This morning third graders were given a true/false quiz. They were asked to answer the following:
All mechanics are boys.
All nurses are girls
All doctors are boys.
All football players are boys.
All ballet dancers are girls.
Their responses were fantastic! I asked them to complete the "quiz" the best they could and be sure to raise their questions and concerns during our discussion.
I was very impressed with the children's response. Most of them answered false to every statement. They felt strongly that you can't say anything about a person's abilities or likes/dislikes because of their gender.
The point of this experience of course was to introduce the children to the concept of stereotypes. A stereotype is when we make an assumption about a person based on the group they belong to - in this case 'boys' or 'girls.' We will have more conversations about stereotypes. You can have some interesting conversations about this with your child at home. :o)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Publishing
Each third grade author is publishing their first personal narrative. The children have been working hard to include many qualities of effective writing in their work. Ask your child if he/she has been:
*Writing a little seed story (NOT a watermelon topic)
*Including true, exact details from the movie they have made in their mind
*Beginning with a hook - perhaps using setting, action or dialogue
*Including dialogue - that brings the story to life
This is hard writing work and certainly not all children are in the same place in their progress. My biggest goal for writers at this point in third grade is that their writing is (mostly) clear, it makes sense and that the writers are intentional. When I say intentional, I mean that third grade writers are working to be reflective and think about what they can do to make their writing the best it can be.
I can't wait to share their writing at our conference! :o)Melanie
*Writing a little seed story (NOT a watermelon topic)
*Including true, exact details from the movie they have made in their mind
*Beginning with a hook - perhaps using setting, action or dialogue
*Including dialogue - that brings the story to life
This is hard writing work and certainly not all children are in the same place in their progress. My biggest goal for writers at this point in third grade is that their writing is (mostly) clear, it makes sense and that the writers are intentional. When I say intentional, I mean that third grade writers are working to be reflective and think about what they can do to make their writing the best it can be.
I can't wait to share their writing at our conference! :o)Melanie
Check These Out!
A few weeks ago, Eliot third graders were treated to a special guest. A cartographer came in and taught the children how to draw their own maps of Needham. Click here to see photographs of their creations.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Thanksgiving
We went on an awesome website this morning that you may want to check out. Do you want to know the truths and myths about Thanksgiving? Plymouth Plantation has created a website to teach you the truth about Pilgrims and Native Americans. So much of what we know is based on ONE letter about "the first Thanksgiving" written by a Pilgrim in 1621. The children learned that this primary source gives us some answers, but also leaves historians with many questions. Let your third grader share the rest of what they've learned at:
http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html
The Room 221 community also discussed what Thanksgiving means to different people. Although I encouraged children to celebrate and enjoy their own traditions with family, I also asked them to pause and remember that not all people celebrate Thanksgiving. Some families who are relatively new to this country do not choose to celebrate the holiday. In addition, many Native Americans don't choose to celebrate Thanksgiving because they consider it a Day of Mourning.
Whatever you choose to do tomorrow, I hope you enjoy time with your family.
http://www.plimoth.org/education/olc/index_js2.html
The Room 221 community also discussed what Thanksgiving means to different people. Although I encouraged children to celebrate and enjoy their own traditions with family, I also asked them to pause and remember that not all people celebrate Thanksgiving. Some families who are relatively new to this country do not choose to celebrate the holiday. In addition, many Native Americans don't choose to celebrate Thanksgiving because they consider it a Day of Mourning.
Whatever you choose to do tomorrow, I hope you enjoy time with your family.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Pen Pals!
Have you ever had a pen pal? Your children do. They are exchanging letters with Mitchell 3rd graders in Ms. Camelio's class. It was exciting to watch the children's eyes light up as they read their first letters this morning!
We began responding to the letters right away. We get to practice some important writing skills in the process. The children need to consider their audience as they are answering questions and sharing information. They need to TTQA (turn the question around) so that the reader knows what questions they are answering. They will also use paragraphing skills. They will work to keep each subject they write about in its own paragraph. Finally, they will need to edit their letters carefully so that they can be easily read.
