Homework: Monday, October 25, 2010

Reading:
Read for 20 minutes!

English/Language Arts:
Spelling Sentences #1-7

Reminder:
"Parents' Eyes Only" letter supplies due by Wednesday - Thanks!

The Third Grade Inquisition Curiosi - TREE!

 

Have you heard about a new addition to our classroom?  I hope so!  We now have what we call "The Third Grade Inquisition Curiosi-Tree!"

As intelligent, inquisitive learners we raise questions during lessons and discussions each day.  Luckily we are blessed with an interactive board and an Encyclopedia Brittancia and Discovery Education account so sometimes I can pull up the Internet and we can research an answer.  On the down side we often do not have unlimited time to drop a lesson and research each curiosity as a class.  So I came up with a solution, our Curiosi-Tree. 

When the students have free time (when finished up a test or other work) they can write down their "big idea" questions on a leaf and tape it to our tree.  Or during free time they can grab a leaf off of the tree and utilize the books in our library or our netbooks to research these questions.  They can also take the leaf home to research the question or take a visit to the library to do so.  This is for them to research and answer though - not for them to ask you and write down your answer :)

In just 3 days we already have 26 questions on our tree - and others that have been picked and answered!  We will set aside some time every couple weeks or once a month to present our answers to these questions.

I admire how the kids are always thinking and asking thoughtful questions so I hope this encourages this and even increases the inquisitive nature in our classroom and at home!

Learning in Literacy Centers!

The class is really doing excellent in their Literacy Centers each week.  They have really picked up the routine and get right to work each day.  Here are some photos and a bit of information about their work in centers.

Library

Oscar reading a book and Kaya returning and checking out books during Library center.

Jane and Oscar reading; Kaya finishing up her book selections.

You've Got Mail!

Brendan hard at work writing his Readers' Response Letter to Mrs. Salmon

Caroline and Mary found a nice quiet spot to read and work on their Readers' Response letters to Mrs. Salmon.

Vocabulary Binder

Maddie, Angelina, Katie and Delaney working diligently on their vocabulary binder.  They describe each word and write sentences.  In addition, they can discuss the words, draw pictures, create word webs and symbols for the various words we are learning across all subject areas.

Guided Reading with Mrs. Salmon

Valerie, Clive, Lance and Trent working with Mrs. Salmon during Guided Reading.  We have started a variety of chapter books in our Guided Reading groups.  Here the kids are reading and discussing the books with Mrs. Salmon.  We work on reading strategies as well as discussion and comprehension strategies during Guided Reading.

Parent Reminder

I hope you saw the "Parents' Eyes Only" letter that went home the past two Fridays.  If not please let me know as soon as possible.

Regarding the letter, please let me know if you will not be able to send your son or daughter's "materials" in this Wednesday, so that I can plan accordingly.

Thanks so much for all your help!

Homework: Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Reading:
Read for 20 minutes!

Math:
Math Book page 60-61 - Practice Test #1-13
Math Workbook page 19

English/Language Arts:
Vocabulary Sentences #1-5

All School Mass at 9:15 a.m.

The Third Grade class is in charge of the All School Mass tomorrow at 9:15 a.m. in the church.

The Mass is honoring the rosary and the readings, petitions and procession will all be coordinated by the third grade class.

Please join us if you can make it.

Homework: Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Religion:
Practice Readings or Petition for Mass tomorrow

Reading:
Read for 15 minutes OUT LOUD!

Math:
Math Workbook page 18

English/Language Arts:
ALL Spelling Sentences #1-15

Field Trip to County Line Orchard!

Our first field trip to County Line Orchard

was a wonderful and educational trip.

 

Mrs. Salmon's Third Graders at County Line Orchard!

We enjoyed spending time in the petting zoo, petting the animals and feeding them hay.  The goats were especially popular since they ate anything you put in front of them.  The turkeys and chickens were a bit of a scare as they loudly clucked at the kids and pecked at their fence.  The cows and miniature horses were fun to see too!
  


 

 

  

  



  

 


 

The kids in front of the turkey and chicken coop.


Then we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch and then onto the tractor ride around the orchard where we learned about how they grow the trees, why the color of apples are different and that there are 28-30 types of apples grown at County Line Orchard.  The kids enjoyed picking out apples, I hope you have been enjoying them at home, they are of the Blushing Gold variety.
  

The whole Third Grade class!



Clive, Valerie, Mary, Trent and Delaney!

Lance, Caroline, Patrick, Maddie and Katie!

Angelina, Oscar, Brendan, Jane, Kaya and Maggie!

 I asked the students to take along their science observations journal and to take notes as they wanted and observed things and I was so blown away by how actively engaged and focused they were.  They spent part of the bus ride to the orchard creating K-W-L charts and thinking of questions they wanted to ask.  Then at the orchard they would find a bench and jot down notes.  They were such young scientists!

This photo was not staged, they were actually this eager to write down
what they were learning on the tour through the orchard!





First Readers' Theater!!

Every 5 weeks we have Readers' Theater and the kids get to perform a play.  For our first Readers' Theater I was so very impressed not only at the great reading and expression but the creativity and ingenuity each student put into their role and preparation for their performance.  Kudos to each and every student.

Here were their performances from their first Readers' Theater!

Science Fair Live!

***Starring:  Maggie Rivera; Oscar Soberg; Mary Leonard; Jane Thompson***

The Kicker's Cup

***Starring:  Lance Mosley; Valerie Wenzel; Clive Smith; Kaya Snyder; Brendan Gallagher; Patrick Navarre; Trent Seger; Caroline Lee***

School News

***Delaney Fravel; Angelina Galullo; Maddie Semmer; Katie Walsh***

Happy No Homework Day

As a reward for the fantastic behavior as well as the great learning,  observations and inquisitiveness I saw take place during our first class field trip....and as a Mrs. Salmon birthday treat the kids will have no homework tonight except to read and take advantage of this beautiful weather!

Check for pictures from our trip to County Line Orchard to be posted soon!

Homework: Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Important:  Field Trip to Apple Orchard Tomorrow!
***Bring Brown Bag Lunch***
Kids can wear jeans; Old St. Mary's shirt and shoes they will comfortable walking in and getting dirty.  Also bring a light jacket or sweater as it will be cool but nice out.

Reading:
Read for 20 minutes!

Math:
Math Workbook page 16

English/Language Arts:
Finish Spelling Sentences #8-15

Homework: Monday, October 4, 2010

Reading:
Read for 15 minutes OUT LOUD! 

Math:
Math Packet page 46 (#1-6); page 53 and page 60

English/Language Arts:
Spelling Sentences #1-7

Spanish:
Study - Spanish Test on Wednesday