So much going on in our classroom...here's a run down...
As you know by now...your child wrote a pretty amazing information book! There were so many lessons and steps in this process...I was so thrilled to see the transitions from chapter to chapter, the use of text features to support the text, the ability to teach another about their particular topic...so many of them would take each lesson and go back to revise their writing to incorporate whatever they had just learned. SOOOO impressed. Below the kids are working with their writing partners...someone to bounce ideas off of and get feedback...you'd think I'm working with high school kids sometimes in how seriously they take their work...I LOVE IT!!!
In Language Arts the kids have been working on thinking critically and explaining their thinking through writing using text evidence as support. We work in small groups at the instructional table putting down initial thoughts, discussing, and revising our answers to best answer questions. Collaboration is key at this stage of the process. They are then asked to work independently at their seats answering a question...hopefully drawing on that experience at the table while they work by themselves.
We've taken a break from MakerSpace lately since we've been working on our Entrepreneurs unit...but I just had to share this creation of Miriam's from the last time we had MakerSpace...she created a standing "phone" of sorts where two people can communicate through the tube. Look at the support she built and the antennae...I LOVE the creativity these kids exhibit!!
We have been working on a unit in Math from the M3 units...these are written specifically for gifted students and expose the kids to standards way above their grade level. Below you will see the kids working in small groups to create a number line that ranges from 0 - 10,000 and is marked accurately (as accurately as 3rd graders can mark) every 500. We then used these number lines to plot out different places in the world we'd like to visit...the kids used a website to find the distance from Frederick to "their place" and made a card with the place's name and mileage listed. Those places were then plotted accurately on the number lines. They used their group's number lines to solve word problems. You know what's so cool about all this? They loved this activity and were calculating REALLY big numbers the whole time!
I'm sure you've heard about our Entrepreneurs unit...the kids chose their groups for the companies and named themselves. Their company was given a ten dollar loan and they were sat down to discuss what types of products they might create that other third graders would want to consume. They created a prototype and then decided how many products they would create, decided on what type of advertising would benefit them, and then decided on the price of their product. THEN production began...specialization and interdependence were at work as they each took on different rolls in production and depended on one another in the process. Take a look!
PRODUCTION
Yesterday...we got to watch some commercials and then we had our first MARKET DAY. Half of each company got to shop and the other half were the sellers. Each employee was given five dollars for their work in the company and they had to make choices...there was definitely opportunity cost as they couldn't afford to buy everything. We will figure out profits/losses and go back into production for Market Day #2...it's a lot of fun!
COMMERCIALS
OUR COMPANIES
SALES
As you can see...we are busy...in our classroom the kids are constantly applying what they are learning...we don't have any free time ever...as a matter of fact...I owe your kids an extra 20 minutes recess because they were awarded the Golden Paintbrush and I can't even fit it in!! We have so many other things we've been working on that I haven't even mentioned...but I must go now and grade papers!! ;-)
IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
- If you haven't replied to the Valentines Day Party volunteer/donation Sign Up Genius, please do! The link is in a Remind I sent.
- Our class is putting together a Reading Basket for our PTA's Silent Auction...the PTA at our school is fantastic and provides so many things for our students...please consider donating. A blue letter went home this week with details. Thanks to Mrs. Osher for taking this and the party on...we appreciate her!
- No School Monday, February 20 - President's Day
- No School Tuesday, February 21 - Teacher Professional Development
I'm sure I've forgotten something...but until next time...thanks for sending me your awesome kids!!!!
