The Night Before Christmas Compare and Contrast

 

   

    

Adaptations of Plants and Animals

Comparing and Contrasting Ecosystems

 

Students, please use your Venn Diagram to help you write a comment comparing and contrasting two ecosystems that we have learned about this week.  Please include at least two differences and one similarity for your two ecosystems.  Happy commenting!

Author's Purpose + Persuasive Letter

Hello 304!  Wow, our week has flown by!  
In this post, please write me a letter about a book you have read this week.  

1. In the letter, you should include the author's purpose and tell why you think it was to either entertain, inform, or to persuade.  

2. You should also try to persuade me into reading that book.  Please have at least two reasons why I should read your book.  

Happy commenting!

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I am Thankful for...

    In this season of thanksgiving, I am thankful for my wonderful family and friends.  I am also thankful for the great group of students in 304!  They make it a joy to teach them each and every day.




In this post, I want you to tell me what you are thankful for and why.


Happy Thanksgiving 304!

Friendly Letter Writing about Reading Strategy

Dear Third Graders,
     Please write me a friendly letter about a book that you are reading this week.  Be sure to include the 5 parts of a friendly letter, a short summary of the book, and examples of your reading strategy.  You should also focus on using correct conventions.  I look forward to reading your letters.


                                                                      Sincerely,
                                                                       Mr. D.

Main Idea and Details

 In the National Geographic Explorer magazine, you read the article "The Hidden Lives of Leaves."  In this post, please tell me the main idea of the article along with TWO details that support your main idea.  Once you have posted, please click on the Into the Book - Summarizing the Main Idea link in the Reading Resources.  Get ready to work for Jelly Bones Jones.  Ahoy!!!

Main Idea and Supporting Details

Three Branches of Government

The United States Constitution

Figurative Language

Idioms

Happy Halloween from third grade!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Adjectives and Adverbs

Adjectives

  

Adverbs

First Quarter Reflection

With the first nine weeks of school coming to a close, I want you to take a moment to reflect on your first quarter progress. Please answer the following two questions in the comment section below.


What are you most proud of accomplishing during the first quarter of third grade and why?


What was the most interesting topic that you learned about this quarter and why?




I look forward to reading your posts!

Size Comparisons in Space

Size comparisons of objects in space.

304 is Out of This World!

This week, we have been exploring objects in our solar system.  We concluded our week by creating a Text Feature booklet that included information about our solar system object.

In this post, please tell me what solar system object you researched this week, why you chose that object, and one or two interesting facts about your object.  

Happy Posting!

Animal Life Cycles

This week, we will be learning about how animals grow and live.  See the science resources for more links and games.

Researching Non-Fiction Using Text Features: Solar System Research

 

Text Features

     Throughout this week, we have been working on non-fiction text features and how we can learn from those features.  Please choose one article from our National Geographic Explorer informational magazine to read.  After reading the article, please write a comment telling me about the article you read and one text feature that you noticed.  Also, tell me what you learned from the text feature.  Happy Posting!

Antarctic Antics

The Writing Process

Plant Life Cycles

Non-Fiction Text Features

Action!!! - Verbs

Elements of a Story

This week, we have been busy dissecting fiction texts.  We have been looking for elements of a story like: characters, setting, and plot (problem/solution.)  After reading The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, please share the elements of the story.  
In your comment, please include:

1.   Characters - at least two main characters and their traits
2.   Setting - where and when the story takes place
3.   Problem - what is the problem of the story
4.   Solution - how is the problem solved

Happy posting! 
                

Nouns All Around

We have been learning that a noun can be a person, place, or thing.  A noun can also be common or proper.  Check out the Work on Words section for more help with nouns.

Classifying Animals

This week, we are learning how to classify animals. Luckily we are NOT spineless! Check the Science Resources for more information and games!

Fire Safety House

Tomorrow, you will be going through the Fire Safety House.  Make sure to follow directions and to remember your home address. 






When home, make sure to come up with a fire escape plan.

Coin Rap

Making Inferences

Throughout this week, we have been making inferences.  Remember, this equation:  

What I Read + What I Know Already = What I Infer

After reading the wordless picture book, Sector 7,  please write an inference you made while reading the book.  In your comment, please include your thinking.  Happy Posting!

Making Inferences

Work on Words - Prefixes and Suffixes

Good Readers Ask Questions

 This week we have become excellent questioners.  We know that a good reader asks questions about text before, during, and after reading.  We practiced questioning by reading The Lotus Seed and Fly Away Home, both stories of hope.   

Your assignment is to go to the Into the Book link and complete the last questioning story.  After you have completed the activity, please post a comment where you write a during question from the story and tell me if you had to find the answer in the text or by using inferring.  Happy commenting!

