Keep Kids Inspired During the Holiday Break with Wonderopolis™
Is there a way to keep their minds engaged while they're away from school? Absolutely! Take a daily trip with them to Wonderopolis during the holiday break. Why are all snowflakes different? Why do people kiss under the mistletoe? What are the Northern Lights? Explore answers to these—and many more—interesting "wonders" each day in Wonderopolis. Each new Wonder of the Day® presents a curious question, a related video to spark interest in the topic and fun activities in which the whole family can participate. Just because they aren't in school doesn't mean the learning—and the fun—has to stop!
Thanks to Martha Wells - the Technology Specialist at Broadmeadow and Hillside for this fun tip!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Hats and Mittens
Please be sure to send your child to school wearing hats and mittens/gloves. The children are sent outside for recess unless it's extremely cold. (I don't remember the exact temperature that requires indoor recess, but it can be very cold even above that.)
If for some reason you are unable to get a hat and gloves/mittens for your child, please let me know and I will be happy to help out.
If for some reason you are unable to get a hat and gloves/mittens for your child, please let me know and I will be happy to help out.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Adding Suffixes
Have you ever wondered why the 'p' is doubled when you spell the word skipping? Now you can ask your third grader!
Skip is considered a 1-1-1 word because it has 1 syllable, 1 vowel and 1 consonant after the vowel. If you add a vowel suffix (a suffix that starts with a vowel) to a 1-1-1 word, you usually double the final consonant. For example, the word run is a 1-1-1 word. If you want to add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you know you need to double the 'n,' the final consonant. However, stick is not a 1-1-1 word because the vowel is followed by 2 consonants. Therefore when you add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you do not double the final consonant.
We also learned a rule about adding a vowel suffix on to a word that ends in silent e. You drop the e, then add the suffix.For example: confuse + ing = confusing.
***You can support your child by holding them accountable for the rules when they're spelling at home. Please don't correct all they do, but you can challenge them to find 3 words that are misspelled in their homework or writing. If you know that they've learned to drop the -e before adding a vowel suffix, you can suggest they try that. Happy spelling! :o)
Skip is considered a 1-1-1 word because it has 1 syllable, 1 vowel and 1 consonant after the vowel. If you add a vowel suffix (a suffix that starts with a vowel) to a 1-1-1 word, you usually double the final consonant. For example, the word run is a 1-1-1 word. If you want to add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you know you need to double the 'n,' the final consonant. However, stick is not a 1-1-1 word because the vowel is followed by 2 consonants. Therefore when you add 'ing,' a vowel suffix, you do not double the final consonant.
We also learned a rule about adding a vowel suffix on to a word that ends in silent e. You drop the e, then add the suffix.For example: confuse + ing = confusing.
***You can support your child by holding them accountable for the rules when they're spelling at home. Please don't correct all they do, but you can challenge them to find 3 words that are misspelled in their homework or writing. If you know that they've learned to drop the -e before adding a vowel suffix, you can suggest they try that. Happy spelling! :o)
Word Wizards
Today we worked together using our bodies to show the meaning of challenging words collected by our Word Wizards. Some words are easier to represent than others! We included the definitions in our own "kid friendly" terms. Click here to check it out.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Scholastic Book Clubs
Reminder:
Scholastic book orders are due tomorrow. Send in your order form or click here and use activation code DRVHV to sign in and order online.
Scholastic book orders are due tomorrow. Send in your order form or click here and use activation code DRVHV to sign in and order online.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dinosaur Research
Third grade paleontologists chose a dinosaur to research today! They are finding out the time period the dinosaur lived in, the size of their dinosaur and where it lived. Researchers are also looking for 2 other interesting pieces of information. Ask your researcher to tell you the dinosaur they researched and what they learned about it.
Click here if your third grade paleontologist would like to continue exploring and learning at home.
Click here if your third grade paleontologist would like to continue exploring and learning at home.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Test Prep
It's really here! The time for MCAS prep has begun. Most of the preparation we do for MCAS is solid teaching and learning of the third grade curriculum and meeting the needs of your children. However, I also think it is important for your children to learn how to take a standardized test. Taking a standardized test is indeed a skill, and not one that comes naturally. Therefore, Reading Workshop on Thursday will now include instruction on test taking strategies.
