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Update from Katie’s Homeroom Class: Morning Choices!
I wanted to take a moment to talk about a special part of our week: Morning Choices. As you know, three days a week, we have to hustle off to a special first thing in the morning (early morning specials make it possible to switch for reading and math). Knowing that this would be our schedule for the year, I spent some time thinking and researching what we could do for morning work on Wednesday and Thursday that would meaningful but not dependent on a daily routine. My search led me to Morning Choices.
Simply put, Morning Choices allow students to make choices that are important to them while also giving students opportunities to practice important interpersonal skills like collaboration, cooperation, and leadership. The Morning Choices in our room are:
- Collaboration with Legos: Students must work together to create and build structures. There are task cards that students can use to guide their creations.
- Game Time: Students play games like Connect 4, Trouble, Sorry, and Mancala. The goal of Game Time is to cooperating and problem solve.
- Leadership with Kindergarten: Up to 6 kids can visit the two Kinder classes and read with Kindergarteners. The aim is to have third graders see themselves as leaders and role models.
- Artistic Expression: Students create with different media like ink pens and water colors.
- Cursive Practice: This allows students who wish to learn cursive practice their skills. Students have a workbook that guides him or her in their work.
- Free Write: Students create poetry or stories
- Read: Students have free choice over what they read
Third graders can only visit one choice per week (i.e. if they read to self on Wednesday, they have to choose something else on Thursday) and some choices (like Legos and reading to Kindergarteners) fill up quickly, forcing kids to make choices they might not otherwise make.
After a couple of months of setting up expectations, problem solving, and checking in on how things are going, the third graders are fully independent and require minimal intervention from me. The gentle start to our morning provides a nice way to transition into our Class Meeting and Literacy Workshop.
The kids would say the best part of Morning Choices is getting to play/draw/read/etc. For me, the best part of Morning Choices is stepping back and watching them interact, create, and engage with each other all with out adult support. It is exactly what we want our students to be able to do and it is incredibly rewarding to see it in action. The skills practiced in Morning Choices are ones we work on throughout the day and translate to all areas of life. If you have a chance on a Wednesday or Thursday morning, I encourage you to come take a peek at Morning Choices and see what I’m talking about!
Katie
(I took these pictures on Pajama Day, which only added to the cuteness of these photos!)
3rd Grade Core Subjects
Literacy Workshop
Here’s what we’ve been up to the last few weeks in our 3rd grade literacy workshop! In third grade, we continue the work started in first and second grade with the Daily 5 and CAFÉ workshop structure, however we layer in more responsibility and freedom of choice. The basic structure of our workshop time is: whole group check in to set the purpose for our learning (this often includes a mini-lesson where we review reading strategies, spelling or vocabulary words, or writing prompts), from there students choose to read to self, work on writing, read to someone, or focus on word work. I also pull small groups to work on reading strategies, book groups, or small intervention lessons during this time. After about 20-25 minutes or work, we gather back together to check in and do another mini-lesson before heading out to another “round” or work session. Finally, we end our time together by regrouping and reflecting on our work for the day.
In 3rd grade, students work on a variety of skills during our workshop time. Some of these are the CRAFT reading strategies: Comprehension, Respond to Text, Accuracy, Fluency, and Terms/Vocabulary (for more information on CRAFT, please see the CRAFT tab on this blog). These are broad strategies that readers of any level can apply to improve reading. In addition, we also have a weekly “Word Work” focus of either spelling patterns, vocabulary, or grammar. This work is introduced to the class on Thursday and they have until the following Friday to complete it. Each week there is also a quick writing prompt that students select and respond to as well as a reader’s response we call #currentlyreading. This provides students an opportunity to reflect on what they are reading and display their thinking on a sticky note (third graders love sticky notes) in the classroom.
In small groups, we are meeting and learning how to work in a small group: listening to the perspective of others, sharing ideas, responding to text, and working on reading appropriately leveled texts. As the year progresses, we will have book clubs and literature circles where readers will participate in more in depth discussion and work around novels and books they read. Some groups will meet more frequently than other groups based off of what the instructional needs of each group are: some groups need more specific, focused instruction while other groups will need more time to read and write.
I understand that this is a lot of work that 8 and 9 year olds are being asked to do in the course of a week and we are learning how to manage our time. One way we do this by using a “menu” with all the “Must Do” (reading group, word work, writing prompt) and “Can Do” (read to someone, free writing, read to self) listed out for each day. Students check off work as they complete it and turn the menu in at the end of each day as a way of communicating how they are doing.
