Mrs. Fox's Third Grade: April 2016

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Weekly Update-April 29

Announcements

Don't forget about our Poetry Breakfast on Thursday, May 5th. The breakfast starts at 7:40, and if you would like to eat with us in the classroom, please bring a dish to share.

MAP testing dates

May 6th

May 9th

May 10th

May 12th

May 13th

Please make sure to read the MAP information letter in the Friday folder.

Thank you to everyone who helped with Comet Carnival!

We have planned our final field trip for the year! We will be going to Runge Nature Center on Wednesday, May 18th. Please see the letters in the Friday folder for more information.

In the Classroom

In math this week, we focused on area. Students learned how to calculate the area of both common and uncommon shapes. We also studied the difference between perimeter and area. We even calculated the perimeter and area of our names! Next week, we will begin discussing volume.

In Science this week, we finished our weather unit.Last Friday was the last day we went outside to record weather observations. So on Monday, we used all of the information we accumulated over the past two weeks to create a graphic representation of our data. We were able to analyze and make predictions based on our data (just like scientists do!) Later in the week we began studying Earth's three main climate zones: temperate regions, polar regions, and tropical regions. We used a response tool called Plickers to review for our test. You can watch the video below to see this response system in action. Next week we will begin studying life cycles!

-Ms. Daniels

We began preparing the MAP test in reading this week. Since students are practicing reading passages on the computer during media, our focus was on how to answer questions in complete sentences with plenty of evidence to support their answers. We will continue practicing for the MAP test next week, as we will begin the Communication Arts portion on Friday.

In Writing this week, we continued studying different types of poems. We learned how to write cinquain, couplet, and ballad poems. We also learned about similes and metaphors this week. Students had a great time listening to the Mulan song, I'll Make a Man Out of You.The song was played so students could identify the many similes and metaphors within the song. Students were then challenged to incorporate this literary device into their poems. One more week of writing poems and the unit will be complete! Get ready to see all of our hard work on Thursday at the poetry breakfast.

-Ms. Daniels

Upcoming Events

May 5-Poetry Breakfast 7:40-8:20, Comet Culture Night 6:00-8:00, Ms. Daniel's last day

May 6-13-MAP testing for 3rd grade

May 18-Field trip to Runge Nature Center

May 26-Last day of school, Early dismissal at 12:50

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Weekly Update-April 22

Announcements

We still have 5 spots left for our face painting booth at the Comet Carnival. Here is link to sign up!

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f49afad23a75-comet12

Don't forget about our Poetry Breakfast on Thursday, May 5th. The breakfast starts at 7:40, and if you would like to eat with us in the classroom, please bring a dish to share.

MAP testing dates

May 6th

May 9th

May 10th

May 12th

May 13th

In the Classroom

In math this week, we starting learning about perimeter. Students learned about tools and units used to measure perimeter. We also found the perimeter of both common and uncommon objects. The students used pipe cleaners and straws to create shapes and have their partner find the perimeter. Next week, our focus will be on finding the area of regions.

This week in weather we've been learning about severe weather. Students have been working in groups to create PowerPoint presentations. On Thursday, we had the opportunity to listen to a guest speaker who is a meteorologist for a local news station. Our guest spoke all about severe weather! Students were able to use some of the information they learned here for their PowerPoint presentations. Next week, we'll begin learning about different climates.

-Ms. Daniels

In reading this week, we started preparing the MAP test. Students have been learning all about the technology component in media, so we focused on the actual content. We discussed how to read the questions first and then read the passage. We also practiced highlighting important information and restating words from the question in our answer.

In writing this week, we continued learning about different types of poems. This week, students have learned how to write free verse, limerick, acrostic, and shape poems. Students have also been challenged to use personification and alliteration in their writing. We are still enjoying this unit and looking forward to learning more! Next week, we will continue to learn about poems.

-Ms. Daniels

Upcoming Events

April 27-Early Dismissal at 12:50, Backwards Day

April 29-Comet Carnival 5:00-8:00

May 5-Poetry Breakfast 7:40-8:20, Comet Culture Night 6:00-8:00, Ms. Daniel's last day

May 6-13-MAP testing for 3rd grade

Friday, April 15, 2016

Weekly Update-April 15

Announcements

Mark Your Calendars!

We will be having a Poetry Breakfast on Thursday, May 5th. Your third grader should have brought home a yellow note on Monday that contained more details. The breakfast starts at 7:40, and if you would like to eat with us in the classroom, please bring a dish to share.

