Monday, December 30, 2013
Winter Break Homework
Hello there! All kids should have a hard copy in their possession, but if lost or needing a reprint, here is a downloadable pdf of the Winter Break Homework packet.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
More photos from Tribal Heritage Night!
A big thank you to Doug White (Michael Prince's grandfather) for these great photos!
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Classroom News - December 18
Hi! It’s been an exciting past ten days in the third grade, with many special guest teachers bringing unique learning opportunities to our classroom. Only a few more days until the winter break - keep an eye out for a Winter-Break "Funwork" packet I will be sending home on Friday to keep those brains humming over the vacation.
Here's what we've been working on...
Math
We continue to investigate two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry; last week, we practiced classifying and sorting "mystery collections" of 2D and 3D objects by their various attributes, reviewed different types of angles, and learned how to identify, sketch, and describe acute, obtuse, right, scalene, and isoceles triangles. In another lesson, students manipulated tangram pieces to create various polygons. This week, it's all about quadrilaterals - we are learning how to identify and describe quadrilaterals based on their various attributes, and what qualifies a quadrilateral to be a parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, or trapezoid.
Here's a fun Tangram Math Art video to share with the kids:
If your child needs some review, click here to watch an excellent video from the folks at LearnZillion on how to describe and classify quadrilaterals - key concepts we've been working on in class.
Writing
We were fortunate to have an author-in-residence for two days of Writer's Workshop lessons - local acclaimed author Rosanne Parry (Written in Stone, Heart of a Shepherd, Second Fiddle) came to our classroom and gave us valuable advice about writing. We learned about how to create a great setting for your story, tips for fleshing out an interesting character, and how the arc of a good story works. Here are Rosanne's tips for brainstorming story settings:
1. List 3 places you’ve lived or visited.
2. List 3 places you’d visit if it were free.
3. List 3 story settings that you’d like to visit.
What dangers or adventures are possible in my setting?
What is unique and interesting about my setting?
Thank you to Mrs. Fisher and Roseanne Parry for hosting the "Family Write Night" as well - hopefully some of you were able to make it out!
Having finished the Chinook Narratives, we've been working on persuasive writing this week as students draft, revise, and edit a response to this controversial Toys R' Us advertisement:
I showed the kids the commercial, and simply asked them what they thought this video was saying about kids and nature. The kids had some interesting discussions and concluded that yes - toys are awesome and fun, but this ad has a problem: it doesn't match up with the love of nature they've come to find through hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, playing, and learning outdoors. They are currently drafting passionate letters to Toys R Us.
Social Studies - Tribal Heritage Night a Success!! (more photos to come, too!)
Last week, though cut short by snow days, was all about preparing for the Tribal Cultural Heritage Education Night. Students worked on native plant posters and reviewed their knowledge of Chinookan lifeways and salmon ecology. Greg Archuleta from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde visited our classroom and taught students Chinuk Wawa (language) basics, traditional paint-making, and dentalium shell necklace-making. The questions the kids had during our closing circle were very earnest and thoughtful! The evening event was quite special as well - we were honored to have Greg Archuleta, David Harrelson (Grand Ronde Cultural Protection Specialist), Sam Robinson (Chair, Chinook Indian Tribe), Eric Bernando (Chinook Language Revitalization Expert), Savannah Ingram (Grand Ronde Veterans Queen), Annette Ingram, and Debi Anderson. What a neat opportunity for the third graders to reinforce their classroom learning alongside members of our school, island, and nearby tribal communities. We had a great turnout, despite our iffy weather - thank you all for coming out!!
Science
We learned more about fish anatomy in a hands-on science lesson where we dissected some rainbow trout in the classroom with our friend James Sterrett from LCREP. Students did a good job with this task. The room was abuzz with learning as kids were methodical with the procedure and inquisitive about the organs and their functions.
Click here for a "virtual" fish dissection kids can do to review their fish anatomy:
http://www.portlandfreeschool.
We also had Mr. Robert Weinman from The Beachwalk Project come and talk to our class about his amazing adventures paddling rivers and oceans both near and far to educate the public about protecting our precious watersheds. The kids were pretty amazed at his stories!
Reminder: Field Study tomorrow (Thursday) morning at Wapato Park - it will be very cold, so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather!
That's all the news for now!
Warm regards,
Asa
Here's what we've been working on...
Math
We continue to investigate two-dimensional and three-dimensional geometry; last week, we practiced classifying and sorting "mystery collections" of 2D and 3D objects by their various attributes, reviewed different types of angles, and learned how to identify, sketch, and describe acute, obtuse, right, scalene, and isoceles triangles. In another lesson, students manipulated tangram pieces to create various polygons. This week, it's all about quadrilaterals - we are learning how to identify and describe quadrilaterals based on their various attributes, and what qualifies a quadrilateral to be a parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, or trapezoid.
