Mrs. Thorp’s Third Grade Blog

I ran across this wonderful blog.  I love teaching and learning about nature and  if you like to do the same, check this blog out.

Mixing kids with their natural curiosity and nature is only going to result in lots of learning.

Let me know what you think.

Wonder of Creation � Wonder Kids.

Here is a live web cam of a female barn owl sitting on some eggs and newly hatched baby owls.

A great resource if you are teaching your children about life cycles in science.

Live Owl Nest Box Cam.

Maybe you have been thinking about teaching your child about the importance of the census. Well, the government has put out a web site with lots of great ways to help your child learn about why this is important.

From preschool to high school, there are ideas that you can use.  You can integrate into math, history, geography and language arts.  Check it out, I think that you will like it.

Census in Schools.

Practicing spelling words can be boring or fun.

Have you ever considered using shaving cream?  Paint?  Dice?  To find out more about these ideas and lots more, follow this link.

Gazette » 60 Ways to Practice Spelling.

Dads, how can you help your child do better in school?  In this post I will give some ways that you can do just that.

Recently, a former co-worker of mine spent part of his day off reading stories at his child’s preschool class.  His child, as well as the other children loved it.  That is one way dads can be involved.  Here are some more:

• Play board games or sports with your child.
• Read to your child every night before you tuck them in.
• Tell your child stories about your childhood, what you liked to do, how you did in school etc.
• Take your child with you when you do errands (even if this slows you down).
• Eat meals with your child, while you are eating talk.  Talk about everything and anything that interests your child.
• Take  your child to the park, the zoo, the library, for a ride in the car.
• Explain how things work.
• Learn something new together.
• Do household jobs together.
• Most important:  Tell your child everyday that he is a winner and that you love him/her unconditionally.

How will the above suggestions help your child in school?

Simply stated:  Your child will treat others the way you treat him,  your child will be curious and want to learn if he/she sees you do the same,  your child will achieve because someone believes in him.  A child who feels love and security will have the self confidence to take risks and those risks might just lead him to discover what he/she wants to accomplish in life.

In many third grade classrooms all over the United States children are learning their multiplication tables. It has become a rite of passage for third graders!

Parents want to help but do not always know how.  Here is a link that might help.

Memorizing Multiplication Tables Essential for Math – SchoolFamily.com.

This sounds like a fun way to help your child love writing.

Tikatok – Imagine a Story. Create a Book..

Writing skills are so important.  When your child loves to write, he/she will become a better writer.  Many times children just need some motivation, this site promises to give your children the motivation that they need.

Try it and let me know how it works for you!

Here are some great ideas for parents who want to help their children in school.

Reading Rockets: New Year’s Resolution: Help Your Kids Do Great in School.

Here in Michigan the economy is suffering.  School districts are cutting their budgets and parents are fearing that their children are not going to get the education that they need.

Here is one solution:  Volunteer

The Detroit Free Press and the school system are teaming up to encourage people to volunteer in schools 100,000 hours so that students can be reading at grade level.  What a great idea!

The education of our children is of utmost importance and this is a way that parents and grandparents can be part of the solution to better schools.

I encourage all who read this to get involved in a child’s education.  You have a lot to offer and helping a child to read will really make a difference!

Teaching multiplication is so much fun!  There are so many different ways to teach the concept and to learn the facts.

Let’s Play Math is an excellent blog written by a homeschool mom/teacher.  In this blog she has written about a multplication bingo game called Mingo.  What makes this so great is that you can download the game and print out the Mingo cards.  She also has other posts about teaching math that I encourage you to check out.