Theme 1: Off to Adventure
Theme 1 – Off to Adventure!
Adventures come in all shapes and sizes.
Off to Adventure! is the first theme in the third grade anthology. Students will experience adventures that come in all shapes and sizes. Here are some of the skills that we will work on over the course of this theme:
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In theme 1, we will read three selections. Family newsletters will be available as we read each selection.
Extension Readings and Internet Activities
If your child liked the stories in this theme, then he or she might like one of the books listed below. If you need help choosing a level for your son or daughter, please ask your teacher.
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Very Easy
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Book
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Book Title
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School Libraries
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Mansfield |
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You Can’t Take a Balloon into the Metropolitan Museum by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzmann, Dial 1998 (37p) A young girl and her balloon both have an adventure. |
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The Great Pig Escape by Eileen Christelow, Houghton 1996 (32p) paper Pigs on their way to market have a better idea. |
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Paris Cat by Leslie Baker, Little 1999 (32p) A runaway cat has wonderful adventures in Paris. |
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Stella and Roy Go Camping by Ashley Wolff, Dutton 1999 (40p) Stella and Roy study animal tracks while on an overnight camping trip. |
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Easy
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Shortcut by David Macaulay, Houghton 1995 (64p) Visual clues help tell this series of brief stories. |
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Lewis & Papa by Barbara Joosse, Chronicle 1998 (40p) Lewis and his father travel the Santa Fe Trail. |
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Two Bad Ants by Chris Van Allsburg, Houghton 1988 (32p) Two ants set off on an adventure in a danger-filled kitchen. |
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Hurricane! by Jonathan London, Lothrop 1998 (32p) A family heads for a shelter when a hurricane strikes Puerto Rico. |
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Alice Ramsey’s Grand Adventure by Don Brown, Houghton 1997 (32p) Alice Ramsey becomes the first woman to drive across America. |
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The Secret Shortcut by Mark Teague, Scholastic 1996 (32p) also paper Wendell and Floyd can’t seem to get to school on time. |
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No Picture Available
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Tom’s Rabbit: A Surprise on the Way to Antarctica by Meredith Hooper, Natational Geographic 1998 (32p) A sailor takes his pet rabbit on board a ship bound for Antarctica. |
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On Level
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Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans, Viking 1958 (46p) The adventures of the Paris orphan have remained popular since 1939. |
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The Adventures of Sparrowboy by Brian Pinkney, Simon 1997 (32p) Henry the paperboy suddenly finds that he is a flying superhero, just like his comic strip idol. |
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Amy Elizabeth Explores Bloomingdale’s by E. L. Konigsburg, Atheneum 1992 (32p) Amy and her grandmother share many adventures. |
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Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride by Pam Muñoz Ryan, Scholastic 1999 (32p) Amelia Earhart and Elenor Roosevelt leave a White House dinner and take a plane ride. |
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Sable by Karen Hesse, Holt 1994 (81p) also paper Tate must find a way to keep her dog out of trouble. |
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Third Grade Pet by Judy Cox, Holiday 1998 (93p) Rosemary takes the class pet rat home. |
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The Drums of Noto Hanto by J. Allison James, DK Ink 1999 (40p) The people of an ancient Japanese village drive off the forces of a warlord. |
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Rescue at Sea by Wolfram Hanel, North-South 1999 (60p) Paul rescues a dog from a wrecked ship. |
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In Aunt Lucy’s Kitchen by Cynthia Rylant, Simon 1998 (64p) The Cobble Street Cousins embark on a cooking-selling enterprise. |
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Challenge
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No Picture Available
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Rachel Field’s Hitty: Her First Hundred Years adapted by Rosemary Wells, Simon 1999 (112p) The doll Hitty recalls her adventures. |
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The Boxcar Children and the Mystery in San Francisco by Gertrude Chandler Warner, Whitman 1997 (128p) The Alden children solve a mystery when they visit their Aunt Jane and Uncle Andy. |
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Gloria’s Way by Ann Cameron, Farrar 2000 (112p) Gloria shares adventures with her friends and parents. |
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The Adventures of Ali Baba Bernstein by Johanna Hurwitz, Harper 1995 (96p) paper Ali Baba finds ways to make his ordinary life more interesting. |
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The Internet offers many great activities to extend learning in Theme 1. These web sites offer fascinating facts and fun activities that tie to the theme Off to Adventure!
Discovery Kids
At this site, students can explore a wealth of ideas for adventurers, as well as find step-by-step directions for many challenging activities. Multiple links to related web sites are provided.
The Waterfalls of Yosemite
View a photo collage of some of the magnificient waterfalls found in Yosemetie National Park.
Create Your Own Adventure
Students create their own wild and crazy adventure stories by filling in words that will be incorporated into story frames. Make sure to click on the “Create Your Own Adventure” graphic.
