I will continue to hold extra help sessions on Tuesday mornings (7:50-8:20)and Thursday afternoons (2:35-3:05). In order to best meet the needs of each child I will be choosing a focus for each session. This week we will focus on math vocabulary. If your child needs or would like some extra practice in this area they are welcome to attend either or both days.
I am happy to see as many children who are interested. I only ask that you notify me to let me know that your child is coming.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Weekend Adventure
Happy Valentine's Day! As a Valentine's gift (to the students and myself :o), I have decided not to assign this week's paragraph. I hope the children enjoy a homework free night!
:o)Melanie
:o)Melanie
Disabilities Awareness
Thanks so much to Martha Cohen-Barrett and Jacquie Sherman and all the volunteers for giving the third graders such a fabulous and meaningful experience on Friday. Third graders learned what it might be like to have a physical disability. They learned that people with physical disabilities have challenges to overcome, but can also do many (or most) of the things that they can do!
Click here to see some pictures of the event.
Click here to see some pictures of the event.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Challenge #6 - Places
*The landscape of this country includes mountains, active volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, fiords, lakes, rainforests and large grassy plains.
*Composed of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands, it is located in the southern Pacific Ocean; its coastline is 9,824 miles long.
*South Island's Southern Alps, which are larger than the European Alps, contain glaciers on which people enjoy skiing.
*The capital of the country is Wellington, which is the southernmost capital city in the world.
*The first inhabitants, the Maori, were Polynesians who arrived around 800 A.D.
*Kiwi birds, the national symbol, are flightless, about the size of a chicken, and have hair-like feathers.
*Composed of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands, it is located in the southern Pacific Ocean; its coastline is 9,824 miles long.
*South Island's Southern Alps, which are larger than the European Alps, contain glaciers on which people enjoy skiing.
*The capital of the country is Wellington, which is the southernmost capital city in the world.
*The first inhabitants, the Maori, were Polynesians who arrived around 800 A.D.
*Kiwi birds, the national symbol, are flightless, about the size of a chicken, and have hair-like feathers.
Extra Help
I will hold one extra help session this week on Tuesday morning (7:50-8:20). My apologies to those who usually attend in the afternoon, I'm not able to fit it in with everything that is going on. In order to best meet the needs of each child I will be choosing a focus for each session. This week we will continue working with money and making change. If your child needs or would like some extra practice in this area they are welcome to attend either or both days.
I am happy to see as many children who are interested. I only ask that you notify me to let me know that your child is coming.
I am happy to see as many children who are interested. I only ask that you notify me to let me know that your child is coming.
Absence
As some of you may know, my youngest daughter Haley will be getting her tonsils out on Wednesday. Unfortunately, there is a fourteen day recovery period. I scheduled the surgery just before February vacation so that we (Haley and I) would miss as little school as possible.
However, I will be out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Ms. Lynn Cote will be the guest teacher during my absence. She has worked with the children before, both this year and last. Therefore, she is familiar with the children and our routines.
On Tuesday I will let the kids know that I will be out. I don't want to surprise them, but I also don't want to tell them too far in advance. Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday at the State Fair!
However, I will be out on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week. Ms. Lynn Cote will be the guest teacher during my absence. She has worked with the children before, both this year and last. Therefore, she is familiar with the children and our routines.
On Tuesday I will let the kids know that I will be out. I don't want to surprise them, but I also don't want to tell them too far in advance. Thank you for your understanding. I look forward to seeing many of you on Tuesday at the State Fair!
People - Answer
People
*She was a community activist for many years, serving as secretary of the local chapter of the NAACP.
*Often called the "Mother of the Civil-Rights Movement," she is also considered a symbol of courage and determination and is an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere."
*After her death in 2005, her body lay in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol; she was the first woman accorded such an honor.
*Contrary to standard accounts of her act of civil disobedience, she has stated that she was not physically tired but was "tired of giving in."
*By forcing police to remove, arrest and imprison her for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and then agreeing to become a test case of segregation ordinances, she played an important role in the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-56).
*Her case ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that segregated bus service was unconstitutional; in 1999, the U.S. Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
Answer: Rosa Parks
*She was a community activist for many years, serving as secretary of the local chapter of the NAACP.
*Often called the "Mother of the Civil-Rights Movement," she is also considered a symbol of courage and determination and is an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere."
*After her death in 2005, her body lay in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol; she was the first woman accorded such an honor.
*Contrary to standard accounts of her act of civil disobedience, she has stated that she was not physically tired but was "tired of giving in."
*By forcing police to remove, arrest and imprison her for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and then agreeing to become a test case of segregation ordinances, she played an important role in the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-56).
*Her case ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that segregated bus service was unconstitutional; in 1999, the U.S. Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
Answer: Rosa Parks
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Multiples and Factors
We recently learned 2 new vocabulary words related to our concentration on multiplication. A factor is one of the numbers we multiply together. For example, in the number sentence 2 x 4 = 8, 2 and 4 are factors.
