Third graders are readers! We invited Mrs. Gayle Benjamin, one of our bus drivers, to read a Magic School Bus book to us. This started off a great two hour read-a-thon of Ms. Frizzle books. It's a new genre which starts as fantasy and turns into informational. The students love them!

Now we are learning about famous people as we do a biography unit. We partnered up across the third grade classes to read, learn and write about a special person in history. We will then draw posters and dress up like the people we read about to present the information we have learned!

As an example of a present day person of accomplishment, Mrs. Stephens found a website about our governor, David Paterson speaking to his alma mater. The students watched the first time and didn't notice he was blind until he mentioned it. Then they watched even more intently. She discussed with them that even handicaps can be overcome.

Gov. Paterson also talked about immigrants who have come to our state. Recently both third grade classes went to the distance learning lab for virtual field trips to Ellis Island.They were able to interact with an Ellis Island park ranger, who showed pictures and video clips and led the groups in discussions of the immigrant experience.