I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather...we sure are! Our recess is only 20 minutes long, but the kids are enjoying the fresh air and cooler temperatures every day!
We had another great week...the kids have earned many marbles for their exemplary behavior and are working hard to, once again, FILL THE JAR! From my guess, it will be another week or so until it is filled, but you should applaud their hard work.
The one way that I am able to keep you updated on your own child's behavior is through the checklists. I am sending them every TWO weeks and appreciate you getting them back to me so quickly. I really like these checklists because they are set up exactly like the report card, so there will not be any surprises once the report card comes out. I use them for reference to figure out the "average" mark your child should receive in each category. You need to know that I am not very lenient in the "following directions" category. If your child does not follow directions the first (or even second) time given, their work and other behavior categories are affected.
We had a different kind of week because of the late opening on Monday and the addition of four Exploratory Music classes added to our schedule. Every third grader in Frederick County is given the opportunity to explore all of the different instruments that they can play next year in Instrumental Music. A specialist travels the elementary schools in Frederick County instructing students on the different instruments and letting them experiment playing each of them. Your child may have a good idea of which instrument they're interested in playing after this week. They really enjoyed this class!
All that being said...let's get down to curriculum!
This week in Math we worked on ordering and comparing numbers using a game called "Racko"...the kids loved this game and they really put their mathematical skills to use playing it! We also practiced rounding greater numbers (up to 1,000,000) as a way to check if solutions to problems are reasonable. We watched a fun video entitled Math Challenge where the main character, a secret agent, posed problems for the students to solve to help him complete his mission. They did an excellent job! We are going to briefly touch on addition problems with more than three addends, and subtracting greater numbers with zeroes next week...our main focus will be on rounding to estimate sums and differences. They were pretested in this area this week and my instruction will be based on this pretest. Many students will have independent extensions at their seat while I work with others on the reinforcing the skills mentioned above.
This week, in Language Arts, the students began reading the novel Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. This is a collection of short stories (or cases) that involve the main character, Homer. The author has a wonderful sense of humor and we've been enjoying his writing style. We have been using comprehension codes for all of the "during reading strategies" that we've been practicing. They have these codes on a blue bookmark and they use sticky notes to mark each spot them use one of our strategies. Many of them use the code "ha ha" when they read a funny part, but then find out that by marking it and talking about it, they also made an inference while reading. I enjoy listening to their conversations about the book! We will be finishing up this novel next week and moving into a Short Stories unit where we read fairytales, folktales, and fables. We explore all of the different elements of each type of literature and read some wonderful stories! I am very excited about this unit!
In Social Studies the students have been in the computer lab researching a particular state, and compiling information about the physical geography, climate, and natural/human resources found there. We've also been comparing different cities and states around the country in our classroom...the children read about Roseburg, Oregon, Las Cruces, New Mexico, and Gloucester, Massachusetts. Listening to the students chat about why and how these cities are different when it comes to geography, climate and resources was enlightening!
We continue to work on our cursive letters...we are halfway through the lowercase letters and will continue at full speed on the aquisition of these letters. I ask that you look at your child's handwriting when they bring it home as an assignment. If you notice that the letters are being made incorrectly, please help them. You can use the Zaner Bloser resource located on the side bar of this blog. Thanks!
REMINDER...this Tuesday, September 30th, is a day off for students and staff...another short week...but it will be full of learning...mark my words!
Have a wonderful weekend and as always, please email me with questions or concerns.
September 26, 2008
September 16, 2008
Lots to Say...
I have tried to post this several times over the weekend...but to no avail! I am sorry this is so late in coming to you all!
Many things to share this week...but first, a new link has been added under Social Studies...Time For Kids is our weekly magazine and they have a wonderful website. The link will take you directly to information about the election...written in kid friendly terms. It has election vocabulary, articles about each candidate, and of course, games to play! This is just an FYI kind of site...not one kids have to visit, just if they choose.
It was a short week, but a week FULL of curriculum...here's a run down of our week.
