Sharing The Planet: Peace See-Think-Wonder

School is in full swing and we have been progressing through our Peace and Conflict unit. Kids are thinking of many great ideas and questions related to the topic. For homework last week I gave them an assignment to do a See-Think-Wonder on a picture they found that represents what Peace is to them. The project turned out so well and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

See-Think-Wonder

 

New Classroom in Riga

Things are happy here in Riga. As I get my feet solidly on the ground I wanted to show you some before and after photos of the classroom. Stay tuned for more.

Happy 90th Birthday Grandma!

This morning we took 5 minutes to throw this together for a special woman in my life. She has been alive 90 years and has made a difference to so many people.

I love you Grandma!

 

Reduce-Reuse-Recycle Homework Project

Last week the students were tasked with creating something, anything, out of garbage. We have been discussing the powerful effect of water and how it can carry any piece of rubbish to the sea resulting in a dirty water supply for others. They came up with some fantastic projects and ideas. Check them out below.

Grade 3 Garden Update

The year is coming to a close but it seems like the garden is just starting to open! Although we are not working on the plant unit anymore, we have been going out to the garden two times a week to weed, water and observe. Many students are volunteering their recess time to be caring to the plants that we are cultivating. The flowers are blooming, the basil is ready for harvest and the beans are climbing higher and higher into the sky as they wrap around each other. Enjoy our photos!

 

Water Cycle Rap

The students have been studying the water cycle this week and many have found it quite challenging. The process is rather easy to understand but the vocabulary is very complicated. It is not as important that the students know the exact terminology, but they do need a good understanding of how water moves throughout the Earth and why.

Here is a rap to help them gain knowledge about the water cycle.

What Kids Need To Know

Last week after watching Kid President for Video Friday I created a homework assignment for my students to go home and create a project that shares what they think kids need to know on their first day on Earth. There were some great projects and I was really proud of the time and thought that went into them. Take a look at the photos and don't forget to click on Preston's video at the bottom.

Enjoy,
 

Multiplication: Partial Products Algorithm

Dear Parents,

The way we teach math now a days is very different from when I was young. We have just recently started a unit on multiplying two-digit and three-digit numbers by a single factor. Throughout the unit I will be teaching three different algorithms or ways of solving the problems.

The first one is the partial products algorithm. This is a great way for kids to understand what multiplication actually is before learning more traditional algorithms that just have kids solve the problem and go through the motions. If you are unfamiliar with this method or the students need help with their homework this week, you can use this too.

Enjoy,
 

Video Friday: Class Favorite!

Today for Video Friday I showed another Kid President video. The message is a letter to someone who is just born teaching them about life and the important things they need to know to be a responsible, fun, kind and cool kid. You know I love Kid President but I think my kids are starting to love him even more than I do. Tell you what, share the love and pass the video on.

Plant Unit Games

Hello everyone. The plant unit is in full swing and we are learning a lot about how plants grow with the

help of technology and how we use plants in everyday life. Here are two games that the Grade 3 Team has found. The students have been enjoying them.

3rd World Farmer

Extinct! Are You Smarter Than a Plant?