Mama Mia...

Hi, everyone...happy to be blogging again because that means we're back in school! The title is "Mama Mia" because I don't know how on Earth I will ever fit it all in!! But for two delayed opening days we got a ton accomplished...here's the quick run down...


Math
We are working on division...we spent Thursday talking about and working with estimation...I introduced the term "compatible number" and I want to take a minute to explain it here so that we are "all on the same page"! :-) If you have the problem 229 divided by 4...in order to make a quick and easy estimate the kids are told to find a "compatible number"...240 is very compatible with 4 as it is a multiple of 4. So they change 229 to 240 and find the estimate...60. Rounding in estimation works sometimes, but not often, so its important for the kids to see that finding a multiple of the divisor makes estimation so much easier. We will keep working on this concept...but today we moved into groups and began the task of learning long division. I have three groups going in the classroom...we have a small group of kids who came into third grade knowing how to long divide, so I am not teaching that group the algorithm, they are practicing it and extending that concept. We will continue to work on division next week.


Language Arts
We read from our novel this week...but not enough (so say your kids!) We are discussing character traits and character motivation with the main character, Agba, in King of the Wind. We also began the process of writing a persuasive essay. Thekids were notified that the administration is considering taking recess away in order to make up instructional time. They were to formulate an opinion about this decision and come up with reasons to support their decision. Next week we will continue with this writing assignment...they are pretty fired up


The kids were assigned a project today. This project ties into the Language Arts unit "Reading Ancillary Materials" and has three short assignments. For one of the assignments they need a website. I have added this website to the Language Arts section of links and it is titled "Puzzle Maker". If you have any questions, feel free to email me.


Yesterday the kids came home with a letter about MSA testing. Please read the letter in full...I will adding "my two cents" in next week's blog about how you can help your child succeed. Keep in mind...the MSA is not about WHAT the kids know...your kids know A LOT...its about SHOWING what they know...taking time to write the best answers and do their best thinking...there is a big difference and I need the kids to understand the difference!


As always...I just love teaching your kids...I really missed them. Have a good weekend.