Happy Holidays!

We had a busy day today!  Students finished up their scrap books they've been working on to reflect their thinking about their book club books.  See some snapshots below! Some of us also created book recommendations using descriptive language and elements of writers' craft we've noticed in our favorite texts.  Additionally, we planned out our winter break reading! Ask your child what their reading plan is for over break!

We also did a "winter craft"; these will come home in students' Beaver Folders today.

In Science, students worked on their informational picture books regarding land forms.

In Math, students took their x3 fluency challenge.  Please encourage your child to review their multiplication times tables over the holidays (this is a great car activity, if you are traveling!).

Homework: 

• Please encourage your child to read 20 minutes a day over break!
• Please encourage your child to practice their multiplication times tables over break! 

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Test sign & returns due ASAP.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Have a very safe and joyful holiday and new year!

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Math Test Grades

Students' Unit 4 Math Assessments are coming home with grades today.  Please be sure to review to the test with your child and sign and return the assessment at your earliest convenience. 

Today was our Winter Celebration! We concluded our author study of Chris Van Allsburg and then watched the animated rendition of The Polar Express.  Additionally, at the end of the day, we held our Smith Buck Auction. Students use the Smith Bucks they've earned based on EAGER Beaver behaviors they've exhibited since the start of school.  

In Readers' Workshop, students worked on their book club projects.  We are aiming to have these done by tomorrow!

For Word Study, students used what they knew about letter relationship and sounds to unscramble winter themed words!

Students visited Math Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• Study x3 flash cards for at least 20 minutes. 
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Two-hour early dismissal tomorrow.  Kids leave school at 1:30.
• x3 Fluency Challenge tomorrow!
• Unit 4 Math Test sign & returns due ASAP.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Winter Celebration Monday

In Math Workshop, students took their Unit 4 Math Assessment.  I will aim to have these graded and sent home before Winter Break. Our whole class passed the Fluency Acquisition on this assessment; way to go, third graders!

 

 

 

In Writers' Workshop, students explored information websites about the real Ivan.  They then used what they learned to blog and collaborate with our "Blog Pals" in Michigan.

In Readers' Workshop, I introduced students to The Sweetest Fig, by Chris Van Allsburg.  While reading, we stopped to grow ideas about theme, character traits, and author's craft.  On Monday, we will read The Polar Express and discuss and compare our findings in our Chris Van Allsburg author study.

In Science, students worked on their informational picture books.

Students visited Reading Beaver Block.


Friendly reminder:   To celebrate the winter season, room 13 will be having a small celebration on Monday, December 22.  As we will be engaging in an author study of Chris Van Allsburg the week prior, on Monday we will watch the animated rendition of his book, The Polar Express (G). In addition, students voted to bring in their own special snack and drink to have during the video.

Homework: 

• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• x3 Fluency Challenge: Monday, December 22.
• Winter Celebration: Monday, December 22.  Students bring in their own special snack and drink.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Unit 4 Test Tomorrow

In Math Workshop, we went over the answers to the Unit 4 review.  Students starred the questions they got wrong.  Please make sure your child does these problems again to ensure they understand.  After reviewing, we played Math Jeopardy!  The kids worked in teams to solve and answer questions collaboratively.  These questions reinforce and extend on Unit 4 concepts and strategies. During Jeopardy, I make a point to emphasize good sportsmanship and teamwork.  The kids below demonstrated both of these throughout the game (it's all of our class! Yay!).

In Writers' Workshop, students learned to hook their readers in their SeaWorld essays and include their thesis to conclude their introductory paragraph.  See below for some great samples of students who applied our mini lesson to their own writing!

In Readers' Workshop, we compared characters in The One and Only Ivan to real life people who raised Christian the Lion.  We applied our prior knowledge and inferences to form opinions about real world issues:  Should humans be allowed to raise wild animals? Ask your child what they they think, have them defend their thinking with evidence from text or the video clip about Christian. Here is the link, if you have time, it's worth a look!

In Science, students used the research they gathered yesterday at the lab concerning land forms, to create an informational picture book, written in the first person, describing the land forms and their respective qualities and formations.

Students visited Reading Beaver Block today.

In Read Aloud, we finished The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate!  Ask your child about the twist at the end of Ivan's story (A: Ivan was a real gorilla; the novel was inspired by his story).

