Dates to Remember...
- Friday, November 2nd - Report Cards Go Home
- Friday, November 9th - No School (Conference Week)
- Wednesday, November 21st - Friday, November 23rd - Thanksgiving Break
WHAT WE'VE BEEN LEARNING...
Math
We are now well into Unit 3. Last week students worked on basic rounding skills and practiced rounding numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred. After students showed mastery of basic rounding, we used those skills to round and estimate answers to story problems.
This week we have been working on different addition and subtraction strategies for 3-digit by 3-digit equations. Students were introduced to new strategies using the number line, but also practiced checking the work they did with the number line strategy by using the standard algorithms for addition and subtraction.
We are now well into Unit 3. Last week students worked on basic rounding skills and practiced rounding numbers to the nearest ten and nearest hundred. After students showed mastery of basic rounding, we used those skills to round and estimate answers to story problems.
This week we have been working on different addition and subtraction strategies for 3-digit by 3-digit equations. Students were introduced to new strategies using the number line, but also practiced checking the work they did with the number line strategy by using the standard algorithms for addition and subtraction.
Reading Workshop
While we are working on finishing up our first book for our book clubs, we also focused on plot (sequence of important events in a story). Students learned the terms rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. To practice determining the plot of a story, students read a familiar picture book in a small group. They used this graphic organizer to show their thinking.
While we are working on finishing up our first book for our book clubs, we also focused on plot (sequence of important events in a story). Students learned the terms rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. To practice determining the plot of a story, students read a familiar picture book in a small group. They used this graphic organizer to show their thinking.
Writing Workshop
Students have written a few opinion pieces this year, but this week we began steps for writing our first persuasive essay of the year. We read an engaging article in our Storyworks magazine titled, "Should Sweets Be Banned From School Parties?" The kids have some very strong opinions on this issue! :) After reading the debate, we discussed the issue and made a list of reasons that support each side. Students then determined their own opinion, and began planning their arguments. For this writing piece, students will work hard to persuade their audience to agree with them. To do this effectively, students will work to include persuasive techniques in their essay, including:
- using personal experience
- addressing the reader by using the word "you"
- including a quote from someone
Science/SS
We finished our unit on the northeast region of the United States, and students worked collaboratively to create and present a poster on a specific "stop" that we made along our "train tour." I was not only proud of how informational each group's presentations were, but I was also thrilled to see how each group organized and practiced their presentations beforehand. The students had great eye contact and loud speaking voices during their presentations. These posters are hanging up in the classroom, so feel free to take a peek when you are in next week for conferences!
After finishing up with social studies, we started a new science unit on matter and energy. We will be developing the idea that matter is the stuff from which all common and familiar objects and materials are made. Our study of matter will extend to phase change, including melting, evaporation, and condensation. In this unit we will also explore sources of energy, such as the Sun, batteries, fuels, and food, and identify forms of energy, such as electricity, heat, light, sound, and moving masses. To wrap up our unit, a scientist from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be coming in to do a demonstration on how different forms of matter change state. This engaging presentation will be a great way to end our study.
We finished our unit on the northeast region of the United States, and students worked collaboratively to create and present a poster on a specific "stop" that we made along our "train tour." I was not only proud of how informational each group's presentations were, but I was also thrilled to see how each group organized and practiced their presentations beforehand. The students had great eye contact and loud speaking voices during their presentations. These posters are hanging up in the classroom, so feel free to take a peek when you are in next week for conferences!
After finishing up with social studies, we started a new science unit on matter and energy. We will be developing the idea that matter is the stuff from which all common and familiar objects and materials are made. Our study of matter will extend to phase change, including melting, evaporation, and condensation. In this unit we will also explore sources of energy, such as the Sun, batteries, fuels, and food, and identify forms of energy, such as electricity, heat, light, sound, and moving masses. To wrap up our unit, a scientist from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be coming in to do a demonstration on how different forms of matter change state. This engaging presentation will be a great way to end our study.
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