Another week down in 3rd grade! Third graders have been busy starting a new writing project, solidifying measurement concepts, and even working on their collaboration skills with break out boxes. Writer’s workshop this week was dedicated to a dying art… Cursive! Third graders took part in a debate regarding whether or not cursive should still be taught in school. Students read an article with information on both sides of the argument and watched some local news clips on the subject. They then began crafting essays titled Cursive: Should it stay, or should it go? I’m sure many of you have a strong opinion on the subject… feel free to ask your third grader about theirs! In math this week, we focused on measurement concepts like mass, length and volume. Third-graders practiced this hands-on with pan balance scales, measuring tapes, and even with our classroom sink! Third graders learned conversions for grams, millimeters, and milliliters. They then practiced this in multi-step word problems. We will continue with these concepts into next week. When we return from winter break, we’ll begin our study of fractions. Third graders also had the chance to participate in a high-energy, collaborative activity this week… break out boxes! The boxes are similar to an escape room with clues, locks, and a problem to solve. The only difference is that it’s all in a box. Students took on the challenge and worked to solve complex riddles together. Some groups broke open their boxes, and many were close! We will use the break out boxes again in January, with a problem and clues tailored to our endangered animals unit. Next week is our last week of school before winter break. On Friday, we will be celebrating students’ hard work with a winter-themed movie day in our pajamas! Third graders will enjoy movie theatre popcorn while watching the Netflix hit, Snow Buddies. We’ll also be doing some arts and crafts. It will be a fun day! Business:
Another week down in third grade! In reader’s workshop this week, third graders began their first book clubs. Each book club has 4-6 members and meets a total of 4 times. Third graders divided their books into sections and determined meeting dates for their club. As a group, we discussed the overall purpose of a book club, and stressed that clubs provide an opportunity to not only discuss what we read, but to think critically about characters and events in fictional stories. Students will have their first meetings next week and are doing a great job of holding themselves accountable so far! Math this week was all about solving elapsed time problems on a timeline. We also touched on measurement concepts like mass, length and volume. Third graders began learning about the difference between the metric vs. customary systems. We will continue with this into next week! This week also marked a transition from science to social studies, and with it came a review of map skills. Third graders took on a variety of geographical challenges that required them to analyze and evaluate elevation, precipitation, and population maps. Third graders also identified locations according to lines of latitude and longitude. Next week, we will begin our study on regions of the United States, focusing on the history and impact of all 5 regions. Business:
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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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