Multiplication

We are beginning to learn the concept of multiplication. The most important idea is that when you are multiplying, there must be equal groups. That means each group should have the same number of objects in them. The children brainstormed things that usually come in groups: 2 hands on a person, 5 fingers on a hand, 8 legs on an octopus... Over vacation you can have fun telling simple multiplication stories using objects like these that usually come in groups.

For example:

There are four cars in the driveway. Each car has 4 wheels. How many wheels in all?

Remind your third grader that there are equal groups because all 4 cars have 4 wheels. Some children will be able to find the answer mentally, others may skip count by 4s to find the answer, others may benefit from drawing a picture to show all the wheels. Regardless of process, the children should understand that they are finding 4 x 4 or 4 groups of 4.

We'll spend lots of time practicing in the new year!

Thank you!

Thanks to all who were able to attend our poetry reading! We had a wonderful time putting it together for you. Mr. Claus videotaped it. I hope to post the recording over vacation.

P.S.

Due to parking issues, and for the safety of our arriving students, please do not arrive for our poetry reading before 8:45.

Thanks for your consideration.

Continent Postcards

Don't be surprised if you receive a postcard from a country far away! As part of our study of continents, the children have researched a country of their choice. They have learned about the climate, landmarks, landforms, location, agriculture and animals. Currently, they are writing a "postcard" to you, sharing information from at least 3 of these topics.

We hope you learn a lot from their writing! Ask your child which country they chose to research.

Reminder - Poetry Reading

We hope you are able to come and enjoy your children's original poetry.

Where? Room 221
When? December 22, 9:00

At the conclusion, the children can show you around their classroom and you can enjoy refreshments together.

We are looking forward to seeing you!

Problem of the Week

How Fast Does Your Heart Beat?

If you started counting your heartbeats at midnight on January 1, 2010, when would you count the millionth beat? What about the billionth beat?

Poetry Reading

I hope you got the invite, but just in case...

Please join us on
Tuesday, December 22
@9:00

To hear your children read
their original poems

Siblings invited

Yes and...

Wouldn't it be great if your third grader would agree with you all the time? Well, we can't make that happen, but you can play a game together during which they pretend to agree with you... We've played during morning meeting. It's lots of fun, and it helps children develop elaboration skills.

You can play in pairs or small groups. The first player makes a statement. It could be as simple as, "It's going to rain tomorrow." The next player adds to that statement by saying, "Yes and..." For example, player two might say, "Yes and I am excited to wear my new raincoat." The next player might say, "Yes and that raincoat looks really nice on you." And so on...

A few children got stuck. This came up especially when another child spoke about a topic they didn't know much about. I suggested that children use their background knowledge to come up with a response. If they can find something to connect with, they should be able to come up with a "Yes, and..." For example, one child said, "The Celtics have the best record in the NBA." His partner didn't know very much about basketball, so she struggled to come up with a response. She might think back in her mind to find what she does know about the Celtics. She might have said, "Yes, and they will win while wearing their green uniforms."

Have fun with this game. You might even try playing it at the dinner table! :o)

Elapsed Time

Elapsed Time:

Elapsed time is the amount of time that has passed. In third grade, children are expected to solve problems involving elapsed time, but it can be very tricky for them. Fortunately, we have learned a trick! The children have learned to make a T chart. You put the starting time at the top of the chart. You count the hours by ones and the minutes by fives. When you get to the ending time, you should have the accurate answer. Ask your third grader to show you tonight!

For example:

Start time - 12:35, End time - 3:15

12:35, 1:35, 2:35 -That's 3 hours.

2:35, 2:40, 2:45, 2:50, 2:55, 3:00, 3:05, 3:10, 3:15 -That's 40 minutes

Answer - 3 hours, 40 minutes

(*It all looks nicer on a T chart but I lacked the technological skills to put one on this page. Sorry!)

Reflection Letter

Hopefully you will see a difference in your child's reflection letter this week. Most children have included a paragraph at the beginning of their letter that responds to your letter from last week. They were challenged to answer your questions or carry on the "conversation" that you may have started.

If at all possible, please take the time to respond to your child's letter each week. It means a lot to them. They love seeing how interested you are in their learning.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Thank you!

Dear parents,

This small note could never do justice for how thankful I am to have had the opportunity to work with your children over the past three months. I could not have asked for a better group of students to assist in making my practicum experience so meaningful and memorable. Their enthusiasm for learning, willingness to accept challenges and endless quest to further their knowledge inspired me every day to become a better teacher, and for that I am forever grateful.

I, much like your own children, am extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from one of the best teachers the Needham school district has to offer. I observed many elementary school teachers throughout my undergraduate career, yet I have never encountered a teacher as enthusiastic and devoted to their students as Melanie is. Your children are so lucky to have such an incredible teacher; she wants nothing but the best for them and will do whatever it takes to help them succeed. The growth I've achieved over the past few months can be largely attributed to Melanie and her incredible ability to teach and inspire. Much like what she does with your children every day, she pushed me to become the best teacher I could be.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your amazing children with me. Many years from now I will look back and still remember the nineteen students who were with me at the beginning of my journey and helped me to realize just how much I love teaching. Room 221 will always have a special place in my heart. :o)

Meaghan

Reading Aloud

Please read aloud to your children! I know they are third graders and can read independently, but they can still get so much from you reading to them. Some of the many benefits are:

*inspires writing
*expands vocabulary
*boosts comprehension
*increases achievement
*improves listening skills
*builds general knowledge
*encourages visual imagery
*broadens knowledge of genre
*reveals different writing styles
*fosters curiosity and imagination
*reveals different language patterns
*promotes motivation to read and learn
*extends knowledge of literary elements

Don't be afraid to share your THINKING as you read aloud!
You might say:

*I'm wondering...
*I predict.... because...
*If I were ________ (character's name) I would have...
*I liked the part when...

It's mostly just important to share the kind of thinking you do when you are reading on your own. You are a fantastic model for your children!

Happy reading! :o)

Probability Fun

Today we did a fun exploration with spinners to explore probability. Each table was divide into two teams. Team #1 got a point if the spinner landed on the purple, yellow, or red color. Team #2 got a point if the spinner landed on the orange, green, or blue color. Each team got to spin the spinner 20 times. After both teams spun 20 times, the students observed their tallies. They noticed that their scores were very similar.

Next, the students played another game only this time, team #1 got a point if the spinner landed on the color purple, and team #2 got a point if the spinner landed on yellow, red, blue, green, or orange. Unfortunately for team #1, they quickly learned that the probability of them having more tallies than team #2 was highly unlikely.

Through these two spinner games, the children were able to grasp the concept that the probability of them receiving a point in game #1 was likely, where as the probability of team #1 getting a point in game #2, was not very likely at all. It was a fun activity and an exciting way for the children to further explore probability!