Today was a busy day, indeed! We have had some technical issues (computer related) so this blog will be a bit brief.
In math we worked on creating the largest and smallest possible numbers when given a set of four digits. Unfortunately, we did not get to small groups. We had to take some extra time reviewing procedures and routines. I am hopeful that Friday will be much smoother!
We began reading by finishing out realistic fiction lesson from yesterday. Then we discussed procedures and routines as related to independent work time when I am working with small groups. The students learned about the "issue bin"...a place where they can leave notes for me when I am busy with a small group.
We also learned about Word of the Week....a program we will use to learn a new vocabulary word each week...this week's word is strive (to try very hard). AND we began our instruction of cursive handwriting with the lower case i and t.
After all of this, the students worked independently while I met with a reading group.
Following lunch recess and PE, the students returned to class and we had social studies. We chose a hobby drew a symbol for that hobby. Then we began guessing each other's hobbies. We will continue this on Friday!
No homework tonight...no school tomorrow...
Also, Friday is NFL day...wear your favorite team's jersey or shirt!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Interruptions
I think interruptions will be the name of the game this week...but that's okay, we can be flexible!!!
We did not have school yesterday, due to Labor Day and we will not be in school on Thursday, due to the Jewish New Year. On top of that, all third grade students took the MAP-R (more about that, in a few minutes) this morning AND we have an assembly this afternoon. Therefore, we have been and will be making many adjustments to our schedule! BUT that's how we roll...
Our math class was shortened this morning so that Mr. Vogel's homeroom could be ready to take the MAP-R. So, we did not get a chance for small group instruction. Instead, after our warm up, we worked with partners to list at least 10 different 4 digit numbers using the digits 6, 1, 8 and 3. Tomorrow we will use out lists to identify how to create the largest and smallest possible numbers given a set of digits. There is a place value worksheet for homework.
After math, my homeroom saw a Power Point about the MAP-R assessment. This is a self adjusting reading assessment that all third, fourth and fifth graders take three times a year. The assessment is done completely on the computer, in the computer lab. As students answers questions correctly, the computer automatically provides more challenging questions. For students who struggle, the questions get easier. This provides another piece of data that we use for planning and instructional purposes.
Prior to going to the lab for the MAP-R, the students reviewed the characteristics of realistic fiction. Then we set up a concept map in their RRJ (reading response journal). Next, the students listened to the story Thundercake by Patricia Polacco and worked with their table group to identify one assigned aspect of realistic fiction (characters, setting, problem or solution) and how it was represented in the story. We will share these tomorrow.
Before going to lunch and recess, the entire class went to the computer lab to begin the MAP-R. They did not complete it in time, so they will finish it directly after recess.
We will end the day by going to a cultural arts assembly.
I am hoping to assign reading in their reading log tonight...but I may run out of time...check your child's planner!!!
We did not have school yesterday, due to Labor Day and we will not be in school on Thursday, due to the Jewish New Year. On top of that, all third grade students took the MAP-R (more about that, in a few minutes) this morning AND we have an assembly this afternoon. Therefore, we have been and will be making many adjustments to our schedule! BUT that's how we roll...
Our math class was shortened this morning so that Mr. Vogel's homeroom could be ready to take the MAP-R. So, we did not get a chance for small group instruction. Instead, after our warm up, we worked with partners to list at least 10 different 4 digit numbers using the digits 6, 1, 8 and 3. Tomorrow we will use out lists to identify how to create the largest and smallest possible numbers given a set of digits. There is a place value worksheet for homework.
After math, my homeroom saw a Power Point about the MAP-R assessment. This is a self adjusting reading assessment that all third, fourth and fifth graders take three times a year. The assessment is done completely on the computer, in the computer lab. As students answers questions correctly, the computer automatically provides more challenging questions. For students who struggle, the questions get easier. This provides another piece of data that we use for planning and instructional purposes.
Prior to going to the lab for the MAP-R, the students reviewed the characteristics of realistic fiction. Then we set up a concept map in their RRJ (reading response journal). Next, the students listened to the story Thundercake by Patricia Polacco and worked with their table group to identify one assigned aspect of realistic fiction (characters, setting, problem or solution) and how it was represented in the story. We will share these tomorrow.
