I've decided this week to use the project we're working on as the subheadings, because all of these projects have so many different subject indicators that it's hard to split them up by math, language arts, science, etc...so here we go!
"Ella" stories
I am so excited about these stories!! Wait until you hear Purrella, Medusarella, Tigerella, Snakerella, Prince Lugia, Candyella, and SOOOO many more!! We will spend one more writing time drafting before we move into reading our stories with partners. While working with a partner the kids will be focusing on organization...specifically BOLD beginnings, MIGHTY middles, and EXCELLENT endings. Once revised, we will be typing these stories in the computer lab. Many past third graders have put their "Ella" stories in the UES Quill, our school literature anthology!
Short Stories...
We are continuing our study of short stories...this week we read some folktales. We read about a black spider named Anansi. These stories originated in Africa and have been passed down from generation to generation...and most of the time a folktale involves trickery of some sort. Trickery is always evident in an Anansi tale! We also had the good fortune to go to the Weinberg Center to see Strega Nona!! It was Strega Nona the musical and it was very enjoyable and quite timely!!
Have you heard about our chocolate factories?!?
"OMG"...to quote the teens of our nation...your kids are amazing! I put together a "little" culminating project for our multiplication unit that also involved calculating area...it has turned into a "REALLY BIG" culminating project planned by your children! They have created chocolate companies, invented new candy bars, cut and measured the area of their candy bars, written product descriptions/advertisements for their products, designed the wrappers for their candy, cut and measured the area of their wrappers, and they have now decided we need to produce commercials. I can't even begin to list the indicators that this project is covering...but it is so exciting and the kids are very motivated. Yesterday, the final wrappers were cut, measured, and designed. Each candy bar was placed in its wrapper, and the product descriptions are being typed as I work on the blog right now! Next week we will do commercial rehearsals and then I will videotape each student "selling" his/her candy bar. I hope to be able to download the commercials on the blog...stay tuned!
They are such amazing scientists!!
This past week we did a water mixtures test on all five chemicals. This included adding three spoonfuls (1 at a time, being stirred for 30 seconds each) to 10 mL of water. The students had to observe the solubility of the powders, and then they had to filter each mixture using a coffee filter. On Monday we will observe the residue left after the filtration of each powder...they will be surprised at the results! I can't type anymore about that because some of your kids read the blog, so I don't want to ruin the results! We will be testing the powders using vinegar and iodine next week!
And so on, and so on...
A few reminders!!
1. The Fall Party is this coming Friday from 1:15-2:25 pm.
- The kids can bring their costumes to school, but they are supposed to be able to change into them without having to undress...if you can help with this, that would be great! We just don't have the facilities or time for all 21 kids to use the bathrooms to change.
- Mrs. Lizik has planned some fun activities...thank you!! And so many of you all have donated $ and items to make this a wonderful party...thank you so much!
2. Pumpkin Math is also this coming Friday, but it's from 9-10:30 am.
- If you'd still like to come, but haven't had a chance to let me know, please send in your form or drop me an email. Also, if you can't come, but would like to donate a medium sized pumpkin...I could use two or three...thanks!
3. Science Fair project data collection is due this coming Friday, too!
- As I explained to the kids...I realize that not everyone will be finished collecting data by Friday the 29th...this is just a suggested due date. I had everyone write "work on science fair project" in their agendas for this weekend. I told the kids...working on it over the weekend is not required, it is suggested. If you and your child are able to follow the due dates, your child's project will be completed with time to spare and no rushing. Just let me know on the due date if your child's data is not ready yet. Thanks for helping your child follow the timeline suggested.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and I look forward to seeing your kids next week...its always a crazy week leading up to Fall Festival...and it's going to be even crazier as we celebrate "Red Ribbon Week" by wearing different fun things!!
