Monday January 29th 2018

Highlights

Today was another busy day. We started our morning with a visit from Mrs. Zahairichuk. She taught the class how to use google docs. Each of the students were given their school email and were able to access their personal google docs. throughout the school year, we will continue to learn about internet expectations and safety. 

We had music and gym. Today was the first day of mission impossible. The students had a blast! We had spelling and daily 5 before lunch. 

After lunch, we had language arts. The students are learning about conjunctions (and, but, so, because etc.). We then had social studies. We are continuing our unit on Ukraine.

**The students in our class will have an opportunity to participate in the morning announcements. We will be reading facts about the 2018 Winter Olympics on the announcements. If your child comes home with a blurb about the Olympics, please help them practice at home** 

Reminders:
Parent Council meeting on Thursday February 1st at 7pm. the grade 3 and 4 teachers will be sharing residencies and field trips. All parents are welcome.

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Science-in-a-Box: Click here for more information regarding Science-in-a-Box and the schedule! 
~ Spelling:
Monday - begin, began, begun, break, broke
Tuesday - broken, speak, spoke, spoken, see
Wednesday - saw, seen, hide, hid, hidden

~ Math: 

Unit: Addition and Subtraction; Learning Goals

• use strategies to recall basic addition and subtraction facts
• solve addition and subtraction equations
• estimate sums and differences for 2-digit numbers 
• add and subtract 2-digit numbers mentally
• use personal strategies to add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits
• write and solve addition  and subtraction problems 

Lesson 1: Use strategies and properties for basic addition facts. 

Lesson 2: Use related addition and subtraction facts to answer equations. 
Lesson 3: Find the missing number in an equation. 

Ask Me About:

Conjunctions 

Thursday, Jan. 25th, 2018

Try this: Ukrainian Dance Video

Highlights:

I've changed the privacy settings on the dance video for now, but I'll change it back to private in a couple days. Click on the link above! 

Report cards were sent home today! 

No school tomorrow...have a great weekend! 

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Science-in-a-Box: Click here for more information regarding Science-in-a-Box and the schedule! 

~ Math: 

Unit: Addition and Subtraction; Learning Goals

• use strategies to recall basic addition and subtraction facts
• solve addition and subtraction equations
• estimate sums and differences for 2-digit numbers 
• add and subtract 2-digit numbers mentally
• use personal strategies to add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits
• write and solve addition  and subtraction problems 

Lesson 1: Use strategies and properties for basic addition facts. 

Lesson 2: Use related addition and subtraction facts to answer equations. 
Lesson 3: Find the missing number in an equation. 

Ask Me About:

~ my ear drum demonstration
~ tuning forks

Monday January 22nd 2018

Highlights:

This morning we started with Math. Today's lesson focused on using related addition (8+4=12) and subtraction (12-8=4) facts to answer equations. Lesson 2's homework is in their green folder. The students had music and gym this morning.  In gym, the students have started their gymnastics unit. Below are some pictures. After gym, we had spelling. Today we typed our spelling words and sentences on the computer using microsoft word. We focused on using home row when we were typing. The students printed their work and it's in their green folders. 

After lunch we finished a writing piece we have been working. We discussed how to write a conclusion and what makes a good conclusion. We had social studies. We are continuing to learn about Ukraine. At the end of the day we had a quick assembly for the read-a-thon. Hejran was the top reader in our class. He won a fidgit spinner pen. We read a total of 5000 minutes as a class. The top class read 28,000 minutes. 

Important Information:

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Science-in-a-Box: Click here for more information regarding Science-in-a-Box and the schedule! 

~ Spelling:

    Monday: cowardly, kind, cruel, buy, sell

    Tuesday: clean, dirty, warm, cool, easy

    Wednesday: hard, rich, poor, go, gone ~ Math: 

Unit: Addition and Subtraction; Learning Goals

• use strategies to recall basic addition and subtraction facts
• solve addition and subtraction equations
• estimate sums and differences for 2-digit numbers 
• add and subtract 2-digit numbers mentally
• use personal strategies to add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits
• write and solve addition  and subtraction problems 

Lesson 1: Use strategies and properties for basic addition facts. 

Lesson 2: Use related addition and subtraction facts to answer equations. 

Ask Me About:

What did you learn about typing today? 

Thursday, Jan. 18th, 2018

Highlights:

This morning we worked on basic recall of subtraction facts and made fact families using a triangle. I encourage you to ask your child to demonstrate this method to you at home. They have also brought home their homework assignment for Lesson 1. 

We have been learning and rehearsing our Ukrainian dance all week. It has all come together and we can't wait to perform it at our assembly tomorrow! Please wear black/dark pants and a white shirt! 

We are continuing to learn about adding specific details to our writing. Today the students worked as a class to create an elaborative segment to describe a story critical character - a 'knight'. There were several questions they were asked that prompted good details: 

• How big was the knight? 
• What were its features like? (eyes, nose, mouth) 
• What was the knight wearing? 
• How was it moving? 
• What was particularly unusual about the knight? 

In science the students learned about states of matter: gas, liquid and solid. They were introduced to the concept of molecules. We did an experiment called Tap the Bag using a bag of air, a bag of water and our wood desktop. They can repeat this experiment at home as well! They learned that sound travels at different speeds. What state of matter does sound travel through the fastest?

We exchanged library books this afternoon and took our spelling quiz. The quizzes will be marked and sent home tomorrow. 

Important Information:

• Assembly - Friday, January 19th - 12:45-1:45
• Come and see your child preform a traditional Ukrainian dance. All grade 3 parents welcome. Wear black/dark pants and a white shirt! 

