Weekly Update- 4/29

Despite the short week and limited amount of students present, we still managed to get a good amount done!

This week in math we focused on metric measurements and on writing to explain a pattern.  Since this chapter only included 8 lessons we have already completed it and we will be having our chapter 10 test on Tuesday.  We will take the practice test in class on Monday.  The next chapter is Multiplying and Dividing Greater Numbers.  Break those flashcards back out and keep practicing facts at home!

In science we made life cycle posters and started learning about seeds.  We discussed the different parts of a seed (seed leaf, seed coat, embryo).  The students broke apart lima bean seeds to identify these parts.  Next week we will do an experiment with seeds and finish up the unit.  We will be having a test next Friday.

For language arts we read the book, Jumanji.  We used the book to practice identifying the theme (important message) of a book and to see examples of strong verb usage.  The students drew pictures of images that the book/author's words painted in their minds.  The students also answered comprehension questions about the book.  Today the students completed speculative prompts based on the story.  They shared their written responses with the class and received feedback from each other.  The students did a great job praising each other and also giving constructive criticism when  needed. 

In Fundations we completed our unit on contractions and we will be taking the unit 11 test on Monday.  Unit 12 will focus on the soft and hard sounds of the letters C and G.  The unit 12 optional homework packet will be going home on Tuesday.

At one point on Wednesday, this was our entire class. 

During this time we did a challenge activity called Hink Pinks.  These are clues that students have to figure out in order to get the answer which will be two rhyming words.  For example:  A man who brings desert would be a PIE GUY.  In order to figure out some of the answers, the students practiced using a rhyming dictionary and a thesaurus.  They had a lot of fun with this activity!

Enjoy the beautiful weather this weekend! I'm looking forward to a normal week with more than half a class next week!

Jumanji

Hi it's Cassius and Aidan. Today we read, Jumanji. It is so different from the movie. It had alot of descriptive words. Then we drew a picture of what we pictured in our heads.  Before that we got in a group and tried to find rhyming word riddles. See you later.

Weekly Update- 4/21

In science we are working on our Structures of Life unit.  This week we discussed how many animals grow to look like their parents.  We played a game with baby pictures in which the students had to guess whose baby pictures were whose.  It was fun to see how many of the children looked very similar to when they were babies!  We also talked about the difference between oviparous (born from eggs) and viviparous (born alive) animals.  Today we started to talk about the life cycles of different insects and arachnids.

In math we have been working with decimals.  The students have done a great job with this concept so far.  We played the game Decimal Detectives as a way to reinforce some of the concepts that were taught in class.  We also played a math game with adding and subtracting decimals.

In reading we reread the story, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs.  This week we focused on identifying the theme of the story.  In guided reading we practiced the skills of identifying facts and opinions and identifying elements of the plot.

In writing we are continuing with our unit on persuasive writing.  This week students created persuasive posters highlighting their favorite books from this year.  The students each chose a book that they liked and they designed posters that would persuade others to read that book.  The students used bright colors, descriptive phrases, and quotes in their posters.  They had a great time working on these!  When they are completed, we will hang them up in the hallway for other students to see.

Yesterday, April 20th was the one year anniversary of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.  We read parts from the book, Oil Spill: Disaster in the Gulf to learn about the devastating effects of this spill and about other spills that have happened throughout history.  In Fundations we have continued to work on contractions.  In grammar we learned about adjectives, and in Spanish we talked more about the seasons.

Have a wonderful spring break! For those of you who are traveling, have a safe trip and have fun!

Weekly Update- 4/15

Wow, only one marking period left.  This year is flying by!  The students are really growing in independence and are working hard to finish out their third grade year.

In math this week we completed our unit on fractions and today we started learning about decimals.  This math chapter is only 8 lessons long, so another test will be coming up more quickly than usual.

Today we finished our mini unit on nutrition.  The students learned about the importance of eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough rest.  They also learned about ways to stop the spread of germs and about the dangers of drugs and alcohol.  The students took an open notebook test on these concepts today.  They also worked in pairs to create posters illustrating one of the topics we learned about.  They were able to present their posters to their classmates.  On Monday we will be starting a unit called, Structures of Life.  We will be talking about living and nonliving things, learning about the life cycles of plants and animals, and doing some experiments with seeds in the classroom.

In shared reading we reread the book, Isla and talked about the characters in the story.  We discussed their traits and compared them to ourselves and characters in other books.  We also talked about how the setting can influence a character's actions.  In guided reading we read the book, A Home for a New Nation.  This was a historical fiction book that was interesting to the students because it combined made-up characters with real historical people that we have learned about this year.  Some of these characters were Benjamin Banneker, Pierre L'Enfant, and Thomas Jefferson.  Today we went to the computer lab and the students completed a graphic organizer on the book using Microsoft Word.  The students were able to use the internet to research some of the characters in the book who we haven't learned about to see if they were real historical figures or made-up characters.

In writing, the students completed their persuasive letters.  I was not only impressed with their arguments and details that they used to support them, but with their beautiful cursive writing as well.   These persuasive letters will be sent home next week. 

