Save the Toys Breakout

We had a Toy Story Breakout!  Students came in to see the Breakout box with four different locks. There was a puzzle up front.  Once the students put the puzzle together, they saw a message.

Oh no!  Woody and Buzz are trying to make it home to Andy.  Help them complete the challenges to get back to Andy.  Find the gas station and get started.

They had to solve a series of clues to unlock each of the locks.  To solve the clues, students used reading strategies.  For example, in the gas station challenge the children used their inferencing skills.  We read scenarios about Toy Story characters and had to infer how the characters were feeling.  In later challenges, students had to use their knowledge of main ideas and details, sequencing, and even nonfiction text features.  The students were working so hard on finding the lock combinations, I don't think they realized how hard they were working!

In the end, the students had solved all the challenges and began to open the locks.  There was a letter lock, directional lock, a four digit combination, and a key.  It was time for the big reveal!



What else would go in a Toy Story Breakout Box but.....a barrel of monkeys!  Each child got a mini set and enjoyed playing the classic, silly game!

Measurement Mania

Our Toy Story theme included many measurement activities. We worked on the third grade standard of measuring accurately with a ruler to the nearest 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch. We also had many opportunities to discuss the difference between centimeters and inches. Further, we compared and contrasted intervals on a  number line to a ruler.

One of our first activities was "Pin the Parts on Mr. Potato Head."  We had a giant Mr. Potato.  Students had to measure the parts in both centimeters and inches before we could decorate the potato.

We had an "Infinity and Beyond" challenge.  We built a giant number line on the floor.  We measured the intervals so they were all equal.  Then, we placed different locations, like Pizza Planet and Andy's Room, along the number line.  We used the RC car from the movie to determine the distance between the different locations.  Last, students went back to their desks.  They had to make their own number line out of a pipe cleaner and beads.  The beads had to be in one inch intervals.  Then we used army men to solve word problems.

In "The Claw" activity, students had to reach in to the machine and grab out an alien.  The aliens were actually green Easter eggs.  Inside the alien, there was an object to measure next to a paper ruler.  Students had to determine if the they were measuring in centimeters or inches.  Then, there was a bit of a challenge. The object was not lined up with the edge of the ruler, so students had to know to count the intervals or subtract the starting point.

We also did an activity called "There's a Snake in My Boot."  We selected measurement word problems out of a pair of boots.  Students used a ruler and playdough to model the problem and discover the solution.

Thank you to Kori Markussen at True Tales of a Teacher, Amy Lemons at Step Into Second Grade, and Hope King at Elementary Shenanigans for your inspiration to make this Toy Story Transformation a success for my students.

You've Got a Friend in Me

Off to a magical start in the third grade! What a great group of students, I am so lucky to be their teacher. I have 7 students returning (looping) into this class. As Huey Lewis says, I'm so "happy to be stuck with you." That means there are 18 new students and families for me to get to know. I can't wait! We are going to be a great classroom family.

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As a third grade team, we started the year with a Toy Story theme. Just like the toys in Andy's room come alive, we hope to make learning come alive for the students. Another great theme is "You've Got a Friend in Me." Back to school is perfect for meeting new friends.

 

We spent the first week getting reacquainted and learning more about each other. One of our activities was called "Who is in My Circles?" For this getting to know us activity, students filled in a tiny center circle with some favorites; favorite subject, favorite book, favorite food, etc. Then each child left their paper on their desk. We all traveled around to each desk and put our names in the different concentric circles. If you also LOVED the same thing, you signed your name in the first surrounding circle. If you like the same, you sign in the next circle out. Finally, if it is not something you like, you sign in the outer most circle. The students made some great connections with the other children that they learned that were in their circles. This activity went home in your child's Wednesday envelope. Please look at their circles!

Another getting to know us activity was called "Maze of New Friends." In this activity, students had to complete a maze. However, every path had a series of doors to "unlock." In order to unlock a door, the students had to find a friend that met a certain criteria. For example, you might have to find a friend that has a younger sibling or find a friend that swam in the ocean. The students were interviewing each other and learning all sorts of fun facts about their classmates. Of course, we also talked about using good eye contact, answering questions with complete sentences, and thanking each other for the information.

Last, we had some "Getting To Know Us" homework. Each student completed a riddle about themselves at home. In class, we made a self portrait to go with the writing. Come check out our giant "Guess Who?" game in our third grade hallway.