Story Elements

This week, we have been working on identifying the key elements to a fiction story.


The Elements to a Story that we have focused on this week include:

• Characters - the Who of a story
• Setting - the Where and When of a story
• Plot - the why and the how of a story

We also learned that most stories have a problem and a solution involved in the plot. 

In your post, please tell me:

1. what story you are reading
2. and describe at least 2 elements of your story

Remember to use complete sentences in your post.  Happy Posting 304!

What's the Big Idea?

Hello 304!  Last week, we focused on the reading strategy of main idea and supporting details.  In this post, I would like you to tell me about the book you read last week. 

In the post, please write down:

1. the book title
2. the book's main idea
3. at least 2 supporting details

Here is an example post:
I read Judy Moody was in a Mood.  It was about Judy having to create a Me Collage for her third grade class.  She hid a fake hand in the toilet to scare Stink for her Funniest thing ever.  She also was in the TP club.

As always, focus on starting each sentence with a capital letter and finishing a sentence with a punctuation mark.  Happy Posting!

Class Pets

304 is now officially a ZOO!  Not only do we have 24 wild third graders and a goofy teacher, but we now have a class flytrap named Jaws and a painted turtle named Canvas!  When you stop in, make sure to bring treats for the pets.

Tuning in to Interesting Words

Welcome 304 to your first blogging experience! This morning, we learned about a reading strategy to expand our vocabulary, called Tune in to Interesting Words. We found interesting words in our Read aloud, Flossie and the Fox, as well as our shared story, Dear Juno.

During your Read to Self time, I asked you to find at least 3 interesting words and record them into your Reading Notebook.

Please respond to this post by commenting what book you were reading and the list of interesting words you wrote down in your notebook.

I can't wait to see the amazing list of words that we come up with! Happy Posting!

304's Spelling Program

We will use spelling word lists that follow particular spelling patterns. On the right side, I have included some useful and fun sites to help you study spelling. SpellingCity.com is a particularly fun and engaging site where you can play games, practice, and actually take a test on the site. Just scroll down and click on the story name for the week.

In an attempt to conserve paper usage, students will be writing their new spelling words for the week in their planners. You will find them in Words of the Week box. Students are also given a paper copy of the words that they can choose to leave at school or take home to study.

You will always find the week's spelling words located on the right under spelling resources. Just click on This Week's Spelling Words.

Within the Daily 5 framework, students will be working on their spelling words and patterns during Word Work choice time.

We will have a spelling test every Friday. If you have any questions, please email or feel free to comment on this site.

304's 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 24 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 Teacher