In Fundations we have started unit 11.  This unit focuses on contractions and will take about 2 weeks to complete.  In Spanish we have started to learn about the seasons.  In grammar we practiced using the correct forms of their, there, and they're.

Have a great weekend!  Remember, next week is only a 4 day week!

Weekly Update- 4/8

We had a great week!  The highlight of our week was our field trip to ShopRite.  The students had such a great time buying healthy foods, budgeting their money, and completing problem solving tasks.  Congratulations to Keeghan, Tyler, and Max M. for getting the closest to $100.00 without going over!  Their total came to $99.63!  Thank you again to all the parents who were able to volunteer and help us on this trip.

In science we are doing a mini unit on nutrition.  This week we learned about the food pyramid and about why exercise, rest, and sleep are important for our bodies.  We created a class food pyramid using the pictures of foods that the students brought in from home.  Next week we will continue our unit on nutrition and we will be having an open-notes quiz on Friday.

In math we are moving along with fractions.  This week we started talking about measurement and learned how fractions relate to measuring with a ruler.  Today the students practiced converting feet to inches and inches to feet.  We had a long jump contest so that we could practice these conversions in a fun way!  Our finalists were Dan, Alyssa, Cassie, Max R., and Jeremy.  Dan won with a jump of 5 feet 5 inches.  We will be having our chapter 9 test next Thursday.

In shared reading we reread the book, New Language, New Friends.  Some of the skills we focused on were: considering the author's purpose,distinguishing between fact and opinion, and identifying viewpoint.  In guided reading the students focused on identifying the problem and solution in a story, and categorizing and classifying information in a book.  The students are all continuing to read and respond to questions from the book, The Lucky Baseball Bat.

In writing the students are moving along nicely with their persuasive letters.  They have started to write their rough drafts and we will be working to finalize our letters next week!

In Fundations we focused on the long sound of the letters u and i in double vowel syllable words.  They are practicing these words in addition to the long a and long e sounds.  We have also been practicing the following sound alike words: pale, pail, break, brake, sail, sale, led, lead.

In Spanish we have just finished learning the months of the year.  Next week we will begin to learn about the seasons. 

Ms. Birch, our music teacher would like me to remind you that the students will be getting their recorders after spring break.  There will be a recorder concert for all the third grade students sometime in June.  Information regarding the recorders and the concert will be coming home in the near future via Genesis/Parent Portal.  Please be on the lookout for this e-mail.

Have a great weekend!

ShopRite Report

Hello! My name is Dan and I went to Shop Rite for a fieldtrip. It was so fun. I wish I could go to it every year. That way I could improve on my shopping skills. Anyway, my team got 95 dollars and 55 cents. My team won 2 things, an award for teamwork and most points for problem solving. We got 41 points. Well that's all I have to say. Bye.

Weekly Update- 4/1

Happy April!  I can't believe we only have about 2.5 months of school left! 

In math we are continuing with fractions.  This week we learned how to find the fractional part of a set of objects, how to add and subtract fractions, how to order fractions on a number line, and how to write mixed numbers.  The students also demonstrated their knowledge of fractions by creating "fraction sundaes".

We completed our unit, Kids are Consumers in social studies and we spent the rest of the week working in our groups for ShopRite.  The students are working hard to plan their menus and create their shopping lists.  We are really looking forward to our trip on Wednesday!

In shared reading we revisisted the book, Zebras.  We reread the book and learned some new skills.  This week we learned how to tell if the author is knowledgeable about the topic, if the writing is clear, and how to use the illustrations and pictures to help understand the text.  In guided reading we practiced the skills of making connections and summarizing the story.  Many of the students have finished the book, The Chocolate Touch and we will be starting our next chapter book, The Lucky Baseball Bat by Matt Christopher on Monday. 

In writing the students were introduced to persuasive writing.  We looked at some examples of persuasive letters and then the students decided on a persuasive argument and an audience of their own.  We spent the week using a graphic organizer to help plan out our persuasive arguments.  Some examples of their arguments include; writing to Dr. Morton to try to get him to eliminate homework, writing to their friends to get them to go on vacation with them, and writing to me to try to get me to lengthen our snack time. The students are enjoying coming up with their arguments and are looking forward to drafting their letters next week.

In Fundations we are continuing to learn about double vowel syllables.  This week we learned all of the different letter combinations that make the long E sound.  These include: ey, ei, ie, ea, ee, e-e.  We have been practicing words that have double vowel syllables in them.

In spanish we continued to practice the months of the year (los meses).  In grammar we reviewed the differences between the words; to, two, and too.  The students finally completed the puzzle, 100 Alligators and a Purse.  They have now started on the puzzle, 100 Mice and a Piece of Cheese. 

Don't forget....
-Our class goes to the book fair on Tuesday! 

-On Wednesday we will be going to ShopRite.  They will provide a lunch and a snack for the students.  The lunch includes: fruit, bologna sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, turkey sandwiches, cookies, and juice.  You do not need to send a lunch on that day unless your child does not like those items.

We are looking forward to seeing many of you at the trip!  Have a great weekend!