For the past three summers, I have been fortunate to be invited to take part in the highly recommended Irving Arts Multi Arts Camp as the creative writing instructor for the summer camps for grades K-6th (ages 6-12). Here is a description of Irving Arts Center's Summer Multi-Arts Camps:
Irving Arts Center’s KidsArts camps provide a well-rounded opportunity for participants to learn about a variety of art disciplines and engage in hands-on projects & activities that develop skill sets, self-confidence and an appreciation for lifelong learning.
http://www.irvingartscenter.com/youthandfamily/Programs/SummerCamp.aspx
I am teaching there on July 16-20th Camp #8 if you ever decide to enroll your child(ren). Camp hours is 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Monday - Friday. Lunch, snacks, and camp shirt provided. If you need any more information, read the online registration below:
https://www.tytixhosted.com/scripts/max/192.168.1.8-2000/maxweb.exe
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Terrible Trevor Cover
 |
| TERRIBLE TREVOR is an age old story told in plain black and white. This book is about a playground bully who finds out what happens when you push a little too much . This book is the second book of The River of Imagination stories used in the enrichment classes taught by Pia Pulido. These creative classes foster oral and written communication through Language Arts, creative writing and social development for all learners. |
3rd Grade Peek at the Week News May 21, 2012
Dear 3rd Grade Parents,
Some updates on the status of our projects and latest activities:
READING - BIOGRAPHY BOOK REPORT:
By now, the final written report (along with the daily class work such as notes, summary, reading log) have been submitted by most students. Others are still finishing up, and they have had plenty of time and guidance to complete all tasks related to this project in class. Final grade is assessed by completing deadlines, turning in all requirements, following directions, written, and oral reports.
Students are allowed to bring one index card to use when presenting their oral reports on Friday for their biography book parade. These index cards will introduce who they selected for their biography and what the historical figure did to make a significant impact to society. We will practice our speaking skills in class as well. The parade will consist of 3rd graders visiting classrooms to present their oral reports (2-3 minute maximum for each student) in front of other classes.
Remember that Friday is Biography Dress Up Day. Since we are going to Mass on Friday, please have your child wear his/her uniform and we will change into our costumes after Mass.
MATH GRADES:
The bulk of our 4th quarter Math grades reflected what we have learned in the last month and a half: Fractions (Equivalent Fractions, Ordering and Comparing Fractions, and Finding Parts of a Set). We have been working on these concepts daily in class.
ALEKS: For summer enrichment, ALEKS Math practice is available for students all year! It's a great way to keep the kids sharp and ready for 4th grade. Keep practicing QuickTables Math facts.
Notes/Reminder:
1. Tomorrow is our field trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not Wax Museum. Dress code is uniform. Bring a sack lunch. Hours are from 9 AM to noon. If you plan to drive, please meet us at the parking lot around 8:45 A.M. Please also let me know if you are planning to take students other than your own child, or allowing your child to ride with another parent by replying to this email.
2. Save the Date: Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 2pm to 5pm. If you can make it, I would love to see you all at my book launch party in the Parish Hall. You can now preorder a copy of TERRIBLE TREVOR online before the book launch on June 2nd. Go to this link below and select "Click to Purchase." Type 'Terrible Trevor' in the search box, and it will provide an order form for you via Paypal. Even if you do not have a Paypal account, you can still purchase as a guest. This book is in black and white softcover saddle stitch binding with a multimedia CD which includes: voice over narration with musical score, two original songs, a music video, and a video tutorial. Happy Reading!
http://www.thelivingdaylightsco.com/
Some updates on the status of our projects and latest activities:
READING - BIOGRAPHY BOOK REPORT:
By now, the final written report (along with the daily class work such as notes, summary, reading log) have been submitted by most students. Others are still finishing up, and they have had plenty of time and guidance to complete all tasks related to this project in class. Final grade is assessed by completing deadlines, turning in all requirements, following directions, written, and oral reports.
