Habitat Research Project

Our current science unit's focus is on animals and their habitats.  To help better understand these concepts, the students have been researching four distinct biomes within the context of four different national parks.

Initially, the students are studying their park's size and climate.  Later, they will begin to look at the individual animals and plants that live within their park's habitat. 

After they complete each part of their research, they are posting it on their own blog. To see your child's work, click on the national park links found on the right.  Mr. McKnight's parks have the words "National Park" after them, while my class' just have the name of the park. 

Measurement

This week the children have begun to delve into measurement.  So far they have learned how to convert length between inches, feet, and yards and also how convert between cups, pints, quarts, and gallons. 

Converting between units is a difficult skill.  As your child's work comes home, please take some time and review it with them even if they earned a good grade.

Student Writing Samples

Skating is fun but it can leave a mark. We had a field trip to the Pettit ice center. Skating was really fun but it hurts a lot. When we came on the rink I started wobbling a lot and fell on the ice. I started pushing off one leg and I fell 1 to 5 times on my butt. I was just ready to give up when the instructor skated over to me and told me to place my legs in a V shape and push off both legs,  I started picking up speed until “smack!” I hit the wall. I bent my legs the wrong way and I cried a little. Then I had help up. I still skated. At the end of my class and my field trip I learned that skating hurts a lot.

By: Jonas

Ice skating is one of the craziest experiences I’ve had in my life so far. Eating my not so delectable lunch before skating made my lunch taste twice as good as before. Was it all the excitement that makes it taste so delicious? Putting my size 6 skates on was harder than catching a squirrel with

Accelerated Reader Report

Today each child was sent home with a report detailing every test taken in the third quarter, their score, and the book's reading level (ATOS BL).  Please take a moment to review your child's progress this year.

Stuck for Buck

Yesterday Kozy held the 5th annual Stuck for Buck. This year, Mr. McKnight volunteered brave the tape in an effort to help raise money for our school.  I'd like to thank the students for their excellent behavior.

Stuck for Buck and last week's Money Madness were a huge success raising a combined total of over $1000.  Thanks to all who donated.

To see all of the pictures, click here.

End of Week Wrap Up

This week the children wrapped up their chapter on fractions and took their test.  Fractions proved to be very difficult for many of the children and we will continue to review and work on fractions as we move on to measurement.

The children have started to work on new ways to write topic sentences.  In third grade, most children begin paragraphs with a declarative (telling) sentence.  On Tuesday, we began writing interrogative (question), imperative (command), and exclamatory topic sentences.  We'll continue working on that next week as we write our next paragraph. 

In science we started learning about the different habitats found on Earth and what makes each unique. 

Accelerated Reader

The third quarter ends today and I'm happy to report that all but three students met their AR reading goals for the quarter.  Those that met their goal did a great job and really worked hard.  If the student didn't reach their goal, I encourage him or her to read a little more consistently throughout the quarter rather than waiting until the last minute.

The students also read an impressive number of words this quarter; the class read 2,052,895 total words!

This quarter's word leaders were:
Madison-649,819
Jonathan-250,172
Alyse-155,367

Pajama Day

Greetings from Pamajama Day!

Multiplication Tournament

After months of multiplication practice, the third graders finally competed in the annual third grade multiplication tournament. 

Mr. McKnight, Mrs. Lew, and I are all very proud of each of the third graders.  As we think back to December when we started practice it is amazing to see how far they have come and how well they have learned their facts.  Each third grade child should be very proud.

The tournament was huge success with Brianna taking first place, Jose in second, Madison in third, and Dylan in fourth place. 

Click here to see all of the pictures.

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Field Trip

This is just a reminder that the field trip money for the SANC is due on April 1st.  The cost is $7 for chaperones and students.

Pack'er Up

Pack'er Up Donation Challenge
April 1-April 30

Clean out your closets and go to any participating Goodwill Store.  Indicate your school name, city, and number of items donated on the slip provided to you by the Goodwill Attendant, and the school with the greatest number of items donated will receive a visit from Donald Driver.

Word Leaders

With one week left in the quarter, many students have nearly reached their goals.

During this quarter, the students have read 1,676,459 words.

Our word leaders are:

• Madison-458,961 words
• Jonathan-250,172 words
• Dylan-119,721 words

Spirit Week

Spirit Week Events

• Monday 3/21  Crazy Hat/Hair Day
• Tuesday 3/22 Sports Day
• Wednesday 3/23  Mismatch Day
• Thursday 3/24 Pajama Day

Thursday is also Stuck for a Buck.  Bring your money to tape Mr. McKnight to the wall.

What we've been working on

This is the last full week of the third quarter and students have been working hard. 

This week they are finishing their paragraphs that focus on word choice and organization.  The topic was open, but they needed to use the following words:  Flashlight, Tornado, & Lawnmower.  The children have been working hard and I look forward to reading them. 

New book logs are sent home today. 

