Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Almost there!

Well, today is the last FULL day of the school year...crazy how fast the year has gone! I always enter into summer with mixed feelings...I am always excited to spend time with my own children but I am sad that I will miss my school children.

I would GREATLY appreciate it if those of you who read my blog could send me some feedback...feel free to email it to dana_c_holman@mcpsmd.org

What did you like about the blog?
How would you improve it?
Any other thoughts?

I am always looking at feedback to improve my craft...so bring it on! PLEASE!

This morning we played Jeopardy in math. This was a fun way to review concepts from this year!!

During reading we had the chance to go to Mr. Vogel's class and watch their reading class plays. After that, they came to our class and watched us perform. Next, we cleaned our desk using shaving cream! Finally, we worked on our surprises for our fathers.

Following lunch and outdoor recess the children went to PE. When they return we will finish watching The Balloon Farm.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Terrific Tuesday

This morning in math we conquered two digit by two digit multiplication (ex. 52 x 14). I was going to have the students complete a basic fact division sheet independently but the students asked to continue working on the multiplication problems...so, who am I to argue with excitement about learning?!?!! Therefore, we continued working on multiplication. It was a fun day in math!!

BTW...all students will be coming home with the summer math packet today. PLEASE look for it! I encourage you to help your child choose a time each day (or every other day) to work on a few problems. It is much more effective for your child to spend 10 minutes working on it regularly then to cram it all in at the last minute!

We began reading by cleaning out our desks...the students should have their binder, a pencil box, their morning work journal and their math journal. ALL OTHER materials should be coming home tonight. PLEASE clean out backpacks so that there is room to being home the rest later in the week!

After that we prepared to perform for the fourth graders. Just prior to showtime we had a practice code blue/code red drill. Then we performed for the entire fourth grade.

After that, the students worked on a surprise for our fathers. Next was lunch and recess, followed by our final guidance lesson with Mrs. Howard. We ended the day by watching the first half of a fantasy movie called The Balloon Farm.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Monday...the beginning of the end...

It is hard to believe that this is the last week of school. This year has gone by quickly!!

Mrs. Benson, Mrs. Arul and Mrs. Papalia took over for me during math as I was involved in a meeting. The students worked on their multiplication basic facts by completeing a worksheet, playing a card game with a partner and playing "Around the World", another game involving the entire class.

During our reading block the students performed their plays for the entire second grade. Once again, they did a great job!

Following lunch and outdoor recess the students will go to art. After art we will continue working on the history of transportation timeline. Then, at the end of the day, the students will visit the fourth grade teachers and classrooms as we participate in "Step Up Day". This is an opportunity for students to hear a little bit about fourth grade, ask a few questions and, hopefully, alleviate any unnecessary anxiety about the upcoming school year.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Friday...It's Showtime!!!

Well, between our class plays and summer break around the corner there is a lot of energy in the room!!!

In math we practiced the 8's basic fact family for multiplication. The children then did a follow up worksheet and played a card game, with a partner, practicing the multiplication facts up to 10.

Then it was time to prepare for the show...the students from my reading class began preparing the room, their costumes, props and scenery as soon as our reading blcok began. They were so excited to perform.

Following the performances the children will go to lunch and recess. After recess they will go to music for the last time as third graders. After that, they will read about the history of transportation, discuss how its evolution affected communities and create a timeline depicting the changes over time.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Thursday...one week to go!

This morning in math the students practiced solving agebraic equations involving variables. There is no homework.

We spent the entire reading block finalzing our plays in preparatino for our family performances tomorrow. The plays will begin promptly at 11:30 in my room, room 8. Please make sure you gsign in at the main office and if you choose to take your child to lunch, make sure to sign them out!

Following lunch and indoor recess the students will visit the media center for the final time this year. When they return to class, they will teach the rest of the class about the aspect of the Aztec culture that their group studied.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Field Day

Well...Field Day was a huge success regardless of the heat!! The students spent the morning rotating between 15 stations outside. After lunch and indoor recess the students rotated between three inside activities. First, the students danced in the APR with Mr. Lee. Next, they played volleyball in the gym. Finally, they returned to the classroom where we made cards. Everyone enjoyed a popsicle at the end of the day.

Thanks to the many parent volunteers and Mr. Lee for a fabulous day!!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Career Day

Today is Career Day! Mrs. Howard has organized a wonderful presentation of 16 careers for our students to learn about first hand!

We began the day with the students selecting a career for each oft heir six sessions.

After that, we had a shortened math class. In my class we learned about variable and began writing equations using variables instead of boxes. There is no homework.

Our reading block was shortened, as well, due to the actual Career Day presentations. We began our reading block by watching the Mole play perform. Then the groups had 15 minutes to work on anything that needed to be done.

Finally, we went to the Career Day presentations where the students rotated through 6 sessions.

Following lunch and recess the students will return to class and creat than you cards for a special someone. They will also write thank you notes for the Career Day presneters.

If time allows, they will work in their table groups on a way to teach the rest of the class about one aspect of the Aztec culture.

TOmorrow IS Field Day. Mr. McGee will be sending out a Connect Ed phone call this eveining. DUe to the weather, though, we will only have outside activities in the morning...the afternoon will be held in classrooms and the gym. PLEASE dress your child appropriately and send water bottles!!!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Marvelous Monday

Sorry about the lack of blog post on Friday...I was out on leave.

Now that our final math assessment for third grade is in the books, we will be reviewing concepts that created challenges for us as the year progressed. On Friday the students worked on place value. Today we worked on in/out boxes. THere is a worksheet for homework.

We began reading by defining some of the common homophones on a worksheet. The students will use these meanings, tonight, to write sentences for homework.

Next the students had 15 minutes to work in their play groups. After that, the groups performed their plays for the rest of the class...and took a break to visit the book fair.

After lunch and outdoor recess the students went to art. When they return they will complete the activity they began on Friday...students worked in table groups to become "experts" on one aspect of the Aztec culture. They prepared charts to use when they teach the rest of the class about their area of knowledge.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Thursday

This morning, in math, we took our 6th and final assessment for this school year. For the next two weeks we will review concepts that challenged the class. I will be using data from all six unit assessments to determine the lessons each day.

We began the reading block by reviewing last night's homework and adding homophones to our class chart. There IS a homophone worksheet for homework tonight and all students are expected to practice their part for their play.

We spent the remainder of the block working on our plays. They are really coming along nicely! :-)

Following lunch and outdoor recess the students will visit the media center. Then we will complete the worksheet from yesterday that focuses on the geographical characteristics of Tenochtitlan.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

HOT Hump Day

Gotta say I would MUCH rather be in school teaching my wonderful students then be outside in this stifling weather!!

In math the students worked independently on a review packet. Then we went over each and every problem in the packet. The students were expected to correct their answers and copy strategies. They need to study their review packet for homework in order to prepare for the unit 6 assessment which we will take, in class, tomorrow.

We began the reading block by reviewing last night's homework and assigning tonight's homework; a homophone worksheet and practice reading their part in the play. Then we added more homophones to our homophone chart, discussing the spelling and meaning of the words.

After that, the students worked in their play groups and rotated between staging and blocking, making costumes, props and scenery and reading their plays.

Following lunch and outdoor recess the students went to PE. When they returned we read about the ancient Aztec city of Tenochtitlan and began responding, in writing, to questions about the geogrphical characteristics of the city.

Blog Archive