This Week...

January 13- January 17, 2014

Reading:  Our theme this week focused on the art of illustration!  Students practiced sequencing events throughout various nonfiction pieces.  We looked for key transition words, such as: “finally”, “next, and “after” to help us determine the order of events. We also were very excited to learn our first signpost!  There will be six signposts that we will learn this year to help us comprehend fiction stories.  Students learned that when you reach a signpost when you are reading, you must stop and think.  Contrasts and contradictions is a signpost that helps us understand why a character starts to act differently.  The students learned they must ask the question, “Why is the character acting this way?”  By asking this question, students can make strong inferences and predictions. Reading Logs are due Wednesday, January 22. (100 minutes)

Math:  At the beginning of the week, students discovered there are 360 degrees in a full turn.  They also took a quiz on the first half of the unit.  At the end of the week, students categorized various triangles.  They learned the difference between right triangles and equilateral triangles.  Isosceles and scalene triangles were also investigated.  They discovered that all triangles have three angles and three vertices.  At the end of the week, students learned how to name various polygons.  Xtra Math practice is due Wednesday, January 22. (3 sessions) If applicable: for students still on addition and subtraction, fact tests and graphs are due Wednesday, January 22.

Science:  Students discovered many different light sources within our darkened classroom.  They learned that a light source must emit its own light.  They also learned that light travels in a straight line by shining a flashlight/laser pointer through a cloudy solution.  At the end of the week, we explored how light bounces off various objects and surfaces.  On smooth surfaces, the light bounces back up to the viewer.  On bumpy surfaces, the light scatters in various directions.

Writing:  In writing, students determined various character traits to describe Maria Isabel.  Based on Maria Isabel’s actions in the story, students developed journal entries about a particular character trait.  They also developed a continuum to show the subtle differences between various verbs.  In grammar, students combined sentences that had the same subject.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 17 test.  We also learned the cursive “A, C, and E”.

Miscellaneous:  Just a reminder, January book orders are due January 24.  The January writing words test will be January 28 and will cover the last three lists (October, November, and January).   Also, there will be no school on Monday or Tuesday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Enjoy the 4-day weekend!

This Week...

January 8- January 10, 2014

Reading:  Making journeys was our weekly theme!  Students read nonfiction and fiction pieces about people traveling in different ways.  Our main skill this week was making inferences based on clues we found in the text, as well as our own experiences.  Differentiating between different homophones was also practiced in a variety of activities.  Students are continuing to work hard on figuring out the differences between words that sound the same, but have different spelling and meanings.  Reading Logs are due Monday, January 13. (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 6!  A family letter went home this week outlining the major concepts.  Rays, lines, and line segments were a main focus this week.  Students practiced labeling them, as well as finding examples in the real world.  Intersecting lines and parallel line segments were also discovered.  Students practiced drawing and manipulating various angles with straws!  They learned that a square corner is also called a right angle.  We will be having a mini quiz over the first part of unit 6 on Wednesday, January 15.  A review guide will be going home on Monday. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, January 10. (3 sessions)

Science:  Students were very excited to begin the first of many new lessons on light!  In lesson 1, they explored how light moves by experimenting with flashlights and mirrors.  Some of the lessons in this unit will have homelinks (homework) that will need to be returned the next day…thanks for your support at home.

Writing:  Students worked on a New Year’s Resolution writing project!  They developed various resolutions based on four aspects of their lives: home, school, personal, and character.  Students received their January writing words list.  At the end of the month, they will have a test over October, November, and January words.  A list containing all of the words went home today.  Students also participated in a close reading activity with our WEX novel My Name is Maria Isabel.  Students analyzed the text to discover the importance of the main character’s name.   In grammar, students identified the future tense of various verbs and applied quotation marks.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 16 test.

Miscellaneous:  Happy New Year and welcome back!  I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing break with family and friends.  January book orders went home today.  They will be due on January 24.  Have a wonderful weekend…stay warm!

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had an enjoyable winter break!  Hopefully you were able to stay nice and warm the past few days!  Due to the shortened week, spelling homework will be due on Friday, January 10.  As usual, we will still have a spelling test on Friday.  Please let me know if you have any questions!

This Week...

December 16- December 20, 2013

Reading:  Students analyzed the text structure of various Time for Kids selections in order to discover cause and effect relationships.  Students looked for key phrases and words, such as “as a result” and “because” to help figure out the cause behind certain occurrences.  Multiple meaning words were also discussed within various contexts.   The “think and search” test strategy was also discussed and practiced using a short nonfiction piece on frogs.  At the end of the week, students identified root words. Reading Logs are due Monday, January 6. (300 minutes)

Math:  We spent the week reviewing major concepts from unit 5.  Students practiced reading aloud large numbers and decimals.  They also worked on comparing numbers and putting them in correct number sequences.  Place value was also reviewed up to the millions and down to the thousandths place.  Students took their unit 5 test on Thursday.  The test consisted of a written portion, as well as an oral test where students read numbers.   After break, we will begin unit 6! Xtra Math practice is due Monday, January 6. (9 sessions)

Social Studies:  Students finished researching their Midwest states!  They also put in a lot of time and effort building their parade floats!  They did such a wonderful job and it was so nice to see everyone helping each other during this process.  At the end of the week, students presented their floats to other third graders.  When we come back from break, we will start our new science unit: light!

