Week One Highlights

Day one was exciting to meet each third grade and share stories about what jitters we had coming into a new school year. I hope your third grader enjoyed the poem and confetti the night before. In this book, the teacher is the one who doesn't want to go to school so I was able to share my feelings about the upcoming year as well.

As we eased into the new school year, students were given the opportunity to invent a game. To be successful in school, it’s important that students have the opportunity to get to know each other, work together and learn how to depend on each other. 

In addition, students shared about their summer through summer objects. We saw trophies, favorite stuffed animals, rocks, snorkel gear, and so much more! It was a great way to find more out about each other.

Another important piece to our first week was understanding what it means to have GRIT. We read books, shared stories and examples, and even watch a few videos on different people who have had grit. Students are quickly learning that third grade is a year where anything is possible if they just give their best effort and ask for help when they don't understand. 

God's Faithfulness

It is an incredible experience to walk alongside kids as they grow both spiritually and academically. I cannot imagine teaching core curriculum without intertwining God and Christian principles. He is a part of everything I do and teach. Each day is uplifting when students are challenged to grow both in their Christian walk and in their knowledge and application of academic subjects. One example of how I do this is in an outdoor activity I have planned for the first (or second day in this year's case) and last day of school....

Today went outside and I shared how Israelites often piled stones where important and memorable acts of God had taken place in the Bible.  I read the verse from last year's theme, Psalm 26:2b-3 "Lord, examine my heart and mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." We talked about what it means to be faithful. Then, I allowed them to pick up one rock and place their name on it. After that we took a picture to remember this moment and placed our rocks into a jar that will hold them all year. These rocks will sit in our classroom and be a reminder when we talk how God was faithful to Moses and Joshua. At the end of the year, we will talk about the memorable acts of God from the school year and recount how God has done MANY beautiful things with this our school walls. I'll remind them that the rocks cannot tell the stories of Christ's love. THEY WILL HAVE TO! That's how we build the Kingdom of GOD! As they grow older their rocks will stay here and maybe when they grow old they will be able to show their children too! 

Mrs. Koetje's Classroom

Welcome to our classroom, where learning is fun and we do our best to learn our best! 

Teacher Table- We meet here for guided teaching.

Job Board- Everyone has a job they get paid for to spend in our store. 

We talk a lot about this phrase all year! You can do it!

Hot Lunch ordering happens here in the morning.

Run the Race is our school-wide theme.
We also place our prayer requests here and watch them as they get answered. 

The Loft is a favorite place. We take turns working up there. 

You get a desk to store all your stuff!

From the back of the room to the front

All learning points are placed on this board.
I also have individual sit spots figured out for you on the right.
Explorer pages are extra work you can earn money for!

Math workshop board. 

STEM bins for early finishers!