In Math Workshop, the students are using multiplication combinations to solve division problems and are working to understand the inverse relationship between the two operations. For example, a chocolate chip cookie has 5 chocolate chips in it. If there are 6 chocolate chip cookies, how many chips are there? The corresponding division situation would be: There are 30 chocolate chips. The chips have been shared equally among 6 cookies. How many chocolate chips does each cookie have? We will continue working with multiplication and division combinations throughout the week. Our end of unit assessment is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15th. Old homework sheets are a fantastic resource to review in preparation for the test. The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #16 and will be checked on Wednesday and Friday.
Social Studies
There will be a quiz Friday. If you plan to leave early for the holidays, please make sure to let us know so we can make plans for your child to take the quiz before you leave/after the break. Our focus this week will be producers and consumers. We will learn more about the people who specialize in providing us the goods and services that we want. Students will also be introduced to the concept of supply and demand.
Science
We will continue studying the properties of solids this week. Students will do some research in the textbook on the three phases of matter, and they will complete a research sheet/quiz using the book for assistance. This is not something they can study for in advance. We will also have an explore lab where we will learn how to use a balance to put objects in order according to their mass. We will end the week with a Bill Nye video on Matter, which will review all three phases of matter on an atomic level. Look in your child's science notebook for their diagram of the atoms in each phase. We will shift our focus to the properties of liquids and how they can be measured after the break.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
The focus of this week's discussion is making choices with our money. We will learn a little bit more about how businesses work to compete with one another, as well as how they generate their prices. Students will be introduced to the concepts of "opportunity cost" and "scarcity." We will also learn how businesses use ads to appeal to our emotions and generate sales. The quiz will be Friday.
Science
We begin our new unit on Matter this week. This unit will include an examinations of the following essential questions: How can we describe solids and liquids? and How can we measure solids and liquids? We will learn how to compare objects by properties such as size, shape, color, texture, and hardness. We will learn the difference between mass and volume, as we are introduced to new tools like the balance and the graduated cylinder. Please help us use correct terminology when you discuss mass and weight at home. Remember, that mass is the amount of matter in an object and weight is the measure of the pull of gravity on the amount of matter/mass in an object.
In Math Workshop, the students are understanding the inverse relationship between multiplication and division and using their knowledge to solve problems. For example, a robot has 4 hands. Each hand has 6 fingers. How many fingers does the robot have altogether? The students should recognize this is as a multiplication situation and use the equation 4x6 (4 groups of 6). They might then use skip-counting (6, 12, 18, and 24) to determine that the robots have 24 fingers. A similiar division story problem the students have worked with is as follows: Frogs usually have 4 legs. If there are 16 legs in the pond, how many frogs are there? The students should write the equation 16/4= and skip count by 4's to determine that there are 4 frogs in the pond. We will continue working with multiplication and division combinations throughout the week. Our unit will end next week and our end of unit assessment is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15th. Old homework sheets are a fantastic resource to review in preparation for the test. The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #15 and will be checked on Wednesday and Friday.
The focus of this week's discussion is making choices with our money. We will learn a little bit more about how businesses work to compete with one another, as well as how they generate their prices. Students will be introduced to the concepts of "opportunity cost" and "scarcity." We will also learn how businesses use ads to appeal to our emotions and generate sales. The quiz will be Friday.
Science
We begin our new unit on Matter this week. This unit will include an examinations of the following essential questions: How can we describe solids and liquids? and How can we measure solids and liquids? We will learn how to compare objects by properties such as size, shape, color, texture, and hardness. We will learn the difference between mass and volume, as we are introduced to new tools like the balance and the graduated cylinder. Please help us use correct terminology when you discuss mass and weight at home. Remember, that mass is the amount of matter in an object and weight is the measure of the pull of gravity on the amount of matter/mass in an object.
In Math Workshop, the students are understanding the inverse relationship between multiplication and division and using their knowledge to solve problems. For example, a robot has 4 hands. Each hand has 6 fingers. How many fingers does the robot have altogether? The students should recognize this is as a multiplication situation and use the equation 4x6 (4 groups of 6). They might then use skip-counting (6, 12, 18, and 24) to determine that the robots have 24 fingers. A similiar division story problem the students have worked with is as follows: Frogs usually have 4 legs. If there are 16 legs in the pond, how many frogs are there? The students should write the equation 16/4= and skip count by 4's to determine that there are 4 frogs in the pond. We will continue working with multiplication and division combinations throughout the week. Our unit will end next week and our end of unit assessment is scheduled for Wednesday, December 15th. Old homework sheets are a fantastic resource to review in preparation for the test. The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #15 and will be checked on Wednesday and Friday.
Monday, November 29, 2010
May The Force Be With You
Today in class, we took a closer look at Newton's 3rd law (For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction), and we also got a chance to learn about the role of force in overcoming gravity. The greater the action, the greater the reaction, or as we saw firsthand, the more force that is used to launch the rocket, the greater the height the rocket can reach. Now, we could only generate so much force with our hands, but imagine if we had rigged up a system that would allow us to jump, or stomp, onto the launcher with our feet...I wonder how high/how far the rocket could have gone then! Well, a group of kids did try something sort of like that. Check out this link to see the results!
And while you're here...are you interested in earning five success tickets? If you are, then try one of these experiments at home and write up a lab report to share your results with your fellow scientists at school. Try throwing a ball while sitting on a skateboard. Identify the action and the reaction. Then, try throwing the ball a little harder. Record your observations. This is another lab that can illustrate how force can affect your ability to overcome gravity. And if you like that, then you can also try this paper rocket launcher, as well. Check out this site on the NASA page to get all the info. Remember to aim your rockets away from people and animals. Enjoy!
And while you're here...are you interested in earning five success tickets? If you are, then try one of these experiments at home and write up a lab report to share your results with your fellow scientists at school. Try throwing a ball while sitting on a skateboard. Identify the action and the reaction. Then, try throwing the ball a little harder. Record your observations. This is another lab that can illustrate how force can affect your ability to overcome gravity. And if you like that, then you can also try this paper rocket launcher, as well. Check out this site on the NASA page to get all the info. Remember to aim your rockets away from people and animals. Enjoy!
