Winter Break

                                                                          

It's so exciting! Winter break is near! What are your plans? What are you looking forward to most? Are you traveling or staying in Houston? If you celebrate Christmas, what are some of your family's traditions you look forward to every year? If you celebrate Hanukkah, what are some of your traditions? If you observe any other celebrations, please tell us about your traditions. I can't wait to hear what each of you have planned!

Pesty Pet Peeves

We all have "pet peeves" or things that really bug and annoy us.  A pet peeve is when someone, something, or an action is done that really irritates you.  Pet Peeves can be different for everybody.  My major pet peeve is when people constantly interrupt me or blurt out while I am talking.  That bothers me because first it is rude with a capital R and second it interrupts my train of thought.  My second biggest Pet Peeve is when someone is reading a book while I am teaching a lesson!!! So get on your soapbox and tell us your pet peeve and why it annoys you.  Write about four to five complete sentences using the correct capitalization and punctuation.  

Cheyenne Again

Today we discussed the difference between plot and theme. The plot is the events in the story and the theme is the message the author is trying to get across to the reader. We focused on the different themes, messages or big ideas from our book Cheyenne Again.  Please write about some of the themes you discovered in your reading with your partners or what we read-aloud and give examples.  For example,  one theme was  treating the Indians unfairly in school when they taught them lies or left out important facts about their culture and some of the battles they had won.  Please write the theme and the reason you think that.  Write four to five sentences with the correct punctuation.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is just a week away. Many of us will spend time with family and friends. Some of us are even traveling! This holiday gives us time to think about what we are grateful for. Please share some of your favorite traditions that you and your family do during this wonderful holiday! What are your turkey day plans? What are you especially thankful for? Write at lease 4 - 5 well-written sentences with the correct punctuation please. Gobble, gobble!

Math Stations

We are really enjoying our math rotations/math groups! Please share what you like about them so far. Do you have a favorite station? Do you have a favorite game? WHY do you like it?  What are some great strategies you like to use during problem solving? Share with me your favorite parts of math groups!  Please write four to five complete sentences. Make sure you use the correct capitalization and punctuation.

Great Books and Reading!!!

We have talked about finding "just right" books that interest us in a wide variety of genres.  

· What are you reading now?  

· What is "on deck" in your book bin? 

· Do you have a favorite book or series of books? 

Please write at least four to five sentences.  Check for capitalization and punctuation. You may find a great book recommendation by reading your classmates' responses! Happy Reading!

Do you have GRIT?

This week we have been talking about having GRIT when you read and in life. Grit is when you work hard even if you struggle and you keep trying. Grit is when you stick to something no matter how challenging it can be. I had to have grit when I learned how to slalom on water skis. That is when you ski on one ski. Watch a little video on GRIT here. Tell us about a time that you had to have GRIT in your life. Write 4 to 5 complete sentences with the correct punctuation and capitalization.

Third Grade Rocks!!!

You are now six weeks into school! We have already learned a lot in these few short weeks!!!  We are off to a great start! We have a lot to look forward to this year!  We are going to be busy this year learning, reading, playing with numbers, creating, computing and lots of other fun learning activities!  Please write four to five sentences of what you have enjoyed so far this year, what you are looking forward to, and what you like best about third grade.  Write with complete sentences and check your periods and capital letters.  

Sizzling Summer Fun

I am so excited about this summer! I hope that you are too. Please share some books titles that you plan to read for your summer reading pleasure. Also please share any fun plans that you have. Are you going to camp, on a vacation, or just chilling at the pool? Tell us about what you like to do on a lazy day too!  Please write four to five sentences with the correct grammar and punctuation.

I loved many things this school year!  I loved pioneer day because I liked making butter.  I loved Temples and Tombs performance.  I practiced my multiplication facts a lot this year. 

Third Grade Learning

Wow! I cannot believe this year is almost over! It has flown by, and we have learned a lot and we have had fun too! I want you to think back over the year and tell me some of the things you have learned. What has been your new learning? Think about our Native American unit, Westward Expansion, math, writing, reading, and morning meetings. Include what have you learned socially and academically and any other new learning that you feel is important. Please write four to five well written sentences with the correct grammar and punctuation. 

Finishing Strong!!!

This year has flown by. In a few short weeks it will be summer! We have had a great and fun year, and we have learned a lot.  Many new friendships have blossomed along the way. What can you do to end the school year on a strong note? What can you do to be the best you can be these next few weeks?  How can you help yourself from making choices that will end up getting you in trouble? How should you treat your classmates even when you feel annoyed? Please write five complete sentences using the correct grammar and punctuation. 

Art Car Parade

This past Thursday we had our fun Art Car Parade! It is always so exciting to see the cars you have made! Please describe your art car and the process that you went through to make it.  How did you get the idea? How did you plan it out? Was any part of it surprisingly difficult or easy.  Please write in 4 to 5 complete sentences using the correct grammar and punctuation. 

