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!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Virtual Fieldtrips to the Continents
Room 221 third graders wish they could travel on the Magic School Bus to all the continents! That would be a great example of experiential learning. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be in our budget, so we are settling for virtual field trips...
This afternoon we traveled all the way to the computer lab! While there, we were able to visit Europe, Australia, North America, South America and more! Room 221 scholars looked for specific information about each continent to which they traveled:
*2 countries
*2 bodies of water
*landmarks
*landforms
*products
*other interesting facts
Ask your third grader to share 2 facts they learned today! Click here to see some of the field trips. Scroll down to third grade and you can choose your continent!
This afternoon we traveled all the way to the computer lab! While there, we were able to visit Europe, Australia, North America, South America and more! Room 221 scholars looked for specific information about each continent to which they traveled:
*2 countries
*2 bodies of water
*landmarks
*landforms
*products
*other interesting facts
Ask your third grader to share 2 facts they learned today! Click here to see some of the field trips. Scroll down to third grade and you can choose your continent!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Suffixes
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 morning 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?
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
Did you hear? We finished our all time favorite read aloud this afternoon. The kids LOVED "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin. It's an amazing story, with adventure, beautiful language and many "surprise" connections throughout the tale. Click here to check out the author's website.
We'll continue to discuss the story over the next few days. The children are particularly interested in Grace Lin's writing. We will be sure to discuss what techniques she used to make the story so fantastic.
The story was so good, your third grader may want you to reread it to them at home! :o)
We'll continue to discuss the story over the next few days. The children are particularly interested in Grace Lin's writing. We will be sure to discuss what techniques she used to make the story so fantastic.
The story was so good, your third grader may want you to reread it to them at home! :o)
Monday, December 12, 2011
Least to Greatest
Today we played a game titled "Least to Greatest." Children worked in teams to put 6 sums like 39+39, 49+27, 16+17, and 19+45 in order from least to greatest. The children used several different strategies to achieve this task.
Many children started by comparing addends. For example, when comparing 39+39 and 16+17, it is clear that 39+39 is greater because both addends are greater than the addends in 17+17.
Often times children tried rounding to the nearest ten. For example, 49 rounds to 50 and 27 rounds to 30, so 49+27 would be about 80. Sometimes, this type of estimation did not give children an close enough estimate.
So, children sometimes added the tens digit of each addend. To get a closer estimate, they would look at the ones place. If the sum of the ones place was greater than 9, they would know that the tens place would be one greater. For example, when estimating 19+45, students would add 1+4 (from the tens place.) They would look at the ones place (9+5) and see that the sum is greater than 9. Therefore, the estimate would be in the sixties.
Look in your child's folder tomorrow for a copy of this game. Play it with your third grader at home! :o)
Many children started by comparing addends. For example, when comparing 39+39 and 16+17, it is clear that 39+39 is greater because both addends are greater than the addends in 17+17.
Often times children tried rounding to the nearest ten. For example, 49 rounds to 50 and 27 rounds to 30, so 49+27 would be about 80. Sometimes, this type of estimation did not give children an close enough estimate.
So, children sometimes added the tens digit of each addend. To get a closer estimate, they would look at the ones place. If the sum of the ones place was greater than 9, they would know that the tens place would be one greater. For example, when estimating 19+45, students would add 1+4 (from the tens place.) They would look at the ones place (9+5) and see that the sum is greater than 9. Therefore, the estimate would be in the sixties.
Look in your child's folder tomorrow for a copy of this game. Play it with your third grader at home! :o)
Adding a Suffix
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.
***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 double the consonant 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.
***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 double the consonant before adding a vowel suffix, you can suggest they try that. Happy spelling! :o)
Thursday, December 8, 2011
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. It also helps us "grow" ideas together.
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)
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)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Homophones
Yesterday we added to our Word Wall for the first time! 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. We learned three sets yesterday:
know - when you understand something completely
no - a negative response to a question, a reference that something is not true, rejection of something, or denial of permission
***********************************
which - used to ask a question when there are several possible answers
witch - a female that is thought to possess magical or evil powers
***********************************
right - something that is correct; also the opposite of left
write - create words or letters on paper with a pen or pencil
know - when you understand something completely
no - a negative response to a question, a reference that something is not true, rejection of something, or denial of permission
***********************************
which - used to ask a question when there are several possible answers
witch - a female that is thought to possess magical or evil powers
***********************************
right - something that is correct; also the opposite of left
write - create words or letters on paper with a pen or pencil
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!
