Happy Holidays!!!!

Our class has been working hard and is getting ready for our well deserved break of winter vacation!!!!

I wish you and your family a happy holidays and a warm and safe time together.

While students are out of school for nearly 2 weeks, this can be a great time to catch up on filling in those reading charts and practicing student's basic multiplication facts.  Ask your child which multiplication quiz they are on in class and help them get ready so that on Friday, January 3 they come in ready to tackle it and pass with flying colors!

Lastly, here is an interesting story I listened to on NPR this week that got me thinking.  One of my resolutions is to get more and more regular sleep in 2014.  Your child may be craving the same.  Just some food for thought.You can read and listen to the story here. 

White House Student Film Festival Contest

Is your child always looking for something to do?  Do they enjoy acting and writing?  We have been working on reading plays and will soon be writing our own scripts.  Today, I stumbled on this- a new contest from whitehouse.gov for students in grades K-12 to create their own 3 minute films.

I know I have many talented students in my class who enjoy project-based learning-
consider helping your child to do this project across this holiday season or on a snowday!!!

White House Student Film Contest

Thanksgiving Week

It is so hard to believe we are almost halfway through Marking Period 2!!!

This week, we took our first timed multiplication quiz.  It came home on Monday afternoon.  About 50% of our class passed this 0-2s quiz. Here are our students working hard and trying their best to complete the 50 problems in the 2 minute time limit:

We will take a timed quiz each week.  As students pass, they move on to the next quiz.  When they memorize the tables through the 12's they will receive a special reward!!!

This week, we are focusing on all of the things we have to be thankful for in our lives.  Everyone agreed we are so thankful for our families, the food and shelter they provide to us and for our friends here at school.  Each child has spent time reflecting on this and writing about it to share with you on Thursday- ask your child to share their paragraph with you and the family at the dinner table on Thurday.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Scholastic Book Announcement and Thursday Fun!

If you are planning to get your child some holiday books, or simply stock up on some reading material for any of your children, Scholastic has incredible deals- including no taxes and free shipping for all of your family's reading needs!

What is even better- you help me to earn points to buy more books for the classroom!

Please place any orders online (using the link at the left of the post) by November 30 and I can gurantee their delivery prior to winter break!  If they are surprises- e-mail me and I will let you know when they come in rather than sending them home with your child!  Use class code GYFMB when you order online.  If you prefer, you can send me the cash or a check to Scholastic Books and I'll place the order for you!!!

Happy Shopping!

Here are some pictures of our class doing a little reader's theatre- for the next two weeks, we are studying plays in reading and soon, we'll be writing scripts of our own! This play, entitled, "The Hidden One" is a Native American Folktale.

How can I help my child at home?

During parent teacher conferences, this is the most common and popular question I get from parents.  This question is am important one and demonstrates how much you care about your child and their education.  It is complex because every child has different strengths, weaknesses and interests.

My #1 piece of advice is to keep them reading- visit the library, check out high-interest books at appropriate levels and keep them motivated to read a minimum of 20 minutes per day.  Academically speaking, every subject is impacted by your child's ability to read and interpret information.
Here is a great site to check the level of a book. On your child's report card, it reports their "Guided Reading" reading level.

Many of our third graders are on grade level in reading, but are still struggling to express themselves through writing- both in response to texts or in other assignments. Here are some tips to help your child in writing. One thing I always suggest is to help your child to keep a journal. This can be a fun and relaxing way to get them away from the screen and get them writing. Here are some writing prompts they could choose from to use in their journaling. One other suggestion that I have is to use Storybird- link is at the right of the page.  This is an amazing website to create, save and share stories!!!

Last year, I posted many resources for parents and their children. Please take some time to look it over and contact me if you have any questions, comments or concerns. Read my post from last year here.

I hope to see you all at Math Night this Thursday!!!! There will be pizza and drinks, math games, and a presentation for parents all about the new math curriculum.

Fall is in the Air!!!

Finally, it is beginning to feel a bit more like Fall here at Page.  Students have settled into classroom routines and understand the expectations of Grade 3.  We have begun our study of multiplication and division- one of our core concepts for the year.  Students are meeting in small groups daily and know how to work independently in a meaningful way.

Today in math I snapped some photographs of some of the independent work students are completing while I work with students in small math groups.  This week, in groups, we are focusing on division word problems.  Independently and with partners, students are reviewing subtraction, solving word problems, completing BCRs and playing multiplication games like "Eggs and Nests".  Some of this work gets reviewed by the whole class, some in small group and some is checked by the teacher.

Some students have not demonstrated mastery of the four topics we focused on prior to multiplication and division.  There topics are: rounding, addition of 3 digit numbers, subtraction of three digit numbers and word problems with multiple steps.  This week, practice packets will be coming home so that those students can continue to practice the concept and reach mastery.  The packets can be done in place of the weekly challenge. Students who bring them in completed will receive a prize from their teacher!!!

