Third graders are really cool

This cheer has been going through my head through both weeks of end of year, high stakes testing.

Special thanks to my third grade team partner who wrote the words to this song. It totally gets me pumped up for my kids to ace the test, and I think it helps them feel more confident too.

It goes like this:


Third graders are really cool, our test scores will top the school
We'll take our time and do our best, because we want to pass this test
Guessing is not the thing to do. Using test tips will help us through.
We'll use our brains and we'll recall all we've learned since way last fall.
Third graders are really cool. Our test scores will TOP.... THE... SCHOOOOOOL! YEAH!


Nothing like a little cheer to get you revved up. :)

Yes we can!

CRTs have started. I have told my students multiple times that it's an exciting time of year when they get to show the world what they've learned in third grade. I say this with an ear to ear grin and pump my fist in the air to tell them, "You can do this! This test will be a piece of cake for you!"

However...

Inside I feel butterflies doing somersaults through rings of fire. I put on a great show, but testing season always makes me nervous. I am being evaluated just as much as the students are. Did I teach what was required? Did my kids understand? It all comes down to THE TEST. I think that's a little strange, but that's a different can of tuna.

Anyway, I've been looking at this picture on my fridge and saying positive things to myself so I can make it successfully through another CRT run. And hopefully this year will turn out as well as last.

Wish me luck!

Pandas!

A recent trip to the San Diego Zoo reminded me just how great pandas are. They might just be my favorite animals. Actually I think they tie with dolphins.

Anyway, I found these two great books at the zoo. I have a collection of children's books from my travels, and these two were perfect additions. In true teacher fashion, I was sure to choose both a nonfiction and fiction picture book.

Working together and working alone

First of all, let me say I'm sorry I've neglected this blog for a while. I'm back. And this time I'm staying.

I love when I get to read my students' writing. It's guaranteed entertainment.

After reading a book together about working alone and as a team, this boy wrote, "It is better to work together when I make a cake. And when I make a book." The next box says, "It is better to work together when I make a flag. And make a big, big cake."

Check out that four tiered cake. I sense a future baker in our midst.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

This cute boy wants to be an "army soldier."

Oh, and if he had one wish... he would wish for a "costume soldier."

What do snowmen do at night?

Snowmen at Night is a delightful story by Caralyn and Mark Buehner about snowmen that come to life at night and have all sorts of adventures. I read the book to my students, and asked them to look closely at the illustrations, because in a picture book, the illustrations tell part of the story, too.

In partners, the students created their own illustrations for the book. Some of the students even chose to include elements from the illustrations they'd seen in the book. They used chalk on black paper to create their art, and I was so impressed by the results.

I loved the "Snowman Crossing" sign in this one. And check out the perspective with the road.

The snowman wearing the sombrero in this one makes me smile.


Check out the background in this one. And look at that sky!

Try this in your own classroom. It's such a fun winter project! You could even have the pairs of kids write a sentence or story to go along with their picture.

Silly Bands!

Silly bands are so cool! At least, that's the common consensus of my third graders. I've warned them that if I see them playing with their bands, I'll take them away. I told them, "I'm starting a little collection." Some of my students took that seriously and started giving me bands to collect. This is the collection I've gathered. Pretty impressive, huh?