Grade 3

This past week in the library, Third and Second Graders have been enriching their reading comprehension skills through questions based on the book we recently read together, Benvenuto by Seymour Reit.  During class, we worked together to recall many details and themes that stem from the text, which tells the story of a dragon lovingly adopted by a human family. Students practiced sequencing, fact recall and teamwork as they navigated the challenge! We concluded with book browsing and checkout. Happy Reading

The third grade insect unit is winding to an end this week in Science.  Over the past few weeks students have observed insects out in nature, “raised” mealworms in the classroom, learned about complete and incomplete insect metamorphosis and learned the parts of an insect by setting the words to the tune of “Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes”. (“Head, Thorax, Abdomen”) They wrote about imaginary insects and then recreated their insect’s metamorphosis using modeling clay and pipe cleaners. They had fun and did a great job!

Below are pictures of students collecting and sketching insects:

Last year the current third graders were given small plot of earth in the lower school science garden for their very own use. They were allowed to plant what they wanted and were encouraged to tend their mini gardens during recess. Even with no tending or watering over the summer, plants grew! Students went out today to poke through the weeds. They discovered tiny cucumbers, kale, teeny gourds, beets, beans, peas and flowers. While whatever vegetables students grow in the main garden are donated to Thanksgiving Soup, they are allowed to take home whatever grows in their own mini gardens.

Some students were overjoyed and surprised by all they found growing. But some students were disappointed about seeds that never grew. We talked as a class about the nature of gardening and farming and that we can’t always control what Mother Nature gives us. For the few students who didn’t have anything to harvest, friends jumped in and invited them to join in their bounty. This was also true for our three new third graders. These new friends will soon have plots of their own – I’m building them this weekend!

(Not all students are pictured here. Some students had items that weren’t ready to pick. They will later have the option of getting their harvests documented!)