Before going to lunch and recess, the entire class went to the computer lab to begin the MAP-R. They did not complete it in time, so they will finish it directly after recess.
We will end the day by going to a cultural arts assembly.
I am hoping to assign reading in their reading log tonight...but I may run out of time...check your child's planner!!!
Friday, September 3, 2010
TGIF
Thanks you to those who came out for Back to School Night last night. I really enjoyed talking with (okay, at) you!!!
This morning in math we reviewed writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in standard, expanded and word form. Then we practiced comparing numbers using <,>, or =.
I met with two small groups. One practiced writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in expanded form. The other identified the value of a digit in a larger number.
After math, I continued the informal reading assessments. The students worked with Mrs. Arul and Mrs. Hepner to create and define an understanding of the realistic fiction genre. Then they completed their base line personal narrative.
Following lunch and recess, the students went to music. When they return to the classroom, they will take fingerprints from their right hand and identify the main pattern in each.
Remember there is no school on Monday and Thursday of next week!!!
This morning in math we reviewed writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in standard, expanded and word form. Then we practiced comparing numbers using <,>, or =.
I met with two small groups. One practiced writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in expanded form. The other identified the value of a digit in a larger number.
After math, I continued the informal reading assessments. The students worked with Mrs. Arul and Mrs. Hepner to create and define an understanding of the realistic fiction genre. Then they completed their base line personal narrative.
Following lunch and recess, the students went to music. When they return to the classroom, they will take fingerprints from their right hand and identify the main pattern in each.
Remember there is no school on Monday and Thursday of next week!!!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Back To School Night
Back to School Night is TONIGHT at 7pm. I am looking forward to seeing you there!
In math we continued writing numbers in standard, expanded and word form but increased to 4 and 5 digits. While the students worked independently I met with two small groups. One worked on reading and writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in expanded notation. The other worked on identifying the value of a digit in a 4 or 5 digit number. The students need to complete their classwork for homework...some have one worksheet, some two!
After math, I continued my informal reading testing. The rest of the class worked with Mrs. Arul and Mrs. Hepner (the reading specialist) to make connections to text (and write about it!) using the book Ira Sleeps Over. Then they chose a topic and created a graphic organizer for their first personal narrative.
Following lunch and recess the students visited the media center. When they return to class, I will assign a written homework assignment. They will be writing a letter to me. There will NOT be a reading log assignment this evening...but I still encourage every student to read every night...regardless of whether they are required to mark it in their log!!
We will end the day by taking our own fingerprints, using pencils and tape, and identifying the patterns in our prints.
In math we continued writing numbers in standard, expanded and word form but increased to 4 and 5 digits. While the students worked independently I met with two small groups. One worked on reading and writing 4 and 5 digit numbers in expanded notation. The other worked on identifying the value of a digit in a 4 or 5 digit number. The students need to complete their classwork for homework...some have one worksheet, some two!
After math, I continued my informal reading testing. The rest of the class worked with Mrs. Arul and Mrs. Hepner (the reading specialist) to make connections to text (and write about it!) using the book Ira Sleeps Over. Then they chose a topic and created a graphic organizer for their first personal narrative.
Following lunch and recess the students visited the media center. When they return to class, I will assign a written homework assignment. They will be writing a letter to me. There will NOT be a reading log assignment this evening...but I still encourage every student to read every night...regardless of whether they are required to mark it in their log!!
We will end the day by taking our own fingerprints, using pencils and tape, and identifying the patterns in our prints.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Settling In...
We are definitely beginning to settle into a routine! :-)
After our math warm up, identified three basic ways to write numbers...standard form (376), word form (three hundred seventy-six) and expanded form (300+70+6). While the students worked independently on some worksheets, I was able to pull small groups. One group worked on applying a new strategy for subtracting numbers. There is a worksheet for homework that reviews odd/even and the hundred's chart.
After math, the students practiced making connections to text using the Tomie DePaola book, The Art Lesson. The purpose is to recognize that when we connect to text it actually strengthens our comprehension. Students wrote about their connections in their reading response journals (RRJ). I continued the informal reading testing.
