Authentic Conversations about Immigration

   Thank you to Mrs. M for sharing her story of immigration!  In Social Studies, we are investigating culture!  We began by defining culture, then took a closer look at our unique family culture!  We investigated immigration then and now.   We learned about Ellis Island and read some stories about immigrants who travelled by boat to America.  Mrs. M helped us understand that immigration looks much different now than it did when Ellis Island was in use!

Bar Graphing

   We have spent the last two days learning how to read and create a bar model.  We also focused on the five must haves for a complete bar model! Ask your third grader if they can name them! (They are title, horizontal label, vertical label, scale, and data)

A Marvelous Monday!

   We learned we WON the Box Top competition! We will have a Crazy Hair Day and Pizza Party sponsored by PTO!  The date will be announced soon! Check out the reaction when our class was announced the winner! 

   There are some important people about to get some inspirational mail from some world changing 3rd graders!  Last week we learned how to address envelopes and we today mailed our persuasive letters!

   The Reperatory Theater presented This, This, and That at an all school assembly!  One of our Schuh Stars was chosen to be a part of the performance!

Solutions, Reactions, and Mixtures...oh my!

   Can you describe the difference between a mixture and solution?  Ask a 3rd grader to!  Today we continued this investigation in Science and enjoyed observing  reactions- determining if they created a solution or a mixture!

A Study of Mindset with Mrs. Spann

   Our life skills lessons are focused on many different topics!  Most recently we are focusing on mindset!  Within this focus, students learn about the brain and how we can all learn and continue growing!  Mrs. Spann is using the online resource, called Brainology.
   Brainology teaches the growth mindset through education of how the brain works and how we use our brain as a muscle.  We are reflecting on how we grow our own brains!
 
    

Book Clubs with Interesting Characters

   Our new book clubs are getting good!!! Students are independently reading and then talking with book club partners about their thinking, questions, and reactions! I've witnessed some amazing conversations so far!

   Our book clubs include: Harry Potter, The Wright 3, Kingdom Keepers, Only Emma, Hatchet, Drizzle, and Dragon Slayers Academy.  Most book clubs meet twice a week!

States of Matter

   What a perfect day to begin observing the states of matter! As it snowed outside, we were conducting a little hot and cold experiment inside!

    We placed a large cup of warm water (with red food dye) in the middle of our table. Just inside this cup, we placed a smaller cup of cold water (with blue food dye) and observed the model.

   Students noticed "steam" on the inside of the larger cup and droplets of water on the bottom of the blue cup.  Mr. Kearney used this model to review the water cycle.  He called the droplets condensation and the "steam" evaporation.

Mrs. Schuh's Top Ten Reasons She Loves Her Class

10. These students already are or strive to be global citizens.

9. Curiosity never runs out! I'm learning from them daily and enjoying their ongoing Curiosity Projects!!

8. Each day we join together as a community of readers, sharing books and talking about our reading!

7. We love to celebrate writing! 

6.  They ask big thinking, scientific questions! 

5. They are brave enough to celebrate mistakes! 

4. They are excited to try new, challenging things!!

3. You can count on them for a positive, growth mindset!

2. They are incredibly caring and think about helping others!

1. We make one awesome team! I miss them when they are gone and I can't wait to see them each day!

Chinese New Year

   Thank you to Aoife and her mom, Sophia, for planning a very informative and enjoyable Chinese New Year presentation! Aoife taught us about the traditions, food, decorations, history, and more! Aoife and her sister passed out some special treats for the class to celebrate! They loved this part!  We also decorated our class room with banners and lanterns!

   Glenridge PTO also planned a really fun and educational assembly! We can't wait to celebrate more next week!

Jump Rope for Heart

   Our CLAYMO time was devoted to kick off Jump Rope for Heart! Please look for packets in Friday's Friday Folder!

Digital Citizenship Training

   Mrs. Stouffer and Mrs. Spann joined us for a special training in Digital Citizenship!  They discussed on-line and off-line technology, experiences, and behaviors.  We watched a great video called "Pause and Think Online."  I recommend watching it as a family! https://www.commonsensemedia.org/videos/pause-and-think-online

   There were so many great messages such as pausing and balancing by taking time away from screens and how to watch for signs online.

   Mrs. Stouffer sent home a great informational sheet on Wednesday called Rings of Responsibility.  Mrs. Spann led a thinking activity for students to reflect on situations that have happened, or could happen when online.
    

Strategies for Bar Modeling

   After working with multiplication bar models for the last few days, we have moved on to division bar models.  One helpful strategy we used today was to read through the word problem, then cover up the numbers to be sure your bar model focuses on the correct division.  By the end of the class period, everyone was working on challenge problems!

 

Superbowl Math

   We are currently working through Chapter 9: Multiplication and Division Bar Models, so I rewrote some of the word problems to be more festive:  Superbowl Style!
   We began by joining with a Bar Modeling Buddy.  Buddies were focused on looking at their partner's bar models and making sure each bar model was clear, organized (labeled) and correct.
   As partners worked through a bar modeling "playoff," they each earned the opportunity to play in the Bar Modeling Superbowl!
   I set the timer for 3 minutes per quarter, and buddies played paper football- each touchdown equalling 7 points.  This served as great multiplication practice for our 7's facts!  Partners were extended to show the results of their game through a bar model!