Gotta take Michael to the doctor...so this will be quick and to the point...
In math we went over multiplication and division fact families...I was so pleased with their understanding of this concept! There is a fact family worksheet for homework and please practice those basic fact flashcards!
Reading...both JGB groups had their shared inquiry discussions today...they also completed their packets and will start a new story this week. Some children worked one-on-one with Mrs. Isaacs. All children worked on cursive (capital M, N and W), a reading activity about the Damascus Football game last Thursday (thanks Mr. Alexander) and a prefix worksheet.
Following lunch and recess, the children will review possessive nouns, write to inform and work with an Atlas. There will be a writing worksheet for homework.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
Monday, Monday
Only two more weeks until Xmas Break and you can feel the excitement growing in the classroom! We are still plugging away, though...
In math, we had a lengthy discussion about how to use the multiplication flashcards to memorize the basic facts...here's the gist:
First, begin buy focusing on a small portion. Leave the rest to the side until you have gotten the first batch under control. Then, go through them for 5-10 minutes EVERY day. The ones that are known by rote memory should be removed from the pile. As the pile gets smaller, add more cards from the original group.
Hopefully, this explanation makes sense. I did "model" what it should look like in class.
Following the flashcard discussion, we watched a United Streaming clip about multiplication. Then we practiced skip counting by 6's and worked on a worksheet. Students did not have a chance to finish the worksheet in class, so that is their homework. Also, they are expected to practice their flashcards.
Following math, we used the morning message to identify nouns and adjectives. Then we read part of a non fiction text on the Desert Region. Finally, we began our new spelling unit...words with the prefixes un- and re-. The children are having some difficulty understanding that "un" and "re" are only prefixes if they are at the beginning of a root (or base) word. We will work more on this tomorrow.
After art, lunch and recess (outdoor!) we will visit the media center for a book exchange. I am also hoping to begin a writing lesson talking about plurals vs. possessive nouns. I am seeing a need for instruction based on their writing samples! Then we will go to the DES Holiday concert, where the band and the chorus will be performing for us.
For homework, students will need to locate 10 words in magazines or the newspaper with the prefix un or re and glue it in their spelling journal or on a piece of paper! They should also be reading for at least 15 minutes!
One more thing...graded writing pieces are coming home TODAY!!!!
In math, we had a lengthy discussion about how to use the multiplication flashcards to memorize the basic facts...here's the gist:
First, begin buy focusing on a small portion. Leave the rest to the side until you have gotten the first batch under control. Then, go through them for 5-10 minutes EVERY day. The ones that are known by rote memory should be removed from the pile. As the pile gets smaller, add more cards from the original group.
Hopefully, this explanation makes sense. I did "model" what it should look like in class.
Following the flashcard discussion, we watched a United Streaming clip about multiplication. Then we practiced skip counting by 6's and worked on a worksheet. Students did not have a chance to finish the worksheet in class, so that is their homework. Also, they are expected to practice their flashcards.
Following math, we used the morning message to identify nouns and adjectives. Then we read part of a non fiction text on the Desert Region. Finally, we began our new spelling unit...words with the prefixes un- and re-. The children are having some difficulty understanding that "un" and "re" are only prefixes if they are at the beginning of a root (or base) word. We will work more on this tomorrow.
After art, lunch and recess (outdoor!) we will visit the media center for a book exchange. I am also hoping to begin a writing lesson talking about plurals vs. possessive nouns. I am seeing a need for instruction based on their writing samples! Then we will go to the DES Holiday concert, where the band and the chorus will be performing for us.
For homework, students will need to locate 10 words in magazines or the newspaper with the prefix un or re and glue it in their spelling journal or on a piece of paper! They should also be reading for at least 15 minutes!
One more thing...graded writing pieces are coming home TODAY!!!!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Multiplication Flashcards!
