Social Studies
A blue half sheet was sent home with your child today regarding an extra credit opportunity that is worth 5 pts. The sheet gives detailed information on the required 5 step process, as well as information on optional treats that can accompany the project. This is different than the thinking mats. The thinking mats are an in class art activity that we are working on as we finish our questions each day. Ask your child about their design. If you are a newsletter fan this week, tell your child to give Mrs. Z a high five at recess on Tuesday and say the code, "Responsibility!" This will earn them a success ticket.
Science
Our unit on Water will be coming to and end this week. The unit test will be Wednesday. Your child should bring their science notebook home on Monday and Tuesday night to prepare. Visiting the blog entries is also helpful. They need to be familiar with condensation, evaporation, how changes in energy (heat) can cause matter to change states, melting point of water, boiling point of water, freezing point of water, explaining data differences, importance of water, and the habits of good scientists (repeated trials, communications). We will play a round of Jeopardy in class on Tuesday to review at school, but reviewing their notes at home is also helpful. The test will contain multiple choice and short answer and will be worth 20 pts.
Pencil Sharpeners: Patterson Homeroom in Desperate Need
Donations of manual pencil sharpeners would be greatly appreciated!
Math Workshop
Our class is starting a new mathmatics unit about fractions called Finding Fair Shares. In this unit, students investigate the meaning of fractions and the ways fractions can be represented. One of our benchmark goals is for the students to divide a single whole or a quanity into equal parts and name those parts as fractions or mixed numbers. Take advantage of any natural opportunities to use fractions as they arise. You and your child can share and compare strategies for solving problems such as these: If you cut a whole pizza into 6 equal slices and ate 3 of the slices, what fraction of the pizza did you eat? If you want to share 10 cookies among 4 people, how can you share them equally? How much does each person get? The gas tank in our car holds 12 gallons, but right now it is only one fourth full. How many gallons of gas do we need to buy to fill up the tank? The students will have Homework Sheet # 23 assigned for the week. On Tuesday, they will have their February Calendar Math Quiz. It will consist of questions reading a calendar, knowing the difference between parallel and perpendicular lines, making a bar graph, and rounding numbers to different place values.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Science Help At Home
Sometimes parents express an interest in helping their child at home with science but just don't know where to begin. The way we teach science is a very hands-on and interactive approach. Although research definitely has it's place in science, the emphasis is more about being engaged in "doing" science and less on reading from the science text book. This approach is fantastic because it provides students with a meaningful experience at being a scientist. We realize that this approach can also be challenging when parents would like to help support their child in developing into a scientific thinker. We hope that this list of suggestions will help support your efforts at home when working on science.
1. Be familiar with your child's science standards. Visiting this link will help you understand what your child is expected to know at each grade level.
2. Go to the local library to check out some Outstanding Science Trade Books. Reading any science books, even if it is not the the current topic of study, will help your child become a more critical science thinker.
3. Conduct simple science experiments at home.
Home Experiments Link #1
Home Experiments Link #2
Home Experiment Link #3
4. Understand misconceptions in science so that you can help your child understand the concepts correcly.
5. Visit the science links provided on our blog. The Gizmos provides fantastic online simulations that power inquiry and understanding.
6. Always, show a positive attitude towards science even if it may not be your favorite subject.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Evaporation Explanation
Family Connection: Want to help your child prepare for Wednesday's quiz? Take a moment to peruse their science notebook with them. They have notes on the processes of condensation and evaporation that they are proud of and eager to share with you! Look back at some of their previous note-taking ventures and compliment them at how they've grown and improved over the year. Then take a walk together to look for examples of condensation and evaporation. For example, you might find condensation on the windows of cars or homes. You might discover evaporation in action as you pass a clothesline full of drying laundry. Have your child record their findings by making a list or drawing a quick sketch. This will give them a point of reference for your follow up discussion back at the house. Encourage them to bring in these examples; they will have an opportunity to share them in class.
Here's the science scoop on evaporation. Over the past week, we've gotten the opportunity to see evaporation in action. We know that this process takes time, but can go faster with the help of a hair dryer. The hot temperature of the air coming from the dryer makes the liquid water gain heat energy very quickly, which helps it change to a gas more rapidly than normal.