Students are allowed to bring one index card to use when presenting their oral reports on Friday for their biography book parade. These index cards will introduce who they selected for their biography and what the historical figure did to make a significant impact to society. We will practice our speaking skills in class as well. The parade will consist of 3rd graders visiting classrooms to present their oral reports (2-3 minute maximum for each student) in front of other classes.
Remember that Friday is Biography Dress Up Day. Since we are going to Mass on Friday, please have your child wear his/her uniform and we will change into our costumes after Mass.
MATH GRADES:
The bulk of our 4th quarter Math grades reflected what we have learned in the last month and a half: Fractions (Equivalent Fractions, Ordering and Comparing Fractions, and Finding Parts of a Set). We have been working on these concepts daily in class.
ALEKS: For summer enrichment, ALEKS Math practice is available for students all year! It's a great way to keep the kids sharp and ready for 4th grade. Keep practicing QuickTables Math facts.
Notes/Reminder:
1. Tomorrow is our field trip to Ripley's Believe It or Not Wax Museum. Dress code is uniform. Bring a sack lunch. Hours are from 9 AM to noon. If you plan to drive, please meet us at the parking lot around 8:45 A.M. Please also let me know if you are planning to take students other than your own child, or allowing your child to ride with another parent by replying to this email.
2. Save the Date: Saturday, June 2nd, 2012 2pm to 5pm. If you can make it, I would love to see you all at my book launch party in the Parish Hall. You can now preorder a copy of TERRIBLE TREVOR online before the book launch on June 2nd. Go to this link below and select "Click to Purchase." Type 'Terrible Trevor' in the search box, and it will provide an order form for you via Paypal. Even if you do not have a Paypal account, you can still purchase as a guest. This book is in black and white softcover saddle stitch binding with a multimedia CD which includes: voice over narration with musical score, two original songs, a music video, and a video tutorial. Happy Reading!
http://www.thelivingdaylightsco.com/
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
3rd Grade Peek at the Week News: Tests and Projects Schedule
Dear 3rd Grade Parents,
Please take a look at the important highlights of our final weeks in 3rd grade regarding 4th quarter grades:
Most of our lessons and activities this quarter rely heavily on hands-on, real world learning experiences measurable through growth and progress of the individual child. Meaningful, rewarding experiences have now become the primary focus of our learning. These lessons (bigger picture: responsibility, work ethics, communication skills, and other character building opportunities are measurable for classroom performance) reflect a large portion of our grades, so please continue to remind your child the importance of turning in class work on time.
FINAL READING PROJECT SCHEDULE:
The biography book report project is a learning experience that uses cross curricular studies in Social Studies and Reading. Students will select a historical figure who made an impact in society, read a grade-level appropriate biography book, write a report, and dress up as the selected figure to present in the form a biography book report parade at school.
May 8th: Students will be introduced to the process of the projects. Teacher discussed expectations, schedule, and suggested list of historical figures that they may select.
May 9th: Students will give a list of 3-5 possible historical figures for consideration and will discuss one-on-one with teacher about his/her selections.
May 10th: Students will give a final decision on selected historical figure and discuss with teacher individually.
May 11th: Students will have a book to show the teacher (grade and skill/level appropriate) that they will begin reading daily at school and at home.
May 14th: Teacher will provide students a reading log and explain the assignment to the students.
May 15th: Students will write a short summary of what they have read so far.
May 16th: Teacher will provide students a template for the final written book report.
May 21st: Final written book report due.
May 25th: Biography Dress Up Day.
(Schedule Subject to change)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - RECYCLED ART PROJECT UPDATE:
Last week, students built and created "useful" art from recyclable materials and wrote a short description of their art. Students should already have their work on display in the hallway, ready to present their work in front of a classroom audience to answer questions. They are graded based on following directions, meeting the criteria, and the presentation.
FINAL TESTS:
English - Grammar Test on Adjectives tomorrow. Study pp. 469-470.
Math - Fractions Test on Friday. Study Ch. 12 in textbook with focus on equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, ordering fractions (from least to greatest and greatest to least), finding part of a set, using mixed numbers, and adding/subtracting fractions. For extra practice, use ALEKS MyPie exercises in the Fractions category.
