Third grade! Yay!
I survived the first two weeks of third grade and finally have the time/energy to tell you a little bit about it. I won’t be going into total detail, so please leave a comment if you have a question!
(UPDATE: I wrote a much more detailed post with more links and full lesson plans. Read it here: Day by Day Plans for the First Week of Third Grade.)
The first read aloud for third grade was How to Be Cool in the Third Grade. It was great and opened up the opportunity for discussions about bullying, “being cool,” and friendship. The kids loved it so much that they gave it a standing ovation when we finished it on Friday!
On the first day, we read The Crayon Box That Talked. Then students completed this (very challenging) team building activity that required them to build a tower of cups without touching them. Afterwards, we discussed kind and respectful language and made an anchor chart called “Meaningful Conversations.” (See below.)
One of my favorite back to school books for teaching respect and responsibility for actions is called What If Everybody Did That? I find myself referring to the book ALL YEAR LONG by asking students that question in order to redirect their behavior.
After reading the book, students write on sticky notes how they might apply our classroom rules.
Two first week traditions that I continued were All About Me Four Corners and the Me & We Book.
I updated my four corners game over the summer so that it ended with this encouraging slide. Students read it with me and I read it to them because I wanted them to know – from day 1 – that they are so loved.
The Me & We Book is a tradition that I learned from my team during my first year of teaching. Students always love it! We turn the pages into a class book that they can read all year long.
We read The Important Book and talked about how our unique qualities make us important. This discussion ended with students writing autobiographical writing samples and gave them ideas for their Me & We Books. We also used The Important Book as our first mentor text for Jivey’s mentor sentences.
On the first day that we switched for math classes, I introduced myself using my interactive math about me chart. Then, students made their own using a matching freebie by Create Teach Share called Figure Me Out. I allowed them to use sticky notes to make them look like mine, and I love how they look on my math board! They’ll be perfect for parents to check out during Curriculum Night.
Later in the week, I introduced each of the Daily 5 centers. Practicing independent reading s=and building stamina is so important to start right away! The kids loved listening to “The Greatest” by Sia as they picked out books and found comfy reading spots.
Towards the end of the week, we set long term goals for the school year. We talked about growth mindset by reading Giraffes Can’t Dance and watching the Class Dojo “Big Ideas” series about the power of YET.
Read more about my #GoalGetters board here.
Other than those major activities, the rest of the time was spent teaching and practicing classroom procedures, organizing our supplies, and learning how my classroom runs. It was a great, smooth week…. but I am glad it’s over! This group of students has figured out the routine quickly, which has made the transition to a new grade much easier for me.
Other books I read throughout the week:
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun
Chocolate Milk Por Favor
What If Everybody Did That?
The Juice Box Bully
The Important Book
Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind
My Mouth is a Volcano
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What are your favorite activities for the first week of school? Let me know in a comment below!
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Unknown says
hello kristin everything is just amazing. you did a great job
2nd Grade says
Hi! I just found your blog. Absolutely wonderful!!! I'm teaching 2nd grade. Is there a way for me to access your wonderful information from last year?
School and the City says
Hi! Here's my post from last year: http://schoolandthecityblog.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-first-week-of-second-grade.html
Unknown says
Hello!!! I LOVE all your ideas! Can you share what you did with the ME and We books? My school is beginning our second year as a Leader in Me School and I would really love to incoirprate this!
Unknown says
How many books a day do you read during the first week? By the way, your blog is so awesome and helpful!!
Colleen says
Hi Kristin,
Could you say more about the “me” and “we” books? Sounds super cute!
Unknown says
I love ALL your ideas!!!! Please tell me where I can buy/find that amazing Friends bulletin board set!
´José F. Patlallán says
Absolutely wonderful.
Brigettysmiles says
Where is the FRIENDS poster set from?
Terri says
Hello… I love your ideas for the first week of school.
Do you have a link to your F R I E N D S posters? I would like to use those this year too
Unknown says
Where did you get your FRIENDS anchor chart you have on your chalkboard in one of your pictures?
Michele R. says
Hi Kristin,how do you use the N-O-I-S-E letters on your board?
Unknown says
Hello! I absolutely love all of your ideas! Did you create the Me/We pages for the books or did you find it somewhere? I would love to do this activity!
Unknown says
Did you make your FRIENDS posters? Where can we find them? Thanks
Missy says
Do you have link to the “Friends” cards at the bottom of your board?
Becca Paro says
They are free on TPT from Digital Divide and Conquer!