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Science-in-a-Box: Click here for more information regarding Science-in-a-Box and the schedule! 
~ Math: 

Unit: Addition and Subtraction; Learning Goals

• use strategies to recall basic addition and subtraction facts
• solve addition and subtraction equations
• estimate sums and differences for 2-digit numbers 
• add and subtract 2-digit numbers mentally
• use personal strategies to add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits
• write and solve addition  and subtraction problems 

Lesson 1: Use strategies and properties for basic addition facts. 

Ask Me About:

We've been exploring different websites in our class this week. Here are a few you may wish to try at home:
http://annex.exploratorium.edu/mind/judgment/cuteify/v1/
www.typingclub.com

Monday January 15th 2018

Highlights 

We started our morning with math. We started a new unit today on addition and subtraction. Below are the learning goals for this unit. We began with a warm up lesson (review) of key words used in addition and subtraction equations. After math, the students had music and gym. In gym, the students started their gymnastics unit. Today they used task cards to completed basic gymnastic challenges. For writing today the students continued working on a writing assignment from last week. We are using a picture prompt to help us with story writing. We're learning how to write an introduction, main ideas and a conclusion.  

After lunch, we began our full week residency on Ukraine. Today, we spent our time with Mr. Dean learning about Ukrainian artifacts, clothing, regions and some dances they do in Ukraine. This was very informative for the students. Below are some pictures. At the end of the day we had spelling and our novel study. 

Unit: Addition and Subtraction; Learning Goals

• use strategies to recall basic addition and subtraction facts
• solve addition and subtraction equations
• estimate sums and differences for 2-digit numbers 
• add and subtract 2-digit numbers mentally
• use personal strategies to add and subtract numbers with up to 3 digits
• write and solve addition  and subtraction problems 

Pictures form our presentation on Ukraine:

Important Information:

• Assembly - Friday January 19th - 12:45-1:45; Come and see your child preform a traditional Ukrainian dance. All grade 3 parents welcome. We need 2 parent volunteers for Friday to help the students get dressed in their costumes for the performances. If you're available from 12:15-12:45 on Friday, please email us. 

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Spelling: Monday: wriggle, saunter, race, scurry, march

                       Tuesday: stumble, tread, plods, above, below

                       Wednesday: before, after, beautiful, ugly, brave

                       Thursday: Quiz 

Ask Me About:

What did you learn about Ukraine today?

Thurs., Jan. 11th, 2018

Highlights 

We've continued with some review activities in math this week. The new unit begins Monday. There is a spelling quiz tomorrow. Please practice the words listed below on the blog. The students are continuing with their writing from earlier in the week. In science, we discussed more in-depth about volume/amplitude/decibels and pitch/frequency/hertz. We used an app called 'Decibel Meter' that you can find in the app store and visited this website to hear different tones of frequency. It was fun to make noise and see just how 'loud' we were and to find out different facts about how high and low humans can hear. The students are learning so much about sound and they are really enjoying it!

Important Information:

• Pledge forms and money from the Read-a-Thon were due back yesterday. Please bring back your forms and money that you've collected right away! 

Reminders:

• Our Residency begins next week: Ukrainian Dance. Our class will learn a unique dance and practice it all next week with our performance at the assembly on Friday, January 19th. The assembly is from 12:45-1:45pm. You are invited to watch the show! 
• Library is every Thursday! 

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Spelling: 
Tuesday - galloped, limped, scurried, stamped, trampled
Wednesday - crept, leapt, ambled, wolves, elf
Thursday - elves, went, skipped, walk, stroll
Friday - Quiz on all 15 words

Ask Me About:
~ At what decibel level will humans begin to damage their hearing? 

Tuesday, Jan. 9th, 2018

Highlights 

Welcome back! We hope you all had a restful winter break. The cold weather is back so please make sure your child is dressed appropriately. 

Today we began the day with gym. The students did a fun fitness challenge. 

In math we are currently working through some data/graphing review. There will not be an official test for this unit. We will begin our unit on addition and subtraction next week. 

There is a list of new spelling words that was sent home to practice this week. There will be a quiz on Friday. 

We spent a big part of the morning talking about our winter break activities and making a writing plan based on their personal events. We are working on writing a good introduction and following a writing framework with main ideas and supporting details. 

This afternoon we learned more about hearing and sound in science. The students made a kazoo out of a straw and began discussing some new vocabulary words: sound, vibrations, pitch, volume, frequency, and sound waves. Most students chose to bring their kazoo's home so please ask your child to demonstrate! 

In language arts, we worked on subject/predicate, capital letters and punctuation, and word referents (synonyms) around the theme of castles. 

We finished the day reading from our class novel (see 'Ask Me About' below). 

Important Information:

• Pledge forms and money from the Read-a-Thon are due tomorrow, January 10.

Reminders:

• Our Residency begins next week: Ukrainian Dance. Our class will learn a unique dance and practice it all next week with our performance at the assembly on Friday, January 19th. The assembly is from 12:45-1:45pm. You are invited to watch the show! 

Homework:

~ Reading: Read daily for 15-20 minutes. 

~ Spelling: 
Tuesday - galloped, limped, scurried, stamped, trampled
Wednesday - crept, leapt, ambled, wolves, elf
Thursday - elves, went, skipped, walk, stroll
Friday - Quiz on all 15 words

Ask Me About:
~ our new chapter book called "Sideways Stories From Wayside School". Today we read chapter 3: Joe. The students answered some reflection questions in their response booklets. See if your child can give you a summary of what's been happening in the story so far. (HINT: Ch. 1, Mrs. Gorf  Ch. 2, Mrs. Jewls  Ch. 3, Joe)