I had a wonderful first week back and am excited to see the class progress quickly. I had a very smooth transition and I am impressed with the class' flexibility with the new routines, expectations and homework.
Word Study
We began working on parts of speech. I introduced nouns and differentiated between singular, plural, and proper nouns. We also played a simple parts of speech game that allows us to explore misunderstandings and support our learning with many examples of specific types of nouns and to build vocabulary. We will use this game to study verbs and adjectives later in the year as well.
Partner checking after independent work encourages accountability
and develops critical thinking.
Reading
I introduced the practice of comparing and contrasting using Venn diagrams to deepen our understanding. Research supports comparing and contrasting as one of the top ten practices for developing understanding and it can be used in nearly every academic and professional setting. Students are expected to read a short passage, label a Venn diagram, identify similarities (comparing) and differences (contrasting). They are also expected to number their differences to ensure they have a pair of differences (e.g., rough versus smooth) for each item they contrast.
I started a new read aloud, Fish In A Tree, by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. It provides us with many opportunities to discuss developing empathy, perseverance and other positive qualities.
Writing
We began opinion writing this week. Much of our writing in third grade consists of responding to texts. We read a short passage on Laurag Ingalls Wilder and responded to the question, "Do you think Laura and her family were happy living on the prairie? Why or why not?" Students practiced highlighting evidence in the passage to support their opinion and using it to form a well supported opinion piece.
Students wrote short opinion pieces on their favorite school subject and supported their opinion with reasons. I then randomly selected students to participate in a "debate." While not a true debate, each table earns points for indenting, strong topic sentences and conclusions, and the number of reasons they used to support their opinion. I have found this strategy to be very motivating and students learn from others quickly.
We received holiday pen pal letters and holiday cards. The class was very excited to read these and I'm very impressed with their pen pals' writing. These letters are motivating as they provide an authentic reason to write as well as letting us learn more about our pen pals' lives in London, England.
Math
I backed up and restarted our multiplication and division unit. Students should understand and define multiplication as "efficient addition of same sized groups." We began by learning how to use a multiplication table to solve multiplication and division problems. I will let students use these tables until they master their facts when solving story problems so they can focus on the process and not be overwhelmed by the operations.
I introduced the following multiplication strategies with their corresponding "anchor" numbers.
- Zeroes 0's
- Ones 1's
- Doubles 2's
- Fives 5's
Students should see an anchor number and have an immediate strategy to help them solve for the product much more efficiently. I taught the class "Math Fact Baseball" to help them start to focus on the anchor numbers as well.
Students should be able to represent addition as multiplication.
2 + 2 + 2 = three groups of two = 3 x 2
Students should also be able to perform the reciprocal function of representing multiplication as addition.
4 x 5 = four groups of five = 5 + 5 + 5 + 5
We are going over homework challenge problems in class with an emphasis on problem solving strategies and being systematic and organized mathematicians.
Lastly, we started representing one step story problems as multiplication, arrays, and addition. We are also working to create our own story problems, which demands much better understanding.
Social Studies
After winter break, Mr. Kerstetter will begin teaching his social studies unit on communities and how they change over time. The United States' history is rich with the contributions of the cultures that have immigrated here. Entire art forms and even instruments would not exist without this merging of cultures.
We would like to invite any parents who have immigrated to share their stories. We would like the students to have a deeper understanding of the motivations for and the sacrifices of immigrating. Please let me know if you would be interested in speaking with the students. We typically have social studies on A days in the morning, but we will happily work with your schedules.
Science
I did a short experiment on temperature. The only caveat to this lesson was my emphasis on fire safety and that students should not try this without an adult under any circumstances. See if your student can explain this experiment to you. Here is a link to the experiment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKF3OKxwM8g
Homework
We had a few hiccups in distributing homework this week, but I was very pleased with the class' flexibility and willingness to give it a try. From what I have seen, the amount of homework has been manageable. Please let me know however if your student is spending more than 30 to 40 minutes a night.
If your student is absent due to illness or a trip, I do not expect them to make up the homeowrk as it is intended as practice and to develop time management. They should rest up and return as soon as they are feeling better.
Homework passes are earned through making good choices and may be used any time. Some students will save them for special days when they know they will be busy or for birthdays.
Testing dates are in bold. I will highlight changes and new dates in red.
A Days: No specials
B Days: Music and PE
C Days: Art
D Days: Library
E Days: Music and PE
This week's testing went very smoothly. Thank you to Mrs. Lusk and our tech team for ensuring a headache free testing experience on the iPads! The students handled our few technology glitches calmly.
December 20 Sing Along (1pm) & Holiday Parties (2pm)
Please click on the following link to volunteer and/or donate to the classroom parties. Thank you.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040f4da8aa29ab9-windermere1
Please click on the following link to volunteer and/or donate to the classroom parties. Thank you.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040f4da8aa29ab9-windermere1
December 21-January 2nd Winter Break
January 3 No School for Students: PD (AM) /Work Day (PM)
January 4-25 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
January 4 School Resumes after Holiday Break
January 4 School Resumes after Holiday Break
January 10 Student Group Activities (e.g., Recycling Team, Orchestra, etc.)
January 13 Town Hall Meeting 12:30pm
January 16 No School for Students & Staff: MLK Day
January 18 Interim Progress Reports Home Today
January 25 Parent/Teacher Conferences
January 30 State of Schools at UAHS 5 - 8pm
February 6 - 10 Boxtop Collection Days
February 6 - March 31 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
February 20 No School for Students & Staff: President's Day
February 20 No School for Students & Staff: President's Day
March 1 Early Dismissal 1pm
March 9 3rd Grade Musical
March 10 Town Hall Meeting1:45 PM
March 10 End of second Trimester
March 13 - 17 Spring Break - No School
March 20 No School for students - Teacher Workday
March 28 Progress Reports Home Today
April 5 - 6 Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
April 5 Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon
April 6 Spring Picture Day
April 10 - April 28 STAR Reading and Math Assessments
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14 No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday
April 12 - 15 Ohio Mathematics Assessment
April 14 No School for Staff & Students: Good Friday
April 24 - 28 Scholastic Book Fair
April 28 KID FEST 5 - 8pm
May 8 - 19 Terra Nova & Inview Gifted Screener
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day
May 15 - 19 Diagnostic Writing Assessment
May 24 Field Day
May 26 Town Hall Meeting 8:25am
May 26 Last Day for Students; End of third trimester
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm
May 26 Early Dismissal 1pm
