Thinking Third Grade

Learning How We Breathe This week, our students dove into the fascinating world of the human respiratory system. They explored how air travels through the body, the role each part plays, and why every breath we take is a small but remarkable feat of biology. From the trachea to the bronchi to the lungs, students gained a clear understanding of how the respiratory system keeps us alive and energized. But the learning didn't stop at the textbook. To bring the concept to life, the students worked in pairs and small groups to build their very own working model of the respiratory system. A Model Made of Everyday Things Using simple, everyday materials, each group constructed a functioning replica of the respiratory system. Here's what they used and what each part represented: Material Plastic bottle (Rib cage) Straw (Trachea and bronchi) Balloons (inside the bottle) (Lungs) Balloon (at the bottom of the bottle) (Diaphragm) The magic moment came when students pulled down on t...

Grade 3 students demonstrated impressive flexibility and agility during Monday’s Posture class. They took on a range of physical challenges, including monkey bars, long jumps, rolls, cartwheels, handstands, and push-ups. While using the monkey bars, students focused on maintaining a secure grip and engaging their core muscles to support their body weight. On Wednesday, the class received a certificate in recognition of the excellent agility and flexibility they displayed. Congratulations, Grade 3!

This week, Grade students deepened their understanding of how the respiratory and circulatory systems work together to keep our bodies functioning. They made an important connection between the two systems: blood in the circulatory system collects oxygen from the lungs and delivers it to cells throughout the body. Students used their own words to explain the processes of respiration and circulation, confidently using scientific vocabulary and identifying key organs involved. They learned that the circulatory system is made up of the heart, blood, and blood vessels, each with an essential role in transporting materials around the body. The class also investigated the components of blood: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, and plasma. They discovered that red blood cells carry oxygen, white blood cells help protect the body from illness, platelets help blood clot after an injury, and plasma carries blood cells and other substances through the body. Students...

One key focus of the Primary Years Programme (PYP) is creating opportunities for learners to take ownership of their learning and supporting the initiatives they choose to pursue. This week, Grade 3 experienced a wonderful example of student-led learning. Emma excitedly brought her experiment kits to class and shared her enthusiasm for leading an experiment with her classmates. With my advice, she selected an activity that connected meaningfully with our current unit of inquiry. Emma introduced the “Bursting Blood Cells” experiment, which used water, calcium chloride, and red sodium alginate. She confidently began by explaining the materials needed before guiding the class through each step of the procedure. Finally, she invited her classmates to take part by squeezing red drops into the mixture. The result was a fascinating model of “fake blood,” which formed soft, round, jelly-like drops. The activity sparked curiosity, encouraged participation, and gave students an engaging way to...

Grade 3 students have been busy investigating the fascinating systems that help our bodies function every day. Using microscopes, students worked hard to independently prepare, adjust, and manage their own slides. With patience and careful observation, they were able to view different types of cells, including red blood cells, muscle cells, and nerve cells. It was wonderful to see their confidence grow as they made small adjustments to bring their samples into clear focus. We also explored the muscular system. Students identified different types of muscles and learned about their basic functions, including how muscles help us move, support our posture, and carry out important actions inside the body. During a short hands-on investigation, students examined the muscles and bones of a chicken to observe how muscles attach to bones and work together to create movement. Our inquiry then moved to the respiratory system. Students learned about its different parts and the role each one ...

What a fantastic week of science learning in Grade 3! Our students became skeleton scientists as they explored the amazing framework inside the human body. First, they put their knowledge to the test by cutting out different bones and working out where each one belongs in a human skeleton. Students carefully arranged and glued the bones onto paper, showing great teamwork, curiosity, and growing confidence. Next, pairs of students became bone experts! Each team investigated the shape and job of one type of bone, then created a simple poster to teach their classmates what they had discovered. We were so impressed by the thoughtful research and enthusiastic sharing. Our scientists also returned to the questions they had asked about bones. They highlighted the questions that our class activities had not yet answered, then worked in pairs to research them independently. Students proudly shared their discoveries with the class, helping everyone learn something new. We also explored how...