We concluded our numeration/place value study in Math this week...the children have composed and decomposed HUGE numbers, recorded their values, compared and ordered the numbers, and worked with number lines. They will have an assessment some time next week. This is not an assessment to study for...all of the prep work has been done in class. We are headed into money and finding the exact change using the least amount of coins and bills...as well as problem solving. Thanks to the parents who have sent in old socks...and thanks for sending them washed! :-)
In Social Studies we are moving into the physical geography, climate, natural, and human resources of a particular area. The students are reading from their textbook to gather facts about each geographic characteristic, and will be transferring that learning when they construct a travel brochure of their own next week. Each child picked one of the 50 states and did some initial research in the computer lab. We were using a research portal titled "Culturegrams" and they were able to find out anything and everything about their particular state. This coming week they will be researching the physical geography, climate, human and natural resources found in their state. They will design a travel brochure that will entice someone to visit "their state". This will be an in school project and I look forward to seeing what these amazing kids come up with!!
Speaking of projects...the "Follow Your Team" project is due this Tuesday, September 23. We will not be able to have EVERYONE share on Tuesday...so some will share Wednesday and possibly Thursday. Please have your child practice presenting their information to the class. I do not think the project sheet indicates whether they will be presenting orally...but THEY WILL. And they will be expected to speak clearly and loudly in front of the class as they tell us about their project.
In Language Arts we finished our "during reading" strategies...we covered Inferring and Synthesizing this week. The students continue to amaze me with their ability to work independently. I work with 6 students at time (isn't that awesome!) and the other 10 or so work at their desks on independent practice of the language arts skill we're focusing on or social studies activities. They are all doing a wonderful job...some need reminders, but for the most part, they are all making great choices.
Speaking of great choices...the bi-monthly checklist went home yesterday. Please sign it and send it back in on Monday. I have talked with the kids about the fact that it is "their choice" which symbol I put next to the behavior statements. I just record them, but they EARN them. If they see a slash mark or number sign and would rather have an X, they are the only ones who can choose to change their behavior. I am working especially hard with a few of them on following directions the FIRST time. We move at such a rapid pace (we have SO much curriculum to cover and have a shorter day than the average student) that there is no time for missed directions...we try very hard to keep distractions to a minimum...but there is only so much that I can control...some of it is up to the individual child. Sooo...please discuss the checklist with your child and if there is an area where your child would like to improve, brainstorm different ideas with him/her on how to change the behaviors. Thank you!
Thank you to the recent donation of kleenex and hand sanitizer...it was VERY appreciated!
Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing your lovelies on Monday!
DELAYED OPENING MONDAY.
SCHOOL STARTS TWO HOURS LATER THAN USUAL!!
Just wanted to make sure you all knew that!
Many things to share this week...but first, a new link has been added under Social Studies...Time For Kids is our weekly magazine and they have a wonderful website. The link will take you directly to information about the election...written in kid friendly terms. It has election vocabulary, articles about each candidate, and of course, games to play! This is just an FYI kind of site...not one kids have to visit, just if they choose.
It was a short week, but a week FULL of curriculum...here's a run down of our week.
We concluded our numeration/place value study in Math this week...the children have composed and decomposed HUGE numbers, recorded their values, compared and ordered the numbers, and worked with number lines. They will have an assessment some time next week. This is not an assessment to study for...all of the prep work has been done in class. We are headed into money and finding the exact change using the least amount of coins and bills...as well as problem solving. Thanks to the parents who have sent in old socks...and thanks for sending them washed! :-)
In Social Studies we are moving into the physical geography, climate, natural, and human resources of a particular area. The students are reading from their textbook to gather facts about each geographic characteristic, and will be transferring that learning when they construct a travel brochure of their own next week. Each child picked one of the 50 states and did some initial research in the computer lab. We were using a research portal titled "Culturegrams" and they were able to find out anything and everything about their particular state. This coming week they will be researching the physical geography, climate, human and natural resources found in their state. They will design a travel brochure that will entice someone to visit "their state". This will be an in school project and I look forward to seeing what these amazing kids come up with!!