Ask your third grader about their new pen pal!
We began responding to the letters right away. We get to practice some important writing skills in the process. The children need to consider their audience as they are answering questions and sharing information. They need to TTQA (turn the question around) so that the reader knows what questions they are answering. They will also use paragraphing skills. They will work to keep each subject they write about in its own paragraph. Finally, they will need to edit their letters carefully so that they can be easily read.
Ask your third grader about their new pen pal!
Monday, November 22, 2010
Virtual Dino-Dig
This afternoon we went on a virtual dino-dig! We learned about the tools and the process paleontologists use when they excavate a fossil. Click here to try it out yourself!
Drummers and Dancers
Friday was the culminating event for our Read-a-thon to support the citizens of Haiti. We were treated with a special drumming and dance troupe. They shared with us the many aspects of West African culture that has become part of the culture of Haiti. It was an energizing and exciting presentation.
Click here to see some photographs of the event.
Click here to see some photographs of the event.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Reflection Letters
This afternoon your third grader will bring home a reflection letter with new FCAs. They are:
Thoughtful Response - Your child should respond to the letter you wrote last week. I told them that writing letters was almost like a conversation. One person says something, the next person responds to what they said. Therefore, you should read a paragraph that responds to what you wrote last week.
3+ Specific Details - Your child should continue to include at least 3 specific details about one thing they did in school this week.
Letter Format - I introduced the children to a friendly letter format. They are expected to use that format as they write. (The date on the right, a comma after the greeting, etc...)
Please be sure to respond to your child's letter each week. I know that life can be hectic and there never seems to be enough time, but please write back even if it's only 4-5 sentences. (Please print if possible. Third graders can't read cursive
yet.:o)
Thoughtful Response - Your child should respond to the letter you wrote last week. I told them that writing letters was almost like a conversation. One person says something, the next person responds to what they said. Therefore, you should read a paragraph that responds to what you wrote last week.
3+ Specific Details - Your child should continue to include at least 3 specific details about one thing they did in school this week.
Letter Format - I introduced the children to a friendly letter format. They are expected to use that format as they write. (The date on the right, a comma after the greeting, etc...)
Please be sure to respond to your child's letter each week. I know that life can be hectic and there never seems to be enough time, but please write back even if it's only 4-5 sentences. (Please print if possible. Third graders can't read cursive
yet.:o)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Synonyms
A synonym is a word that means the same or almost the same. For example, mad is a synonym for angry. Third graders learned about synonyms yesterday morning at meeting. You can ask your child to name some for you.
You can have lots of fun with synonyms in the car or at home. You might play "I'm thinking of a Word" and use synonyms for clues.
I'm thinking of a word that is a synonym for smart. Do you know what it is?
You can have lots of fun with synonyms in the car or at home. You might play "I'm thinking of a Word" and use synonyms for clues.
I'm thinking of a word that is a synonym for smart. Do you know what it is?
True or False
This morning I presented our mathematicians with a series of number statements. I asked the children if they were true or false. This led to some interesting conversations.
3 + 5 = 8
8 = 3 + 5
8 = 8
3 + 5 = 3 + 5
3 + 5 = 5 + 3
3 + 5 = 4 + 4
The children all agreed that the first number sentence is true. The next two were more controversial. Some children thought they were true, others thought they were confusing. This led me to ask the children, "What does = mean?" The most popular answer is the sign you put after an addition sentence (interesting... :o). But a few children answered that = is the "same", or "is". As in 3 + 5 is the same as 8, or
3 + 5 is 8. Finally, we agreed that equal means the same value.
We will continue this conversation next week. These conversations will help us all to better understand equations and numbers. You may also begin to recognize the beginnings of algebra!
