Week Six:  This week we read a book and learned about the Lower Flathead River. This book is rich with pictures, charts, primary sources, and background knowledge. Much of the information in the is book was new to me, so I had to read it slowly and it took me a while. While reading, I am constantly thinking of my third grade classroom and how I can incorporate the resource. I was having a hard time bringing a lot of the information in this book down to the third grade level until I came to the end of the book where the guide is that lists the native plants, animals, and animal tracks. Not only can I use this to teach about the Flathead River, I can use it to teach book format, how to read informational text, and the plant and animal portion fits perfectly into our third grade science curriculum. I felt like I'd hit the jackpot when I saw this.

More and more I think I need to design my unit around the concept of "home". It comes up in every resource practically. For third grade, it is the perfect theme and many of our social studies concepts in general focus on home and community. I think if I can get them to truly think about what home means to them, they will better understand what happened so long ago and the wide range of emotions that play into these events.

I am liking the Common Core more and more, as I find it to be in line with what I am already doing. I don't see it as more to do, just as insurance that I am teaching content in a meaningful way that engages all learners.