Speaking of projects...the "Follow Your Team" project is due this Tuesday, September 23. We will not be able to have EVERYONE share on Tuesday...so some will share Wednesday and possibly Thursday. Please have your child practice presenting their information to the class. I do not think the project sheet indicates whether they will be presenting orally...but THEY WILL. And they will be expected to speak clearly and loudly in front of the class as they tell us about their project.
In Language Arts we finished our "during reading" strategies...we covered Inferring and Synthesizing this week. The students continue to amaze me with their ability to work independently. I work with 6 students at time (isn't that awesome!) and the other 10 or so work at their desks on independent practice of the language arts skill we're focusing on or social studies activities. They are all doing a wonderful job...some need reminders, but for the most part, they are all making great choices.
Speaking of great choices...the bi-monthly checklist went home yesterday. Please sign it and send it back in on Monday. I have talked with the kids about the fact that it is "their choice" which symbol I put next to the behavior statements. I just record them, but they EARN them. If they see a slash mark or number sign and would rather have an X, they are the only ones who can choose to change their behavior. I am working especially hard with a few of them on following directions the FIRST time. We move at such a rapid pace (we have SO much curriculum to cover and have a shorter day than the average student) that there is no time for missed directions...we try very hard to keep distractions to a minimum...but there is only so much that I can control...some of it is up to the individual child. Sooo...please discuss the checklist with your child and if there is an area where your child would like to improve, brainstorm different ideas with him/her on how to change the behaviors. Thank you!
Thank you to the recent donation of kleenex and hand sanitizer...it was VERY appreciated!
Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing your lovelies on Monday!
LAST CALL for DIRECTORY FORMS!!
Hi, everyone...hope you are having a great week! Catherine Kim, Grace Lee's Mom, has graciously offered to type up our directory...and I plan to send those forms to her on Friday! If you have not returned your Directory Form yet, please do so...it is bright green and was inside the Back to School Night folder.
Ms. Kim has also agreed to serve as our class Room Parent...so, THANK YOU, Ms. Kim!!!
Thanks so much!
Ms. Kim has also agreed to serve as our class Room Parent...so, THANK YOU, Ms. Kim!!!
Thanks so much!
September 12, 2008
Happy Friday!
First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who was able to come to Back to School Night last night...I enjoyed seeing so many of you, and I know your children were thrilled that you got to come in and see some of the wonderful things they've been doing. They especially enjoyed checking out your position in the line plot this morning! If you were unable to attend, your child will be bringing home an orange folder today. There are many different items in this folder. Please take time to read through each one and then return the green directory form and the white volunteer form. Thank you!
Another five day week has come and gone...my goodness time flies! This week in Language Arts we focused on "during reading" strategies...specifically visualizing, asking questions, and inferring...I have some outstanding thinkers in this room. Many of these kids use all of these strategies naturally, and so to read and make them stop to talk about them or write about them can be frustrating...but they have done a remarkable job! Next week we will be focusing on synthesizing and determining importance...two strategies that are a little more complex.
In Math this week we began a new unit on numeration. We are working with numbers in the millions, determining their value, composing and decomposing the numbers, using estimation and applying it all in problem solving. We have been using white boards during some of these lessons...which leads me to a request...you know how when you do laundry you end up with at least one sock that has lost it's partner?!?! Could you please send one sock with your child to school that he/she may use as a white board eraser? I would really appreciate it!! We will continue with this unit into next week...and then dive into money...when pretesting the kids, they can all determine an amount of money, but finding the correct amount of change using the least amount of coins and bills is an area they all need to work on...so we'll be headed there next.
In Social Studies we are continuing to work with maps...we had a wonderful time this week delving into the State Highway Map of Maryland...using the grid system provided as well as lines of latitude and longitude. We are now turning our focus to the map of the entire US and will be doing an in class project determining the best route for my family to take on a trip this summer. I look forward to reading and seeing their ideas!
We continue to work on cursive...if you plan to let your child practice at home, my only request is that you stick to our pace...only practice the letters we have taught. It is a slow process, but it's at a pace appropriate for the kids. I am adding a link today where you can go to Zaner Bloser "Fonts on Line" and click on "get started" and make cursive worksheets for your child. This is only an option...no one is required to do extra cursive practice, but a parent requested it, so I am providing it!
Last, but certainly not least...in word study we are focusing on words that follow patterns that third graders are required to know...I have also added the "Spelling City" link where kids can use our actual list and play games and take tests. I may assign HW asking the kids to go on line and play one of the games or practice their words. Today in the computer lab, the kids visited Spelling City...they accessed it through the UES website, clicked on staff list, my name, and the globe next to my name, which in turn, took them to my blog. Spelling City can be accessed right here.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your kids...your families...and as always, feel free to email me with any questions. I truly enjoyed last night and look forward to a great year!
Another five day week has come and gone...my goodness time flies! This week in Language Arts we focused on "during reading" strategies...specifically visualizing, asking questions, and inferring...I have some outstanding thinkers in this room. Many of these kids use all of these strategies naturally, and so to read and make them stop to talk about them or write about them can be frustrating...but they have done a remarkable job! Next week we will be focusing on synthesizing and determining importance...two strategies that are a little more complex.
In Math this week we began a new unit on numeration. We are working with numbers in the millions, determining their value, composing and decomposing the numbers, using estimation and applying it all in problem solving. We have been using white boards during some of these lessons...which leads me to a request...you know how when you do laundry you end up with at least one sock that has lost it's partner?!?! Could you please send one sock with your child to school that he/she may use as a white board eraser? I would really appreciate it!! We will continue with this unit into next week...and then dive into money...when pretesting the kids, they can all determine an amount of money, but finding the correct amount of change using the least amount of coins and bills is an area they all need to work on...so we'll be headed there next.
In Social Studies we are continuing to work with maps...we had a wonderful time this week delving into the State Highway Map of Maryland...using the grid system provided as well as lines of latitude and longitude. We are now turning our focus to the map of the entire US and will be doing an in class project determining the best route for my family to take on a trip this summer. I look forward to reading and seeing their ideas!
We continue to work on cursive...if you plan to let your child practice at home, my only request is that you stick to our pace...only practice the letters we have taught. It is a slow process, but it's at a pace appropriate for the kids. I am adding a link today where you can go to Zaner Bloser "Fonts on Line" and click on "get started" and make cursive worksheets for your child. This is only an option...no one is required to do extra cursive practice, but a parent requested it, so I am providing it!
Last, but certainly not least...in word study we are focusing on words that follow patterns that third graders are required to know...I have also added the "Spelling City" link where kids can use our actual list and play games and take tests. I may assign HW asking the kids to go on line and play one of the games or practice their words. Today in the computer lab, the kids visited Spelling City...they accessed it through the UES website, clicked on staff list, my name, and the globe next to my name, which in turn, took them to my blog. Spelling City can be accessed right here.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your kids...your families...and as always, feel free to email me with any questions. I truly enjoyed last night and look forward to a great year!
September 5, 2008
The Average Third Grader...is there such a thing!? :-)
We had so much fun this week with a math unit called "The Average Third Grader"! In order to learn finding averages...the mean and mode...we found out the mode of our classes' hair color, eye color, favorite subject, favorite food, gender, and we found the mean height and the mean number of letters in our first names! All of this culminated in the creation of "MELANIE"!! She is a 52", brown eyed girl with brown hair who loves PE (go figure!) and pizza! You will get to meet her on Back To School Night next week! We will plan to compare the average third grader in both magnet classes on Monday...the "unveiling" is very anticipated...it's been sort of a secret competition...of course, we're sure ours is much better looking! :-) Ask your child about "Melanie" this afternoon and see if they can define mode and mean.
Your child is bringing home their first graded paper. I am aware that letter grades are new to your child and to many of you! We will be going over the grading policy at Back to School Night in depth...but to give you a quick summary. Each assignment is given a percentage grade.