Writing:  We created an expository writing project, “How to Build a Snowpal”.  Students explained the steps for designing a snowman using different transition words.  Students also created poetry based on what they love or don’t love about winter.  In grammar, students identified the past tense form of various verbs.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 15 test.

Miscellaneous:  Students enjoyed the holiday musical performed by the Dryden first graders.  We also exchanged beautiful secret snowpal cards!  Students really enjoyed sharing their cards with classmates.  They worked very hard on creating these special gifts.  Today, students had the opportunity to attend the Winter Wonderland events in the gym…they worked on crafts and listened to holiday stories!  I wish you all a restful and enjoyable winter break!  See you back in 2014!

Secret Snowpal Cards!

Just a reminder...Secret Snowpal cards are due this Wednesday!

This Week...

December 9- December 13, 2013

Reading:  The weekly theme focused on riddles!  Students practiced using clues in the story to help them figure out the setting.  The setting includes when and where the story takes place.  One Riddle, One Answer was the main story selection for the week.  Students learned about Persia, currently Iran, in a fairy tale setting.  We also discussed figurative language, focusing specifically on similes.  Students learned how authors use similes to make their writing more interesting for the reader. Reading Logs are due Monday, December 16.  (100 minutes)

Math:  Students applied their knowledge of large numbers to calculate their age in a variety of ways, including days and minutes!  We also explored decimals and fractions using base-10 blocks.  By using a flat, students learned how to shade in a certain number of blocks to represent a decimal.  During this investigation, we discussed 3 new place values: tenths, hundredths, and thousandths.  They also made a place value book.  Students can continue practicing these small numbers by reading them aloud at home using the book.  Our unit 5 math test will be Thursday, December 19. Xtra Math practice is due Monday, December 16. (3 sessions)

Social Studies:  Students spent the week reviewing major concepts from the Midwest unit.  They took their Midwest unit test today, which also included the states and capitals.  After break, there will be a new region of capitals to learn: the Northeast.  Next week, students will work on completing their state research and building their floats!  Thank you to everyone for sending in materials and helping your child prepare for the float building process…they are very excited!

Writing:  In writing, we continued working on sensory details.  Students analyzed excerpts from the book My Name is Maria Isabel and created details to support each moment.  In grammar, students identified the correct form of present tense verbs.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 14 test.

Miscellaneous:  “Secret Snowpal” names went home today!  Students need to create a homemade card with a special message for that particular classmate.  Snowpal cards are due Wednesday, December 18.  Shh…remember, it’s a secret!  As always, please contact me if you have any questions…have a great weekend and stay warm!

This Week...

December 2- December 6, 2013

Reading:  We began Unit 3 in our Treasure’s book!  The weekly theme focused on foods around the world.  Students practiced making inferences with a variety of texts, including Family Feast and Stone Soup.  We learned how important it is to use text clues and our own background knowledge when creating an inference.  Synonyms were another important topic.  Students learned there are often synonyms within context clues, which can help when figuring out unknown words. Reading Logs are due Monday, December 9.  (100 minutes)

Math:  We began unit 5 this week!  Students reviewed place value up to the hundred millions.  They also practiced writing large numbers from dictation, as well as saying numbers aloud.  We also learned a new game, “Number Top-It”, which helped us compare large numbers in a fun way!  Towards the end of the week, students discussed the U.S. census and applied their knowledge of large numbers to interpret city populations.  Pictographs were another focus.  Xtra Math practice is due Monday, December 9. (3 sessions)

Social Studies:  Students began their state research projects!  Students applied various research skills with books and online resources to find out key information about their Midwest state.  A note also went home today describing our upcoming state float project.  Students will be creating a miniature float showcasing the information they learned about their state.  These floats will be created in class in a couple of weeks.  Our Midwest unit test will be next Friday, December 13.  A review guide and flashcards were will be going home at the beginning of next week.  The unit test will also cover the Midwest states and capitals.  Please let me know if you need extra practice sheets and/or blank maps.

Writing:  In writing, we began unit 2 in our WEX writing program!  Unit 2 focuses on a response to literature.  We started the book My Name is Maria Isabel and students identified showing details that helped develop the main character.  Close reading is a skill that we will be using to carefully analyze the text.  In grammar, students worked on identifying action verbs in various sentences.

Cursive/Spelling:  Today, we had our week 13 test.

Miscellaneous:  I had a wonderful time meeting with each of you at conferences!  Thank you again for the commitment to your child’s learning experience!  I also hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break.  This week, students showed great character by donating coins for the tornado victims in Illinois…thank you for your generosity!  I hope you have a fabulous weekend.  Please let me know if you have any questions.