Physical Education

We challenged our third graders this year during our dance and football unit. They started each class by warming up with a quick dance. We also increased the distance when throwing the football with partners. The students learned how to run different routes, like the slant and hook. They then tried to incorporate these routes into a game situation. We really emphasize teaching the students the basic rules of the game, so they can start to understand how a real football game works.

Science

Our Third Graders are currently in our Life Cycles Unit. We'll explore how all living things, from tiny seeds to big animals, go through the same four big stages: birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Third graders will become scientists by creating awesome models to compare the different ways plants and animals complete their own life journeys. We'll also be using our new knowledge to solve real-world puzzles about Nature's Balance—learning what happens when there are too many or too few organisms in an area, and how understanding life cycles helps keep our world healthy!

Innovation Lab

Our third graders recently completed a unit introducing Scratch programming. They learned some of the basics of this very powerful block programming platform. Students animated the letters of their names to automatically spin, change size and change color. One of the features of Scratch, that keeps students engaged, are the many different character, color and background choices.

Third graders are moving into a 3-D design unit in Tinkercad. Tinkercad is a kid-friendly introduction into the world of 3-D design and printing. Students are designing their own 50mm round coins or pendants. They can personalize them in any way they want and choose from one of many color choices. This is another activity where students learn important design skills, while getting the chance for self-expression.

Simon Name Animation.mov

Art

Third graders are beginning their Levon Biss inspired bug prints! We are discussing photography as an art form and how artists use composition, symmetry and balance to guide the viewer’s eye. Next, students will design and construct masks connected to their General Studies Country Study unit, exploring cultural symbolism, pattern, and three-dimensional design.

Library

Third graders read the first book in author Adam Gidwitz’s Unicorn Rescue Society series to prepare for his visit to the Ramaz LS this week. We discussed the research that goes into writing a novel, even one with fantastical creatures like unicorns, by investigating Adam’s official author’s website. We discussed authoritative information on the internet and why an author may provide or withhold information from a publicly available website. Students also workshopped questions in preparation for the Q&A session after Adam’s presentation. The event was enjoyed by all and Adam was impressed by our third grade students' attention and their questions!

Music

Third graders have been exploring the connection between movement and music through singing games and collaborative activities. While working on our songs for Shabbat Shira, students learned the cups song to strengthen rhythmic accuracy, coordination, and steady beat. This activity quickly became a favorite and even made its way into the cafeteria! The work leads naturally into playing instruments and collaborative ensemble games that emphasize listening, teamwork, and musical confidence. Students continue to build foundational musicianship skills through joyful, hands-on music-making.

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