Third Grade Park

Holidays Around the Corner

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Nov 2016 01:16:00 +0000

Party Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 00:37:00 +0000

Tomorrow is our class party! The kids are all on a "committee" to help setup and organize the party. We have a group for decorating, one for food and drinks setup, and one for games and activities. One last chance to work together and make some memories in 3rd grade! If you are coming in to help, feel free to join any one of the committees.

RAIN OUT

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 01:18:00 +0000

Rats. We're rained out for tomorrow and probably Monday. Time to cook up a plan C.

Last spelling test of the year (YAY) tomorrow!

End of Year Party Info

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:30:00 +0000

Our end of year party info went home today. Parents often ask what they can send in so I made a list. No pressure!
Our library visit was very nice. The kids seemed excited about the summer reading program, especially the "Battle of the Books". They brought home brochures with details.

Our last math test of the year (YAY!) will be given tomorrow. The kiddoes are doing a review from their textbooks for homework. We'll go over it before the test.

Spelling and vocab sentences should be done in cursive. Please help them get the letters and connections right. Friday morning will be our last spelling test (YAY!)

The picnic looks "iffier" and "iffier". If tomorrow is the soaker they are saying it will be, Stanley Demming Park won't be in any shape for our afternoon. Sadly, Monday, our raindate, doesn't look so hot either!

Library Visit Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:13:00 +0000

The 3rd grade is (hopefully) walking down to Wisner Library tomorrow at 9 a.m. We'll be back by 10.

Tonight's homework: Spelling ABC order twice in cursive. Please help with the cursive!
A review of the time concepts we've practiced. The test will be on Thursday.

Friday is our picnic and it looks a little "iffy". Keep a good thought for the weather!

The class explored a new website today and I highly recommend it. National Geographic for Kids at kids.nationalgeographic.com Keep it in mind for one of those long summer afternoons.

ALL CURSIVE, ALL THE TIME

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 00:23:00 +0000

In the short time we have left I have asked the children to write in cursive for everything. I know it's not as much fun as practicing and perfecting one letter a a time, but it's time to jump in completely. Please help your child to form their letters and words correctly. There has been so little time to practice this year. I'm not even sure it's part of the 3rd grade curriculum anymore!

Tonight's homework: spelling words twice in cursive, once in print
elapsed time worksheet front and back.

Our visit to the Wisner Library is at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday. We'll be back by about 10.
Our picnic/playdate in the park is on Friday afternoon. We'll leave right after P.E. (12:05) and return by 2:30 the latest. Parents are welcome to come hangout and help keep an eye on the kiddoes.

Permission Slips for June Events

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 23:28:00 +0000

Two permission slips went home today. One for our picnic at Stanley Demming Park on the 14th and one for trip to Albert Wisner Library on the 12th. Please try to return them as soon as you can.

Grade sheet for the most recent math test went home as well. Students worked independently or with me to make corrections and improve their grade. Please sign that as well and return it as soon as possible.

We've begun our last math unit combining lessons on time and graphing. Everyone has come such a long way through a very challenging curriculum this year and we're sliding into home plate!

I'm trying to get in all of the cursive practice possible throughout the day and so far everyone is making great progress! Tonight's spelling sentences should be done in cursive!

New Adventure Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:46:00 +0000

Today was a big day for our class! Ten of our students went to Sanfordville for most of the day, and we were visited by an entire class from Kings! I hope everyone feels a little better about their new adventure next year, whatever it may be.

Tonight's homework:

ABC order IN CURSIVE. Please help with letter formation, etc. We are just beginnng to apply what we've been practicing.

12-3 Practice converting units of time

Keeping Cool

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 00:24:00 +0000

It was pretty cozy in our classroom today! The fans help a great deal, but cool water is the best medicine. Next week will be a delightful change.

I hope everyone enjoyed the Family Picnic. Have a great weekend! (I have 2 new cookbooks and I may do some diet damage!)

Testing...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 May 2013 21:26:00 +0000

Ugh! More tests tomorrow. At least these are curriculum based. The usual weekly spelling and ELA assessments plus a quickie math test on geometry is plenty for one day! The kids will be allowed to have the plastic shapes to help them answer questions. We'll go over the practice test they're doing for homework before we do the real thing.

Today was our last book checkout day for the year so if you need to hunt up overdue books...

As of the end of school today there are only 16 more school days! I cannot believe it. All of the 3rd grade classes will enjoy a picnic/playdate at Stanley Demming on June 14th if the weather cooperates. June 17th if we need a rain date.

Our end-of-the-year party will be on the 2nd to last day of school. It's a half day. I always do a luau theme and I'll send home a note about opportunities to support the cause, if anyone is interested. Basically, it's fresh fruit (with pineapple of course), breakfast food, games and fun. Some limbo-ing and music, etc.