On a personal note, I have been loving teaching reading to third graders. It is so much fun to “go deeper” with books and read more complicated texts with them. I am looking forward to a year of learning and growth! I am always available to answer questions or talk to you about your child’s reading. klongstr@pps.net
Happy Reading! ~Katie
Math Workshop
Similarly Math workshop is a time where students get to take responsibility for their own learning. Students spend time working on things I ask them to work on, things they are interested in, and things they never thought of before. They get to work in small groups with me and in a large group with the whole class. They also get to spend time working independently, in pairs, and in small groups. The general structure every day is that we do our daily problem and then meet on the carpet. We participate in a short mini lesson for all and then split up again. I keep a group on the carpet to teach new skills at the level of the small groups. While I am working with the small group, students are making math choices about what they need to work on the most. I hope that math workshop can be a time of growth not only in math but also as a general student. At then end of this year I know they will be ready for 4th grade math and beyond. But I hope they view themselves as competent students who are able to confront and solve problems of all kinds.
We get a ton of work done in one day. Often the challenging thing for students is time management. We have stuff due daily as well as weekly. Here in this first quarter kids can really struggle with their Must Do’s. There are so many things that students want to do during workshop that it can be tempting to ditch the things that I think are important for things that they think are important. I work hard in the first quarter to help them figure out how best to manage their time and normally by the end the of the quarter most people are on board. I am definitely down to just a few that need my help managing their tasks.
I am having a great time working with the whole 3rd grade. I love getting to know them all and I have really enjoyed seeing both classes. If you have any questions feel free to email me ahalvors@pps.net
Allison
Happy October
Hello All,
Happy Fall! Things are humming right along in the 3rd grade. Students are working really hard.
In math we are already most of the way through our first book. Some of you saw them on back to school night. Students have now mostly got the hang of the new system and are humming right along. We are quickly moving through triple digit addition and on to multiplication. It is very exciting. You will have a chance to take the book home with you at conferences.
Monster writing
We have begun our Monster stories. We will be done with them around Halloween and they will be ready to go home at conferences. It is a fun way to work out all those big kid writing challenges like editing and revising.
Classroom volunteers
I have head from a couple of you that you are interested in volunteering. Here is a google form to fill out if you are interested. Of course for field trips I will ask when the need arises.
School pictures are coming up on the 17th and don’t forget to sign up to help at the Halloween Party!
Allison
Welcome to 3rd grade!
Hello 3rd grade families!
We are very excited to start 3rd grade this year. One reason we are so excited to start is that we are starting something new. This year Allison will be teaching all 3rd graders in math and Katie will be teaching all 3rd graders reading. Essentially that means kids will spend the mornings with their homeroom teachers and then part of the afternoon with the opposite teacher. We are very excited to do this for many reasons, but the top 3 are:
- Creating an entire 3rd grade community where we all know and respect each other.
- Teachers are better able to meet the needs of learners because one HUGE subject is off their plate.
- We are better able to collaborate and work together as a third grade team and have consistency for every 3rd grader.
3rd Grade Specials Schedule:
Allison’s Class Katie’s Class
Monday- PE Monday- Art
Tuesday – Art Tuesday- PE
Thursday – Library Friday- Library
Some other announcements for the good of the order:
- Your child should have brought home a packet of paperwork. Please fill it out and sign it ASAP.
- Thank you for sending in your supply donation. We are asking for $25, but we understand every family’s needs are different. Please contribute what you are able. Thank you.
- Thank you for sending a healthy snack with your child every day.
- Need to get in touch with us? Allison’s email: ahalvors@pps.net Katie: klongstr@pps.net
- From Mrs. Kleiner in the library
Welcome to 3rd grade at Creative Science School! Below you will find useful information regarding the CSS library.Students can check out two books at a time. They can keep their books for two weeks and items can be renewed. Third graders will check out for the first time this school year during their first library class.There is a CSS library website that you can visit for all kinds of information on events, hours and checkout procedures, what students are learning during their weekly library class, lost book info, Oregon Battle of the Books, and much more. Please check it out and bookmark it for future reference.
