PBL Bridges
5/4/2021
The final math unit of the year includes all of the skills the students have acquired, in addition to a connection to the real world. For third graders, the real world problem they must solve is: How can we use math concepts and our knowledge about bridges to construct our own bridge? To begin our project, student had to learn about the three different types of bridges: suspension, beam, and arch. Students were introduced to key vocabulary terms like abutments, tension, and compression. The first bridge we practiced building was a beam bridge. The components of a beam bridge are abutments, columns, and a beam. The second bridge the students practiced building was an arch bridge. The components of an arch bridge are abutments, a keystone, and an arch. Finally, the students were given anchors (tape), cables (string), and towers (books) to create a suspension bridge. In between bridge buildings, we went over area and perimeter, finding shapes in bridge designs, and multi-digit subtraction and addition. The students were tasked with using their knowledge and previous experience with "building bridges" to build the strongest bridge they could. They were given a variety of materials and were able to choose one of the three bridge types to model theirs after. In order to test the strength of their bridges, the students used gram blocks. The bridges were so strong, they had to add books! Each team did a great job.
Arcade Engineers
4/15/2021
At PNA, we use Project Based Learning as a teaching method to motivate students to gain knowledge, retain content longer, and apply the skills to relevant real-world situation. The 21st century skills embedded in the process will help students succeed in the future, both in school and the work world. Based on the imaginative mind and ideas of Caine, the third graders embarked on a journey of their own to create an arcade game out of cardboard. To connect with the third grade science standards, the students had a more specific challenge, to incorporate balanced and unbalanced forces and/or magnetic interactions. 3-PS2-1.Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. 3-PS2-4.Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets.
The students have created a ticket and prize system to accompany their games. They will be presented in the gym, where they will be able to see their arcade in action.
Developing Habits of a Lifelong Learner
3/26/2021
There are many benefits to developing the mindset and habits of a lifelong learner. As teachers, there is always new research on the best instructional strategies, curriculums, and classroom management that we must continue to learn about to inform our decisions. There are many instances where this ability to keep learning is necessary and beneficial for the learners and those around them who depend on their expertise.
As children, we begin to address our curiosity and expand our knowledge on a great deal of topics. Some habits the third grade classroom has adopted include: 1. Read Daily In class, students have a fifteen minute time block devoted to independent reading, as well as opportunities to listen to reading, read with a partner, and choral read. Reading can be used for many purposes including entertainment and information. Students should be able to apply their reading skills to develop their passions and gain knowledge on different subjects. 2. Look for Opportunities to Grow This year, third graders were required to choose a topic of interest for their "Genius Hour" project. This opportunity to learn something new was not only individualized (based on their interests), but it also gave the students freedom to choose how they would share their new knowledge with others. 3. Find Joy in Making Progress The third grade class has taken on several PBL (Project-Based Learning) projects that have required several days and/or weeks of work. Students have learned that their projects will not be finished in one day, but they will be one step closer to their end result after that day. 4. Set Goals Short term and long term goals are important for self-reflection and growth. These goals may be specific to their PBL projects or long term goals for reading or math. Our student reflections for last trimester allow for individual goal setting. 5. Embrace Change Change can be uncomfortable for some, however, it is important to be open-minded when it comes about, especially when collaborating with others. Often, students work together to solve problems and complete activities. They must negotiate and come to a decision together, even if it was not what they originally planned. As adults, we collaborate because we have different experiences, skills, and knowledge to share. The same is true for these students. 6. Leave Your Comfort Zone The growth mindset is a concept the school values deeply. Growth mindset aligns with the idea of getting outside of your comfort zone. It may involve failed attempts and frustration; however, perseverance is key in overcoming these obstacles and reaching goals. The Growth Mindset
2/8/2021
Fixed Mindset v.s Growth Mindset
Instead of... Say...Instead of, "I don't know" say, "I don't know YET." Instead of, "I messed up" say, "It's okay that I failed, at least I learned something." Instead of, "I give up" say, "What can I do next to make this work?" Instead of, "This is too hard" say, "I am at the starting point of my potential." Growth Mindset in the ClassroomOne way students can adopt a growth mindset is by reflecting on their years academically and personally. As they progress through the year, they become better readers, mathematicians, scientists, and friends. To accomplish this growth, students must attempt difficult tasks, make mistakes, and overcome obstacles. Each spring, students complete a self-reflection in which they identify their goals and their growth. That sense of perspective is really important in building independent and self-directed learners. Another way students can adopt a growth mindset is by practicing trying again after failure. STEM activities allow for students to use their background knowledge and their problem-solving skills to create something they have most likely never attempted before. Teaching children to have a growth mindset is the secret to self-esteem, resiliency, and motivation. It is the key to sustainable success. Popova, M. (2020, February 16). Fixed vs. growth: The two Basic mindsets that shape our lives. Retrieved February 12, 2021, from https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/29/carol-dweck-mindset/
Native Alaskan Knowledge
1/28/2021
As a class we have been learning about the cultures, customs, and traditions of Alaskans. Across the state there are native populations with different languages, art forms, and histories. Each are unique and worthy of learning about! Although we develop new technologies, clothing, and forms of entertainment, honoring traditions are a way of respecting where we have come from and connecting us to the past. One of the traditions we learned about is the blanket toss. While it's now conducted as entertainment, it didn’t originate that way. An Iñupiaq hunter would be tossed in the air, enabling him to see across the horizon to hunt game.