Homework: 

• Re-do any starred problems on math review.
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Test tomorrow
• Bank is tomorrow.  Please make sure you've signed your child's planner.
• x3 Fluency Challenge: Monday, December 22.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.
• Winter Celebration: Monday, December 22.  Students bring in their own special snack and drink.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Unit 4 Review

In Math Workshop, students applied everything they knew about multiplication to identify expressions that represented real life problems.  Students are coming home with their Unit 4 review.  Tomorrow, I will send home the answer key so that students can focus on and practice problems they missed on the review.

In Writers' Workshop, we looked at a sign created by the San Diego Zoo to help us understand the importance of precise words in persuasive or opinion writing.  Students then revised their writing about video games from yesterday with more persuasive, precise words.

In Readers' Workshop, I introduced students to another text by Chris Van Allsburg, The Wretched Stone.  We were on the look out for character traits, theme, and elements of writer's craft similar to our text from yesterday.

In Science, students researched land forms on the internet.  Tomorrow students will write and create picture books describing the land form and its qualities.  

Homework: 

• Math review due tomorrow
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Test: Friday, December 19.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.
• Winter Celebration: Monday, December 22.  Students bring in their own special snack and drink.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Favorite Video Games!

In Math Workshop, students applied their understanding of repeated addition and multiplication to help them make sense of division (repeated subtraction) and create fact families. Students visited stations where they extended on and reinforced the following math concepts and strategies: multiplication and division with in/out  charts, place value, arrays, equal groups, number lines, and even and odd numbers.  Students have math homework coming home tonight, due tomorrow.

In Writers' Workshop, we looked at a review of "Doodle Jump".  We identified effective writing strategies such as opinion statements and multiple supportive reasons.  Students then applied strategies to their own review of a favorite video game of theirs (see below).

In Readers' Workshop, we finished Just A Dream, by Chris Van Allsburg.  Students grew ideas about theme, character traits, and elements of writer's craft.

Homework: 

• Math homework (front and back), due tomorrow
• Flash cards for x3 facts: 10 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Towne Grill & Pub Family Night is tonight starting at 4:30pm.  Eat in or carry out.
• Unit 4 Math Test: Friday, December 19.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.
• Winter Celebration: Monday, December 22.  Students bring in their own special snack and drink.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Unit 4 Test Friday

Students will have their Unit 4 Math Assessment this Friday.  I will send home a study guide this week for students to practice and review current unit concepts and strategies.

In Writers' Workshop, students continued planning their opinion essays using their text maps. Specifically, they jotted down research to include in each paragraph.

In Readers' Workshop, we began our author study on Chris Van Allsburg.  Throughout the week, I will introduce texts written by said author.  As a class, we will read, analyze and critically respond to text.

In Science, students connected what they know about matter and its states to help them identify similarities within the water cycle.

Students visited Math Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• First in Math: At least 20 minutes
• Flash cards for x3 facts: 10 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Unit 4 Math Test: Friday, December 19.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.
• Winter Celebration: Monday, December 22.  Students bring in their own special snack and drink.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Out of Building Tomorrow

In Math Workshop, students used the multiplication and division diagram and equal groups to help them solve word problems with variables.

In Writers' Workshop, students created a text map to help them plan and think about organization in their opinion essays.

In Readers' Workshop, students analyzed problem and solution to help them infer ideas about theme.

In Science, students presented their learning about the lithosphere with models they created.  They used scientific claims and evidence to defend and prove their thinking.

Students visited Reading Beaver Block today.

Note:  As I will not be in the building tomorrow, I've attached the notice that will be coming home in the kids' Beaver Folders tomorrow.

Homework: 

• First in Math: At least 20 minutes
• Flash cards for x3 facts: 10 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Early dismissal tomorrow. 
• I will be out of the building tomorrow.  Please communicate with the office regarding any changes to dismissal, etc.
• Bank tomorrow.
• Unit 3 Sign & Return due tomorrow.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

---------------------------------------

December 12, 2014

 Parents and Guardians,

To celebrate the winter season, room 13 will be having a small celebration on Monday, December 22.  As we will be engaging in an author study of Chris Van Allsburg the week prior, on Monday we will watch the animated rendition of his book, The Polar Express (G). In addition, students voted to bring in their own special snack and drink to have during the video.

