Wequiock Falls and Bay Shore Park

What a day! Boy was it blustery, but the kids had a blast! From creating mud in the Falls to searching the quarry for rocks, our day was jam-packed! It is so awesome that our area is home to all 3 types of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous). At Wequiock falls we were able to go down into the waterfall and find the 2 most common rocks (limestone and mudrock or shale). The students made mud by getting the rocks wet and rubbing them together. This was the hardness test. The rock that rubbed off on the other was the softer rock. The walls of the waterfall are quickly being eroded away and floating down the river into the bay where they are forming into sedimentary rocks. After that, we traveled over to Bay Shore Park where we went on a cliff walk. We were able to see where the glaciers and erosion has carved out certain areas. Then, we headed over to the quarry. We actually drove the bus right down into the quarry and the class was able to dig through rock piles to find interesting rocks to bring home. Some rocks had fossils or even fool's gold! We wrapped up our day down on the beach where there was a plethora of rocks. These rocks we noticed were much more smooth and rounded because they had been smoothed by the waves. It was a very memorable field trip for us.

Sneak Peak into Room 194

 Well we have been working very hard in Room 194....but enjoying every minute of it! 

Writing: The class finished their first personal narratives on Monday! I am so proud of them! They worked so hard following what good third grade writers do. They used dialogue, added details, created paragraphs, added transition words, told their stories bit by bit, and remembered their non-negotiables! It was a long process, but well worth it for what they produced on paper. Some students were even able to begin typing it on a Google document.

Math: We are in module 3 now. We are learning about multiplying numbers. So far we have talked about doubling a number (multiplying by 2) and then doubling that product (multiplying by 4). The students are collaborating with their peers to discuss strategies they are using. They are also having a lot of fun in math workshop with Xtra math, AVMR games, SMART board activities, and problem solving.

Word Study: We are busy sorting, and spelling our words with white boards and on Spelling City! It is very important not only to sort the words at home, but to also practice spelling them.

Reading: We just finished Because of Winn-Dixie today. So far, I think this book is a class favorite. We will be watching the movie to compare and contrast them next Wednesday afternoon while enjoying some popcorn. :)


Geography: We wrapped up our unit this week with students working in groups to create their own island. This island needed to include the landforms and bodies of water we learned about. They also had to include a compass rose and a map key to explain what everything meant.

Rocks and Minerals: We began examining various rocks yesterday. The class is really enjoying studying rocks. I have told them that from here until the end of our Rocks and Minerals unit, they are no longer kids, but Geologists!

We are eagerly awaiting our field trip on Tuesday! Remember we go rain or shine, so dress appropriately!

Our Classroom Site!

I am trying out Blogger this year! Check out our classroom blog to see what is going on in our 3rd grade room!

If you look to the right side, I have links to our helpful websites. There will be a link to my blog on the Dickinson Third Grade page next to my name as well.

I hope you find this helpful!


Miss Buss

First Field Trip of the Year!

   Our geology field trip is on Tuesday October 28.  Field trip permission forms were sent home last week for this field trip.  We will be visiting Bay Shore Park, Wequiock Falls County Park, and a Daanen-Janssen Quarry.

   The quarry requires a waiver to be filled out for each student.  This did not go home Friday, but went home today.  Please fill this out also and send it back.  There is a child and adult form.  The adult form only needs to be filled out if you plan to chaperone.

   Also, I wanted to write a quick note to clarify who can chaperone.  We can take as many chaperones as we want on this field trip, but  we only have room for 2 on the bus.  Other parents can chaperone, but they will need to drive their own cars and follow the bus.  Please indicate if you would like to chaperone on the permission slip.  I will draw the parents who we be able to ride the bus out of a hat later this week.

All permission slips and waiver forms need to be back to school ASAP but no later than October 23.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks!