Weekly Update-September 25

In the Classroom

We started the week off on a positive "note" by giving out two more Comet notes for good behavior. Congratulations to Geeth and Ethan for demonstrating cooperative behavior during word work!

We began our subtraction unit this week in math. Students studied the various strategies for subtracting 2 digit numbers. We also learned a new game called Capture 5. This game involves both adding and subtracting as students are required to move a playing piece around a 100's board to try to capture 5 cubes. Next week, we will focus on 3 digit subtraction and problem solving.

In social studies this week, we finished our unit covering communities and government. We learned about the leaders of our school community as well as our city, state, and country. Our blogger, Ava, took pictures of students completing an activity to help us learn about school leaders.

We also learned about communities in other cultures. Students were asked to research a different country and compare their communities to ours. We learned that we have a lot in common with students from countries very far away! We assessed over this unit Friday and will begin our Economics unit next week.

In writing this week, students continued to add personal narratives to their notebooks by focusing on special places in their lives. They completed their rounds of guided reading groups in reading.

Upcoming Events

September 28-No School, Teacher Collaboration Day
October 14-Picture Retake Day
October 30-Fall Party

Weekly Update-September 18

In the Classroom

We have had another busy week! In math, we completed our Adding Whole Numbers unit by looking at 3 digit addition problems. We also assessed over this unit on Friday. Look for those assessments to be sent home next week. Our next unit is over subtraction. In social studies, we continued our discussion about communities by studying rules, laws, rights, and responsibilities. We also celebrated Constitution Day on Thursday.

In reading this week, students began their first round of guided reading groups. They are meeting in small groups with Mrs. McClelland to work on reading strategies, text features, and reading responses. In writing, students began filling their writer's notebook by writing about special people in their lives. We also started cursive this week! Students were very excited, and our blogger, Nivedita, captured some pictures as we learned about the different cursive strokes and letters.

I gave out the first two "Notes" for following the Comet Commitment. These get hung on the bulletin board in the commons and then mailed home at the end of the month. Congratulations to Caleb F. and Dain for setting great examples in the classroom!

We have an MU student this semester. Kayli Arnold is a junior at Mizzou in the education program. She will be here every Wednesday. Here she is telling the students about herself. We look forward to having her this semester!

Upcoming Events

September 22-Get the Scoop Night/PTA meeting, 6:30

• I hope to see everyone Tuesday night for Get the Scoop! Students are encouraged to attend this event and show you around the classroom and school. If you cannot attend, please look for a packet of information to come home Wednesday in the homework folder. Please let me know if you have any questions. 

September 28-No School, Teacher Collaboration Day

October 14-Picture Retake Day

Weekly Update-September 11

In the Classroom

In math this week, we focused on rounding to the nearest ten and hundred. We also discussed 2 digit addition strategies. Here is a picture of the strategy chart we made in class.

Students are encouraged to use the method that makes the most sense to them and is efficient and accurate.

On Wednesday, it snowed in our classroom! Sarah, our blogger for the week, took pictures of the rounding snowball fight we had. Each student was given a 2 or 3 digit number. We crumpled them up and began the snowball fight! After 3 seconds, students were asked to find the closest "snowball" to them and round it to the nearest ten or hundred. The students had a blast and we did some great practice with rounding. 

Next week, we will work on adding 3 digit numbers. We will also take our first math assessment over this unit.

In social studies this week, we continued working on our "C is for Columbia" book. Below is the finished project!

Students also learned about rural, urban, and suburban communities.

In word work, students spent time working on their Bingo board. Each week, students are asked to get a bingo by completing four activities that help practice their spelling words and patterns for the week. Here are pictures of some students completing those activities.

Most students completed the reading assessment this week. We will begin guided reading groups next week. In writing, students completed their final copies of the classmate interviews. Make sure to check out the interview book at Get the Scoop Night! Students also discussed what a writer's notebook looks like and began writing. We will begin our study of personal narratives next week.

Upcoming Events

September 11-Flip Flop Hop, 6:30-9:00
September 22-Get the Scoop Night, PTA meeting*
September 28-No School, Teacher Collaboration Day

*Third graders are encouraged to attend this event. There will be opportunities for your third graders to show you around the building as well as the classroom. You will also have a chance to ask any questions you may have about our year so far.

Weekly Update-September 4

In the Classroom

In math this week, we finished our study of place value and our number system. On Tuesday, we used the iPads to do a QR code activity. There were 24 different place value questions around the room. Students had to solve the problem on their recording sheet and then scan the QR code with their iPad to check their answers.

We also used the iPads to place a game called Math Slide. It can be played with up to 4 people, and is a great way to practice place value. There are different versions of Math Slide for addition and subtraction too!

We had our first Word Study unit this week. Students will be given a list of 10 words to study on Monday. We will study these patterns throughout the week in the classroom. On Friday, students will be tested over their ten words as well as five words that fit the pattern. Our class blogger for the week, Samantha, took pictures of the class writing sentences with their words. 

In Social Studies this week, we have been studying our city. We are working on an ABC book of Columbia that will be completed next week. Look for it on next week's blog!

Students are being administered the Developmental Reading Assessment during reading time. Mrs. McClelland and I will be discussing these with individual families as the trimester continues. In writing, students have finished their rough drafts of the classmate interview. We will publish the interviews next week and begin our personal narrative unit.

Upcoming Events

September 7-No School, Labor Day
September 11-Flip Flop Hop*
September 22-Get the Scoop/PTA meeting at 6:30
September 28-No School, Teacher Collaboration Day

*I hope to see everyone at the Flip Flop Hop on September 11! It is from 6:30-9:00. Please note all children must have an adult with them to attend this event.