June 6 and June 7 Activities
June 6- In the morning, we will have Junior Olympics.
In the afternoon, the whole third grade will celebrate at a Third Grade party.
June 7- At around 9:30 a.m. (time will be confirmed soon)- Third Grade Graduation
Weekly Newsletter- May 7, 2012
Language Arts- Back to Word Wisdom- Theme: Making your own luck. Spelling words posted on blog.
Shakespeare unit- learning new vocabulary, reading about his life, writing a short biography on him, performing age-appropriate Shakespearean plays.
Biography note taking due next week: Students will complete a project in class based on his/her notes. Please make sure he/she has enough. I explained to students that we’ll need more than 10 notes. About 20, 30 or 40 notes would work. If your child can bring in their biography, he/she can use it as a reference tool.
Field trip- Thursday- Dress for the weather! We go rain or shine. It may be good to have shuttle students dropped off at 9:10 a.m. Have them pack a disposable lunch and drink. Children should not bring money-no gift shop time.
Math- Finishing decimals. Moving on to measurement and probability.
Science- Life Cycles
Social Studies- We will have an open book test on Brecksville. And we will have a test on Cleveland. Study guide will be sent home on Cleveland. Time to be determined.
May 11th- Banana Split Party in the afternoon
Weekly Challenge Newsletter- April 23, 2012
Weekly Challenge Newsletter- April 23, 2012
Reading
Preparing for OAA tests- Practice Packets
Reading mystery book Mixed up Files (shortened title).
Writing paragraphs about the book in a pamphlet.
Math
Reviewing for OAA tests – Practice Packets (Homework packet due tomorrow)
Decimals- adding, subtracting, ordering and comparing decimals
Measurement- Gallon Man (How many pints in a gallon? for example)
Vocabulary (No spelling words) Words- Review words for Math OAA test.
Children will match the word with the definition on Monday’s test. (Study sheet went home today.)
4/26 Poetry Jam on Thursday- Poem in your Pocket – Bring your poem in on Thursday.
4/26 Art Show and Book Fair- Thursday from 7-8:30 p.m.
5/1 – OAA test day (all morning)
5/3 – OAA test day (all morning)
Poetry Jam! Thursday, April 26th
We are having a third grade Poetry Jam! And it happens to be “Poem in your Pocket” day across the United States.
Here’s what your child needs to do:
1. Copy down a favorite poem or write a poem.
2. On Thursday, fold the paper and put it in your pocket. Head to school!
3. All day we will be sharing poetry with our friends, staff and teachers. We’ll share our poem in our pocket.
If you are able to send in either crackers, bread or jam on Thursday, we will have a Poetry Jam in class.
Weekly Challenge Newsletter- April 16, 2012
Challenge Newsletter- April 16, 2012
Language Arts- We are reading about the Titanic in tribute to the 100th anniversary. In small groups, students will write a paragraph about a particular topic and create an informative poster.
Word Wisdom theme: Good Luck Charms
Spelling and Vocabulary words- Look at blog.
For the next few weeks, we will be practicing for OAA math and reading tests -May 1 and May 3
Biography- We made bunny biographies in small groups.
Students will need to give me their topic for our biography unit this week. Please settle on a person and find a book from the library. Books should be read by May 18th- Biography reading level should be fourth grade or higher.
Math- Adding fractions with unlike denominators/Simplifying fractions
Key Dates:
April 20- Assembly from Cleveland Metroparks
April 23- Earth Week
April 26- Art Show/Book Fair
May 1 and May 3- OAA math and reading test
May 10- Progressive Field Trip
May 17-Volunteer Brunch (You are all invited! 8:30 a.m.- child care is provided.)
Weekly Newsletter- March 26, 2012
Weekly Newsletter- Week of March 27, 2012
Language Arts
Poetry lessons about figurative language
Reading and sharing ocean tri-boards with each other
Journal writing- prompts provided each morning. Children are writing paragraphs.
Word Wisdom- Theme – Carcassonne (a legend from France)
Vocabulary and Spelling list- posted on blog
Reading Mixed up Files chapter book and writing a brochure
Math
Fractions: simplifying, ordering, adding and subtracting, mixed fractions, improper fractions
Social Studies- We will begin studying Brecksville and Cleveland landmarks and history to prepare for May field trip.
Ocean Open House- Friday at 2:30 p.m. (in our classroom)
Continue reading Because of Winn Dixie- Last chapter should be read on Saturday
Chapter book report due April 5th- Forms in class or children can write a book report at home.
OAA math and reading tests- first week of May
Challenge Weekly Newsletter- Week of March 19th
Language Arts
* Continue to read Winn Dixie at home.
* We are reading Mixed up Files at school and doing a literary analysis by making a brochure.
* Sharing our ocean reports with each other.
*Word Wisdom- Review week in our book.
*No spelling or vocabulary words this week. Instead suffixes and prefixes will be posted on blog to memorize.
*Instead we will memorize common prefixes and suffixes. Quiz next Tuesday.
Math
Fractions- Simplifying fractions and understanding parts of a whole
Example- Simplify the fraction 9/36
Example- What is 2/3 of 18?
Equivalent fractions, addition and subtraction of fractions, add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators
Science- Force and Motion
Reminders:
Book report due on Thursday, April 5th (It cannot be a book report about Winn Dixie.)
