Where There's a Wills...There's a Way!: Can you believe February is almost OVER!?!?

Hello! Happy President's Day! I am ready to blog for February...and I have lots to share!

As you know...we just finished a Social Studies unit all about culture. I am SOOOO impressed with the projects the kids completed at home and the way they presented orally to the class! We learned so much more about each other. Our projects are hanging in the hallway that leads to the media center. If you are ever in the building...check them out! In class the students were reading and learning about the cultures of different countries. Each small group or pair of students chose a country to independently research recording their information on a graphic organizer...then the small groups or pairs fused their research to develop a google slide presentation to teach the rest of the class all about their country's culture. Each student took notes as they listened to each other...and I sat back and watched them take over my job!! ;-) They are so motivated when they get to teach others and share their knowledge...it was a great experience!

We recently got together with our buddies to talk about what we love...it's so fun to watch the third graders act as the big kids with their kindergartners...they are so good with them! It was the 100th day of school, so our buddies have on special headbands!

I don't have any pictures of math time...but I can tell you that most of the stuff you DON'T see is the really challenging stuff...I, of course, cover all of the third grade standards...through instruction and through TenMarks, but many times during instruction we are working on problem solving and concepts that are tough! Just recently we were comparing fractions with unlike denominators, adding fractions with like denominators, and trying to figure out how to turn an improper fraction into a mixed number...and then, talk about challenging...you should see the work they're doing on Redbird! Ask them what they're working on...they'll blow you away!

Back when our Science unit was Force and Motion, the kids created marble runs to experiment with gravity, direction, and motion. I just found the pictures on my phone...they LOVED this project (as you can imagine!)

MakerSpace is the easiest time to take pictures, so I guess that's why I have a ton of them...the kids were really hoping we would have had MakerSpace on Friday, but since we had missed a day and had a couple delayed openings, etc, I couldn't give up the time this week. Anyway...they are happiest when the choice is theirs and they can just create...take a peek...some of these are more recent than others...

We have a lot going on right now...we've started an Opinion Writing unit, we've started a new Science unit entitled "Weather and Climate", and we are working on our Wax Museum Biography Project! "What's that?" you may be wondering. There is a flyer coming home on Tuesday with all of the information you need for both the Wax Museum you are invited to AND the Social Studies, Science, and Engineering Fair...Our work with biographies will fill the requirement for that fair...however, you may want your child to create a Science Fair project as well, so that info is coming home, too!! Keep your eyes peeled for the info in their folders on Tuesday.

Also...I have been really impressed at the improvement your kids are making in their Write for Stamina pieces. Please ask your child to show you his/her work and grades in google classroom. This is something I tell them that they need to show you whenever you ask!

Last, a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Warburton for organizing the Valentine's Day Party...as usual, it was awesome! Thanks also to all of the parents who sent in donations to help fund the party and the parents who came to help...we appreciate everyone's contributions to the fun day!