Notes/Reminder:
1. May 23rd - Field Trip to the Wax Museum (as follow up to our Biography Book Report Project). I will distribute permission slips once a bus driver is booked and finalized by the office. Contact Shelly Griffin for details. I will hold off in distribution of Tuesday folders this week until I receive confirmation on a finalized permission slip form.
2. HFN Teacher of the Year: Congratulations to our 4th grade teacher Mrs. Valerie Reimer for her Work of the Heart Award AND nomination of Teacher of the Year. She was among approximately 30 teachers in the Diocese recognized at the Distinguished Teacher award dinner last Friday at the Sheraton in downtown.
3. A Big Thank You: for all your support on the upcoming release of my second children's book Terrible Trevor. We were so excited and feel so blessed about our recent recognition from NBC 5 News anchor Christine Lee who interviewed me. This has been an ongoing collaborative effort between my husband and me to continue our mission in education through the integration of creative arts and the core curriculum. Please be on the lookout for an invitation for book release party in the near future.
Here is the news piece below:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Teacher-Turned-Author-150073875.html
Please take a look at the important highlights of our final weeks in 3rd grade regarding 4th quarter grades:
Most of our lessons and activities this quarter rely heavily on hands-on, real world learning experiences measurable through growth and progress of the individual child. Meaningful, rewarding experiences have now become the primary focus of our learning. These lessons (bigger picture: responsibility, work ethics, communication skills, and other character building opportunities are measurable for classroom performance) reflect a large portion of our grades, so please continue to remind your child the importance of turning in class work on time.
FINAL READING PROJECT SCHEDULE:
The biography book report project is a learning experience that uses cross curricular studies in Social Studies and Reading. Students will select a historical figure who made an impact in society, read a grade-level appropriate biography book, write a report, and dress up as the selected figure to present in the form a biography book report parade at school.
May 8th: Students will be introduced to the process of the projects. Teacher discussed expectations, schedule, and suggested list of historical figures that they may select.
May 9th: Students will give a list of 3-5 possible historical figures for consideration and will discuss one-on-one with teacher about his/her selections.
May 10th: Students will give a final decision on selected historical figure and discuss with teacher individually.
May 11th: Students will have a book to show the teacher (grade and skill/level appropriate) that they will begin reading daily at school and at home.
May 14th: Teacher will provide students a reading log and explain the assignment to the students.
May 15th: Students will write a short summary of what they have read so far.
May 16th: Teacher will provide students a template for the final written book report.
May 21st: Final written book report due.
May 25th: Biography Dress Up Day.
(Schedule Subject to change)
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE - RECYCLED ART PROJECT UPDATE:
Last week, students built and created "useful" art from recyclable materials and wrote a short description of their art. Students should already have their work on display in the hallway, ready to present their work in front of a classroom audience to answer questions. They are graded based on following directions, meeting the criteria, and the presentation.
FINAL TESTS:
English - Grammar Test on Adjectives tomorrow. Study pp. 469-470.
Math - Fractions Test on Friday. Study Ch. 12 in textbook with focus on equivalent fractions, comparing fractions, ordering fractions (from least to greatest and greatest to least), finding part of a set, using mixed numbers, and adding/subtracting fractions. For extra practice, use ALEKS MyPie exercises in the Fractions category.
Notes/Reminder:
1. May 23rd - Field Trip to the Wax Museum (as follow up to our Biography Book Report Project). I will distribute permission slips once a bus driver is booked and finalized by the office. Contact Shelly Griffin for details. I will hold off in distribution of Tuesday folders this week until I receive confirmation on a finalized permission slip form.
2. HFN Teacher of the Year: Congratulations to our 4th grade teacher Mrs. Valerie Reimer for her Work of the Heart Award AND nomination of Teacher of the Year. She was among approximately 30 teachers in the Diocese recognized at the Distinguished Teacher award dinner last Friday at the Sheraton in downtown.