This morning, my math class began making multiplication flashcards. They used a calculator to find the products (answer to a multiplication sentence). Most children did not finish. I would really appreciate it if the students could finish these over the weekend. On Monday, I plan to review with the children a good technique to use with the flashcards in order to memorize the basic facts.
Following math the students took their spelling tests and worked on any unfinished work for the week.
Then the class went to music, lunch and recess.
After lunch we will read a book called Cows as a model of good organization in a nonfiction text. Then the students will get a chance to practice what we have learned as they write to inform in their writer's notebooks.
We will end the day by discussing the desert region and watching a video about it on United Streaming.
Following math the students took their spelling tests and worked on any unfinished work for the week.
Then the class went to music, lunch and recess.
After lunch we will read a book called Cows as a model of good organization in a nonfiction text. Then the students will get a chance to practice what we have learned as they write to inform in their writer's notebooks.
We will end the day by discussing the desert region and watching a video about it on United Streaming.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Two Hour Delay
Our first two hour delay...but we still got some learning done!! :-)
We began the day with math. We used arrays to write and solve multiplication number sentences. There is a worksheet for homework. I also HIGHLY recommend using the math links to begin memorizing the basic multiplication facts. We will begin making flashcards in class tomorrow.
Following math, it was time for lunch. After lunch we continued reading Wreck of the Ethie. Then we went to the computer lab.
In the computer lab, we investigated using spell check. We discussed the fact that spell check will not recognize every word (blog, for example) and that if you type the wrong spelling of a word (hour for our) the computer will not recognize that you made a mistake. After that mini-lesson, the children had "free choice" time on the computer. They were able to use Microsoft Word, Paint, visit our blog or go to many math resource links that are available.
When we return to the classroom the children will get some time to write to inform about a topic and then we will visit the 5th grade Structure exhibit.
Please remember that spelling homework is due tomorrow and we will take a spelling test.
We began the day with math. We used arrays to write and solve multiplication number sentences. There is a worksheet for homework. I also HIGHLY recommend using the math links to begin memorizing the basic multiplication facts. We will begin making flashcards in class tomorrow.
Following math, it was time for lunch. After lunch we continued reading Wreck of the Ethie. Then we went to the computer lab.
In the computer lab, we investigated using spell check. We discussed the fact that spell check will not recognize every word (blog, for example) and that if you type the wrong spelling of a word (hour for our) the computer will not recognize that you made a mistake. After that mini-lesson, the children had "free choice" time on the computer. They were able to use Microsoft Word, Paint, visit our blog or go to many math resource links that are available.
When we return to the classroom the children will get some time to write to inform about a topic and then we will visit the 5th grade Structure exhibit.
Please remember that spelling homework is due tomorrow and we will take a spelling test.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Unit 3 Begins!
In math we began unit 3 - Multiplication and Division. We did a quick preview...well, it was about 40 minutes but I covered A LOT. The students took notes in their math journals. Following the preview, we took the pre-assessment to see what the children already know. Mr. Vogel and I will use the pre-assessment to determine the grouping of students and plan for appropriate instruction that meets the needs of our students. There is no math homework tonight but I encourage students to use the links from the blog to access a math website and begin memorizing the basic multiplication facts.
During reading, I met with the Junie B. Jones group. We read and discussed chapter 3. The rest of the class worked on independent work from their own reading groups, a follow up worksheet from Time for Kids and a compound word worksheet.
Then the class went to PE, lunch and recess.
After recess as a class we will edit another authentic piece of student writing and then the children will have time to write independently. I will also give the students a chance to share their writing with the class by reading it out loud.
Finally, we will review urban, suburban and rural regions. If there is time we will begin discussing the characteristics of a desert region.
One more light night of homework...make sure they read for 15 minutes and work on spelling...that's it!
During reading, I met with the Junie B. Jones group. We read and discussed chapter 3. The rest of the class worked on independent work from their own reading groups, a follow up worksheet from Time for Kids and a compound word worksheet.
