We also thought a lot about what it means to live a literate life and used Patricia Pollacco's book Thank You, Mr. Falker as a mentor text that got a lot of rich conversation going. The students then used a jigsaw technique to create posters about how readers choose books, why they abandon books, what readers think about and talk about, and what it looks like to "fake" read. These anchor charts are full of amazing strategies and habits that third graders already know about and use. We will learn more literacy skills and strategies over the course of the year and watch our charts and our reading grow!
Mathematicians are working on building their fact fluency for addition and subtraction. We have introduced work place games that allow them to practice in a lively hands-on way. We have also discussed strategies for addition and subtraction and practiced what it looks like to represent our math thinking in numbers, pictures, and words. Heard in class this week, "It's an easy fact, but what's hard is explaining what I'm thinking in my brain!" That is the challenge, but something that all mathematicians are expected to do!
We used our Chrome books this week to learn how to use Google Drawing tools and Read and Write for Google to create meaningful sentences. We had a few technical glitches and are figuring out how to work the track pad, but the students are savvy and have persevered!
We ended the week with our first Four Winds Nature Studies activity. This year we will be learning about ecosystems. Today the focus was on producers and consumers and we explored how leaves play a pivotal role in the food chain.
Just a reminder that picture day is on Wednesday, September 28th. Enjoy the beautiful first signs of fall.
Ask about:
- What subtraction strategies do you use?
- Do you like to show your math thinking in numbers, pictures, or words?
- How do you choose a new book? What makes you abandon a book?
Fondly,
Jess and Liz
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