May 18th- Biography- Theme: Read a biography (reading level should be fourth grade or higher)
No school on Friday, March 23rd (Teacher Records Day)
Important note: Students go to the computer room four times a week. This is an important part of our learning. In computer class, students have been completing geometry problems. I am recording their percentages in the grade book for CCC math and reading. Students sometimes think that computer time is a time to relax. I’ve emphasized that it’s a time for learning. I have also told them to do their best on the problems. They should not just guess and move on. Two teachers are always around to help during computer class.
We are also learning to type in computer class.
Weekly Newsletter- Week of March 12, 2012
Language Arts
Spelling and vocabulary words- Test on March 19th
Special announcement: There is some confusion as to whether or not to read a monthly book for a fiction book report. So, please have your child read a book this month. (If you’re child hasn’t started to read a book, the book report can be turned in April 5 (the day before Spring Break.) This should give your child a little more time to complete a book without feeling rushed. Due April 5th
Next book report- Due MAY 18- Theme: Read a biography (reading level should be fourth grade or higher)
Math- Fraction unit objectives:
equivalent fractions
understand addition and subtraction of fractions
add and subtract mixed numbers with like denominators
multiplication of a fraction by a whole number (Example: Mary is having a party. Each person will eat 3/8 of a pound of beef. If 5 people are at the party, how much beef should Mary buy?)
Science- Force and Motion
POW due Friday, March 16th
Enrichment practice packet went home last week.
Don’t forget to order your yearbook. Deadline is March 20th.
Weekly Newsletter- March 5, 2012
Weekly Challenge Newsletter- March 5, 2012
Language Arts:
*Beginning to read a Newberry Medal Award winning book called From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I will refer to it as Mixed Up Files for short. To learn about the book, you can view
*Grammar focus: verbs and nouns (quiz coming soon)
*Figurative language focus for the next few weeks: simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, etc. (All involving poetry including Dr. Seuss books)- In celebration of his birthday on March 2nd.
*Continue to practice OAA reading questions.
*Most students are finished with the ocean creature reports ad the tri-boards. A handful are finishing this week.
*Writing articles for our newspaper blog. hgnp.blogspot.com
*Spelling and Vocabulary list http://staff.bbhcsd.org/lantj/ (Word Wisdom- Elephants)
*Spelling and Vocabulary list http://staff.bbhcsd.org/lantj/ (Word Wisdom- Elephants)
Math:
There is a lot of information on the study guide, but the children know most of it pretty well.
*No POW this week.
*We will begin a Fractions Unit on Thursday.
Science: On Wednesday…
We will head back to Mrs. Squirek’s class for science. We begin our unit on force and motion this week. Students will be able to investigate different kinds of motion, identify and describe types of motion, and define speed. The class will also investigate the motion of an object sliding down a ramp and define and describe force and weight.
Students in the Arts annual creative student competition is now underway. Interested students need to review the guidelines and submit their original works by April 4th. The annual Students in the Arts Reception will be held on Tuesday, May 1, 2012.
Notes:
March 6th – Waiver Day (teachers work/kids stay home)
March 7th- Air Dogs assembly in the afternoon (to kick off “One book-One school” program)- Please consider donating $4.50 to cover the cost of your child’s book.
March 16th- Wear Green for St. Patrick’s Day fun
OAA Math and Reading test administered the Week of April 30th
Weekly Newsletter- Feb. 27, 2012
Weekly Challenge Newsletter- Feb. 27, 2012
Language Arts- Word Wisdom vocabulary and spelling words are posted on the blog. This week’s theme: Manners.
We’re finishing writing ocean animal reports and adding finishing touches to ocean tri-boards.
Since we’ve finished The Cricket in Times Square, the culminating project will be an online newspaper blog about Highland. Mr. Wasil and I will be working with students to post articles, current events, interviews with staff, sports news, etc. This will be an ongoing project for the rest of the year. We’ll let you know when we’re online.
Math- Finishing Geography unit- This week’s focus: translation, rotation, reflection, symmetry, and a focus on geometry vocabulary terms.
Test will be next week. I’ll send home a study sheet.
Social Studies- Economics test on Friday. Study sheet given out today. Students were told to put the study sheet in their mailboxes. Hopefully, they all did. Test will involve matching, fill in the blank, and a few long answer questions. Example: Explain how opportunity costs works. Give an example from your life. *On study sheet, there is a front and back. Some words on the front and back have the same meaning but different terminology.
We’ve done a detailed packet of activities with these terms. Also, Mrs. Neidermeyer and I have created 4 tri-boards involving different picture books. Each picture book revolves around an economics lesson and contains several activities. Our students will be working on each board in centers.
COSI- All morning tomorrow (Tuesday)
Leap Day Wednesday- Kids should wear green. (We’ll do a recycling activity- Please send in an empty pop can. OR send in two empty cans, just in case someone doesn’t bring one in.)
Read Across America Day- Friday: Your child can bring in books, a blanket, one stuffed animal, and small pillow. PJs are ok, too! We’ll read, take the economics test, watch The Cricket in Times Square movie (if Ii can find it.). It’s also Dr. Seuss’ birthday- We’ll do a Lorax activity. (Just in time for the movie premiere.)