Then the class went to PE, lunch and recess.
After recess as a class we will edit another authentic piece of student writing and then the children will have time to write independently. I will also give the students a chance to share their writing with the class by reading it out loud.
Finally, we will review urban, suburban and rural regions. If there is time we will begin discussing the characteristics of a desert region.
One more light night of homework...make sure they read for 15 minutes and work on spelling...that's it!
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Grading Tuesday
Boy...I have my work cut out for me...we had a unit assessment and a graded writing piece today...LOTS of grading awaits me! :-)
Check out the new poll on the left hand side of the blog...please participate!
In math we completed the unit 2 assessment. Overall, the children did well. Tomorrow we will begin unit 3 with a quick review and a pre-assessment. If need be, Mr. Vogel and I will exchange students who would best fit in a different math class.
We began reading by talking about the elements of a good summary. These included:
Check out the new poll on the left hand side of the blog...please participate!
In math we completed the unit 2 assessment. Overall, the children did well. Tomorrow we will begin unit 3 with a quick review and a pre-assessment. If need be, Mr. Vogel and I will exchange students who would best fit in a different math class.
We began reading by talking about the elements of a good summary. These included:
- stating the main idea
- brief and to the point (concise)
- reflects only what is in the text...no speculation or adding your own opinion
- in a logical order
- in your own words
Then I used the graphic organize from the TFK in order to model writing a summary.
Then the school nurse visited to do a lesson on appropriate hand washing techniques.
After that, the students worked independently while I met with small groups and Mrs. Isaacs worked one-on-one with students.
The original JGB group met with me and we shared places that the students had marked where Miobi learned about being brave. We discussed these excerpts and the embedded inferences.
The newly added JGB group met with me and learned about directed notes. This is when the students reread a story and mark areas according to a purpose set forth by the teacher. For example, today they reread Master Cat and marked places with an "s" when something in the story surprised them and marked places with an "f" when they thought something was funny. We will use these marking to aid our comprehension and discussions.
Following lunch and indoor recess, the students worked independently on their first graded Writing to Inform piece. Then we discussed the meaning of the word region (as it pertains to Social Studies).
Tonight for homework, make sure your child reads for 15 minutes...free choice, and that they are working on their spelling assignments...test is THIS Friday!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Lesson to Learn
I have been thinking about this blog posting since Friday afternoon. A very upsetting event took place during dismissal. A student made a very unkind comment to another student regarding their personal appearance. It was one of those comments that has the potential to resonate for years to come...
Who said it and what the comment was isn't that relevant...what IS important is that a student hurt another's feelings intentionally. Yes, kids will be kids...yes, some of us (maybe even all of us) have done unkind things on purpose BUT as adults it is our job to teach our children right from wrong.
PLEASE take this opportunity to talk to you child about being kind to others...it is important...EVERYONE counts!
On different note, in math today we completed a review packet for the unit 2 assessment. The entire third grade will take the assessment tomorrow. During reading we completed the graphic organizer that we started on Friday. Tomorrow, while I meet with reading groups, the children will use the graphic organizer to write a summary in their reading logs.
Following art, lunch and recess we will write another informational piece. Then we will read The Little House and examine how transportation affects the development of cities.
Who said it and what the comment was isn't that relevant...what IS important is that a student hurt another's feelings intentionally. Yes, kids will be kids...yes, some of us (maybe even all of us) have done unkind things on purpose BUT as adults it is our job to teach our children right from wrong.
PLEASE take this opportunity to talk to you child about being kind to others...it is important...EVERYONE counts!
On different note, in math today we completed a review packet for the unit 2 assessment. The entire third grade will take the assessment tomorrow. During reading we completed the graphic organizer that we started on Friday. Tomorrow, while I meet with reading groups, the children will use the graphic organizer to write a summary in their reading logs.
Following art, lunch and recess we will write another informational piece. Then we will read The Little House and examine how transportation affects the development of cities.
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