Tuning in to Interesting Words

Wow!  What a great second week it has been for 304!  We have been working on expanding our vocabulary by tuning in to interesting words we find while reading.  Mr. D. modeled this strategy while reading, Crickwing.  The long list of interesting words included: ravenous, clobbered, crevice, and ocelot.

Students, it is now time for you to write your first comment.  In the comment section, please tell me the read to self book you were reading and one interesting word that you found.  Please make sure to spell the word correctly.  Happy commenting!

Friendship

On our first day, we read "Friends to the End." While listening, students were to think about one thing that they could do this year to be a better friend. Here are some examples from the class:

"Be nice."

"Help a friend if they need help."

"Do less talking."

"If I see someone alone at recess I could say want to play with me?"

"Play with other friends more often."

"To be a good friend, I need to listen a little more."

"Stop bossing my friends around." :)

"Don't fight."

As you can see, we already have a good start to what it means to be a true friend.

304 Class Constitution

With the implementation of Responsive Classroom again this year, I have added a link to http://www.responsiveclassroom.org/. Here you can find information about the philosophy, approach, morning meeting, and rule creation. Yesterday, we were able to discuss and then create our own set of positive classroom rules. When you visit the classroom, you will see that all 23 students signed our Class Constitution. We love the last rule!

304's Class Constitution

1. Try your hardest.



2. Have self-control.



3. Be respectful.



4. Be quiet when others are talking or working.



5. Take care of your classroom and school.



6. Have FUN!

Meet the DeGraffs

Third Grade Memories

This year has just flown by!  In your last post, please tell me what your was favorite memory of third grade.

Holes Characters

Hello 304!

Long time, no post.  I would like you to tell me who your favorite character is from the novel, Holes and why. 

I would also like you to tell me who your least favorite character is and why.  Start digging!

Solar System

The Reason for the Seasons

 

Traits of Writing

Word Choice

Sentence Fluency    

Conventions

The Moon Seems to Change

Making a Difference

In your comment, please tell me about the biography that you read this morning, and how that person made a difference in the world. 

Animal Architects

This week, we have been learning all about animals that can create their own homes.  Please share at least two interesting things that you have learned this week about these unique animals. 

You're a poet and you don't even know it!

In this post, please write your Cinquain poem about an animal.  Make sure to follow the rules of the 5 line poem.  Good luck poets!

Lit Circle Super Summaries

With your group, please come up with a comment that summarizes what your group has read so far. 

Be sure to include the title, author, main characters, the problem, and a prediction of what you think the solution might be.

Energy

The States of Matter

For third grade purposes, we only focus on Solids, Liquids, and Gases.

Idioms

Shhh!!!  I don't want to let the cat out of the bag.... but we are learning about idioms. Please play the Idioms games located under the Reading Resources.  Once finished, write a comment telling me what your favorite idiom is.  You should also tell me what the idiom means. 

X by 7

Multiplying and Dividing by 8

A little trick for 7 x 8

Reading Response

Hello 304,

In the comments section of this post, you have the opportunity to write a reading response letter to me.  In the letter, please make sure to include the following parts:


- Parts of a friendly letter
- A short summary of your book (but don't give away the good parts)
- Let me know what you think of the story (make connections, tell me what you liked and didn't like)

I look forward to reading your letters.  Reading Rocks!

Fables

In this post, please tell me about the fable that you created on your own. 

Please write a short summary about the beginning, middle, and end of your fable. 

Be sure to include your title at the top and the moral of your story at the bottom of your comment!

Helping Hershey

Hershey wants to update his kennel with some new carpet.

His kennel is a rectangle and measures 9 feet in length and 6 feet in width.

Hershey wanted to find the square area of his kennel so he added up his sides and came up with 30 feet as his answer.

Is Hershey correct? Why or why not? Please explain your answer.

Multiplication and Area

Multiply and Divide by Nine

Multiply and Divide by 10

Goods and Services

In Social Studies, we are learning about goods and services.  In this post, please write about a time you performed a service.

You also need to tell me about a time you purchased a good.  Happy Posting!

Multiplying and Dividing by 2

Multiplying by 1 and 0





Ready or Not, Here it Comes... Multiplication

Stone Fox Compare and Contrast

 

Over the last two weeks, we have read Stone Fox.  Today, we watched the film version of the story. 

In this post, please write at least 2 similarities between the book and the movie.

You also need to write at least 2 differences between the book and the movie.

Finally, you will need to tell me which version you like better and why.

Happy Posting!

Circles and Stars Instructions

New Year's Reading Resolution

Happy New Year 304! 

With the start of a new year, please think about what you want to accomplish this year as a reader.  In the comment section, please write your New Year's Reading Resolution!

Writing Traits - Voice