Grade 3

Inquiry Project for Grade 3

To help us understand and answer our big question (What does it mean to be Caymanian?), each student will be inquiring into a certain aspect of Cayman.  The children have now chosen their topics and written questions to guide their Inquiry.  In class, research time will be given on Monday and Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning during the week of the 10 - 14 of January.  The rest of the research will need to be completed at home as part of their weekly homework.  Once all research has been completed, children will present their information as a Power Point presentation.  This will be worked on during the week 17 - 21 of January.  The children will then share their Power Point presentations at the beginning of the next week, the 25 or 26 of January.  Parents will be informed about the time and date we intend to share our work so that they can come and view the Power Point presentations.

Dear parents,

Grade 3 has started a book report project.  The majority of the work will be completed in class, but here is an outline of the assignment for your own reference.

    1.    Choose and read a novel.

2.   While you read:

·        Refer to the Stop and Think Card.

·        Take notes at the end of each chapter.  What was the main idea?  What events took place?  Which characters were involved?

·        Create a character profile.  Draw the character and write some descriptive words about that character.

·        Also take time to read aloud parts of the book to your parents, teacher and friends.

3.   When you have completed reading the novel:

·        Write a paragraph summarizing the novel.

·        Write a paragraph describing the character.

·        Find out five facts about the author and write at least three questions you would like to ask the author.

·        Redesign the front cover of your book.

·        Give your book a star rating out of 5.

4.  Finally, you can create a poster, diorama (model) or Power Point to present your report to the class. This report is due Friday, the 19^th of November.

A grade

Written responses are in depth and show excellent thinking skills.  Key events from the book are used to back up their opinions.  The summary is well sequenced and states the main events in the book.  Questions to the author are insightful.  The book cover design shows creativity.

B grade

Written responses show some thinking about the events that happened in the book.  Some reasons are given when expressing a personal view point.  The summary states the main events.  Questions to the author are appropriate.  Cover design depicts a main event in the book.

C grade

Completes all sections of the book report.  Misses recalling some main events from the book.  Does not or uses minimal examples from the book to back up their own opinions.

D grade

Some sections of the book report are not complete.   Written responses do not address the main events.  Report shows they do not have a thorough understanding of the book.

Shared Picture Book Reading!

Each student will choose a favorite picture book to read to the class.  The oral reading should take about 10 minutes.  Children will then answer a minimum of three questions from the audience.  Types of questions they may be asked are:

Why did you choose this book?  Would you recommend others to read this book?

Is it a funny/sad/factual story?

What is the main idea of this book?  What is the author’s purpose in writing this book?

This story reading assignment will be graded.  Children will be graded on:

·         Oral reading.  Did they read fluently, clearly and with expression? (3 points)

·         Engagement with the audience.  Did they look up at the audience at times during the reading?  Are they able to listen and answer questions from the audience? (3 points)

·         Knowledge about the book.  Are they able to identify the main idea of the book?  Can they correctly answer questions from the audience to show understanding of the book? (4 points)

9 – 10 points = A

6 – 8 points = B

4 – 5 points = C

3 points or lower is a D

Here is the Reading Roster for the next few weeks:

It would be great if children could practice their oral reading at home in preparation for sharing in class.  I look forward to hearing the stories! 

Book Report

1.    Choose and read a novel.

2.  While you read:

·       Refer to the Stop and Think Card.

·       Take notes at the end of each chapter.  What was the main idea?  What events took place?  Which characters were involved?

·       Create a character profile.  Draw the character and write some descriptive words about that character.

·       Also take time to read aloud parts of the book to your parents, teacher and friends.

3.  When you have completed reading the novel:

·       Write a paragraph summarizing the novel.

·       Write a paragraph describing the character.

·       Find out five facts about the author and write at least three questions you would like to ask the author.

·       Give your book a star rating out of 5.

4.  Finally, you can create a poster, diorama (model) or Power Point to present your report to the class. This report is due Wednesday, the 3 March.

Inquiry Project

To help us understand and answer our big question (What does it mean to be Caymanian?), each student will be inquiring into a certain aspect of Cayman.  The children have now chosen their topics and written questions to guide their Inquiry.  In class, research time will be given on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon.  The rest of the research will need to be completed at home as part of their weekly homework.  Once all research has been completed, children will present their information as a Power Point presentation.  This will be worked on during the week 18 – 22 January.  The children will then share their Power Point presentations either at the end of that week or the beginning of the next, 25 or 26 January.  Parents will be informed about the time and date we intend to share our work so that they can come and view the Power Point presentations.

Grade 3 has been busy creating a class mural depicting the key habitats found in tropical seas - mangroves, sea grass and coral.  Have a look at our great work!

Liam and Allan coloring the Sea grass portion of our class mural

Sara cutting up a picture for our mural

John, Jessica and Shennell researching information for our mural.

Our finished mural!