Math
We have wrapped up our first unit, Unit 1: Computation, Algebraic Thinking, Graphing and Interpreting Data. During the past 9 days, we've been working specifically on strategies to efficiently calculate and quickly recall addition and subtraction facts to and from 20. Most students probably did master, or came close to mastering, basic addition and subtraction facts in late second grade. However, based on recent fluency assessments, it appears many students were in need of review, or would benefit from learning more efficient strategies - particularly with subtraction. It’s crucial that students master those facts before proceeding with the rest of the mathematics in Grade 3 Bridges.
Some online games to practice at home:
Speed Grid Addition Players select two numbers from a grid that equal the given sum. Timed game.
Math Lines
The player races to pair numbers that add up to 10. Before your child
plays, review the pairs of numbers that add up to 10. Site contains ads.
Speed Grid Subtraction Players select two numbers from a grid that equal the given difference. Timed game.
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| Siale and Maddie practice efficient subtraction strategies |
We've also been learning how to describe, extend, and make generalizations about number and shape pattern. This week we will practice estimating, measuring, and comparing linear measurements using inches and feet.
We've also been taking an early look at the array model for multiplication on our morning Number Corner calendar - looking at different arrays, and noticing how length x width = area.
Reading
With misty eyes, we finished The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Wow, what a book! Students had great discussions about loss and tracking change in a character, and wrote some great reading responses in the form of a letter to the character Edward in their Reader's Notebooks. Last week, we started a new read-aloud from the realistic fiction genre, titled:
Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things by Lenore Look
This is the first book in the beloved and hilarious Alvin Ho chapter book series, which has been compared to Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Alvin, an Asian American second grader, is afraid of everything—elevators, tunnels, girls, and, most of all, school. He’s so afraid of school that, while he’s there, he never, ever, says a word. But at home he’s a very loud superhero named Firecracker Man, a brother to Calvin and Anibelly, and a gentleman-in-training, so he can be just like his dad.
Students continue to do a great job self-selecting "just-right" texts and increasing their silent reading stamina. Having wrapped up beginning-of-year reading assessments and conferences, this week we will launch some small, guided reading groups where I am focusing on particular strategies with groups of students.
Integrated into our Chinook studies this week were lessons on using a graphic organizer to take notes and record important ideas in nonfiction text. The students were so motivated to learn about the plankhouses - they did an excellent job with this!
Writing
This week students learned the writer's job in a conference: being able to articulate a goal for yourself as a writer, and making a plan to achieve it. Students were surprised to learn that conferring is not really just a chance to meet with me to read your story - but rather to discuss a plan for your growth as a writer. These first six weeks of school, students have been working on choice pieces ranging from fantasy tales, personal narratives, imaginative action and adventure, and more. Having that choice in what to write lowered anxiety and built up enthusiasm for our Writer's Workshop. Now, we will delve a little deeper into the genre and craft of Personal Narrative - we will all write a personal narrative, and be taking a closer look at the structure of a narrative, how to plan our writing better, and make real revisions.
Social Studies
The Chinook unit is well underway! This week, students wrote response letters to our mysterious artifact lender, relating their ideas about who the artifacts belonged to, and what they were used for. They received a reply - and were thrilled to learn that their geography skills led them in the right direction; these are indeed Chinookan artifacts.
Their second task was to research what life was like in a Chinookan village, through reading books and articles, taking copious notes, brainstorming lists, and making drawings and sketches. This week, we will apply what we've learned from research as students craft their own miniature Chinookan village in the classroom. This week, students will get together in "clans" of four to draft plans and begin building their miniature Chinook plankhouses. (Click here to see the rubric for this group assignment.)
Unfortunately, our trip to the Cathlapotle Chinook plankhouse was cancelled due to the government shutdown; fingers crossed that this stand-still will end in time for us to go later in October or November. I'll keep you posted as soon as I hear anything.
Science and Nature
We had our first outdoor science field study at Wapato Park on Oct. 3rd. Students learned and practiced the Core Routine of visiting their Secret Sit Spot, and recording their nature observations. The tree canopy was alive with bird language, autumnal changes - and we even sighted a family of deer on the edge of the wetland habitat!
The ecosystem concept we focused on was Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers. We tried a game that illustrated the connections between these organisms and how caloric energy travels through a food chain, and then students worked as a team in a particular habitat area to find evidence of Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers.
Have your child quiz themselves on Producers, Consumers, & Decomposers with this fun, online game!
Warm regards,
Asa
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