3 + 5 = 8
8 = 3 + 5
8 = 8
3 + 5 = 3 + 5
3 + 5 = 5 + 3
3 + 5 = 4 + 4
The children all agreed that the first number sentence is true. The next two were more controversial. Some children thought they were true, others thought they were confusing. This led me to ask the children, "What does = mean?" The most popular answer is the sign you put after an addition sentence (interesting... :o). But a few children answered that = is the "same", or "is". As in 3 + 5 is the same as 8, or
3 + 5 is 8. Finally, we agreed that equal means the same value.
We will continue this conversation next week. These conversations will help us all to better understand equations and numbers. You may also begin to recognize the beginnings of algebra!
Amber Fossils
This afternoon the children created their own "amber fossils." We went outside to find artifacts. We mixed gelatin with warm water and placed the artifact inside. The "fossils" will harden over the weekend and the children can bring them home on Monday.
P.S. The children know that it takes much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much longer for a real fossil to be formed. :o)
P.S. The children know that it takes much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much longer for a real fossil to be formed. :o)
Making Change
Have you ever been frustrated when a cashier is unable to quickly make change at the convenience store? (Without the help of the computer, of course. :o) Your children will never be that cashier, because they are beginning to master the lost art of making change. They have learned to count up from the cost of an item.
For example, imagine a third grader purchases a notebook that costs $3.26 and they pay using a $5 bill. Third grade mathematicians learned to count up from $3.26 with 4pennies making it $3.30. Next, they take 2 dimes to make $3.50. After that, they take 2 quarters to make $4.00. Finally they take a $1 bill to make $5.00.
Challenge your child to make change for you at the store. You can even make your own store at home!
For example, imagine a third grader purchases a notebook that costs $3.26 and they pay using a $5 bill. Third grade mathematicians learned to count up from $3.26 with 4pennies making it $3.30. Next, they take 2 dimes to make $3.50. After that, they take 2 quarters to make $4.00. Finally they take a $1 bill to make $5.00.
Challenge your child to make change for you at the store. You can even make your own store at home!
Homophones
We added to our Word Wall again today! 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 today. 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 two new sets today:
plain - ordinary, having no decoration
plane - a machine that flies in the air
***********************************
meet - to get together with other people
meat - part of an animal that you eat
I updated a paper copy that was sent home today. 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 two new sets today:
plain - ordinary, having no decoration
plane - a machine that flies in the air
***********************************
meet - to get together with other people
meat - part of an animal that you eat
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Weekend Adventure
If your child has worked on their weekend adventure already, you may have noticed 2 new FCAs. I wanted you to have a better understanding of my expectations.
2. Hook/topic sentence - The children have been learning that the beginning of their writing should "hook" the reader so that they want to read more. However, their paragraph should also include a topic sentence towards the beginning of their paragraphs. (A topic sentence needs to be within the first few sentences, but doesn't necessarily have to be first.)
For example, if I'm writing a paragraph about jumping in the leaves, my topic sentence might be: 'I was having fun with my girls jumping in the leaves.' However, the first sentence of my paragraph could be a hook like, 'The leaves flew in the air and floated down all over my body.' The hook makes the reader want to read more. The topic sentence makes it clear to the reader what the paragraph is about.
In the actual paragraph it would read, 'The leaves flew in the air and floated down all over my body. I was having fun with my girls jumping in the leaves.'
3. PN (Proper Nouns) - The children have learned that the first letter of every proper noun should be capitalized. Therefore I will be looking for capital letters at the beginnings of names, months, days, streets, etc...
I hope this clarifies things for you. I don't expect you to correct your third grader's paragraph, or help them make it "perfect." However, I thought knowing the FCAs might assist you in supporting your child if he/she needs it.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any comments or concerns.
2. Hook/topic sentence - The children have been learning that the beginning of their writing should "hook" the reader so that they want to read more. However, their paragraph should also include a topic sentence towards the beginning of their paragraphs. (A topic sentence needs to be within the first few sentences, but doesn't necessarily have to be first.)
