Blog Moving!

As of July 1, PVUSD changed our email system over to a Google-based program. This is creating a problem with my access to the blog site, since Blogger is also Google-based. I tried a few different things, but it seems the best solution is to create a new class blog starting with the 2011-12 school year. There will also be a new class website, as the other one was deleted when the email change was made. I will reply to this post with the new blog address and class web address when they are ready!

See you in cyberspace,

Ms. Flores

June 7, 2011

In case anyone checks in on the blog... I thought I'd post about my favorite part of the summer--- reading!!!

I started the summer by lining up the books I wanted to read on a shelf in my living room and making a list of the titles. I have a lot of youth and young adult books in the mix- some of them include:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, The Ugly Truth (I read the others, so might as well finish the series!)
Miss Spitfire (a novel about Helen Keller, AR level 5.8)
Among the Hidden (first of the Shadow Children series. According to my bookmark, I have already read the first sixteen chapters, I may have to skim them before continuing. AR level 4.8)
School of Fear (AR 6.2, This was on my reading list at Christmas break also, but I never got to it.)
Hachiko Waits (AR 4.7, This one I could see being a class novel if it is as good as I anticipate!)
Shipwreck (Book one of Gordon Korman's Island series. I have books 2 & 3, will read them also- but only if I like #1)
Notes from the Dog, by Gary Paulsen
Science Fair (gift from Zack at the Scholastic Book Fair)
Surviving Antarctica, Reality TV 2083 (also one of my Book Fair picks, gift from Andrew)
My Life as a Book
The Phantom Toolbooth (AR 6.7, This one I have a small class set of, and my friend used to teach the novel in her 5th grade class. I am reviewing it for consideration as a class novel as well.)

Also, I finished the young adult novel, Switched, last week. It is the first in the Trylle trilogy. I am reading #2 currently. Interesting, but more for a jr high/high school reader than elementary students.

So... What's on your reading list??? Or what have you already completed this summer?
Ms. Flores

Monday, May 23

Today we played some math games. We also read some reader's theater plays.

by Ethan

Wednesday, May 25

By Fathima

We did a reader's theater play.
Our class also watched Fantasia at 1:30pm.
My group did some exercising for PE.
The third graders got back their frogs (glazed).
Have a nice day!

Friday, May 13

Its been a busy week- we had assemblies for a band concert, talent show, and strings concert! The book fair was here this week! And we had a great time today playing games and building with our friends!

Monday, May 9

Website update by Ethan
Today we had 5 events:

• Everyone stayed on green.
• We had an ear test.
• We had a spelling pre-test.
• There was a book fair preview.
• There was a band assembly.
  

Friday, May 6

We had specials and we had the spelling test and math test about time and money. We had reading with the principal. At social studies we were starting a menu as if it was in the middle ages.

by Abhinav

Thursday, April 28

Today when we went to social studies Mrs. Gagea wasn't there, so we had a substitute. We watched Word Girl at the end of the day. Ms. Flores' daughter, Veronica, came today. Otherwise stuff today was pretty normal. This update is from Zoie Burke, see you next time. :)

From Ms. Flores- The class experimented with two musical instruments today, a "string beam" and a kalimba. Ask your student what a kalimba is!

Wednesday, April 27

Today we participated in the Word Girl Definition Competition. As a class, we scored 100% and didn't miss a single question! Three schools were drawn from all of the schools that registered for the competition and they won prizes. We crossed our fingers, but Desert Cove was not one of the prize winners. Regardless, we had a fun time and learned some great vocabulary in the process.

Monday, April 18

Today there was a strict substitute for social studies. We took the final test for In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. The Word Girl Definition Competition is next week, so we are learning lots of vocabulary.

by Carter & Ms. Flores

Wednesday, April 13

Today we had our first day of AIMS testing for 3rd graders. They took the reading and math tests (part 1). First graders worked with Mrs. Reid on math (telling time on analog clocks) and reading (Jr Great Books- The Lion at School). We also performed more sound experiments today by creating sound codes.

Telescope Viewing

Wonderful volunteers from the Desert Foothills Astronomy Club came to Desert Cove to share their telescopes with the students in the self-contained gifted program. Through the use of special filters, we were able to see sunspots and solar prominences on the Sun! A big thank you to Dan and Roger for sharing their time and telescopes with us!

Monday, April 11

All week no homework (except animal research). We learned a little bit about Physics of Sound. We got to do a fun game from China. It was fun cutting the paper.

By Noel

Friday, April 8

We learned about vertexes today and color mapping. Problems like what we were working on will be on the AIMS test next week. Some 1st graders wish they could take the AIMS test too!

by Maxwell & Ms. Flores

Wednesday, April 6

We had Math and Specials. We did research about our animal. We had recess/lunch. We went to the library to check out books or pick up papers about our animal. Have a nice day.

By Abhinav

Tuesday, April 5

Today we watched a webcast about the writing process at the 39 Clues series. We had lunch and recess. The class had loads of fun!

by Anavi

Monday, April 4

We are back after a week off for spring break! Sounds like everyone had an adventure of their own during the week and we will be writing about our experiences. Even our hamsters, Flash and Dash, had an exciting time away from school. They both competed in the Petco Hamster Derby on Saturday, April 2... and Dash came in 1st place! He won a fancy new cage and a fabulous blue ribbon.

Pictures coming soon... of telescope viewing (March 23), awards (March 24), and field trip (March 25).

Wed., March 23

A huge thank you to everyone for making my birthday great! Obviously someone has been paying attention, as my gifts from the class were perfect- Starbucks gift card, chocolates, flowers, a fabulous gift card for dinner out, and my favorite red velvet cake! I really enjoy working with all of your children and my partnership with your families. Thanks for a great birthday. :-)

Ms. Flores

Tuesday, March 22

We had a great day. Study with your child. We had library. Happy Taco Tuesday!
~Ethan

Friday, March 18

Today we had a lot of fun with the hamsters. Mr. Markham came in. We had fun time in Mrs. Gagea's class.

by Carter