Preparing for the STAAR

All this week, students have been engaging in different activities to help prepare them for the STAAR on Monday and Tuesday. Math and science classrooms have been "Earning their STAARS" through different review days and exit tickets. Each question that a student answers correctly earns them a star and gets them closer to earning a prize/privilege. All privileges earned will be given on Friday, May 12th!

ELA rooms have been completing "Going for Gold" passages in which students earn a colored medal (bronze, silver or gold) based on the number of questions answered. Each color of medal can earn them Dojo points and raffle tickets.

We are all so excited to see each student do their very best on the STAARs next week!

Northwest Reads

Today our students enjoyed hearing volunteers from around the community read aloud some of their favorite stories!  This district-wide event takes place at all 17 elementary schools.  The goal of the program is to provide community members with an opportunity to inspire young NISD students to become lifelong readers.

While 3rd graders are focusing on developing a love for independent reading, research also shows that reading aloud to children is extremely important.  Please see the infographic below from READALOUD.ORG for more information!

This article from Great Schools also helps to explain the importance of read alouds even as children get older.   The Hidden Benefits of Reading Aloud- Even for Older Kids! 

Please enjoy the photos below of some of our amazing volunteers for this year's event!

Thank you so much to all of our amazing Northwest Reads volunteers!

Final Products: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Third graders completed their whole class digital novel study by producing final products that were chosen from a menu based of their learning interests and needs.   Learners were challenged to be collaboritive, creative, and innovative as they completed their products.   Please take the time to view some exceptional products by clicking on the images.

Final Product Menu

Readers Theater

Book Trailer 

Interview 

Service Learning Kick Off

This week we began our Service Learning Project benefiting Keep Trophy Club Wild. 3rd graders worked diligently creating persuasive, engaging and informative letters and presentations. They were to inform other grade levels about the organization, including ways KTCW helps our local ecosystem and how their donations will help their cause. Each day for a week, starting Thursday April 6th, we will collect coins and bills as well as dress up to promote the different KTCW conservation efforts. They are excited and have set big goals! We appreciate all the support from home!

Chase's Persuasive Adobe Spark

Noah's Persuasive Animoto

Shannon's Persuasive Video

Audrey's Persuasive Google Slide

Alyssa's Persuasive Letter

Loseli's Persuasive Letter

Ashton's Persuasive Google Slide

Rovija's Persuasive Slideshow

Ella's Persuasive Slideshow

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!