Wow! We survived our first week in Grade 3!
Thank you for taking the time to visit the class blog. In lieu of monthly newsletters, this is how I will be communicating information about the class. I will be updating this blog at the end of the week (either on Friday nights or on Saturdays). Please check back each week for updates.
Reminders:
Please check your email. The school as emailed home the media and technology permission forms. These forms need to be signed in order for your child to use ipads and/or chromebooks at school.
Adventure logs due Monday
Read 20 minutes daily!
Pizza Forms: These forms are due Sept 16
Meet the teacher: Sept 17
Please ensure your child has a pair of running shoes to be kept at school to wear inside.
What did we do this week:
We started to complete some All About Me posters. Students answered questions about themselves. The math one (Figure me out) they had to answer the question using equations.
Art: We created name mosaics
Math: We started our graphing unit. As a class, we have been graphing how we felt on the first day of school; how we arrived to school; our class birthdays; our favourite colours; our favourite season; our favourite subjects; and our favourite ice cream. We reviewed concepts such as survery question, data, axis, title, and some different types of graphs (pictograph and bar).
Other learning activities:
We created wordles. Students were asked to brainstorm a list of up to 8 adjectives to describe themselves. They were made into a wordle. Wordles are posted on their locker doors.
We have had many class discussions about creating a classroom community that is respectful.
Toothpaste words:
The first activity we did was to discuss "Toothpaste words". These are words that once said, cannot be taken back or forgotten. (Mean words). Students were put into groups. They were provided with a small tube of toothpaste. They were asked to squeeze all of the toothpaste out of their group's tube. (This was easy). Then they were each given a toothpick and asked to put the toothpaste back into the tube. (This was more difficult). Students quickly realized that it was impossible to get it all back in. We then read the book "Mr. Peabody's Apples". This linked the toothpaste activity with the idea of words. Mean words are like toothpaste out of the tube. Once out, it can not be returned to "normal".
Eggs and difference
We compared 2 eggs, 1 brown and 1 white. We noticed they were both different colours and come from different chickens. Then we made note of their similarities. They are both the same size and shape. When cracked open we noticed that they were the same on the inside. We had a discussion about how people are different on the outside, but the same on the inside. (feelings, bones, organs, etc...). It is our differences that make us special and unique!
Crumpled Paper discussion
We looked at a plain piece of white paper. We noticed it was nice and smooth. The paper was then crumpled up. One student commented that "It wasn't nice". Exactly! It was no longer nice and the action of crumpling it was also not nice. We tried to flatten it and make it smooth again, but no matter what we did, the paper will never be flat again like it was before. We discussed how when we hurt someone or say mean words, just saying sorry might not make the "crumples" go away. We need to watch what we are saying to one another, as sometimes, words and actions are hard to forget! We need to T.H.I.N.K before we speak!
STEM Challenges (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) These were used to work on how to work in a group (collaboration and teamwork).
Save Fred The Worm
Fred the Worm was out boating when his boat capsized. Fred was able to get himself on top of his flipped over boat, but his boat is upside down and his life jacket is trapped under the boat.
Students were only allowed to touch paper clips to get Fred into his lifejacket and flip over his boat.
Cup Tower Challenge
You must make a pyramid of 6 cups using only 1 rubber band, and 4 pieces of string (already attached to rubber band). You CANNOT use your hands on the cups!!
Spaghetti Tower Challenge
Your challenge is to create the TALLEST freestanding structure, which CANNOT be taped to the table/surface, and MUST hold/support 1 marshmallow at the top.
Books we read this week:
