3rd Grade

What are we doing in the library?

September

📚 Exploring the Library!

Students are diving into a review of library rules and expectations as we kick off the new school year. They’re learning how books are organized, exploring different genres, and discovering how to check out and care for library materials. To make it fun, we’ll be doing scavenger hunts around the library and learning to navigate our library system, Destiny Discover. It's a great way to build confidence and excitement about using the library!

📚 Get Ready for Battle of the Books!
We’re excited to begin preparing for Battle of the Books (BoB) — a fun, quiz bowl-style competition for students in grades 3-5th Grade! Participants join a school team and commit to reading a list of 6 selected books. They can read independently, with a group, or alongside an adult!

BoB encourages teamwork, exposes students to award-winning literature, and promotes a love of reading both in and out of the classroom. While it is a competition, the heart of BoB is all about discovering great stories and sharing the joy of reading.

📖 This year’s book list includes:

• TBD

October

🔧 Engineering Design Challenges 

Inspired by the book Scaredy Squirrel, students will put their engineering skills to the test! Working in small groups, they’ll design and build a creative solution to help Scaredy Squirrel safely get down from his tree. Using teamwork, problem-solving, and a variety of materials, students will brainstorm, plan, and build their own unique contraptions — all while having fun and thinking like real engineers!

As we continue exploring design challenges, students will read Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and take on a fun, hands-on STEM task! Working in groups, students will use the design process to create a broom that can hold all six characters from the story. Their creations will need to be 8 inches long and will need to be able to balance between 2 cups.

This activity connects to key ISTE Standards for students as Innovative Designers, including:
🔧 1.4a – Using a design process to solve problems
🧠 1.4b – Considering constraints as part of the challenge

We can’t wait to see their problem-solving skills and teamwork in action!

October 19–23, we’ll be hosting our Boulder Bookstore Book Fair! This exciting event is a fundraiser for our library in partnership with a local bookstore. 

November

Students will complete their design challenge for Room on the Broom and showcase their creations in the library. They will present their designs, discuss what worked well, and reflect on what they might change. Peers will provide feedback by sharing one thing they like and suggesting an improvement, encouraging collaboration, reflection, and constructive critique.

Students will read Coyote Places the Stars by Harriet Peck Taylor, focusing on understanding story elements and the author’s purpose. After reading, they will take on the Marshmallow Challenge, applying ISTE Standard 4: Innovative Designer by using the design process and considering constraints as they build their own constellations with marshmallows and toothpicks. This hands-on activity combines reading comprehension, teamwork, and creative engineering, giving students the opportunity to problem-solve and refine their designs!

December

Students will participate in a Book Tasting, sampling a variety of genres to discover new interests and broaden their understanding of the many types of stories and informational texts available. This experience encourages curiosity, exploration, and excitement around reading.

Students will also have dedicated time to explore and code with both Dash robots and Cubelets. Through hands-on experimentation and guided challenges, students will build their skills in sequencing, problem-solving, and creative design while engaging in meaningful STEM exploration.

January

This month, students will learn about online safety using the Digital Literacy & Well-Being curriculum from Common Sense Education and the Quaver curriculum.  This curriculum helps 3rd graders build smart, safe, and respectful habits online.