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
What do shells, cows, and whale teeth have in common? They were all once used as money, which is this week's discussion theme. We will learn all about how money is used to buy and sell goods, as well as how money can be earned and spent. We will learn to differentiate between wants and needs, as well as how a budget can help us use our money more wisely. In addition, we will discuss how money can be saved in a bank account. The quiz will be on Friday.
Science
This week we will finish our unit on The Sun & Gravity. The test will be Thursday. We will conclude the unit with some labs that review how gravity can be overcome, a tinkering lab involving rockets constructed out of various materials (emphasis: how greater force can help us overcome gravity more easily), and a round of Jeopardy (Wednesday) to review. Please encourage your child to bring home their science notebook. It contains all of their notes from class, as well as the lab sheets. These are great study tools for the unit test.
The students have been working on their multiples charts. They should have the multiples of 2 through 12 completed in their folders. They are to review and practice skip-counting by the multiples for a few minutes each evening. Learning the multiples is an important tool to understanding multiplication and division. In class, we are continuing identifying and learning multiplication combinations we don't know. We are practicing using multiplication combinations we do know to help us determine the product of more difficult combinations (clustering). For example, the students may not know the product of 9x4, but they can break it down into 5x4=20 and 4x4=16 to help them get the final product of 9x4=36. The students have also created multiplication cards in class to practice with at home. The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #13. The students are expected to bring this to class for review on Wednesday and Friday. They will also have a Math quiz on Tuesday.
What do shells, cows, and whale teeth have in common? They were all once used as money, which is this week's discussion theme. We will learn all about how money is used to buy and sell goods, as well as how money can be earned and spent. We will learn to differentiate between wants and needs, as well as how a budget can help us use our money more wisely. In addition, we will discuss how money can be saved in a bank account. The quiz will be on Friday.
Science
This week we will finish our unit on The Sun & Gravity. The test will be Thursday. We will conclude the unit with some labs that review how gravity can be overcome, a tinkering lab involving rockets constructed out of various materials (emphasis: how greater force can help us overcome gravity more easily), and a round of Jeopardy (Wednesday) to review. Please encourage your child to bring home their science notebook. It contains all of their notes from class, as well as the lab sheets. These are great study tools for the unit test.
The students have been working on their multiples charts. They should have the multiples of 2 through 12 completed in their folders. They are to review and practice skip-counting by the multiples for a few minutes each evening. Learning the multiples is an important tool to understanding multiplication and division. In class, we are continuing identifying and learning multiplication combinations we don't know. We are practicing using multiplication combinations we do know to help us determine the product of more difficult combinations (clustering). For example, the students may not know the product of 9x4, but they can break it down into 5x4=20 and 4x4=16 to help them get the final product of 9x4=36. The students have also created multiplication cards in class to practice with at home. The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #13. The students are expected to bring this to class for review on Wednesday and Friday. They will also have a Math quiz on Tuesday.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
This week we will learn about our national government. We will focus on the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and how all three parts work together to protect the rights of our country's citizens. Later in the week, we will also learn about the role of symbols in our country. For example, many Americans think of freedom when they see a bald eagle or American flag. There will be no social studies questions or quiz next week in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Science
We have finished the first part of our unit on the Sun and other stars in the solar system. This week, we will move on to the next concept: Gravity. Your child should already be comfortable discussing gravity as a force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. In third grade, we focus on the concept of defying, or overcoming, gravity. Take a gravity walk around your neighborhood or local park. Look around for examples of people defying, or overcoming, gravity. In class, we will explore that concept through several different labs. Next week, we will investigate how we can overcome the force of gravity to make a model rocket fly higher. In order to do this lab, we need to collect the following materials by Thursday of this week: Oblong balloons (small and large), fishing line, donut magnets, quart sized baggies, small plastic disposable water bottles (empty), straws, and modeling clay. Please contact Mrs. Z immediately via email if you are interested in helping out. Thanks in advance for your support!
We are continuing our studies on the relationship among skip counting, repeated addition, and multiplication. The students are beginning to understand that doubling (or halving) one factor in a multiplication expression doubles (or halves) the product. For example, 10 bags of apples with 3 apples in each bag would total 30 apples (3x10=30. The students can use this information to determine that 10 bags with 6 apples in each bag would total 60 apples (10x6=60). Using known multiplication combinations to determine the product of more difficult combinations is an important skill for the students to build their understanding. We also practiced skip counting around the classroom by various multiples. Have your child practice counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, 6's and 10's to reinforce this skill. The homework sheet for the week of November 15th-19th is Sheet #12, and will be checked Wednesday and Friday in class. We will also have our Tuesday Math Quiz. The quiz will focus on using multiplication combinations.
This week we will learn about our national government. We will focus on the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) and how all three parts work together to protect the rights of our country's citizens. Later in the week, we will also learn about the role of symbols in our country. For example, many Americans think of freedom when they see a bald eagle or American flag. There will be no social studies questions or quiz next week in celebration of Thanksgiving.
Science
We have finished the first part of our unit on the Sun and other stars in the solar system. This week, we will move on to the next concept: Gravity. Your child should already be comfortable discussing gravity as a force that pulls objects toward the center of the Earth. In third grade, we focus on the concept of defying, or overcoming, gravity. Take a gravity walk around your neighborhood or local park. Look around for examples of people defying, or overcoming, gravity. In class, we will explore that concept through several different labs. Next week, we will investigate how we can overcome the force of gravity to make a model rocket fly higher. In order to do this lab, we need to collect the following materials by Thursday of this week: Oblong balloons (small and large), fishing line, donut magnets, quart sized baggies, small plastic disposable water bottles (empty), straws, and modeling clay. Please contact Mrs. Z immediately via email if you are interested in helping out. Thanks in advance for your support!
