Week 21

It's hard to believe we are over half way through our year!  Despite the short and crazy week, we accomplished so much!  In math students are learning about fractions as fair shares.  We are experimenting with pattern blocks and cookies to gain a deeper understanding of the concept.  In writing students completed a non fiction writing prompt to illustrate all they had learned from during the unit on teaching books.  We had Dartmouth students join us to explore energy with us.  These student teachers will join us each Wednesday until the February break.  Students were introduced to our Hartford history project.  The class was broken up into 5 groups.  Each group will focus on one of the villages in Hartford.  Students have essential questions to explore together.  Within their groups they will decide what type of project they would like to engage in.

Week 20

Our 3rd grade Otters worked incredibly hard to finish up projects this week.  Writing workshop was our most focused time of the day.  Students finished editing and typing up their non fiction teaching books.  They crafted names for their books and painted covers.  In reading we also finished our biography projects.  It is exciting to see the independence in this group growing!  All students were at different phases in their projects and worked independently with great focus!  In science we explored the questions, "Can selection happen without people."  In math we continue to explore measurement.  Our week ended with a chilly, but dynamic afternoon in our forest classroom.

Week 19

Wow!  What a crazy week!  Between morning delays, snow days and winter activities our schedule was a bit different, but our 3rd grade otters are learning how to become flexible.  In math we finished our first module in unit 4: measuring time and mass.  We are becoming better at telling time and learning how to compare mass.  Our writers are working diligently to finish up non fiction teaching books.  Many students are in the final phases of typing up their chapters.  In reading workshop students are reading biographies and writing reports on what they have learned.  The essential question for our Mystery Science lesson was, "What kind of animals might there be in the future?"  Students worked together to create, "designer dogs."  On Friday we enjoyed a chilly afternoon in our forest Friday classroom.  Students were amazed by the changes they found! 

Week 18

Happy New Year!  Our 3rd Grade Otters returned from break, refreshed, motivated and ready to learn!  We had an awesome short week together.  They seemed to have matured over the holiday!  We spent time talking about New Year's resolutions and developed new personal goals.  Students were honest and thoughtful as they considered the year ahead.  In math we began a new unit on measurement.  The first couple of days were spent learning about time.  In writing workshop we have begun the editing process for our non fiction, teaching books.  Some students are finishing writing introductions and conclusions, while others are working with a partner on peer editing.  In reading workshop we focused on biographies (understanding and synthesizing the setting, problem/challenge and resolution.)  Our science lesson this week was based on animals through time (survival and heredity.)  Students participated in a fun activity to "outrun" a dinosaur.  On Friday we used snow shoes to get to our outdoor classroom as the trails were very slippery.  We discovered many interesting tracks in the snow!

Week 17

Wishing you all a restful holiday!

OUR FOREST FRIDAY CHRISTMAS TREE

Week 16

Our third grade otters worked hard to stay focused and productive this week, even with the fast approaching vacation!  In math we worked on rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.  We are subtracting larger numbers on the number line.  Subtraction with regrouping has just been introduced.  In writing workshop students learned about what makes a good conclusion: connecting back to your introduction, explaining why your topic matters and leaving your reader with something to think about.  During reading this week, students chose a non fiction book of their choice and are learning to write an informative summary focusing on the main idea and details and leaving out unimportant information.  Our week will end in the forest with an outside ornament-making workshop.

Week 15

What a busy and wonderful week!  Thank you so much for coming to support your child last night at our winter concert.  The children beamed with pride as they sang their hears out!  On Monday we had Susan Shimko from Ava gallery come in for the morning.  She taught the children about the famous flood of 1927.  The children created beautiful pieces illustrating their understanding of the event.  On Wednesday we spent time with the 2nd Graders to learn more about butterflies.  Thursday's field trip to Circus Mechanics was a huge success.  Our 3rd grade otters were amazed by the show.  They did an incredible job as respectful audience members!  We look forward to two solid weeks more of focused leaning!