For example, if I'm writing a paragraph about jumping in the leaves, my topic sentence might be: 'I was having fun with my girls jumping in the leaves.' However, the first sentence of my paragraph could be a hook like, 'The leaves flew in the air and floated down all over my body.' The hook makes the reader want to read more. The topic sentence makes it clear to the reader what the paragraph is about.
In the actual paragraph it would read, 'The leaves flew in the air and floated down all over my body. I was having fun with my girls jumping in the leaves.'
3. PN (Proper Nouns) - The children have learned that the first letter of every proper noun should be capitalized. Therefore I will be looking for capital letters at the beginnings of names, months, days, streets, etc...
I hope this clarifies things for you. I don't expect you to correct your third grader's paragraph, or help them make it "perfect." However, I thought knowing the FCAs might assist you in supporting your child if he/she needs it.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any comments or concerns.
Challenge Math Problem
I hope this problem offers your family an opportunity to work together to solve a fun and challenging math problem. It's important to emphasize that this challenge is not necessarily designed for your child to solve on their own, this is something to work on together!
*Please note, this is not a mandatory activity, but something your family may choose to participate in.
Challenge #1
On Thanksgiving Thursday Carissa ate some cranberries. The next day she couldn't stop thinking about how good the cranberries were and ate seven more cranberries than she had eaten on Thursday. Each day after that she ate seven more cranberries than the day before. By the following Wednesday night she had eaten a total of 161 cranberries for the whole week.
How many cranberries did Carissa eat on Thanksgiving Thursday?
Extra: Since Carissa would probably get sick eating so many cranberries, let's pretend. If she were to continue this pattern, each day eating seven more cranberries than the day before, on which day would she eat 499 cranberries for her daily total?
Have fun! :o)
*Please note, this is not a mandatory activity, but something your family may choose to participate in.
Challenge #1
On Thanksgiving Thursday Carissa ate some cranberries. The next day she couldn't stop thinking about how good the cranberries were and ate seven more cranberries than she had eaten on Thursday. Each day after that she ate seven more cranberries than the day before. By the following Wednesday night she had eaten a total of 161 cranberries for the whole week.
How many cranberries did Carissa eat on Thanksgiving Thursday?
Extra: Since Carissa would probably get sick eating so many cranberries, let's pretend. If she were to continue this pattern, each day eating seven more cranberries than the day before, on which day would she eat 499 cranberries for her daily total?
Have fun! :o)
Fun New Games Online
I just found two new word study games that can be enjoyed online! I will definitely introduce them to the kids in school, but thought you might enjoy them at home too!
The first is called 8 Letters in Search of a Word. All 8 letters are scrambled, but work together to spell one big word. You want to find the big word, however, you get credit for all the small words you find along the way. Check it out!
The second site helps the worlds' hungry while you play. At www.freerice.com you can challenge your vocabulary skills by identifying the meaning of increasingly challenging words. For every word you get right, you earn 10 grains of rice! (P.S. It's NOT cheating to use a dictionary! :o)
Have fun!
The first is called 8 Letters in Search of a Word. All 8 letters are scrambled, but work together to spell one big word. You want to find the big word, however, you get credit for all the small words you find along the way. Check it out!
The second site helps the worlds' hungry while you play. At www.freerice.com you can challenge your vocabulary skills by identifying the meaning of increasingly challenging words. For every word you get right, you earn 10 grains of rice! (P.S. It's NOT cheating to use a dictionary! :o)
Have fun!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Potatoe Hill Poetry
Wow! I know I am not alone when I say that I have been inspired by Andrew Green, guest poet from Potato Hill Poetry. He spent 80 minutes this morning sharing his writing, his thinking and techniques. Finally, he gave the children time to begin their own poems. He helped pull lines from each individual poem to create this collaborate poem.
Beautiful Miscellaneous
The church bell ringing
A tiny nightlight
Ice cream dripping all over you
What is beautiful?
