Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Midwest States and Capitals

We began reviewing the Midwest states and capitals this week to help us practice for our Midwest test next week.  Please review these with them at home.  I sent home notecards at the beginning of the unit, but in case you need to make some new ones, here they are:

Wisconsin- Madison
Illinois- Springfield
Ohio- Columbus
Indiana- Indianapolis
Michigan- Lansing
Missouri- Jefferson City
North Dakota- Bismarck
South Dakota- Pierre
Iowa- Des Moines
Kansas- Topeka
Minnesota- St. Paul
Nebraska- Lincoln

The children will need to identify the location and the capital.  The states will be listed on the page and so they will need to copy the spelling correctly, however, they do not need to memorize the spelling of each state and capital.

Assembly Line Activity


In Social Studies, we were leaning about how factories helped develop the Midwest.  We were discussing how assembly lines work in factories and so we created our own experience in the classroom.  Here are pictures from our assembly line experience in the classroom making bookmarks.  Each child had a specific job.










Secret Snowflakes

Hi!

Yesterday each child got a secret snowflake pal.  They are going to make a card for their secret snowflake pal to share with them before break.  Please have these returned to school by Wednesday, December 17th.  Thanks!

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Parent Teacher Conferences

I am looking forward to meeting with you all at conferences.  If you can't remember your conference time, feel free to email me or call the office.  Cherie and Lori, our office staff, will have a copy of my schedule.  See you soon!

Writing Words

I sent home a copy of the October and November Writing Words on Monday.  Please help your child review these words over Thanksgiving break.  We will take our Writing Words test on Monday after break.

Midwest

Now that we have completed our unit on Habitats, we are beginning our unit on the Midwest.  We will be learning about the land, history, and the names of each state and capital.  This week we learned about the land and its rich soil and trees.  We also created notecards with the name of each state and the capital on the other side.  Please use these notecards to help your child the capitals at home.  At the end of the unit, your child will be required to label the location of each state the capital.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Owl Pellets

During science this week, we dissected owl pellets.  The class got to learn about the food that barn owls eat based upon what they found.  The students had a bone list that they use to to try to help them match up what they found in their owl pellets.  It was a great learning opportunity for all the students.







Friday, November 7, 2014

New Homes for our Class Pets

Our little class pets, Splendid and Mr. Crabbs are looking for new homes.  We are looking for willing families to consider adopting our class pets.  We have learned a lot about them during our study of habitats.  If you are interested in adopting our little friends, a note will be coming home today explaining the adoption process.  

Happy Halloween!

We had a wonderful time on Halloween!  Thank you to all our families who donated items for the class party and the parents who were able to attend and volunteer their time to make the party such a success!!!!!












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Owl Pellets

We will be dissecting owl pellets on Tuesday.  Your child has a permission form for you to fill out.  Please fill it out by Tuesday or your child will not be able to participate in the experiment.  Thanks!

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Fire Department Visit

We would like to thank Mr. Andrew Larson from the fire department who came today to talk with our class about fire safety.  We learned a lot about what to do in case there is a fire.  We also learned about how challenging being a fire fighter can be.


Wednesday, October 29, 2014

November Writing Words

I can't believe that it is November already!  Here are the November Writing Words.  At the end of the month, your child will be assessed on these words as well as the October Writing Words.  The goal is that they should remember the spelling and usage of each one of these words as the year progresses.

November
won
one
are
our
before
myself
people
everybody
then
said
knew
new

Monday, October 27, 2014

Plant Experiment

We have been studying plants as part of our habitat unit in class.  Four groups created an experiment where they gave one radish plant cup sunlight and water, while in their second cup they changed something.  One group decided to eliminate sunlight from one of the cups.  They learned that the plants grew, but a little differently.  Here is a picture form their experiment.