We discussed that evaporation is kind of like the reverse process of condensation. In condensation, water vapor changes to liquid droplets. In evaporation, liquid changes to water vapor, once the liquid gains enough energy.
Here's the science scoop on evaporation. Over the past week, we've gotten the opportunity to see evaporation in action. We know that this process takes time, but can go faster with the help of a hair dryer. The hot temperature of the air coming from the dryer makes the liquid water gain heat energy very quickly, which helps it change to a gas more rapidly than normal.
We discussed that evaporation is kind of like the reverse process of condensation. In condensation, water vapor changes to liquid droplets. In evaporation, liquid changes to water vapor, once the liquid gains enough energy.
Newsletter Info
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
A big thank you goes out to all the families who donated items for our Rome celebration and/or tried their hand at clothing design and adorned their child in togas. The students really enjoyed themselves and they all looked great. This week we will begin our three week study of the ancient Mayan civilization of Mexico. This week we will learn about the climate and geography of Mexico, then and now. We will also discuss ancient Mayan community life. There will be a quiz this Friday.
Science
Our study of evaporation continues this week with an extend lab called “The Broken Dryer.” Help hold your child accountable by asking them to explain the themes of this lab to you at home. (Attention: If you are reading this, open your child’s planner and write the following sentence on the 2/22/11 comment box: I am a newsletter fan!) We will have a quiz on Wednesday, which will focus on the processes of condensation and evaporation. It will also have several questions about the science tool we have been working with: the thermometer. Students should prepare by looking over their notes on condensation and evaporation, as well as the blog entries on these two topics.
Math Workshop
Our class is wrapping up our unit about geometry and measurement called Perimeter, Angles, and Area. During this unit, students measured length by using U.S. standard units (inches, feet, yards) and metric units (centimeters, meters). They investigated characteristics of triangle, rectangles, and other polygons. They used right angles as a reference to identify other angles as being greater than or less than 90 degrees. Students solved problems about perimeter (the length of the border of a figure) and area (the measure of how much flat space a figure covers). Please look for more information and activities about Perimeter, Angles, and Area that is being sent home with the newsletter. The unit assessment for the students is on Thursday, February 24th. We will be playing a fun, Jeopardy style review game on Wednesday. The homework sheet for the week is Sheet #22 and will be checked on Wednesday and Friday.
Social Studies
A big thank you goes out to all the families who donated items for our Rome celebration and/or tried their hand at clothing design and adorned their child in togas. The students really enjoyed themselves and they all looked great. This week we will begin our three week study of the ancient Mayan civilization of Mexico. This week we will learn about the climate and geography of Mexico, then and now. We will also discuss ancient Mayan community life. There will be a quiz this Friday.
Science
Our study of evaporation continues this week with an extend lab called “The Broken Dryer.” Help hold your child accountable by asking them to explain the themes of this lab to you at home. (Attention: If you are reading this, open your child’s planner and write the following sentence on the 2/22/11 comment box: I am a newsletter fan!) We will have a quiz on Wednesday, which will focus on the processes of condensation and evaporation. It will also have several questions about the science tool we have been working with: the thermometer. Students should prepare by looking over their notes on condensation and evaporation, as well as the blog entries on these two topics.
Math Workshop
Our class is wrapping up our unit about geometry and measurement called Perimeter, Angles, and Area. During this unit, students measured length by using U.S. standard units (inches, feet, yards) and metric units (centimeters, meters). They investigated characteristics of triangle, rectangles, and other polygons. They used right angles as a reference to identify other angles as being greater than or less than 90 degrees. Students solved problems about perimeter (the length of the border of a figure) and area (the measure of how much flat space a figure covers). Please look for more information and activities about Perimeter, Angles, and Area that is being sent home with the newsletter. The unit assessment for the students is on Thursday, February 24th. We will be playing a fun, Jeopardy style review game on Wednesday. The homework sheet for the week is Sheet #22 and will be checked on Wednesday and Friday.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Condensation Connection and Phase Changes
Where does condensation come from? Now, we know! It isn't magic. It isn't water leaking from inside the glass. It's the collection of water vapor from the air. When the water in the air cools down and loses energy, the particles are forced to change state, from a gas (water vapor) to a liquid (water).
