We are so excited to be able to offer the science book on-line. This is a great way for your child to review for quizzes and test.
To access the book click on the link below then click on "Sign In" under Returning User. You will then be prompted to enter a username and password. You can find the log-in information on a label in the back of your child's planner.
The book looks just the same as the one they use in
class everyday, it's just on-line.
We are so very excited to begin the 2014-2015 school year! This year, students will have 5 teachers: Ms. Moody, Miss Russell, Mrs. Zollinger, and Miss Hoffmann. Students will spend half of their day learning math, science and social studies with Ms. Moody and Miss Russell. They will spend the other half of their day with Mrs. Zollinger and Miss Hoffmann learning reading, writing and spelling. Mrs. Geldoff will also be teaching in both classrooms at times.
Left to right: Ms. Moody, Miss Russell, Mrs. Zollinger, Miss Hoffmann
We will use this blog for many things in our classroom! Please visit your ELA blog by clicking here.
This week we started a mystery chapter book called Edgar Allen's Crime Investigation Notebook by Mary Amato. The students are keeping track of the clues and suspects in this fish theft mystery book. Next week we will be starting mystery book clubs. Each club will have a different book, and a different mystery to solve!
Check out the trailer for our read aloud book below!
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 27th at 7:30 pm. We will be performing our musical called Let's Sing, America! Students have been working hard all year in music class to learn the songs for this performance. This week, students began learning the movement for each song and were assigned lines to recite during the performance. Students will be required to memorize their lines and recite them with expression as part of their speaking standards. Students will be required to wear jean bottoms (shorts, pants, skirt) and a plain white or red topic (no logos or graphics). Students may also wear any patriotic accessories (red, white and blue) that they would like. A letter with this information will be coming home in next week's Tuesday Folder.
Yesterday, our "Plant Petting Zoo" (as Braxton called it) opened! The students began making observations about lots of different kinds of plants! Students took detailed notes about the different physical attributes of each plant. They noted the colors, leaf type, size, texture and other important attributes. They will make these observations for two days. On the third day, students will look at list of plants with descriptions. Based on those descriptions, they will try to determine the name of each plant. This activity will greatly facilitate our future exploration of plants!
A HUGE thank you to Jim and Cindy Russell (Miss Russell's parents) for purchasing the plants for our class. Which plant is your favorite? (Leave us a comment!)
Today, we had a "March Madness" Ruler Game Championship. The students moved through brackets until we had our Ruler Champs. Congratulations to Luis, Fiona, Emma, Gabe, Delaney, Alina, Caleb and Chloe for being our big winners! We are so proud of all of the students for working hard on their measurement skills.
We are all loving our fluency song this week! Practice the words below as you watch the video!
1, here comes the 2 to the 3 to the 4.
We're gonna get a GREAT FCAT score!
We'll check it once, then check it some more.
Our score will be so good you'll hear the FCAT roar!
You'll be so impressed you're gonna drop to the floor.
We're gonna get a GREAT FCAT score!
We'll check it once, then check it some more.
Our score will be so good you'll hear the FCAT ROAR!
Here comes the 3 to the 2 to the 1.
Give it your best it's gonna be fun.
Check it oer when you are done,
As for blank bubbles there should be none!
Focus on the test, don't let your mind run.
Give it your best its gonna be fun!
Check it over when you are done.
As for blank bubbles, there should be none!
Today, students were introduced to a fun game called the Ruler Game. Students can use the game to practice measurement on a ruler. The third grade standard requires students to be able to measure a whole, half and quarter of an inch. The Ruler Game goes to an eighth and sixteenth for students who need a challenge. Students will practice this game in their "Computer" rotation this week in math skills block. Students are also encouraged to practice at home.
On Friday, we will have a March Madness type of friendly competition to see who will be the Ruler Game champion. Our tournament will have brackets and all!
