Duck Tape Wallets??
The Navigators have developed a menu of ways that the students can earn money. One thing they valued a lot, was a compliment from their principal. If that happens, you can earn $15.00!! Compliments from other teachers (including me) were worth $5.00. The question was - what do we do with all the money?
I called on my friend, Haven in fifth grade for the answer.
He came to visit us and helped everyone make their own duck tape wallet.
Science Experiment
Today we worked in our science notebooks. We practiced outlining information using our notes. We also used highlighters to emphasize the important information. The students discussed the results of the experiment with a partner.
Rainy Day Recess
Our first week back in 2013 and no outdoor recess!! Not just for one day, but it seems like everyday. It is cold and wet and muddy. The Navigators made the best of the situation by finding fun things to do in the classroom. When I was looking around to see what everyone was up to...
I found this group in the reading area playing SCHOOL!
It was fun to see that my students love school so much that they would choose to do it during free time.
Spelling Bee Part II
And then there were two... After much confusion and excitement, the final six were told to come back to the stage because they each misspelled a word. Then they had to be sure to sit in the same order. Then there were three... Now, it was between Avery, a third grader and Lily, a fourth grader. I cannot remember the words, but in the end Avery came in second place! What an accomplishment! The Navigators are all so excited for her spelling - her nickname is now Wordmaster!
Spelling Bee
Spelling Bee
Here they are!!! The Spelling Bee participants from our class! We are all very excited and
cannot wait until Friday. I hope you two are studying hard!
2013!
The Navigators are back and hard at work! We have our new goals and our new motto and are ready to work! Don't forget to read your WIKI to find out information about the planner we are currently working on. The big excitement is the upcoming Science Fair. Every third grade student will participate. All information can be found in your science packet. I emailed a PDF file to everyone.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Let's Work as a Team in 2013!
This is the motto that the Navigators decided upon for this new year.
We worked on creating individual goals for ourselves as well.
**I am good at spelling but I still want to practice my silent sounds.
**I want to remember what I read and comprehend better.
**I want to get better at finding the main idea of a story.
**I want to get better at fluency because sometimes I don't understand what I read or i don't read smoothly.
**I want to better at being a risk-taker.
Last Day of 2012!
The last day! Lots of friends brought treats to share with the whole class. Isaac showed up with a roll of NECCOs for everyone! I especially enjoyed mine of course. Emilie mad a card for everyone and Andrea had holiday lollipops. It was free dress day and electronic day. Who could ask for anything more. We had a great day enjoying each other's company for the last time in 2012!!
Winter Wonderland
On the last day before our holiday break, Ms. Patin asked the parents to watch our classes while we went to a morning meeting. The meeting was actually a lovely breakfast with gifts!! The Navigators were busy creating their own gift for Ms. Patin. They colored these lovely ornaments and then sneaked down to her office to decorate her trees. When she came back from the meeting she was very surprised and wondered what secret elf had sneaked into her office to give such a wonderful treat.
Holiday Party
Thank you parents for an amazing holiday party!! Our room was filled with good cheer. There was the make a snowman out of marshmallows, build a snowflake (with glitter), making a cookie with sweet treats and painting with our hands! What could be better? When you were done you could have a cookie with hot chocolate! It was a very exciting party and we enjoyed all the crafts and treats!.
Creating a Product
As we continue our lines of inquiry in Economics, we have discovered you must have a
product or service that someone wants. One way to create a demand is to advertise and offer discounts.
The Navigators invented some very interesting products.
We have the Lovey Dovey - a personalized heart for any occasion.
The Pop-o-Roma of different characters.
Bracelets, necklaces, carpets and statues! We even had pinatas.
Our Gifts to the World
The Navigators spent some time today thinking about others in the world.
Here are some of the gifts we would like to give:
- My wish to the world is that everyone have what they want/need to celebrate their winter holiday so they will be happy.
- If I could give one present to the world it would be joy.
- My wish for the world is for everyone to be friends. I want to come to school and hear friends laughing together and friends helping each other.
- My wish to the world is that everyone have food and water.
- If I were to give a wish or gift to the world it would be this: no rich or no poor, no war, just peace.
Geometric Trees
Today we tried something a little different in math.
We used polygons to create a tree! Next, we graphed the results.
We named the polygon and then drew a bar to represent how many we used when creating our tree.
Assembly Lines in Action
Watch The Navigators as they measure, cut and weave to create their own version of a rug!
Assembly Line
After weaving one rug, we determined that an assembly line may be more productive. We broke into groups and determined who was a master at measuring, cutting or weaving and then we got to work. It was fun to see the groups trying to figure out where the human resources should be used to their advantage.
In the end, we produced many more rugs in twenty minutes as an assembly line than we did as individual artisans. In conclusion we decided if we create more supply we can generate more income.