We are continuing our studies on the relationship among skip counting, repeated addition, and multiplication. The students are beginning to understand that doubling (or halving) one factor in a multiplication expression doubles (or halves) the product. For example, 10 bags of apples with 3 apples in each bag would total 30 apples (3x10=30. The students can use this information to determine that 10 bags with 6 apples in each bag would total 60 apples (10x6=60). Using known multiplication combinations to determine the product of more difficult combinations is an important skill for the students to build their understanding. We also practiced skip counting around the classroom by various multiples. Have your child practice counting by 2's, 3's, 5's, 6's and 10's to reinforce this skill. The homework sheet for the week of November 15th-19th is Sheet #12, and will be checked Wednesday and Friday in class. We will also have our Tuesday Math Quiz. The quiz will focus on using multiplication combinations.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Gravity Detectives
Gravity is a force that is a mystery to many people. It's tough to understand because you can't see it.
We have learned that all matter has a force that pulls things toward its core, or center. The gravity of our planet is so strong that it keeps us from flying right off the Earth when we jump, swing, and play. This week, we will explore many different ways that we can overcome or defy gravity. But in the end, gravity wins! Listen to this song, to find out more.
Enjoy! :)
We have learned that all matter has a force that pulls things toward its core, or center. The gravity of our planet is so strong that it keeps us from flying right off the Earth when we jump, swing, and play. This week, we will explore many different ways that we can overcome or defy gravity. But in the end, gravity wins! Listen to this song, to find out more.
Enjoy! :)
Friday, November 5, 2010
Multiplication Maniacs!
As we dive in to our new unit on multiplication, we are becoming multiplication maniacs! Many students are brining home their multiple charts each night to practice and review. Our goal is to develop basic multiplication fact fluency from 0x0 through 12x12. Besides the charts, there is a cool gizmo online that makes practicing multiplication fun. Check out this link and look for the Critter Count gizmo. Leave us a comment and let us know what you think!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Newsletter Info
Math
We are getting deeper into our Math studies on multiplication and division. The students are beginning to use and understand multiplication notation and solving multiplication problems in context. For example, Alan sees 6 cars. Each car has 4 wheels. How many wheels does Alan see? The students should recognize this is 6 groups of 4, which is 4+4+4+4+4+4 = 24 wheels. We will also practice finding the multiples of the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 by skip counting and begin to understand the relationship among skip counting, repeated addition, and multiplication. Students can be practicing their skip counting at home to deepen their understanding! The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #11, and will be checked Wednesday and Friday in class. We will also have our Tuesday Math Quiz. This week it will focus on analyzing pictographs.
Social Studies
This week's theme will be our democratic government. We will discuss how citizens make decisions in local, state, and national government by voting in elections and going to town meetings. We will learn the role of local government in making laws and providing the services that we utilize each day in our community. We will also discuss how tax money is used to pay for services like buses, subways, trash collection, and running water.
Science
We will conclude our animal unit this week with our test and a writing assignment for our portfolios. Students will write a friendly letter from one animal to another describing adaptations animals utilize (ex. hibernation or migration) to survive changes in season. Later in the week, we will begin our new unit on stars and gravity. We will begin by examining the following guiding questions: Why does the Sun appear larger than other stars we observe? and How are stars different? It will be important for students to realize that the Sun is not the largest star. It only appears so large in size because of its close proximity to Earth.
We are getting deeper into our Math studies on multiplication and division. The students are beginning to use and understand multiplication notation and solving multiplication problems in context. For example, Alan sees 6 cars. Each car has 4 wheels. How many wheels does Alan see? The students should recognize this is 6 groups of 4, which is 4+4+4+4+4+4 = 24 wheels. We will also practice finding the multiples of the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10 by skip counting and begin to understand the relationship among skip counting, repeated addition, and multiplication. Students can be practicing their skip counting at home to deepen their understanding! The homework sheet for this week is Sheet #11, and will be checked Wednesday and Friday in class. We will also have our Tuesday Math Quiz. This week it will focus on analyzing pictographs.
Social Studies
This week's theme will be our democratic government. We will discuss how citizens make decisions in local, state, and national government by voting in elections and going to town meetings. We will learn the role of local government in making laws and providing the services that we utilize each day in our community. We will also discuss how tax money is used to pay for services like buses, subways, trash collection, and running water.
Science
We will conclude our animal unit this week with our test and a writing assignment for our portfolios. Students will write a friendly letter from one animal to another describing adaptations animals utilize (ex. hibernation or migration) to survive changes in season. Later in the week, we will begin our new unit on stars and gravity. We will begin by examining the following guiding questions: Why does the Sun appear larger than other stars we observe? and How are stars different? It will be important for students to realize that the Sun is not the largest star. It only appears so large in size because of its close proximity to Earth.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Newsletter Info
Science
This week, we will finish up our study of animals with a review of migration and hibernation. These are confusing concepts for students because there isn’t rule that covers an entire animal classification group. Check out the blog midweek for a fun website that reinforces the read alouds and discussions we’ve been having in class. On Friday we will play a round of Jeopardy that sums up the entire unit. The unit test on animals will be Monday of next week. The blog and science notebook are valuable study tools.
Social Studies
This week we will focus on the concept of being an active citizen and how volunteering in our community can make a difference. We will discuss several examples, including a group of students who worked with Habitat for Humanity to build ten houses in ten years! We will learn about our unique position as citizens in a country with so many rights and freedoms, as well as our responsibility to respect the limits of our rights. For example, although we have the right to free speech, it is against the law to yell “FIRE!” in a public place if there is no fire.
This week, we will finish up our study of animals with a review of migration and hibernation. These are confusing concepts for students because there isn’t rule that covers an entire animal classification group. Check out the blog midweek for a fun website that reinforces the read alouds and discussions we’ve been having in class. On Friday we will play a round of Jeopardy that sums up the entire unit. The unit test on animals will be Monday of next week. The blog and science notebook are valuable study tools.