When a substance, like water, changes from one state, or phase, of matter to another we say that it has undergone a change of state, or we say that it has undergone a change of phase. These changes of phase always occur with a change of heat. Heat, which is energy, either comes into the material during a change or out of the material during a change.
For example, when solid ice melts into liquid water heat is going into the solid as it melts. Although heat is being added to the ice, there will be no temperature change during the actual phase change. That will occur later.
An example of heat leaving a material is when liquid water freezes into solid ice. As heat leaves the liquid, it freezes. Again, there is no temperature change during the actual phase change.
Want to try your hand at changing the phases of water? Then, click on the link and try this cool phase changing game.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Newsletter Info
Social Studies
We will finish our study of Ancient Rome this week with a look at daily life. We will learn about the homes, clothing, and food of these ancient people. There will be no quiz this week. Instead, we will celebrate our learning with a video on Rome and a Toga Celebration; this will take place on Friday. Students will also be served a Roman-inspired treat. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Mrs. Z via email. Remember, that students do not have to wear togas, but if they do, school clothes are required underneath. Encourage your child to take advantage of this fun opportunity to be creative and bring the past to life!
Science
The Create-a-Lab projects are graded and will be coming home in tomorrow's Tuesday Take Home Folders. Please review it with your child. A revision opportunity will be offered for students who scored a 16 or lower. Students may revise their work and resubmit it to earn up to a 17 out of 20. The deadline for resubmission is Friday, February 25th. Students who simply need to edit their work (or who left portions blank) may make adjustments, or rewrite portions, of the lab sheet needing correction on a separate sheet of paper. The corrections should be stapled to the original lab sheet and rubric. If the lab itself needs to be redone, this will need to be done at home due to time constraints, but students may conduct the lab alone; they do not need to redo it with their lab group.
Our water unit will continue this week with a focus on condensation. We will learn where it comes from and what it is (the process in which water vapor, a gas, in the air turns into liquid water). This will help us continue to learn about how water can change states when it is heated or cooled, a requirement for third graders. We will have another opportunity to do some research in the textbook for a grade. On Wednesday, we will have a quiz, which your child should have written in their planner last Thursday. Please check to see if they are taking the initiative to communicate with you and be more responsible. The quiz will focus on making simple charts, how data differences can be explained (class examples included: broken thermometer, user error, cup spills, variations in ice cube amount), and how water is used and its importance. To study, talk with your child about the charts we created last week in the "Accurate Temperature Data" Lab. You can also review the lesson one review in their take home folder this week.
We will finish our study of Ancient Rome this week with a look at daily life. We will learn about the homes, clothing, and food of these ancient people. There will be no quiz this week. Instead, we will celebrate our learning with a video on Rome and a Toga Celebration; this will take place on Friday. Students will also be served a Roman-inspired treat. If you are interested in contributing, please contact Mrs. Z via email. Remember, that students do not have to wear togas, but if they do, school clothes are required underneath. Encourage your child to take advantage of this fun opportunity to be creative and bring the past to life!
Science
The Create-a-Lab projects are graded and will be coming home in tomorrow's Tuesday Take Home Folders. Please review it with your child. A revision opportunity will be offered for students who scored a 16 or lower. Students may revise their work and resubmit it to earn up to a 17 out of 20. The deadline for resubmission is Friday, February 25th. Students who simply need to edit their work (or who left portions blank) may make adjustments, or rewrite portions, of the lab sheet needing correction on a separate sheet of paper. The corrections should be stapled to the original lab sheet and rubric. If the lab itself needs to be redone, this will need to be done at home due to time constraints, but students may conduct the lab alone; they do not need to redo it with their lab group.
