Our 2nd week of school is coming to a close and our class is doing exceptionally well at learning the routines and getting into the rhythm of our class. We know Mrs. Sullivan has high expectations of us and she expects our best work and nothing less. We’ve had discussions around why completing your homework demonstrates responsibility, we learned how to be respectful of our custodians’ time and efforts by keeping our hallway clean and organized. We’ve also earned how to sign out books in our class library and how to put them away. We are a class of readers who love to spend time in class reading on our own or with a whisper phone. We also know we are all in different places as readers and we’re here to support one another on our own reading journeys.

Did you know that a whisper phone allows us to hear our own voices when reading by ourselves? It amplifies the sound and we can work on our intonation and reading speed. Students can grab one whenever they are reading in class.

We also learned what makes a book too easy, too hard, and just right! We compared finding a ‘just right book’ to finding the perfect pair of shoes–they feel good, look good, and are comfortable to wear. Books should feel comfortable too but also it’s OK if they will push us a little. Grade 3s…can you remember what makes a book “just right?”

• You know most of the words
• You can read it smoothly (like butter)
• The title page and blurb look and sound interesting to you
• You can retell the story to someone else
• You can make a movie in your mind of what you’re reading

Parents, you may already do this, but if you don’t, make a habit of reading a book with your child. Perhaps a chapter every night before bed. Encourage your child to read as much as possible! Check out a local library together. Does your child have their own library card? (Can you believe I still have my original card from when I was a little girl?)

What happens when Mrs. Sullivan is away for the day? She gets excited upon her return to read all the ways the students made her proud. We aim to be a welcoming and supportive class, especially when guests are in our room.

On Wednesday, we built towers using base 10 blocks. How much was your tower worth? Check it out!

Wonderful work, Grade 3s!! I AM proud of you.

Standing before Platform 9 3/4 with their black attire, witch hats, lightning scars, and ticket in hand, students were ready to step through the brick wall into a whole different world–Hogwarts!

With a SWISH and a FLICK, we began with the Sorting Hat who whispered into Mrs. Sullivan’s ear which house each student would be assigned to.

We began with some activities in our new houses, all related to Harry Potter, of course. We invented our own spells and presented them to the rest of the group. Photo opportunities came next and then the much anticipated FEAST!

We began digging into the incredible assortment of treats and eats. We are all so thankful to all of the parents who helped make our feast super special.  We had everything from homemade cakepops, Slytherin spirals, to owl cupcakes, chocolate frogs, Ollivander’s licorice wands, Professor Sprout’s veggie sticks, and more! You can see it all in the pictures below.

After filling our bellies, we began watching the movie of Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone.

At the end of the day, we had some door prizes and I’m happy to announce that all students graduated with a degree of Master of Wizardry courtesy of Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall. Congratulations! Hang your certificates with pride.

I think it’s safe to say the students enjoyed their time at Hogwarts. I’m so happy they all embraced all that is Harry Potter and soaked it all in. 

Wingardium Leviosa!