Place Value with Larger Numbers

Today we started reviewing an important concept our third graders know well - place value. However, we applied it to much larger numbers! You may remember that place value means that the place a digit has in a number affects its value. For example, 7 has a different value in 27 than it does in 72. In 27 the 7 is worth 7. However, in 72, the 7 is worth 70. This is a very important concept for children to understand as we move into more sophisticated math concepts.

Today we took it a step forward with numbers in the ten thousands and hundred thousands. For example, in the number 392,854 the 9 has a value of 90,000. The 3 has a value of 300,000. Write some numbers in the hundred thousands for your child to read. I was very impressed with how well they read  big numbers!

This morning we also practiced writing numbers in expanded form. Expanded form shows the value of each digit. For example, the expanded form of 273 = 200 + 70 + 3. The expanded form of 791 = 700 + 90 + 1. The expanded form of 392,854 is 300,000 + 90,000 + 2,000 + 800 + 50 + 4. 

It's essential that third graders be able to write a number in expanded form because it shows that they understand the value of each digit in the number. 

Ask your third grader to tell you the trick to remembering where the commas go. Ask them to tell you the other trick we learned about how to easily read these large numbers! 

Multiplying 2-digit by 1-digit Numbers

 A few weeks ago we learned how to multiply 2 digits by 1 digit with regrouping. We didn't use the standard algorithm that you are probably accustomed to however, so I thought it might be helpful if I reviews the "new" way. It relies heavily on children's knowledge of place value. That's why I like it! :o)

For example, when multiplying 16 x 8:

First, multiply 10 x 8. Write the product under the multiplication problem.

16
x 8
80

Next multiply 6 x 8. Write that product under the first product.

16 
x 8
80
48

Add the two products together. 

16
x 8
80
48
128

Try it out with your third grade mathematician! :o)

School House Roles

Today was an exciting day as Room 221 continued to prepare for our June 4 visit to the Little Red School House. We learned our 1855 identities! Ask your 2013 third grader their "new" name and age. They may even be able to tell you some facts about their lives and their family.

Click here to see some of the information for yourself.

Baseball Saved Us

Third grade listeners have been very interested in listening as I read "Baseball Saved Us" by Ken Mochizuki. It is a book about a young Japanese-American boy and his family who are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During their time in the camp, families work together to build a baseball field where they can all play.

As we read, we learned that proficient readers ask questions as they read. We had many questions as we read this book. Today, we discussed answers to two questions:

How did baseball save them?

Why was the main character so angry at the guard?

Ask your third grader to share their thoughts about these questions. You may even want to reread it together. It's a great text that families can discuss.

Historical Map of Needham

Click here to check out a cool map of Needham from 1775. Third graders explored it yesterday and answered some specific questions using it today. To zoom in, click on the map once. To zoom back out, click again.

Have fun! :o)

History of Needham

Last week we began sharing the history of Needham.

Ask your child what people lived on the land we call Needham for thousands of years before the Puritans came.

Ask your child why the Puritans left England in the 1600s.

Ask your child what river the Puritans traveled on as they moved towards Needham.

Ask your third grader why many settlers left Watertown.

Ask your third grader where those settlers went after they left Watertown.

Ask your third grader how settlers purchased some of the land that is now Needham. 

Click here to see a website with many wonderful resources. There's lots to explore and discover - even more than we are able to learn together during class time.  I hope you're able to have some interesting conversations with your children. Maybe you can visit some of the historic sites!

Mysteries

Third grade readers are exploring the genre of mystery. Ask them which mystery they are reading here at school. We are learning that readers approach mysteries differently than they approach other genres.

When reading mysteries readers:

• Look for the "main" detective and the mystery that needs to be solved.
• Pay attention to clues and try to solve the mystery alongside the detective.
• Think carefully about details and wonder if they could be clues.
• Reread sections of text when you have questions about clues.
• Pay attention to red herrings - false clues that might throw you off. 

There are lots of great mysteries to enjoy. Choose one to read aloud to your third grader. You can solve the mystery together! 

Reminder - Math MCAS Tomorrow!

Third graders will take the Math MCAS tomorrow morning and Monday morning at 9:00.

Please remember:

• Third graders should be in bed by 8:00 tonight and Sunday night.
• Third graders should have a healthy breakfast both mornings. 
• Third graders can bring in an extra healthy snack to eat before testing each morning. 

Most importantly, I do not want your children to feel stressed about MCAS. It is important that they know we believe they will do well. Please encourage them to work hard and do their best. However, also remind them that no matter how they do on MCAS, we know they are smart children! 

1850 Schoolhouse

221 has an exciting day coming up in June! We will be visiting The Little Red Schoolhouse as part of our study of Needham's history. The students will pretend to be one of the actual students from a school in Needham in the 1850s. I will pretend to be a teacher from that time. 

There will be more details coming in the next weeks. However, I'm hoping some of you can "save the date" now, because we could use some volunteers to help make this visit a reality. Please let me know if you are available. 

Math MCAS

Math MCAS will be administered to third graders on Friday, May 10 and Monday, May 13 at 
9:00am. The test is created to take about 60 minutes. Some children will be done sooner, and others will take longer. The test is untimed, so the children can take as long as they need. 

I am asking all students to be in bed by 8:00 the nights before the test. Please help your children follow this guideline. In addition, all children should eat a healthy breakfast before coming to school each test day. 

The children will be invited to eat a light, healthy snack when they get to school. After all children have completed the test, they will also be able to eat an "extra" snack and relax for a short time. The children will also get extra recess each test morning in order to run off any extra steam. 

This week will look different in terms of homework. There will be no math packet, weekly math or Spelling City. Your children should continue to read (or be read to) for at least 20 minutes each night. They should also continue to do Xtra Math at least three times. 

Most importantly, I do not want your children to feel stressed about MCAS. It is important that they know we believe they will do well. Please encourage them to work hard and do their best. However, also remind them that no matter how they do on MCAS, we know they are smart children! 

Thanks for your cooperation. Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have.