Check In Time

Lets take this time to tell one another what we have been doing in the last week and a half. I have been reading, walking, and doing a lot of yoga. I have also been planning with the other third grade teachers your assignments for the next few weeks. I think you will enjoy them. I have also learned how to use Zoom, and I have been researching, reading, and watching videos on how to use remote learning. I have thought about each one of you and hope you are enjoying yourself. This would also be a good time to recommend a book for your classmates to read. I miss each of you, and I am looking forward to when we will all be back together. I have to admit it has been a little boring without school!!! Please tell me what you have been doing! It would be fun to reply to a few of your classmates as well, but remember to be use your on-line etiquette. 

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!!!

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. 

Field Trip

We had a wonderful field trip to Jesse H. Jones park. We learned so much about the Native Americans and the pioneers. Please share some new learning you learned on this field trip. What was your favorite station? Please share using four to five sentences. Don't forget capital letters and end marks. 
Here are some words to help you jog your memory:
Ranger Jason and the Volunteers, Redbud Hill Homestead - a family home in the Wilderness, Life like a Pioneer of the 1820s and 30s, Log Cabin - split rail fence, kitchen Garden - Rosemary, plants for medicine, Smokehouse, bread oven, barn - wagon to town to get supplies, older boys slept up top, outhouse - corn cobs for toothbrush & TP, Pig pen - soap made from pig fat, blacksmith shop  - metal rod in the fire, hammered nails, lake - bathe 2 times a year; June weddings, feather quill to write, stage for dancing, feast,  social gatherings, marriages, bedding of leaves, wood slats & ropes, games - Cup & ball, corn toss, tug o’ war

Math Stations

We are really enjoying our math stations/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. 

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? 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 Austria and Brazil 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 the correct end marks. 

My Top Ten List

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. 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.

Brazil

We have been learning new information on the amazing country of Brazil! 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 Brazil hit Brazil. This is a great video!!! Here is another Brazil Link you might like. It is written for kids with some awesome facts!

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

We have been learning new information on the amazing country of Austria! 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 Austria hit Austria.  There are some more cool facts. 

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

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.