If items are lost or damaged beyond repair, please either purchase a new copy of the title for the library, or pay the replacement fee on School Pay or in the office. You can no longer pay for lost or damaged books in the library- this is now a district wide policy.
If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, look no further than the library. I will need help with a variety of Book Fair tasks, OBOB, and shelving books. Please send me an email requesting further information if you are interested in volunteering.My hope is that your child is excited to come to the library each week, and that their love of literature and thirst for knowledge grows because of their experiences here. If you ever have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at mkleiner@pps.net or call me at 503-916-6431.I look forward to working with and learning with your student!Sincerely,
Maria KleinerTeacher Librarian
More Dates and Updates
Hello All,
I hope those of you at the Campout are having a fantastic time! I have a few things for you
- We are going on our field trip on the 14th as planned. I will send home the permission slips on Monday. Please let me know if you want to go with us. We can take all who want to go. There is moderate walking involved, but not too crazy. It will be a rain or shine trip. Honestly, rain is better than 90 degrees, hopefully it will be 73 and partly sunny!
- Our volunteer appreciation event is happening on Friday May 9th. Right after field day. If you have time please stop by and allow us to appreciate how amazing our volunteers are. We wouldn’t be able to do all the great things we do without our volunteers.
- Speaking of volunteers. For our Bee Fair on Thursday the 8th we need a little help getting tables out to the playground. If you are around at drop off and wouldn’t mind helping kids get their tables out to the playground that would be great. It will only take a few minutes. Also this is weather permitting, if it is rainy we are going to do it in the classroom. Parents are invited to attend the Bee Fair at 2:15.
The Final Countdown
Hey All,
I have just a couple of last dates for you. On Thursday, June 8th at 2:15 we will have our Bee Fair. Students will culminate their bee learning by teaching you all they know about our beloved bees. In the morning the K-5 students will have a chance to check out the bees and at 2:15 we will be practiced and ready for you. All are welcome to attend.
The 2nd date is Wednesday, June 14th. That is the 2nd to last day of school. I know some of you planned to be out already and that is ok. I was planning on taking our Portland Field Trip. It is actually kind of the perfect marriage between both Storylines as we will do all the popular Portland stuff and then end up at Washington Park to see all the bees. This trip is a Max trip, we cannot drive and I guess the question is, do you think we should still go? All are welcome who want to come as chaperones. There will be some walking but it will be pretty light this year. Comment and let me know what you think we should do. If the feeling is that we shouldn’t go, I will figure out something else special to do here at school or someplace we can walk to.
Allison
Happy Spring
Hello All,
Just a few things to be in the know about.
- We have our Timbers Health and Wellness field trip coming up on May 10th. I only have 2 volunteers and I could use 3 more. Let me know if you are interested in coming with us. It will be all day. The permission slip will come home next week.
- A few people have ordered other copies of the Sneak Peek to Portland. I have put those orders in, they should be at school by the middle of next week. It’s not too late for you if you want some. Click here for the order form
- We have started our new Bee Storyline. Our frieze looks pretty great if I do say so myself. We have learned that bees are a very important part of our world, but they are disappearing. We have created Bee Steward characters and created an attractive space for Bees to live. Now we need to some research about the best type of bees to get at school. Their dreams of having a class pet are about to come true!
- Montavillage is coming up on Sunday, May 7th. Its a fun time for us to get together with the Montavilla Community. There are snacks, arts and crafts, music, performances, raffles and much more. There is also a dunk tank. A dunk tank that I will be in at 1:00. But more importantly, Mr. Nichols will be in the dunk tank at 2:30. I am certain that your kids would definitely want to dunk Mr. Nichols. The man who makes them run the mile. Not their favorite teacher in the whole world.;)
Testing
If you have opted out you can skip to the 2nd bullet point
- This week starts the SBAC testing for 3rd graders. We will be doing it one to two times per week throughout April and May. We will start with Language Arts and then move onto math. If you are interested in looking at practice materials you can go here.
- Students who are finished testing or have opted out entirely will be with Brandi and her student teacher Wendy doing a variety of things including sign language, science, reading, writing, etc.
- When I have Brandi’s class in the Lab my entire class will be in there doing all the things above.
- If you have other questions let me know.
Sneak Peek to Portland order Form
There was some demand for extra copies of Sneak Peek to Portland. If you are one of those people who want extra copies click here to go to the order form. They are $2.00 per copy.
Allison and Brandi
CSS 3rd Grade 