Some important reminders:

• Please send in $2 for our Awesome Autumn Festival on Thursday, October 31.
• Community Service Projects are due next Tuesday, October 29.  We will be sharing them in class on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Projects will not be accepted after Thursday.
• Please join the PTA and support our school by participating in our fall fundraiser.  Who doesn't need some fun magazines or new wrapping paper for the holidays?
• Root for my Red Sox this week in the World Series!!! It is worth some serious Extra Credit :)

Calculating Area: Introduction to Multiplication

This week, we introduced multiplication to our students.  When I was in third grade, My teacher wrote the Zero rule and the Ones rule up on the board and we wrote them out in our notebooks to begin to "learn our times ables".  This week, we focused on calculating the area of rectangles. Why did we do this?

We want students to understand the relationship of repeated addition and multiplication right from the start.  Multiplication is a fast way of adding the same number over and over in your head.  When we use tiles to cover rectangles or look at them on the grid as we did with the homework, students can see that the columns and rows of a given number are repeated.  We practiced calculating area throughout the week using centimeter cubes and also inch tiles and writing our equations that go with a given measurement of an area.  We also emphasized the importance of writing area in square units, or inches squared. These rectangles are an example of an array.  Next week, we will continue to draw arrays and other pictures to help us solve multiplication problems and number stories and also continue to use repeated addition.

 

This week's math challenge question related to tiling a square patio with different sizes of tiles.  Students were supposed to create a visual to help them to solve this problem and answer the questions. Today in class, we used a flipchart I created to try and over different patios of different sizes and share out solutions.  Students may submit their papers on Monday to receive a coupon if they hadn't answered all of the questions today in class.

 

 

Nadir and Cheikh demonstrate some different ways to tile a 4 X 4 patio.  Students worked together to discover that no matter the number of different tiles used, a 4 X 4 patio will always need to be covered by tiles that add up to 16 square units.

I was very impressed with student's ideas for their homework Community Service Projects!  We have students doing all kinds of good deeds for neighbors and grandparents, cleaning up our Tamarack Triangle Trail, visiting patients at Children's Hospital and reading to the elderly at a nearby retirement community- just to name a few!  I can't wait for students to share their results at the end of the month!

This afternoon, we had Author's Chair.  We have many great writers in our class who have been working on all different stories.  In Writer's Workshop, we've also begun to do some persuasive writing. Students were allowed to select a piece to share with the class.  Here is a page out of one of Nadir's stories I found particularly funny:

Happy Friday!

Work, work, work!!!

We have been working hard across the past two weeks in Grade 3!!! We have been wrapping up our study of subtracting 3 digit numbers using a variety of strategies and solving challenging word problems.  In science, our study of forces of motion has culminated with groups constructing a basic vehicle and then designing different wheel covers to serve different purposes- ask your child what type of wheel they designed and how they did it.  Groups presented their work to the class. In reading, we have begun to read informational texts and are studying how to identify the main idea. Lastly, in Social Studies, students are beginning their community service project both in school with classmates and their at home, independent project directions went home this week as well.  If you haven't heard about the October homework project- ask your child about it tonight!

Here are some of our students working hard in the classroom:

Nico and Lindsay work together to assemble their basic vehicle.

Students use white boards in small group math to share their subtraction strategies.

Amaara and Talyah work together to complete their spelling center.

Nora and Darren  read directions carefully while building their basic vehicle.

Sharing addition strategies on our awesome Promethean Board!

Completing our seat work during small group math instruction.

ScootPad???

Parents and Students,

As my students know, ScootPad is a new site we discovered this year and decided to take for a trial run.  My 30 day trial membership to this site expires next week.

I would like your feedback and so would Ms. Austin as far as a school membership is concerned!  Is this site worth keeping?  An annual classroom membership costs $145 for the year. I know some of my students enjoyed using this at home and doing lessons to earn rewards.  Please take some time to explore the site across this week/weekend and e-mail me or comment below to let me know your thoughts about ScootPad.

Scoot Pad Link

Thank-you!!!

Week 5 Reminders

Wow!  Halfway through marking period 1! As always, I can never get over how quickly the school year zips by.  On Friday there is early release.  I will work on Interim reports to update you on your child's progress and they will come home next week.  Please feel free to contact me with questions.

We reviewed last week's math challenge yesterday.  I apologize that we do not have any pictures to share of our solutions.  Many children were able to solve the different equations- a great little introduction to algebraic concepts.  We discussed why these problems had only one solution and so many of our other challenge problems have had multiple solutions. 

