If I could have any unique animal it would be...

It has been a crAzy week!  Today was the first day of our spring break, so as you can imagine, there was a lot of excitement yesterday.  And, lots of excitement calls for a change of pace.  

We have been working super hard on opinion and persuasive writing.  The kiddos have written and given speeches, written letters, and most recently they have been writing petitions.  For this last day before break we needed some fun.  I gave the students this task:

If you could have any unique, made-up, or weird animal, what would it be?

Create this animal by using construction paper.  However, paper can only be torn!  No scissors allowed.  Once your creature is created, you need to create an advertisement convincing your audience that they need your animal.  What would it do?  Why would somebody want this animal?  Your advertisement needs to have the following parts...

1. Bold, brave thesis statement

2. Reasons and explanations why this animal is needed

3. A heart-string story- to evoke the emotions of audience

This activity was so much fun.  For an entire hour, the room was filled with laughter, smiles, enthusiasm, and excitement.  And the best part?  The kiddos were so proud of their work.  They wanted their writing to be read and to show off their creatures to everyone!  I could have put up all 24 projects because they are just so darn cute, but I selected a few favorites to share with you!  Enjoy!

I will leave you with this last image.  My two pesky cats did not want me working on school this afternoon.  It was almost as if they were saying "It is spring break.  No school work for you!"

Happy Easter~

Heidi

Aging... It has been confirmed

In high school I was always told how young I look.  And, I knew that I should appreciate that.  I knew that eventually I would reach a point where that might not be the case.  Well little did I know, that point would hit in my mid-twenties.  Even 3 years ago- as I was student teaching and graduating college, people would look at me and say "Boy!  I really thought you were 18!"  

So last year, I began to notice that I didn't get that type of compliment anymore.  And, honestly, as much as I love teaching and working with kids, I can definitely feel that I am older because of it.  Well, this was all confirmed today when a dear student of mine looked at me and asked; "Ms. T?  When are you going to retire?"

It was all I could do not to laugh as I tried to say with a straight face "hmmmm... well, I am only 26 so I guess not for 30 more years!"

Ha!  Gotta love 3rd Grade!

Spring? Are you here yet?

On Friday, we woke up to snow.  No lie, April 4th brought us a spring snow storm.  Luckily it was melted and gone by the afternoon.  The kiddos and teachers alike are all going stir-crazy!  It is time for the weather to remember what month it is!

In honor of (fingers crossed) spring, and our spring break next week, I am offering a freebie: the "Jelly Bean Apostrophe" practice page.

Last week we read Greedy Apostrophe by Jan Carr and Ethan Long.  I just love this book.  The kids really get into it- especially if you let yourself go a little crazy with expression!  This book follows an apostrophe who is rather selfish.  He turns every noun that has an "s" into a possessive.  By the end of the book the kids have a good grasp of when to use an apostrophe and when not to use an apostrophe.  

Please head on over to my TPT store to download this practice activity! It is bound to make you and your students think "spring!"

Math Mountains

My district began a new math series this past year- and the kiddos are really doing some fantastic things.  The types of problems they are able to solve in 3rd grade is incredible.  I mean really, my kiddos understand how to solve problems with variables.  I even have students who are able to read a story problem such as: 

The dance studio has 3 classes with 10 students in each class.  If all of the students were put into 5 groups, how many students would be in each group? (ok, maybe not the best problem) 

Then, they can take that problem and write an equation to solve it.  Most of their equations without any help end up looking like this:  (3 x 10) / 5 = 6. 

WOW!

Now, don't get me wrong, word problems can still stump them.  But whoever created Math Mountains was brilliant.  All of my learners, including those who really struggle, have success when they use a Math Mountain.  They only have to ask themselves "Do I have a total?" or "Do I only have addends?"  Then, once they answer those questions and fill in the math mountain they know whether or not they need to add, subtract, multiply, or divide.

Obviously they do a little more thinking than that because they need to actually determine what is going on in the problem.  I am just so impressed with this tool!

Here are the anchor charts that are posted in my classroom.  And my favorite part about these is that the kids told me word for word what to write in the middle.

Enjoy!
            

My artwork on the anchor charts reflects my current feelings on the weather. I think I have given up on our weather ever becoming normal again!  While tomorrow we are finally supposed to get up to 60 degrees, it is supposed to snow again Monday and Tuesday.  What's up with that?!?

