Prior to vacation we really enjoyed Wheelock Reads Week. Our visiting author, Suzy Kline, was amazing. We learned about her "story seed" ideas. Students got their own tiny story seed notebooks so they can write down any story ideas they come across. She uses many things in her own life in her stories. Harry is named after her dad. She gave her fear of heights to Harry and she shared her experience on the Tower of Terror. In her story, she called it the "Drop of Doom"! Even her one -eyed cat was an inspiration for a story.
We also read at the "beach" that week. It is so relaxing to listen to ocean waves as you sit reading! We had 2 Mystery Readers... Mrs. Myers and Ms. Leblanc. So fun!
SCIENCE!
The scientists in Room 102 have been so BUSY. First off, we had to help Ug and Grock with several problems. We designed a lever, a wheel and axle, a pulley, and an inclined plane! These are 4 examples of simple machines!
Students also worked at home to create their own version of a lever... a CATAPULT. Catapults have been around for thousands of years. They were used in feudal times as a way of attacking enemies. The class catapult launching was a HUGE success. All 23 catapults were able to launch a marshmallow. Sienna represented our class just before vacation. Her catapult launched a marshmallow more than 60 feet! A-ma-zing!
SOCIAL STUDIES
We were lucky to have a visit last week from the Bay Colony Educators. Tim and Carol have been visiting Wheelock School for 25 years talking to third graders about life in colonial times. They dress in period clothing and explain what life was like in Medfield in 1750. It was much different! Work, play, chores, food, clothing, and school... we learned that life in 1750 was not easy.
Did you know...
- once you lost your first baby tooth, you were considered a grown up?
- if you were left handed, you didn't go to school?
- embarrassment was large part of colonial punishment?
- laws in colonial America were very strict?
- baths were taken only 2 or three times a year?
- making soap was a job that took all day?
- a man's best feature was his leg?
We are NOW starting to learn about the events that led up to the American Revolution. We learned that a REVOLUTION is when a battle is fought to replace one government with another. The first battles of the revolution were fought right here in Massachusetts!
Today MAY 4th - we finished CURSIVE WRITING! All letters have been completed! We will be reviewing and using cursive MORE and MORE. After Math MCAS, we will start taking our spelling tests in cursive!
READ ALOUDS
This class loves read alouds. They moan and groan each day when I stop reading to head to our specials! We finished A Cricket in Times Square. Several students have picked up other books in the series such as Tucker's Countryside. We are currently reading Poppy by Avi. How can you not cheer for this tiny deer mouse?
Upcoming Dates:
May 8 & 9 th - MCAS (Math)
May 12th - 1/2 day Professional Development
May 19th - Museum of Science visits Grade 3
May 24th - Family Literacy Night
June 1st - Wheelock Arts Night Agenda
June 14th - Field Day
June 16th - V.I.P. Museum
June 19th - Transition Day
June 20th - 1/2 day... last day of school
