Monday, April 29
Tin Cans
Soon, we are going to be doing a science experiment using tin cans. I ask that each student bring in at least two cleaned soup cans (or other tin can) by Wednesday of this week. Please remove both the top AND bottom of the can.
Field Trip
We will be going on our next Audubon Center field trip on May 20th. You have already filled out your permission slip for this trip, but I have not collected the fee. Please send $5.75 with your child by May 6 to cover the cost.
This is an all day, outside field trip. Please dress for the weather and if you did not order a lunch from school you will need to send a lunch with your child.
Walk-a-Thon
Last week Friday your child should have brought home a packet of information regarding this year's Walk-a-Thon. Included in the packet was information about collecting pledges as well as a prize sheet. Please return the collection form, and any pledges, to Kozy by May 10th. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Wednesday, April 24
MAP Testing
Tomorrow the third graders will take the first of two spring MAP tests. Please be sure that your child arrives on time and well rested tomorrow.
Spring Concert
Just a reminder that the spring concert is tomorrow. All third graders are asked to meet at the high school at 6:00pm.
If you enter through the main entrance, take an immediate left and go down the long hallway (along side the auditorium). We will meet in the orchestra room, which is through the band room.
The concert will begin at 6:30. Students will be dismissed to their parents from the auditorium immediately following the performance.
If you enter through the main entrance, take an immediate left and go down the long hallway (along side the auditorium). We will meet in the orchestra room, which is through the band room.
The concert will begin at 6:30. Students will be dismissed to their parents from the auditorium immediately following the performance.
Sunday, April 21
Friday Wrap-up
One of the more important things that the students worked on this week was fractions. On Monday, the students were introduced to fractions and began to learn about what fractions mean and how fractions can be combined. Talk to your child about it. He or she should be able to explain that the top number (numerator) tells you how many pieces you have and the bottom number (denominator) tells how many pieces there are in all. Students should also be able to explain that you can combine fractions in various ways to make a whole.
In reading class this week the students read one of my favorite stories in our reading series, The Mysterious Garden of Abdul Gasazi. It was about a boy who lost his dog in Abdul Gasazi's garden only to find that Mr. Gasazi turned the dog into a duck. We also continued working on creating story maps.
In reading class this week the students read one of my favorite stories in our reading series, The Mysterious Garden of Abdul Gasazi. It was about a boy who lost his dog in Abdul Gasazi's garden only to find that Mr. Gasazi turned the dog into a duck. We also continued working on creating story maps.
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Friday we had our most recent field trip to the Audubon Nature center. During this latest trip, the students learned about song birds, birds of prey, and how birds navigate their routes during their annual migrations.
The highlight of the trip was the "Meet and Greet" with the center's raptors. Teachers at the Audubon Center brought the birds around for each student to closely examine while another teacher taught the students about each bird's personal history as well as details about the species in general. Afterwards, the children were able to watch other birds as they flew across the room.
Other parts of the trip included the children navigating the center while watching for birds, cleaning the beach, and playing a game of "Owl and Mouse" where children were able to experience how an owl hunts without seeing its prey.
The highlight of the trip was the "Meet and Greet" with the center's raptors. Teachers at the Audubon Center brought the birds around for each student to closely examine while another teacher taught the students about each bird's personal history as well as details about the species in general. Afterwards, the children were able to watch other birds as they flew across the room.
Other parts of the trip included the children navigating the center while watching for birds, cleaning the beach, and playing a game of "Owl and Mouse" where children were able to experience how an owl hunts without seeing its prey.
Thursday, April 18
Field Trip Tomorrow
Tomorrow is our next field trip. We will be going to the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center again. Based on the forecast it seems likely that we will be inside for the duration of the trip. Remember though, this is a nature center, and they do their best to take each group outside to experience nature. Please, be prepared to walk outside. Umbrellas won't be necessary, because we won't be outside in the rain; however, rain boots would be a good idea. If we go outside, the trails will obviously be quite muddy.
Monday, April 15
Friday Wrap Up
Happy Monday everyone and welcome to a late edition of the Friday Wrap-Up.
I'd like to thank all of the parents who came to Parent-Teacher conferences last week. It was great to see all of you. I'd also like to thank you for all of the help and support you give to your children at home.
Last week we wrapped up our math unit on data analysis. The students worked very hard as they learned how to analyze graphs as well as produce their own. Unlike the last graphing chapter, this chapter devoted itself to how things change over time. They began the chapter by looking at weather and how the temperature changes and concluded with a study of how different rates of change appear on a graph.
In science the students have begun studying what heat is and how it moves. They've learned that "heat" is not the same thing as "temperature" and that cold things, like ice, still have heat. We will continue that discussion this week.
In reading the students worked on two things. First, they practiced drawing conclusions. Children learned that they can take clues from the story and information from their heads to learn something that wasn't directly stated by the author. Later in the week, we revisited the skill of story mapping.
