Week #16 in Review!

CLASSROOM NEWS

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We had a very festive classroom celebration before the break!  Thank you to Mrs. Strohl and all the parent helpers for another awesome party!

LANGUAGE ARTS

Before break we watched the movie “Because of Winn-Dixie”.    

MATH

The unit 3 test scores or posted on Skyward. 

Over the break please encourage your 3^rd grader to keep up on skills/concepts by using MOBY MAX and XTRA math.  I can login and see how the students are progressing. 

SCIENCE

The structure of life unit is moving along quickly!  Our seeds have gone through 2 stages of the life cycle and we are waiting for flowers.  They have also been observing our crayfish and our hissing beetles to see what they do and how they react to each other. The science BA is scheduled for Wednesday, January 13^th.  The third graders brought home study materials to review over break. 

MICHIGAN STUDIES

Unit 3 on the History of Michigan coming soon!

Lansing Field Trip Friday, January 8^th!  Please drop off your child at 8:15am.  We leave promptly at 8:30am.

Week #15 in Review

CLASSROOM NEWS

Only 2 days of school this week before the WINTER BREAK!  Tuesday is PAJAMA, MOVIE, and PARTY DAY (12:30-2pm)!

During the month of December the PBIS trait is resiliency.  Come on 3^rd graders!  Who will show their peers how resilient they are?  In order to show this trait and test it out, we met with our TEAMS and had to try and “Save Fred” using very few materials.  This activity tested our determination, resiliency, and teamwork.

Shane and Dominic were the first two students to complete the Hour of Code last week!  However, we have had many others join them.

LANGUAGE ARTS

We are watching the movie “Because of Winn-Dixie” on Tuesday. 

In writing the class has been practicing writing 2-3 paragraphs and using transition words to move the reader along.  They continue to proofread, edit, and revise some of their pieces as well as adding powerful leads and endings. This was evident in their “You Light Up My Life” writing pieces.

MATH

The students finished working in unit 3.  We took the unit 3 test for Friday, December 11^th.  The scores will be sent home this week. 

Over the break please encourage your 3^rd grader to keep up on skills/concepts by using MOBY MAX and XTRA Math.  I can login and see how the students are progressing. 

SCIENCE

The structure of life unit is moving along quickly!  Our seeds have gone through 2 stages of the life cycle and we are waiting for flowers.  They have also been observing our crayfish and our hissing beetles to see what they do and how they react to each other.  Two of the crayfish already shed their exoskeleton (molted) and we have two crayfish carrying eggs.  We even found one baby crayfish in the habitat!  It was a very exciting week!  

Click HERE to learn more!

MICHIGAN STUDIES

The unit 2 B.A. covering Michigan’s Economy was given last Friday.  This test was a little different.  Each student had to create their own business and include what human, natural, and capital resources they would need as well as give ideas for incentives.  Lastly, they had to choose a location to put their business, explain why they chose that locations AND explain how their business would help Michigan’s economy.  There were some very creative ideas! 

Week #14 in Review!

CLASSROOM NEWS

During the month of December the PBIS trait is resiliency.  Come on 3^rd graders!  Who will show their peers how resilient they are?

We met with our kindergarten buddies last Friday and created a very cute keepsake.  Shhh…it’s a surprise! 

The third graders are LOVING the coding apps and learning how to build codes to create a variety of games. 

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

We are finishing up reading the book Because of Winn Dixie in class.  A permission slip was sent home to allow your child to see the movie version of this book on December 22^nd.

Please return these permission slips no later than December 18^th.   

In writing the class has been practicing writing informational paragraphs and using transition words to move the reader along.  They continue to proofread, edit, and revise some of their pieces as well as adding powerful leads and endings.

MATH

The students are working in unit 3.  We have scheduled the unit 3 test for Friday, December 11^th.  Please click HERE for the unit review and answer key.  Click HERE for the Parent Letter to learn more. One of the underlying themes in our math program is begin able to explain your thinking using diagrams, math words, pictures, number lines, etc.