Multiples are a little trickier to explain to third graders. We understand it as an answer to a multiplication sentence (also known as the product). For example, in the number sentence 2 x 4 = 8, 8is a multiple.
We also learn that multiples are the numbers we count when we skip count by a certain number. For example, 2,4,6,8,10,12,14, etc... are all multiples of 2.
Happy multiplying! :o)
Multiples are a little trickier to explain to third graders. We understand it as an answer to a multiplication sentence (also known as the product). For example, in the number sentence 2 x 4 = 8, 8is a multiple.
We also learn that multiples are the numbers we count when we skip count by a certain number. For example, 2,4,6,8,10,12,14, etc... are all multiples of 2.
Happy multiplying! :o)
New Homophones!
We (finally) 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 each child's work.
*You can also find a copy on our classroom website.
We learned three new sets:
sail - Fabric that uses the wind to move a boat forward
sale - When something is sold, sometimes at a good price
***********************************
break - Something that separates into two or more pieces unexpectedly; to get rest
brake - The part of a vehicle that slows it down or stops it
***********************************
pail - A bucket used to hold other objects
pale - Something that has a light color
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 each child's work.
*You can also find a copy on our classroom website.
We learned three new sets:
sail - Fabric that uses the wind to move a boat forward
sale - When something is sold, sometimes at a good price
***********************************
break - Something that separates into two or more pieces unexpectedly; to get rest
brake - The part of a vehicle that slows it down or stops it
***********************************
pail - A bucket used to hold other objects
pale - Something that has a light color
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Less Homework This Week
There will be less homework this week! I'm hoping this gives children time to put last minute touches on their state projects. For those children who have already completed their project, they should enjoy the time off. They deserve it for getting their project done in such a timely way!
:o)Melanie
:o)Melanie
Monday, February 7, 2011
In Folders this Afternoon...
You should find:
*Your child's report card!(These do not have to be signed and returned.)
*A class list to help while creating Valentine's
*An invitation to the State Fair (Tuesday, February 15 @9:00)
*Your child's report card!(These do not have to be signed and returned.)
*A class list to help while creating Valentine's
*An invitation to the State Fair (Tuesday, February 15 @9:00)
Estimation Jar
As you may know, third grade mathematicians have been practicing their estimation skills. This week Joanne filled the Estimation Jar with bouncy balls. Throughout the week children write their estimates on scrap paper and submit them to the Star Box.
Together we go through the estimates and round each to the nearest ten (or hundred - depending on the estimates). The estimates are placed on the line plot. This week we noticed our estimates were way off. As you can see the mode of this data is 40-50. However, there were approximately 130 bouncy balls in the jar. After much discussion, third grade mathematicians decided that our inaccuracy was due to the various sizes of balls in the jar. We will use this mistake to inform our estimates in the future.
Print Making
In art we made prints. First, we sketched vases on miniature pieces of paper. Next, we taped them on thin pieces of styrofoam. With a dull pencil we boldly traced over the lines. It dented into the styrofoam and made the design that was on the paper. After that, we colored the flat part of the styrofoam with scented or regular markers. We were careful not to color in the lines. Then, Mrs. Morgan wet a piece of paper with a sponge. We carefully put the styrofoam on the paper and rubbed it so that the ink would print onto the paper without smearing. When we lifted the paper there was a print of our vase. Mrs. Morgan said we could make a design around it next week.
by, Room 221
P.S. This article was written as a shared writing. Shared writing is when a group of children (in this case the entire class) shares the pen. They work together to decide what words to use and how to make the writing as clear as possible. We hope to write one article together each Friday as we prepare for our Reflection Letters.
by, Room 221
P.S. This article was written as a shared writing. Shared writing is when a group of children (in this case the entire class) shares the pen. They work together to decide what words to use and how to make the writing as clear as possible. We hope to write one article together each Friday as we prepare for our Reflection Letters.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Challenge #5
People
*She was a community activist for many years, serving as secretary of the local chapter of the NAACP.
*Often called the "Mother of the Civil-Rights Movement," she is also considered a symbol of courage and determination and is an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere."
*After her death in 2005, her body lay in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol; she was the first woman accorded such an honor.
*Contrary to standard accounts of her act of civil disobedience, she has stated that she was not physically tired but was "tired of giving in."
*By forcing police to remove, arrest and imprison her for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and then agreeing to become a test case of segregation ordinances, she played an important role in the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-56).
*Her case ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that segregated bus service was unconstitutional; in 1999, the U.S. Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
*She was a community activist for many years, serving as secretary of the local chapter of the NAACP.
*Often called the "Mother of the Civil-Rights Movement," she is also considered a symbol of courage and determination and is an inspiration to freedom-loving people everywhere."
*After her death in 2005, her body lay in state in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol; she was the first woman accorded such an honor.
*Contrary to standard accounts of her act of civil disobedience, she has stated that she was not physically tired but was "tired of giving in."
