September 26-30

Experimenting with Magnets

We have been reading the Magic School Bus book "Amazing Magnetism." We learn something new about magnets in each chapter. As we've learned new things, we've been experimenting with magnets. Some of our experiments have been: finding out which materials are or are not magnetic, making temporary magnets with paperclips, and how magnets attract and repel each other.

The Disappearing Egg Experiment Day 3

We completed our experiment on Friday and recorded our final observations. We found that the egg sitting in water did not change at all in 3 days. However, the egg sitting in vinegar changed a lot. The shell disappeared! We determined that the acid in the vinegar ate away the shell. Everyone got a chance to touch and hold the eggs. The vinegar egg was squishy - many students described it as feeling like a water balloon. 

Great Start to a New School Year!

It has been a busy week in 3rd grade. We have completed 6 days of school and we're starting to settle into a routine. Here's an update about what we've been working on:

Reading: 
We are currently doing an author study of Kevin Henkes. We've read "Chrysanthemum" and "Chester's Way." We'll end our study by reading "Owen" and comparing our favorite books by Kevin Henkes.

Writing:
We've been writing a LOT! We've learned how to write journal entries. Each time we read a book by Kevin Henkes we write about what we would do if we were characters in the story.

Spelling:
Our first spelling unit is School words. Your child has a spelling list taped inside their Planners. They should be practicing spelling words every evening. Our pretest will be on Thursday. If they score 100% they won't have to take the test on Friday. If not, that's okay! They'll have a second chance on Friday. :)

Math:
We have been reviewing addition and subtraction facts. This week we began working on reading and writing numbers and place value. Your child should be able to read and write numbers and recognize place value up to the thousands place.

Social Studies:
On Friday we learned about internet and computer safety with a training from Net Smartz and BrainPop Jr.

Science:
We completed our first experiment of the school year on Monday. We learned a new word - cohesion. Ask your child what it means - they should be able to tell you all about it! :) We experimented with cohesion when we figured out how many drops of water will fit on a penny. This Friday we will do our second experiment and try to make a paperclip float on water!

Here are our little scientists, hard at work!

Clowning Around

We will be taking a trip to the Circus tomorrow! So today we learned how the performers are able to balance in the air. Mrs. Yoder showed off her skills by balancing a plastic bird on the tip of her finger, the end of a pencil and even her nose! The students each had a chance to practice balancing the plastic bird before starting our experiment.

The students were then given a clown to decorate and to see if they could balance it on their fingers and noses. Our brilliant scientists quickly figured out that they needed to add weight to the hands of their clowns so they taped a penny to each hand. Then the balancing fun began!

Lima Bean Plant Update

Our plants are still growing and they are getting BIG! Alina and Shyloh brought in their lima bean plants to show the class. How big has your plant gotten? 

Alina's plant

Shyloh's plant

Lima Bean Plants

We completed our lima bean experiment by transplanting the lima beans into a cup with soil. Our beans had sprouted with only sunlight, water, and oxygen, but they now need food to help them grow. The students took home their lima beans today so they can water them and monitor their growth. 

Lima Bean Observations Oct. 3rd

Our lima beans are really taking off! Most of them have started to sprout. We are amazed that we were able to grow a lima bean with just a bag and a wet paper towel. 

Lima Bean Observations Oct. 1st

Our little lima beans are starting to sprout! We recorded our observations today and were so excited to see some growth. 

The seed coat has broken open

Dalten's lima beans

Danielle H.'s lima beans

Kyler's lima beans

Shyloh's lima beans 

Will Our Lima Beans Sprout?

We spent Friday afternoon with a room full of curious scientists who want to know: Will a lima bean sprout inside a bag? 

We began our experiment by filling out the Scientific Method. We know that plants need water, sunlight, and oxygen to grow. So does that mean we can grow a plant inside a bag with those 3 things? 

We can't wait to find out! 

Getting our lima beans ready to grow

Discussing the steps of the Scientific Method

We put a wet napkin and 2 lima beans into each bag

All of our lima beans are ready to sprout!