Social Studies
This week we will focus on the concept of being an active citizen and how volunteering in our community can make a difference. We will discuss several examples, including a group of students who worked with Habitat for Humanity to build ten houses in ten years! We will learn about our unique position as citizens in a country with so many rights and freedoms, as well as our responsibility to respect the limits of our rights. For example, although we have the right to free speech, it is against the law to yell “FIRE!” in a public place if there is no fire.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Animal Classification
Congratulations! Our posters are all done and ready to be presented to the class. We have been working so hard on researching the physical characteristics of each group, so we can identify which animals fit into each group. Maybe you have been so focused on your particular animal group, that you haven't had a chance to think about the others. If that's the case, then you should definitely check out this site. It has info on all the groups and when you're done reading up on the groups, you can play this game to see how much you've learned! It can really help you learn/review the main characteristics of each group.
The only group the site doesn't mention is arthropods, which are invertebrates (no backbone). You can test your knowledge of arthropods by clicking on the link. You can also learn the characteristics of insects, which are a type of arthropod.
The only group the site doesn't mention is arthropods, which are invertebrates (no backbone). You can test your knowledge of arthropods by clicking on the link. You can also learn the characteristics of insects, which are a type of arthropod.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Great news!
Our social studies book is now available online...no more aching backs from all those heavy backpacks!!! Check out this site (https://secure.eservices.eduplace.com/eservicesadmin/login.do?targeturl=/eservices/) and then just enter the following information:
username:ssguest3
password:grade3
Enjoy! This is a great way to doublecheck the answers on your blue sheets.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Sunshine Math
Are you excited for Sunshine Math?!? Have you decided whether you are going to be a mathlete or a cheerleader? Both of these jobs are an important part of making Sunshine Math successful. If you're not sure what to choose, then check out the Sunshine Math Rap on our old blog; maybe that will help you make your choice. Don't forget to turn in your yellow slip by Friday!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
This week we will meet some of the first settlers who made their way to America. We will learn about the trading opportunities and religious freedoms that motivated many of the first settlers to make their initial voyage. We will discuss why the Spanish and Pilgrims wanted to come here and build settlements. Students will need to be able to explain the similarities between these two groups of settlers.
Math Workshop
Our weekly math quiz will be tomorrow. It will focus on addition and subtraction story problems, with three digit numbers. Students are welcome to bring home their 1,000 chart, workbook, and/or homework sheets to prepare. We have worked to develop strategies that are both efficient and comfortable for each one of us. Students will need to show an equation, strategy work, and a solution with a label to receive full credit. These are the same steps we follow in class each day.
In workshop time the rest of the week, we will continue working with story problems, however, we will move on to more challenging problems that involve solving for a missing part. We will encourage students to use their knowledge of the difference between the two numbers and 100 to assist them in reaching a solution. Peek over their shoulder when they’re doing their homework. Are they writing accurate equations that actually represent the situation? Are they stopping at multiples of 10 on the number line, or are they jumping by multiples of 10?
Science
Congratulations to all our Jeopardy players and winners; Friday’s game review was a lot of fun for everyone. We can’t wait to play again at the end of our next unit, which will focus on Animals. The essential questions that will focus our learning during this unit are as follows: In what ways can animals be grouped? How do animals respond to changing seasons? This week we will explore the similarities and differences among animals, leading students to see that animals can be grouped (just like plants). We will also address the misconception that while humans and animals are living things, humans are not animals.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What Plants Need
Are you looking forward to Plant Jeopardy on Friday? I know I am! I can't wait to see you show your stuff in a friendly plant battle. Here is a song to help you review the needs of a plant. Enjoy!
A Seed Needs
To the tune of "Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay"
I see you are a seed,
Tell me what do you need,
I need some soil to grow,
And then the sun to glow,
Water to make me wet,
Air for my leaves to get,
Space for my roots to spread,
Now I'm a plant.
Iram Khan
Newsletter
Social Studies
This week we will learn about another Native American tribe of the United States: The Cherokee. We will learn about their lifestyle in the rolling hills of the southeastern part of our country. We will also learn about how the arrival of the Europeans eventually resulted in the forced movement of the tribe to Oklahoma in an event known as The Trail of Tears. Despite this horrific event, many elements of their culture remained intact. We will discuss how the Cherokee were able to pass on and learn about their family traditions; we will also be making connections to how we learn about our own family histories. The quiz will be Friday.
Science
The unit test on plants will take place next Monday, October 4th. No study guide will be sent home, however, students are welcome to bring home their science notebook and/or green folder to study and prepare. We will play Plants Jeopardy in class on Friday to study and prepare together. Students will need to know the parts of plants, the functions of plant parts, the needs of plants, as well as how plants can be grouped.
Math Workshop
We will have our weekly math quiz tomorrow, which will cover elements of Calendar Math that have been discussed in August and September. In math workshop, we will continue working on story problems, however, this week subtraction strategies will be reintroduced and discussed.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Plant Experiments
Our plant experiments are really coming along. As you know, we have four different experiments that are currently germinating in our classroom. Have you told your family about the progress of your plant? Have you told them which experiment is yours (light vs. dark, air vs. no air, Jell-o vs. soil vs. nothing, or water vs. orange juice)? It is so exciting to see some of our predictions coming true.
Perhaps our classroom experiments have gotten you more interested in performing other plant-based experiments of your own. If this is the case, then you are in luck. I have just the thing for you! Today you took home a username and password for a cool website called gizmos. I have already prepared an activity for you on this site that allows you to set up plant experiments all your own. So, pull out that yellow log in info sheet and get to it! Be sure to leave a comment about your experiment. You can even print the data and bring it in to share in class! Happy planting!
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
This week’s lesson focuses on the Navajo, a Native American tribe that existed long ago and is still around today in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. We will learn how these people adapted to their desert environment and learned to utilize the resources available there. We will also discuss the cultural traditions and religious ceremonies of the tribe. The quiz will be on Friday.
Science
There will be a quiz on Thursday. Students will need to know the structures (parts) of a plant, as well as their functions in helping the plant to live and grow. Students should study their notebooks and green packets to prepare; the blog is another great study tool. Take a peek into your child’s notebook and packets; are they using time wisely to complete their work?
