Happy Friday

Third grade has been very busy! I have been so proud of their hard work. Our schedule is pretty packed so we do not have much down time. We are working on taking our time and being proud of our work!

In reading third grade is reading free choice books and books in guided reading. It is so great to hear them say, "I really like to read!" We are also doing an author study on Patricia Polacco. Last week we read, "Thunder Cake," and they loved it! As we read her books we have great book talks and then record the authors purpose for writing this story. Ask your child why she wrote, "Thunder Cake." We followed up by making a Thunder Cake. I will post the REAl recipe and you can try it at home. We made our own version because Mrs. Humphrey had a few mishaps at the grocery store! It was yummy!

Thunder Cake Recipe:

1 c. shortening (I used butter)
1 3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs separated
1 c. cold water
1/3 c. pureed tomatoes (I used canned tomato sauce)
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. dry cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

Beat together shortening or butter, egg yolks, sugar, vanilla, water and tomatoes.  mix in the dry ingredients. Beat the egg whites separately until stiff.  Fold them into the batter gently.

Pour batter into two greased round cake pans. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost with chocolate frosting. Top with sliced strawberries.

We started a new unit in science. Third grade is learning about Social and Group Behavior. We have done several activities to show what it is like to rely on your group or herd. They also got to see what it would be like to be the leader of your group and then to be the one that loses the herd. Students have worked in groups to talk about what are the benefits of living in a group and what happens when you are alone.

Students had to give their partner directions, while they were blindfolded. We also formed groups and their leader had to lead them through a maze in our classroom. Herds were looking for water and a few got lost along the way.

Third graders are doing an awesome job in their interactive notebooks. We answer questions about what we learned about animals living in herds or groups. They also wrote their first CER...this is new to them and I was very happy with their answers! They have to make a C-claim about what they learned and then give E-evidence and R- reasoning to support their claim.

Math has been a challenge for us this week. Third grade has start multiplication and division. They are learning to make arrays. They have also done MANY word problems. Our next test will be on Tuesday. 

We took a break from our regular math books and had a great time with lego robotics. They amaze me!

We did two writing activities this week. The first was writing a persuasive piece about selling a haunted house. They made haunted houses and then had to convince people to buy them. This is their first writing piece that they wrote and then had to edit. I was very pleased with how hard they worked and how creative they were. Third Grade also read the book, Crankenstein.  It was a picture book but the activities we did with the book challenged their writing and thinking!

If you are looking for a new house we have just the one for you!!

IMPORTANT NOTICE:

Halloween Fun: Oct. 28th, 3,4,5 will be sharing some activities and snacks

Math: It would be great if third graders practice addition and subtraction facts. This will help in all areas of their math.

Oct. 26 & 27: I will be at a conference so their will be no homework on those days

I hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Holly