Summertime!

So summer is finally here!  Hopefully, you've already begun enjoying the time away from school and trying to beat the HEAT on these awfully hot days!  I know I've been spending some time in the pool trying to keep cool.  But before that, I had to pack up my classroom at SBS and get ready for my big move to Lafayette!  I can't believe I'll be seeing most of you next year in 4th grade!  I'm also excited to see some former students as 5th graders!  Making a big move to a new school can be tough, but I know we all have lots to look forward to!

Your "Optional Summer Challenge" was to check in on the blog, so I'd love to hear what you've been up to so far this summer!  Let me know if you're going down the shore, spending time in the pool, visiting with friends, reading great books, or anything else.  I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

So, How Was the Test?

You can finally put away those Number 2 pencils and scrap paper....the NJASK is over!  It was an interesting week of testing.  I hope all of you felt prepared for the test, and weren't so nervous once it began.  I was so proud of how well you handled the pressure, and how you were so respectful during the test.  I know it was hard to sit and remain working quietly for so long each day, but I think you realized how important it was that all of your classmates have the chance to do their best on the test.

SO....How was the test?  What was the hardest part of last week?  What was the best part?  Was the test exactly what you were expecting?  Did you feel prepared for the test?  Tell us how you feel now that the test is over!

Ready for the NJASK?

So, all the preparation and practice is over and the testing is soon to begin!  The NJASK starts on Monday with two days of Language Arts and two days of Math.  We all know it's going to be a week of testing, but also a week of fun, with just a few hours of testing but extra recess and no homework!  Remember, every third grader in New Jersey is going through the same thing as you at the same exact time! 

I understand how many of you must be feeling about the NJASK coming up.  Some of you might be nervous about what the test might ask.  Some of you might be confident about remembering all of the things we've been learning this year.  You might worry about having to sit for so long to take the test each day.  But some of you might be excited about the extra recess you'll get, and the nice, free afternoons you'll have with NO HOMEWORK!

Check in here about your feelings about the NJASK.  Tell us how you are feeling, what you might be worried about, but what you're also looking forward to.  I've answered hundreds of your questions about the test, but if you have any more, ask them here!  After the test, we'll have another post about your thoughts to see how it went.  If you're curious about how last year's students did, look for the post one year ago and see what they wrote!

International Day at SBS!

This past week, students at SBS enjoyed our International Day celebration!  It was a wonderful day, full of information, excitement, and fun.  3P students first enjoyed a parade of international fashion as we watched our classmates, teachers, and parents modeling authentic traditional clothes from around the world!  We then learned even more about Australia, The Philippines, and France in presentations by some parents.

Learning so much about other countries helped me realize what makes these countries special:  their unique languages, special cities, favorite games and sports, delicious foods, and many other things.  However, since we may have an international audience on this post, I'd like to hear from anyone that reads this blog, and hear about the things that make YOUR country special.  Discuss the unique games we play, or the traditional foods you love.  Write about your favorite cities in your country or anything that makes your country stand out from the rest!

To inspire you, enjoy some photos below from International Day!  Make sure to check out some 3P students trying their hand at bilboquet, a traditional French game.

Presidents Day Weekend

Presidents Day is on the third Monday of February each year.  It is a day Americans celebrate the birthdays of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  These men were great leaders in times of war and we honor them with monuments in Washington, D.C. and in countless other ways.  We know their jobs weren't easy, and it must be difficult for them to accomplish all that they want in only the time they have in office.

Imagine that you were elected president for only one week!  What would you try to accomplish in that time for America and its citizens?  What things about our country would you change?  What would you do with the authority as President of the United States?

Have a great long weekend....See you Wednesday!

Super Bowl Weekend!

It's finally Superbowl Weekend! In Super Bowl XLVI, it's the Giants vs. the Patriots in Indianapolis, Indiana. I bet many of you are going to watch the game Sunday night. It will be an exciting game with our Giants representing New York! Many of you will be watching the game because you love football, but many of you will also be watching for the funny commercials or the halftime show.

What are your Super Bowl plans? Are you inviting anyone over to watch the game? Did you enjoy the commercials? What did you like most about the game? Who do you think will win??? Write a comment to this post about the game and your SUPER experience this weekend.

If you didn't watch the game, tell me about some of your favorite sports you like to watch or play.

GO BIG BLUE!

Bubble Mania!

I had no idea what to expect during our assembly today! When I heard it was called "Bubble Mania", I figured we'd be seeing someone blowing bubbles, but I never would have guessed that he would be able to put Mr. Pesapane inside a bubble! The presenter was so creative with the ways he made bubbles!

I saw how the presenter used all the different types of wands to make bubbles, but I also noticed that he used his fingers, a rubber band, and even a shoelace to make them too! By showing us this, he encouraged all of us to experiment at home and try different ways to make bubbles. I'm sure he tried many different objects from around his house to find the ones that did the best at making bubbles. Some of his ideas probably worked out well, but others did not.

If you could create your own experiment to do at home, what would it be? Would you try to find a better way to open your bedroom door? Would you look for a better way to organize your closet? Would you try to experiment and find the most healthy and delicious foods in your house? Would you like to see which one of your TVs' volume goes up the loudest?

What kinds of experiments would you like to try, and how would you plan and act out your experiments? What would you want to learn from these experiments?