BlogsAcademicsPre-K to 8AdmissionLower Grades
My Day in Third Grade
May 18, 2012 11:24 AM
By James Hutchins - FF/S
I could go on and on about my visit to third grade. If I were to try and capture this experience in one word it would be "amazing." This blog will simply not do justice to the learning that took place in Mr. McConnell's and Mrs. Clements' classrooms on this day.
To avoid writing a thesis about what I observed, I want to focus on several topics that stuck out in my mind: Reading Workshop, the community project and students’ habitats.
This was my first observation of the Reading Workshop, which is a wonderful initiative the Lower School has taking the lead on. Students were spread throughout the classroom reading books that were categorized at their individual level and that were of interest to them. Mr. McConnell moved around the classroom and conferenced
with individual students. Although students were reading various texts, they engaged with the teacher about purpose, focus and relevant details.
The community project illustrated project-based learning at its best. This project integrated, math, science, geography, as well as group collaboration, technology, and community involvement. At the beginning of the project, students are given a checkbook. They have the opportunity to earn and lose money for various reasons and are expected to keep up with their balance.
Later, the Dempsey Auction Co. comes to their classroom and students were able to collaborate and purchase tracts of land to start building their community. In groups, they planned what services and businesses the community would need and then planned the construction of buildings and facilities. The finished project was laid out in the classroom and presented to other grades. Great job, third grade!!
The animal habitats were another awesome project. Each student was assigned an animal from our region to research. They were required to present this information to the class in a Power Point presentation, along with a constructed habitat that was suited for their particular animal. The creativity put forth on the habitats was incredible!
I had a great time during my visit to third grade and can't wait to spend more time in these classrooms this fall!
To avoid writing a thesis about what I observed, I want to focus on several topics that stuck out in my mind: Reading Workshop, the community project and students’ habitats.
This was my first observation of the Reading Workshop, which is a wonderful initiative the Lower School has taking the lead on. Students were spread throughout the classroom reading books that were categorized at their individual level and that were of interest to them. Mr. McConnell moved around the classroom and conferenced
with individual students. Although students were reading various texts, they engaged with the teacher about purpose, focus and relevant details.
The community project illustrated project-based learning at its best. This project integrated, math, science, geography, as well as group collaboration, technology, and community involvement. At the beginning of the project, students are given a checkbook. They have the opportunity to earn and lose money for various reasons and are expected to keep up with their balance.
Later, the Dempsey Auction Co. comes to their classroom and students were able to collaborate and purchase tracts of land to start building their community. In groups, they planned what services and businesses the community would need and then planned the construction of buildings and facilities. The finished project was laid out in the classroom and presented to other grades. Great job, third grade!!
The animal habitats were another awesome project. Each student was assigned an animal from our region to research. They were required to present this information to the class in a Power Point presentation, along with a constructed habitat that was suited for their particular animal. The creativity put forth on the habitats was incredible!
I had a great time during my visit to third grade and can't wait to spend more time in these classrooms this fall!
