SBAC is Finished!!!
The students have worked really really hard these past couple of weeks. I'm so excited that all of the hard work is behind us, and we can work on some fun learning activities for the final few weeks. Thank you for all of the support you have provided these kiddos at home. Also, thank you to everyone who brought in snacks. This helped our brains stay fueled during the long days of testing.
Flexible Seating
Starting on Monday, we will be trying out some new flexible seating options. Students are going to be choosing from yoga balls, tall tables with stools, low beach chairs with lap desks, or floor tables with pillows. There is a lot of research around seating and how it helps students with focus and engagement during lessons. I'm really excited to give these kiddos an opportunity to help me create this environment in the classroom.
Coding...
During our math block we're going to be working on some coding activities. I will be using code.org to allow the students to try their hands at programming. This has been something that the students have really been looking forward to, and it should be a lot of fun.
Science...
Next week we are going to dive into our weather a climate science unit. Science took a bit of a back seat while we were preparing for SBAC, so I'm glad we get to put on our lab coats and be scientists again. The weather should be cooperative, so I'm hoping to take some of these lessons outside.
Growth Mindset...
One thing I've noticed our kiddos need is encouragement. During these past few weeks I have seen some kiddos feel like they "can't do it". This is something I want to work on these past few weeks. We're going to start working on some Growth Mindset journals. Awhile back, Blake Brandes came to speak to our school, and the kiddos were really engaged with his work. These 3rd graders are awesome you know it, and I know it. I want them to know it too!!!
Battle Book Party
Our last Battle party will be June 15th. The goal is for 3rd graders to read 10 books. Cutoff for summaries is tomorrow, Friday June 1st. Encourage your kiddos to finish this up. Also parent volunteers are needed for the final Battle Party. Please look in your child's folder for a bright pink sign up sheet. Return it to me as soon as possible if you can help.
Battle of the Books
Encourage your child to read Battle Books for their Reading Log Homework. Many of the students in our class have already met and surpassed the goals we have set. Way to go Room 125!
Here is the list of books:
Be a Perfect Person in Just Three Days! Stephen Manes
Because of Winn-Dixie Kate DiCamillo
Bobbie the Wonder Dog Tricia Brown
Boxcar Children #1 Gertrude Warner
Boxes for Katje Candace Fleming
Brothers at Bat Audrey Vernick
By the Great Horn Spoon! Sid Fleischman
Castle in the Attic Elizabth Winthrop
Clementine Sara Pennypacker
Escape froom Mr. Lemoncello's Library Chris Grabenstein
Fourth Grade Rats Jerry Spinelli
Freckle Juice Judy Blume
Ice Magic Matt Christopher
I Survived the San Francisco Earthquake, 1906 Lauren Tarshis
Knights of the Kitchen Table Jon Scieszka
A Lion to Guard Us Clyde Bulla
Lincoln and Kennedy a Pair to Compare Gene Barretta
Love, Ruby Lavendar Deborah Wiles
Masterminds Gordon Korman
Molly's Pilgrim Barbara Cohen
Muggie Maggie Beverly Cleary
My Side of the Mountain Jean Craighead George
Nim's Island Wendy Orr
Number the Stars Lois Lowry
The One and Only Ivan Katherine Applegate
On the Banks of Plum Creek Laura Ingalls Wilder
The Patchwork Quilt Valerie Flournoy
Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts!: The First Experiment Frances Dowell
Sheep Valerie Hobbs
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom Louis Sachar
Time for Andrew: A Ghost Story Mary Downing Hahn
Tornado Betsy Byars
Tricking the Tallyman Jacqueline Davies
Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer Kelly Jones
The Worst of Friends: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams... Suzanne Jurmain
You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?! Jonah Winter
Happy Reading!!
Coming Soon...
- June 1st Battle of the Books Summary Cutoff
- June 8th Camp Read-A-Lot
- June 15th Battle of the Books final party
- June 20th Last Day of School 3-hour Early Release
We have been able to celebrate most of the kiddos birthdays so far this year. I want to be able to recognize those students whose birthdays are in the summer as well. I am sending a letter home with each of those kiddos assigning a day that they get to celebrate. Please feel free to send in treats for 24 students on that day. We're getting close to summer break. I'm going to miss these sweet kiddos.
Lyndsey Morris