Third graders enjoyed traveling to 1757 as we celebrated Colonial Day in our classroom. Using ink wells and quills, the students practiced cursive in their horn books. With no electricity, the students created lanterns to light the room. The colonial students enjoyed bread and cake that they made for lunch and of course, washed their bowls in our wash basins!  Colonial Day will remain fondly in our hearts and minds for many, many years to come.

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

Third graders completed their Native American unit this week.  Students enjoyed learning about the similarities between the Hopi and the Navajo.  It was interesting to explore how and why the Chinook of the northwest coast were so different from the other Native American groups we learned about. Fish was as important to the Chinook as corn was to the Iroquois! 

by Kathleen McIntyre and Kate Lynett

Students have now traveled to the states of Arizona and New Mexico, learning about the Hopi Native Americans.  After a desert study in science class with Ms. Kipa, the students were able to make many wonderful predictions about the Hopi's way of life, based on the characteristics of the desert.  Well done third grade!

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

As we come to the end of our Native American Sioux unit, third grade students have started creating traditional Sioux homes. Sioux Native Americans resided in tipis.  Using construction paper, tape, colored pencils and picture dictionaries, students created tipi replicas. Students were sure to have their tipi door openings facing east, where the sun rises. The Sioux felt that the sun was very powerful and brought them special powers. Students were excited to put their creativity to work in designing these traditional homes.

by Kate Lynett and Kathleen McIntyre

Our study of the Sioux Native Americans has increased the excitement level in third grade for our tipi sleepover in May. Students have learned how many buffalo skins are needed to cover the tall wooden poles to create a tipi and that the Sioux women built and moved the tipis.  Two sticks crossed over the tipi door tells a visitor that the tipi is locked.  This is better than any lock that  you can purchase at the store!