Room 303 News 01-11-19

Weekly Updates and Reminders:

• NO SCHOOL Monday, January 21st.  It is Martin Luther, King, Jr. Day!  

MATH
This week students took their iReady Math Diagnostic.  I will compare their growth from the first diagnostic and let you know if your child is not progressing.  Remember, ALL students have access to this online learning tool and can access it at home too!  

SOCIAL STUDIES
Students explored the concept of human/environment interactions by discussing the ways that humans in Michigan use, adapt to and modify their environment. The lesson was enhanced by reading the book, Letting Swift River Go, by Jane Yolen.

SCIENCE
Students rolled paper cups down ramps and observed with the different behaviors of rolling systems with two different sized wheels.  They observed the way cups roll and used the predictable curved rolling path to meet challenges.  They put cups together to make them roll straight and weighted them with pennies in various ways to see how weight affected rolling.  Our focus question was, WHAT RULES HELP PREDICT WHERE A ROLLING CUP WILL END UP?

Word Study/Grammar:

This week for grammar we are on Week Seventeen.  The students are learning about Long i Phonograms and Commas.

Writing:   

We continue to work on informational writing.  The students have been learning about the 5 different text structures and how to use those structures in their own writing.  We have been looking in mentor texts for these structures and reading other passages to examine the way authors use them so we can learn how they can fit into our writing as well. 

Reading:

This week we will be finishing our story Because of Winn Dixie.  The students have enjoyed following the main character, Opal, along the story mountain.  We are talking about how the main character changed from the beginning of the story to the end.  We are also examining what Opal learned and what we can learn from those life lessons as well.  

The students are also enjoying their own books with their Book Clubs where they are applying the skills we are learning during our mini-lessons.   They have enjoyed learning all about how to follow the main character's journey and examine what they learn along the way.  Next, we will be starting the book Make Way for Dyamonde Daniel.  We will be comparing and contrasting the main characters.

We will also be taking our iReady Reading diagnostic this week on Wednesday and Thursday.  I will be communicating their scores to you and also letting you know if they will need to be on an IRIP (Individualized Reading Improvement Plan).

Room 303 News 01-04-19

Weekly Updates and Reminders:

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

• NO SCHOOL Monday, January 21st.  It is Martin Luther, King, Jr. Day!  
• Thank you to all our parent volunteers who helped make the Polar Express party a memory to last a lifetime!  Your involvement and enthusiasm for this party was appreciated!   
  

MATH
We continue to incorporate multiplication practice during math workshop in the form of a game.  This week students were introduced to RACING RECTANGLES!  Students rolled two dice, then created an array with the two numbers.  Students then wrote the total number of squares inside (AREA :) the rectangle.  This also leads to our work on area since A=lxw!  

SOCIAL STUDIES
We have been working on completing our studies/understanding of Michigan's physical and human characteristics and how these define Michigan as a region.  Our school district has provided us with a CD Rom produced by Detroit Public Television titled Follow Your Path in Our Great Region.  As we view the CD Rom, we have a booklet which students demonstrate their understanding and work along as we view the CD Rom.  We will continue this learning for the next week and then have our unit test.     

SCIENCE
Students investigated the phenomenon of moving systems and the forces that cause motion.  They sought patterns in the behavior of the systems to predict future motion of new systems they designed.  For example, they observed two wheels of different diameters on an axle will roll in an arc down a slope, and two wheels of the same diameter on an axle will roll straight down a slope.  This investigation will continue as students begin to work as engineers developing solutions to problems as new criteria for their systems are introduced.

Word Study/Grammar:

Next week for grammar we will be on Week Sixteen.  The students will be learning about vowel digraphs with the Long E sound and Capitalization.

Writing:   

We are working on our Informational Writing Books.  This week we will be learning about the five text structures that you often find in non-fiction texts.  The students will be trying out these different structures in their own books. 

Reading:

We have been working hard in Unit 2 where we are learning all about how to study the characters in a story.  We are almost done with our story Because of Winn Dixie where we have followed Opal on her journey along a story mountain.  The students have really enjoyed this book.  They have been working in their Book Clubs to share and discuss their characters as well and how getting to know the character and the different role each supporting character plays in the story.  Next, we will be starting a new chapter book where we will examine what it's like to compare/contrast two main characters.