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
50% and below F
Please know that by the end of the quarter there are MANY grades to average...so if your child brings home a grade that you are not pleased with...there will be many others to raise the average. On that note...try to use grades to help the children see how they can improve...we don't want the kids to become too consumed with grades...they will follow your lead. :-)
We have been very busy in Language Arts! We have been working on "before reading strategies" when reading a non-fiction or fiction book. The children have become very good at setting a purpose and previewing text. We are now beginning to talk about "during reading" strategies. We focused on "making connections" yesterday and will devote one day to each of the other many "during reading" strategies. We have a classroom full of great readers and we are making them aware of strategies that can make them EVEN better readers! Often these kids equate that with harder text...but we're talking about quality comprehension!
Today your child drew a picture of Scooby Doo! "Why?" you may ask. Please ask your child...and while they describe to you the "because" of this assignment, encourage them to use the Social Studies vocabulary that we have been focusing on! Your children have become quite proficient in interpreting maps...and we have made the grid systems of maps a particular focus. Today using dry erase markers, your child identified places on the world and US maps using degrees latitude and longitude. Next week we will be focusing in on scales of a map using the map of the US and Maryland.
In Writing we have been talking about the writing trait "ideas" and how authors come up with ideas. Each child has a writing folder and in that folder is a "parking lot" where they park different ideas until they can return and write about them. We use sticky notes to put the ideas into our parking lots...and if you don't already know this about your child...he/she LOVES sticky notes...so they have LOTS of ideas!
As you can see, we were very busy for a four day week...as always, if you have any questions, please send me an email. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family and I look forward to seeing you next Thursday night for Back to School Night.
PS...if you'd like to send a water bottle in for your child...feel free...but I send them home every Friday for a quick run through the dishwasher. SO try to help them remember to bring them back on Friday.
Your child is bringing home their first graded paper. I am aware that letter grades are new to your child and to many of you! We will be going over the grading policy at Back to School Night in depth...but to give you a quick summary. Each assignment is given a percentage grade.
90-100% A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
50% and below F
Please know that by the end of the quarter there are MANY grades to average...so if your child brings home a grade that you are not pleased with...there will be many others to raise the average. On that note...try to use grades to help the children see how they can improve...we don't want the kids to become too consumed with grades...they will follow your lead. :-)
We have been very busy in Language Arts! We have been working on "before reading strategies" when reading a non-fiction or fiction book. The children have become very good at setting a purpose and previewing text. We are now beginning to talk about "during reading" strategies. We focused on "making connections" yesterday and will devote one day to each of the other many "during reading" strategies. We have a classroom full of great readers and we are making them aware of strategies that can make them EVEN better readers! Often these kids equate that with harder text...but we're talking about quality comprehension!
Today your child drew a picture of Scooby Doo! "Why?" you may ask. Please ask your child...and while they describe to you the "because" of this assignment, encourage them to use the Social Studies vocabulary that we have been focusing on! Your children have become quite proficient in interpreting maps...and we have made the grid systems of maps a particular focus. Today using dry erase markers, your child identified places on the world and US maps using degrees latitude and longitude. Next week we will be focusing in on scales of a map using the map of the US and Maryland.
In Writing we have been talking about the writing trait "ideas" and how authors come up with ideas. Each child has a writing folder and in that folder is a "parking lot" where they park different ideas until they can return and write about them. We use sticky notes to put the ideas into our parking lots...and if you don't already know this about your child...he/she LOVES sticky notes...so they have LOTS of ideas!
As you can see, we were very busy for a four day week...as always, if you have any questions, please send me an email. I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family and I look forward to seeing you next Thursday night for Back to School Night.
PS...if you'd like to send a water bottle in for your child...feel free...but I send them home every Friday for a quick run through the dishwasher. SO try to help them remember to bring them back on Friday.
August 29, 2008
Our First Week!
We have had a wonderful week...I have to say it again, thank you so much for sending such "ready to learn" children into my classroom!!
We spent quite a bit of time this week getting to know each other. We all enjoyed learning about our classmates while they shared their "All About Me" bags. I told the kids that I was looking for strong volume and good eye contact during speaking...and they delivered!! We took notes while we listened so that we could record facts about each other.