Building an Igloo Igloo is the Inuit word for "snowhouse". The igloo was a means for hunters to survive brutal winters. Snow and ice work as insulators to trap body heat inside the igloo (Hoyt, 2008). The Inuit designed the igloo to be warm, sturdy and easy to construct. We are still in the process of completing our classroom "igloo". We began with the dome-like shape that will eventually allow for a roof and a completed shelter. Alaskan ExpertsOur virtual field trip this week allowed us to learn more about Alaska's land. We honored the Dena'ina land we are currently inhabiting and discussed the effects that climate change is having on Alaska. It is important that we know about our current and future impact on the land around us. As residents of Alaska, we enjoy the benefits of the outdoors and nature, therefore we have a responsibility to protect it. Totem PolesTotem Poles are a significant part of Alaskan history. Each carving tell tales of the legends and ancient stories of the Native people. Some of the greatest concentrations of currently standing totem poles are in Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska. Hoyt, A. (2008, January 17). How Igloos Work. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://people.howstuffworks.com/igloo.htm
Nonfiction Writers
1/9/2021
One of my favorite parts of the writing process is sharing the final product. For our nonfiction unit, the students used the program BookCreator to publish their final draft of their informational books. They were able to choose any topic of interest to research. Their books were required to have a table of contents, at least four chapters, a glossary, and several text features. When it was time to present, we celebrated our successful unit with a "publishing party". Each student presented their book and we had cookies and juice! If I could choose one word to describe these students this week it would be courageous. It is no easy task to share something that you have created with others. In fact, public speaking is one of the biggest phobias of American adults. The students did a great job supporting each other and being good audience members. It was a great introduction into our next writing and speaking challenge: persuasive speeches! Cause and Effect
12/12/2020
We Live in a World of Cause and Effect.Innovation, technology, and science play a significant role in our past, present, and future. With every new innovation comes the opportunity for something new and improved; with every choice we make as a society, we are changing the world around us. While many innovations are created and used to make our lives easier and more prosperous, there are also unintended consequences to consider. One of our biggest challenges as humans is predicting what will happen next. There are many things we can see coming and many things that we cannot. Our Coding AdventureWith our project back on track, students paired off to create an outline of their "Choose Your Own Adventure" game. The player of the game will begin with two choices that will set them up for the next several they must make. For example, if you choose to begin building a farm versus building a business, your next two choices will lead you to a different outcome. As you make more decisions the land changes to fit your choices and their consequences. We are moving into our final stages of design in our coding program Scratch. A Lesson Through ChessChess is one of those games that fosters logic, critical thinking, and creativity. However, it also teaches you about the potential of choice. I recently read that after both players move their first piece, 400 possible board setups exist. Each move causes a new chain reaction. I recently watched a Disney movie called Queen of Katwe, in which a little girl from a poor village in Uganda became a world renowned chess player. She learns several valuable life lessons from the game that I hope to instill in my students. 1. Every move has a purpose. 2. We all blunder from time to time. Don't give up. 3. Have a plan, but be adaptable. Our daily lives are full of choices and "moves". We must think about our own actions as well as the actions of others. Predicting the future can be difficult, but with the right moves we will be able to proudly say, "Checkmate" to our most challenging problems.
Balloons Over PNA
11/20/2020
Our goal this week was to create a balloon that could be featured in the Macy's Day Parade. We began by reading Balloons Over Broadway, a story about how the giant balloons we see on television each Thanksgiving came to be. This project required students to go through a modified version of the engineering design process. BrainstormingStudents were tasked with creating a draft of their balloon vision. Not only did they need to sketch their outline, they also had to tell what color they needed for each part of their balloon. Prototype: Creating the BalloonNext, it was time to transfer the drawing into a 3D creation. Students began working on creating two layers of their drawing to staple and stuff with scrap paper. The challenge here was to create a large enough balloon to be able to stuff. Smaller features could be added on later after the initial outline was created and cut out. Test & Evaluate: How will we get them to "float"?Our next challenge was find a way to make our balloons appear to float. The students were given rulers, wooden dowels, popsicles and masking tape to support and prop up their structure. Communicate: The Parade!Although the wind started to pick-up, the students' balloons stood proudly as we marched around the school and parking lot. Our very own PNA Thanksgiving Day Parade!
Environments and the Traits of Organisms
11/7/2020
When beginning a science unit, I like to introduce the new topics through an interesting video or experience called the "Anchoring Phenomena Event". It gets the students excited about what they are about to learn. They begin generating questions and making observations about what they are seeing. For this unit, we are studying inherited and environmental traits, adaptations, and environmental changes. The Anchoring Phenomena EventDriving QuestionHow can an animal adapt to a new environment? The MissionA Broadway producer is looking for a new play to bring to the stage. The producer wants the play to be based on an animal family’s struggles to adapt in order to survive in a new environment because their old environment was destroyed by humans. The ActionWrite and perform a play about an animal family’s struggle to survive in a new environment. The play should focus on one type of animal and its family, with at least five of its inherited and environmental traits identified. The play should open with the way the animal’s old habitat was destroyed by humans. A description of the old and new habitats should be included. The play should focus around how the animal family will respond to the new environment. Choose Your Own Adventure
10/23/2020
Our Next Big ProjectFor the third graders' next big project, we will be creating... a "Choose Your Own Adventure" video game/animation! We are in the beginning stages of creating an informative and engaging product that will demonstrate the environmental and cultural changes of Alaska over time. The Beginning of Something BeautifulScratch is a great program that will allow the students to show what they know and answer the question: How can we inform others about the impacts of science, technology, and innovation on the development of towns and cities in Alaska? We began meeting with Mrs. Bookman at the end of each day this week to work on the basics of coding. We learned how to animate our names and create moving objects that could speak. We also learned how to change backdrops: an important part of a "Choose Your Own Adventure" game.
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Jessica GrahamMs. Graham graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Early Childhood/Elementary Education, and is currently working on her master's in reading. She enjoys hiking, traveling, arts & crafts, and playing the ukulele. Archives
April 2021
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