Making Rugs Part I
Here is what happened when we attempted to weave the rugs as individuals. We had to become masters at all aspects such as measuring, cutting, weaving and gluing After twenty minutes, we only had one rug to show for all our hard work. We realized that creating a one of a kind rug can be very expensive.
Like the main character in The Goat in the Rug, it takes a lot of effort to weave one rug!
Goat In the Rug
We were inspired by the main character in The Goat in the Rug; to try our hand at
weaving a paper rug. First we needed to decide which capital resources were needed. Next,
we had to learn the steps to create rug and finally we gave it a go. After 20 minutes we each made one rug.
The Navigators realized that they were not experts like Glenmae.
We wondered what would happen if we made rugs on an assembly line. That way the people (human resources) that were good at cutting could cut and the people who were good at weaving could weave. What would happen...
It's almost Field Day time!!
Here we are busily creating our banner for Field Day! The Mysterious Meteorites are very excited!
Sculptures
Here are some of the results! They look fantastic.
It was interesting to watch how everyone did the activity in their own unique way.
Art A La Carte
Finally!! The day has come and we are off to Kegg's Candies. The Navigators worked on budgets and provided services in order to generate income to be spent at the factory. We agreed on a sum of $5.45 (that's five dollars plus tax). Everyone had to review the cost of the products in order to afford what they wanted. Doran knew exactly what he wanted and he was in and out of the store in record time. (He purchased a huge lollipop.) The rest of us took some time to figure out what it is we wanted and if we had enough money to purchase it.
Student Led Conferences
Wow, I was very impressed with the knowledge The Navigators were sharing with their parents. I love listening to my students speak so proudly of the work they have done! Together we created an agenda of what we felt were the most important items to share with our parents. I think everyone did a great job! Remember if you missed this important event you can always schedule for another time.
How We Organize Ourselves
Our new planner begins the first week of December. We will be exploring economic systems. Our first objective is to gain an understanding of the difference between needs and wants and how this can affect our spending. Next, we took a look at how you earn money in order to obtain something you need or want. This led to a budget creating exercise. Our goal is develop a service that you need or want in order to generate income to spend on our field trip to Kegg's Chocolate Factory!
Kindness Bucket
Mrs. Rawson joined me to complete a fun kindness activity with The Navigators. As you know,
we have been working hard to fill each other's kindness buckets by doing and saying nice things.
Today we each wrote our name on a paper plate and then that paper plate went on an expedition!
It moved from student to student, table to table until it ended up where it started.
Along the way, students wrote a kind word or message to each of their friends.
When the paper plate returned, it had 24 messages to fill up their kindness bucket!
Water Experiment Day
Well, this has to be one of the most exciting days of third grade! All day long we experimented with water. The Navigators traveled to every third grade class and completed a different experiment in each room. All information was recorded in our science journals. You will have to ask your child to share that information during student led conferences. I know I learned a lot about clouds. Which clouds produce precipitation and which clouds produce thunderstorms.
*REMINDER: Click on the picture to enlarge.
Story Book Parade
The Navigators showed up at school today with their favorite book! I, of course, had props
for our favorite story, Toys Go Out. We had a great time walking around the new track
and admiring everyone's costumes and props.
Waterworks Educational Center
Learning about water and the amount of water that is distributed around the world.
Water Works Field Trip
Wow, we went on quite an adventure today! Our hard work learning about water paid off today when we went to the Waterworks Educational Center. The Navigators were very knowledgeable about the percentages of salt and fresh water, and what we need to do to conserve water. We took a trip through a water filtration system as we searched for answers to questions. It was quite interesting to be able to walk through the process that we have been reading about.
Water Facts
The Navigators have been researching information about water. We worked together in cooperative groups to answer questions that we have been wondering about. For example: How much water is in our bodies? How much water is in the world? That lead to an indepth discussion about how much water can we actually use? Next we explored the water cycle. Did you know that the water we are using now - dinosaurs used too!!
Water Keys
We have been exploring water using the eight key concepts. We answered questions such as: What is it like? How does it work? How do I know? How is it changing? Why is it like it is? and What is our responsibility? I love that all the Navigators understood that it was their responsibility to conserve water after learning how little is available to use.
Election Day
November 6th was a very important day in our classroom! Students were able to place a vote for the president of their choice! The Navigators studied the accomplishments of both candidates in order to decide who would best run our country. After many debates and discussions.... the day arrived!! The online student voting program allowed each student to enter into the computer
their choice for president. It was a very exciting moment!
Mark Twain Elementary chose President Obama by a huge margin.
Kids Meals
November is the time to think about giving to others. Mark Twain did just that by participating in the Kids Meals Food Drive. Third Grade was asked to help make it happen! The Navigators job was to let everyone know that it was happening and how important it is to contribute to your community. The students made enticing posters and placed them around the school to keep everyone informed. They also designed a poster to decorate the donation table in the front rotunda.
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