The Days of Our (Third Grade) Lives

Heavenly Father, On this Memorial Day, we pray for those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. May the example of their sacrifice inspire in us the selfless love of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Bless the families of our fallen troops, and fill their homes and their lives with your strength and peace. In union with people of goodwill of every nation, embolden us to answer the call to work for peace and justice, and thus, seek an end to violence and conflict around the globe. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen ~from the Archdiocese of Detroit http://www.aod.org/Being-Catholic/Prayer-and-Worship/Prayers/Memorial-Day-Prayer/

The Third Graders did a phenomenal job performing at the Spring Concert after our Memorial Day Prayer Service.  Decked out in red, white, and blue, Grade Three performed a number of songs showcasing their singing and instrumental talents.  I even got to join in on the fun as a guest performer!

We said good-bye to Hamlet...and Queen Gertrude...and King Claudius...and Lady Ophelia...and Polonius...and Laertes...and Rosencrantz...and Guildenstern...as we finished a young readers' adaptation of Shakespeare's tragic tale (with the help of Stick Figure Theatre). As we read about Prince Hamlet's trials and tribulations, we continued to delve into the theme of vengeance and how revenge leads to more suffering.  Because Hamlet said "yes" to his father's commandment, he turned away from God's commandment:  Thou shalt not kill.  These tragic events could have been thwarted if Hamlet found forgiveness in his heart, and more than just Horatio and Prince Fortinbras would still be standing. On to A Midsummer Night's Dream ! .

Congratulations to Grade Three for earning their THIRD Link Party!  We had cupcakes and drinks and watched Super Buddies .  Third Graders earned links by working together as a team.  Lining up silently, modeling good behavior for other students, working quietly during seatwork, and turning in homework on time were all ways that their third link chain grew until it hit the ground.  Way to go!

...and that's just what they did.  We had a beautiful day for the Walk-a-Thon.  The Third Graders had a great time walking and raising money for our school.  We finished it up with a popsicle followed by Recess, Lunch, and our THIRD Link Party!

Today, Grade Three worked in small groups to practice multiplication facts in anticipation of our contest with Grade Four.  Each group worked on building a multiplication fence using popsicle sticks which had factors and products.  They rocketed high to shoot for the products in the sky by matching multiplication facts (rockets) with their answers (stars).  Then they caught crabs by picking up the answers to multiplication flash cards.  Other groups used cups to match multiplication and division problems with their products and quotients.  One center had students trying to get the correct answer first with multiplication flash cards including all the tables, 0-12.  Third Graders fixed broken hearts by knowing how to match products and quotients.

In Science today, the Third Graders explored the role that air plays in enabling a sound vibration to travel. In our hands-on activity, students created a model of sound vibration traveling from a speaker to a windshield.

It might crack up! That was just one of the jokes found on popsicle sticks after the Third Graders enjoyed their cold treats from Mrs. MacDonough on this warm spring day!  Thank you, Mrs. MacDonough!

Today in Science, the Third Graders built paper cup telephones to investigate the connection between sounds and vibration.  Each student connected his or her telephone to another student's telephone to communicate with one another from about 12 feet away.  Students took turns to be the "Voice" and "Ears."  The "Voice" would talk into the telephone and say a mystery number between 1 and 5.  The "Ears" listened through the cup and held up fingers to represent the mystery number that was heard.  The "Voice" then affirmed or corrected the "Ears."  It sure sounded  like a fun time!

Happy Mother's Day to you and your entire family!  Thank you so much for the honor of working with your beautiful children.  I am so blessed to be a small part of their lives.  May your day be full of laughter and love!

Shrewsbury Electric Light and Cable Operations (SELCO) treated Grade Three to a wonderful morning!  After our bus dropped us off at SELCO, we went to several different stations where we learned about electricity, electrical safety, energy conservation, and the magic of green screen.  The Third Graders even received a delicious popcorn snack and goody bags!

Happy May!  Grade Three composed beautiful April poems last month and wrote them on rain drops. These "April Showers" brought the "May Flowers."  With just the instruction of making a flower with construction paper, the Third Graders went above and beyond to create such a beautiful garden of imagination!