Language Arts
This week in Language Arts we have been very busy, we have written persuasive essays, read chapters from our novel, worked with vocabulary from our novel, and participated in MSA practice activities.
The kids' persuasive essays are wonderful! On Monday the kids were informed that the administration is "pondering" taking recess in order to regain instructional time...the kids formed an opinion and completed a graphic organizer using three reasons with details to support their opinion. Then, with the help of that organizer, the kids wrote their five paragraph essays. After meeting with a peer to focus on organization, voice, and word choice, the kids wrote their final drafts. I am really impressed with their work!
We read chapters 5 and 6 from King of the Wind this week. The kids have been using sticky notes to mark vocabulary words that they are unsure of...this week we made lists of these words and went to work attacking meaning. First the kids found the word in context, read the surrounding sentences, and then discussed what they thought the word meant. They then went to my good friend, the dictionary, and verified the meanings...I loved this assignment...they worked well together and found new meanings to words they had not known before. Take a look below at the triads working on vocabulary.
We have also been doing some "practice" MSA activities...all of these activities focus on indicators we have previously covered, but are set up similarly to the MSA. I introduced the online stopwatch so they are accustomed to watching the time count down as they work. We made connections with the testing tips they read about to the actual activities. Your children are VERY well prepared!!
Math
This week has been all about division. We worked on long division with dividends in the hundreds and thousands...some children even worked with two digit divisors...we used compatible numbers when estimating, and we discovered rules of divisibility...the kids have been very enthusiastic about this unit and I can't tell you how many kids have said, "Long division is fun!" Music to my ears! Next week we will be focusing on elapsed time and measurement...and we will have a quiz on division at some point.
Science
Science got pushed to the back burner this week, but we will be returning to science next week...I promise!
Cursive Handwriting
I am beginning to require a bit more in cursive...many kids are ready...some are not. There is a link on the blog to Zaner Bloser...you can print worksheets with words the kids can choose. If they are motivated by legos, let them type in "lego words" to make a worksheet...if they are motivated by sports, let them type in "sports words" to make a worksheet...but if you see your child is having difficulty...please give them practice at home. Thanks!
THIRD GRADERS and THE DANCING BEAR!?!?
Please come out to see your child's classmates perform the wax museum this weekend! Two performances will showcase 12 famous people who impacted America. We'd love to see you!
Dancing Bear
12 N. Market Street
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Two 45 minute showings - 2pm and 4pm
Two 45 minute showings - 2pm and 4pm
REMINDER...your child's Power Point Plan is due on Wednesday of next week...we will be going to the computer lab ON WEDNESDAY, so please make sure it is completed by then. I have had LOTS of kids without homework this week...or late homework...I am very reasonable and always allow an extra day...but for the PP plan, it needs to be timely...thank you for your help with this.
one last thing...
next week UES is having SCHOOL SPIRIT WEEK...here is the run down in case your child would like to participate...
Monday - Crazy Hair Day
Tuesday - Sports Team Day
Wednesday - Mix Match Colors Day
Thursday - Pajama Day
Friday - School Spirit Day
Have a great weekend!
