Third Grade

The third grade classes will finish off their year with a bang with ice cream socials filled with fun and yummy treats!

Students visited Chebeague Island for a tour and a picnic. Donna Damon, the island historian, gave the children a tour of Native American middens and told them about artifacts found on the island. They also explored the island beach, had a picnic lunch, and visited the Chebeague Island School.

The PTO contributed to the Math Facts Challenge at DRS, encouraging students to really master those math facts by rewarding classrooms with pizza lunches!

The PTO purchased hard-covered bound "Bare Books" for the third grade to complement their literacy work. The students will use these to produce their own story books.

In April, third graders enjoyed a visit to the Southworth Planetarium in Portland. They saw the show "Eight Planets and Counting". This new program takes you on an updated solar system tour. The students saw the recently discovered ice worlds beyond the dwarf planet Pluto, they soared over a Martian canyon, and descended through the clouds of Titan. The show was followed by an interactive discussion with the planetarium educator.

The third grade was treated to a trip to the Maine Historical Society this March. They viewed the Native American exhibit "Gifts from Gluskabe", on loan from the University of Maine. The kids were able to enjoy hands-on Native American games and crafts and also spent time viewing and touching the numerous historical exhibit items, such as baskets, rootclubs, knives, arrowheads, and snowshoes."

The Grade Students had a visit from local astronomer Paul Howell. The children viewed a slideshow covering constellations, attributes of the planets, and discussed the differences in stars. The presentation wrapped up with a question and answer period. Paul is a parent in the school district as well as the president of the Southern Maine Astronomy Club. The club is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to public outreach and education in astronomy.

Barry Dana - May 11, 2007

Barry Dana, Penobscot teacher and artist, visits schools offering lectures and demonstrations on Penobscot as well as Wabanaki cultures. He will have a hands-on presentation about the history and lives of Native Americans here in Maine. To convey aspects of the culture he demonstrates birch bark basketry, moose calling, music, shelter making and more.

Chewonki - Adaptations of Maine's Native Owls - October 2006

Live owls are the highlight of this program which introduces participants to the owls native to Maine and New England. The presentation begins with slides and sounds to learn the different appearances and calls of each owl. Then, using talons, wings, and skulls, the students explore the adaptations for silent hunting of these nocturnal birds of prey. This program offers an intimate and detailed look at owls, bringing these creatures of the night out into the light! see more pictures

Third Grade Enrichment

2005-06

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Southern Maine Astronomers - May 2006

Paul Howell, a member of the Southern Maine Astronomers, gave an astronomy talk to two groups of 3rd grade students at Drowne Road School on Thursday, May 11th. Paul is a graduate student at Boston University and he is studying astrophysics. His talk and slide show contained information about the solar systems, stars, and galaxies. Paul's presentation was punctuated by lots of really eager hands connected to kids with very good questions.

The students learned about some recently discovered 'trans-Neptunian objects' that are as big or bigger than Pluto. Whether these objects are planets and whether Pluto is a planet is a current source of debate. One such object that is bigger than Pluto only has the scientific name 2003UB313. Paul thinks this is a bad name and asked both groups of students to suggest a better name. One group decided on "Bob" and another decided on "Joe".

Paul described the star Betelgeuse which is in the constellation Orion. Many student already knew how to pronounce Betelgeuse: "beetle-juice", and recognized Orion as a bright winter constellation. Paul calls Betelgeuse 'the star that could eat the Earth" because it is so big, the Earth would be inside it if Betelgeuse were placed at the Sun's location.

Paul asked the tricky question "what is the closest star" and the clever Drowne Road students would not fall for the bait. They all answered out loud together the "The Sun!!"

Paul finished by saying that astronomy can be fun without needing any equipment by just going out and enjoying the night sky, and reminded folks to do their part to reduce light pollution.

Starlab - April 2006

STARLAB is a portable planetarium that brings the wonders of the night sky to the schools. The 15-foot domed STARLAB is inflated at the school and allows students to explore the constellations and learn the stories and facts behind the stars.

Jennifer Jacobson - April 2006

The third grades classes will be visited by children's author Jennifer Jacobson in April.

Celebration of Literacy and the Arts - March 2006

The Mabel I Wilson School and the Drowne Road School enjoyed a Fine Arts Festival starting February 27 through March 24. Each week highlighted a different focus, music, theater, visual art, and dance.

~Week One: Music

Third grade welcomed Carolyn Currie for a 2 day songwriting workshop. She provided the tune and first line and each class wrote a complete song.

~Week Two & Three: Physical Theater & Visual Art

Students enjoyed a two week residency by Figures of Speech. This encompassed both theater and visual arts. Each class produced and performed a short skit using shadow puppets to tell an old Abnaki tale "The Adventures of Matagwess".

Third Grade Enrichment

2004-05

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Maine Days Festival

The third grade has taken a more relaxed approach to Maine Agriculture and Industry this year. The perennial Maine Day has been replaced with individual speakers presenting at each school through out the months of October and November. All third graders have been introduced to Forestry by Jeff Easterling and Agriculture by Kay Fowler of Springbrook Farms. NYMS had the pleasure of listening to Greg Sweetser talk about the Ski Industry in Maine. MIW students were treated to a lecture by Daria McGuilicuddy on the topic of bees and honey-based products.

Ocean Habitats Unit

In 2004, a traveling program from the Children's Museum of Maine will bring the story of Istar the Whale to Wilson School. This program supports the final unit of the year, which is the Gulf of Maine.

Freedom Train Field Trip

During their study of Africa, the NYMS students attended a Theatreworks production of “Freedom Train” at Merrill Theater, in Portland. This is the story of Harriet Tubman, a freed slave, and her involvement as a "conductor" in the Underground Railroad. The production comes to life using dance, dialogue, and music of the period to tell this fascinating story.

Author / Illustrator Visit

Kevin Hawkes, a local illustrator and sometime author visited the 3rd graders to talk about his work. He walked the students through his process of creating, from receiving the manuscript, changes from the editor to the final finished product. The children watched as he demonstrated small yet effective techniques which changed the tone and focus of a picture with just the slightest movement of hand or pastel. Teachers and students enjoyed his presentation greatly!

In 2004, local author Jennifer Jacobson visited for a day-long session with third graders as part of the Celebration of Reading.

African Drummer - Moussa Traore

In April in support of African Studies, the third graders at MIW hosted African drummer, Moussa Traore. He demonstrated drumming techniques and all students participated simultaneously. As the kids beat their drums he played a much more complex rhythm on top of their notes. The students were fully engaged and enthusiastic. "Great!" "Awesome!" "We had a ball!" were some of their responses. The underlying message of his presentation was that the kids were fortunate to all be able to go to school.

Mr. & Mrs. Fish

Mr. And Mrs. Fish presented a traveling program at NYMS for all third graders and then broke out into smaller group presentations. Mr. And Mrs. Fish are marine educators who travel about the world teaching children about ocean life. At the full assembly the students learned about the food chain in the Gulf of Maine. Through monologues, costumes (with student volunteers) and much humor they showed the kids that there is ALWAYS something bigger in the ocean, with humans being the ultimate predator.