A Final Teamwork Challenge

   The Glenridge Gremlin left a little scavenger hunt for the team to celebrate their teamwork skills!  The class had to follow directions, listen to each other, and solve riddles to gain their precious teamwork letters back.  The gremlin left a few treats along the way as well.  I enjoyed watching this team work together throughout the entire challenge!

CLAYMO End of the Year Assembly

   We had our final CLAYMO assembly today to celebrate the departing teachers, departing 5th graders, and celebrate a great year together at Glenridge!

Field Day Fun

I'm I wasn't able to find each one of my Schuh Stars on Field Day, but I found some!  We had a blast and enjoyed swimming in the afternoon!

Entrepreneurs in Training

   We were so lucky to invite Mr. Siwak into our classroom to gain a deeper understanding of world economics.  Mr. Siwak shared a very informative and enjoyable presentation called, "Made in China."  He explained the process of working with others around the world, how goods are transported across the world, and much, much more!
   Thank you Mr. Siwak!  I have a classroom of future entrepreneurs ready to take on world economics!

Melvin Lock and Dam

   We connected our social studies and science curriculum in a fun filled day at the Melvin Lock and Dam in Alton, IL.  Unfortunately, the elevator was broken, so we could not go on top of the dam.  However, one group was able to watch a small boat go through the locks and observe how they work.
 

Poetry at Oak Knoll

   We had a beautiful day and amazing volunteers that helped make this field trip a major success!  We divided all 3 classrooms into mixed groups.  After a nice lunch in the shade, we rotated through poetry activities.

Activity 1:  The Reflection at the Pond
   Students were asked to use their senses to observe their surroundings.  Next, they used the pond as a metaphor for reflecting and students were challenged to write a poem to reflect on their year or to look forward to next year!

Activity 2: Poetry Walk
   Our volunteers led students through a poetry walk around the sculptures within Oak Knoll Park.  Students were asked to sharpen their description skills in this rotation!

Activity 3:  Art Connection
   Mrs. Oliver led this rotation as a connection to art.  Artists and poets share observation skills!  We used these skills to connect to our surroundings!

A Poet's Eye

   We have transitioned into our Poetry writing unit and are preparing for our Poetry field trip by focusing on using a "Poet's eye."  One characteristic of a poet is to look at everyday people, places and things in many different ways.  We sharpened our poet's eyes by taking a walk around our very familiar school, looking for the little things we pass by each day!

Resources

   Throughout our Economics unit, we have really focused on how important resources are to a country!  One way we practiced sorting resources was using a book called 'The Tortilla Factory.'  As I read this book, students were challenged to sort any resources from the story or the pictures.  They did a great job!  By the end of the book, we realized all the resources that go into one little tortilla!

Mystery Skype

   Thank you to the Mutis family for connecting us with the amazing Zulueta  family in Sweden!  We reconnected with our geography skills specifically in absolute and relative location to play a game called Mystery Skype.  

   Here's how it works- we connected with the Claudia and the Zulueta family and were allowed 20 yes or no questions based on their location in the world.  For example, the first question asked was "Are you located in the northern hemisphere?"  Students worked with a partner and desk map to zoom in on their mystery location.  

   After we celebrated discovering the location in Malmö, Sweden we were able to ask questions about life in Sweden.  Students asked great questions about what school was like, popular sports, etc. I learned so much and enjoyed experiencing this learning opportunity alongside my students! Thank you  Zulueta family! It was wonderful meeting you!!!

What a Wonderful Week!

   World's Fair is absolutely my favorite event in 3rd Grade and I just want to say Congratulations to all my students for the effort, time, and learning they put into their projects! Global citizenship shined today and I was one proud teacher!  

   I also want to say thank you for a very generous Teacher Appreciation Week! The flowers are beautiful, the notes and kind words are so thoughtful and I appreciate it all! Thank you!