HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This two day week was a lot of fun...full of learning (as usual!)

Here is the run down...

• The students participated in two readers theater performances based on Thanksgiving.... they were fun to listen to, and the kids did a nice job using expression.
• They read a non-fiction article about the National Turkey and created a synthesis comic strip that displayed their level of understanding.
• They did math problems about turkey sales in different grocery stores.
• We watched a video about the original Plimoth Plantation of 1620, the roles of Pilgrim men and women, the voyage of the Mayflower and the importance of the Mayflower Compact.
• They followed a performance task to complete a turkey using their feet and hands (a definite keeper!!)
• We all had a ton of fun seeing all the science projects...I was incredibly impressed!

Like I said, a lot of learning!!

On a personal note....
Everyday that I come to work I am thankful. I have a wonderful job...a great principal to work for and a great team of teachers to work with. I have an amazing class (more on that below).

And of course...I am always thankful for my family...my husband and kids. Speaking of my kids...I want to share a quick story that will make you smile. Two years ago, my daughter Kate was three years old, and while we were driving down the road she said to me, "Mommy...do you know what happens on Thanksgiving?" I said, "Well, what do you think happens on Thanksgiving?" (wanting to know what she was thinking) Kate said, "The Thanksgiving Chicken..." I interrupted and said, "It's a turkey, sweetie." She continued, The Thanksgiving Chicken comes to your house and gives you a high five!"

My wish for you all this five day Thanksgiving break is that you enjoy your time with family and friends...and that you are all visited by the "high fiving chicken!" :-)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

What I am Thankful For

by Mrs. Wills

Erica and her contagious smile,

Ashwin and his responsible nature,

Stephanie and her love for reading,

Aravind and his knowledge of everything non-fiction,

Kirsten and her love of drawing,

Grace for embodying her name,

Christine for her positive attitude,

Megan and her level of motivation,

Sriniket and his need to excel,

Pratulya for being so kind,

Nisarg for always being on task,

Chris and his sense of humor,

Riley and his laugh,

Abby and her endless stories about pizza,

Krishnapriya and her quiet gentleness,

and Joy for embodying her name.

FRIDAY!

WOW...what a week! I don't even know where to begin...

Math
We finished up our data collection and probability this week...we discussed the likelihood of an event occurring...and we used fractions to show the outcome...or probable result. We used number cubes, spinners, and file cards with numbers written on them. Yesterday the kids completed an assessment where they had to apply all of the parts of this unit to complete the task. They were allowed to use their math spiral as a resource as they decided which tables of information needed which kinds of graphs. They then had to graph two of the sets of data to show that they know all of the important parts of a graph. They will get these assessments back by Tuesday of next week. We will be entering into the multiplication and division units next. Please have your child practicing facts...the better they know their facts, the easier the unit will be for them.

Language Arts
Each student has picked a president or first lady to portray in our upcoming Hall of Presidents and First Ladies...the kids have begun reading the books and taking notes. We will be working to determine which information is important, using that info for a timeline, and then taking all of the information to create a student written biography. We ask that if your child comes home with their biography to read and take notes at home, please do not help them with this task. We want this project to be completed independently. Thank you.

I'm pleased to announce that almost everyone has finished publishing their "Dinorella stories" ...so I can now take them home and begin the very long job of scoring them!! :-) I can't wait for you to read them!

Social Studies
This unit on Political Science is full of wonderful vocabulary and learning! The kids have read about local, state, and national government. Today's reading selection was about the three branches of the national government and the duties of each one...the kids created a three column chart to write down facts about each one...they will answer questions pertaining to the three branches next week.

Speaking of next week...the kids will be participating in some Reader's Theater activities...we have some fun fall themed "plays" that the kids will be doing...we'll be focusing on their expression and fluency, not the actual acting out of plays...that we leave for the Spring...and happens to be one of my favorite units!

REMINDER...Science Fair Projects are due Monday!! I have spoken to a few of you that asked to use the Thanksgiving break to finish your projects...so I will expect them to arrive at school on Monday, December 1st. But otherwise, we're looking forward to seeing and hearing about the 13 other projects this Monday! (I need to get busy with Jake!!)

FYI...One last thing...I spoke with the kids today about the expectations of this program. I want them to know that yes, they're a part of this program because they're smart, but also because they are capable of work that is above average...and that I expect to see that above average work... that if the paper says "at least three facts", they should be giving at least four facts...they should always strive to do their very best work...very thorough work...and I'm going to be pushing them to do so...just thought you should know! :-)

I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your families.

Happy Friday!

I started this post on Friday, hence the date...only getting back to it now...sorry! (Went to the beach with my sister, my mom and my dad...shopped til we dropped...just got in...so here's the week's rundown!)

This has been a great week full of learning...


Language Arts
In Language Arts this week we began a unit titled, "Reading Social Studies Textbooks." We are using biographies for this unit because we use the textbook during social studies and that would be incredibly redundant! The students have been putting their schema and new facts into their "learning laptops"...ask them about this. After I modeled the entire process with Harriett Tubman, they got to choose to read and learn more about Thomas Edison or Louis Braille. They will take the information gained and develop a timeline of their famous person's life early next week. This is all in preparation for an in school biography project that your child will be hearing about on Monday. We will be doing ALMOST all of this project IN SCHOOL...so have no fear...we're not assigning this during the science fair at home projects!! More to come about this in next Friday's blog...but be on the lookout Monday evening for a paper informing you about this project!