In Language Arts we have been discussing reading strategies and the students have begun using a Reader's Response Journal. We often break into groups for instruction, in order to be able to work more closely with each student, and this week we focused on what to do during independent work time while not meeting with me! They have adjusted very well and I'm very proud of all of them. Next week we will continue with strategies for good readers and jump into a novel.
We did quite a bit of writing as well! We wrote acrostic poems about the Olympics. We used different resources and our schema (background knowledge) to collect information about the Olympics. The children wrote their poems in class and published the poems in the computer lab today! They will be hanging for you to read on Back to School Night...we have some amazing writers! We also wrote pieces titled, "The Important Thing About Me" after reading The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. The students did a wonderful job on these pieces and you can see them on September 11th, too!
This week, in Math, we collected data and reviewed the important parts of a bar graph. The students were introduced to line plots and next week will be gathering information to find averages...the mean, median, and mode. They are very enthusiastic about math and we have a good time while learning!
In Social Studies we spent time this week defining rules, laws, and being a good citizen...all which tie into our classroom, as well as our Political Science unit. We have reviewed classroom rules and the consequences...these students are very well behaved and all seem to do well with quiet verbal warnings.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me or call me. I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and I will see your kids on Tuesday!
We spent quite a bit of time this week getting to know each other. We all enjoyed learning about our classmates while they shared their "All About Me" bags. I told the kids that I was looking for strong volume and good eye contact during speaking...and they delivered!! We took notes while we listened so that we could record facts about each other.
In Language Arts we have been discussing reading strategies and the students have begun using a Reader's Response Journal. We often break into groups for instruction, in order to be able to work more closely with each student, and this week we focused on what to do during independent work time while not meeting with me! They have adjusted very well and I'm very proud of all of them. Next week we will continue with strategies for good readers and jump into a novel.
We did quite a bit of writing as well! We wrote acrostic poems about the Olympics. We used different resources and our schema (background knowledge) to collect information about the Olympics. The children wrote their poems in class and published the poems in the computer lab today! They will be hanging for you to read on Back to School Night...we have some amazing writers! We also wrote pieces titled, "The Important Thing About Me" after reading The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. The students did a wonderful job on these pieces and you can see them on September 11th, too!
This week, in Math, we collected data and reviewed the important parts of a bar graph. The students were introduced to line plots and next week will be gathering information to find averages...the mean, median, and mode. They are very enthusiastic about math and we have a good time while learning!
In Social Studies we spent time this week defining rules, laws, and being a good citizen...all which tie into our classroom, as well as our Political Science unit. We have reviewed classroom rules and the consequences...these students are very well behaved and all seem to do well with quiet verbal warnings.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me or call me. I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend and I will see your kids on Tuesday!
August 25, 2008
What a WONDERFUL day!!
We had such a good day today...what a great group of kids I have this year!!
Today we read a story about a kingdom with no rules and discussed the ramifications of such a place! Then the students brainstormed important classroom rules in groups, sorted them, and realized that they all tie very nicely to "Urbana's Behaviors for Success". The students and I discussed positive reinforcement of these rules...our marble jar...and we discussed the consequences of not following rules. I wanted to communicate to you what we discussed so that we are all on the same page. If a student is not following "Urbana's Behaviors for Success", that student will be asked to change the behavior...if the behavior continues, the following steps will be taken each time the child has to be spoken to again.
1. be given a quiet verbal warning
2. lose 5 minutes of recess
3. lose recess
4. teacher calls home
5. visit to the office
Again, I can't imagine I will have to use many of those steps at all, but I wanted to share with you what I shared with the children.
A few reminders and then I'm off to bed! My feet are killing me!! :-)
1. if your child would like to bring a water bottle, they may keep it on their desk...we are not close to a convenient water fountain
2. the homework assignment "All About Me" is due on Wednesday...please remind your child to bring the ziploc bag in that day...thanks!
3. feed them a healthy, filling breakfast...12:15 is a late lunch for their little bellies!
Thanks for sending me such great kids. I look forward to seeing you soon!
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