Different colors of hair
Holiday laughing and singing
Playing with friends
What is beautiful?
A notebook
Sunlight in the morning
The National Anthem
What is beautiful?
A sweater or a shirt
Catching the ball
Flowers standing in gardens
What is beautiful?
A blue universe
Puffed up clouds
The cooing sound of a dove
What is beautiful?
A clock ticking
Pizza at a new store
A warm summer day
What is beautiful?
Slippery, shiny, squirmy snakes
A football flying in the air
Puddles
by Room 221
Thank you to the PTC for bringing us this amazing kick-off to our poetry unit. We can't wait to invite you to our Poetry Reading! (Date TBD) We promise you won't be disappointed!
Beautiful Miscellaneous
The church bell ringing
A tiny nightlight
Ice cream dripping all over you
What is beautiful?
Different colors of hair
Holiday laughing and singing
Playing with friends
What is beautiful?
A notebook
Sunlight in the morning
The National Anthem
What is beautiful?
A sweater or a shirt
Catching the ball
Flowers standing in gardens
What is beautiful?
A blue universe
Puffed up clouds
The cooing sound of a dove
What is beautiful?
A clock ticking
Pizza at a new store
A warm summer day
What is beautiful?
Slippery, shiny, squirmy snakes
A football flying in the air
Puddles
by Room 221
Thank you to the PTC for bringing us this amazing kick-off to our poetry unit. We can't wait to invite you to our Poetry Reading! (Date TBD) We promise you won't be disappointed!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Money
Who doesn't love money? :o) These third graders certainly do! This morning we began a review of counting change. The following is a list of things I encourage them to practice and remember:
*The name and value of each coin
*When counting coins they should generally begin with the largest value. Then look to get to a "10" (the numbers you say when you count by tens).
For example, if I have 2 quarters, 2 dimes, a nickel and 3 pennies, I will start with the quarters - $.50. Then I will continue counting with the dimes - $.60, $.70. (Counting tens is easiest.) Next I will count the nickel - $.75 and finally the pennies - $.71, $.72, $.73.
However, if I have 1 quarter, 2 dimes a nickel and 3 pennies, I will start with the quarter - $.25, but then jump to the nickel - $.30 because I want to get to tens as quick as I can. Then I would continue on with my dimes and my pennies.
*When writing the value of coins in third grade we do not use the cent sign. (As I told the children that is so "first and second grade...")In third grade we write money with the dollar sign and a decimal point - $.82.
*The value of groups of quarters - 2 quarters = $.50, 3 quarters = $.75, 4 quarters = $1.00.
Next week we will began making change. Although it is tricky, they will love it! :o)
*The name and value of each coin
*When counting coins they should generally begin with the largest value. Then look to get to a "10" (the numbers you say when you count by tens).
For example, if I have 2 quarters, 2 dimes, a nickel and 3 pennies, I will start with the quarters - $.50. Then I will continue counting with the dimes - $.60, $.70. (Counting tens is easiest.) Next I will count the nickel - $.75 and finally the pennies - $.71, $.72, $.73.
However, if I have 1 quarter, 2 dimes a nickel and 3 pennies, I will start with the quarter - $.25, but then jump to the nickel - $.30 because I want to get to tens as quick as I can. Then I would continue on with my dimes and my pennies.
*When writing the value of coins in third grade we do not use the cent sign. (As I told the children that is so "first and second grade...")In third grade we write money with the dollar sign and a decimal point - $.82.
*The value of groups of quarters - 2 quarters = $.50, 3 quarters = $.75, 4 quarters = $1.00.
Next week we will began making change. Although it is tricky, they will love it! :o)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Fossils
Have you ever imagined yourself as a paleontologist? Digging up dinosaurs bones from deep beneath the ground? Most of your children have. They are very excited as we begin our dinosaur unit. Last week many fossils (and replicas) were spread throughout the room. The children acted as true scientists as they drew observational sketches and took notes about what they drew. At the end of the two sessions, we held a scientific meeting. The scientists shared their findings and made theories about what they noticed.
