LANKY NEWS

This week, third graders participated in an activity called the “Team Treasure Hunt.” In the first round, students competed in small groups to collect treasures (Legos), and in the second round, they worked together to gather treasures (Legos) for the entire class. Through this simple but powerful game, students discovered that learning and play feel richer when we share, collaborate, and celebrate one another’s successes. The classroom was filled with energy, excitement, and the realization that true growth happens when we lift each other up.
To connect this experience with literature, we shared the story Is There Really a Human Race? by Jamie Lee Curtis, a book that invites us to reflect on whether life is about racing ahead or moving forward together with kindness. You can check the story here: Is There Really a Human Race? – YouTube Read Aloud. After reflecting on the story and the game, each class chose a guiding mantra — our “north star phrase” for the school year. One group selected “Together is better” and the other chose “We all win when we share.” These phrases will remind us daily that in order to have a successful year of learning, we must build classrooms that are safe, polite, and brave; places where mistakes are seen as opportunities, where kindness is non-negotiable, and where courage opens the door to growth.
This activity also became the foundation for creating our class agreements. Together, we began exploring what makes a great teacher and a great student (not just in what they do, but also in how they think and who they are). As one of our students reflected, “I liked when we worked together because everyone got more Legos and we had more fun.” As we move forward, I would like to invite the whole community (students, families, and teachers) to join third grade in practicing the spirit of our mantras. At home, try asking: “How can we show that ‘together is better’ or that ‘we all win when we share’ in our family today?” A small act of encouragement, kindness, or teamwork can go a long way. When we put these ideas into practice, we create not only a strong school community, but also maybe a kinder world.