Writing Word Test

On Monday, your child will take their first writing words test.  It will be given similar to the spelling test format that we use in class.  If you can't find your words at home, here they are so that you can help your child study:

by
buy
have
very
really
was
no
know
can’t
first
enough
off

Friday, October 17, 2014

Name Our New Class Pets

We would like to welcome our new additions to the class.  We are so excited that two hermit crabs will be with us while we study habitats during our science unit!  We will be learning about their habitat and how they live and survive.  We need everyone's help naming our two new classmates.  If you have an idea, post below!


Thursday, October 16, 2014

Measuring to the Half and Quarter Inch

Here is a great explanation of how to measure to the nearest half and quarter inch.


How Succulent Plants Work

This week we learned about succulent plants and why they can survive in the desert.  We conducted an experiment and read about them as well.  We also planted plants.  In small groups, the students created a science experiment comparing a plant with sunlight and water to a plant without something (either sunlight, water, or being fed something other than water).  We will be observing them over the coming weeks to see what happens.



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Math Differentiation

Your child will be bringing home today enrichment activities that they worked on during Unit Two. There is a letter attached explaining what your child worked on.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Look for Seeds

Once the weather is a little nicer and you are outside, encourage your child to look for seeds.  We read about how seeds travel and I have encouraged them to look for them in their natural surroundings (at the park, their back yard, school, etc.) and bring them to school.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Monday, October 6, 2014

Math Test on Wedensday

On Wednesday your child will have their Unit 2 Math test.  A review is coming home today.  Please review with your child to help them prepare for the assessment.  Thanks!

Borrowing Subtraction with a Zero


    Regrouping from 0 when subtracting three digit numbers:





Here is a reminder of how to borrow when you have a zero in the number.

Unit 1 Spelling This Week

This week is a unit review for spelling.  Your child is bringing home a list of all the regular spelling list words we have in this first unit of spelling. They will be taking a review test on Thursday.  It will be a multiple choice spelling assessment.  You can help your child by reviewing the words at home.  Encourage them to highlight the words they think they need more practice on and focus your spelling practice on those words instead of the whole list.  Let me know if you have any questions.


Saturday, October 4, 2014

October Writing Words

Every month your child will have a 10-15 words to continue to practice based upon words that are most commonly misspelled by third graders.  They will have a few activities to help them practice the usage and spelling of these words and will be tested on these words each month.  I sent a letter home and the October Writing Words on Friday.  Here are the Writing Words for this month in case you misplace your list:

by
buy
have
very
really
was
no
know
can’t
first
enough
off

Science

This week we began discussing the scientific process and we learned about how experiments are conducted.  The students got the opportunity to create their own experiments in small groups.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Map Skills Test

We have finished our Map Skills Unit.  Your child brought home their test on Thursday.  Please make sure that they correct their tests and return them to school.  Thanks!

Partial Sums Addition

Here is a great video to help you at home with Partial Sums Addition.

https://learnzillion.com/lessons/1584-solve-addition-problems-using-the-partial-sums-method

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Borrowing Subtraction Explanation

Basic regrouping when subtracting three digit numbers:


Here is an explanation of borrowing subtraction to help you with our current math unit.

Math Enrichment

For each math unit, I will be pretesting your child. This will help me understand what your child knows and what they might need further support with in their learning.  Based upon your child's responses, I will be offering all students enrichment opportunities in the classroom.  In addition, there will be opportunities for your child to participate in more challenging homework as well.  This will help enhance their learning and their love for math.

Why Carrying Addition Works

Why carrying works:


Here is a great explanation on why carrying addition works.

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Dreambox

Today at school, we learned how to use dream box.  Your child's password is in their assignment notebook.  It is the same password that you use for typing training.  We are trying to consolidate the amount of passwords your child has to learn.  If your child wants to use this at home, have them click the link below.  They can then login and have a great time practicing and learning.  You can bookmark it on your home computer so that your child can find it on a regular basis.

https://play.dreambox.com/login/school_login/classroom?asp=268790&district=2emy&school=drydenes

Friday, September 19, 2014

Unit One Math Test


Your child got back their math test today.  They should correct their test in pen and then get it signed and return it school.  If they got a perfect score, they do not need to correct it, but should still get it signed and return it to school.  Thanks!