This week, we will learn that a fossil is the "preserved remains of plant or animal life." Together we will read part of Aliki's book, "Fossils Tell of Long Ago." Finally the children will create their own "amber fossils." We will go outside to find artifacts. We will mix gelatin with warm water and place the artifact inside. The "fossils" will harden and the children will be excited to show you the results.
P.S. The children will know that it takes much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much longer for a real fossil to be formed. :o)
This week, we will learn that a fossil is the "preserved remains of plant or animal life." Together we will read part of Aliki's book, "Fossils Tell of Long Ago." Finally the children will create their own "amber fossils." We will go outside to find artifacts. We will mix gelatin with warm water and place the artifact inside. The "fossils" will harden and the children will be excited to show you the results.
P.S. The children will know that it takes much, much, much, much, much, much, much, much longer for a real fossil to be formed. :o)
Learning Buddies
Room 221 had such fun working with their 4th, 5th and 1st grade Learning Buddies Friday afternoon. We worked together in teams to work on our muscle memory. Each team made 3 multi-leveled statues using each of their bodies. Each statue was assigned a letter A, B, or C. Finally, those letters were called out in random order and the teams had to recreate the correct statue. It was great fun! Check out the pictures!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Weekly Math
This week you may have noticed an extra homework assignment. We have begun assigning Weekly Math. Weekly Math will be assigned on Monday and should be returned no later than Friday. The problems are review of the content we have studied in math so far this year. Please help your child to plan their working time carefully so that they are not completing the entire assignment on Thursday night.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
(This week's packet includes some subtraction with regrouping. We aren't as far along as I thought we would be at this point. We will practice more tomorrow so children should be able to complete those problems tomorrow night. If it is an issue, just let me know.)
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact me.
(This week's packet includes some subtraction with regrouping. We aren't as far along as I thought we would be at this point. We will practice more tomorrow so children should be able to complete those problems tomorrow night. If it is an issue, just let me know.)
Homophones
We added to our Word Wall again today! 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 and will send it home in folders tomorrow. 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 today:
guest - a person invited to go somewhere
guessed - when someone predicted without all the information
***********************************
banned - being stopped from doing something
band - several people playing musical instruments together;
length of material used to hold things together
************************************
missed - to unsuccessfully attempt something
mist - lots of tiny drops of water in the air, making it hard to see
I updated a paper copy and will send it home in folders tomorrow. 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 today:
guest - a person invited to go somewhere
guessed - when someone predicted without all the information
***********************************
banned - being stopped from doing something
band - several people playing musical instruments together;
length of material used to hold things together
************************************
missed - to unsuccessfully attempt something
mist - lots of tiny drops of water in the air, making it hard to see
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween Candy
Halloween candy will be allowed in school for a snack or dessert for two more days! The children may bring in 1 piece on Tuesday and 1 on Wednesday. After Wednesday, I will ask the children to enjoy those treats at home! :o)
Challenge: Today, I asked third grade mathematicians to estimate how many pieces of candy they collected last night. Our answers ranged from 30 to 687. Encourage your child to pull 10 pieces of candy away from the rest. Using this group of ten, ask them to revise their estimate. (If "this pile" is 10, how many groups of ten do you think you have all together?)
I will be interested to hear the new estimates tomorrow.
Challenge: Today, I asked third grade mathematicians to estimate how many pieces of candy they collected last night. Our answers ranged from 30 to 687. Encourage your child to pull 10 pieces of candy away from the rest. Using this group of ten, ask them to revise their estimate. (If "this pile" is 10, how many groups of ten do you think you have all together?)
I will be interested to hear the new estimates tomorrow.
Word of the Week!
miscellaneous: a group of things that don't belong together
Encourage your third grader to notice this word around them and to use this word whenever they can!
Encourage your third grader to notice this word around them and to use this word whenever they can!
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