The multiplication tournament is less than a week away, help your child hone their skills this weekend.

We've spent the last two weeks learning fractions.  The children have done a great job, but there are still some trouble areas.  Please look over your child's assignments and help them with any misunderstandings. 

Science Test

The children did a great job on their science test.  I'm sending it home today.  Be sure to look at it and praise your child.  If you sign it and return it tomorrow, I will give your child a bonus point.

No Homework...Sort of

The students don't have any formal homework to complete tonight; however, they have work to do.

Please be sure that the students continue to practice their division facts.  They will have a division sheet for homework tomorrow. 

Also, the end of the quarter is next Thursday.  Time is short for them to reach their AR goal.  Make sure your child continues to read nightly.

Multiplication Tournament--Date Change

Because of a conflict with Stuck for a Buck, we need to reschedule our tournament.  The new date is March 23, at 1:50.

Money Madness

Money Madness runs starts this Monday through March 24.  Bring your pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars. 

Stuck for a Buck this year will feature a brave Mr. McKnight.

Book Logs

In addition to the math homework, please remember to bring book logs back tomorrow.

Multiplication Whizzes

Congratulations Tori and Amirah for tying for first place in Mrs. Lew's room for third grade's weekly multiplication challenge.

Volcanoes!

The students did a great job on their Volcanoes.  Click here to see all of them.

What's New for Today

The students have spent the last several days working on Word Choice and learning what constitutes "good" versus "poor" word choice.  Today, they started to put the lessons into practice by writing a paragraph(s). 

The paragraphs' topic is very general, they are to write a story about anything, but they need to use the following words: tornado, flashlight, and lawnmower.  When grading this paragraph, I will be assessing their word choice as well as organization. 

Their science test is tomorrow, be sure your child studies.

The only homework for today is to complete a two-sided division sheet.

Multiplication Championship

For the past several months, the third graders have been learning and practicing their multiplication facts while competing in weekly “Around the World” competitions.  As a culminating event, the children will be participating in a multiplication championship competition on March 24th

The competition will be structured as a tournament where each child will compete at least once with one other third grader.  The winner of each match will continue on until a third grade multiplication champion is namedWe are inviting all parents to come and watch their child compete in this event.  The competition will be begin at 1:50 pm and will end by 3:00 pm.

Please let me know if you are willing to volunteer at the event or if you would like to donate ice cream or toppings. 

Homework

Math

• p495 #6-15
• p501 #3-16

Science

• Study for Thursday's Test

Homework for 3/7

All students have the following homework:

• Math p 489 #3-16
• Social Studies p 305 #1-4 (due Wed.)
• Study for Science Test (test on Thursday)

Volcanoes are due tomorrow, March 8

Homework

No homework this weekend, but don't forget to work on your volcano and read your AR book.

BMX Assembly

Today your child participated in an assembly led by a professional BMX bike rider.  While the biker amazed the students with his tricks, he also taught them the importance of not giving up, how to deal with bullies, and bike safety.

 

Mrs. Berner, Mr. McKnight, and Ms. Fox bravely volunteer to be part of the assembly

 To see more pictures, click here.

Maple Sugar Days

Maple Sugar Days at Wehr Nature Center

March 26-27, 2011

General Public: 1–4 pm

Rain or Shine

Get the spring juices flowing at Maple Sugar Days! Your whole family will hike with a naturalist guide to the sugarbush to see tapped sugar maples and taste fresh sap as it drips from the trees. Next, you'll visit an old-time sugarin' camp and hear stories of how the old-timers produced maple syrup and sugar – but you may be distracted from the stories by the oh-so-sweet aroma of clear maple sap boiling down to rich, dark maple syrup!

Hands-on Activities (for kids and kids at heart)
To get a real feel for the 'maple-sugarin' game,' use a hand drill on a log, try Native-American methods of boiling sap without the benefit of metal pans, and make a craft. For a sweet reward, sample real maple syrup on a pancake at this first ritual of spring.

The program begins with a short hike to the sugarbush and a visit with an old-time sugar maker. The first tour starts at 1 p.m.; the last tour, 4 p.m. Come prepared to walk on wood-chipped trails through the woodland, dress in layers, and dress to keep your feet warm.

WKCE Results

Your child's WKCE results were sent home today.  Be sure to look for them.

Homework for 3/3

• Some students need to finish up reading wkbk pg 99.
• Some students need to finish up their science packet.

• Everyone needs to finish math page 399-400 and the division sheet sent home today.

Third Grade Tribune

February's Third Grade Tribune was sent home today.  Ask your child for it. 

Volcano

Just a reminder that the Volcanoes are due on Tuesday, March 8

Creatures

Thank you third grade for creating the wonderful creatures.

Click Here to see all of the pictures.

Pettit Field Trip

The children did a wonderful job and had a great time ice skating at the Pettit.

Click Here to see all of the pictures.