The Carnival needs your help! There are several classes with very few volunteers and without your support some hard decisions will need to be made. These hard decisions will directly impact our kids-longer lines, fewer games, less fun! Please consider signing up for a single 30 minute shift. That's all we need in order to have a fun night at the Carnival. If you sign up you will receive a free photo booth ticket and the winning class to fill all slots first in each grade level will win a popsicle party in May! Please see the link below and sign up today! Thank you for your support!"

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f49afad23a75-comet12

In the Friday folder, you will find tons of information regarding the Carnival, including forms to purchase wristbands.

MAP testing dates

May 6th

May 9th

May 10th

May 12th

May 13th

Please refrain from scheduling vacations or appointments on these days.

The last day of school has been confirmed and will be Thursday, May 26. It will be an early dismissal at 12:50.

We had a great time volunteering at the Central Missouri Food Bank on Friday! Students worked as a team to bag and tag pretzels. With the three third grade classes there, we bagged 1,000 pounds of pretzels!

In the Classroom

We completed our fractions unit this week and tested on Friday. Our last fraction lessons involved adding and subtracting fractions with the same denominator. We will continue to practice fractions throughout the year with games. Here are some pictures of the Jeopardy game we played to review.

We began our weather unit this week. On Monday, we set weather tools outside so we could observe/record data each day. Our weather tools include a thermometer, anemometer, wind vane, and rain gauge. Students have been excited to begin science each day with a trip outdoors. Next week students will begin to graph their findings.

Ecosystems Update...All five of our ecosystems have grass growing! All our living creatures are also still living!

In Reading this week, we discussed imagery. I read a page of a story and asked students to draw out the things they were imagining. We realized we were able to draw out our thoughts because of the author's use of imagery. Then finally, as a group, we determined that imagery was the way authors use words to help readers create images in their heads.

This week in writing we started our poetry unit! Students have been very excited about this unit and have also been writing very thoughtful poems. This week we wrote a bio poem, a diamante poem, and a haiku poem. We also recorded some poetry noticings and discussed poetry terms such as: line breaks, stanzas, and mood. Students are looking forward to writing more poems in the weeks to come.

-Ms. Daniels

Upcoming Events

April 21-Weather Presentation in media center

April 27-Early Dismissal at 12:50, Backwards Day

April 29-Comet Carnival 5:00-8:00

May 5-Poetry Breakfast 7:40-8:20, Comet Culture Night 6:00-8:00, Ms. Daniel's last day

May 6-13-MAP testing for 3rd grade

Friday, April 8, 2016

Weekly Update-April 8

Announcements

Weekly Journals were not completed this week. They will resume next week.

Here is the link to sign up for the Comet Carnival

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f49afad23a75-comet12

Here are the third grade MAP testing dates again.

May 6th

May 9th

May 10th

May 12th

May 13th

Please refrain from scheduling vacations or appointments on these days.

Please note the Field Trip information form in the Friday folder. Our class will be attending the Food Bank Friday, April 15th. There is a strict dress code at the Food Bank so please make sure your third grader is wearing close-toed shoes and has long hair pulled back.

In the Classroom

In math this week, we continued studying fractions. Earlier in the week we compared fractions with like numerators and like denominators. We learned that there are rules associated with comparing those types of fractions. Later this week, we began working with fractions using the number line. Students learned that if we separate a number line into four equal sections, we may call them fourths and label them 1/4, 2/4, etc. We also learned how to find equivalent fractions using the number line. I've been impressed with everyone's work ethic this week. Take a look at their Friday folders to see some of the work they've done this week with fractions.

-Ms. Daniels

We completed our Ecosystems unit this week and tested on Wednesday. As a culminating activity, our class made bottle ecosystems on Friday! We were able to construct ecosystems that have all four components represented:

plants-sea algae, grass

animals-fish

decomposers-worms

non-living-water, rocks

The students enjoyed creating the ecosystems and naming our living creatures. : ) We will keep the ecosystem in our room for a few weeks and then send it home with a lucky student.

-Ms. Fox

In Reading this week, we've been learning about first, second, and third person point of view. We also looked at different examples of writing and determined whether they were written in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd person. Students enjoyed learning this new material and even commented that it was fun! Next week in reading we will began learning about a different craft.

-Ms. Daniels

In writing this week, we completed our Opinion unit. Students typed their pieces and made QR codes for them. Your third grader should have brought home their QR code on Thursday. If they did not, or you would like to share their piece with others, you can scan the codes below. We will begin our next unit, Poetry, next week.

-Ms. Fox