Time to change our writing curriculum. Even though I love Writing Curriculum: Grade 3 (Week-by-Week Lessons), it became apparent that the daily writing prompts and weekly lessons were not interesting Madeline any longer.
Fictional literature, on the other hand, interests her greatly. She possesses a voracious, insatiable appetite forliterature!
What to do with the rest of our curriculum's writing prompts? Scrap 'em. Instead, I'm creating prompts from her favorite books (see examples).
Keeping up with Madeline's reading is a huge challenge. She is a reading machine. Even though I'm nearly done with Seven Wonders: Lost in Babylon (book two), Madeline has already moved onto book three!
Literature based prompts have reinvigorated daily journal writing.The transformation from September to February is absolutely staggering. So much progress!
If you are looking for a way to make your daily journaling more enticing, try literature-based writing prompts. It has worked incredibly well for us.
One of the best parts of the Spectrum series is their tests - pretests, chapter tests, mid-term tests, and final tests. They definitely help give you an idea of your student's skill mastery.
This week, we are working through our final exam!Madeline should finish her final test by Friday. Monday, we'll start Spectrum Math Grade 4.
Because she always asks for MORE math work, we've been adding application practice from Third Grade Super Math Success. Rather than pages of equations, the book is full of fun puzzles, games, and activities to apply the common core concepts.
A few months back, Madeline tried a couple Khan Academy online lessons. Although the video instructions were wonderful, they disappear when the math equations/questions come up. Having to toggle back and forth from the explanation to the math problems frustrated her. Thinking about it now, why not just open them both in separate windows?
This week, she asked to retry the online lessons. Perhaps with her increased computer skills, she is more confident to give Khan Academy another try. I am curious to see how our experience goes the second time around...
Each chapter of Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises seems to end with drama, a secret revealed, or incredible events. It was a huge hit with our homeschool book club. Most kids could not put it down or stop talking about it!
My third grader LOVED this book. She finished in two days, refusing to part with it until she read it all. At the end of the first chapter, she asked if there was a sequel. And then begged for me to reserve it at our local library ;)
The ending was truly shocking. My daughter and our homeschool book club readers COULD NOT believe it!!!! Everyone is clamoring to get Book Two.
One of my favorite parts of this series is the mix of mythology, real history, and original fiction! There are so many jumping off points with this book...the historical seven ancient wonders of the world, the Colossus of Rhodes, Greek mythology, medical ethics, loyalty v. betrayal, honesty v. secrecy.
This is our first read from author Peter Lerangis. He has also authored a few of the 39 Clues books which appear quite popular.
SYNOPSIS
Jack McKinley is not your typical thirteen year old. Jack is one of the Select, children destined to die if the powerful Loculi are not found and returned to Atlantis. The Loculi have been scattered among the seven ancient wonders of the world. If the Select fail, they will perish by age fourteen - and life on Earth will be changed forever.
FREEBIE WRITING PROMPTS (Download printer-friendly version) SPOILER ALERT - These activities reveal important parts of the plot. Stop reading here if you want to read the book first!
#1/ Jack held onto his mother’s mirror because it had sentimental value (emotional significance). Describe an item that has sentimental value to you, but isn't worth a lot of money. What does it look like? Where do you keep it? Why do you love it so much?
#2/ What do you think of Barry Reese’s behavior? What did Barry do when Jack initially refused to let Barry copy his homework? If you had been Jack, would you have reacted differently or the same? What would you have done?
#3/ How does Jack learn of Aly, Marco, and Cass’s plan to escape? How do Aly’s computer skills help them slip out without being discovered? Does their escape go as planned? Why or why not?
#4/ When the Select find out they've been implanted with a locating device, how did they react? What did Jack think? Would you want to be implanted with a locating device? Why or why not?
#5/ How does Marco get separated from Jack, Aly, and Cass at the top of Mount Onyx? What happened to Marco and the vromaski? How did Jack, Aly, and Cass react? How would you react in their position?
#6/ In the Atlantean maze, why does Marco survive? What do Jack, Aly, and Cass do when they find him? How does his body regenerate?
#7/ Was it a good thing Aly called home? Why or why not? Would you have called home if you were in her situation?
#8/ What do Jack, Aly, and Marco find in the Massarene greenhouse? Describe what happens when Jack touches the flame.
#9/ Imagine you are the Colossus of Rhodes that just came to life. What do you see? How do you feel? What do you want to do?
#10/ What happened to the Loculus at the hotel? Do you agree with Jack’s idea that Marco took it home? Why or why not? What does Jack’s reaction reveal about how he feels about Marco?
A short, but interesting, mythology of Poseidon's creation and destruction of Atlantis. Based on Plato's writings, but easily read by children. Most picture books do not appeal to my third grader, but this book she reads again and again!
Our favorite part of this book was the last two pages (p. 44-45) - a history of the explorers who have searched for Atlantis and where they believe the actual location to be. Our family (and the kids at book club) found this historical section way more interesting than the fictional story.
Awesome, awesome, awesome!!!! A nonfiction account of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The students were absolutely floored that the Colossus of Rhodes was REAL. After discussing the Colossus's true history, we also read about the Hanging Gardens of Babylon - the setting for Book 2. A perfect companion to those who love the Seven Wonders series!!!!
One glance at these, and my homechooler started BEGGING to practice her daily cursive handwriting.
Gel pens...glitter, neon, and metallic
She can choose any color,but her writing must be easy to read. Other than that, no rules. With 48 colors to choose from, every lesson is an exciting opportunity to try something new.
