Friday, October 7, 2016

BreakOut EDU!



Mrs. Garcia came to our room today with a fabulous game! 
It was called BreakOut EDU! 




Photo by Mrs. Yollis

First, Mrs. Yollis put us into eight teams, one for each letter in the word TEAMWORK. Then Mrs. Garcia explained the rules. We would have 45 minutes to solve eight problems. A correct answer would lead to a number or word that unlocked a lock. Two hints were permitted. 


Photo by Mrs. Yollis











Would we be able to unlock them all?  






Photo by Mrs. Yollis 





TEAMWORK was important!
If you finished your task and unlocked one lock, you were free to go and help other teams. 








 Everyone was intrigued with the locks.  




Photo by Mrs. Yollis 



With 45 minutes on the clock, we began our challenge! 




Some students worked with Morse code.









Others constructed a time line. 





These two are discussing a math task to solve a mystery. 





Hundreds charts and logical reasoning were used repeatedly.





Sometimes the locks opened. Other times they did not. 
If the code didn't open the lock, we had to try something new. 

 


One by one we began our escape! 

Here we are at the halfway mark! Four unlocked. 



With over nine minutes to spare, we unlocked the box! This was our second attempt to break out, and we used teamwork and perseverance to succeed. 




Photo by Mrs. Garcia

We loved this type of collaborative learning!  A tip of the hat to Jeanine Huebner for the BreakOut EDU tasks! 










Without revealing too many clues, what was difficult about your task?

What did you learn about yourself from this experience? 



Monday, October 3, 2016

Quality Commenting :: Five Tips



WHY have a classroom blog?


Here is a video I made with my second and third graders about the value of blogging. I hope it convinces you to start a class blog!







Blogging has many parts: the post, the comments, and the sidebar.

If you do a good job with all of the parts, your blog will be more interesting.

Today we will focus on quality comments!



Content is key!


In our class, we evaluate our blog comments. A one-point comment is a general comment that doesn't add very much to the post.   Example: I like your blog. Please visit mine! 

A two-point comment adds something to the comment conversation. A commenter might compliment the writer in a specific way or add new information. Another idea is to make a connection. Maybe the post reminds you of an experience that you've had. Share that connection!  Try to end your comment with a relevant question. That way, an interesting conversation can develop.


What should I say in my comment?


Here is a video made by Mrs. Yollis' students called How to Compose a Quality Comment!  It offers FIVE tips to help you take your comments to the next level!






We like to open our comments with a greeting and end with a closing. We choose to do this as it makes it easier for us to follow the conversation within a comment section.








-For Advanced Bloggers-

Some bloggers like to use HTML code to make their comments better.  Learning to write HTML code, or HTML tags, is a somewhat simple way to take your comment to the next level.


HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) is a language.



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To write HTML code, use the following symbols:


Important: Do not add a space between the HTML tag and the word or sentence.

 
                                                                                                     

1.  To put text in italics, place this HTML code around the text:

 

 

The sentence will look like this when published:
 

Bloggers should always proofread a comment before publishing.



                                                                                                     


2.  To make text bold, place this HTML code around the text:

                           


The sentence will look like this when published: 


Bloggers should always proofread a comment before publishing.


                                                                                                     


 
3.  To make a hyperlink, it gets a little tricky.

Use the following HTML code around the URL and add your own link word/words:







  [The URL is the address of the web page. It starts with http://www…]

The HTML code below:

  



Will become this hyperlink when published:


                                                                 Mrs. Yollis’ Website


Sometimes it is hard to remember the HTML codes. I keep an HTML word document on my desktop with all the common codes, especially the one to create a hyperlink. Here is a video demonstrating how easy it is to a create a hyperlink if you have the code set up in a Word doc.




If you like to add fun shapes...here are those codes!





What did you learn about quality commenting? 
 Why is it important to proofread a comment before pressing publish? 

Have you ever had a conversation in a comment section?

 

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

So Long Summer :: Hello Fall!




