On our folktale book report, we have to check out a book that is in our Lexile range. For our assessment, we have to make a collage, write a poem, and present our book report in front of our class. We get to keep the book for three weeks if we check it out from the school library.
This past week we learned about different kinds seeds in science. Seeds can be different shapes and sizes. Bees polinate flowers and that makes the flowers grow seeds. We got to observe radish seeds, apple seeds, tomato seeds, pea seeds, cranberry seeds, maple tree seeds, lima bean seeds, honeydew melon seeds, pine cones, pinto beans, and a buckeye. We love studying seeds.
A road work sign is a reward given to quiet individuals who focus. A respectful student gets one from the teacher by doing their work. We have six road work signs. Our teacher hands them out when we are rock stars. We use these over and over again so more kids can earn them. Mrs. Foley says, "Don't be rocks, be rock stars!"
Bungee chairs look like a big black spider web. It feels funny when we sit on them, but it is fun. They are comfortable and cozy. We made rules for using them. Don't bounce on purpose. Only one person per chair. Focus on your work or reading. Bungee chairs are the best!
Our class has Pit Crew jobs and Final Lap jobs. The Pit Crew is a team of students who help Mrs. Foley with tasks for two weeks such as messengers, line leaders, paper monitors, librarians, housekeepers, and substitutes. Final Lap jobs get our room ready for the next day. Examples include shutting down computers, sharpening shared pencils, emptying the pencil sharpener compartment, and disinfecting things like door knobs, sink handles, computer keyboards/mice, and the side table. We have a lot of important work.
On Friday, September 18th, all of the third grade classes went to the David Davis Mansion. Parent volunteers came, too. We did fun activities. At the butterfly station, we saw chrysalis and two monarchs. At another station, we helped clean sheets using a washboard, a bucket of water, and soap. We got to whack dust out of a rug, too. Inside the mansion we made butter by shaking whipping cream in glass jars. Then we ate it on saltine crackers. In Sarah Davis's starburst-shaped garden, students measured the flower beds and spread seeds. Some of the plants were the same plants Sarah Davis planted 100 years ago. We found a monarch roaming around in the garden. It was a boy with a tag. Our class named him Spencer. A highlight of the trip was getting to pet a 13-year-old workhorse named Randy. His horseshoe was huge! Zack told us that Randy was 6 feet tall and 2,000 pounds. He used to pull a carriage. We learned a lot of information at the David Davis Mansion. It was a terrific field trip! Many students hope to visit the mansion again.
~Mrs. Foley's Third Grade