Calvin and Hobbes mini-plays

We are using Calvin and Hobbes dialogue to practice fluency and accuracy. This is another instance of using different academic disciplines to practice creativity, collaboration, and reading skills.

 

Stay tuned for performances after April break!

 

What a beautiful week!

Throughout this week so much has happened. We have worked with fractions, created writing from observations, had a celebrity guest-teacher, presented our Lego robots to the other third grade class, enjoyed book time, and so much more.

In math we are working with fractions. This can be a complicated and convoluted subject for third graders. So far, however, many students are gaining a grasp on this concept. We are using faction sets to learn about equivalent fractions. We are playing matching games to familiarize ourselves with different ways to represent fractions. We are also learning the nuanced vocabulary of fractions. For a demonstration ask your student what a vinculum is.

Fraction memory, and Billy pointing at me standing on a table.

This is faction dominoes!

A close up view of fraction memory.

We also have been using our own observations as a basis for some informational writing. On Tuesday, our celebrity guest-teacher (Mrs. Anastasia) worked on an inquiry with students. Some of the observations they made are recorded in the following photograph:

Based on these observations, and conversations throughout the week, do you know what experiment was done? If not check with your student as it was quite memorable.

We have completed another cycle of integrated education technology. We, again, built some Lego robots and shared these robots with the other third grade class. Our work with Legos and Arlyn has really made our community stronger, and enhanced many student's problem solving skills, as well as, presentation skills.

Book time is an important part of every day in our class. During book time students explore books of their choice, book group books, and meet in small groups for individualized instruction. This time is right after our morning meeting and is a gentle and is a gentle and relaxing way to begin our days at school.

I trust that all of you will have a relaxing and refreshing break, and I am excited to start our spring off in a week!

 

riley

we have mss.aunstachu

jump

we jump roped today . my skor  was 84

I had a good day



BY IVY

New Book Group books, and teambuilding!

Today was quite a day. We started talking about fractions, started some new book group books, did some team building and so much more. First of all it has great to sit down and meet with some if you so far, and I look forward to seeing the rest of you throughout the week. We are beginning a new investigation in math, and will be focussed on fractions. Check with your student for an explanation of the "vinculum." We also started reading some new book group books, it always amazes me how voracious third graders are to get their hands on these!

 

Digging into our mew books.

Wylder is into it!

We also spent some time this afternoon team- building. We have been working on group cohesion throughout the year, and have become a very caring and kind community.

 

Trying to untangle arms whilst retaining a hold on the rope.

Pease check back throughout the week to see what else is going on!

 

origami

Today we learned  how to do a tame bilding  And origami.





BY Ivy heinz

origami

each person folded a part of  a swone .

Conference Schedule

Conference sign up: April 8, 2013

Conference sign-up: April 8, 2012

Morning times

Morning Times

7:30-7:50

Audy

8:30-8:50

Wilson

7:50-8:10

Tanguay

8:50-9:10

Sancibrian

8:10-8:30

Reed

9:10-9:30

Lane

Conference sign-up: April 9, 2013

Morning times only

7:30-7:50

7:50-8:10

8:10-8:30

Whittaker/Pozatek

Conference sign-up: April 11, 2013 Morning times Afternoon times 7:30-7:50 3:45-4:05 Keagan Stevens 7:50-8:10 4:05-4:25 Heinz 8:10-8:30 Tyler Matthews 4:25-4:45 Gluck Conference sign-up: April 12, 2013 Morning times Afternoon times 7:30-7:50 3:45-4:05 7:50-8:10 4:05-4:25 Duprey 8:10-8:30 Cheney 4:25-4:45 Scribner

What a week!

We have had so much learning and hard work this week! We have created some new Lego robots, learned about the properties of liquids, created pieces of opinion writing, worked with data and graphs, and so much more.

During Education Technology we have created new lego robots. These robots are controlled through a drag-and-drop computer program, and do everything from chomp to sit up and roar. These Lego investigations allow students to creatively work as a team, as well as use inquiry to solve any problems they encounter.

This shows the program, as well as a drumming monkey!

Students are working to create programs.

We have also been working with different states of matter. This week during 4-winds we had a supplementary lesson on water. In this investigation we worked with water and learned about some more of it's properties. Students used the surface tension of water to see how many drops fit on a penny, and to balance and suspend a paperclip!

Floating paper-clips!

We also continued our work with data and graphs. We have been using data tables to practice multiplication patterns, as well as to do some introductory algebra. We have then used the information from our tables to create graphs.

 

Keagan adding data to a class graph.

Finally, parent conferences are next week. I have received times from many of you and will send the updated schedule home on Friday. If you still need to sign up, please add your name to the schedule, or if you would like to come Monday morning, please send me an email, or give a call so we can get it arranged.

Thanks and have a great weekend,

Dave.

 

Riley's blog

I am blogging with Mia.
Today we had P.E.
Did any kid do there Homework.
I had so much fun with Ivy.




________________________________________________________________________________________  
:)

Riley

:)

mia is blogging
mom and dads i hope you get a good day!

New Lego investigation

We have started a new Lego investigation. We will be making 2 different robots in this investigation, as well as, 2 different programs for each one! These Lego investigations focus on teamwork, problem solving, observational skills, and innovation. For the next two weeks we will be working on Legos in the morning on Mondays and Wednesdays and during the afternoon on Tuesdays and Thursdays, check back throughout the week for more updates.

Students are getting ready by reviewing the rubric and success criteria.

The Lego set, with all parts tidy and organized.

Getting ready to dig in.

Working with the tilt sensor.