WISE BEHAVIOR EXTRAVAGANZA TOMORROW!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:14:00 +0000

We had 2 classes visit the "museum" today and our class was wonderful! I observed and listened in on everyone doing their presentations and I was amazed at how knowledgeable and well spoken our class was! This is the only assessment I have enjoyed giving all year and I'm certain it's the only one the kids enjoyed!

NO SPELLING TEST TOMORROW!!!! It's my contribution to the WISE behavior extravaganza the kids earned. Pajamas are welcome, not required. If you have a DVD that's appropriate for school, please think about sending it in for the celebration. We are the only 3rd grade class to reach this level and only one of 3 classes in the whole school. Yay us! The kids are also allowed to bring in a special snack of whatever you wish.

I hope everyone enjoys a great Memorial Day weekend!

Simple Machine Museum

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:55:00 +0000

Here they are! All rehearsed and ready to teach some 2nd graders a thing or two about simple machines! They have made notes and practiced with at least two other classmates. Some have volunteered to do their little speech for the class. I was so impressed! I know our 2nd grade friends are going to love it.

"Simple Machines Museum"

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:17:00 +0000

Today everyone practiced their simple machine talking points with a partner. I've invited some 2nd grade classes to come by and learn from our smarties. I will take some pictures tomorrow but I'll have to check on whether or not I am permitted to publish them on this page.

The kids took their last end of year test to compare with the same test taken in the fall. This has to do with APPR, the new teacher rating system. The two tests scores are compared to measure growth in ELA from fall to spring.

Friday is our WISE behavior extravaganza. Kids can wear pajamas, bring a dvd to be voted on for viewing, bring a special snack, and bring a game from home to be played in the classroom in case our extra recess needs to be indoors. We're squeezing all this in to a half day!

What a Cool Assembly!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 May 2013 23:54:00 +0000

We attended a terrific assembly today entitled The Signature Project. It was a multimedia presentation by artist and musician Patrick Dunnigan. Here's the link to his site http://www.signatureproject.com/

It was art and music, science, culture and much more. A bit hard to describe, but very memorable. When we got back to the classroom, there was just no way to go back to our regularly scheduled lesson with so many creative ideas bouncing around, so for a bit everyone did whatever drawing and coloring they were inspired to do. I got to sign the board which will be part of the final artwork!

Tonight the kiddoes are preparing for our weekly spelling quiz plus a math quiz on comparing fractions. We've practiced over and over how to check their comparisons using cross multiplication so I hope everyone will do well. I'll do another review lesson before the quiz tomorrow just to make sure.
(We still have geometry, area and elapsed time to get through before summer. AHHH!)

You'll receive a letter tomorrow asking for help with a simple machines project and the good news that our class has reached the next level in WISE behavior!

Got Simple Machines?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:58:00 +0000

This week the spelling homework is just to review the list for the test on Friday. All of these words have been part of spelling lists in the past few weeks so they should all be very familiar.

We have finished the next topic in math and we'll review tomorrow for the test on Friday.

In science, we're learning about simple machines and the kids will be bringing home a letter asking to be allowed to bring a simple machine from home to be part of our Simple Machine Museum.

We've also started our study of China. Beginning with geography and some basic map skill review, we'll also learn about the government, economy, and culture of China.

Happy Mothers Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 10 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

This week the class read Fly, Eagle, Fly, an African folktale that teaches about respect for the true nature of living things. We learned and practiced prepositions. This is a new grammar skill for everyone.

In Math, we practiced a variety of strategies for comparing fractions: on a number line, using benchmark fractions, using models, and using numerators and denominators to reason about size. Another new concept for the year: reducing fractions to simplest form. This has been a fourth grade skill in previous years but the new standards have moved it to 3rd grade.

In Science we have been studying physical science topics of force, motion, gravity and magnetism. The class completed a small group investigation of magnetism yesterday.

We've begun a unit of study on China and there's so much to learn! We're beginning with geography and how it has affected China's history. I'm looking forward to some fun projects!

ELA TESTING IS FINALLY OVER!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 22:21:00 +0000

Tonight's homework: study for spelling test and complete the math worksheet: both sides. The math is a version of the 3 minute test math test we do periodically.

It seemed to take forever to get to the end of the 2013 NYS ELA Common Core Grade 3 Test. (The kids laughed every time I had to say all that. It was in the directions about 9 times!)

Tomorrow and Monday are half days.
I've been reading to the class from a great book entitled Poppy . It's full of wonderful writing and raises questions everyone seems eager to think and talk about. One of the main characters is SO bad! Never fear, goodness and decency prevail in the end. It's one of my favorite read alouds for this grade.

In math today, the class learned about perimeter and demonstrated their understanding by creating a unique work of art with a perimeter of exactly 52 centimeters.

