Friday Art: Cursive Insects

Our first unit in Science is the life cycle and description of insects. The students LOVE this unit and learning more about the insects we see around us at all the time. So we brought insects into our art instruction!

Because the students have not mastered their cursive handwriting (we're working on it, though!), we had a parent volunteer write each student's name beforehand. The names were written on a folded piece of paper and the students went over their name in black oil pastel. Then the papers were refolded with their name on the inside. The students used a marker to roll over the oil pastel to transfer their name and go over the transfer with their oil pastel.

Then comes the tough part: the cutting. Students need to cut their name out, but their insect will consist of both names (the "normal" one and the reflection). Some students are more skilled than others at how fancy they can get with their cutting. Many can get close to their outline, while others do more swooping cuts for a general shape.

Then comes the decorating time! Make that name into an insect!! I gave my students complete freedom on how to transform their name into an insect. My only requirements were two eyes and six legs. When they were done, the students attached their insects to a green (paper) leaf.

 

Updated Writing Bulletin Board & Writing Area

I posted about creating an "I Can Write..." writing bulletin board. I have updated it now with some writing examples as well as a writing resource area for my students.

Under the Sea Classroom Tour

Classroom Reveal Time!!

We will start in my favorite area, the library. My wonderful husband spent a couple hours helping me cut and staple the plastic tablecloth in the shape of waves. I love this so very much and it really ties the whole ocean theme together! Plus, each of my library book bins have an ocean label as well. I have too many books (not a problem at all for any teacher) to fit into the bins, but the collections are housed together.

 

Onto my desk area! Here is the view from my desk and the lantern fish that hang above me. Then a quick pic of my actual desk.

 

 

Writing Area: This area will be added to throughout the year. I will be doing mini-lessons about various writing activities and types of writing. Then, an example of that writing will be added to this bulletin board.

 

 

Hallway outside my classroom: My third graders are Swimming To Success!

 Front of the classroom, guided reading area, calendar area, & birthday fish bowls:

 

Bulletin Boards

     

Classroom Management:

  

Student Resources

 

 

Reading & Guided Reading

Who's Got A Fancy Planner? ME!!

Let me tell you a little story:

My great friend from college (who teaches in a nearby district) ordered a wonderful Erin Condren planner for this school year. She got it in the mail, but it was the wrong one. Sad day for her, but lucky for me. After she called to let them know the mistake, they promised to send her actual planner quickly. But they told her she could keep the planner that isn't hers or get rid of it.
Here's the happy part for me: SHE GAVE ME THE PLANNER!

Here is the beautiful (and free to me) planner:

Meet the Teacher Night

Last night, the evening before school, Moonlight hosted Meet the Teacher Night (or Sneak Peek, as it is also called). Students bring in their supplies and I am able to meet them and their parents. It's a wonderful time to have the first interaction with students and teachers.

This is what the students' desks looked like before they came last night:

On their desks: Important Points for Parents (includes specials schedule, homework requirements, contact information, brief content explanation), Bare Book note (students make a scrapbook of their writings over the school year, read about it here), Third Grade brochure, where to put supplies, and the students' first h/w assignment (All About Me bag)

 

Signups for the parents: conferences, parent goals for their child, party signups, contact information, volunteer information, and classroom donations