The rest of the week will be spent conducting observations of our student generated plant experiments. Ask your child about their experiment. We will also begin discussing how plants are grouped (i.e. deciduous and coniferous), as well as how plants respond to changing seasons.
Math Workshop
There will be a math quiz on Tuesday, focusing on groups of 10, groups of 100, standard and expanded form, locating numbers on the 1,000 chart, ordering 3 digit numbers, and counting up and down the 1,000 chart by multiples of 10. These are all skills we have been working on for the past four weeks, so they should be very familiar to your child.
This week we will continue developing and practicing strategies for solving story problems and equations involving 3 digit numbers. We will also be learning a new game: Collections Match, which will reinforce this concept. If you would like to play a round with your child, encourage them to check out a deck of Collection Cards. Observe their strategies. Do they keep track of the steps in their strategy work? Are they accurate in their computations? Do they break the numbers apart efficiently (either by place value, multiples of 10 and 100, or combinations of 10 or 100)?
This week’s lesson focuses on the Navajo, a Native American tribe that existed long ago and is still around today in parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. We will learn how these people adapted to their desert environment and learned to utilize the resources available there. We will also discuss the cultural traditions and religious ceremonies of the tribe. The quiz will be on Friday.
Science
There will be a quiz on Thursday. Students will need to know the structures (parts) of a plant, as well as their functions in helping the plant to live and grow. Students should study their notebooks and green packets to prepare; the blog is another great study tool. Take a peek into your child’s notebook and packets; are they using time wisely to complete their work?
The rest of the week will be spent conducting observations of our student generated plant experiments. Ask your child about their experiment. We will also begin discussing how plants are grouped (i.e. deciduous and coniferous), as well as how plants respond to changing seasons.
Math Workshop
There will be a math quiz on Tuesday, focusing on groups of 10, groups of 100, standard and expanded form, locating numbers on the 1,000 chart, ordering 3 digit numbers, and counting up and down the 1,000 chart by multiples of 10. These are all skills we have been working on for the past four weeks, so they should be very familiar to your child.
This week we will continue developing and practicing strategies for solving story problems and equations involving 3 digit numbers. We will also be learning a new game: Collections Match, which will reinforce this concept. If you would like to play a round with your child, encourage them to check out a deck of Collection Cards. Observe their strategies. Do they keep track of the steps in their strategy work? Are they accurate in their computations? Do they break the numbers apart efficiently (either by place value, multiples of 10 and 100, or combinations of 10 or 100)?
Monday, September 13, 2010
Newsletter
Social Studies
Hopefully your child is falling into the routine of bringing home their blue social studies folder to prepare for Friday’s quiz. Please take the time to chat with them about the main ideas of this week’s lesson: Our Land and Resources. Encourage them to connect the main ideas to their own life or share stories from our class discussions. This practice helps students to gain understanding of the material; simply rereading it does not guarantee understanding. This week we will focus on the natural resources available in our environment, such as water, soil, air, and other living things. We will discuss specific examples of landforms and resources, from the Mississippi River to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Science
Our focus on the functions of stems and roots continues this week as we experiment with gravity’s role in plant growth. For example, what would happen to a germinated plant if we hung it upside down? Would the roots grow up or curve around and grow down? Which way will the stem grow? Or, what if we planted a germinated plant in soil on its side…would the roots grow sideways? Check with your child at the end of the week to see what we’re observing in these student generated experiments. There will be a quiz next week on the parts of a plant and their functions. Look for more information in the student planner this week.
Math Workshop
Our first math homework quiz will be tomorrow (Tuesday), as previously mentioned in the student planner. It will cover the material from the first three homework sheets. Students were instructed to make corrections as we reviewed these sheets in class, in order to be sure these sheets could be used as study tools. These sheets can be filed at home or discarded after the quiz.
In math workshop, we will be continue working on place value with story problems that involve adding and subtracting two and three digit numbers and finding the number of 10s or 100s in a given sum. Students are encouraged to use the two strategies that are most comfortable for them (the first to solve, the second to double check). They are required to form an equation before attempting to solve the problem; they are also asked to label their solutions. Please help them to follow the same routine when assisting with homework.
Hopefully your child is falling into the routine of bringing home their blue social studies folder to prepare for Friday’s quiz. Please take the time to chat with them about the main ideas of this week’s lesson: Our Land and Resources. Encourage them to connect the main ideas to their own life or share stories from our class discussions. This practice helps students to gain understanding of the material; simply rereading it does not guarantee understanding. This week we will focus on the natural resources available in our environment, such as water, soil, air, and other living things. We will discuss specific examples of landforms and resources, from the Mississippi River to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Science
Our focus on the functions of stems and roots continues this week as we experiment with gravity’s role in plant growth. For example, what would happen to a germinated plant if we hung it upside down? Would the roots grow up or curve around and grow down? Which way will the stem grow? Or, what if we planted a germinated plant in soil on its side…would the roots grow sideways? Check with your child at the end of the week to see what we’re observing in these student generated experiments. There will be a quiz next week on the parts of a plant and their functions. Look for more information in the student planner this week.
Math Workshop
Our first math homework quiz will be tomorrow (Tuesday), as previously mentioned in the student planner. It will cover the material from the first three homework sheets. Students were instructed to make corrections as we reviewed these sheets in class, in order to be sure these sheets could be used as study tools. These sheets can be filed at home or discarded after the quiz.
In math workshop, we will be continue working on place value with story problems that involve adding and subtracting two and three digit numbers and finding the number of 10s or 100s in a given sum. Students are encouraged to use the two strategies that are most comfortable for them (the first to solve, the second to double check). They are required to form an equation before attempting to solve the problem; they are also asked to label their solutions. Please help them to follow the same routine when assisting with homework.
Plant Songs
Our standards say that as third graders we are to know the structures (parts) of a plant, as well as the function (job/role) of those structures. Here are two fun songs that can help you review some of the things we've been researching in class and recording on our Plant Structure and Function Chart.
