Kidblogs About Charleston

Click on the link below to read a little about our Charleston field trip from my sweet kiddos.  We'll be adding a few more student blogs each day.

Kidblog

Memories That Will Last a Lifetime

I am so amazed at how much my students have grown and learned as a part of our PBL this year.  Our PBL, From Turtles to Tigers, may have ended in December but the learning has lasted all year long.  It all started in September when we read an article in Scholastic News about sea turtles.  The kids just couldn't get enough, so we began to read more and more about these amazing creatures.  As the kids learned what animals need to survive, we created the ideal habitat for sea turtles. 

 

Through our research and reading literary texts, we learned that sea turtles were in danger and needed our help!  My very thoughtful 3rd graders wanted to do something to help these majestic sea creatures.  They brainstormed and came up with a list of ways that they wanted to make a difference.  We finally decided to donate money to the sea turtle hospital right here in the great state of South Carolina.  The students came up with some great ways to raise money.  In December, the kids made sea turtle ornaments to sell for Christmas.  

 

With the help of our supportive OES families, this fundraiser allowed us to earn enough money to adopt 2 sea turtles through the SC Sea Turtle Hospital.  As the months have gone by my students have continued to talk about the sea turtles and share ideas that they have about how they could help save the them.  Finally, last week they were able to see the sea turtles that our $1,000 donation is going to help.  I have never seen a more excited group of boys and girls!  First, we went through the aquarium to check out some other sea creatures. 

 

Then we were finally able to make our way down to the Sea Turtle Hospital.  Seeing the look of amazement on my kids' faces was well worth the time and effort we spent on this PBL!  The kids were full of questions for the hospital workers and kept asking wanted to know which sea turtles they had adopted.

I truly wouldn't have thought that moment could get any better!  BUT IT DID!!!  They had the very rare opportunity to see a 475 pound leatherback sea turtle named Yawkey who had been captured the Saturday before our visit.  This is the only leatherback sea turtle the SC Sea Turtle hospital has ever had. 

 

 

The next day we learned that Yawkey had been released shortly after our visit.

 

 

We read the article about Yawkey's release and watched the video of it.

                                     

 

These are memories that I know I will hold on to for the rest of my life.  I hope that my students will hold tightly to these special memories and know that they have made a difference in the world! 

Author's Visit

Tomorrow we will have author Chris Rumble visiting our school for Read Across America Week.  I am excited about what the kids will learn about being an author.  Below is an order form for his books if you'd like to purchase one.  You can even get his autograph on the book! 

Chris Rumble Book Order Form

Making Learning Meaningful

Last week, we received a very special visit from some students from Boiling Springs Middle School.  They shared books and presentations that they had made about the American Revolution.  My students couldn't have been more excited to hear what these sweet middle school girls had learned. 

 

This was a great way to kick off our unit about Colonial SC and gave the middle school students a purpose for their own writing.  I love seeing the connections between schools and students across grade levels.  Thank you Boiling Springs Middle School for sharing your knowledge with us! 

Scholastic Book Order

Click on the link below to order from Scholastic. 


Scholastic Book Order

Sea Turtle Fundraiser

I am so proud of my amazing 3rd graders for taking the initiative to help the sea turtles!  I love that they are trying to make a difference.  In order to help the sea turtles, our class wants to adopt a sea turtle through the SC Sea Turtle Hospital.  Our first fundraiser will be selling sea turtle ornaments.  Please help my sweet kids make a difference by purchasing one of these to put on your tree!  They are $5 each and will be sold through December 12th.

Arrays Everywhere

Yesterday, we learned about arrays.  We took a walk through the school to find arrays and discussed them when we came back to the room.  Today, we used arrays to help us solve multiplication problems in math stations.  You can extend this at home by looking for arrays when you are out.  Ask your child what multiplication sentence the array shows.  

   

Wonderful Wednesday

On this "Wonderful Wednesday", I would like to hear what you enjoyed most about your Thanksgiving break.  You can comment on the post below or write your response in your planner under Wednesday.  I will check these tomorrow and students who respond will receive a homework pass for an ENTIRE night of homework.  :) 

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope that you enjoy this special time with your families! 

 

Native American Villages

Today, my students began building their Native American homes.  They brought in supplies to create their homes and other aspects of their culture.  They were coming up with some creative ideas today.    I can't wait to see the finished product!  

Blast From the Past

We are having a great time learning about what life was like for Native Americans and colonists!  

Thursday Giveaway

It's that time again!  To receive today's prize, a lunch buddy pass, you must either comment on this post or write your comment in your planner under Thursday.  If you could be an animal, which would you be and why?  In order to comment you will have to have a Google email account.  I can't wait to see what animals you choose!  

Sea Turtle Snack

Check out our cute sea turtles!

Tuesday Giveaway

If you have read this post, write "Save the sea turtles!" in your planner under Tuesday.  I will check planners tomorrow to see who has our secret message.  Anyone who has it will get a homework pass for one assignment.  😄

Let's Talk About Math!

We are learning to talk to each other about our thinking.  The students each solved a subtraction problem on their own.  Then, they shared their work with a classmate.  It is great to see them learning from each other.  

Turtle Tidbits

I am so excited to share our student blog with you.  The kids have been using the computer during their literacy station time to share some facts they have learned about sea turtles.  I just love seeing them share all that we've learned with everyone. 

Here is the link to our page:  Mrs. Padgett's Kidblog

Turtle Time

Today, we kicked off our PBL by creating the ideal habitat for a sea turtle.  The students have been reading all about sea turtles for the past week so they were ready to put their knowledge to the test.  After creating their habitats, the students voted on the habitat that they thought would best meet the sea turtles needs.  This habitat will be displayed in our immersion center.  The kids and I are excited about learning more about sea turtles.  Be on the lookout for a new addition to our blog soon.  The kids will be creating their own blogs about what they have learned about turtles.  

Addition Strategies

This week we will begin focusing on strategies we can use to solve addition problems.  Today, the students solved a word problem using a strategy of their choice.  Tomorrow, we will begin using the base ten addition strategy to solve addition problems.  The link below will show you a few of the methods your child might use at home over the next few weeks to add. 

Addition Strategies

Animal Project Example

This is an example of a student completed animal project. This will give you a better idea of what the final product will look like.  Let me know if you have any questions.

The illustration should be labeled.

Students will need to use complete sentences and include the number of details that were given on their rough draft.

Number Lines for Rounding

This is our final week on rounding.  We will have a test later this week.  I have included a link to a demonstration of how we have been using a number line to round to the hundreds.  I hope this will help you to better understand what your child is doing in the classroom.

Using a Number Line to Round