NOW..... It's time for science!
We have been warming up our science brains for the spring semester. We have reviewed the scientific process, along with a study of matter. We are also reviewing life cycles, and learning a few new cycles that explain earth's patterns.
February 19, 2017
Exploring the World
Imagine the world 600 years ago... Well, that's a tricky one for students only 8-9 years of age who've only begun to experience the modern world! It's even hard for adults to imagine. Yet, the students are intrigued by the research we are conducting to learn more about 4 explorers that made significant contributions to the development of the world as it is today.
We only focused on 4 explorers (Columbus, Ponce de Leon, Cartier and Newport) but your child might be interested in learning more about how other brave explorers were able to take all sorts of expeditions around the globe.
Our study of European Explorers has completed our Social Studies units for the year!
They just don't make 'em like they used to!
That's for sure, when it comes to assessments, quizzes and tests.
The task that the students completed on our study of explorers was not your run-of-the-mill test. Instead, it was a sorting task that required personal space, scissors, a highlighter, glue and a great deal of problem-solving. Each student was busy matching fictional letters written by one of the explorers to a map of the explorers sea route, followed by writing as much as possible about each of the explorers. These assessments are scored using a rubric, and these scores are collected by Albemarle County.
This is one of several tasks that replace the former Social Studies and Science SOL online tests.
January 17, 2017
Ancient Mali
The third
graders have been studying Ancient Mali.
We have located both the current Mali and the area of Ancient Mali on
the continent of Africa. We know that griots (storytellers of that time) were
responsible for sharing songs, stories and traditions with the next generation.
Both salt and gold were valuable resources used for trading throughout West
Africa. Because of Mali’s location, it became a wealthy empire ruled by great
kings such as Sundiata and Mansa Musa. Caravans of camels helped traders make
the long difficult journeys across the Sahara Desert and beyond. The children
are becoming skilled at comparing the resources and contributions of Ancient
Greece, Rome and Mali.
You might enjoy reading this selection: Sundiata "The Lion King of Mali" by David Wisniewski
December 9, 2016
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help tie togas in the morning, serve and clean up the feast in the afternoon, and to all of the parents who sent in all of the delicious food for the students to sample. Toga Day is always one of our best days in 3rd grade! The students had a great time trying lots of different activities. Be sure you ask them about their day.
Ancient Greece and Rome
During the
month of December, the 3rd grade classes have been
studying ancient civilizations. We began with Ancient Greece, followed by a comparison of Ancient Greece to
Ancient Rome. Lastly, we will study
Ancient Mali, in January. We will begin by focusing
on a timeline and a map to help to build basic concepts of history and events
through time, past to present. This has
been a favorite topic of 3rd graders for years!
What contributions did ancient civilizations make to our
modern society?
Art, architecture, government (and sports)Creative Civilizations Projects
The
students in our class worked in small groups to create their own
civilization based on several attributes: a staple food crop, the
climate and environment, plants and animals, etc.... Then they planned
ways to create goods and services, develop an economy, an alphabet,
number or system for time, etc.... The projects were presented to the
class with an accompanying song, poem or skit. We were thoroughly
entertained!
November 6, 2016
The Marketplace!
Take a look at some of the moments captured during our class market place...
ECONOMICS
Our current study of economics includes a series
of videos entitled “ECON and ME.” The
themes are economic choices, scarcity, opportunity cost, goods, services,
interdependence and specialization, income and saving.
Students will have the opportunity to apply
their understanding of these concepts when we set up an economic system.
Students will receive an “income” and make choices based
on their need for goods and services. They will also have the option to save
their income. We will call this the
“market place.”
If you must choose between two things, what is your opportunity cost?
Oct. 9, 2016
Maps and Globes
We are completing our unit on Reading Maps and Globes this week. Having
also just completed
activities which illustrate the wonders of diversity, we honor our own
diversity by watching an amazing video of musicians and artists from
around the world working together to provide a moving and creative
musical experience. We focus on the different people and places on
different continents that were included in this venture. The students
LOVED this video! If you'd like
to see it, go to....We will continue to refer to maps, globes, continents, oceans, hemispheres and other geographical concepts throughout the school year. These basic skills included identifying the continents and oceans, including the new Southern Ocean. Using google earth is a great way to expose your child to our current place on earth. Which hemisphere do we live in? Which continent? What is the name of our country and what does it look like from space? What is the name of our state and how can you recognize it on a map? Where is Albemarle County in the state of Virginia? Where is our town? Road maps are also interesting to look at with your child. How are maps and globes similar and/or different from GPS technology? Why are the symbols on a map legend important to a map reader? Can you read the coordinates on a map?
Diversity
Each citizen of our classroom community is different
and special. We all have different interests and opinions. We have
different hobbies and pets. We are celebrating our diversity.
Citizenship and Government
In September, our social studies unit included both citizenship and
government concepts. What is the difference between rules and laws? What is government? Why are rules important? Why is it important to have a government?
We will be creating interactive notebooks for reading in
this content area and learning to take notes that will lead to study skills as
the students get older.
Sept. 3, 2016
Building a New Classroom Community
Our fall semester will focus on social studies units: Classroom Community, Citizenship and Government, Maps and Globes, Economics, Explorers, and Ancient Civilizations, etc...
Our spring semester will focus on science units: Energy, Simple Machines, Cycles, Animal Adaptations, Food Chains, and Human & Natural Influences on Environments, Aquatic and Terrestrial Environments, and Soil, etc...
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