FACT: Seasons change as we orbit the sun.

Spring • Summer • Autumn • Winter

Twice a year, around March 20 or 21 and Sept. 22 or 23, our sun shines directly over the equator. That event marks the beginning of spring or fall. What is the equator?



Public Domain photo



e·qua·tor
[əˈkwā•dər]
noun
  1. an imaginary line drawn around the earth equally distant from both poles, dividing the earth into northern and southern hemispheres and constituting the parallel of latitude 0°.





In March when the sun shines directly over the equator, the event is called the spring or vernal equinox. In September when the sun shines directly over the equator, the event is called the fall or autumnal equinox. 





The Autumnal Equinox will occur in Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. on Thursday, September 22, 2016. at 7:21 A.M.







Things to look for in fall:

1. Deciduous (di•si•jo͞o•əs) trees will change color and drop all their leaves. Evergreen trees will not. Evergreen trees will stay forever green. :-) Why do the leaves of deciduous trees change color? Use World Book Online to research. Remember, do NOT copy sentences. That is plagiarism, and it is against the law! Take notes, and then turn your notes into your own sentences. 


Photo by Grandma Barb


2. On the equinox, there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The day and night hours are equal. However, as we continue into fall, the days will get shorter and the night hours will get longer. This pattern will continue until we reach the winter solstice. That is the longest night of the year and marks a new season, winter.



3.  Because the northern hemisphere is now tilted away from the sun, the days will start to become cooler. People will change their behavior. What sorts of behavioral changes will your family make as the days get shorter and cooler?  (In southern California, we have mild climate. We don't get too cold in our community.)

There are many fall festivals or holidays. Watch the BrainPop video about fall to learn about the many harvest festivals celebrated. Do you celebrate any of these autumn holidays? If so, please share so we can learn from you! 

Check out the FREE BrainPop video about Fall. 


4. Some animals in the northern hemisphere will change their behavior. As fall leads to winter, some animals migrate, or move, to a warmer area. Others try to fatten up for the winter they know is coming. 



Again, BrainPop Jr. has a FREE video about fall. 

  


Share some fun facts about fall!
Did you use BrainPop or World Book Online as a reference? 


If you are in the southern hemisphere, tell us what season you are enjoying! How are you changing your behavior? 



Monday, September 12, 2016

Super Subjects and Plentiful Predicates!

Mrs. Yollis' class has been working on learning about 

what it takes to create a 
SENTENCE!



Photo by Mrs. Yollis 

We have learned that it takes two parts: 
a SUBJECT 
and 
a PREDICATE.


The subject tells the person or thing the sentence is about.


The predicate tells what the subject is or does.
The predicate always includes a verb!



Why don't you try creating a special sentence or two of your own?

Here are some possible subjects:


Buck...
Mrs. Yollis' students...
Panda and Beverly...
On her first day at school, Ramona...
Last Tuesday, our buddies...




Here are some possible predicates:


...took a tour of our classroom. 
...chased a duck across the pond.
...are positive people who persevere!
...worked together to learn how to create compatible numbers
...thought Mrs. Binney would give her a present.




After creating your sentence and typing it into your comment, tell us what the subject is and what the predicate is, or if you want to give us a challenge...Ask us to tell you what the subject and predicate are!

This grammar task is due by Friday! 

subject: This grammar task
predicate: is due by Friday! 

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Back to School Night ~ 2016


Normally, Mrs. Yollis' class looks like this.



Photo by Mrs. Yollis



Photo by Mrs. Yollis 






Tonight, the classroom looked like this!


Photo by Mrs. Yollis




Photo by Mrs. Yollis 


It was Back to School Night!
Parents came to hear about third grade!
Lots of information was shared about classroom expectations, curriculum, and resources. 



The centerpiece of the classroom is the blog. Mrs. Yollis shared a video she made about the value of blogging. Here is that video.


