THIRD GRADE FAMILY MATH NIGHT

Everyone will bring home a flyer with information about a family activity night for third graders.  The three third grade classes are invited with adults to attend.  Spaces are limited so if you'd like to attend please send back your reservation as soon as possible.

We'll start our multiplication timed tests tomorrow.  Beginning with the 2's, anyone not scoring 80% or better on the timed test will have some extra practice for homework each night until they can bring their speed up. Student's who are fluent with 2's will move on to 5's, 9's, 3's, 4's, 6's, 7's and 8's.  Students will be keeping track of their scores as we move through the times tables.

Most of the class took the Topic 6 math test today. As soon as we get the makeup tests completed, the test will come home for your signature.

Today students conducted a "peer edit" with a partner today to help one another improve their newspaper article before writing a final copy and grading their own work using a 4-3-2-1 rubric.  Next, I'll use the same rubric and discuss with each student how I arrived at the grade I think they earned.

Math Test on Wednesday

We began reviewing today for the Topic 6 math test.  There's a review packet for homework tonight along with a spelling packet to practice some spelling demons.  Tonight the kids write a sentence using each word correctly.  Anyone who has completed the last weekly reading test brought it home to be signed, as well.

We'll review again tomorrow for the math test. We are also going to work with a 4,3,2,1 rubric to write a first draft of a newspaper article the kids planned last week.  Our reading for the week focuses on short (1 page) readings with questions that require going back into the text.  If you hear about "Fresh Reads", those are the assignments I mean.  The kids will also be working on magazine style readings to practice the reading skills  of generalization, drawing conclusions, and using story elements to improve understanding.

Mrs. Vanderkruik and the PTA will kick off the Parents as Reading Partners program with a short assembly tomorrow morning.  

Gold Bracelets for Everyone!

Our class reached the 3rd level of WISE behavior! Everyone received a gold WISE bracelet for being part of such a great class.  Mrs. Maraia delivered them herself, congratulating every student individually.

We also conducted our classroom spelling bee to find out who will represent our class at the 3rd grade bee on March 19th.  Everyone did a great job! (There's been some talk of having a team name... Golden Stingers...?)

We worked on multiple step problems in Math today and will do so again tomorrow as we begin to review for the Topic 6 test.  The test will be given on Tuesday or Wednesday.

This week's writing assignment is to create a newspaper style story with a "grabber" beginning and answering the "5 w's".  

Tonight's homework is to study for the spelling and vocabulary quiz tomorrow, and to complete the reteaching side of the 6-7 worksheet.  

New spelling packets went home today.  Since it's a short week, I had the kids do their usual Monday homework as classwork.  A few students got a 100 on their spelling pretest.  They have a note attached to the "Family Times" flyer.

Tonight's homework:  a page from the spelling packet, Math 6-7 worksheet front and back, read and log.

Don't forget that our classroom spelling bee will be held on Thursday.  This will be the qualifying round for the whole school spelling bee to be held in March.

Valentines and Spelling Bee

Just a reminder that kids can bring valentines for classmates but they cannot bring in food treats for others.  I've asked everyone to bring an extra treat or snack just for themselves. No rules about what you send for your own child.  We have 13 boys and 9 girls in our class.

This week's spelling homework is to practice for the spelling bee. Our classroom spelling bee, the qualifier for the school bee, will be on the 21st.

Finding Nemo?

Tonight's homework is to reread the group book and answer the questions inside the back cover.  Some student need to finish a multiplication page.  If we have school tomorrow I will give the spelling quiz and the vocabulary portion of the weekly ELA quiz.

Today we finished up some writing, held reading groups, "read" graphic sources for their full meaning,  drilled multiplication by 3, did some math problem solving, and watched a short video about winter storms.

Our Valentines Day celebration will include delivering valentines, a crafty activity, snacks from home, and a movie (to be announced).  Each child can bring whatever snack they want for themselves.  We can't have classmates give out treats with their valentines because it would add up to much more than the sugar, fat, or salt allowances. There are no rules for what children bring to school for their own consumption.

I hope everyone will stay safe and warm this weekend!  

Facts Review and Projects Completion Day

I have planned tomorrow as a basic facts practice day in Math and as time to complete reading and writing projects that need just a bit more effort to complete.  Some students will be completing comprehension assessments they missed last week. Others will be adding art work to their play or a venn diagram of 2 myths.  Everyone will work on a packet of ELA skills and strategies while I meet with reading groups.

Today we had a great Library lesson with Mrs. Vanderkruik and created a class book of really interesting (offbeat?) facts about Washington, D.C.  In math we practiced using multiplication to create x,y pairs and plotting them on a graph.  After connecting the plotted points, the kids have a shape or design to color.

We worked on a simple rubric example to understand the meaning of the 1-4 writing scores we use.  Part of the loose ends we'll tie up tomorrow is a timed writing prompt, so I hope the rubric examples will encourage kids to go for the very best writing they can do.

Tonight's homework is a math "Quick Check",  read their group book, and do a page from their spelling packet.

  

Seeing Stars

Today we read Seeing Stars, an expository  selection about, guess what? Stars.  The focus for this selection is reading for information, using graphic sources, and strategies for understanding new/challenging words. Our question for the week us thinking about what can be learned about nature through investigation.

We've completed the last lesson introducing strategies for figuring out products in multiplication.  These strategies are only a temporary support until times tables are memorized.  Over the next week or so, the kids will make their own flashcards and practice, practice, practice.  Even with all the time we can devote during the school day, it will not be enough to get everyone to fluency with those facts.  Please practice one of the times tables every night.

Tonight's homework is the math worksheet for lesson 6-5 (front and back), one page of the spelling packet, read for 20 minutes and log.

Spelling Bee info in today's papers

The kids brought home their spelling bee practice packets today.  The top 5 spellers in each 3rd grade class will go to the whole school contest.  The regular weekly spelling packet also went home today.  Several kids spelled everything correctly on the pretest and I told them that they only need to do the sentences page for homework this week. (With the caveat that parents decide whether or not they must do the rest.) I meant to send a note home with each student who got a 100 and I will be sure to do so tomorrow.

Homework tonight is a math worksheet (front and back), 1 page of the spelling packet, read 20 minutes and log.  A few children need to rewrite the sentences from last week's packet.  You'll see a note on the first page of the packet.

Great Puppet Show Today!

We were treated to a really great puppet show today!  The theme was anti-bullying and the performance was excellent.  I wondered of the kids would buy into it, but they really did. The puppets were muppet style. There were little musical numbers and an age appropriate story.  Well done!  After the show there was a brief Q and A.  The kids had excellent and thoughtful questions.

Spelling test, weekly vocabulary and comprehension tests - done.  I sent home 2 earlier weekly tests to be signed.  These tests are very challenging as I'm sure you've noticed. The new common core standards call it "close reading" and "rigorous analysis".

I'm going to the Warwick Advocacy meeting on Tuesday at 7pm.  Maybe I'll see some of you there.