Nonfiction


This week, we focused on nonfiction.  We discussed features of nonfiction text and how they help support your comprehension.  We also learned how to reflect as you read nonfiction.  We will continue to read nonfiction next week, focusing on the features of nonfiction text and finding the main idea.

Map Project

Everyone should be hard at work on their map project.  I sent home an explanation of the project including the rubric.  Your child is to create their own country.  Encourage them to pay careful attention to the requirements for the project.  Please contact me with any questions you have.  The project is due September 23rd.

Thursday, September 11, 2014

MAP Testing


Your child will be taking the MAP tests on Tuesday and Friday in our classroom on the computers.  For those of you who are not familiar with these assessments, these tests provide me with valuable information to provide specific instruction for your child.  Your child will take the math on Tuesday at 10:15 am and the Reading test on Friday at 2pm.  You can help your child do their best by encouraging them to get plenty of rest and eat a healthy breakfast, snack and lunch.  Please contact me if you have any questions.

Unit One Math Test

Unit One in math is coming to a close.  We have reviewed many concepts and they will be taking their first Math Test on Thursday.  We will review in class the first two.  Please review with them at home.  We will review in class on Monday and Wednesday.  Let me know if you have any questions!


Character Traits

This week in class we discussed the traits or qualities of a character.  We created a list of character traits for your child to keep in their reading folder and then we read two stories where we identified the character's traits in the stories.  The students worked on being able to identify character traits and then support it with information from the text.

Map Skills Project

Next week, on Tuesday, I will be assigning a create your own map project to be completed at home.  This will be a culminating project to go along with all of the things we have been learning in class.  Please be looking for the information.  They will be due on September 23rd.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Spelling Lists

Here are the spelling lists for the week in case you need an extra!  (:

Here is the regular list:

Here is the challenge list:


Sunday, September 7, 2014

Unit One Math

We are in the middle of our first unit of math.  We are reviewing  a lot of different concepts.  We have reviewed data collection and graphing, measurement and time.  There is still more to come!

Friday, September 5, 2014

Map Skills

We are currently learning about how to read different maps and what their purposes are.  We have been learning how to use a map key, cardinal directions, intermediate directions, and next week we will be learning about how to measure distances on a map.  Once we complete this unit, we have a fun project planned to be completed at home, so stay tuned!



Curriculum Night

Thank you so much for coming to Curriculum Night on Wednesday evening.  It was wonderful seeing and meeting everyone.  I know it is going to be a great year!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Sign Up for Xtra Math

I sent home a letter explaining how to sign up for Xtra math online.  We will be using this at school sometimes so please sign up.  You can use this at home to help encourage your child to practice his/her facts.  It also provides me with information on what your child needs to work on.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Homework Policy

I went over with your child the homework policy for our classroom this year.  Please sign and return it when you can.  You will receive another copy of this at Curriculum Night for you to keep for your record in my Parent Handbook.

Math Facts

We began with addition math facts this week.  Math fact practice will usually be twice a week.  Please practice your math facts with your child at home.  I sent home a login to a great website called Xtramath.  Please sign your child up.  This will help your child keep up on their math facts.  I will send home an additional sign up next week if you need an extra copy.  Some students are already on there and at work!

Character Counts

We discussed the 6 pillars of character this week.  We read and acted out plays, skits and read stories demonstrating the six pillars of character which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.  They learned about our Character Counts plan.  It was sent home today.  Please look it over and let me know if you have any questions.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Welcome to 3-5!

Hi!  Welcome to a new school year!  I am so excited to be teaching third grade this year!  I am so excited for everything we are going to learn and accomplish this year!

Tuesday, June 3, 2014