Some students are still struggling a bit with subtraction.  Consider creating an account for your child on Kahn Academy (link at the left) and having them view some of the tutorials and do some of the practice examples.

Some quick reminders:

• At this point in the marking period, you student should have turned in at least 1 reading chart.  By October 30, students need to have turned in 3 reading charts.
• The Marking Period 1 Homework Project will be assigned next week.  Nightly homework will be shortened to allow time to work on the project across the month of October.  Please e-mail me with questions.
• Please place all Scholastic Book Orders by this Friday. The link to order online is at the left of this page.  You can also send in cash and I will place your order for you.
• All Spirit Wear orders are due next Friday. 

Great site!!!

The National Library of Virtual Manipulatives is a great site we have used in class to practice addition and subtraction.  It also has many other useful manipulatives and games you can use with your child at home.  Happy exploring!!!

Forces of Motion

Last week, we did many experiments related to forces of motion.  Students designed simple set-ups around the classroom to make their group's bouncy ball display different types of motion: changing direction/speed, stopping and starting motion.

Later on in the week, we went outside and experimented with how balls rolled across a variety of surfaces- the blacktop vs. the grass vs. the wood chips on the playground. When we came inside, they worked in groups to design a ramp covered in a different material (tin foil, felt, sandpaper, etc.) to complete multiple trials using balls of different weights and sizes.

Students focused on working cooperatively, making a plan and ensuring everyone got a turn, testing and observing and being prepared to share their results with the class.

This week, we will focus on gravity and friction in science.  Ask them if they can name one of Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. Have them show you our Tinkerball invention game!

Math Challenge #2!

Today we spent time going over last week's math challenge in class.  We found that many students had tried all different combinations of numbers and only a few found solutions.  VERY few found multiple solutions.  In all, our class identified 3 solutions, though there could be more!!!

One thing to focus on for this week: Reading directions carefully before thinking about how we might solve a problem. Many students used zero in thier solution or repeated digits.  The directions did not say either one was allowed.

 

This week, the third grade team discussed ensuring that this Rigor/Challenge homework is something that is meaningful for our students to complete and is not frustrating to our students.  We expect it to be something they need assistance with and hope that as we continue to work through them each week, our students will become skilled problem solvers!

Math Challenge homework- Solution #1!

This year, every grade level is giving a challenge homework math problem to students that they are given a week to solve at home with support.  This is the build on students' problem solving and critical thinking skills and to provide an extra boost of rigor to our regular, nightly homework.  These problems will often have multiple steps and more than one possible solution. Time is taken each Monday to read it through together and give students a basic understanding of the problem presented.  On Fridays, students get the opportunity to share their strategies and solutions with the class. Please assist your child in completing this each week.
I am going to try and post some solutions and work samples each week to let you see the things we are doing in class!

Last week, the problem was entitled, "Twenty Divided Into Six".The problem read, "Katie had a pack of twenty cards numbered from 1 to 20 She arranged the cards into unequal piles. The numbers on the cards in each pile added to the same total. What was the total and how could this be done?"

On Monday, we shared key vocabulary terms and their definitions so that students would be ready to go home and work on a solution.
On Friday, we laid out cards with the digits on them and began to manipulate them and problem solve together.  After trying some unsuccessful "Magic Numbers", student shared and showed some of the solutions they found at home using the cards in front of the whole class.
Here are two samples of how some of our students and their families solved the problem:

Welcome back to school!!!

I am excited to be staring this second week of school with my new class of students!!!

Currently, we are doing many things at the beginning of this new school year. We have been reviewing the three school rules and creating our classroom rules.  We have been talking about our school's core values and what they each mean.  We have summed up our core values with the acronym "Penguin PRIDE":
P=Partnerships
R=Rigor
I=Integrity
D=Determination
E=Equity
Any student who memorizes these 5 core values gets an extra coupon and prize on Friday!  There is a bulletin board outside of our classroom to serve as a reminder.

In math, we are learning all about rounding numbers- both to the nearest hundred and also to the nearest 10.  By the end of this week, students should be able to do both with accuracy.  You may want to have them practice with their new ScootPad account- I have set up a rounding practice for them to complete.  ScootPad is something I have joined as a trial user and I would like the students to explore across this month.

In reading, we are testing students' current reading levels, beginning reading groups and studying the genre of Realistic Fiction.

I hope to see you all at Back to School Night next Wednesday, September 11 at 7pm.  Please take some time to explore my blog before you come to see some of the great things we did last year in Grade 3.

End of Grade 3!!!

The time has come and tomorrow will be the final day of Grade 3 for my wonderful 19 students this year!  They have all grown and matured so much and I have been so impressed with all of the great work they have done.  I was especially impressed with the quality of many of the power points and brochures they created for their Vacation Budget Projects.