Here's a fun Tangram Math Art video to share with the kids:
If your child needs some review, click here to watch an excellent video from the folks at LearnZillion on how to describe and classify quadrilaterals - key concepts we've been working on in class.
 |
Writing
We were fortunate to have an author-in-residence for two days of Writer's Workshop lessons - local acclaimed author Rosanne Parry (Written in Stone, Heart of a Shepherd, Second Fiddle) came to our classroom and gave us valuable advice about writing. We learned about how to create a great setting for your story, tips for fleshing out an interesting character, and how the arc of a good story works. Here are Rosanne's tips for brainstorming story settings:
1. List 3 places you’ve lived or visited.
2. List 3 places you’d visit if it were free.
3. List 3 story settings that you’d like to visit.
What dangers or adventures are possible in my setting?
What is unique and interesting about my setting?
Thank you to Mrs. Fisher and Roseanne Parry for hosting the "Family Write Night" as well - hopefully some of you were able to make it out!
Having finished the Chinook Narratives, we've been working on persuasive writing this week as students draft, revise, and edit a response to this controversial Toys R' Us advertisement:
I showed the kids the commercial, and simply asked them what they thought this video was saying about kids and nature. The kids had some interesting discussions and concluded that yes - toys are awesome and fun, but this ad has a problem: it doesn't match up with the love of nature they've come to find through hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, swimming, playing, and learning outdoors. They are currently drafting passionate letters to Toys R Us.
Social Studies - Tribal Heritage Night a Success!! (more photos to come, too!)
Last week, though cut short by snow days, was all about preparing for the Tribal Cultural Heritage Education Night. Students worked on native plant posters and reviewed their knowledge of Chinookan lifeways and salmon ecology. Greg Archuleta from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde visited our classroom and taught students Chinuk Wawa (language) basics, traditional paint-making, and dentalium shell necklace-making. The questions the kids had during our closing circle were very earnest and thoughtful! The evening event was quite special as well - we were honored to have Greg Archuleta, David Harrelson (Grand Ronde Cultural Protection Specialist), Sam Robinson (Chair, Chinook Indian Tribe), Eric Bernando (Chinook Language Revitalization Expert), Savannah Ingram (Grand Ronde Veterans Queen), Annette Ingram, and Debi Anderson. What a neat opportunity for the third graders to reinforce their classroom learning alongside members of our school, island, and nearby tribal communities. We had a great turnout, despite our iffy weather - thank you all for coming out!!
Science
We learned more about fish anatomy in a hands-on science lesson where we dissected some rainbow trout in the classroom with our friend James Sterrett from LCREP. Students did a good job with this task. The room was abuzz with learning as kids were methodical with the procedure and inquisitive about the organs and their functions.
Click here for a "virtual" fish dissection kids can do to review their fish anatomy:
http://www.portlandfreeschool.
We also had Mr. Robert Weinman from The Beachwalk Project come and talk to our class about his amazing adventures paddling rivers and oceans both near and far to educate the public about protecting our precious watersheds. The kids were pretty amazed at his stories!
Reminder: Field Study tomorrow (Thursday) morning at Wapato Park - it will be very cold, so please make sure your child is dressed for the weather!
That's all the news for now!
Warm regards,
Asa
Monday, December 2, 2013
Resources for Parents & Classroom News!
Welcome Back!
I hope you all
had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed some time with family, friends, and loved
ones. I enjoyed getting to meet
with you over conferences to talk about your child at school. I am thankful to work with such
talented kids and supportive parents!
Recommended Resources Following Conferences
Here are more
math skill practice games and websites, book lists for budding readers, and other
resources to help support your child’s learning. Click on the links.
High-interest Chapter Book Titles for 2nd/3rd
Grade Readers:
Fish
Finelli by E.S. Farber
The Life of Ty:
Penguin Problems, by Lauren Myracle
The Year of
Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes
Claude in the
City by Alex T. Smith
Murilla Gorilla
by Jennifer Lloyd
Calvin Coconut: Hero of Hawaii by Graham Salisbury
The Great Cake Mystery by Alexander McCall Smith
Marty McGuire Digs Worms! by Kate Messner
Unlikely Friendships for Kids by Jennifer S. Holland
A Boy and a Bear in a Boat by Dave Shelton
Iva Honeysuckle Discovers the World by Candace Ransom
Stella Batts by Courtney Scheinmel
Lulu and the Duck Pond by Hilary McKay
Lulu and the Duck Pond by Hilary McKay
Violet Mackerel by Anna Branford
Aggie and Ben, Good Dog, Aggie, Aggie the Brave, by Lori Ries
Math Support Games and Websites (compiled by
Math Learning Center, publisher of our Bridges Mathematics curriculum)
Basic
Addition
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.
