With the Thanksgiving holiday in mind, third graders took some time to study gratitude before going on our short holiday break. While discussing the subject, students realized that the word ‘gratitude’ itself is a combination of two words: grateful + attitude. As a class, we analyzed how showing and feeling gratitude are important parts of being a caring community member both inside and outside of school. Once we returned from break, revisiting our gratitude discussion felt pertinent. Being grateful and showing gratitude shouldn’t be a subject we discuss just once a year, but is an important aspect in practicing kindness. That being said, third graders were asked to evaluate the meaning of the following quote from Germany Kent: “It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” Third graders discussed Kent’s message amongst each other and began to share stories about the times they’ve shown gratitude, and those times they haven’t. Students wrote responses to the quote, and even took a self-assessment centered on determining aspects of life where they successfully show gratefulness, and those where they need more practice. Our discussion and work with gratitude these past two weeks has been an insightful look into our daily lives. Rather than perseverate on the things we lack, third graders have made it a goal to celebrate the people and things we are grateful for. We will continue with this work throughout the year, as it is an important practice in developing a greater sense of self. Business: o Choir concert is Thursday, December 7th from 6:30-7:30 o Cottonwood’s community Chipotle Night is Wednesday, December 13th It's been a busy week in third grade! With events like the 1st Grade Program, our Papa John's pizza party and Story Parent, third graders were kept busy with activities, but also managed to get some work done. :) This week in reader's workshop, our focus was on point of view and nonfiction text features. Third graders read a Storyworks Jr. article titled "The Amazing Penguin Rescue." The article, about a massive oil spill that endangered the lives of over 40,000 penguins, was written with the intent of imagining you were a penguin trapped in the spill. Third graders were tasked with discussing the article in small groups, answering written response questions, and even writing a journal entry from the perspective of a penguin. Writer's workshop this week centered on typing the final draft of an opinion essay titled "Is It Ever Okay to Lie?" Third graders had to choose one side of the debate and write a five paragraph essay explaining their opinion. Students were challenged to use evidence and explain their thinking... Which was a stretch in thinking! Final copies will be traveling home soon. In math, third graders focused on learning different strategies to use when solving multi-digit addition and subtraction problems. We learned the "give & take" strategy, as well as "differencing" and "take away". We also reviewed the basic algorithms for both operations. Moving forward, third graders will take on multi-step word problems, and will soon be creating their own to share with fellow third graders! Our science lessons this week targeted the phases of matter: solids, liquids and gases. Third graders learned that you can change the phase of matter by adding or taking away energy. We will continue with this next week, and will conduct more experiments to 'solidify' our understanding! Business:
We are back, and what a week it's been! Third graders were busy participants in fun activities like Storybook Character Day and our Rich Martinez science presentation. When not dressed up in costume, third graders were back at work! Students worked on graphing in math, learned more about energy in science, and read/participated in a debate titled "Is It Ever Okay to Lie?" In math this week, third graders were focused on creating bar graphs based on surveys taken in class. Students created two graphs: one focused on favorite ice cream flavors, the other on favorite book genres. Third graders were tasked with determining how to make the most organized and efficient graphs, ones that viewers would be able to understand easily. The trick was that third graders had to determine how to make number representations when not given enough symbols for each individual vote. Our first attempts were admittedly a bit rough, but third graders got the hang of it the second time around! In science, we wrapped up our study of energy and conversion. We also had a special guest (Rich Martinez) come in to talk to us about matter & energy, specifically solids, liquids and gases. Third graders had a ton of fun witnessing and participating in his wacky demonstrations. Reading and writing this week focused on a simple question: Is it ever okay to lie?Third graders read and studied articles about the science of lying, and found that experts have different opinions and data showing its impact on a person. Third graders then took this evidence and began crafting an essay about their own opinions on fibbing. Earlier in the week, third graders participated in a team-building activity based on making logical decisions. Third graders were tasked with 6 challenges they had to solve. Before starting each challenge, students had to find the activity using a clue. It was a fun activity, and third graders did a great job! Check out the pictures below. Business:
|
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
|