Caterpillars Arrive in Room 213

Emma measuring the rapid growth (1 cm. a day!) of our Painted Lady butterfly caterpillars.

Writing Using Mentor Texts

I have come to believe in the importance of using a great mentor text when teaching writing. A mentor text is a published piece of writing whose idea, whose structure, or whose written craft can be analyzed and discussed as a means of inspiring their own writing. To teach the idea of narrative non-fiction, I read The Diary of a Worm. We talked about how author Doreen Cronin conveys real facts about an invertebrate (a worm) in an unlikely format (the worm's imaginary diary) and successfully shares interesting facts while using humor.  After reading the story a second time;  we stoped after each entry and discussed "What fact about worms did the author just talk or joke about?"  After then reading a short article about Mealworms we began  writing  own unlikely diaries.--"The Diary of a Mealworm"

OAA's 

Boy, did we work hard this week. We plowed our way through  the available practice O.A.A.'s for third grade in math and reading. We sang about transformations and perimeter, we played antonym and synonyms games in the computer lab and reviewed core concepts on Brain Pop videos. Our test taking strategies improved throughout the week and errors revealed which areas we needed to review.

Upper Arlington adopted Math In Focus last year to follow the new state mandated Common Core standards. However, the O.A.A. math test has not been updated to align with the new  Common Core standards.  So, we focused on the areas of geometry  and measurement which haven't been covered in Math in Focus.  I am so, so proud of the kids, they pushed themselves and persevered through stacks  of practice tests!

The reading test will be given on Tuesday  morning and the math test on Wednesday morning, both tests are two and half hours long. The kids get stretch breaks and it is the one time of year that I bring in lollipops, mints and other tart candy to keep them going.

Remember:
Be on Time (Children will not be admitted to the room after 8:30)
Make sure they are rested and have eaten a good breakfast

2nd graders will be working in Miss Rodriguz's classroom during OAA testing.

 

Hastings Orchestra Visit

Thursday, Hastings 8th grade orchestra visited to perform a side-by-side concert with our 4th and 5th grade string students.  3rd graders will soon have an opportunity to experience the string instruments,  meet with Mr. King, our orchestra teacher and  see what they have a chance to participate in next year.