Awesome Owl--Bob

Every year I have a class mascot who stays in our classroom each week and then gets to go home with one student.  I choose a student who has done a great job of following directions, being compassionate, is helpful, makes good choices, and puts in a lot of effort. WE have decided to call this person an Awesome Owl.

I bought a new owl mascot but wanted the class to name it. Each student gave me a name idea for the owl.

They then got to review the names and choose their absolute favorite and voted. This helped narrow down the choices to the top 3 names.

I wrote the names on the SmartBoard and then had students use a paper ballot to once again vote for the owl's name. As I read each vote I put a tally mark next to the name. It was a close race, but Bob was the name of choice.

Now I have the opportunity to send Bob home each week with a student. Bob also has a Journal book that goes with him. Students are able to write in the book, add photos, and write little details about themselves and the fun they had with Bob.

First Week

I am LOVING my new class! They are sweet, smart, funny, and kind! 

I've been snapping some pics of them while they work.

I saw this idea on Pinterest and decided I would try it. I bought some multi colored composition books and created some Whole Class Journals. When kids finish their work they can choose one to write in.

McClure Library Commons-Bluebonnet Books

The McClure Learning Commons has a weekly link (see below). This has a ton of great information for your child. 

http://mcclurelc.weebly.com 

You can also click on the link below to take you directly to the Bluebonnet Book webpage. Students who read at least 5 Bluebonnet Books and complete a Reading Response for each book can earn the privilege of borrowing 3 books from our school Library.

http://mcclurelc.weebly.com/bluebonnet-books.html 

Class Rules & Expectations

On the first day of school I told the kids in my class that they were going to be the ones making the classroom rules this year. They brainstormed a list of rules that would help them be successful as a student in 3rd grade. I wrote them down on the chart paper.

On another day we talked about how all of their rules could be categorized into 3 categories: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. We then re-read the rules they chose and sorted them into the 3 categories. 

I then wrote them down on our poster to hang in the classroom. I am glad that they were able to help set up the expectations for a calm and successful year!

First few days...

I am SO excited to finally meet my students. They have been such a blessing and are so sweet. I know that this will be wonderful year! Here are a couple pictures from activities we have done...there are MANY more that were not taken. It has been such a busy 2 days.

During our Community Circle on the first day of school we talked about our "Classroom Expectations". I asked my students what they think the classroom rules should be in order for them to be successful in 3rd grade. Here is a list they compiled. 

We also created a class pictograph during Math. We talked about the possible ways to get home after school. I gave each student a small piece of paper to draw how they were getting home (on the 1st day of school). We then discussed how we could organize and sort our data to create a graph.

After building the graph, we discussed and analyzed it. We use "By" and "Between" statements.
Examples:

• "By looking at the graph, I can see that the Bus Riders had the most number of students."
• "Between Car Rider and Walk-Ups, there is a difference of 2."

Today we had a Read Aloud to the book Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians. I absolutely LOVE getting to read aloud to the class. They enjoyed the story and made connections between the original Goldielocks & the Three Bears.

We also discussed some of the basics: Main character, Setting, Problem, Solution/Ending.

I am eager to see all of the great learning that we will get to do together this year! Thanks to all of the parents for their support and teamwork! This will be a wonderful & successful year!

Daily Schedule

TIME	ACTIVITY/SUBJECT AREA
7:50-8:00	Students enter classroom, put things away, turn in folders
8:00-8:15	Announcements & Community Circle
8:15-9:15	Prime Time: Intervention & Reteach in small groups
9:15-10:15	MATH: Whole Group Instruction
10:15-10:45	MATH: Small Group Instruction & Stations
10:45-11:15	RECESS
11:15-11:45	LUNCH
11:45-12:15	READING: Whole Group Instruction
12:15-12:45	READING: Small Group Instruction & Stations
12:45-1:15	WRITING
1:15-2:05	SPECIALS                      *Remember tennis shoes for PE days. Monday=       PE Tuesday=      PE    Wednesday=  Art Thursday=     PE  Friday=        Music     *Teacher Conference Monday, Wednesday, Friday
2:05-2:50	SCIENCE & SOCIAL STUDIES
2:50-3:00	Pack Up/Class Meeting
3:00	Dismissal

Meet the Team

Mrs. McAnally, Mrs. Luthi, Mrs. Bayley, Ms. Christy, Mrs. Walker