*By forcing police to remove, arrest and imprison her for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, and then agreeing to become a test case of segregation ordinances, she played an important role in the Montgomery bus boycott (1955-56).
*Her case ultimately resulted in the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that segregated bus service was unconstitutional; in 1999, the U.S. Congress awarded her the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.
Challenge #4 - Answer
Technology
*The name of this apparatus comes from the Greek word meaning "calculating board."
*It is generally recognized as the first calculating machine, since it was used by Babylonian traders as early as 1000 BC and in China in 800 BC.
*This counting machine is still used in many countries to teach the elements of the numerical system.
*The device consists of beads that serve as counters, strung on wires in a frame; different wires represent different place values (1s, 10s, 100s, 1000s, etc..).
*By moving the beads up and down, an adept user can quickly perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; no pen, paper or electricity is used, and it works in any base number system.
Answer: Abacus
*The name of this apparatus comes from the Greek word meaning "calculating board."
*It is generally recognized as the first calculating machine, since it was used by Babylonian traders as early as 1000 BC and in China in 800 BC.
*This counting machine is still used in many countries to teach the elements of the numerical system.
*The device consists of beads that serve as counters, strung on wires in a frame; different wires represent different place values (1s, 10s, 100s, 1000s, etc..).
*By moving the beads up and down, an adept user can quickly perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; no pen, paper or electricity is used, and it works in any base number system.
Answer: Abacus
Extra Help
I will continue to hold extra help sessions on Tuesday mornings (7:50-8:20)and Thursday afternoons (2:35-3:05). In order to best meet the needs of each child I will be choosing a focus for each session. This week we will focus on counting money and making change. If your child needs or would like some extra practice in this area they are welcome to attend either or both days.
I am happy to see as many children who are interested. I only ask that you notify me to let me know that your child is coming.
I am happy to see as many children who are interested. I only ask that you notify me to let me know that your child is coming.
Tri-fold Boards
To assist us as we prepare for the state fair, Room 221 needs two more tri-fold presentation boards by Wednesday. (Thanks so much to the Walleys for supplying us with one.) These can be purchased at Staples or other office supply stores. We would appreciate any donations.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Multiples
I have been very excited to see how well your children are understanding multiplication! It's as if they were born knowing it. :O)
We have learned that multiplication deals with equal groups. We have also learned that multiplication is the same as repeated addition. So, 3 x 5 = 5 + 5 + 5.
Over the last couple of days children have been skip counting. And wouldn't you know it, skip counting is just like multiplying! The children have used hundred charts to record their skip counting by 2s, 3s, 4s... all the way to 12s.
The children have learned that the numbers they are skip counting with are actually multiples of the original number. So if you are skip counting by 2s - 2,4,6,8,10... All the numbers you say are actually multiples of 2. If you are skip counting by 7s - 7,14,21,28,35... All the numbers you say are actually multiples of 7.
In order to connect it back to multiplication, think of it this way:
I know 28 is a multiple of 2 because I skip count 14 times to get there
(2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28) OR 2 x 14 = 28.
I know 63 is a multiple of 9 because I skip count 7 times to get there
(9,18,27,36,45,54,63) OR 9 x 7 = 63.
When children practice skip counting by different numbers, they are remembering multiples, but also beginning to memorize their multiplication facts!
We have learned that multiplication deals with equal groups. We have also learned that multiplication is the same as repeated addition. So, 3 x 5 = 5 + 5 + 5.
Over the last couple of days children have been skip counting. And wouldn't you know it, skip counting is just like multiplying! The children have used hundred charts to record their skip counting by 2s, 3s, 4s... all the way to 12s.
The children have learned that the numbers they are skip counting with are actually multiples of the original number. So if you are skip counting by 2s - 2,4,6,8,10... All the numbers you say are actually multiples of 2. If you are skip counting by 7s - 7,14,21,28,35... All the numbers you say are actually multiples of 7.
In order to connect it back to multiplication, think of it this way:
I know 28 is a multiple of 2 because I skip count 14 times to get there
(2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16,18,20,22,24,26,28) OR 2 x 14 = 28.
I know 63 is a multiple of 9 because I skip count 7 times to get there
(9,18,27,36,45,54,63) OR 9 x 7 = 63.
When children practice skip counting by different numbers, they are remembering multiples, but also beginning to memorize their multiplication facts!
Vocabulary Jeopardy
The competition is on! The kids and I discussed the importance of not only noticing new and interesting vocabulary, but also using it. Therefore, on the afternoon of Tuesday, February 15 Room 221 word wizards will compete in a Vocabulary Jeopardy game. The words in the game will all be words we have collected in our word jar.
To further create motivation to learn these words, I have challenged our word wizards to use these words in classroom discussions, activities and in their writing. For each word they use appropriately their Jeopardy team will receive 100 points.
Ask your child what word they've tried to use today!
To further create motivation to learn these words, I have challenged our word wizards to use these words in classroom discussions, activities and in their writing. For each word they use appropriately their Jeopardy team will receive 100 points.
Ask your child what word they've tried to use today!
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