Recommended Book List

Books! Books! and more books! Here are a few of recommended favorites for third grade! Below are some podcasts about the books they get excited about and have been reading. Use them to inspire your readers or to get new read aloud ideas!

Podcast Book Reviews done by our school librarian can be found HERE!

1.) Lemonade Wars by Jacqueline Davies

2.) I Survived the attack of 9/11 by Lauren Tarshis

3.) The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

4.) Real Friends by Shannon Hale

5.) The Bad Guys by Aaron Blabey

6.)The Unicorn in the Barn by Jacqueline K. Ogburn

7.) Gregor the Overlander Series by Suzanne Collins

8.) Frindle by Andrew Clements

9.) How to be Cool in Third Grade by Betsy Duffey

10.) Dog Man Series by Dav Pilkey

11.) Babymouse by Jennifer L. Holm

12.) Amulet Series by Kazu Kibuishi

Writing Conference (Templates)

Independent writing is such an important time for students to practice the skills that have been modeled or taught to them. But what should you do during this time? Make the most of this time by conducting INDEPENDENT WRITING CONFERENCES! This one on one time with each student will provide valuable information as you get to know them better as writers. I have created a series of questions to guide you through your conferences. These questions will take all the guess work out of conferencing, allowing you to keep a structured and focused time with your students. You will differentiate and individualize instruction with every student and you will enjoy every minute of it! Each template has questions by skill which are listed from easiest to most difficult. There are so many benefits of independent writing conferences: drives your whole group instruction with the data you gather, informative data for parent conferences, bonding time with each student, able to monitor each student closely for strategies used while writing, and the list goes on! CHECK IT OUT HERE

Stretching out details with story mountains

Stretching narratives out with a story mountain

This year was the first year our school had been using the units of study since our current third graders were kindergarteners. I can tell you that we are seeing the difference. Our kids are coming into third grade really understanding what a small moment is. If your students are not, see Lesson on Small Moments. 

One area that our third graders really need scaffolding is in stretching out the details. Maybe that is the case for you too. If so, try story mountains. They really work. 

Day #1: Mapping out the Action Steps

We use an 18X12 piece of paper to make a mountain. I have students identify the most important part of their small moment first. We mark it at the top by using an action sentence. For example: "I caught a fish." "I tripped on the floor" "I sprang my ankle" "I burnt the marshmallow" 

Then I have them rewind their small moments a minute or so before this important event. They write action sentence and place it at the beginning of their mountain. 

They go back to the most important event and fast forward a minute or so after, and name another action. 

During independent work time, I have them finish mapping out their actions. 

Day #2: Mapping out the Internal Story

The next day I have students map out the internal story. I retell as story about a time when I got lost and all the thoughts that went in my head. Then I tell them that everyone has a story that goes on in their head. Today we are going to map that out. In a new color, we map out the thoughts during each action step. This time we start at the beginning and work our way through. 

Day #3: Mapping out the Dialogue (Talking out loud part)

This day is similar to the previous one. By this time, kids really understand what they are doing. I do not focus on the punctation of dialogue at this point. I just really want them to get their thoughts down on paper. We choose another new and this time map the dialogue parts with it. It is also important to note to writers that they may not remember exactly what they said in this moment, but they need to make up something realistic. 

My Example

Student motivated to learn

Student not motivated, but teachable

Embracing a Growth Mindset

You can play an important role in helping your students build strong, healthy, "growth mindset" brains.

FREEBIE PRINTABLE

A GROWTH MINDSET is about believing in yourself and knowing that you have the power to change your abilities. 

FREEBIE PRINTABLE

Many children and teens get stuck with a FIXED MINDSET. They believe they are "not good at writing" or will never be as good as _________. 

Incorporating a "growth mindset into your classroom conversations sends the message that, with support and effort, you can improve your own self. 

Growth mindset doesn't stop at grades and athletic ability. It can be applied to anything your students are passionate about. This can be talked about in friendships, in group work, when a student needs to be encouraged to speak up for what is right. 

One outlet for is to provide your students with an opportunity to take a risk through goal setting. Each week, I set goals with my students! These goals are academic in the classroom, but I also allow them to take goal sheets home for social/emotional ones too! When goals are met, students display them on "LEARNING CHAINS"