A Thanksgiving Tradition :: Pumpkin Bread!

A Thanksgiving tradition in Mrs. Yollis' room is to bake delicious pumpkin bread.

Parents volunteered to help each group of bakers. It was so lovely outside, two groups got to bake al fresco!

 

Check out these busy bakers! 

Thanks, parents, for helping out!

 Mrs. Ranney came out of retirement to assist one group!

 Mrs. Yollis was on hand to assist with ingredients. Be sure you add the right item and measure the correct amount.

The next day, we decorated the breads like turkeys and created special invitations to Thomas T. Turkey!


First, students made a list of items to be cut out to make their turkey decoration.





Next, students worked in pairs to assemble the turkeys.





Finally, it was time for a photo!

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Mrs. Yollis is thankful for her lasting friendship with Mrs. Ranney. Everyone appreciates her bimonthly visits to our classroom!

Thank you, Troy's mom, for taking these wonderful photos! 

What are you thankful for?

What was some funny word play you used in your Thomas T. Turkey invitation? 

Edublog Nominations :: 2014

The Edublog Awards provide a wonderful opportunity to reflect on all the fabulous blog posts and web contributions that people have shared over the past year. It is always difficult to make decisions and narrow it down to just one choice per category. I want to personally thank the many dedicated, talented, and passionate educators who contribute to the educational community each and every day. I learn so much from my Personal Learning Network (PLN), so many thanks!  

Here are my nominations: 

Best Student Blog - Miriam's Magical Moments 
http://victoria-miriamsmoments.blogspot.com/

(Miriam is a former student or mine who has blogged consistently since 2011.)

Best Class Blog- Miss Jordan's Class

http://missjordan.global2.vic.edu.au/

Best New Blog - Room One @ Auroa School
http://mrwebbauroa.blogspot.com/
(@NZWaikato)

Best Library Blog - Bulldog Readers Blog 
http://bellbulldogreaders.edublogs.org/
(@mrs_hembree) 

Best Individual Tweeter - JoAnn Jacobs 

https://twitter.com/JoAnnJacobs68

Best Individual Blog – wwwwatanabe (Tracy Watanabe)
http://wwwatanabe.blogspot.com/

Best Hashtag -#comments4kids (Thanks @wmchamberlain for your contribution!)

Best Ed Tech- Langwitches (Silvia Tolisano)
http://langwitches.org

Best Teacher Blog - Cool Cat Teacher 
http://www.coolcatteacher.com/


Best Educational Use of a Social Network - Student Blogging Challenge
http://studentchallenge.edublogs.org/
(@tasteach)




Best Free Web Tool – Twitter
 https://twitter.com/

Best Open PD – Global Education Conference

http://www.globaleducationconference.com

Best Educational Wiki - ICT Magic
http://ictmagic.wikispaces.com/

Best Mobile App – Educreations
https://www.educreations.com/

Lifetime Achievement – Jennifer Wagner 
(Projects by Jen)

Make your *nomination here!

*Nominations will close TODAY (November 24) at 11.59 PM EST USA. 

A Thanksgiving Journey!

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Students learn about the history of Thanksgiving in school and sometimes there is a Thanksgiving presentation. Our reading buddies are in the Journey's program at our school. They are pre-kindergarten students; many are only four years old! Our pals invited us to help and watch their Thanksgiving Performance.

Before the show, we helped the young performers with their costumes. Four third graders worked as ushers who handed out programs to the parents in the audience. Ella assisted with the entrance. The Pilgrims, turkeys, and Wampanoags were excited to start their show.  

Here they are lined up ready to begin! 

Mrs. Cuevas introduced the presentation. 

What a great pumpkin backdrop! 

This little Pilgrim welcomed the crowd.

The audience enjoyed Thanksgiving fun facts, sensational seasonal  songs, and it ended with a poem of gratitude!

The young performers enhanced the singing with clever gestures. A gesture is a movement that expresses an idea. 

