National Geographic BioBlitz

Our class was honored to be a part of National Geographic's annual BioBlitz.

"A BioBlitz is a 24-hour event in which teams of volunteer scientists, families, students, teachers, and other community members work together to find and identify as many species of plants, animals, microbes, fungi, and other organisms as possible." - National Geographic website

This year's BioBlitz was held at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. The park had two separate inventories happening. Inventory is the collecting, analyzing, and recording of specimens seen. One on land and one in the swamp. The younger grades conducted inventories on land at specified plots and the older grades conducted their inventories in the swamp from boats.

In preparation for our inventory, we discussed and looked at creatures we might encounter. We also identified creatures and plants to avoid - water moccasins, cotton mouths, wasps, bees, alligators, poison ivy. Then, I modeled for the students how the inventory was to be completed. We would collect specimens by sorting through leaf litter, swooping nets through bushes, trees, and air, and log busting.

This was a fun, learning experience that they will never forget!!

Watch the video of our day.

If you live in the San Francisco area, be on the lookout...BioBlitz is coming your way in 2014. Golden Gate National Recreation Area will host next year's event. You can email bioblitz@ngs.org to receive updates and notification when registration is open. I highly recommend this event for your students!

BioBlitz 2013 - slideshow

If you would like to read short blog posts about others' experiences, check here.

If you would like to read about the discoveries made at Jean Lafitte, check here.

Friendship Fair

Charlotte's Web was our final novel of the year. The theme of the book is friendship, and every year 3rd grade has a Friendship Fair after reading the book. 

Before the big day, we dyed t-shirts to look like a web. Then, the students drew a spider in the web.

The first half of the day was spent rotating through indoor activities. Each teacher completed an activity with the students related to Charlotte's Web.

During "Fern's Friends," the students sequenced events from the story with their partner. Then, we played a "Who Said It" game as a class. I would read a quote and students would identify who said it.

In another classroom, students played "Templeton's Teasers" (Jeopardy).

Students enjoying "Barnyard Bingo."

"How Big Is It?"

The afternoon consisted of Charlotte's Web activities outdoors.

Students are weaving themselves through Charlotte's web in these pictures.

"Dud Egg Race"

"Lurvy's Tractor Pull"

"Don't Fall in The Trough"

After an exciting day, we relaxed with popsicles.

A HUGE THANK YOU to my team! This was my first year teaching 3rd grade and they made the transition smooth. I throughly enjoyed working with each one of you!!

Anti-Bullying and Zephyr's Baseball

Our local baseball team, the New Orleans Zephyrs, hosted an Anti-Bullying day.

Michael Lewis, New Orleans Saints player from 2001 to 2006, spoke to the students about the dangers of bullying and what to do if they are being bullied. He was very interactive with the children and made them feel special. 

Here he is pictured with some of our students.

After his speech, we watched the Zephyr's play a game.

 

Belle Terre Library

Yesterday, we journeyed to the Belle Terre library in search of information to prepare for our school Social Studies fair. The librarians instructed them on the use of various internet search engines and gave a tour of book locations.

The students were ready and set off to learn about their fair topic. They busily took notes and began organizing their papers. 

I'm so proud of the work they accomplished and can't wait to see their final project!