Our "Poet-Tree" is Growing!!

In Writer's Workshop, we are writing poetry. Students are publishing some if their favorite poems by cut out leaves, writing poems on the tree and then stapling the poems to our "Poet-Tree!"

Happy 100th Day!

We had such a fun day!! Everyone dressed up like we were 100 years old. The day was filled with fun reading, writing and math activities focused on 100!! We ended the day eating frosted cookies decorated with the number 100 and popping 100 balloons!!!

Polar Bears and Measurement Conversions!

BRRRRR!!!! It is chilly outside here in Indiana!!  The snow outside our classroom window is the perfect backdrop to learn more about polar animals. Below is a fun activity to teach students about polar bears, measurement, and measurement conversions all at the same time!!  We talked about how large a polar bear's paw is--18"x 12"!!!  Each student made a polar bear paw drawn to scale  After looking at our polar bear paws, we estimated the distance to different places in our building.  After we measured the exact distance {by walking our polar bear paws down the hallway! :)}, we could make measurement conversions.  Each polar bear is a half yard in length.  This made it easy to convert "polar bear paws" to yards, feet, and inches.  The students did a great job!!

We confirmed that two polar bear paws measure approximately one yard.

Measuring the distance to the office from our classroom.

                                         

                                              Recording our Measurement  Conversions


                                                       

After our measurement conversions, we also took a closer look at how blubber keeps polar animals warm! This is a simple, yet effective way to show students how blubber keeps animals warm in cold climates.  The first dish is empty.  The second dish is filled with cotton balls and 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.  We placed both cups in the freezer for 20 minutes.  After we took the cups out, the cup filled with cotton balls was almost 30

degrees warmer!! Amazing!!  We talked about how the cotton balls act like blubber to lock in warm air!  

Polar Bear Fact Craft!

Polar Bear Mosaics!

We have had so much fun learning about these amazing animals!! Click below to purchase more activities about polar bears and other arctic animals.   

Click Here to Purchase!! 

Click Here to Purchase! 

ENERGY!

As a STEM school this year, we have many different science opportunities.  This month in third grade, we are learning about energy.  In the pictures below, our STEM coach, Mr. Barkey demonstrates how sound energy travels by making a "telephone" out of cups.  As you can see below, a group of four students joined the telephone and whispered messages to one another.  It was fun for students to experiment with the difference between plastic cups, Styrofoam cups, and tin cans!  He had lots of fun activities to demonstrate all kinds of energy.  It was a great kick off to our unit!! 

Rudolph With Your Nose SO Bright!!

This bulletin board is definitely my favorite one of the entire year!!  I got the idea from my incredibly talented and creative friend, Erin. :)  This board is so easy, but the students remember it year after year!! Simply buy a strand of the red lights.  I like to use the bigger bulb lights.  I bought mine at Lowe's.  Tape the strand to the bulletin board.  Next, make any Rudolph craft that you have, but cut out a circle for the nose.  Staple the Rudolph face onto the bulletin board around the red light!  They are so fun! :)

We are Thankful

We have been so busy in Mrs. Patton's classroom!  We started the month by learning about facts from the first Thanksgiving.  

The students also participated in a "Disguise a Turkey"  project.  They did a great job!!!  The turkey below holds a special place in my heart.....this student disguised his turkey as my husband, Joe.  Hahaha!!  He did not tell me he was doing this, so it came as a complete surprise!!  Joe loves to hunt, as you can see!!  This still just makes me laugh! :)

We concluded the month by thinking about what WE are Thankful for.  The students all concurred that we are very thankful for our family and friends, and the men and women who serve in the armed forces!  One of the students in our class has a cousin who is currently serving in Afghanistan.  We made him the letters below, and we are so hoping they arrive for Christmas!  

We WANT YOU! To get out and VOTE!!

What  a fun day we have had getting ready for Election day tomorrow!!  We made Uncle Sam hats to help us as we worked on Election Vocabulary, ABC order and syllables!!  Mrs. Patton's class is excited about tomorrow!!  :)  

Click Here for more Election Day fun!