Week in Review: October 16-20

We've been busy this week in science learning about the types of energy. We started off learning lots of new vocabulary with Touch and Talk cards, and vocabulary sorting cards. We have also done an energy scavenger hunt around the school, and also a couple of investigations into sound. Ask you child about the straw kazoos, or the water glass music. We will continue our study of energy next week as we build our solar ovens to make s'mores. Thanks to all who sent in donations for that project!

Touch and Talk Vocabulary

Vocabulary Card Sorting

Energy Scavenger Hunt

Straw Kazoos....oh, if you only could have heard it!! 

Water Glass Music Notes

In language arts, we are reading and writing lots of poetry. So far we have learned about free verse poems and narrative poems, and next week, I will introduce lyrical and humorous poems. Friday was National Writing Day, so we created a graffiti wall in the main hallway where we shared why we love to write.

Analyzing Poems

We created a graffiti wall to share why  we love to write.

In math, we have been studying multiplication, particularly focusing on the 10s and 5s facts. Next week, we will be moving into the 2s and 4s facts. We are also spending some time reviewing fractions that they learned in 2nd grade.

Working on doubling numbers, and halving numbers.

Math games to reinforce the 10s facts.

In social studies, we are still studying what it means to be a good citizen. Next week, we will participate in a mock trial where a third grade student is accused of stealing a lunch! Eleven students in the class have a role in the trial, while the other 12 will serve as the jury to help decide the verdict in the case. It should be a lot of fun!

Week in Review: October 2-6

This week we have been exploring mixtures in science. We closely examined birdseed, as well as participated in lots on hands on exploration with some stations in the common area about ways to separate mixtures. We will have a test next Thursday or Friday over matter and mixtures. Students are also sharing their knowledge about matter with me by creating "Matter Mind Maps" in Google Drawing.

In language arts, we have been discussing point of view and character traits. We are learning how to find text evidence to support traits that we use to describe main characters. We have also finished revising and editing our personal narratives, and students will be writing their final copies on Wednesday. On Wednesday and Thursday, students were required to take a district wide writing assessment in which they wrote about a topic they know a lot about. They worked very hard, and I'm looking forward to reading those this weekend!

Peer editing

In math, we are learning different strategies for subtracting 2 and 3 digit numbers. Students have learned: break apart, counting back on a number line, and counting on. We will have a test next Friday over place value, rounding, graphs, addition and subtraction. We will spend Wednesday and Thursday reviewing all of these skills, so they will be well prepared for the assessment!

Remember, there is no school for students on Monday or Tuesday next week. I also wanted to let you know that  I will be out on Wednesday, as I am going on my son's second grade field trip. I will only have 2 days with the class next week, so I will most likely not post a blog on Friday October 13. Have a great weekend, and I look forward to seeing most of you at our conferences on Monday!