Week in Review: November 16-20

This week in language arts, we practiced our research and note-taking skills to learn more about Japan.

We finished up our Google drawings about Japan and they are proudly on display in the classroom.

We also learned about a variety of non-fiction text features and how they can help us find specific information in informational books. After Thanksgiving, we will begin researching in depth for our PBL on habitat destruction.

Browsing through non-fiction books to see what they notice about text features.

A fun Kahoot review on non-fiction text features. Thanks to Ms. Ford for creating the review!

In math, we are continuing with multiplication and division, and will begin studying fractions after the break.  Fractions can be challenging for third graders, but I always do a lot of hands on activities to help them better grasp the big concepts.

Division practice games

Students enjoyed social studies this week, as we set up a mock legislative branch of government in our classroom. Students either served in the Senate, House of Representatives, or in the President's cabinet, and we role-played the passing of a bill into a law. After Thanksgiving, we will wrap up this unit on government with a quick review and quiz.

President Powell and his Cabinet

Members of the Senate

Members of the House of Representatives

Debating bills....

Time to vote!

President Powell signing a bill into law

We are almost finished with our science natural resources unit, and will have a district common assessment over that topic after the break. We have spent a lot of time discussing the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources, as well as how to conserve resources.

Our week ended with the fabulous International Children's Festival. We rotated to six different countries to learn about the cultures there: USA, Bahrain, Greece, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, and Norway.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that you have the opportunity to reflect on the things you are thankful for this year. I know that I am thankful to be at such a wonderful school, and have a class of such great kids! Thank you for sharing your children with me each day. I look forward to seeing them again on Monday November 30.