This week was a tough one.  Our class is struggling with choices regarding the quality and effort put into both assignments and how we show respect and care for one another. It does take effort to be in third grade.  It should, because we are about learning.  That can sometimes mean effort is required even when you don’t feel like it.  Following through with that extra effort was challenging for many this week.  Unkind words were said, children were dishonest and work was hidden rather than completed.  These behaviors are not typical at this point in a third grade year.  It felt discouraging for all of us.

Thankfully we ended the week on a positive note.  We talked about responsibility and we talked about the target of their choices. The children began to realize they are only hurting themselves.  As we talked the class realized the responsibilities we had listed for school applied everywhere and they applied to everyone no matter what age.  That was an “ah-ha” for some.   Our hope as a class is that we will recommit to doing great work with less talking and little time wasting.  If you could find some time to talk to your child about his or her effort, willingness to focus on what needs to be done and attention to honesty and kindness it would be much appreciated.  Most of the children will know of choices they can make that will allow them to be even more successful.  Thank you.

Over and Under Challenge – Social Emotional Learning continued

That said we had a great day for an outside challenge on Tuesday.  It was one where we were required to be aware of our behavior and ourselves.  We all had to work together to make sure everyone felt safe and cared for.  For that activity we were able to focus so that each student could be lifted over and while a classmate crawled through if they so chose.  It was great to see so many of the class push themselves to take a risk and try something new and different.

Our State Research

            We spent time reading about our states and learning ways for use the many books and websites we’re exploring to uncover 7 Wonders from our state.  All of the children identified an animal that might be considered a wonder.  We learned that it might not be one of the state symbols – after all the white-tailed deer is the state animal for New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi and Nebraska.  Many of the children have also selected a structure that could be considered a Wonder – this could be a building or a monument or a bridge.  Many have also identified a famous person they consider to be a Wonder as well.

The children are learning how to work with multiple sources – some simple and some sophisticated.  They are learning how to pay attention to little details and to notice when something is mentioned many times.  This is likely to mean it is important.  It is exciting to hear the children sharing with one another, “Hey, listen to this…” Our country is a pretty amazing place.  The more we learn the more questions we have.

Learning More About Fractions

            This week after hearing the directions the children we asked to put labeled fractions out on a continuum from smallest to largest with no talking.  Children were allowed to move other pieces when it was their turn but were not allowed to make any comments.  It was a struggle did “smallest and largest” refer to the size of the piece or the size of the number.  By the time the last piece was place, the class was ready to burst.  We talked about the two different interpretations – both equally correct – and how that was something that made working with fractions a challenge.  We learned about numerators and denominators.  We are learning how to read fractions and working to identify congruence and equivalence.  Fractions are challenging, but fun.

Bits and Pieces –

• We are continuing to learn about the important elements that should be included in a summary.  We are practicing this in our daily reading responses, responses at read-aloud and with our work in our Humphrey book clubs.
• The children are continuing their information writing and working with different ways of formatting information so it is interesting and engaging to outside readers.
• We are in the middle of a persuasive writing piece.  Perhaps we’ll be able to convince you to read the book we think is best.
• Several of the children were able to complete new posts on their individual blogs.  We hope you’ll check them out and leave a comment.