Evening Routines
I belong to a website/group called Flylady. I read this essay today in an email and think it's very important for all parents and families to remember. You can check out flylady at flylady.net.
Here's the essay:
The purpose of a good evening routine is to get everyone calm and settled enough to get to sleep at a decent hour. When children do not get enough sleep, their school work and school behavior suffers. Sometimes children who haven't gotten enough sleep act tired and groggy, but just as often they act wild and inattentive. School-age children need 9-10 hours of sleep every night to be healthy and mentally alert. That means if your child gets up at 7 a.m., he has to be in bed by 9 p.m. And many parents do not get enough sleep either! You cannot be healthy and take care of your family if you are exhausted.
Two things have to happen before a family can have a good evening routine. First, the homework routine has to be in place. When evenings are spent in a battle over homework, no one can be calm and settled. Second, there has to be a family policy about outside commitments. If every afternoon and evening is a constant round of activities, there is no time for homework, family dinner, and an evening routine. I suggest that you limit everyone in the family to one or two outside activities at a time. Otherwise our lives get as cluttered as our homes!
Here are some suggested steps for a good evening routine.
1.Everyone gets home from work, sports practice and after-school care around 5:30. While Mom or Dad gets dinner going, the kids work on homework.
2.After dinner, everyone has some time to finish homework, play, talk, read, or watch TV. Do not allow children to get overstimulated with wild play, violent video games, or scary TV shows. Keep it calm and easy. Most elementary school children are supposed to read to a parent every night, and now is a good time to do that.
3.Start the bedtime routine about an hour before bedtime. Have it written down and posted for each child. Each child is responsible for their own routine. Here is an example for an elementary school child:
a.Collect homework and school supplies, get parents to sign whatever needs to be signed, get everything in the backpack, put the backpack by the door.
b.Choose clothes for the next day and lay them out.
c.Get in the tub for a bath, or wash face and hands if it's not a bath night.
d.Brush teeth.
e.Get in pajamas.
f.Get in bed for some quiet time with Mom or Dad. You have to do exactly the same thing at the same time every night. If you do, then your child's body will be trained to fall asleep at the end of the bedtime routine.
Middle and high school kids still need a routine, although it will be different and they have to be part of establishing it. Preparing for the morning is still appropriate, as is some quiet time reading in bed before going to sleep.
Once the children are in bed, it's time to wind down yourself and get ready for a good night's sleep.
Here's the essay:
The purpose of a good evening routine is to get everyone calm and settled enough to get to sleep at a decent hour. When children do not get enough sleep, their school work and school behavior suffers. Sometimes children who haven't gotten enough sleep act tired and groggy, but just as often they act wild and inattentive. School-age children need 9-10 hours of sleep every night to be healthy and mentally alert. That means if your child gets up at 7 a.m., he has to be in bed by 9 p.m. And many parents do not get enough sleep either! You cannot be healthy and take care of your family if you are exhausted.
Two things have to happen before a family can have a good evening routine. First, the homework routine has to be in place. When evenings are spent in a battle over homework, no one can be calm and settled. Second, there has to be a family policy about outside commitments. If every afternoon and evening is a constant round of activities, there is no time for homework, family dinner, and an evening routine. I suggest that you limit everyone in the family to one or two outside activities at a time. Otherwise our lives get as cluttered as our homes!
Here are some suggested steps for a good evening routine.
1.Everyone gets home from work, sports practice and after-school care around 5:30. While Mom or Dad gets dinner going, the kids work on homework.
2.After dinner, everyone has some time to finish homework, play, talk, read, or watch TV. Do not allow children to get overstimulated with wild play, violent video games, or scary TV shows. Keep it calm and easy. Most elementary school children are supposed to read to a parent every night, and now is a good time to do that.
3.Start the bedtime routine about an hour before bedtime. Have it written down and posted for each child. Each child is responsible for their own routine. Here is an example for an elementary school child:
a.Collect homework and school supplies, get parents to sign whatever needs to be signed, get everything in the backpack, put the backpack by the door.
b.Choose clothes for the next day and lay them out.
c.Get in the tub for a bath, or wash face and hands if it's not a bath night.
d.Brush teeth.
e.Get in pajamas.
f.Get in bed for some quiet time with Mom or Dad. You have to do exactly the same thing at the same time every night. If you do, then your child's body will be trained to fall asleep at the end of the bedtime routine.
Middle and high school kids still need a routine, although it will be different and they have to be part of establishing it. Preparing for the morning is still appropriate, as is some quiet time reading in bed before going to sleep.
Once the children are in bed, it's time to wind down yourself and get ready for a good night's sleep.
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