The first strategy we learned was reading the questions first. If the children read the questions before they read the text, they will be better prepared to recognize the information they need as they read the text. Ask your child how they felt about our practice. We used a sample from an actual MCAS test!
The first strategy we learned was reading the questions first. If the children read the questions before they read the text, they will be better prepared to recognize the information they need as they read the text. Ask your child how they felt about our practice. We used a sample from an actual MCAS test!
Congratulations Third Graders!
Eliot School Third Graders did a fabulous job at Friday's assembly. The presentation was based on what we learned from the book Dumpy La Rue by Elizabeth Winthrop.
In the story, Dumpy is told he shouldn't dance because he is a pig. "Pigs don't dance." He is told he shouldn't dance because he's a boy. "Boys don't dance." Third graders learned that these statements are stereotypes. Together we learned that there are many gender based stereotypes that can be very damaging and hurtful.
So third grade social activists worked together to discount many common gender stereotypes by collecting data from our school community. They asked questions like, "Do you know a girl that likes to play football?"
Our presentation began with a retelling of the story. Next,they presented the collected data with accompanying images. Finally the audience was treated to third grade voices singing "Flashdance!" They were awesome!
Click here to see some of the images and data we presented.
In the story, Dumpy is told he shouldn't dance because he is a pig. "Pigs don't dance." He is told he shouldn't dance because he's a boy. "Boys don't dance." Third graders learned that these statements are stereotypes. Together we learned that there are many gender based stereotypes that can be very damaging and hurtful.
So third grade social activists worked together to discount many common gender stereotypes by collecting data from our school community. They asked questions like, "Do you know a girl that likes to play football?"
Our presentation began with a retelling of the story. Next,they presented the collected data with accompanying images. Finally the audience was treated to third grade voices singing "Flashdance!" They were awesome!
Click here to see some of the images and data we presented.
Homophones
We added to our Word Wall again this week! Our Word Wall consists of homophones that are commonly misspelled. A homophone is a word that sounds like another word, but has a different meaning and is spelled differently.
I updated a paper copy that was sent home. Keep it where your child does homework for easy reference. Once a homophone is on the Word Wall, I expect it to be spelled correctly in children's work.
*You can also find a copy on our classroom website.
We learned three new sets:
mail - Something delivered to your house by the post office.
male - A boy or man
***********************************
mind - The part of your body that thinks
mined - Rocks or minerals that have been dug up from the ground
***********************************
find - To locate something
fined - To be charged a fee for something done wrong
I updated a paper copy that was sent home. Keep it where your child does homework for easy reference. Once a homophone is on the Word Wall, I expect it to be spelled correctly in children's work.
*You can also find a copy on our classroom website.
We learned three new sets:
mail - Something delivered to your house by the post office.
male - A boy or man
***********************************
mind - The part of your body that thinks
mined - Rocks or minerals that have been dug up from the ground
***********************************
find - To locate something
fined - To be charged a fee for something done wrong
Monday, December 6, 2010
Song for our Assembly
The third grade is presenting at the assembly this week. We read the book "Dumpy La Rue" by Elizabeth Winthrop. Dumpy loves to dance, but the farm animals insist that he can't dance because "pigs don't dance."
As a result, third graders have been looking at gender stereotypes. We have surveyed the school community to find people who know of boys or girls, men or women who break existing stereotypes. We will present this data accompanied by matching images at the assembly.
For the finale, third graders will belt out "Flashdance!" You may be familiar with the popular song about a young woman's passion for dancing. (Don't worry, I told the kids they can't watch the movie until they are 17 or 18. :o) If your child would like to practice the song, click here for the karaoke version on youtube.
Have fun! :o)
As a result, third graders have been looking at gender stereotypes. We have surveyed the school community to find people who know of boys or girls, men or women who break existing stereotypes. We will present this data accompanied by matching images at the assembly.
For the finale, third graders will belt out "Flashdance!" You may be familiar with the popular song about a young woman's passion for dancing. (Don't worry, I told the kids they can't watch the movie until they are 17 or 18. :o) If your child would like to practice the song, click here for the karaoke version on youtube.
Have fun! :o)
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