Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit with an amazing author, Kate Messner! She is an author of many children's and young adult books. We have been reading her books in class from the series Ranger in Time. We read Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail and we are currently reading Ranger in Time: Danger in Ancient Rome. We were able to Skype with her, thanks to Mrs. Baldwin! She set up the whole Skpye session for us. Ms. Messner told us all about her writing process and discussed how an author works with illustrators, editors, and publishers. The kids were able to ask her several questions as well. She even read aloud the first chapter of her newest book, Ranger in Time: Long Road to Freedom, that won't even be released until December 29th! We are so lucky!! It was a great experience! Ask your kids about it!
Take a look at her website to learn more about her and her books!
Last week we learned about author's purpose. Today, to reinforce our learning...and to have a little fun, we created stop motion videos!
First, we learned that authors write to persuade, inform, or entertain readers.
The kids were paired up and drew an author's purpose note from a bag. Then, the kids worked with their partner to write a story or article that went with the chosen author's purpose.
Finally, the groups created a stop motion video using backgrounds and props that they created. They also used little Lego characters to complete their videos. After creating the video, they recorded the stories they wrote.
For our first attempt at creating videos, everyone did a great job!
Check out our videos for Mrs. Wagner's Homeroom Class!
Can you guess what the author's purpose is for each video?
Mohammad and Jadyn
Gabby and Krislyn
Emmanuel, Avery, Daniela
Elijah and Melody
Camila and Linn
Avery and Samuel
Amani and Bella
Here are the videos for Ms. Bilodeau's Homeroom class!
Next week we will be taking a look at nonfiction text features and using them to help us find information.
Take a look at this short video that goes over each text feature. Watch it to the end to take a short quiz! (At the end of the video you will click on the play button again to advance to the quiz.)
This week we learned how to find the main idea of a text.
We learned that we need to...
*Pay attention to the title, headings, and pictures *Look at the first sentence or the last sentence...sometimes the main idea is stated there *Pay attention to the details...sometimes the details that are repeated will give you a clue about the main idea *Remember that main idea is the big idea...what the selection is mostly about, NOT just one detail or event from the story
To practice this, we used main idea bags. Each bag had some details. The students had to look at all the details and decide what the main idea would be!
I created this video to show you the reading strategies that we are using on all of our assignments and homework. I go over the basic strategies and show a couple of examples from a reading passage. Take a look!
Here's our strategy sheet. Click the link to print out your own copy!
This week we will be learning about how to find the main idea of the text. Check out these fun videos that talk about main idea!
Here's what you need to know to help you find the main idea!
You can practice finding the main idea at home! After you finish reading a book, print out this page and complete the hamburger main idea! Just click on the link to download a copy. (If you don't have a printer at home...come see me and I will give you a copy!)
Next week is Red Ribbon Week! Take a look at the activities planned for each day of the week. You can dress up and participate in a poster contest! (Click the links to download and print your own copy.)
Next week we will start the 2nd nine weeks. I have added most of our words for the 2nd nine weeks to a new list on Spelling City. You can get started on learning the words by clicking the link below and playing the Spelling City games! Have Fun!!
Next week we will also be learning about subjects and predicates. Click the link below to take a look at this video that describes subjects and predicates. Watch it all the way to the end to take a short quiz!
Yesterday all the third graders were given their very own dictionaries to keep! The Rotary Club of Rosenberg was kind enough to donate the dictionaries and present them to the students yesterday. What a great gift!
We had another very busy week full of learning and a little fun! This week was the book fair. Our class volunteered to help out with the younger classes. (Third graders are finally the "big kids" and get to help others!) We made several trips to the library to help Pre-K, Kinder, and 1st grade write down their book choices. I was so proud of your kids! They were so patient and helpful!
This week we also used our ActivExpressions to vote on answers and text in our own words and answers during the lesson. This is super fun! Ask your child all about it!
In reading we were learning about sequence and summary. Our strategy for summary questions is to take notes and find an answer choice that has B, M, E!
In writing we are working on finalizing the body of our essays and we learned how to write a great introduction. Next week we will learn how to add the conclusion and begin fixing it up for a final draft!
It was a busy week, but it was full of learning. Your kids are working SO HARD!
