Non-fiction Wonder Projects

Before vacation we finished our non-fiction writing projects. Check out the video that we made with Mrs. Robertson to document our steps in the writing process. Our books will be coming home this week for you to see! 

Once you open the link, look for Mrs. Watson's class!  

Wonder Projects

Read Across America!

We  did it!  We read all the way across America!  Our class came in 2nd place in the Readathon and we ALL won $5.00 gift certificates to Park Street Books.  Excellent work to everyone!  Keep up the great reading! 

How Does Your Garden Grow? Fraction Fun!

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells, and cockle shells,
And pretty maids all in a row.

I have to say that when I shared this nursery rhyme, the class looked at me like I was crazy!  What has happened to nursery rhymes?!? 

In class today we are looking at fractions, both unit fractions (fractions with a 1 as the numerator) and other fractions.  We reviewed these terms and then students began to play the game called "How Does Your Garden Grow?"

Hamming it up for the camera! 

Talk about a Tongue Twister!

Poetry continues... for April Poetry Month.  We used alliteration sentences to write some fun tongue twisters.  

They look kind of disgusting... but the KIDS LOVED THEM!

Here are a few samples:

• Fiona fried fantastic French food for Friday.
• Sophie saw strong samurais slashing swords swiftly! 
• During December depressed Danish dads disco dance delightfully!

I loved Sam's wide eyes!

Genevieve certainly has a twisted tongue! 

So... what did they design?

Here are a few of the designs the class came up with to help Ug and Grock move the meat to their cave! 

This the meat that Ug and Grock need to move to their cave! 

Students were challenged to build a car using wheels and axles to move the meat at least 50 centimeters.  

Students tested their designs and did some trouble shooting and tried them again! 

This design used only three wheels, but still needed two axles. 

Lacks symmetry, but it got the job done! 

Meat on the move! 

... a bird's eye view

Simple Machines and Ug and Grock

Simple machines are defined as machines  with few or no 

moving parts. Simple machines make work easier.  In class

we are helping our new friends, Ug and Grock, solve 

problems.  

Meet Ug and Grock:

Ug and Grock needed help getting apples out of the apple tree.  We brainstormed ideas to help them.  The only materials around were a log and a rock.  Students wanted to shimmy up the tree, hit the tree with the log (way too heavy!), and throw the rock at the apples (bruised and battered). Finally, they decided they could use the log and the rock to build a teeter totter, or our first simple machine a LEVER.  

We did experiments with a lever. We labeled the fulcrum, the bar and the load.  We realized that we would need to change the position of the fulcrum if the load increased.  Would we mover it closer or farther away from the load?  What was the force needed to lift the load?  

Now.... Ug and Grock have a piece of meat that they want to move to their cave.  The students decided that their next simple machine is a wheel and axle.  They are doing experiments designing a "car" that will move Ug and Grock's meat.  

Fundraising Auction Item... Who Wants to go Bowling?

MCPE Auction... Bowling Extravaganza!  

The winner and a friend will be treated to an afternoon delight. Join Mrs. Watson and the other 3rd grade teachers and their class winners for a Bowling Extravaganza at Ryan Family Amusements. It's all about fun (and the strikes)! This is sure to be a great afternoon. Mark your calendars for Thursday, June 4th from 4:00-5:15. Parents will need to drop off and pick up the children at Ryan Family Amusements on Route 109 in Millis.