What's your best score? Leave us a comment below. :)
The students have been working hard to understand fractions including ordering and comparing fractions. Today, students will take home several resources from which they can study. One resources that they have are fraction cards so they can play a game called Capture Fractions. For more information about this game, please visit a blog post we made earlier in the unit. Students will have their unit test on Tuesday, March 11th. Also, students have been given a "Fraction Brain Builder" as an optional assignment to complete this weekend. It is not mandatory; however, it is highly recommended. :) This brain builder is due on Monday (3/10) for a small treat rewarding effort and completeness. The third grade standards have the following content limitations: -Fractions should have denominators of 1-10, 12, or 16. -Items may include fractions of mixed numbers up to and including the whole number 5.
Students can keep these materials at home. They are welcome to complete any uncompleted pages in their fraction packets in order to prepare for the unit test. Also, playing the Capture Fractions game is a fantastic way to practice comparing fractions!
Knowing the meaning of commonly used prefixes and suffixes is extremely important in a student's reading. With this knowledge students are able to figure out the meaning of some unfamiliar words that contain a prefix or a suffix. This afternoon students "scooted" through task cards while practicing this skill in a fun and interactive way.
Today the readers in room 205 were reminded how important it is to have at least 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading time every night! We practiced what this should look like in class today then talked about how it felt to read long and strong. At this time in the year it is extremely important that students continue to build their reading stamina by reading at school AND at home. Be on the lookout for an exciting new "Countdown to FCAT" reading challenge!
Today we went to the JCA to watch the play "The Promise". This upbeat and interactive play kept us engaged and reminded us that teasing and bullying is not okay. At the end we even got the chance to sign our own class promise, promising to not participate in teasing, to model good behavior, and to accept and include all classmates! They know by keeping their promise they can make a difference here at Chets Creek!
Some of our students made it up on stage to participate in the "Hokey Pokey"
This week, we have started studying about the Southeast Region of the United States. Students will learn about the culture, landmarks, climate, landforms, and placement of the states in this region. We will studying this region for two weeks before having a quiz. Please stay tuned to the newsletter for information on our next region study. Students are reading from a text that has been provided for them. We are no longer using the text book. If you are interested in having a digital copy of the text emailed to you, please email Miss Russell russella1@duvalschools.org.
Students have been playing an awesome game in class called Capture Fractions. The game requires students to compare fractions using fraction cards. The fraction card deck is split in half and each student turns over their top card. The student with the larger fraction gets to keep both cards. The game is a lot like "war"! The students are responsible for accountable math talk and explaining their thinking beyond using the pictures to compare fractions.
If you are interested in getting a digital copy of the fraction cards so you and print and play at home, please email Miss Russell (russella1@duvalschools.org). :)
In math, we have started a new unit all about fractions. Students are sharpening their skills every day about this new and exciting concept. Here are some of the charts that we have made so far based on the work we have done.
Notice that "drawing" fractions is NOT a strategy that we are using in class. Being able to accurately represent fractions (equal sized wholes and equal parts), is very difficult for students. Therefore, we use other strategies to more accurately compare fractions. For example, when compare 3/8 and 5/6 students might compare them to 1/2. Students might say "I know that 3/8 is 1/8 less than a half and 5/6 is 1/6 MORE than a half; therefore, 3/8 < 5/6." This method of comparing fractions is MUCH more accurate than attempting to draw a representation.
Using an inequality sign (<,>, or =) compare the following fractions: 5/8 and 2/4. Leave a comment with your answer!
On Wednesday, our class was treated to an awesome lesson about healthy habits from Mr. Mike (Kathryn's dad) and some of his friends. Through an awesome Marvel comic they taught us how it is important to stay hydrated, be active and eat healthy foods. Not only did students get to keep their awesome comic but they also got a power band to help them remember all that they learned. Students will also have the opportunity to earn more power bands if they do some homework practicing those healthy habits.
Check out our Healthy Habit Heroes! Want to learn more? Go to the Healthy Habit Heroes website.
In November we jumped at the opportunity to start implementing recent research on improving Reading Fluency through singing daily. Every Monday we introduce a new song to the students and display the song lyrics as they first just listen to the song. The students then sing along to the song while following the text with their eyes. By the end of each week the students are joyfully and fluently singing along and it is time to move on to a new song. The students love coming together as a class and doing this activity. Ask your student to share with you some of the songs we have done in class. In the mean time, check out our latest Fluency Song! :)
The book looks just the same as the one they use in
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