Finally, last week found the children working on being respectful. Students learned that when they are talking or disruptive in class, that it hurts other children's learning. Being quiet in class should not be something new for students, but the reasoning behind it might be. Be sure to talk to your child about this.
I'd like to thank all of the parents who came to Parent-Teacher conferences last week. It was great to see all of you. I'd also like to thank you for all of the help and support you give to your children at home.
Last week we wrapped up our math unit on data analysis. The students worked very hard as they learned how to analyze graphs as well as produce their own. Unlike the last graphing chapter, this chapter devoted itself to how things change over time. They began the chapter by looking at weather and how the temperature changes and concluded with a study of how different rates of change appear on a graph.
In science the students have begun studying what heat is and how it moves. They've learned that "heat" is not the same thing as "temperature" and that cold things, like ice, still have heat. We will continue that discussion this week.
In reading the students worked on two things. First, they practiced drawing conclusions. Children learned that they can take clues from the story and information from their heads to learn something that wasn't directly stated by the author. Later in the week, we revisited the skill of story mapping.
Finally, last week found the children working on being respectful. Students learned that when they are talking or disruptive in class, that it hurts other children's learning. Being quiet in class should not be something new for students, but the reasoning behind it might be. Be sure to talk to your child about this.
Wednesday, April 10
Report Cards
Your child's report cards were sent home today. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Tuesday, April 9
Computer Programming pt 2
Another game is just about to be released for the PC ( Mac version already available) that teaches Children how to program using the language Java. You can read more about it here: http://codespells.blogspot.com/
Computer Programming
One of the most valuable and sought after skills in the work place today is programming. One could argue that of all of the jobs available in our country today, none has more of a future than that of computer programming. The ability to write code is an incredibly valuable skill; unfortunately, most people do not begin learning this skill until high school or, more likely, college.
This doesn't need to be the case. Children as young as third grade can start learning how to write code by playing games. CargoBot is a free iPad app that is a lot of fun. In playing the game, students work with a series of commands that program a robot arm to move crates. Scratch a website that uses a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art.
Third graders are old enough to start using these tools to develop their skills. I have included two videos about programming. The first, I couldn't get to embed, but it stresses the importance of programming and can be found here. The other, features a ten year old boy who has published several apps on the iTunes store.
This doesn't need to be the case. Children as young as third grade can start learning how to write code by playing games. CargoBot is a free iPad app that is a lot of fun. In playing the game, students work with a series of commands that program a robot arm to move crates. Scratch a website that uses a programming language that makes it easy to create your own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art.
Third graders are old enough to start using these tools to develop their skills. I have included two videos about programming. The first, I couldn't get to embed, but it stresses the importance of programming and can be found here. The other, features a ten year old boy who has published several apps on the iTunes store.
Book Orders
Book orders were sent home today. If you would like to order, please have them turned in with payment by Friday. As always, you can order online at www.scholastic.com. Our class activation code is: GVWB3
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are on Thursday. Your child should have brought home a slip indicating your time. Please sign, and return this slip with your child by tomorrow.
Tuesday, April 2
A Letter from your child
I posted this earlier this year, but it is worth reposting.
With love from your child.
Dear Mom and/or Dad,
Today you saw my report card, and next week you will speak to my teacher. This report card is my teacher’s attempt to describe my actions and accomplishments at school. When you read the card, and talk to my teacher, please remember that he is describing someone near and dear to you, so please don’t get “uptight” if you see something you do not agree with. I hope you will accept me as I am.
Remember that all children do not learn to walk and talk at the same age, nor do they learn math and reading at the same rate. Please do not compare me to my brothers and sisters or friends, because I am unique to this world. Be realistic in setting my goals. I need to be challenged, but not pushed beyond my ability. I want to be successful and I need time to “smell the flowers” while I am still a child.
Please remember that my report card is a picture of me at school. It is a whole different world from the one at home. Can you imagine having 22 children my age at the dinner table tonight, or 200 children in our backyard playing? Don’t be surprised to find that I respond in a different manner at school.
My teacher knows me as I am at school. You know me as I am at home. The “real me” may be somewhere in between. I know you see me as a unique individual who can make you proud and bring you much happiness. I will try my best.
Great Job!
The following students met their AR goal for the third quarter:
Antonio
Bri
Makayla
Alexandra
thomas
Samantha
Ashlyn
Hunter
Sebastian
Isabella
Dominic
Zachary
When we start school again on Monday it's a brand new quarter. Everyone starts from scratch and it will be your last chance to meet your AR goal for the year.
Antonio
Bri
Makayla
Alexandra
thomas
Samantha
Ashlyn
Hunter
Sebastian
Isabella
Dominic
Zachary
When we start school again on Monday it's a brand new quarter. Everyone starts from scratch and it will be your last chance to meet your AR goal for the year.
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