rock Adjectives



School House Rock Adverbs



Friday, May 8, 2009

Thanks!!!


Thank you so much for the lovely flowers, gifts, and memory book.  You wrote such kind letters about what you enjoyed this year.  I was so touched to read them all!  I appreciate the time you took to draw or write your page for me.  I hope you all enjoy your weekend.  Remember to be extra sweet to your Mom and wish her a very Happy Mother's Day!  I think she'll LOVE your Mother's Day Poem!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Colonial Williamsburg


Check out this site on Colonial Williamsburg for kids!  Take a virtual tour, meet the people, and play some games!

Historical Reenactment Invitation

Click on the image below!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Another FREE Summer Science Opportunity!


The district is offering a Summer U class at no cost to parents!

This class is part of the Science Companion program, which came from the creators of Everyday Math. They have asked us to partner with them as they work to integrate 21st Century tools into their program.

Everyday Science: Motion.  Third and fourth graders will be participating in marble drops, sliding/sticking activities, and gravity activities.  They will also have some experience with model car racing and the concept of creating roller coasters!

Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. More information can be found in the letter that will be handed out tomorrow.

Click here to enroll in this amazing opportunity!!!


Cat's Cradle


Did you know that a favorite recreational activity among children during the colonial times was Cat's Cradle?  All you need is a piece of string or yarn!  

Click here for step-by-step instructions.

Watch another video here.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Colonial Life...Historical Reenactment - May 15


In order to prepare for the Historical Reenactment of life in colonial times, please click on the following websites!




Prairie Fire - The Illinois Country Before 1818 - Check out Narrative in the side bar - Using Real Player you will hear an excellent explanation of Pay d'en Haut in the European Experience. There are other videos that provide information on fur trading, Marquette, LaSalle and Jesuits. 

Monday, May 4, 2009

Flu Prevention Fact Sheet from The Cook County Department of Public Health


Preventing the Flu: Good Health Habits Can Help Stop Germs


Avoid close contact.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your

distance from others to protect them from getting sick too.

Stay home when you are sick.

Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. Keep sick children

at home. You will help prevent others from catching the illness.

Cover your mouth and nose.

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the

tissue in the trash after you use it.

Wash your hands often.

Washing your hands and the hands of your children often will help protect you

from germs.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated

with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.

Practice other good health habits.

Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of

fluids, and eat nutritious food.


There is no vaccine available at this time for the current outbreak of the Swine Flu virus, so it is important for

people living in the affected areas to take steps to prevent spreading the virus to others. If people are ill, they should

stay at home and limit contact with others, except to seek medical care. Healthy residents living in these areas

should take the everyday preventive actions listed above.


People who live in these areas who develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and

runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, should contact their

health care provider. Their health care provider will determine whether influenza testing is needed.


Contact the Cook County Department of Public Health at 708-492-2000 if you have questions. For additional

information, visit the following web sites: www.cookcountypublichealth.org/swine_flu, www.idph.state.il.us, and

www.cdc.gov.

Science for the 21st Century

Dear Parents,
Please read the following from our district's Curriculum and Instruction department.  It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for our students!

A science class will be held June 22-26 at South Middle School from 10:30 -11:15 a.m.  This is for students in grades 3-5.  It will be taught by Dr. Rod Doran and Dr. Randy Yerrick, from the University of Buffalo.  This class is FREE!  

Parents are responsible for transportation to and from South Middle School.  

If interested, please email Diana Donovan in the Instruction department at ddonovan@sd25.org with the following information:  child's name, current grade level, & school name.  Emails will be accepted by May 8th.  

Parents will be notified if your child is selected.

Here's a short video the class viewed from the Instruction Department.