Weekly Update: 9/26-9/30

     What a lovely time of year!  Our class enjoyed an extra recess on Friday playing kickball with Mr. Hamby.  This was a reward for our first two weeks of perfect attendance.  Since then we have have another week.  I'm so proud of the students for being in school every day.  This coming Wednesday is "Be There Day" as well as class picture day.  Everyone will have their picture taken!  Buying the pictures is optional.  Forms for buying went home a couple weeks ago.  If you need another form, please contact the office.  Now, here's what is happening for the rest of the week:

 Math:  Our test over chapter 3 is Tuesday.  After that we will begin an addition chapter in which we will be adding large numbers.  Knowing the facts well is essential for this chapter.  For those who don't know their facts, this chapter will be very tedious.

Spelling Tests:  Yellow Group Thursday, 9/29
                           Green Group  Monday, 10/3
                           Blue Group Tuesday 10/4

Reading:  I will be giving the class some reading assessment pages this week.  We have been working on reading for understanding and responding to what we have read in a clear meaningful way.

Science:  Tests will be returned on Monday.  Then we will begin study of ecosystems.

Social Studies:  We are continuing our study of geography.  Students made a map of the continents and oceans of the world.  I will display them until right before our test.  Then the maps will be returned for test prep.  We will also be studying about natural resources and about how to conserve them.

Writing:  Many students have written and turned in their first published story.  I will grade what they have done on their own along with some conferencing with me.  Then I will help them correct anything they have missed so that they can make their final copy.  When the stories are completed, we will have Published Story Week.  Each student will read his/her story to the class sometime during the week.

     Enjoy the videos below.  The first is of the students excercising in PE class.  The second is our class enjoying Harcourt Math and AAAMath on the computers.  
  

September 19-22

     We had a very full and exciting week!  Our class took the first reading and math Tungsten and entered the results into the computer.  We also met with our kindergarten buddy class.  I regret that I did not capture this on camera or video.  I'm starting to be forgetful of those Kodak moments, so I will have to try to step it up a little this coming week!  Here is what I have planned:

Math: We will be comparing and ordering large numbers, as well as rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and 100.  This will be another challenging chapter!

Reading:  Our reading groups are well under way!  Each group has an exciting book to read and questions for which they are responsible.  We are also focusing on sequence so that we can organize the events of a story in our mind.

Spelling:  Green Group tests Mon., while Blue Group tests Tues.  Each group will have a 2 day spelling vacation following each test.  During that time, the groups will cut out their new word cards and work on cursive.  Everyone is looking forward to this!

Science:  We will study photosynthesis and then have a quiz over the photosynthesis process.  Please check the student planner for the assessment date.

Social Studies:  We will continue to study geography of the world.  Our next project is a color, cut, paste, and label picture that will help us learn the world's continents and oceans.

Writing:  Students are choosing a story from their journals to edit and revise so that I can see what each can do on their own.  I have conferenced with students, and have already read some of the story choices.  I encouraged students to write meaningful stories and to make them readable by editing for periods and capitals.  I asked students to enhance their stories by adding interesting details where ever possible.  Learning to write well is a process.  This first story will let me know what each child can do with limited input from me.  I can't wait to read them!

Specials:  M-PE, T-Music, W-PE, TH-Art, F-PE;
Other Events:  Wed.-Picture Day, Attendence Day, and Library!

Next Week: September 12-16

     We had a very productive week!  We wrapped up the first chapter in social studies, and all students did well on this first test.  I am so proud of them!  Here is what we have to look forward to next week:

Math-  We will finish chapter 2 on place, value, patterns, and large numbers in the 10,000 and 100,000 place.  Reading and writing these large numbers is very difficult for most of the students.  Please practice writing large numbers daily!  We will test on Friday.
Reading-  We have been focusing on visualization, but will move into understanding sequence and the key words that help us determine sequence.  Reading groups just formed and they will continue to meet throughout next week.

Spelling-  I have met with each spelling group once this week.  I will see each group again next week and then will test.  Students should work with their word cards at home.  Understanding the sort helps students with both reading and writing words.  Yellow Group tests Thursday,  Green-Friday, and Blue the following Monday.

Science-  We are continuing our study of plants and plant parts.  We will have a quiz over the plant parts and their functions on Thursday.

Social Studies-  We have just a few finishing touches to put on our urban, suburban, rural murals.  They are absolutely awesome!  Every child contributed to one of the two murals.  They will be on display by Thursday, so be sure to come and see!  We will also begin chapter 2 on Monday.  This chapter is about landforms and geography.  Students will be reviewing continents and will learn Missouri's neighbors on the map.

Writing-  To accompany our social studies murals, students have written postcards about an urban, suburban, or rural community.  This week they will work on editing their own work and then will conference with me for further corrections.

Special Classes:  M-Art, T-PE, W-Music, TH-PE, F-Art
Grant's Farm Night - 5:30-8:00  I hope to see you there!  If I don't recognize you, please come up to me and reintroduce yourself.  I'll be with my husband and granddaughter, Sophia!

Fun in Science Class!

We had fun measuring the growth of our seeds.

  A few children wanted to show them off

in front of the camera. Look for the seeds

to be coming home today!

Weekly Update

     How is everyone enjoying this nice extended weekend?  Hopefully you are able to enjoy family and friends for the holiday.

     The past week went by quickly.  We encountered our first tests in math and science.  Students did very well in both areas.  We will have another test this coming Friday, Sept. 9th, over chapter 1 in social studies.  The study guide is in the social studies section of the binder.  The following is more of what we will be covering this coming week:

Math-  We have already started chapter 2 and have reviewed even/odd, place, and value.  We'll continue learning place and value through the thousands period.  Reading and writing large numbers can be tricky for third graders, so please go over any missed answers on all returned papers.  Other vocabulary will include digits, standard form, expanded form, and word form.

Reading-Reading groups begin this week.  Students should continue to read 20 minutes at home daily.  Remember, library is every Wednesday.  Hopefully your child is bringing home books that are "just right!'.

Spelling- Groups will begin in spelling this coming week as well.  Students will be leveled according to the results of their pretest.  Spelling words will come home after I have met with each group.  Please refer to the student planner for testing information as there is no regular testing day.  Each group will be on a nine day cycle, with the test taking place on day eight.    
   
Science- We are having fun growing seeds!  We measure and record results daily.  We will begin chapter 2 on Tuesday and will focus on plant parts and their function. 

Writing/Social Studies- Our first writing assignment will be postcards about the urban, suburban, and rural areas we are studying in social studies.  In social studies we are making murals featuring these areas!

Special Classes:  Tues.-Art, Wed.-PE, Thurs.-Music, and Friday-PE.