 



She also showed a wonderful video about supervising and guiding children on the web. It is a great video that really drives the point home. Thank you, Bill Genereux, for the fabulous movie. 





Parents left thoughtful notes for their child. With Dry Erase pens, you can write right on the desk! Everyone loved it!










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What are you excited to learn about this year?





Parents, how is third grade different from when you were in school?

Friday, August 26, 2016

Welcome Back! 2016-2017


Welcome back to a new school year! 




Wednesday was our first day of school!





Like my dog Buck near a body of water, we jumped right in and started our third grade adventure! 



Photo by Mr. Yollis 




First, we gathered together as a school and got a big welcome from our principal. 

Photo by Mrs. Yollis 


When we got to the classroom, Mrs. Yollis introduced herself. She explained that she has been teaching for one score and one decade. How many years has Mrs. Yollis been teaching? 

Here is a photo of Mrs. Yollis on her very first day of teaching back in 1987!




Here's Mrs. Yollis today with our classroom friends Barnaby Bones, Beverly the brown bear, and Puffy Panda. Together they help third graders become the best they can be.



Photo by Mrs. Minicozzi


The classroom is set up with flexible seating options. Students can work alone or in groups.  There is a long, rectangular table for project work.

Photo by Mrs. Yollis 



There are several circular tables.

Photo by Mrs. Yollis 

A popular place is Tall Town. This is a special table that is higher than the other tables and seats four. Of course, Panda is always available to lean on as we learn. 




Photo by Mrs. Yollis 




If you like to work independently, you can go old school and work at this vintage desk from long ago! 





Here we are reading the Cub Corner! This paper magazine was filled with events, time tables, and photos of parents and staff members who help lead our school. Keep the Cub Corner for reference throughout the year! 

Photo by Mrs. Yollis

Many students couldn't wait to read in our class tent! 
Classroom camping at its finest!




Several times we took a break to play a fun game of Silent Speed Ball! 



Mrs. Yollis got everyone a beautiful, acrylic name tag holder. We wrote our names in large print so they can be seen from across the room. In addition, the acrylic name tag holders are mobile.  That means when we move to a new area, we can easily move with our acrylic name tag! 







A highlight of the week was meeting our Reading Buddies. They are in the Journeys class and are only four years old! We will be role models for them and help them be the best learners and friends that they can be! 

Here we are showing our young friends the way to the office. There they found the nurse's office, so they would know where to go if they are ever sick. 












It is going to be a fabulous year!



*     *     *     *     *



Parents:

 Here are some links for you to peruse as we start our year of learning together:


A. This educational blog is the centerpiece of our classroom community. It is a wonderful space for sharing and learning together. Here is a link to an article I wrote about the benefits of classroom blogging. I hope you'll have a chance to read it before our Back to School Night.




B. We also have a class Photo-of-the-Day blog! Anyone is welcome to contribute a photo or comment throughout the year. Join our 365 Photo-of-the-day project! :-)



☼     ☼     ☼     ☼     ☼



Like Buck off a dock, let's jump right into blogging!





Students, please leave a comment telling us about yourself. What did you do over your summer break? What adventures and experiences did you enjoy?

If you are one of our blogging buddies, please introduce yourself to my new class. Where are you from? What have you been up to?

Remember to proofread your comment with a parent before you publish! 



Monday, July 4, 2016

Happy Independence Day, America!

This post was first published on July 4, 2010.

By Mrs. Yollis 








July 4th is Independence Day in America!

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This document announced America's independence from Britain.




*     *     *     *     *

Six years ago I was with my family on the Fourth of July, and we had a special event planned for the day.

My family had three old, tattered flags that needed to be retired. So on July 4th, we had a retirement ceremony.



*     *     *     *     *


The United States Flag Code states: "The Flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."




*     *     *     *     *

First, we sang some patriotic songs!







Then, my cousin Jon gave a short speech. Finally, we retired the old flags to the fire.






Click here to learn how to fold an American flag. 


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How will you spend the Fourth of July?
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