Learning about our "Schema"

 Using a lint roller we collected our memories, thoughts, likes, dislikes, etc this past week.  Just like a lint roller catches lint off our clothing, our brain works the same way.  Our background knowledge is what helps us think about our reading.  If we aren't thinking while reading, then we really aren't truly reading.  Having these life experiences help us build our background knowledge or "schema." :)

Choosing "Just Right" Books!

Each year I notice that students have difficulty choosing a book that is just right for them.  In order to show them the importance of picking a book that they cannot only read but comprehend what they are reading we do this lesson.  I use clothing to help students make the analogy with books.  We make sure our clothes fit us just right - we don't want anything too small or too big.  Thank you to Miss Alyson who helped with being our model reader to pose for pics while I taught this lesson.
                                               
We can't choose books that are too easy!

  We can't choose books that are too hard either!

 Therefore when choosing books we have to make sure they are "just right!"  :)

See it's a perfect fit! Once we have MAP scores I will be helping your child know his/her lexile range.  This will help when we check out books on our independent reading levels. :)

Teaching Diversity

This past week we celebrated the "50th" anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have A Dream" speech. We watched the speech and then we took two eggs - 1 brown and 1 white and cracked both eggs to see what was on the inside.  Of course my students immediately noticed that yes we may all look different on the outside, but we are exactly the same on the inside.  Hopefully this lesson will stick with them for a life-time. :)

What's In A Name?

I always love doing this activity called,"What's In A Name? We read the book called "The Name Jar" and then I assigned the students to find out how and why their parents came to decide upon their names.  Next we decorated a piece of paper with our name and I collected them all.  The following day there was a big present with a bow waiting for us all to open.   I questioned the students to see if they could remember receiving their very first gift from their parents.  Some students said games, others said bikes, and some students even said a cuddly blanket or stuffed animal.  B-U-T, no one guessed what the real answer.  Hopefully by now they have shared this with you, but if not the very first gift given to our children are their names. :)  It was amazing to hear their responses and to see their faces when reading to us the special meanings behind their name.  :)

First Week of School

We had a G-R-E-A-T first week back at school.  I am super excited to be teaching all my students, and I look forward to building a bond with them that will last a lifetime. Here's some pictures to capture some of our memorable moments together these first few days. :)

First smiles excited to see pals and get to know each other.

Such a great looking crew!

 Look who's 'popping into' 3rd grade welcome back goody bags. :)

Enjoying lunch together!

Practicing hallway procedures for our first walk together. 

Organizing our binders to help make us more successful in 3rd Grade!

We read the book Chrysanthemum and learned how important the use of words are to each other.

 Each time a character in the book made a negative comment, the students ripped apart their picture of Chrysanthemum.

 Afterwards we tried putting the pieces back together.

 As you can see even though our picture is back to normal you can still see the rips in it. :(  Therefore hurtful words can leave scars just like physical scars from being injured.

 The rain finally stopped for us this week to enjoy some recess time! This crew knows how to cut up and have some fun. ;)

 GREAT SHOT LANDON B.!

 Friends make life so sweet. :)

Welcome Back To School!

Hello my awesome 3rd graders and welcome back for a brand new year of school.  I hope you all are as excited to start back as I am.  I was fortunate to meet quite a few of you last week at our Back To School Night event here at CSE.  We had a great turn out and the students liked  LOVED using the     i-pads for a QR code scavenger hunt.   It was very nice meeting everyone and their families. I can't wait to meet the rest of you tomorrow morning, and begin our wonderful journey together this year.  Until then, here are a few pics from our Back To School night.  I hope everybody has a restful night tonight and remembers to put their magic confetti under their pillows for sweet dreams about 3rd grade.  Also don't forget to bring your postcard from me tomorrow for a sweet treat. :)

"Look who's 'Poppin' into 3rd Grade'!

The QR code scavenger hunt and all the goodies on each student's desk. 

 The students did such a great job at using the i-pads and I was super impressed with their technology skills.

I know we can't wait to use these i-pads again this upcoming year. :)