Thoughts on Thurgood!

Our class has been learning about Thurgood Marshall and his contributions to American History. Students learned that Thurgood often worked with the NAACP as a lawyer. He tried numerous cases concerning civil rights.

One very important case was Brown v. Board of Education. It all started in Topeka, Kansas. A black third-grader named Linda Brown wanted to go to a white school close to her house. The principal refused to allow her to attend school. Linda's parents decided to take the matter to court. With Thurgood Marshall's help, they won their court case. Linda Brown was able to attend the school near her home.

Mrs. Long and I presented students with the following challenge...

Pretend you are Linda Brown. You finally get to go to the white school. But kids look at you because you are different. How does it feel?

 I am always amazed at the insight our children sometimes have about things in life. Here are a few of their responses.

Chyanne said...

I feel very sad but happy because it is close to my house. The kids snarl their noses at me and laugh. All I do is walk away. When I answer a question in the classroom, kids just stare at me.

Alexis says...

They stare at me. I tell them we're the same on the inside. They just laugh at me. I get mad. I don't have any friends just because I'm different on the outside. At lunch, nobody wants to sit by me. At recess, they won't let me play with them. When I go to the slide, everybody runs away like I am sick.

Kai says...

I would feel bad because everybody would call me names, pick on me, and threaten me. I wouldn't have any friends.

Spencer shares his thoughts...

The first time I walked in the white school I was scared. Then I walked in. People made fun of me because of my color. They looked at me very strange for some reason. Then, I said to myself, "Why wouldn't any kid talk to me?" Then at lunch, no one sat with me. At recess no one would play with me. I was very sad.

 Emmeleigh says...

People would make fun of me every day. But, I will not care. Because all that matters is learning.

 This was a great writing assignment. It required students to think of themselves in another person's shoes and feel empathy. I am proud of my students' ability to put their feelings and thoughts into words to share with others. Way to go, guys!

AR Congratulations!

Congratulations, Alexis!

She is the first person to earn her 25-Point Tag.

We love our grandparents!

My Grandparents, Gussie and Junior Pence. 

Does this little girl look familiar? 

We would like to thank all our grandparents!

Thank you for making Grandparents' Day so special!

Check out our photos!

Mrs. Long takes over...

We are happy to have Mrs. Cindy Long with us this year. Most of you had the pleasure of meeting her at Open House back during August. She is currently a student at Western Governor's University and is completing her required student teaching assignment. She will be with us for 12 weeks up through November 12. As part of her student teaching, she must complete a two week "take over" in which she is responsible for all instruction that takes place in the classroom. Her take over begins on Thursday. I will still be at school. However, I am not allowed to be in the classroom. I am only a phone call away should Mrs. Long require any assistance. I will still see students at lunch, recess, and at the end of each day. I just wanted you to be aware of the changes taking place in our classroom community.

I wish you all a restful Fall Break!

Until next time,

Mrs. Richardson :)

Building Base Ten Numbers

This week, we've been reviewing place value. Students rolled dice to get their numeral. We used base ten blocks to build models of numbers through the hundreds place. Check out our photos!

Table 3 takes turns building numbers.

Amya's eager for her turn to roll the dice.

Isaiah and Haylee think Math is FUN!

Alexia takes her turn!

If you'd like more practice with place value, check out these games!

Tens and Ones
Place Value Mystery Pictures
Dino Place Value
Place Value Pirates
Place Value Golf
Place Value to Thousands
Place Value Movie
Shark Numbers
Penguin Place Value
Place Value Puzzlers
Collect the Ducks
Hot Air Balloons
Fireworks in the City

Base Ten Blocks 

Group the Blocks

Meet the Stars!

Greetings and welcome to the 2010-2011 School Year! This year's theme is "Climbing Mt. Everest". We're off to a wonderful start. I invite you all to meet the stars of my third grade class! Together, we're setting the stage for a successful school year!




Please make plans to attend the Back to School PTO meeting on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:00 p.m. You'll meet our new PTO officers, hear from the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and see a back-to-school slide show. Come join us! See you there! :)

Welcome to 3rd Grade!

     My name is Dianne Richardson. I will be your child’s teacher this year. I am very excited about our year together. This third grade year will be one of the most challenging in your child’s education as your child adjusts from primary grades to upper elementary. I believe that it is very important to your child’s success for us to work closely together. I thought it would be helpful for me to tell you a little about myself.
    
     I am 38 years old. My husband, Todd, and I have two children. My husband and his family own and operate Shop Rite Supermarkets, a local grocery store chain. Alex is a sophomore at the University of West Georga in Carrollton. Chaz is a tenth grader at LaFayette High School. They are both great kids. I am sure you will meet them as our year together continues.

     I guess you could say that I am a hometown girl. I grew up here in LaFayette. I went through the Walker County School system and graduated from LHS in 1990. When I was in the first grade, I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. I did a lot of babysitting, keeping score for baseball, and became day camp counselor. By the time I graduated from high school, I had definitely decided that teaching and working with children was what I wanted to do.

     This will be my 15th year teaching at Gilbert. I taught kindergarten for four years, first grade for nine years, and this is my second year teaching third grade. I am a 1994 graduate of the State University of West Georgia. I earned my master’s degree in Reading and Early Literacy from Walden University in August of 2007. I worked for two years at the LaFayette-Walker County Library as their Children’s Librarian. I left there to begin my teaching career.

     Once again, I welcome you to my classroom. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your family. Thank you for sharing your children with me!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Dianne Richardson :)

Summer is Here!

Chaz, Me, Alex on PCB

Hello, everyone! I hope your summer is going well! My family and I just returned from our vacation at Panama City Beach, Florida. We had a blast. I loved sitting by the ocean, soaking up the sun, and reading a few good books! My boys were busy swimming, shell collecting, riding jet skis, and watching soccer. 

Right before I left for Florida, I ran into Mason and his mom at Walmart. Mason said he's enjoying his summer and playing lots of video games. I also talked with Haley on FB. She and her family were headed to Tybee Island to enjoy their vacation. 

Are you reading this summer? I've read a few really good books lately. What about you? What are you reading? Drop me an email to let me know what you are reading.

On Thursday of this week, I'm meeting my friends (Miss Higdon, Mrs. Epperson, and Mrs. Scott) at the city pool for some swimming fun. Maybe I'll see you there!

Until next time,

Mrs. R

Thank You!

Thank you all for a wonderful year! 

You guys were an awesome group of students! I am so thankful that we had a year to grow and learn together. I wish you all the best in fourth grade! Drop me an email and let me know what you're up to this summer! I love to hear from you!

Field Day Fun

Thank you for another fun-filled Field Day, Coach Neal!