Basic
Subtraction
Speed Grid Subtraction Players select two numbers
from a grid that equal the given difference. Timed game.
Larger
Addition
Falling
Problems A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide
whether an addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater
than 10. In a more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition
or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is
great for developing number sense and estimation skills.
Larger
Subtraction
Falling Problems
A beat-the-clock game in which the player has to decide whether an
addition or subtraction combination will be less than or greater than 10. In a
more challenging version, the player decides whether an addition or subtraction
combination will be less than or greater than 100. This game is great for
developing number sense and estimation skills.
Basic
Multiplication
Times Square
This game provides practice with multiplication facts as players
race to be the first to get 4 products in a row on the game board. Use
"guest pass" to enter game list & play against the computer.
Factor
Dazzle Players score points for finding all the factors of target
numbers set by their opponents. Your child may need some support to get
started. Use "guest pass" to enter game list & play against the
computer.
Multiplication Grand Prix Up to 4 players compete
in this race car game by entering basic facts. Students can race one another or
play against the computer.
All
Basic Facts
Math Magician Specify facts to practice. Select
from addition, subtraction, multiplication & division. Timed.
Money:
Subtraction with Decimal Numbers
Making Change The player finds the difference between a price
and the amount of money paid. Then the player shows that change using the
fewest coins and bills possible. Talk to your child about some ways to
calculate the amount of change mentally. For example, can he or she add up from
the price to the amount paid to figure the difference? Site contains ads.
Telling
Time
Bang On Time The time is displayed in words. A
player stops the clock when hands are in the correct position.
Watch and Learn An extensive list of links to
games and activities to practice telling time.
Fractions
Identifying Fractions Game Identify which picture
of a pizza represents the given fraction. Use arrow keys to choose the correct
pizza. Select from 4 levels of difficulty. Turn off timer and sound if desired.
One or two player game. Site contains ads.
More
Games
The sites
below contain some of the best games for elementary math students to play at
home. Look through the sites to find other games for your child.
ABCya!
ABCya!
BBC
Bitesize (skip money games on this British site)
Calculation
Nation (register or use guest pass; for upper elementary &
middle grades)
No Wapato Park Field Study this Thursday
We have so much
going on with guest speakers and special programs these next two weeks
(Writer-in-Residence Rosanne Parry, LCREP salmon lesson, a watershed clean-up
presentation from beachwalkproject.com, Classroom lessons and Tribal Heritage
Night with Grand Ronde members) we’ve decided to push our Wapato Field Study to
Dec 19th.
What We’re Working On in the Classroom:
Math – This week we launch our unit on 2D Geometry! In this unit your child will identify, classify, describe, and compare 2 dimensional shapes, recognize shapes that are congruent (same size and shape) and similar (same shape), identify right, acute, and obtuse angles, learn attributes and ways to classify triangles and quadrilaterals, and calculate perimeter. There will be a ton of new vocabulary - there are many words that we use almost only in geometry class. These words are important because they let us name shapes and talk about them in precise ways. You can go to www.mathlearningcenter.org/resources/materials/parents/parents3.asp to find a PDF of vocabulary words for this unit to refresh your memory and keep conversations going at home!
Writing – We are finishing editing and publishing our
Chinook Stories, as well as learning some writing lessons from our guest teacher, writer-in-residence Roseanne Parry! The author of acclaimed children's novels Written in Stone and Heart of a Shepard will be teaching two classroom lessons in the third grade this week, as well as hosting a Family Write Night in the school cafeteria on Thursday evening! Super exciting!
Reading – After a week off, we are getting back into routines of
Silent Reading, Partnered Reading, Guided Reading, and Reader’s Notebooks. Sticking with chapter books from start to finish was a major goal discussed for many students during parent-teacher conferences; you can reinforce this at home by asking your child about what they are reading.
Social Studies - We are creating Native Plant informational
signage and displays for our tribal night, learning more about native fishing
methods, and will be assembling Topic Books to reflect on our Chinook learning. We are so excited for Tribal Heritage Night next Thursday December 12th!
Science – This Friday, guest teachers from the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership will be coming to our classroom to teach a lesson about fish anatomy. The children will dissect a small trout during this lesson - it is pretty amazing for most kids. If your child feels a bit squeamish about dissecting a fish - no worries - we can find an alternative activity in another room.
That's the news for now!
Fondly,
Asa
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