Today, we had our Stand and Clap Awards Assembly.  The third grade team chose to give awards based on our 3 school rules: Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Responsible.

My Ready Penguins:
-Brianna and Bilal

My Responsible Penguins:
Isabel and Elijah

My Respectful Penguins:
Jordan and Adonay

The class and I discussed it and decided that all of us have special talents and everyone in our class deserves an awards recognizing one of their unique abilities.  Everyone nominated each other for a variety of awards. Here are our Grade 3 Superlative Awards for the year:

Yohannes: Mathematician Award
Elijah: Great Listener Award
Zareena: Hula Hoop Extraordinaire
J'Sean: Most Outgoing
Natalie: On Target
Tyler: Best Creative Drawing
Sie Samba: Speedy Award
Sebastian: Sports Expert Award
Malia: Wonderful Reader "Book Worm" Award
Malachi: Fabulous Dancer
Tamiya: Problem-Solver Award
Adonay: Full of Ideas Award
Brianna: Awesome Author Award
Isabel: Great Friend Award
Eduardo: Puzzle Expert
Jordan: Great Citizenship Award
Bilal: Historian Award
Meklit: Classroom Helper
Ashley: Excellent Writing Award

We've had a wonderful year!  If you'd like to post your contact information here in the comment section to arrange playdates and get-togethers over the summer, feel free!

Please ensure that you complete your Summer Math and Reading packet that comes home today and keep all of those multiplication facts we've learned fresh in your minds!!!
Have a wonderful, safe and happy summer!

Grade 3 Memories

For an end of year project, students worked together to select a special event in third grade and create an article to report about it to parents and future third graders.  We collaborated with Mrs. Klinger, media specialist to write these articles and they are also on display on our bulletin board. Here are a few that were completed to share about some of our favorite parts of the year:

 

Multiplication Quiziez

By Adonay and Tyler

 

 

Multiplication is fun because you get to do fun warm ups. Most people are between the 5s-12s quizzes. Almost everybody loves multiplication. Multiplication is memorable because we need to know our facts when we are older. Multiplication is interesting because you do math flash math cards. When you know multiplication, it will be easier when you’re older. Multiplication is important because you need to know your facts when you are in a higher grade. And two people finished all there facts. And everybody else is knows their fours or higher.

 

It’s Puzzle Time

By: Ashley and Sie Samba

Today we are going to be talking about the puzzle. According to the survey we took more people like to do the puzzle. To do the puzzle we need 5 people. Also we have to make sure that when we do the puzzle we keep track of the pieces. Zareena Carillo says “I don’t really like the puzzle because it is to hard to do. I would rather draw on the whit boards. I don’t like tricky things!”. The puzzle is very challenging. It takes us about one week to finish the puzzle.    Sometimes we fight and not get along. Also sometimes the puzzle area is just empty. In my opinion I really like the puzzle. I also like the puzzle. The puzzle is memorable because we got to know each other better while doing it.

Natural History Museum field trip!!!

Sebastian and Bilal

We went to the Natural History Muesem on April 26, 2013.

It was memorable because of a zoo of insects and there was a tarachula feeding.

We saw old mammals and they slept in caves, and we had a fun lunch. Sebastian opinion is that I like it very much.

Bilal’s opinion is I learned a little more than I did before and I really like it.

 

 

Friday choice time

By: Isabel and Brianna

Friday choice time is awesome and only on Friday. It can be fun and funny. It is cool and it is only in the end of the day. An interesting or important detail is that you can draw on white boards, puzzles, stories, and origami. The Rules: are no running, No screaming, and no hitting. Isabel and Brianna think that choice time is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!

 

 

The Daily Prophet

     Hi our names are Jordan & Zareena. We think the best part of the day is snack, 100% of the class likes snack. 0% of the class does not like snack. For example, Ashley said, “I like snack time because it`s like a mini-lunch before regular lunch, and I am usually so hungry!” Tamiya she said “ I like snack because lunch is so late and I am starving!” Bilal stated, “Snack tastes really good!” So it is clear that the entire class loves snack, including us! 

 

 

A  Realist Fiction book

By:Malia, Meklit      

 

Meklit and I (Malia) went around the class room and asking our classmates if they liked the realistic fiction books. 19 said they did like making the stories. One said I don’t like it because it is too much work. Another person said I like the stories because I thought it was awesome and I like to create books. We asked Tamiya and she said, "I like the stories because they had a lot of detail and I like details." And that is our report see you next year on good morning America!

 

Telling Time

Yohannes, Elijah

In 3^rd grade we are talking about time. We learned about the hour hand and the minute hand. There is am. and pm. It happened in April. We had a paper about time. You could use time to go anywhere. It is memorable because it’s good to tell time and you will be ashamed if you don’t know it. Telling time is easy. Just learn.