Following lunch and recess the class will go to PE. When they return I will assign reading homework (read for 15 minutes and get a parent's signature) and hand out a reading log. This log should be kept in the reading section of their binder.
Then we will finish our science lesson that we did not get to yesterday. The students will share what they know about fingerprinting and we will read about the history of fingerprinting. If time allows, we might even begin to make some prints.
Remember that Back to School Night is tomorrow night at 7pm.
After our math warm up, identified three basic ways to write numbers...standard form (376), word form (three hundred seventy-six) and expanded form (300+70+6). While the students worked independently on some worksheets, I was able to pull small groups. One group worked on applying a new strategy for subtracting numbers. There is a worksheet for homework that reviews odd/even and the hundred's chart.
After math, the students practiced making connections to text using the Tomie DePaola book, The Art Lesson. The purpose is to recognize that when we connect to text it actually strengthens our comprehension. Students wrote about their connections in their reading response journals (RRJ). I continued the informal reading testing.
Following lunch and recess the class will go to PE. When they return I will assign reading homework (read for 15 minutes and get a parent's signature) and hand out a reading log. This log should be kept in the reading section of their binder.
Then we will finish our science lesson that we did not get to yesterday. The students will share what they know about fingerprinting and we will read about the history of fingerprinting. If time allows, we might even begin to make some prints.
Remember that Back to School Night is tomorrow night at 7pm.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Terrific Tuesday!!
Another great day is under way!! WOO HOO!!!!
This morning, in math, we took the pre-assessment for unit 1. The purpose of the pre-assessment is to help guide my planning and instruction. It gives me a chance to see what the students already know, so that I do not bore them (too much!). After taking the pre-assessment, I reviewed the correct answers. Then we identified the difference between a digit and a number. I explained that just as letters go together to make words; digits go together to make numbers. Some letters, a and i, are words, too; some digits are numbers (0-9). The class was devastated (LOL!) that we ran out of time to assign homework.
We began our reading block by discussing our writing focus for this marking period, personal narratives. Then I modeled brainstorming a topic, creating a graphic organizer and writing a rough draft. After that, I began some informal reading testing with individual students. This testing allows me to work one-on-one with each student in order to become acquainted with their learning styles and to determine their current reading instructional level.
During this time, our resource teach, Mrs. Arul, who will be with us daily until 12:45, conducted a lesson on choosing the "right" book for independent reading. She also read a story to the class. Then, the students worked on an All About Me worksheet. This worksheet needs to be kept in their writing section...it will be a useful tool when writing personal narratives this marking period.
After lunch and recess, I will assign some homework...a reading survey. Then Mrs. Howard will visit and do an introductory lesson with the class.
We will end the day by sharing what we know about fingerprinting and reading about the history of it.
Remember...Back to School Night is Thursday, September 2 at 7pm...no worries, the Skins game doesn't start till 10:00 that night...you will be home long before that!! :-)
This morning, in math, we took the pre-assessment for unit 1. The purpose of the pre-assessment is to help guide my planning and instruction. It gives me a chance to see what the students already know, so that I do not bore them (too much!). After taking the pre-assessment, I reviewed the correct answers. Then we identified the difference between a digit and a number. I explained that just as letters go together to make words; digits go together to make numbers. Some letters, a and i, are words, too; some digits are numbers (0-9). The class was devastated (LOL!) that we ran out of time to assign homework.
We began our reading block by discussing our writing focus for this marking period, personal narratives. Then I modeled brainstorming a topic, creating a graphic organizer and writing a rough draft. After that, I began some informal reading testing with individual students. This testing allows me to work one-on-one with each student in order to become acquainted with their learning styles and to determine their current reading instructional level.
During this time, our resource teach, Mrs. Arul, who will be with us daily until 12:45, conducted a lesson on choosing the "right" book for independent reading. She also read a story to the class. Then, the students worked on an All About Me worksheet. This worksheet needs to be kept in their writing section...it will be a useful tool when writing personal narratives this marking period.
After lunch and recess, I will assign some homework...a reading survey. Then Mrs. Howard will visit and do an introductory lesson with the class.
We will end the day by sharing what we know about fingerprinting and reading about the history of it.