Self Assessment and Formative Assessments

Exit tickets.  I have always loved exit tickets.  But, having time to give them and then having time to really look them over was where I always got stuck.  So this year the Post-It Note Question was born.  Have you noticed that kids will do just about anything if they can do it on a Post-It note?  At the end of each math class, I pose a problem or question on the board that relates to the day's learning target.  The kid's love it.

Recently I added another level to my exit tickets.  Nothing new (if you search Pinterest, there are a ton of ideas for student self-assessment boards), but it is very helpful.  Instead of just giving me their Post-It note, my students now have to decide on their understanding of the concept.

They decide if:

Yes I Get It!  This means that the child feels the could explain clearly how they solved the problem and that they would be comfortable teaching someone else

Almost There!  Students feel like they understand the concept- they might even get it right.  But, they sometimes still have questions or are not sure.

I Need Some More Help!  Students put their Post-It here if they really are not sure of what to do.

The kiddos have done a really nice job of thinking about how they feel in regards to the day's learning target.  They know to put their name or classroom number on the back of the note.  No one knows whose note is whose.  And while I almost always check over their answers, for the few days where time is short, I know instantly who to work with or give extra attention to the next day.  It is great!

3rd Grade Biography Project

Wow!  I am just so impressed with my kiddos biography projects this year.  They were so engaged throughout this process- many of them completed much of their project at home.  

Our unit began by studying the biographies of several famous historical people all together.  We studied Helen Keller, Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, Ruby Bridges, Jesse Owens, and many other noteworthy people.  We covered comparisons, asking questions, main idea, comparing main ideas, and sequencing.  

After 2 weeks of practicing, my students were ready to try closely reading a biography on their own.  Each student chose a book from the Who Was biography series.  (If you have never seen these biographies, check them out!  They are absolutely perfect for 3rd grade, and the kids LOVE them!)  Finally, the students were asked to complete a final project.  

We just finished all 24 presentations today and, boy, were they phenomenal!  Not only did EVERY student talk clearly in complete sentences, but they were also able to answer questions with details and added explanations.  I think I could have cried- I was so proud of them.  A celebration is in order tomorrow!

Take a sneak peak at some of their brilliant presentations:

The above activities as well as descriptions of 6 final project options are available on TPT.  And, for the remainder of today and all of tomorrow the 3rd Grade Biography Unit is on sale!  $4.00 will get you:

Sample 3-week plan

Worksheets and activities for an entire unit

11 classroom strategy posters

6 final projects

and a 

Final Project Rubric

This unit was created as a framework.  It is meant to be used with materials and resources of your choice.  All activities and worksheets could be used with short, one page biographies, or it could be used with a book study.

I cannot wait until next year's projects!

-Heidi

3rd Grade Biography Project

I have always been fascinated with history.  There is something about learning how others lived that is just thrilling.  That is why I am always so excited to teach a biography unit.  And, last year I stumbled upon the "Who Was" biography series.  I quickly went to Amazon and Barnes and Noble and purchased as many that I could afford.  And, as of now, I have about 30 different biographies from this series for my 3rd graders to look at.

The kids just love these books as they have a bobble head characterization of the famous historical person on the front!  So, with that in mind, I created the 3rd Grade biography project!

Last year it started with an intervention group of higher level readers.  They actually read two of these books- comparing and contrasting both people's accomplishments, looking at the obstacles they overcame, and just basic information.  In the end, they needed to present a "Living Museum," based on one of the biographies they read.  These kiddos had so much fun!  Take a quick look at some of their completed projects.

I put much more value on their presentation and what was said than I did their posters.  But, nevertheless, my students had a great time.  And they learned a lot!

For this year, I vamped up the biography project quite a bit.  I have aligned it to 7 different CCSS Reading and Speaking Standards.  And, I added a project choice board.  A little differentiation going on!

I am so excited about this project that I wanted to share it with you!  Here is a quick preview of all that you would get in my $4.00 3rd grade biography unit.  (I even added a sample 3 week unit plan/teacher guide.)  All that you would need to provide would be the biographies- one page articles or books would work for the activities in this packet!

 Visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store to see even more information regarding this unit!