Do You Know the Parts of Plants? Tune: Head, Shoulders, Knees, And Toes
Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?
Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?
All kinds of plants that grow and grow and grow.
Do you know the parts of plants,
Parts of plants?
The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.
The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.
The roots store food and water, too.
The roots hold the plant in place,
Plant in place.
The stem moves water up the plant,
Up the plant.
The stem moves water up the plant,
Up the plant.
The stem brings water to the leaves.
The stem moves water up the plant,
Up the plant.
The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.
The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.
The sun helps the plant to grow and grow and grow.
The leaves soak up the sun,
Soak up the sun.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.
Inside the fruit are little tiny seeds.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit.
Parts of Plants Song (Tune: Muffin Man)
Oh, do you know the parts of plants,
The parts of plants, the parts of plants?
Do you know the parts of plants
That make them grow and grow?
The roots, they hold the plant in place,
The plant in place, the plant in place.
The roots they hold the plant in place
Soak up minerals and water, too.
The stem moves water up the plant,
Up the plant, up the plant.
The stem moves water up the plant
Brings water to the leaves.
The leaves soak up the rays of sun,
The rays of sun, the rays of sun.
The leaves soak up the rays of sun,
And help the plant make food.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Into a fruit, into a fruit.
The flower grows into a fruit,
Which holds the tiny seeds.
Now you know the parts of plants,
The parts of plants, the parts of plants,
Now you know the parts of plants,
That make them grow and grow.
Enjoy singing these for your family at home. Grab a hairbrush (microphone) and get singing!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Newsletter
Social Studies
This week we will examine the geography of Earth's land and water. We will focus on three popular landforms: plains, plateaus, and hills. We will discuss how different landforms affect the communities near them. In addition, we will discuss the benefits of living near water (i.e. salt water or fresh water). The quiz will be on Friday of this week. Please encourage your child to take advantage of the opportunity to bring home their blue folder to study each night.
Science
We've spent the past week germinating (sprouting) bean seeds and researching how the four main parts of a plant (root, stem, leaf, and flower) each have a function (job) in helping the plant survive. Ask your child about their plant. How has it changed during the last week? What have they observed? Discuss the role of the leaves and roots in the survival of the plant. This week we will continue investigating the functions of the stem and flowers, while developing our own plant investigations.
Math Workshop
We will continue developing our knowledge of the Base Ten Number System up to 1,000, while learning to represent the structure of 3-digit numbers as being composed of 100s, 10s, and 1s (i.e. standard form to expanded form). We will work to develop our ability to solve addition problems by breaking numbers down (decomposing) and recombining them. Read the following situation to your child and discuss how they would go about finding a solution: Miss P and Miss Hoffmann are collecting books. Miss P has 68 books. Miss Hoffmann ahs 234 books. If they put their book collections together, how many books will they have in their combined collection?
The district benchmark will be administered (in lieu of the diagnostic) on Friday of this week.
This week we will examine the geography of Earth's land and water. We will focus on three popular landforms: plains, plateaus, and hills. We will discuss how different landforms affect the communities near them. In addition, we will discuss the benefits of living near water (i.e. salt water or fresh water). The quiz will be on Friday of this week. Please encourage your child to take advantage of the opportunity to bring home their blue folder to study each night.
Science
We've spent the past week germinating (sprouting) bean seeds and researching how the four main parts of a plant (root, stem, leaf, and flower) each have a function (job) in helping the plant survive. Ask your child about their plant. How has it changed during the last week? What have they observed? Discuss the role of the leaves and roots in the survival of the plant. This week we will continue investigating the functions of the stem and flowers, while developing our own plant investigations.
Math Workshop
We will continue developing our knowledge of the Base Ten Number System up to 1,000, while learning to represent the structure of 3-digit numbers as being composed of 100s, 10s, and 1s (i.e. standard form to expanded form). We will work to develop our ability to solve addition problems by breaking numbers down (decomposing) and recombining them. Read the following situation to your child and discuss how they would go about finding a solution: Miss P and Miss Hoffmann are collecting books. Miss P has 68 books. Miss Hoffmann ahs 234 books. If they put their book collections together, how many books will they have in their combined collection?
The district benchmark will be administered (in lieu of the diagnostic) on Friday of this week.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Newsletter 8/30/2010
Social Studies
Our study of communities continues this week with a look at different kinds of communities, namely urban (big cities) and rural (small community with lots of land and space). We will also introduce the concept of suburbs, as places that are close enough to big cities for people to work and play in, while allowing for people to live in less crowded conditions. We will have our first quiz on Friday of this week. Students will be responsible for material from last week, as well as this week. Your child may bring home their blue folder each night to study and prepare; encourage them to do so.
Science
Look for our graded quiz on lab safety and procedures to come home Tuesday in the Take Home Folder. Please sign and return it to school! This week we will continue working with plants as we explore the following essential question: What are seeds? We will continue working on our ability to make detailed observations utilizing our senses, as we examine soaked and unsoaked lima beans. We will review the parts of a seed and how they make a new plant, before finishing up the week by beginning an investigation into how bean seeds grow.
Math Workshop
Look for the yellow family letter in this week’s Take Home Folder. It has many great ideas for games and activities that can be done at home to reinforce the concepts from our current unit: Collections and Travel Stories. This week we will begin to build a class collection of 1,000 of the same thing to give students a concrete model of 1,000. Look in your child’s planner if you are interested in helping our collection grow. Over the next few days we will be working through word problems like this one: “Miss P was collecting coins. She had 230 so far. If she wanted to store them in bags of 10, how many bags would she need? What about bags of 100?” Try working through this problem, or make up similar ones. Observe their strategies. Are they utilizing their knowledge of the number of 10’s in 100 to help them solve the problem(s)? Do they use tools, like their 1,000 chart?