Room303 News 11/30/18

Weekly Updates and Reminders: 

• Daily folders (black) and gray reading folders are to go to and from school each day.  Reading logs are to be filled out at home to log their 20 minutes of nightly reading. 
• Assignment Notebooks (planners) are to be signed or initialed every evening by a parent.  Thank you for taking the time to check your child's planner.  This is a great way to start a conversation about learning if you review it with your child each evening.
• Please always email BOTH teachers if you have any questions or concerns.  
• There is a half-day of school on Thursday, December 13 due to Parent/Teacher Conferences.  You may now sign up for a time slot on Skyward.  Please let us know if you have any issues signing up for a time.  Report cards will be posted to Skyward on Wednesday, December 12 at 4pm. 
• Happy December birthdays to Marissa (1) and Mihal (22).
• 
•  Mark your Calendars for our Polar Express Day on Friday, December 21. 
 

Math:
We are almost at the end of Unit 3.  We will begin reviewing next week and have our test on Thursday.  Below are pictures of the students working with their Math Teams.  Students were given a basket of geometric shapes that they had to count and graph. After they collected the data and graphed the numbers, they brainstormed different questions and answers that could be derived from their graphs.  They really had a great time working within their Teams.

   

Social Studies:
  This past week we defined the word, Geography by using a Visible Thinking Routine called, Think, Puzzle, Explore.  Students first wrote what they thought they knew about the topic.  Next, I gave them a bit more information and they wrote some more.  After a lengthy discussion, they continued the routine by expressing what questions they have about the topic now that they understood what it meant.  They were highly engaged and as a teacher, this was super exciting to begin a new unit with so much enthusiasm!  We will study the Geography of Michigan by themes:  Movement, Region, Location, Human/Environment Interaction, and Place.

Science:
Our next science unit will be Motion & Matter.  We should be receiving our new kits on December 3rd.  Below is a summary of the unit's focus:

"Motion and Matter provides grade 3 students with experiences around physical sciences core ideas dealing with forces and interactions, matter and its interactions, and with engineering design. The anchor phenomenon for the first three investigations is motion. Magnetism and gravity are the phenomena investigated as students look for patterns of motion to predict future motion. The guiding question is what causes objects to move? Students work with magnets and paper clips, wheel-and-axle systems, paper air twirlers, and rotating tops. Students use their knowledge of science to enter the engineering design process and through the process refine their science understanding.

In the fourth investigation, students move from energy to matter. They build on the science concepts of matter and its interactions developed in grade 2 using new tools to quantify observations. Students use metric tools to produce data on mass and volume to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of the phenomena of conservation of mass. The guiding question is how can we use tools to measure the mass of materials in mixtures?

Throughout the Motion and Matter Module, students engage in science and engineering practices to collect data to answer questions, and to define problems in order to develop solutions. Students reflect on their own use of these practices and find out about how others use these practices in science and engineering careers." - www.fossweb.com/

Word Study/Grammar:

Next week for grammar we will be on Week Thirteen.  The students will be learning about short vowels, combining sentences, and sensory words.

Writing:   
This past week, we started Unit 2 where we will be focusing on Informational Writing.  We have talked about the difference between narrative and informational writing.  We also talked about topics that we know a lot about to begin to narrow down what each student wants to focus on for their informational book.  Once the students have selected their topic, we have begun talking about what the big ideas (headings) would be under that topic.  The students are excited to begin writing!

Reading:

We have started Unit 2 where we are focusing on Character Studies.  We read aloud The Can Man and examined the characters, vocabulary, author's purpose, and theme.  We are also reading aloud the story Because of Winn Dixie and learning how to follow a character throughout the story looking for patterns in the things they say and do.  We use these patterns to form theories and ideas about the character.  The students are also reading their own chapter books and having book club discussions focusing on these same ideas.  They are having a lot of fun with this unit so far!

Room 303 News: 11/21/2018

1. Weekly Updates and Reminders: 

• Reminder:  There is NO SCHOOL tomorrow or Friday for Thanksgiving Break.  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
• Daily folders (black) and gray reading folders are to go to and from school each day.  Reading logs are to be filled out at home to log their 20 minutes of nightly reading. 
• Assignment Notebooks (planners) are to be signed or initialed every evening by a parent.  Thank you for taking the time to check your child's planner.  This is a great way to start a conversation about learning if you review it with your child each evening.
• Please always email BOTH teachers if you have any questions or concerns.  
• We do not have any November birthdays in Room 303. 
• We were so sad to say farewell to Shonacie.  We had a little goodbye celebration for her, complete with cake and a movie.  She will be missed in Room 303 but she promised to keep in touch!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

SNOW FUN!

