Fine Arts Friday!

At SVN we end the week by celebrating the arts.  We call it Fine Arts Friday.  Each week students and staff can share their musical talents with the entire school.  This Friday third grader Sidney played a holiday song.  Our school band, Eric with Problems played us out as we left the school morning meeting area.  What a wonderful way to begin a Friday!

Winter Dance Recital

Students who attend Scuola Vita Nuova have many opportunities to participate in the fine arts. Students have the ability to take dance class once a week at SVN.

Tuesday, December 6, Ms.Drummond the dance teacher held SVN's winter dance recital. Here are some video clips of the third grade and fourth grade dance students performing.

Gardening in the winter?

This year the third grade is in charge of coordinating our school gardens.  Our first job this school year was to harvest our winter vegetables and weed the plots.  It was a lot of fun and a lot of work.  We harvested white radishes and broccoli.  We cannot wait till the spring when we can begin planting new vegetables!

Our Second Publishing Party!

Monday, December 6, third grade hosted their second publishing party. We wrote personal narratives. This was our second personal narrative. Take a moment to look through our pictures.

Museum Safari at the Neslon Atkins Museum of Art

Wednesday, November 17, 2010 the third grade went on a field trip to the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art.  We took part in a studio workshop.  When we arrived at the museum we looked at sculptures of animals from Asia, Europe and even Ancient Egypt.  We even saw a real mummy!  After our tour we went back to the studio and created our own animal sculpture.  Take a moment to look at our pictures.

Piano Recital

At Scuola Vita Nuova we have a great appreciation for the arts.  Students have the opportunity to take piano lessons and dance lessons during the school day.  On November 18, 2010 SVN had their annual fall piano recital.  Here is a video of two third grader's performances.

Guided Reading

Part of our reading program at SVN includes guided reading. During our reader's workshop time I pull groups for reading instruction. These groups are designed to address specific skills students need for reading. In this video a group of students are conducting a book talk. The book they are reading is about the Gizmo's. The mother in this story is an inventor. Her inventions cause a lot of problems for the main character Albert.

During reader's workshop we have been focusing on making mental images, predicting, and thinking about our characters.

Reading to Others 2

P.S.  Mr. Nick also has a blog.  You can check it out here: www.scuolavitanuovapre-k.blogspot.com

SVN Fall Showcase!

Friday, October 15 was SVN's Fall Showcase. Third grade sang three songs. Third grade students who are taking tap dance this year also performed.

Check out their performances.

Reading to Others

Last week Brooke decided she would like to read to Mr. Nick's pre-k class. She requested a time, chose a book, and read to the class. The pre-k students were very engaged and enjoyed her reading.

Farewell Martha Jane!

After two years Scuola Vita Nuova Charter School must say good-bye to Martha Jane. Martha Jane was rescued by Mrs. Buffa and the third grade class while they were in first grade. For the past two years Martha Jane has learned, played and napped beside the students. She will be greatly missed. Martha Jane will now spend her days relaxing at home.

Making Mental Movies!

In third grade we are working hard on thinking about our reading.  Students are encouraged to really put themselves into their stories by making mental movies, imagining themselves as the characters and making text to self connections.   Here is a video clip of a reading conference where Ms. Reeder and Coral talk about making mental movies.

Publishing Party Fun!

 

 

 

 

 

Third Grade Math

This month third grade is studying addition, subtraction, and the number system.  SVN uses Scott Foresman's Investigation math curriculum.  In these photos and videos students are playing a game called, Collect $2.00.  Students add pennies and dimes to sums up to $2.00.  They also use equivalencies among pennies, dimes and dollars.

At home have your child count your change for you, play board games that use money, or even have your child create their own Collect $2.00 game to play at home!

Getting in the swing of things!

The first week of school is an important time for establishing rules, procedures and routines.  At SVN students spend four weeks during the summer with the teacher they will have in the fall.  During the summer we spent our four weeks learning the routines and procedures we would use in third grade.  When we returned six weeks later all we had to do was review what we practiced during the summer.  After two days of reviewing our routines and procedures we were ready to start right in!

Hard at work the first week back!

This was our first week back after summer vacation.  Third grade has been working hard reviewing routines and procedures. 

In this video the third graders are preparing their science notebooks for the month of August.

Our trip to the Zoo

Welcome!

Welcome to Scuola Vita Nuova's third grade class for the 2010-2011 school year.  During the month of June the third grade class got a chance to spend four weeks together.  During this time we had many adventures.  We went on hikes through the park, completed science projects with the fourth grade and took a trip to the zoo.  I can not wait for the school year to start to experience many more adventures!