And Now It's Time For Kids!

Read this article reproduced from this month's issue of TFK.

Record Floods

Big floods hit the Land Down Under last week. Overflowing rivers in northeastern Australia cut off major highways, destroyed crops and flooded more than 20 cities and towns in the state of Queensland. At least 200,000 people were affected by the floodwaters, which peaked on January 5.

The flood damage will cost Australia billions of dollars. "This is a major natural disaster, and recovery will take a significant amount of time," said Australia's Prime Minister, Julia Gillard.

The disaster began on December 25, when a cyclone hit Australia's northeast coast. Days of heavy rain caused rivers to overflow. The flood spread across an area the size of France and Germany. In the coastal city of Rockhampton, the river rose to 30 feet. Residents were warned to stay away from floodwaters. The fast-moving water was strong enough to sweep cars away. Snakes and crocodiles were spotted in the water. The floodwaters could take a month to dry up.

The flood is having an impact around the world. Queensland exports half the world's coal that is used to make steel. Most of the state's coalfields are unable to operate, forcing a rise in coal prices.

It Takes Talent

On September 30, our 5th grade class acted out the Reader's Theater selection for Theme one, It Takes Talent! Here is our final version. Please feel free to leave us comments. Thanks!

Dancing

Meet Matt. He is a dancing machine! He dances his funny little jig in locations all around the world, and has lots of fun in the process. After you watch Matt dance, please comment on our classroom blog about the video.

Where is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

DeRoin's Dioramas

Welcome to the diaroama class project with Ms. DeRoin's 4th grade students! This cross-curricular project had students researching, writing, reading, editing, and creating, all using tools of the 21st century. As these students prepare for fifth grade, I'd like them to reflect on some things:

What was the hardest part about this project?
What was the most fun?
What did you learn?
How do you feel about the final product you created with your group?
Are you looking forward to similar projects next year in 5th grade?

St. Patrick's Day Playground Clean-Up

In Storytown, our unit theme is "Making a Difference." Last week we wrote an action plan that would help us make a difference in our community. Today is St. Patrick's day, and we decided to stick with the theme of GREEN by going out to our Rose Hill Playground and cleaning up all the trash we could find. This did make a difference to our school community because we use this space to play every day, especially when it's so beautiful outside! We found a lot of trash, plus some other very interesting things, like toys, pencils, and a watch. Please watch the slide show and feel free to comment!

David's Book Review

Captain Underpants
Do want to laugh your pants off? The book CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS is about two boys who turn their principal, Mr. Krupp, into Captain Underpants. As Captain Underpants, the principal fights crime, like super villains! The two boys, George and Harold try to catch him. Read the book to see how it turns out.
I think this book is funny and makes me laugh. In the book, the author includes great pictures and drawings to help tell the story. These comics make the words come alive so you find your self laughing your pants off. The plot and events of the story are very hilarious and entertaining. It’s also full of action.
This book is appropriate for kids ages 8-12. Because it is so funny, anyone who likes funny stories should read it. It is great for reading groups and even the whole class. I highly recommend this hilarious book!

Eric's Book Review

Diary Of A Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a boy named Greg. He wanted his mom to buy him a journal. He wanted mom both him one but it said Diary on the front. His brother Rodrick kept on beat him up so he could read it. The first day of school he did not want to sit in the middle of two dorks, he wanted to sit in the middle of two girls. At the end he goes over to his friend’s house to play his Nintendo. Every time his friend lost he acts like a mannequin.
This book is so funny that water is going to come out of your nose! It’s awesome because the whole family is so, so, so crazy. I think everyone will love this book. I recommend you to get every single one. This book is written like a real diary with drawings included. So its easier to read and more fun then a long novel.
I will recommend kids ages, 8-11 to read it. It is comedy and it has a lot of pictures. My favorite part is when his mom buys him a journal and every one is bulling him. This book changed my entire life. Every time I am reading another book I cant concentrate because its too funny.