Science Fair
Speaking of the science fair...I am SO excited to see and hear about all of these projects. In speaking with a parent, I know there is a little bit of frustration about how quickly these due dates seem to be popping up...I am sorry for this...we tried to make all of the due dates have your child finish the project BEFORE Thanksgiving...we figured you didn't want a project looming over you during the 5 day break...HOWEVER...if that five day break is what you and your child need...please feel free to send me a note explaining that you all will be completing the project that weekend...I have no problem with this. I just need it in writing from you, so that I know what schedule you're on. Thanks.


I went over the "data collection due Tues 11/18" with the kids in detail today, but if you have any questions, please feel free to email me this weekend. (wrote that part on Friday!)


Math
We have analyzed and constructed double line graphs and are moving into probability...they will be using terms such as more likely, less likely, outcomes, probability, and using a fraction to express the probability of something occuring. This is a particulary fun part of the unit and will take us into midweek...I love teaching this class...I'm always learning something from THEM!!

Fluency
Last week the kids all memorized a short poem about Fall to continue work on their fluency. This was our third formal speaking presentation so far this year. I am very proud of the work the kids have been doing with oral communication. They will be well prepared for the biography project we are embarking on!! (A couple of kids chose different poems...favorites from home...we REALLY enjoyed hearing them!)

FYI...we are doing some activities with "sticky notes" and it has come to all of our attention that the sticky notes we use from the county are generic and are not very sticky...so if you happen to have extra "post it" (the real brand) notes laying around the house and would like to donate them to our classroom...we'd love it! Thanks!

Hope you have a great week and I look forward to seeing your children tomorrow!

Happy Sunday!

We had a short week, but WOW, it sure was full of learning!

Language Arts...
We are closing up our unit on short stories...the kids have explored folktales, fairy tales, fables, and tall tales...they have analyzed all parts of story structure, discussed the mood a story evokes, and even written their own fairy tale. We will be working to publish these pieces this week in the computer lab. These fairy tales, or "Dinorella" tales, as we like to call them, will be scored for three of the six writing traits...IDEAS, ORGANIZATION, and CONVENTIONS. All three traits have been modeled, and each student has completed peer revisions to help "polish" their already WONDERFUL pieces! This week we are beginning a unit titled "Reading Social Studies Textbooks"...we are going to use biographies to teach the indicators in this unit. Our biographies will tie into the Social Studies unit on Political Science that we have already started.


Math...
This week the students were introduced to stem and leaf plots. This data organizer is very different than those they've seen before. We did an introductory activity where we all wrote our birthday months and dates on file cards and taped them on the chalkboard. We talked about how hard it was to read the data when it's disorganized and then brainstormed ways to display and communicate this data. They suggested bar graphs, line graphs, but when discussing further, they realized that it was very difficult to show both the date of their birth and the month of their birth on the same bar or line graph. Do you see where this is headed?! The stem and leaf plot is perfect for this data. We worked with our birthdays first and then used other data that is best represented on stem and leaf plots...we will visit this again this week and then move to double and triple line graphs. It is our goal that your kids will see a list of data and be able to decide which is the best way to display and communicate that data.


Science...
This week we tested our unknown powders by adding iodine, and the next day, red cabbage juice. The students made a hypothesis and recorded observable properties of the unknowns. This coming week we will be observing what happens when each unknown is heated, and then the kids will read an article that contains some background information about the powders. And finally, the students will draw conclusions about the identity of the mystery powders. This unit has definitely been a class favorite!


SCIENCE FAIR
As you know by now, all third grade magnet students have been asked to do a science fair project! On the inside of the cover sheet of the Science Fair packet is a helpful planning tool for you and your child. This is just a tool. I plan to check in with each student as this project is being completed in order to make sure each child is on track. HOWEVER...if you and your child are having a hard time sticking to the due dates, please just send me a note so that I know you are aware of the dates...extensions are no problem, as long as you know the projects have to be done by Nov 24th, the day before Thanksgiving break, so that they can be on display Dec. 2nd, the first Tuesday we return. If you have any questions during the project, please email me and I will get right back to you. This is my first Science Fair, so I am on a learning curve. Mrs. Maenner developed the planning tool packet and I am very grateful...both as her teammate and a parent of a third grade magnet student!

WORD STUDY...
Your children will be coming home with word study words this week. These words are listed at SpellingCity.com, a link that is available in the menu bar next to this entry. The kids just need to type in my name and choose the list of Consonant + le, + al, and + el words. They will be tested on these words Friday the 14th.

Hope your weekend was great! I look forward to the week ahead with your kids!

Why it will be a Saturday post....

Today Kate Wills is five years old...so I did the "Mom" thing and headed to a playground this afternoon...now we're headed to dinner to celebrate...so I promise to do the "Teacher" thing a little later this weekend! Enjoy your families and have a great weekend together!!