3. A Big Thank You: for all your support on the upcoming release of my second children's book Terrible Trevor. We were so excited and feel so blessed about our recent recognition from NBC 5 News anchor Christine Lee who interviewed me. This has been an ongoing collaborative effort between my husband and me to continue our mission in education through the integration of creative arts and the core curriculum. Please be on the lookout for an invitation for book release party in the near future.
Here is the news piece below:
http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Teacher-Turned-Author-150073875.html
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Peek at the Week News May 1st, 2012
Dear 3rd Grade Parents,
Please take a look at this week's highlights:
Spelling/Vocabulary: Definitions due on Wednesday PSIA Words #281 to 300. Test Friday.
Reading: Yesterday was a big day for our 3rd and 4th graders! In celebration of National Poetry Month, students took center stage to read and recite poetry in front of an audience. They all did a wonderful job! They were so brave and confident, and I am so proud of them. This performance consisted of two grades (just like a major grade in a test or a project): stage performance (the act of getting up on stage and getting through the performance itself) and poetry interpretation. A rubric sheet with a list of requirements are sent home today with constructive criticism written on paper. Please read and discuss with your child that being on stage alone to perform is accomplishment enough, and that they will have more opportunities to do presentations like these in the following years. Discuss comments written by teacher and reinforce this lesson as a learning experience. Good job, 3rd graders!
English: More grammar drills on adjectives: adjectives that compare and avoiding incorrect comparisons (good, better, best).
Math: Whole group instruction: More fraction activities using fraction tiles and strips in class to demonstrate understanding of equivalent fractions and comparing fractions.
Self-directed and one-on-one instruction: 2 topics mastered per week every night is recommended on ALEKS MyPie. Review topics such as multiplication and regrouping as well as fractions.
Religion: Tomorrow we will participate in an all-school celebration of the May Crowning. Students may bring a fresh flower to offer and a rosary. Students may also choose to wear their Sunday best. No denim or casual tees. Appropriate church attire suggestion:
Please take a look at this week's highlights:
Spelling/Vocabulary: Definitions due on Wednesday PSIA Words #281 to 300. Test Friday.
Reading: Yesterday was a big day for our 3rd and 4th graders! In celebration of National Poetry Month, students took center stage to read and recite poetry in front of an audience. They all did a wonderful job! They were so brave and confident, and I am so proud of them. This performance consisted of two grades (just like a major grade in a test or a project): stage performance (the act of getting up on stage and getting through the performance itself) and poetry interpretation. A rubric sheet with a list of requirements are sent home today with constructive criticism written on paper. Please read and discuss with your child that being on stage alone to perform is accomplishment enough, and that they will have more opportunities to do presentations like these in the following years. Discuss comments written by teacher and reinforce this lesson as a learning experience. Good job, 3rd graders!
English: More grammar drills on adjectives: adjectives that compare and avoiding incorrect comparisons (good, better, best).
Math: Whole group instruction: More fraction activities using fraction tiles and strips in class to demonstrate understanding of equivalent fractions and comparing fractions.
Self-directed and one-on-one instruction: 2 topics mastered per week every night is recommended on ALEKS MyPie. Review topics such as multiplication and regrouping as well as fractions.
Religion: Tomorrow we will participate in an all-school celebration of the May Crowning. Students may bring a fresh flower to offer and a rosary. Students may also choose to wear their Sunday best. No denim or casual tees. Appropriate church attire suggestion:
- Boys should wear collared shirts
- Girls must have their shoulders covered and skirts should be of modest length.
- Clothes and shoes should be comfortable for PE/and recess.
- Students who do not follow the clothing guidelines will not be able to participate.
Notes/Reminder:
1. Friday, May 4th is noon dismissal
2. No school on Monday, May 7th.
3. I am pleased to announce the release of my second children's bok Terrible Trevor at the end of this month. More information in the previous blog posted. I have shared these stories to your children in the past, and I am so excited to show them how the development of creativity and hard work can breathe new life. I hope you can support me in this big moment! Details to follow.
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