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! 

Angles Everywhere!

   In math, we are focused on lines and angles.  Today we used the alphabet to explore angles within letters.  We also used post it notes as a resource to measuring right angles around our classroom.  

Our Salad Bowl Comes to Life!

   During our culture unit, we created a classroom "salad bowl" with paper pieces.  We each wrote something unique, traditional, or special to our families that represents our culture.  Students wrote about their favorite holiday, favorite foods, and favorite games.  Some students wrote about Passover.
   Today, we welcomed Mrs. Siwak in as a special guest to share and explain Passover.  Her presentation connected to all aspects of our learning from culture.  She read the story of Passover, and the class quickly connected to this story as a legend, because it has been passed down from generation to generation.  She also explained the ceremonies and importance of these.  Then she explained the importance of food.  Mrs. Siwak helped students understand that food can serve as a symbol to groups of people and represent strong cultural beliefs.  The class was invited to try some Matzah and grape juice.
   What a fun way to connect to our learning about culture and see the salad bowl come to life!

Calculating Elapsed Time

   One helpful strategy for organizing elapsed time is to use a number line.  We begin the number line with the 'start time' and then complete the number line with 'finish time'.  We use landmark times to calculate the total elapsed time.  We are getting so good, we can teach each other!  Check out this student work!

Telling Time

   Our current math unit has been focused on telling time, reading time, and calculating elapsed time.  Our class is motivated by a simple time game called "I have...Who has..."  I begin by placing a card with an analog clock stating the digital time.  Each student has a card with a clock face showing  a time.  They wait for this time to appear on the card under the projector and then they place their card as the next time.  We have been timing ourselves and so far our best time was 1 minute 17 seconds!

Pen Pals

   Our class was delighted by a surprise package from Reed Elementary School, in the Ladue School District!  Mrs. Rich's 3rd grade class wrote to our 3rd grade class and we have decided to be pen pals!    We are sending our return letters today and can't wait to keep writing back and forth!