Reflections on Pioneer Hour

We had a wonderful time sharing our Westward Expansion projects and work with our parents and family! I am curious. What was your favorite activity that we did during this unit? Was is the journal, reading Joshua and Hattie's journals, the treasure chest, making butter or sketching and describing your pioneer family?

Please give a detailed explanation about what you liked most. Maybe you'll influence how we explore pioneer life next year!  Write five to six complete sentences. Check your punctuation.  Have fun!!!

This is after a long day on the trail!!! These little pioneers are hungry and tired!

Field Day

Field Day is a wonderful day! Students and teachers from all three divisions of the school come together to have fun, participate in the events and enjoy the fair. Let's share! What was and is your favorite part of Field Day? What is your favorite Field Day memory? Why do you think that this is an important day for our school community? Write in 4 to 5 complete sentences with the correct grammar and punctuation. 
                                    

                               GO PURPLE! GO GOLD!

Now that we are more than half way to Oregon, let’s talk about the big ideas of Westward Expansion!

Did the pioneers achieve their goals?  Do you think the hardships of the trail were worth the final result? Let’s talk about the good, the bad, and the end of the Oregon Trail.  Be sure to include bad things that happened and celebrations along the Oregon Trail. Please write four to five complete sentences with the correct grammar, capital letters, and end marks. 

Reading Strategies

As good readers we all use reading strategies to improve our reading skills and our reading comprehension. The most important part of reading is to understand what you are reading, and that is why we use reading strategies. It makes reading more enjoyable and a lot more fun when you connect to what you are reading and give a shout out to others about the great book you are reading. Please tell us about your favorite reading strategy or strategies that you use when you are reading and why you like them. Be sure to write four to five complete sentences with the correct punctuation and capitalization. 

Spring Break

Spring Break is around the corner!!! I know we are all excited to relax, sleep in, read and maybe even go on a trip. What are your plans for Spring Break? What are you most looking forward to?  Is there any particular book you can't wait to read? In four to five well-written sentences, please share with us your Spring Break plans and hopes.  Have a wonderful Spring Break and be safe!!!

Random Acts of Kindness

This morning in our morning meeting we talked about Random Acts of Kindness! 

Please share any Random Acts of Kindness that you did today or yesterday. How did doing this random kind act make you feel?

What are your ideas of Random Acts of Kindness that you want to do in the future? Has anyone done a RAK for you? What was it? How did you feel about it? Write at least five sentences with the correct capitalization and punctuation.  Don't forget you need to write at least five sentences. 

Westward Expansion

We are just beginning our Westward Expansion unit! We know the pioneers were traveling in hopes of cheap and fertile land in Oregon!

What are you wondering about? What is some new learning you have from our reading from this week and last week? Share with us at least three or four sentences of your wonders and new learning. Please read each other's comments and try not to repeat posts. Be sure to write in complete sentences with the correct capitalization and punctuation.

International Fair

I am exhausted from traveling to Egypt and Iceland in the same week!  Let's share our new learning from both counties!
Also, please share your reflections from each country. What was your favorite thing to do, see or hear? Did anything surprise you? Did anything amaze you?  Tell us all about it! Write four to five complete sentences. Be sure to use capital letters and end marks. 

Because of Winn Dixie

I really love how the preacher listed 10 things about Opal's mom. For fun, you can experiment making a top 10 list about your mom, dad or any important person in your life.  Be sure to start with a capital letter and end with a period and number each one. You can read my list about my mom below. Enjoy!

Top Ten List about my mom…

1.       She loves my dad.

2.    She loves her three kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

3.    She loves to read.

4.    She can be funny.

5.    She is small.

6.    She doesn’t like to exercise too much.

7.    She is an excellent cook.

8.    She likes to hang out with her family.

9.    She is an awesome hunter.

10.  She is a great listener.

New Learning about Egypt!

We have been learning new information on the amazing country of Egypt! Many of us did not have very much background knowledge on this country! If you would like to look up some information on your own about Egypt hit Egypt.  Here are some more cool facts. If you would like to watch a video about Egypt hit Video and here is part two of the Video. 

Please share at least three pieces of new learning that you know about Egypt and a few wonders or bits of backgrounds knowledge.  Make sure that you use the correct punctuation and write at least four complete sentences. 

Iceland

We have been learning new information on the amazing country of Iceland! Many of us did not have very much background knowledge on this country including Mrs. O'Connell! If you would like to look up some information on your own about Iceland hit Iceland. This is a great video with kids!!!

Please share at least three pieces of new learning that you know about Iceland and a few wonders or bits of backgrounds knowledge.  Make sure that you use the correct punctuation and write at least four complete sentences.