This entire week got away from me without a single photo, I am so sorry. I know you all look forward to seeing your kids online, so I promise lots of photos next week!
For language arts, we wrapped up our PBL research, organized our notes, and began working on writing well-structured informational paragaphs. We will continue this writing next week. We also logged onto iStation for reading skills practice for the first time, and students reviewed fact and opinion as well as cause and effect.
In math, we had our unit assessment over fractions and division, and then began a unit on geometry with 2D and 3D shapes. The geometry unit will continue through next week and after winter break.
After a science test on Monday over forces and motion, we began learning about landforms. This easily blended with our social studies unit on maps and geography. On Thursday and Friday, students took a "world tour" to learn about geography and culture in four major cities.
Just a reminder that next week is only a 4 day week for the students. The last day of school for the fall semester is Thursday December 15, and students will come back to school on Tuesday January 3. Because it is a short week, we will not have homework or a spelling list next week. We will have our winter party on Thursday at 1:30, and as always, you are welcome to join us.
Friday, December 9, 2016
Friday, December 2, 2016
Week in Review: November 28 - December 2
It was great to see everyone after the Thanksgiving break! It's so hard to believe that we now only have 9 school days until winter break. This first semester has just flown by!
This week in math, we have been working on division. We have focused on the 2s, 4s, and 8s facts, and also learned how to use strip diagrams as a model for solving division word problems.
In social studies, we have moved on from government, and into maps / geography. We spent some time just exploring features of maps, atlases, and globes to get a general overview.
In science, we are nearing the end of our unit on force and motion, and enjoyed a fun activity on Friday with Mrs. Swyers class. Students used rubber band slingshots to send toy cars across the common area to learn about pushes and pulls.
In language arts, we have been continuing our PBL research and discussing the difference between facts and opinions, and causes and effects.
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
This week in math, we have been working on division. We have focused on the 2s, 4s, and 8s facts, and also learned how to use strip diagrams as a model for solving division word problems.
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| Division review games |
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| Using linking cubes to solve division problems |
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| Building strip diagrams to solve division problems |
In social studies, we have moved on from government, and into maps / geography. We spent some time just exploring features of maps, atlases, and globes to get a general overview.
In science, we are nearing the end of our unit on force and motion, and enjoyed a fun activity on Friday with Mrs. Swyers class. Students used rubber band slingshots to send toy cars across the common area to learn about pushes and pulls.
In language arts, we have been continuing our PBL research and discussing the difference between facts and opinions, and causes and effects.
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| Matching causes and effects |
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| PBL research with non-fiction books |
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Friday, November 18, 2016
Week in Review: November 14-18
What a great week it has been! Throughout the week, we celebrated International Children's Week with assemblies on Monday and Friday, a guest speaker on Monday to teach us about Sweden, and the Thursday evening event for families that I hope many of you were able to attend. I was committed to a Coach's Dinner for Girls on the Run so I was not able to attend.
In language arts, students are in the middle of researching about trash, recycling, or ocean pollution (their choice of topic) for our PBL project. We will be using that research to write expository articles about what we have learned before winter break. We had a guest speaker, the owner of "Break It Down," a company that diverts waste from landfills.
In math, we began studying division, and how it is related to multiplication. If you have time over the Thanksgiving break, please spend a few minutes practicing math facts (especially multiplication) with your child.
In social studies, we are continuing to learn about the three branches of government, focusing on the judicial branch this week. Students served on a "Supreme Court" and participated in a mock trial to learn the process that our Justices go through.
In science, we are learning about forces such as gravity and magnetism. We spent one afternoon simply exploring with magnets, and learning about repelling and opposite poles.
And what better way to learn about gravity than by designing and testing parachutes for army men? The students enjoyed this project and it was a fun way to wrap up our week.
I think the highlight of the week was cup stacking! On Thursday, the entire third grade participated in a "Stack Up!", which is a challenge to have the most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day. Yes, stacking cups really is a thing...I had no idea. The kids had a great time trying several different challenges and timing themselves. Special thank to Ms. Potral for organizing this for us!
Just a reminder that there is no school next week. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your family, and I will see everyone on Monday November 28. This year, I am especially thankful for such a wonderful group of third graders!
In math, we began studying division, and how it is related to multiplication. If you have time over the Thanksgiving break, please spend a few minutes practicing math facts (especially multiplication) with your child.
In social studies, we are continuing to learn about the three branches of government, focusing on the judicial branch this week. Students served on a "Supreme Court" and participated in a mock trial to learn the process that our Justices go through.
In science, we are learning about forces such as gravity and magnetism. We spent one afternoon simply exploring with magnets, and learning about repelling and opposite poles.
And what better way to learn about gravity than by designing and testing parachutes for army men? The students enjoyed this project and it was a fun way to wrap up our week.
I think the highlight of the week was cup stacking! On Thursday, the entire third grade participated in a "Stack Up!", which is a challenge to have the most people sport stacking at multiple locations in one day. Yes, stacking cups really is a thing...I had no idea. The kids had a great time trying several different challenges and timing themselves. Special thank to Ms. Potral for organizing this for us!
Just a reminder that there is no school next week. Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with your family, and I will see everyone on Monday November 28. This year, I am especially thankful for such a wonderful group of third graders!
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