Our study of communities continues this week with a look at different kinds of communities, namely urban (big cities) and rural (small community with lots of land and space). We will also introduce the concept of suburbs, as places that are close enough to big cities for people to work and play in, while allowing for people to live in less crowded conditions. We will have our first quiz on Friday of this week. Students will be responsible for material from last week, as well as this week. Your child may bring home their blue folder each night to study and prepare; encourage them to do so.
Science
Look for our graded quiz on lab safety and procedures to come home Tuesday in the Take Home Folder. Please sign and return it to school! This week we will continue working with plants as we explore the following essential question: What are seeds? We will continue working on our ability to make detailed observations utilizing our senses, as we examine soaked and unsoaked lima beans. We will review the parts of a seed and how they make a new plant, before finishing up the week by beginning an investigation into how bean seeds grow.
Math Workshop
Look for the yellow family letter in this week’s Take Home Folder. It has many great ideas for games and activities that can be done at home to reinforce the concepts from our current unit: Collections and Travel Stories. This week we will begin to build a class collection of 1,000 of the same thing to give students a concrete model of 1,000. Look in your child’s planner if you are interested in helping our collection grow. Over the next few days we will be working through word problems like this one: “Miss P was collecting coins. She had 230 so far. If she wanted to store them in bags of 10, how many bags would she need? What about bags of 100?” Try working through this problem, or make up similar ones. Observe their strategies. Are they utilizing their knowledge of the number of 10’s in 100 to help them solve the problem(s)? Do they use tools, like their 1,000 chart?
Plant Poem
Today we made predictions about how bean seeds make a new plant. We discussed many different ideas. Then we read/sang with poem/song about plants. Here it is so you can enjoy it and think about it at home!
A Plant Will Grow
by Lauren Mayer
My plants are growing, from the seeds down in the ground
Soon they'll be showing how the plant world gets around
Just plant a seed, and when you're done
Give it air and water and lots of sun
And in a couple of weeks or so,
You know a plant will grow!
A seed sprouts a root, isn't that cute?
My plants are growing, from the roots and the seeds down in the ground
Soon they'll be showing how the plant world gets around
It grows some roots, which uncoil
To soak up nutrients from the soil
And in a couple of weeks or so,
You know a plant will grow!
Plants grow a stem, every one of them!
My plants are growing, from the stems to the roots from the seeds down in the ground
Soon they'll be showing how the plant world gets around
At first just a tiny stem is seen
You know it's growing 'cause it's green
And in a couple of weeks or so,
You know a plant will grow!
Look what the stem achieves - it's growing some leaves!
My plants are growing,
from the leaves to the stems to the roots from the seeds down in the ground
Soon they'll be showing how the plant world gets around
The leaves get bigger by the hour
Then it might grow fruit, it might grow a flower
And in a couple of weeks or so,
You know a plant will grow!
From the fruit or the flower
to the leaves
to the stem
to the roots
from the seeds down in the ground
And now you know - just how a plant will grow!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
Our focus this year will center around communities of long ago, as well as modern communities of today. This week we will begin with a look at the places that we live and call home. We will learn that the places we live are called communities and consist of a population of citizens. We will discuss how important it is to obey the laws of the community, in order to keep the citizens safe and avoid chaos.
Science
We will start off the year with a brief introduction into how scientists work safely in the lab. We will focus on how scientists make observations and inferences, as well as the types of tools that will be available for use in our lab this year. We will then dig right into our first unit of study on plants, with a nature walk and observation session. Students will have the opportunity to examine a plant of their choice with a hand lens, before formally recording their observations. We will learn to share and compare our data/observations in the name of scientific integrity (i.e. our data should match and if it doesn't we need to examine it closely to figure out why that's the case). We will finish the week with a look at our next essential question: What are seeds (and, how do bean seeds make a new bean plant)? Any and all donations of potting soil, dry lima beans, celery, and a sweet potato would be greatly appreciated!
Math
It is imperative that third graders have an understanding of how The Base Ten Number System works and how to accurately represent, identify, compare, and/or order numbers through the hundred thousands. Our work in this unit will focus on the following essential questions: How are numbers comprised in our Base Ten Number System? How can greater numbers be read and written? How can whole numbers be compared and ordered? To begin addressing these questions, students will be introduced to the 1,000 chart. This will help us as we begin to discuss how place value is represented. The catch is that not all the numbers will be filled in on these charts. As we play a game called Finding Numbers, students will need to use landmarks they are familiar with (multiples of ten and twenty-five work well) to help them locate the numbers called. If you are curious about your child's ability to locate numbers, have them bring their chart home over the weekend to play a few rounds as a family. You can even let them call the numbers and quiz you to see who is faster!
Our focus this year will center around communities of long ago, as well as modern communities of today. This week we will begin with a look at the places that we live and call home. We will learn that the places we live are called communities and consist of a population of citizens. We will discuss how important it is to obey the laws of the community, in order to keep the citizens safe and avoid chaos.
Science
We will start off the year with a brief introduction into how scientists work safely in the lab. We will focus on how scientists make observations and inferences, as well as the types of tools that will be available for use in our lab this year. We will then dig right into our first unit of study on plants, with a nature walk and observation session. Students will have the opportunity to examine a plant of their choice with a hand lens, before formally recording their observations. We will learn to share and compare our data/observations in the name of scientific integrity (i.e. our data should match and if it doesn't we need to examine it closely to figure out why that's the case). We will finish the week with a look at our next essential question: What are seeds (and, how do bean seeds make a new bean plant)? Any and all donations of potting soil, dry lima beans, celery, and a sweet potato would be greatly appreciated!
Math
It is imperative that third graders have an understanding of how The Base Ten Number System works and how to accurately represent, identify, compare, and/or order numbers through the hundred thousands. Our work in this unit will focus on the following essential questions: How are numbers comprised in our Base Ten Number System? How can greater numbers be read and written? How can whole numbers be compared and ordered? To begin addressing these questions, students will be introduced to the 1,000 chart. This will help us as we begin to discuss how place value is represented. The catch is that not all the numbers will be filled in on these charts. As we play a game called Finding Numbers, students will need to use landmarks they are familiar with (multiples of ten and twenty-five work well) to help them locate the numbers called. If you are curious about your child's ability to locate numbers, have them bring their chart home over the weekend to play a few rounds as a family. You can even let them call the numbers and quiz you to see who is faster!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
3rd Grade Rocks!!!