Our water unit will continue this week with a focus on condensation. We will learn where it comes from and what it is (the process in which water vapor, a gas, in the air turns into liquid water). This will help us continue to learn about how water can change states when it is heated or cooled, a requirement for third graders. We will have another opportunity to do some research in the textbook for a grade. On Wednesday, we will have a quiz, which your child should have written in their planner last Thursday. Please check to see if they are taking the initiative to communicate with you and be more responsible. The quiz will focus on making simple charts, how data differences can be explained (class examples included: broken thermometer, user error, cup spills, variations in ice cube amount), and how water is used and its importance. To study, talk with your child about the charts we created last week in the "Accurate Temperature Data" Lab. You can also review the lesson one review in their take home folder this week.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Newsletter Info
Science
Our new unit on Water has begun. Ask your child about the results of Super Ice Bowl I. In that exciting competition we learned what is required to change ice into water in the most efficient way possible. This week, we will become better acquainted with an important tool: the thermometer. We will practice taking the temperature of ice as it melts. This will enable us to practice the habits that good scientists use: chart making, taking accurate measurements, and recording observations. We will use the data from each group to make one large class chart, which will focus our discussion on the importance of similar data/explaining data discrepancies. We will also do some research in the textbook on the many uses of water; this will be a graded assignment where the textbook can be used as a guide. We will then move on to condensation and evaporation. Look for more info next week.
Note: Please be patient with us as we work to score the "Create-a-Lab" projects. Due to many student absences and the time required to complete the evaporation labs that students proposed, we are still finishing up the scoring rubrics.
Social Studies
Our study of ancient Rome continues with a more focused look at the intricacies of the Roman government system. We will learn about the voting practices and assembly system that was used. We will also learn about the highly organized system of roads and aqueducts that were utilized in this society for efficient transport of armies, goods, and water. There will be a quiz on Friday. Don't forget to start planning ahead for the Toga Celebration on Februrary 18th. Remember, costumes are optional, but if you choose to wear one, school clothes must be worn underneath.
Valentine's Day Ice Cream Social
Thanks so much for all your generous donations and support. Our party is going to be a great success! Please remember to send all items in by Friday, February 11th. Also, if your child plans to make cards, they must include one for all members of their homeroom class. We want to be sure everyone feels loved on this special day!
In our Math Investigation studies we have been focusing on polygons! The students know the attributes of a polygon (i.e. it has 3 or more straight, closed sides). We discussed and sorted examples and non-examples of polygons and we had a great time using Power Polygons! This week, the students will sort quadrilaterals according to a variety of criteria and we will discuss the properties of quadrilaterals. Ask your child the relationship between squares and rectangles. We will have a Math Quiz on Tuesday. Homework Sheet #20 will be checked in class on Wednesday and Friday.
Our new unit on Water has begun. Ask your child about the results of Super Ice Bowl I. In that exciting competition we learned what is required to change ice into water in the most efficient way possible. This week, we will become better acquainted with an important tool: the thermometer. We will practice taking the temperature of ice as it melts. This will enable us to practice the habits that good scientists use: chart making, taking accurate measurements, and recording observations. We will use the data from each group to make one large class chart, which will focus our discussion on the importance of similar data/explaining data discrepancies. We will also do some research in the textbook on the many uses of water; this will be a graded assignment where the textbook can be used as a guide. We will then move on to condensation and evaporation. Look for more info next week.
Note: Please be patient with us as we work to score the "Create-a-Lab" projects. Due to many student absences and the time required to complete the evaporation labs that students proposed, we are still finishing up the scoring rubrics.
Social Studies
Our study of ancient Rome continues with a more focused look at the intricacies of the Roman government system. We will learn about the voting practices and assembly system that was used. We will also learn about the highly organized system of roads and aqueducts that were utilized in this society for efficient transport of armies, goods, and water. There will be a quiz on Friday. Don't forget to start planning ahead for the Toga Celebration on Februrary 18th. Remember, costumes are optional, but if you choose to wear one, school clothes must be worn underneath.
Valentine's Day Ice Cream Social
Thanks so much for all your generous donations and support. Our party is going to be a great success! Please remember to send all items in by Friday, February 11th. Also, if your child plans to make cards, they must include one for all members of their homeroom class. We want to be sure everyone feels loved on this special day!
In our Math Investigation studies we have been focusing on polygons! The students know the attributes of a polygon (i.e. it has 3 or more straight, closed sides). We discussed and sorted examples and non-examples of polygons and we had a great time using Power Polygons! This week, the students will sort quadrilaterals according to a variety of criteria and we will discuss the properties of quadrilaterals. Ask your child the relationship between squares and rectangles. We will have a Math Quiz on Tuesday. Homework Sheet #20 will be checked in class on Wednesday and Friday.
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