When our work is done, it's time for an extra recess!  Thursday are long afternoons and it's always nice to stay focused earlier on so that we can enjoy the great outdoors together in the late afternoon!  The students really enjoyed playing in the little bit of snow we received last week!  Look at those rosy cheeks!  

Math:
We have been learning different strategies to subtract which has really expanded our thinking as it relates to number sense/concepts.  

During Math Workshop, after students have completed their independent work, they have several math choices to practice math skills.  The students love this independent choice!  They work alone or with a partner.  One new choice is, GINGERBREAD MATH!  This is a fun game to practice our multiplication facts.  

Social Studies:
 We have just completed our learning about Michigan's Government.  I will be sending home the student's scores next week.  Our next unit will focus on Michigan's Geography.  
"In this unit students use a geographic lens to explore the State of Michigan. The unit focuses around the five major themes of geography: movement, region, human/environment interaction, location and place.  While studying the theme of location, students use cardinal directions and identify various ways to describe the relative location of Michigan. When studying the theme of place, students use maps and instructional technology to identify significant human and physical characteristics of Michigan. Through literature, maps, informational text and other resources, students also explore the concept of human/environment interaction. They learn about Michigan’s natural resources and how people have modified and adapted to Michigan’s environment.  As students study the theme of movement, an emphasis is placed on the Great Lakes. Using the St. Lawrence Seaway, students explore how people, goods, jobs and ideas move into and out of Michigan. Students also apply the concept of region to their study of Michigan.  "  -WLCSD

Science:
Our next science unit will be Motion & Matter.  We should be receiving our new kits on December 3rd.  Below is a summary of the unit's focus:

"Motion and Matter provides grade 3 students with experiences around physical sciences core ideas dealing with forces and interactions, matter and its interactions, and with engineering design. The anchor phenomenon for the first three investigations is motion. Magnetism and gravity are the phenomena investigated as students look for patterns of motion to predict future motion. The guiding question is what causes objects to move? Students work with magnets and paper clips, wheel-and-axle systems, paper air twirlers, and rotating tops. Students use their knowledge of science to enter the engineering design process and through the process refine their science understanding.

In the fourth investigation, students move from energy to matter. They build on the science concepts of matter and its interactions developed in grade 2 using new tools to quantify observations. Students use metric tools to produce data on mass and volume to serve as the basis for evidence for an explanation of the phenomena of conservation of mass. The guiding question is how can we use tools to measure the mass of materials in mixtures?

Throughout the Motion and Matter Module, students engage in science and engineering practices to collect data to answer questions, and to define problems in order to develop solutions. Students reflect on their own use of these practices and find out about how others use these practices in science and engineering careers." - www.fossweb.com/

Word Study/Grammar:

Next week for grammar we will be on Week Twelve.  The students will be learning about silent consonants and subject/object in a sentence.

Writing:   
The students have finished publishing both their Personal Narrative and their Halloween story.  They really enjoyed the story writing and applying the many skills and strategies we learned about.  For our next writing unit, we will be moving into Informational Writing.  The students will be examining topics they are interested in and work to become experts and then share their knowledge with others in the form of an informational book.  We will learn all about text features, text structures, and much more!  This will be a fun and exciting writing unit for the students.

Reading:

We have completed Unit 1 where we learned all about "Building a Reading Life."  This past week, we launched our next unit where we will be focusing on Character Studies.  We read the story Maurice the Unbeastly and talked about character traits and viewing a story from different character's perspectives.  We did a Thinking Routine where the students had to examine the story from three different character's perspectives- Maurice, Maurice's parents, and the Academy's Head Master.  The students had some really great conversations about these different points of view.  In this next unit, we will be talking a lot about getting to know a character as a friend, following a character across a story, and comparing and contrasting characters across books.

In reading, we have also started working in our Thinking Teams.  These teams are a great way for the students to really engage in deep discussions about the books we are reading.  It is so important for students to be able to write about their thinking but before that they need to be able to have conversations about their thinking. These teams help the students to make sense of the text and see things from a different viewpoint as they hear varying opinions from other team members.