Fall Break

Well Fall Break is here and I have been working my teacher backside off (too bad that doesn't count in calories). I have been running my kids all over the place, making appointments, parent conferences for R1 & R2, new clothes shopping (not for me for them!), laundry, organizing, laundry, projects, and did I mention laundry? We had R1 observed by a psychometrist at his school found out at his conference he has Sensory Processing Disorder in the categories of vision, auditory, touch and environment. This also leads to major anxiety. This was not shocking since I have a few of these issues myself ,but oh man, the mother in me wants to cry for him. :( So I really have been researching on ways to help relieve some of the sensory overload for him. He will begin seeing and OT soon to also help him learn coping mechanisms. So now as I swallow my pride and still think he the MOST FANTASTIC little boy I know we move on and pray. 

During this fall break I also have been working on a new "Telling Time on a Number Line" packet. I will be giving away 3 packets. I will announce the winner Monday! 

How to enter

1. Become a Member of this Site (as always FREE) and comment below (click on the right side of this page)
2. Like me on Facebook (TotallyWirthIt Classroom)

Entry way project for R1 and R2

First Days of School

Someone said "Wait! at least 6 weeks before starting centers/stations". I say "Nah!" My partner teacher and I start right away with centers NOT small groups. For the first few weeks we start with items that we know the students can be successful with and items that are review from 2nd grade (we teach 3rd). We walk around monitoring behaviors (we cover EVERYTHING, even a sneeze!) teaching how to transition when the bell goes off, what it clean looks like etc. This really helps to start right away so when we are ready to start small group we don't have questions, uncertainties, and most of all interruptions. So here are a few shots of what we did the first 2 weeks. 

Using Pattern Blocks to answer: How do we use our materials?

Using 3-D exploration to answer the question "What is my objective?"

Using Geo-boards and Rubber-bands for Self Control (rubber-bands definitely for self control)

Magnets to review what the students know from 2nd grade

Stamps are used to practice clean-up procedures

One of the first games we teach in 3rd grade is Race to 1,000

One of the first lessons in 3rd grade is making multiplication arrays