STEM Pancake Project

4 groups.  1 skillet. Numerous measuring cups and spoons.  

Using the Scientific Method, students were asked to create a better pancake recipe.  Experimentation is easy when you get to taste a delicious finished product!  Not all groups were successful, but it sure was fun to try!  Building these life skills of trying, failing, experimenting, collaborating, etc. were worth it!

Each group had a different approach, but all groups had to communicate their ideas and then come to an agreement about what they would try.

The measuring station was a blast!

After their first attempt, students revised their recipe and tried again!

Of course, when we were all finished with our experiments...we ate!

If only all science was this delicious...

Rubrics for Animal Reports

As you work on your animal reports, please keep the following criteria in mind.  Thank you!  The criteria for the animal project/diorama will follow shortly.

Rubric for Animal Report Research and Outlines

Name: __________________

	1 (does not meet expectations)	2 (approaching expectations)	3 (meets expectations)	4 (exceeds expectations)
CEL.3.W.R Research to build and present knowledge
CEL.3.W.7            Conduct Short Research Projects
CEL.3.W.8            Recall/Gather Relevant Information
CCSS.W.3.2.A Introduce a topic and group related information together
CCSS.W.3.2.B Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details
CCSS.W.3.2.D Provide a concluding statement

Total Points: _________________ - _______ (1 point for every day late) = ____________

Animal Report Writing Rubric

Name: ____________________________________

	1 Not meeting standard	2 Approaching standard	3 At grade level standard	4 Exceeding standard
W.3.2.A Introduce a topic and group related information together; include illustrations when useful
W.3.2.B Develop the topic with facts, definitions, and details.
W.3.2.C Use linking words and phrases (e.g., also, another, and, more, but)
W.3.2.D Provide a concluding statement or section
W.3.4 With help from adults, produce writing with appropriate development and organization
W.3.5 With help from peers and adults, plan, revise, and edit writing
W.3.6 With help, publish writing on the computer

Animal Report Rubric: Speech

Name: _____________________

	1 Not meeting standard	2 Approaching standard	3 At grade level standard	4 Exceeding standard
SL.3.1.C Ask relevant questions to check understanding, stay on topic, and respond to others
SL.3.1.B Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions
SL.3.3 Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker
SL.3.4 Report on a topic or text with appropriate facts and details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
SL.3.6 Answer peers’ questions with detail and in complete sentences.

Holiday Sing/Skits

After mixing up for Holidays Around the world, our class and Mrs. Reeves' class performed skits from the different countries for our Holiday Sing.

Here we have Italy (The legend of La Befana)...

Israel (Hanukkah)...

Germany (Christmas trees/gingerbread)...

Australia (summer Christmas/6 white boomers)...

Mexico (La Posada)...

and Sweden (St. Lucia's Day)

Great work, performers!  One of the most interesting things I saw was who volunteered to be narrators in front of 1st-3rd grade students and parents.  Scary stuff, but we really had some people who stepped up and were awesome readers!

Cozy Frozen Brunch

We had our cozy Frozen brunch this morning, and it was delightful!  Students continued to practice their polite table manners learned at Thankful Feast, and I really enjoyed getting to interact with our class on a more relaxed, fun day!

Some [third grade students] are worth melting for!

Thank you, parents, for all the Frozen treats you brought!

Cinnamon roll rock trolls:

Hans' Swedish meatballs/sausage:

"Fluffy snow" whipped cream!

"Olaf's arms" pretzel rods

So many Elsa icicles!  Jicama, chocolate dipped candy canes, and chocolate dipped pretzel rods!

"True love's" kisses:

"Sven snacks" baby carrots

"Olaf's snowman buttons" olives and raisins

"Melted snowmen" water:

"Frozen hearts" strawberries:

"Melted Olafs" vanilla yogurt:

"Olaf's snowballs" hard-boiled eggs and powdered sugar donuts (picture doesn't want to turn):

Our spread!

Such a yummy brunch!  Don't worry, even with the variety, I limited sugar for the kids as best I could.  Thank you so much to Eddie's mom for bringing me coffee!!  I didn't know just how much I needed it :)

What a fun brunch!

After brunch and a quick recess break, we came back for our Secret Santa gift exchange.  Everyone was so thoughtful, appreciative, and kind...I LOVED seeing it!!

We did some crafts then watched Frozen...

In our cozy pajamas with our cozy blankets!

Thank you, parents, for making this morning possible!!

Olaf's cousins

We did some fun art last week centered around our Frozen theme.  Through a directed cutting/pasting activity, students created their own versions of Olaf.  After seeing these Olafs, we decided they looked more like they would be Olaf's cousins.  Each student came up with a character backstory for these cousins as well as an authentic Norwegian name.  Meet the family!

Our bulletin board should be up in the office through January, so be sure to check it out when we come back from break!