The first pen Madeline chose was neon pink! I've noticed the neon pens have a tendency to skip. Since switching to the other types, she hasn't had a problem. The ink flows easily and consistently.
Of course, the glitter and metallic are her favorites.
Fiskars gel pen package - label view
Mine came online from Amazon, but you could probably find them locally at your favorite craft store. Most likely, they'll be in the scrapbook section.
Traditional schools might turn their nose up at colored pensfor handwriting practice. Oh, well...I can be a bit of a nonconformist. But why do something the boring way? Especially when it can be so much FUN!
If you are looking for exceptional, vibrant watercolors -- try Colorations liquid watercolors. After discovering them online at Discount School Supply, I splurged and bought a ton of colors. That first shipment has lasted over 2 years!!!
The pages are rippled a bit...just plain copy paper. As much as we paint, it's not cost-effective to use watercolor paper very often.
Vibrant, bold rainbow and splatters
Gorgeous green stripes
I know...the cake/pot watercolors are easy, cheap, and convenient. But they usually are so low in saturation! Especially these opalescent ones.
These are so light, barely visible in finished artwork. Madeline still loves to experiment with them.
For projects where a light wash is desired, dilute the liquid watercolors with as much water as desired. Bonus, your watercolors last a long time that way ;)
The kids love rich, saturated color. So we mainly use the watercolors as-is, right out of the bottle.
Using plastic condiment containers makes setup easy. Usually, I try to fill the little containers about one (1) centimeter high.
These watercolors have lots of pigment! Just a small amount gives intense, saturated color. One centimeter high of 5-6 colors will easily yield 5-6 paintings on 8.5" x 11" paper.
Most times, there is nothing left to save!
Cleanup is a breeze. Rinse your containers with water and reuse them next time. These plastic containers (originally purchased over 2 years ago) are still in great shape.
Last painting session, a little green was left over. No problem.
Too precious to throw away...save your paint.
Simply pop on the lid and use for the next art session! You might need to add a bit of water before painting to reconstitute if any evaporation occurs.
Your child LOVES Lego bricks and building. Is First Lego League right for them? Are they ready to jump into robotics?
Madeline and I have now completed our first season (me as coach, her as team member). Like any awesome program, it requires a serious commitment. Preparation is essential. 'Winging it' is not an option. Season details are released in late August and qualifier competitions begin in early December.
As a homeschool team, we elected to meet once weekly for two hours. School teams often meet more frequently because the kids are already at school. Our team members reside in different areas of Dallas and have different homeschooling schedules, so meeting more than once a week wasn't feasible for us.
What I did not predict was the intensity and how challenged the kids would be. Or how incredible the kids felt as they began seeing the robot complete missions! Plus, who doesn't love robots?
EV3 Competition Robot - Monkey Bot 1
THE ROBOT GAME
No doubt the robots are cool! Not only did Madeline's team have to come up with a solution to solve each mission module, the team had to choose a game strategy.
Choose missions far away or close to base? Attempt multiple missions in one programming block or a single mission? Change out specialty attachments or design an attachment to do multiple tasks?
After critically thinking about point values, students start to work programming and designing attachments. It's all about math - angles and decimal values! And lots of trial and error to fine tune programs.
With only 2:30 (two minutes, thirty seconds) to run programs and earn points, the pressure is on!
Getting ready for the robot game.
View from the stands. Each team competes in three robot games and is ranked according to their top score.
At Super Qualifier, we were in the top 10 through 2 rounds of the robot game. We finished a proud 11th with a score of 150 points.
Cheering from the stands!
ROBOT DESIGN
Teams present their game strategy, robot/attachment design, and programming for judging.
THE COMMUNITY PROJECT
Each season, a themed community challenge/problem is issued. Teams research the topic thoroughly and develop an innovative solution. But that's only the first part.
The second part is sharing your solution! Teams create a presentation to showcase their solution - then share with both their local community (prior to competition) and the judges (at competition).
CORE VALUES
Raising the trophy as the Core Values Winner at qualifier.
The motto of FLL is to have fun! That also means being a good sport. Teams are encouraged to share information, make friends, and act as professional colleagues.
What you learn is more important that what you win. It's a positive, supportive environment!
Teamwork is key. During Core Values judging, teams show how they work together. Respect, cooperation, and gracious professionalism are evaluated.
In addition to the closed doors judging session, judges assess how teams interact with one another in the pit (area where teams wait between rounds) and in other public areas.
This Batman-uniformed team was super nice and qualified for regionals. Way to go!
Having something to trade, like pins, is a great icebreaker.
Games/Lego bricks help the team pass time between rounds + they can play with other teams.
Our first year experience was overwhelmingly positive! There is a huge learning curve and we were lucky to have the guidance of a fifth year team. We met at a small scrimmage and they were so kind to take us under their wing ;)
Though we didn't qualify for regionals, two of the teams we scrimmaged with did qualify. We are thrilled for them and plan to cheer them on during their robot game. In Dallas, the regional championship is February 14th at Parish Episcopal.
Interested in participating next season? Check the US First website to see where your local FLL regional championship will be held for a sneak peek. The robot game is open to the public. Judging sessions are closed door, only team members are admitted.
Such good library loot this week! Madeline is gobbling up the Seven Wonders and Wings of Fire series. In the Seven Wonders, each book involves a globe trotting adventure to one of the seven ancient wonders of the world. To learn more about these places, we are reading Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
The highly original and creative Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes quickly caught my attention. A blind orphan thief? Three pairs of stolen magic eyes? On my short list!!!!
Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire from The Captive Reader and Linda from Silly Little Mischief that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week from Claire's blog. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries.
