What We Learned This Week
Word Study
We studied the vowel-consonant-silent e pattern (e.g., ice) this week and compared it to previously studied syllable types: closed and open syllables.
We made vocabulary more challenging by having students write their own sentences and identify each word as a part of speech: noun, verb, or adjective.
Reading & Writing
Reading and writing were merged this week as we read through a multiple paragraph essay on recycling. Students had to identify the main idea of each sentence, often the topic sentence, but not always. Students then began to co-write our own single paragraph essays. Students brainstormed topic sentences that gave direction and shared the topic without getting into specific or supporting details. We will continue to craft these essays next week as we work towards more independent writing. This is very challenging as students are researching and writing a persuasive/opinion essay simultaneously. Writing in response to text is far more complex than our previous focus on personal narratives and is an important change introduced to 3rd grade by the Common Core.
Math
My end of quarter fact fluency assessment revealed that many students have not yet mastered the addition and subtraction facts. This second grade standard must be mastered or it will significantly interfere with multi-step and multi-digit problems. I will go over resources and strategies to help your student master addition and subtraction facts during conferences.
I introduced our first three strategies for multiplication: zeroes, ones and doubles. I use the specific math vocabulary of x groups of y (e.g., 3 x 5 = three groups of five). This language will support students understanding of multiplication as efficient addition of same sized groups.
We interpreted addition equations as group statements and multiplication equations (e.g., 2 + 2 + 2 = three groups of two = 3 x 2); multiplication equations (e.g., 2 x 4 = 8) as arrays; and arrays as multiplication statements.
Science
We started our matter unit in science where I introduced matter and its states. In the spirit of Halloween, we made spooky lava lamps using two liquids (oil and water), a solid (sodium bicarbonate) and a gas (carbon dioxide). We discussed the densities of each and made predictions, which we compared to our observations as we added oil, food coloring (which is just colored water with a little pigment), and Alkaseltzer to our water.
See if your student can identify the states and densities of the different components.
Visitors
The Tri-Village Rotary visited us on Friday to pass out dictionaries. Thank you!
Halloween Party
This was a blast. I hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween.
I'd love more photos if you have them.
Important Dates and Reminders
New dates and information are indicated in red.
Important 2nd Quarter Dates & Reminders
November 4, 2014 - No School for Students, Teacher Development Day
November 5, 2014 - Progress Reports sent home
November 6, 2014 - Early Dismissal at 11am
November 7, 2014 - Thompson Park Tree Trek Field Trip
November 10 through 13, 2014 - Fall conferences
November 17 through 21, 2014 - District Gifted Screening
November 25, 2014 - Scarlet and Gray Day
November 26 through 28, 2014 - No School Thanksgiving
December 1 through January 9, 2015 - STAR Reading and Math Diagnostic Testing
December 3, 2014 - Early Dismissal/Teacher Development at 1pm
December 19, 2014 - Holiday parties 2pm
December 22 through January 2, 2015 - No School Winter Break
January 16, 2015 - End of second quarter
January 19, 2015 - No School Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 20, 2015 - No school, teacher grading day
Important 3rd Quarter Dates & Reminders
January 27, 2015 - Progress Reports sent home
January 29, 2015 - Early Dismissal/Conferences at 11am
February 2 through 13, 2015 - Ohio Wildlife Center donation drive
February 4, 2015 - Early Dismissal/Teacher Development at 1pm
February 9 through 13, 2015 - Collection days for Box Tops for Education
February 16, 2015 - No School Presidents' Day
February 17, 2015 - Math State PBA
February 23, 2015 - English Language Arts State PBA
February 23, 2015 - AASCD
March 9 through 13, 2015 - PTO Book Sale
March 17, 2015 - 3rd Grade Musical
March 20 through 27, 2015 - No School Spring Break
April 2, 2015 - End of third quarter
April 3, 2015 - No School
April 6, 2015 - No School, teacher grading day
Important 4th Quarter Dates & Reminders
April 8, 2015 - Early Dismissal/Teacher Development at 1pm
April 9, 2015 - Spring Picture Day
April 13 through May 22, 2015 - District Writing Diagnostic Testing
April 14, 2015 - Progress Reports sent home
April 21 through 22, 2015 - English Language Arts State EOY
April 22, 2015 - Ohio Reading Achievement Assessment
April 24, 2015 - Kid Fest
April 28 through 29, 2015 - Math State EOY
May 1 through 29, 2015 - STAR Reading and Math Diagnostic Testing
May 9, 2015 - Wish Run
May 25, 2015 - No School Memorial Day
June 1, 2015 - Field Day
June 3, 2015 - End of fourth quarter/Last day for students, Classroom parties 12:05 till 1:05pm
June 9, 2015 - Progress Reports sent home
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