Word Study
We concluded our study of "ow" sound and started our study of the "aw" sound, represented by -aw and -au. -aw is generally used at the end of a word (e.g., paw, caw, saw, etc.), whereas -au is genrally used at the beginning or middle of a word (e.g., nautical, fraudulent, caustic, haul, etc.). If the "aw" sound is followed by k, l, or n, however, the pattern is spelled with -aw (e.g., crawl, etc.).
Reading
We are continuing our study of informational texts. I did multiple explicit walkthroughs of different informational texts, highlighting specific features of non-fiction: table of contents, text boxes, charts, graphs, maps, glossaries, indexes, etc.
We also looked at several informational passages that highlighted different informational text features.
Writing
We wrapped up our African American research this week. Students had to go back through all of their notes, categorize them, organize/sequence the cards within a category and then put them into their own words. Each category represents the material for a single paragraph.
We linked this to our informational reading study by summarizing paragraphs in non-fiction passages.
Math
I concluded our study of multiplication facts. Students should have a strategy for every fact except for the following three (7 x 7, 7 x 8, 8 x 8), which they'll memorize. Facts strategies are:
zeroes 0 x 6
ones 1 x 6
doubles 2 x 6
doubles plus one (3 x 6) = (2 x 6) + (1 x 6) Uses distributive property.
double doubles 4 x 6 = (2 x 6) + x 6)
fives 5 x 6
fives plus one 6 x 6 = (5 x 6) + (1 x 6) Uses distributive property.
nines 9 x 6
tens 10 x 6
*I've bolded the key number in each example above that should trigger each particular strategy. Many facts have multiple strategies. Whichever is strongest is what the student should use, which will be different for each individual. For example, 5 x 10 could use the fives strategy or the tens strategy. We will start in on division next week by connecting products and factors as the inverse relationship to multiplication.
I also introduced multiplication with factors of ten.
7 x 8 = 56
70 x 8 = 560
7 x 80 = 560
70 x 80 = 5,600
Notice I've underlined the basic fact 7 x 8 = 56 in each and then brought the factor(s) of ten over to the product.
We concluded our study of polygons, focusing on quadrilaterals. Students should know the following math specific vocabulary: quadrilateral, parallelogram, parallel, sides, angles, vertices, opposite sides, adjacent sides. Specific quadrilaterals include: rectangles, squares, rhombi, kites, trapezoids, and right angle trapezoids. We also learned to identify triangles, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, octagons, nonagons, and decagons. Lastly, we identified regular polygons (all sides and angles are the same) and irregular polygons (sides and angles are different measurements). We played a simple game where we roll a ten sided die and shout out the name of the shape that has that number of sides (0 = ten sides, 1 and 2 = do over).
Science - Invention Convention
Students completed their presentation board plans. They should have started making their boards. Boards should be brought to school on Tuesday, February 27th. It is OK if they are not completely finished, but they should have their board started and should bring it to school on the 27th for class critiques. Inventors may want to include photos of their prototype construction process or may simply not be done with their content. The purple planning sheet is to help layout their board. The white sheet has "must have" items. Students are welcome to add other items and materials. Whatever they have should be large and legible.
*Most, if not all, of the students' inventions already exist in one form or another. However, as long as the solution is new to the child, then it is a great invention.
Students will bring their unfinished boards home on Tuesday to continue their work and make changes and additions based on feedback. You may want to send a trash bag if we keep experiencing rain :(
Presentation boards can be purchased at United Art and Education in the Mill Run Shopping Center. Students should get a full sized three panel board and header.
The Invention Convention will be March 9th from 10-10:30. Families are invited to see the amazing inventions these young students have generated. Just a heads up, if you are planning taking your student out for a celebratory lunch (and to take their presentation board and prototype home), please sign them out. School policy does not allow you to take classmates with you unless you have written permission from that other student's parent(s).
February 2018
23 Team KEVA Talent Show
28 Early Release 1:00
28 Early Release 1:00
March 2018
5 Spring Pictures
9 End of Second Trimester
9 Invention Convention 10-10:30am in the Multipurpose Room/Cafeteria. Families are invited to help us celebrate student inventions and then take your student (and their materials) to lunch.
12-16 Spring Break
19 No School for Students: Teacher Grading Day
27 Progress Reports available online
30 Good Friday: No School for Students or Staff
April 2018
4 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at Windermere 11-12 in lounge
17 & 18 Spring 3rd Grade State of Ohio Reading Assessment (AIR)
24 & 25 Spring 3rd Grade State of Ohio Math Assessment
May 2018
April 30-May 4 Scholastic Book Fair
4 KidFest, 5-8 p.m.
8 NO School for students or certified staff - Ohio Primary Elections
11 Science field trip to Livingston Elementary
21 Field Day
28 No School Staff: Memorial Day
30 Last Day for Students
30 End of third trimester
