Halloween Fun!

Take a look below to check out the fabulous Halloween costumes. The kids had a great time parading around the school, playing games, and munching on some delicious Halloween themed snacks. Thanks to all the parents who volunteered and sent in donations to make this a spooktacular time!

Yummy Explanatory Writing

The third graders have been working on explanatory writing in language class. We have read examples of and proofread this type of writing. I also modeled the importance of being exact, using time order words, and space order words with a fun peanut butter and jelly sandwich activity. Then the students worked together to write pieces of explanatory writing about making smores. The students used the the materials at their desks to make sure they were giving the correct steps to make this tasty treat. The writing turned out fantastic, and the pictures make me hungry. Take a look below to check out the fun we had. You can see examples of this writing on a bulletin board in the third grade hallway.

Bargersville Community Fire Department

The Bargersville Community Fire Department visited our school this week to talk with us about fire safety. Students enjoyed listening and sharing their knowledge of safety during a fire. The third graders also had the opportunity to see a fireman in full gear and take a look at the fire trucks. All the students were able to climb inside and look around a real fire engine.

Several of the topics that the firemen encouraged the students to talk with you about are:
1. Having a meeting place that everyone knows about in case of a fire
2. Checking your smoke detectors to see that you have enough that are working properly
3. Knowing two exits out of your room in case of a fire
4. Knowing to exit your house immediately if there is a fire

A fireman with the Jaws of Life

Logan heading up into the truck


Brodie carefully stepping out of the fire engine

A fireman explaining who sits where in the truck

Looking at all the tools the truck carries to a fire

Answering questions about fire safety

In full gear to show kids that they should not be scared

Science Time

Sorry for the lack of posts! The elbow is healing nicely so I am able to type better, faster, and without pain.

I thought an update on our science studies might be fun. The students are excited this year to start this new "big" third grade subject. We are working with Discover Science. It is a new online science program that our school system has adopted. There are articles, books, videos, and virtual labs all done through the computer and the projector in our classroom.

Students have been working on plants for the past few weeks. We started our unit with a "catch your attention" experiment. We placed a white carnation in blue food coloring and used our observations and prior knowledge to predict why the carnation turned blue.

Then, we learned about the parts of the plant and their jobs. We studied the basic needs of a plant and the process of photosynthesis. Students also completed a virtual lab to answer the question- What amount and types of soil, water, and light would produce the best and biggest tomato plants? The students learned about a fair test, changing one variable at a time, and creating a hypothesis. For the first virtual lab of the year, the students listened, participated, and did a good job.

Finally we recorded all of our data and findings in personal science notebooks. You may see these notebooks come home during test and quiz time throughout the year. Take a look below at a few pictures of our science studies.

Kendall and Gage checking out the science notebook

Flip book glued into the notebook showing and explaining the parts of a plant and their jobs. (Student produced)

Pictures, observations, and predictions of the flower in blue food coloring. We will return to this at the end of our studies to answer the question-Why did the flower turn blue? We can use what we have learned now instead of just guessing.

Anthony holding our experiment flower

Close-up picture of our blue carnation

The Stars of the Show!!!

Welcome to "Mrs. Stone and Mrs. Small: The Sequel." We are excited to be the directors of this new, totally cool school year. Let us assure you that this year's third grade feature presentation will be even bigger, better, and more educational than last year.

We are looking forward to experiencing more interesting books, harder skills, more involved math, new hands-on science, lots of creative writing, and a few fact-filled social studies projects with your child. We also hope to encourage and watch your child develop his/her personality and strengthen relationships with peers and adults in the school building. Please check in on this blog throughout the year to get a behind the scenes look at our "actors" participating in their starring roles in the classrooms.

Look below to check out our movie star photos from the first day of school!!!