Wow! It was so exciting to meet you all at Orientation on Friday. I am really looking forward to a wonderful year together in third grade. I can't wait to start our hard (but also super fun) work together down on the farm. I'm really looking forward to us all getting to know each other better.
Here is something that I spent time doing this summer that might help you get to know me better. I love traveling and going on adventures with friends. This summer I spent some time in California, and I was lucky enough to find some super scientific things there.
1. General Sherman
Maybe you're thinking that General Sherman is a person...you'd be wrong (that's what I thought at first, too)! General Sherman is a tree! So, why would people want to go see a tree? Because it's a special tree. Let me tell you some of the cool stuff I learned. General Sherman is the most massive tree on Earth. He is over 275 feet tall and is over 2,000 years old! He is a Giant Sequoia and is located in a national park where many other sequoias grow.
There were hundreds of people hiking around in the forest when I was there, so it was really hard to get a nice photo of myself in front of General Sherman, but here is a photo of me standing INSIDE another one of the sequoias nearby.
I also saw trees so huge that tunnels had been made in them so you could drive your car inside the trunk and out the other side. I could never imagine doing that with the trees we have around here. On the way out of the park, I also stopped near a tree that had fallen during a storm. It is called the Auto Log because you used to be able to drive your auto, or car, right onto it. Now it is decaying, so that would be too dangerous, but you can still pose for a picture.
2. The second super scientific thing I did was visit the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles. Check out the link to learn more. They have a cool glass bubble where you can watch scientists work on piecing together some of the animal skeletons that have been found during excavations of the pits. Here is a cool photo that I took of some of the wolf skulls that have been found in the tar pits.
And here's how I compare to the height of a bear, which is good to know! If I had any plans to tell a bear who is boss, now I know that's not a good idea!
Well, those are just some of the things I did this summer. I can't wait to hear about all the cool things you did over the summer. Have you ever been to any of the places I described above? Do you ever want to go? If so, be sure to leave me a post, and of course, if you have questions about my adventures, I'd be happy to tell you more!
See you at school tomorrow. Go to bed early, and don't forget to eat a big, yummy breakfast. We are going to have an absolutely awesome time!
Here is something that I spent time doing this summer that might help you get to know me better. I love traveling and going on adventures with friends. This summer I spent some time in California, and I was lucky enough to find some super scientific things there.
1. General Sherman
Maybe you're thinking that General Sherman is a person...you'd be wrong (that's what I thought at first, too)! General Sherman is a tree! So, why would people want to go see a tree? Because it's a special tree. Let me tell you some of the cool stuff I learned. General Sherman is the most massive tree on Earth. He is over 275 feet tall and is over 2,000 years old! He is a Giant Sequoia and is located in a national park where many other sequoias grow.
There were hundreds of people hiking around in the forest when I was there, so it was really hard to get a nice photo of myself in front of General Sherman, but here is a photo of me standing INSIDE another one of the sequoias nearby.
I also saw trees so huge that tunnels had been made in them so you could drive your car inside the trunk and out the other side. I could never imagine doing that with the trees we have around here. On the way out of the park, I also stopped near a tree that had fallen during a storm. It is called the Auto Log because you used to be able to drive your auto, or car, right onto it. Now it is decaying, so that would be too dangerous, but you can still pose for a picture.
2. The second super scientific thing I did was visit the La Brea tar pits in Los Angeles. Check out the link to learn more. They have a cool glass bubble where you can watch scientists work on piecing together some of the animal skeletons that have been found during excavations of the pits. Here is a cool photo that I took of some of the wolf skulls that have been found in the tar pits.
And here's how I compare to the height of a bear, which is good to know! If I had any plans to tell a bear who is boss, now I know that's not a good idea!
Well, those are just some of the things I did this summer. I can't wait to hear about all the cool things you did over the summer. Have you ever been to any of the places I described above? Do you ever want to go? If so, be sure to leave me a post, and of course, if you have questions about my adventures, I'd be happy to tell you more!
See you at school tomorrow. Go to bed early, and don't forget to eat a big, yummy breakfast. We are going to have an absolutely awesome time!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Go, Go Gravity Racers!!!
Our new science unit on force and motion has inspired us to make our very own gravity powered racers! We are developing vehicles that can travel down a ramp, powered only by gravity. The vehicles must travel at least 100 cm to be up for consideration for the pizza party prize!
As we build our vehicles, we are noticing some design flaws in our blueprints. We are brainstorming with our partners and talking with other groups to figure out ways to reduce friction and drag (air resistance), so that our cars can travel a greater distance. Some of us have discovered that mass has an important role in how far our car will travel after it leaves the inclined plane (ramp).
Check out some of our scientists hard at work!
Leave a comment if you've had trouble with an element of your design. Tell about your solution.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
We're learning all about cells...
Hopefully, you read the newsletter with your parents this week. If you did, you learned that our new unit on cells is going to begin on Wednesday. I am so excited for this unit; cells are one of my favorite things to learn about. Some of you were a little confused when I mentioned cells in class today. I'm not talking about jail cells like the picture above. I'm talking about cells that are much, much smaller. We will have the opportunity to take a closer look at some at the end of the week, using a microscope. Between now and then, if you are wanting to do a little research on your own, take a look at this site. Also, if you scroll down to the bottom it links you to a really cool site called Cells Alive, where you can click on each part of the cell to learn about its function within the cell. As always, if you take a look, be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Friday, January 29, 2010
In calendar math, we have spent the entire month discussing various three dimensional shapes (space figures). We have made lists of their attributes and even acted as shape detectives to spot them out in the real world. If you're still struggling to understand these types of figures, take a look at these websites.
Space figures
3D
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
Space figures
3D
Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!
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