The start of this school year has been like none other, with third grade students acclimating both to new classroom routines as well as COVID-19 related regulations. All have taken these changes in stride, and students’ sense of responsibility is certainly impressive! To begin building the foundation of our classroom community, third graders have been participating in a variety of ‘get-to-know-you’ activities that center on the uniqueness of each individual. In celebrating our differences, we aim to develop a sense of comfortability and safety amongst one another. This will ultimately create a strong, supportive classroom community in third grade! One activity that spearheaded this work was “Behind My Mask…” Students drew themselves in masks, but underneath are their smiling faces! Students were encouraged to show creativity in depicting themselves, and each did a phenomenal job! Another exercise that centered on building relationships was forming our classroom promise. Students brainstormed in socially distanced partnerships and small groups to determine what promises our class should live by in order to show ROAR behaviors and support one another. Below, see students in action and this year’s completed promise! Third graders also engaged in activities that centered around a variety of mentor texts. These included: The Name Jar, Alma, Wilma Jean: Worry Machine, Finding Your Spot in the World, and Rosie Revere, Engineer. Students used the texts to explore concepts like diversity, inclusion, and the pursuit of goals.
Next week, we will continue to work toward building strong relationships and showing kindness to peers. Students will also jump into third grade curriculum and will begin our first math unit, reader’s workshop, stoplight paragraph writing, and map skills. Our classroom is all set up and ready to go! Now all that's missing is the third graders... Even though our room looks a bit different than in years past, one goal remains the same: To maintain a classroom environment that encourages student success and builds community amongst its learners. To achieve this goal, we will take things day by day and work "together" in creative ways that we haven't before! This will push us to think critically, be flexible, and listen to one another.
As we gear up for the start of in-person learning, there are some new routines and procedures that we will all be getting used to. Click the "3rd Grade Essentials" link below to learn more about what to expect this school year. See you soon! Welcome back to school, third grade families! My name is Kelli Minatta and I am eager to get this 2020-2021 school year started. First things first... I know that this is an unprecedented time in all of our lives. Many of us are unsure as to how things will go, and the school year itself is riddled with uncertainties. Rest assured, we are in this together. The Cottonwood Creek Community is one that strives to support each and every individual, and in doing so builds a network of connectedness. I know that with flexibility, patience and even some humor, we will achieve great things this school year! This website will serve as an information hub, a place where you can find all you'll need in terms of third grade. On it, students and parents can find important information on our curriculum, homework, upcoming projects, parent paperwork (permission slips, volunteering opportunities, etc.), and even a short bio about Mrs. Minatta. The blog portion of the website is updated about once a week with the latest and greatest third grade happenings. So take some time, explore the site, and get ready to have an awesome year! Please stay tuned for more information to come! -Mrs. Minatta |
Author
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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