Each student in our class has a MOBY MAX and XTRA math login and password card.  These are GREAT ways to help your child keep up on math fluency, number stories, and problem solving skills.  Also, I can login and see how the students are progressing.  These are wonderful FREE resources.

SCIENCE

The structures of life unit is moving along quickly!  The botanists began by looking at seeds and learning about the life cycle of plants.  They have observed germination and learned about the different parts of a seed.  We also received our crayfish and our hissing beetles last week.  Two of the crayfish already shed their exoskeleton (molted) and we have two crayfish carrying eggs.  We even found one baby crayfish in the habitat!  It was a very exciting week!  Click HERE to learn more!

  

MICHIGAN STUDIES

Unit 2 covers Michigan’s Economy the 2^nd card marking.  We covered with producers, consumers, natural resources, human resources, and capital resources.  Please click HERE to learn more about what’s coming up!

Week #13 in Review!

CLASSROOM NEWS

Kindness was our PBIS trait for November.  Congratulations to Colin for being voted the kindness leader of the month! 

Colin being awarded by Ms. Qonja

During the month of December the PBIS trait is resiliency.  Come on 3^rd graders!  Who will show their peers how resilient they are?

I am going to send home a book order for December. Scholastic promises to have the books delivered to school as long as the order is placed by the 11^th.  So feel free to order online (instant Storia e-books delivered right to your tablets) using the code GZJ34.  Click HERE to place an order.

Last week I introduced the students to a couple of new apps that are designed for computer programming.  Tynker, coding for kids app, allows students to create their own games and play puzzles. Scratch Jr is another free app where students can create their own interactive stories and games.  Or try Minecraft, Star Wars, or Frozen! Why am I introducing coding to the class?  Because December 7-13 is a week celebrating computer science in education.  The overall goal is for tens of millions of students to try an Hour of Code during December 7-13. 
Read more about the Hour of Code!

Lincoln S., Colin, & Jack used code to create jokes

Reed, Dominic, & Jason using a coding APP

LANGUAGE ARTS

I am about half way through reading the book Because of Winn Dixie to the class.  A permission slip was sent home last week to allow your child to see the movie version of this book on December 22^nd. 
Please return these permission slips no later than December 18^th.   

Our wonderful PTA purchased a magazine called Time For Kids (TFK).  The students have been learning how to read articles in a magazine, find evidence to answer questions pertaining to the articles, as well as learn about main idea.  This will help us when reading nonfiction articles in science too!

Trying out new leads

In writing the class has been working on proofreading, editing, and revising some of their pieces as well as adding powerful leads and endings.  Students can peer edit using Google Docs by commenting on another student's writing right on their story!  Pretty cool!

A great start to a new story

MATH

The students are working in unit 3.  We have scheduled the unit 3 test for Wednesday, December 16^th.  Please click HERE for the unit review.  Click HERE for the Parent Letter to learn more. One of the underlying themes in our math program is begin able to explain your thinking using diagrams, math words, pictures, number lines, etc.

Michelle helping with an area problem

XTRA Math

Each student in our class has a MOBY MAX and XTRA math login and password card.  These are GREAT ways to help your child keep up on math fluency, number stories, and problem solving skills.  Also, I can login and see how the students are progressing.  These are wonderful FREE resources.

Sorting pattern blocks before graphing

Jackson and Addisyn -2 ways to solve a problem

SCIENCE

Our structures of life unit begin by looking at seeds and learning about the life cycle of plants.  The botanists have observed germination and learned about the different parts of a seed.  We also received our crayfish last week.  The students are VERY excited about these classroom pets.  
Click HERE to learn more!

Crayfish Habitat

Shaylee & Jack investigating plants

Reed, Kayin, & Addisyn observing crayfish

Scientific drawing

"Ninja" the fighting crayfish?

MICHIGAN STUDIES

Unit 2 covers Michigan’s Economy the 2^nd card marking.  We start with producers, consumers, natural resources, human resources, and capital resources.  Please click HERE to learn more about this unit.