Leave a message for your Journey's buddy. 

Remember, they are just learning to read. 

It is okay to leave very short sentences. 

It is okay to start your sentences the same way.

What was your favorite part about the presentation? 

The Wonderful World of Weaving!

Nic's mom and grandmother came in to class to teach our monthly art lesson. This dynamic duo taught the class how to weave!

First, we made a paper loom and then the weaving began. 

Over. Under. Over. Under.

Over. Under...

What have you woven? 

What was the most difficult part? 

How To Write a Compound Sentence!

Remember: November is Family Blogging Month! 
This is the perfect post for family comments!

Mrs. Yollis' students are always trying to improve their writing skills.

*       *       *       *       *

 A compound sentence:

1. Combines two shorter sentences (so has TWO subjects)
2. Joins the two sentences with  a conjunction (and, or, but, so)
3. The comma goes BEFORE the conjunction.

*       *       *       *       *

 Here are some sample compound sentences, and they are all about Thanksgiving!

(Hey, that's a compound sentence!) 

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, and many families gather for a traditional feast. 

In 1620, the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, but they had really planned a trip to Virginia. 

 The Massachusetts winter was extremely cold and  harsh, so everyone had to work together to survive. 

The Wampanoag Indians helped the struggling Pilgrims, so they were able to harvest crops for their first feast. 

Modern Americans dine on turkey and stuffing at home, or they make a reservation at a local restaurant.

Here is a link to the BrainPop video about Thanksgiving. 

For Homework!

In the comment section, tell about your plans for Thanksgiving. Be sure to include at least two COMPOUND SENTENCES.

Research Thanksgiving. Add new relevant information about this American holiday. 

Happy Veterans Day!

★     ★     ★     ★     ★     

On November 11, America celebrates Veterans Day. It is the day we honor the men and women who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day is a national holiday! 

Photo by Mrs. Yollis

Veterans: Men and women who have served in the armed forces.

Soldiers: Men and women who are currently serving in the armed forces.

★     ★     ★     ★     ★     

Here is a link to a wonderful BrainPop video entitled
Armed Forces. 

What did you learn about the 

army, navy, air force, marines, and coast guard?

★     ★     ★     ★     ★     

Here is a link to a wonderful Veterans Day blog post by Mrs. Hembree in Seattle, Washington. Read about her father-in-laws service and see photos from his Honor Flight to see the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.  

Photo honoring veterans at the World War II Memorial.

Photo by Joe Hembree

★     ★     ★     ★     ★     

In class, we will be sending holiday cards to active military personnel. Chance and Nate are in a Cub Scout Troop, and they provided the cards for the "Holiday Cards for the Troops" project. 

★     ★     ★     ★     ★     

Are any of your relatives or friends veterans?

Please tell us about them and thank them for their service to America!

November is Family Blogging Month!

Mrs. Yollis and her students ♥ to share what they are

learning and experiencing.


In an effort to include more family members in our online community, we are proclaiming: 


November is Family Blogging Month!

Each student made a list of their family members. After looking through the archive, students selected specific posts tailored to the interest of a particular relative. 

We're inviting everyone to comment: moms, dads, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers, uncles, aunts, and cousins. 

We welcome friends, too!

Students will be inviting their family and friends to participate in a conversation! 
Maybe we'll get some 2-point comments! 

(We frequently evaluate the comments that our blog has received. In order to earn the 2-points, a comment must be error-free and add something to the post.   Many of Mrs. Yollis' third graders have already met the challenge!)

If you don't know what to say, here is a video made by Mrs. Yollis' third graders. 

Learn FIVE tips for writing a quality comment! 

If you don't know How to leave a comment, here is a video tutorial about HOW to leave a comment on our blog.

Here is the key we will use for  Family Blogging Month.

 

What do you think of our idea?

Who are you inviting to be a part of our online community?

Please leave a comment and introduce yourself!