Spelling and Vocabulary Sentences

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 23:55:00 +0000

Tonight's homework is to complete the vocabulary/spelling word sentences in the weekly packet. There is also a math worksheet on equivalent fractions. Please do only the reteaching side.

Only one more day of ELA testing!

TESTING, TESTING...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:48:00 +0000

Tonight's homework is: spelling packet 3 times each page, 2-sided math worksheet, and write 1 paragrpah to complete a practice essay.

We worked on the writing portion of a practice test today. Kiddoes are supposed to work on it for another 15 minuted for homework. In math we continued to practice problem solving with models and number sentences to describe what is known and solve.

ELA testing begins at 8:50 tomorrow morning. Wish us luck!

POWERPOINT!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:25:00 +0000

Tonight's Homework: study for the spelling test, and complete a worksheet started in class.

Today we practiced for the ELA test by doing a 4th grade book from a few years ago.
We used computer lab time to do our first Powerpoint creation. Everyone created a few slides with text, clipart, and formatted text boxes to be completed over the next week or so in the classroom. I think everyone enjoyed the experience and learned a little something.

Parent Conferences Tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:35:00 +0000

Tonight's homework: 2 math worksheets, spelling packet alphabetical order page, read and log. Several students also have a multiplication drill to finish.

Today we worked on fraction number lines, problem solving and multiplication fact fluency.

In ELA we began a "close read" of this week's reading selection and wrote a draft of the weekly writing assessment. A close read is a very thorough and analytical reading. It is the way children are expected to read under the new standards. It is NOT reading for enjoyment and it is far more than just understanding what is read. We examine every page, analyzing the words, information, author's purpose, and much more.

We also began planning an imaginative story which will include dialog. Some of the characters and settings were pretty "out there", so it will be interesting to see how they urn out!

What a Gorgeous Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 23:33:00 +0000

Tonight's homework: spelling words 3x each, and a math worksheet (both sides)
What a gorgeous day! We had our first outdoor P.E. class in a very long time!

The new spelling packet went home today. The spelling pattern is "r-controlled vowels"., -er, -ir, -or, -ear that make the /er/ sound. The story for the week is nonfiction: Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. The is subject is geographic record holders.

The kids took their first state test practice today and we'll go over some of it to determine strategies that will help.

In math we practice multiplication and division problem solving, and locating fractions on a number line.

Parent Teacher Conferences

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:37:00 +0000

Tonight's homework is a "Quick Check" math worksheet. Some students also need to complete a multiplication page which should have been completed and handed in today. Several of them never made it to the finish line, so I gave them out a 2nd time.

Everyone had a look at the reading logs they've handed in since January and it turns out that (SURPRISE!) some children haven't handed in a reading log in some time and some haven't handed in any in 2013.
This is written in their planner every night as part of their homework. Readers succeed in life.

Tonight was the first night of parent-teacher conferences. I shared my concerns about the upcoming tests and what I will do to try to help kids be ready.

Today we practiced strategies for multi-step problems, completed the weekly ELA test, wrote persuasive paragraphs, completed summaries of reading group books, and worked on Washongton D.C. memorials research.
I showed the kids how to go into Powerpoint and use the insert function to "draw" their summary charts on a Powerpoint slide. Since most kids are very slow typists, I thought that this would be a good first step to using some of the Microsoft Office suite that will be valuable to them as they continue their academic career.

tonight's homework

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 20:01:00 +0000

Tonight's homework is to read or reread the small book assigned, then complete both sides of the worksheet. Please remember that this will fulfill the daily reading requirement. There's a short math worksheet with just 3 questions. The 3rd question asks children to explain their understanding.

Our principal popped in today and was full of compliments on how well behaved and hard-working the children were. I agree!

We're BAA-AACK ...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:19:00 +0000

Tonight's homework is to get the (ok-to-go-home-again) weekly test signed and to work on 2 math review worksheets.

It took a while for kids to get back into the swing this morning, but we all made it to "the zone". We began a little math test prep today to show everyone the kinds of strategies they'll need to have ready to work through some very complex problems on the state test. How about 3 step word problems written deliberately to confuse? There is very little material available to help prepare kids this year so you may expect to see some review material that's been around earlier this year.

Everyone worked on some persuasive writing today. Just a paragraph to convince a reader to try something fun and new. Everyone wrote a draft from notes made earlier then revised using a "fix it!" checklist. Then everyone partnered with a classmate to help each other improve their work. Final copies were completed with spelling help from the dictionary.

Our library time was used to continue writing a brochure for visitors to a Washington, D.C. monument. This has stretched out much longer than I hoped because the books we ordered took weeks and weeks to arrive. So I think we're all looking forward to finishing up and moving on!

The whole school participated in a "sheltering in place" drill this afternoon. That's the procedure we would use in case of very high wind. Everyone is well away from any windows, facing a wall and covering head with hands. Our spot is in the cafeteria hallway, probably the safest spot in the building for that kind of weather.