The 3rd graders at San Saba Elementary began the year with a novel study over Because of Winn-Dixie. The novel took several days to complete as the students worked to answer questions each day over the material that was read to them. In the novel, Gloria Dump revealed to Opal that the bottles hanging from her tree were a reminder of all the things she had done wrong and helped to keep the “ghosts” away. She learned to forgive herself and learn from her mistakes. This was one of a few themes that revealed itself throughout the novel. The students were asked to create a bottle that represented a mistake they had made, along with a written statement that was placed inside the bottle. Many students chose the bottle to represent the setting of the mistake that had been made.
Pictured are the Classroom Ambassadors proudly displaying their work. A Classroom Ambassador is someone who is chosen to greet and welcome visitors that may come to our classroom. When someone new comes to visit, they often ask if they would like to review our Social Contracts and agree to follow them. If they agree, the Ambassador asks them to sign the contract as well. Our contracts might include guidelines about being kind, respecting others, or whatever the students deem to be important to be a good citizen and a successful student. The students made these contracts at the beginning of the school year.