Remember...Back to School Night is Thursday, September 2 at 7pm...no worries, the Skins game doesn't start till 10:00 that night...you will be home long before that!! :-)
Monday, August 30, 2010
The First Day!
Welcome to third grade!
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing summer! I am looking forward to a fun year of learning!!
I believe this begins the third year of maintaining a class blog. I do my best to post daily. I sincerely hope this blog becomes a tool that allows you to discover what your child is doing each day and answer any questions you might have regarding teaching methods and daily assignments.
I do my best to use appropriate spelling and grammar...but sometimes I am in a rush. So, in advance, I apologize to any of you writers out there!
Also, I do enjoy knowing that the blog is being read...please leave a comment and feel free to add any suggestions that would make this tool even more valuable!
OK...so let's move on to today...
We did NOTHING!
JUST kidding...but isn't that what your kids will say???
Unfortunately, the first day isn't very exciting...the teacher (that's me!) does a lot of talking and the students do a lot of listening. So, if your child says that third grade is boring...today was...but it WILL get better!
We began the day by reviewing morning routines such as unpacking, ordering lunch and completing morning work. Then we switched for math.
Students taking third grade math will be in my class. Mr. Vogel is teaching fourth grade math to a group of third graders. In math, we set up our math journal and began a warm up. The students listed various ways to compose the number 321. Examples include, 300+21, 310+11, etc. There is no math homework this evening!
After math, the children returned to their assigned homerooms for our reading/language arts block. We spent time setting up our binder and learning how to use the planner. Then we read and discussed a poem about the first day of school.
For homework, the children need to reread the poem and complete a worksheet using the poem.
Just prior to lunch, the children spent some time getting to know each other better. They each received a worksheet with 20 statements on it (...has brown eyes, is left-handed, etc.). Their job was to walk around the room and talk to their classmates in order to find a person whose name could be put into a blank on the worksheet thereby making the statement true. The children had a lot of fun with this activity!
Following lunch and recess the students went to art. When they return to the classroom, we will review the getting to know you activity and then begin brainstorming what the children "know" about fingerprints...our first science unit is Crime Lab Science.
After that we will pack up and go home!
Back to School Night is THIS Thursday, September 2 at 7 pm.
I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing summer! I am looking forward to a fun year of learning!!
I believe this begins the third year of maintaining a class blog. I do my best to post daily. I sincerely hope this blog becomes a tool that allows you to discover what your child is doing each day and answer any questions you might have regarding teaching methods and daily assignments.
I do my best to use appropriate spelling and grammar...but sometimes I am in a rush. So, in advance, I apologize to any of you writers out there!
Also, I do enjoy knowing that the blog is being read...please leave a comment and feel free to add any suggestions that would make this tool even more valuable!
OK...so let's move on to today...
We did NOTHING!
JUST kidding...but isn't that what your kids will say???
Unfortunately, the first day isn't very exciting...the teacher (that's me!) does a lot of talking and the students do a lot of listening. So, if your child says that third grade is boring...today was...but it WILL get better!
We began the day by reviewing morning routines such as unpacking, ordering lunch and completing morning work. Then we switched for math.
Students taking third grade math will be in my class. Mr. Vogel is teaching fourth grade math to a group of third graders. In math, we set up our math journal and began a warm up. The students listed various ways to compose the number 321. Examples include, 300+21, 310+11, etc. There is no math homework this evening!
After math, the children returned to their assigned homerooms for our reading/language arts block. We spent time setting up our binder and learning how to use the planner. Then we read and discussed a poem about the first day of school.
For homework, the children need to reread the poem and complete a worksheet using the poem.
Just prior to lunch, the children spent some time getting to know each other better. They each received a worksheet with 20 statements on it (...has brown eyes, is left-handed, etc.). Their job was to walk around the room and talk to their classmates in order to find a person whose name could be put into a blank on the worksheet thereby making the statement true. The children had a lot of fun with this activity!
Following lunch and recess the students went to art. When they return to the classroom, we will review the getting to know you activity and then begin brainstorming what the children "know" about fingerprints...our first science unit is Crime Lab Science.
After that we will pack up and go home!
Back to School Night is THIS Thursday, September 2 at 7 pm.
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