The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Digital Notebooks

Once there lived a china rabbit named Edward Tulane. The rabbit couldn't move or speak, but he could watch and listen, and he was very pleased with himself and his owner and his house. And then, one day, he was lost. 

Third graders have been participating in a whole class novel study the last two weeks. I'm sure that you have heard much about our beloved character, Edward. It has been quite the journey and your children are enjoying it with him.

The purpose of this class novel is to expose children to the depths of character and the changes they make over a period of time. In addition, there are many other elements that we are able to focus on such as; plot, themes, perspectives, ethics, patterns, vocabulary and etc. To challenge students in this way we created a digital notebook so that each child could track their thinking as we read the text. We embedded higher level questions and technology to get students thinking beyond the surface about Edward's miraculous journey.

Click on a notebook below to check out student work!
Audrey's Digital Notebook Alyssa's Digital Notebook 
Katherine's Digital Notebook

Students were also given an extension menu that would allow them to show their understanding of the text in different ways. Here's an example of an extension project!
Lavanya's Intriguing Word Wall   Extension Menu 

It is in this way that your child has developed a love of this novel. Unfortunately, it will be coming to and end next week. However, we are excited to begin creating our final projects over the novel! Students will be given a project menu that they can choose from based on interests that encompasses the journey of Edward. Until that time comes, please take a couple of minutes to see how third graders have been utilizing their digital notebooks and extension menu that has allowed them to get creative with each chapter they have read.

Keep Trophy Club Wild

This week we kicked off our service learning project working closely with Keep Trophy Club Wild. Keep Trophy Club Wild is a volunteer organization that works to conserve our natural ecosystem. 3^rd Grade’s service learning project is working to raise money and awareness for the conservation efforts of Keep Trophy Club Wild. Each class will raise awareness for a particular plant or animal related to Trophy Club. The following are the topics we will be addressing with each grade level.

Kindergarten- Deer

1^st Grade- Blue birds

2^nd Grade- Butterflies

3^rd Grade- Native plants

4^th Grade- Coyote

5^th Grade- Bobcats

Here are a few pictures from our presentation this week. Please save all of your loose change for our coin drive to help support Keep Trophy Club Wild!

Field Trip to UNT's Elm Fork!

This week (and some last week), 3rd Graders visited UNT's Environmental Science field trip titled, Elm Fork! Students had a wonderful time exploring a variety of exhibits focusing on various aspects of Science in our community.

Exhibits:

Science and Math Exploration 

 Henry learns the amount of exerted energy that is required to light a light bulb. Jack tries to create a design with limited pieces. 

Artifact Dig!

Mrs. Stovall's class observes found artifacts.  How do these artifacts inform us about the community we found?

Invertebrate Hunt!

Mrs. Schemmel's class discussing features of an invertebrate.

A UNT student shares helpful tips to finding invertebrates in the pond.

 Students working together to safely gather invertebrates in their buckets.

Texas Wildlife Scavenger Hunt

Mrs. Hawbaker's class worked in groups to find characteristics of various wildlife found in North Texas.

 

Mrs. Stovall's class after their scavenger hunt! 

Fresh Water in North Texas

Students look at a giant map, that shows how water gathers throughout North Texas.

 Until next time!

Plant Life Cycles

Each year, the students focus on the life cycles of different organisms. Our focus this year will be on the life cycle of a tomato plant. This week. each class got to begin their tomato plant by planting seeds. Each student got their own seeds and will be documenting the growth and changes they notice in their plants over the next few week.

Many students will be documenting these changes using google slides. They will be including real photos of their plants and recording the changes they see as notes. You child can access their tomato diary through their teacher's google classroom. I highly encourage you to check it out and watch our little plants grow! Below is an example of a student's diary thus far.

At the end of the year, students will be bringing their plants home. In past years, some students planted their tomato plant in their yards and have been able to enjoy some delicious cherry tomatoes from them!

Be sure to ask your child about how their tomato plant is doing and check out their diaries!