Another week has flown by in third grade, and students are hard at work! We taking on challenges and striving to do our best. As we dig deeper into third grade curriculum, students meet higher expectations and greater responsibilities. With this in mind, we took some time this week to review the power of a growth mindset… Third graders participated in a brief lesson where we watched the video below ("Stuck on an Escalator") and discussed the language of a growth vs. fixed mindset. Third graders brainstormed what is sounds/looks like to have a fixed mindset, versus what a growth mindset symbolizes. Together, we realized that individuals with a growth mindset are not afraid to fail. They take on challenges and are excited to problem solve. Those with a growth mindset do not give up, and look for a multitude of solutions if something doesn't work the first time. "Stuck on an Escalator" depicts the alternative, a fixed mindset. In the video, people look to others to solve their own problems. They don't try, and they are afraid to fail. The phrase 'stuck on an escalator' has now come to represent a fixed mindset in our classroom, and we want to avoid getting stuck! In math this week, third graders worked on concepts like regrouping and borrowing in addition and subtraction problems. Students also worked on balancing the equation problems (10 + 2 = ___ + 5) and took their first math checkpoint. Look for those coming home next week! In reader's and writer's workshops, we were focused on comprehension checks and stoplight paragraph writing. While reading, third graders annotated their comprehension check-ups in their reader's notebooks. They were tasked with asking themselves the following 3 questions: Who is in this part? What just happened? Did something like this already happen, or is this new? The questions are meant to solidify understanding of characters and important events within a story. We also practiced all together with our current read aloud, Stone Fox. Third graders also wrote their first stoplight paragraphs independently this week. They took part in the planning, drafting and revision stages. Below, you'll see a picture of our revising/editing checklist. The checklist asks students to go back through their work to ensure they have clear ideas, structure, and organization. We will continue practicing this into next week! Business:
A second week down in third grade, and we are rockin' & rollin'! In the classroom, third graders have been reviewing addition strategies, building their reading stamina, analyzing the history of Denver, and wrapping up Teach the Teacher presentations... We've been busy! Math this week centered on reviewing the strategies used in solving addition story problems and double-digit equations. Third graders worked on underlining important information in a story problem to better determine solving strategies. We also reviewed concepts like place value. Next week, we will continue on with triple-digit addition strategies and also begin our review of subtraction. In reader’s workshop, third graders have been discussing the overall purpose of reading and what our reader’s workshop time should look like. We practiced selecting “good fit” books, and have really focused on what it takes to maintain reading stamina. To round out the week, third graders analyzed their reading logs from home, looking for patterns in their reading and ultimately setting new goals for themselves. Next week, we will be reviewing stoplight writing and practicing the development of paragraphs, while continuing to work on our achieving our reading goals! Below, check out third graders practicing their reading stamina! In social studies, we began our unit on Denver history by analyzing the Colorado state flag and the city of Denver’s flag. Students noticed they are very similar, with a specific meaning behind each color and symbol. We also learned about Denver's earliest residents, and are creating visual representations of their settlement in the Denver area!
Just a reminder... Some third graders had a difficult time remembering to turn in their homework this week. As we get more in the swing of things, third graders will be expected to take this responsibility head-on. Until then, we will keep working! Business:
Third grade is officially underway, and students are off to a ROARing start! It's been a great first week back at Cottonwood Creek, and third graders have done a wonderful job getting in the swing of things. We've started to establish classroom routines, have been getting to know one another, and worked on establishing our classroom community. Much of our first week at school has been centered on establishing routines like filling out planners, bringing red folders to and from home, and getting acquainted with the third grade daily schedule. Third graders are quickly acclimating, and are doing a fantastic job of remembering their new responsibilities! Another vital part of our week has been getting to know each other. Part of this process includes team building activities like classroom scavenger hunts, cupstacking, and completing math challenges. I'm proud to say that collaboration has been a success thus far, and our classroom community has a solid foundation! A huge part of this has been drafting our classroom promise. Third graders brainstormed what our promise should include, and eventually created a final product (that each student signed). It hangs in the doorway of our classroom as a constant reminder of the promises we've made to each other, for each other. It's going to be a great school year... More fun updates to come!
Welcome back to school, third grade families! My name is Kelli Minatta, and I am eager to get this 2018-2019 school year started! This blog will serve as an information hub... A place where you can find all the latest and greatest third grade news and happenings. On it, students and parents can find important information on our curriculum, homework, upcoming projects, parent paperwork, and most importantly... What we're working on in third grade! So take some time, explore the site, and get ready to have an awesome school year! See you soon :) -Mrs. Minatta |
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Mrs. Minatta is a third grade teacher at Cottonwood Creek Elementary. See and read all about what third graders are up to throughout the school year! Archives
March 2021
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