A boy, a book, a bag

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF
A 3rd GRADE PRESENTATION BY DANE REYNOLDS

Dane had a month to choose and read an Adventure or Mystery novel, write up a Summary/Setting/Character/Opinion report, and put together a bag of representative items. He spent the last four days dialing in the report and bag - and here's what he finally came up with for his project.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuK09mfng28 to see it.

Update: Dane presented this to his class today and totally rocked it. He blew his teacher away and earned an A+!

The Historical Figure / Puppet Project

Check out what these amazing kids did. Students from the two classes of 3rd graders chose a famous person to write and present a report on. Students were instructed to also make a puppet -- but they were given free rein as to how to design or create their puppet.

Look at the stuff they came up with! Click on the different photos to see the puppets, and possibly the reports, better.

We've got the likes of George Washington, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Rosa Parks (made by my niece Indi!), Neil Armstrong, John Muir, Pocahontas, Amelia Erhart, The Jackson 5, Michael Jackson, MLK Jr...

Recognize George Washington there, created by Super Dane? For his presentation, he gave a basic timeline of the General's life, then he specifically spoke about Washington's risky plan to cross the Delaware with 2000 downtrodden soldiers on Christmas night, in order to surprise the Hessian soldiers -- making the first American attack yet in the war, the first American win, and the additional amazing outcome of no American injuries or deaths. It was a major turning point in the fight for independence.

Dane, of course, said it in his own brilliant words.

I was preparing for Aubrey's after-school get-together for Part 1 of her birthday partying, so I missed the event (after staying home all day with her and her 24-hour flu bug the day before). He said it went well, though -- he said he took time to read his notes before he spoke, and thinks he could have done better with eye contact, but did a solid job.

BREADS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

My mom makes the best cornbread!

First Grade Homework Assignment:

1. You will choose one type of bread from around the world. Preferably the bread that has meaning for both you and your family. You may choose bread that has cultural meaning behind its use (i.e. tortillas are used in Hispanic communities and pita bread in Arabic cultures.) Or, choose bread that is used in religious ceremonies or other special family gatherings like Hanukah or Easter. Another suggestion may be bread that is a family favorite used daily or at other family occasions like barbecues or parties. The choice of bread is up to you.

2. You will use a worksheet to record the information and facts you need for a short oral presentation.

3. You will give a short oral presentation about the bread of your choice. You will need to create a display of some sort to use while presenting your bread to the class. The visual display is a tool to assist you while you present. A poster board may be used, but other formats are welcome, such as dioramas, mobiles, or class interactive games. You may want to bring in other items to help with your oral presentation (i.e. Halloween costumes, bread samples, ornaments, Easter candles, Thanksgiving pictures, a menorah, an American flag, or a New Year's Eve horn). Be creative and have fun!

WHAT DOES AUBREY CHOOSE?

Jiffy cornbread from a box, served with honey and a can of chili.

OPENING LINE?
"My mom makes the best cornbread!"

Alas, she may have chosen bread in a box, but I do believe that this chick rocks!

Note: the sound's not very good, so turn your computer volume high. But even without great sound, you can see how well she knew her material and used her poster to guide her presentation. Way to go, Aubrey!