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Ms. Smith
Hadley.Smith@hcps.org

http://room13classblog.blogspot.com

Mathematical Claims

In Math Workshop, students applied number sense, place value, and ideas about multiplication to explore patterns and make mathematical claims.  For example, students were asked: What are at least 3 truths about any product that has one factor of 5?  Students explained that the product will be odd or even, will always be 0 or 5, the larger the factor the larger the product, etc.  Then they used equations to prove their claims.

In Writers' Workshop, students used transition phrases to connect reasons within their thesis.  Students are really passionate about their SeaWorld opinions and essays; check out how engaged they are!

In Word Study, students identified words that "didn't look right" in their writers' notebooks. Tomorrow students will play headbands in effort to address these common misspelled words.

In Readers' Workshop, students identified solutions to problems to help "get their minds" ready to think and grow ideas about theme.

In Science, students used models to prove their claims about the movement of Earth's lithosphere.

Students visited Reading Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• First in Math: At least 10 minutes
• Flash cards for x3 facts: 10 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Early dismissal this Friday. 
• I will be out of the building this Friday.  Please communicate with the office regarding any changes to dismissal, etc.
• Unit 3 Sign & Return due Friday, December 12.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

x3 Facts!

In Math Workshop, students used repeated reasoning to make sense of and use "short cuts" in multiplication.  While these short cuts are helpful when learning new multiplication facts, it's still critical to know why these rules work in order to make sense of numbers and operations.

In Writers' Workshop, students used their "Try It Page" to write their thesis.  In their thesis, each writer included their strong opinion statement about SeaWorld, along with supportive reasoning from their research.

In Word Study, students studied a list of misspelled words.  They quickly noticed that I was not spelling these words correctly on purpose.  This is a very critical piece of spelling and word study; writers should understand that if a word doesn't "look right", it probably isn't spelled correctly, and we need to go back and rethink that.

In Readers' Workshop, students identified problems in texts to help them think about theme. Tomorrow we will identify their respective solutions to help us grow ideas about life lessons.

Students visited Math Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• First in Math: At least 10 minutes
• Flash cards for x3 facts: 10 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Early dismissal this Friday. 
• Unit 3 Sign & Return due Friday, December 12.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Dry erase markers
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

First in Math

In Math Workshop, students applied what they knew about repeated addition to make sense of problems and defend their mathematical claims with words, pictures, and numbers.  Students visited stations extending on multiplication strategies.  Tonight for homework, the kids need to spend at least 20 minutes doing "First in Math".  If your child doesn't have access to the internet, etc. they will come home with alternative paper homework.

In Writers' Workshop, students practiced explaining how their facts prove their opinions in our quick write.  Students then applied this to their SeaWorld writing during independent practice.

In Word Study, students played "headbands" where they had to ask and answer questions related to current vocabulary words.

In Readers' Workshop, students brainstormed and listed themes they are familiar with to get their minds ready to think and grow ideas about theme.

In Science, students had to make a claim, something they knew to be true, about how the Earth's continents move.  They then will prove their thinking with manipulatives and notes they've previously taken.

Students visited Math Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• First in Math 20 minutes
• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Unit 3 Sign & Return due Friday, December 12.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Pencils
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith 

Fluency Stars

In Math Workshop, students applied their thinking about repeated addition to solve multi-step mathematical problems involving multiplication and subtraction.  After stations, students took their multiplication facts challenge for 2's.  See our stars below.  Students who do not complete 25 problems in the restricted time limit, will have an opportunity to try again until they pass.

  

In Writers' Workshop, students blogged their thinking and learning about Ivan and supporting characters from our read aloud.  Students are blogging with a second grade class from Michigan who are reading the same text.  We are building on each others' posts to help us think critically about text, characters, theme, etc.

In Word Study, students played "headbands".  Each student held a flashcard with one of our vocabulary words on it.  Another student then have to give clues so one can identify their vocabulary term.

In Readers' Workshop, students used text-based evidence to defend their claims about the life lesson they inferred from "Blank Space".

In Science, I challenged students to prove how they know the continents were once one super-continent. In so doing, students had to write their opinion and defend their thinking with manipulatives, words, pictures, models, etc.

Students visited Reading Beaver Block today.

Homework: 

• Read 20 minutes

Reminders:

• Unit 3 Sign & Return coming home tonight.  Please review the assessment with your child and return by Friday, December 12.
• Mitten Tree donations accepted until December 19.

Classroom Supplies:  As always, donations are very much appreciated!

• Pencils
• Sticky Notes

Thank you,

Ms. Smith