An Author's Purpose PIE

Happy Weekend!!

I THINK I've finally gotten my family and myself into our school routine.  It's been rough,

but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. It's only taken me FOUR weeks!

How's everyone else been feeling?  

I do have to say that  having one of the best classes I've ever had helps.  I think I 

have the sweetest group of 3rd graders. 

I wanted to share a lesson I did with my students this week on

Author's Purpose.  I can not take any credit at all for coming up with this

fabulous lesson.  One of my teaching friends/coworker shared this lesson with me.   ( That's one of the many things I LOVE about teaching at a school with 6 other 3rd grade teachers ( idea sharing), besides the fact that I work with some amazing ladies!) This lesson is Pinterest inspired, of course!

I begin the year by introducing my student's to Author's Purpose.  I expose my students

to many different types of stories so that they can identify the author's purpose for writing the story. In this lesson, each student received two paper plates. On the first paper plate, each student had to divide the plate into 4 equal pieces.  ( They used a pencil to draw their lines).  Then students had to label each section with a P for persuade, I for inform, E for entertain, and Author's Purpose.  Finally, students had to color their pie and decorate with crayon.  We discussed decorating this to look like their favorite type of pie.  Students cut out the four pieces of pie.  

Then students had to staple the pieces onto another paper plate.  We simply put one staple at the top of each piece so that the flap could be lifted up.  Students were given slips of paper with a definition about each to glue underneath each flap.
Here's a picture of the slips of paper:

 If you click on the picture above, you can download this from Google docs.

I shared with my students some stories in which they had to decide the author's purpose for writing the story.  I was able to use Tumblebooks and share the stories on our Promethean board.

Here are the stories I used with my class:

I used this story to show how the author wrote to inform.  This book I found on Tumble Books.

I used this book to show how the author wrote to entertain.  I chose this because it goes with our A.R. theme this quarter.  I found this book on Tumble Books also.

This book was used to show how the author wrote to persuade.  I found this video off of YouTube.

Here are some finished products:

Here is one of my favorite resources to use that goes over many different reading skills and vocabulary. Does anyone else use these?  I LOVE them!  They are quick 5 minute exercises.  It is part of our morning work routine while I am taking attendance and checking planners.  These are on each student's desk in the morning.

 If you would like more information, click on the picture to be taken to the Amazon.com link.

Have a fabulous weekend!  Our weekend is filled with our kids' soccer games. The weather is supposed to be cooler and more Fall like.  I can't wait!!

Math Games and CURRENTLY

I have begun using math workshop in my classroom these past couple of 

weeks ,AND I love it!  I don't use math workshop everyday in math, but about 3 times

a week.  

One of the rotations I used with my students today was the "MATH IT UP" board.

They LOVED it!  Most of my students noticed this new addition to our classroom as soon

as they walked in this morning.  How observant!!  

I am completely out of space in my classroom for another board, so I used the back of

my BOGGLE board ( which is actually an oil pan). 

 You can find this fabulous FREE resource from Teacher on the Loose by clicking HERE.

I also found these fabulous math card games from Serenade to Second Grade.

  My students can choose to do these when they have finished with their work.  Today I used them in a math rotation.  After the students had finished their " At Their Seat" activity, they could pick a math game to play.  You can download these math games HERE.

AND here's my September Currently.  Don't forget to link up with Oh Boy Fourth Grade.

Okay, this Midwestern gal had her first trip to the mountains of Utah.  LOVE!  My husband and I had a getaway weekend ( without kids) to a mountain resort near Alta, Utah.  We did so much hiking, and I saw a mamma moose and her baby.  Very cool!  The views were SO amazing!

We have our first field trip of the year on Friday.  It is to a large farm near our school. Our local historical society now uses this property.  The founder of PET milk owned  this farm. Each year a weekend event called " Harvest Days" is held.  Students learn about life during the pioneer days.  They have so much fun with this.  Unfortunately it is supposed to storm and rain on this day, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can get this field trip in.

I REALLY want a subscription to Tumble Books.  I have used this several times already this week.  I am using a month trial subscription for free.  The yearly subscription cost is $499.  Yikes!

Some of my favorite things lately are:
1. My Erin Condren planner...
2. Sunburst fruit snacks... I keep these in my desk for a quick snack after school.  My kids have me hooked on these snacks.
3. My pencil sharpener from Classroom Friendly Supplies... I LOVE this sharpener!

To find out more about this fabulous sharpener, click on the picture above.

Have a fabulous rest of the week!