This week 3F began their New England state research by making BIG MAPS of each state in small groups. Using maps, the internet and reading lots of non-fiction is helping members of each group label each map accurately, and write detailed “information boxes” about each state – the food it produces, the places a tourist can visit, and other interesting facts. Having taught about the state of MA as a model, and by families visiting different places in MA and sharing the information at “Morning Meeting,” students are more than ready to do some independent research!
HEADS UP! Next week I will be sending home a long-term fun project for your child to make with your help. Your child will be making a salt map of the state your child is researching. Tactile projects help students solidify what they learn in class. Family projects give families a chance in their busy schedules to stop and listen to the learning that has taken place in the classroom.
In math this week, students have been focusing on combining numbers when solving “Magic Squares.” Chapter Three in “Think Math” focuses on addition and subtraction, but I will still include multiplication every once in a while so students can keep practicing. This week, students also made their FOUR multiplication facts to study with partners. I will also start giving the students Halloween math for the rest of the month.
Students have almost finished writing their first personal narrative of the year, using one photograph you kindly sent in on Tuesday. (Many students still do not have their pictures and are relying on their “visual images.)” The first paragraph of this memoir included the setting. (Memoirs can begin with a setting, with dialogue, with onomatopoeia, etc.) Students looked carefully at the background of the photograph to describe what they saw and remembered, using detail and exciting words. Students used charts to choose synonyms of “dull” words to spice up each piece of writing. Students are also learning to SHOW, not TELL when they write to use detailed description. With lots of practice and sharing, students will learn to write detailed focused pieces of writing.
I am continuing to read Patricia Polacco’s memoirs to the class. Students especially like how Patricia SHOWS and does not tell how she feels about different situations in her stories. Tomorrow, students will read a biography about Patricia’s life to match what really happened in her life to her stories. For the rest of the month, student partners will be reading a Patricia Polacco book that I have NOT read to find more information about this wonderful author’s life.
For those of you who are wondering, third grade rotates studying science and social studies. When our New England Research has been completed at the end of the month, 3F will be moving on to the study of “Structures.” If anyone is a contractor, architect, or has something to do with designing structures, please tell me. I would love you to be a guest speaker in our class!
HEADS UP! Next week I will be sending home a long-term fun project for your child to make with your help. Your child will be making a salt map of the state your child is researching. Tactile projects help students solidify what they learn in class. Family projects give families a chance in their busy schedules to stop and listen to the learning that has taken place in the classroom.
In math this week, students have been focusing on combining numbers when solving “Magic Squares.” Chapter Three in “Think Math” focuses on addition and subtraction, but I will still include multiplication every once in a while so students can keep practicing. This week, students also made their FOUR multiplication facts to study with partners. I will also start giving the students Halloween math for the rest of the month.
Students have almost finished writing their first personal narrative of the year, using one photograph you kindly sent in on Tuesday. (Many students still do not have their pictures and are relying on their “visual images.)” The first paragraph of this memoir included the setting. (Memoirs can begin with a setting, with dialogue, with onomatopoeia, etc.) Students looked carefully at the background of the photograph to describe what they saw and remembered, using detail and exciting words. Students used charts to choose synonyms of “dull” words to spice up each piece of writing. Students are also learning to SHOW, not TELL when they write to use detailed description. With lots of practice and sharing, students will learn to write detailed focused pieces of writing.
I am continuing to read Patricia Polacco’s memoirs to the class. Students especially like how Patricia SHOWS and does not tell how she feels about different situations in her stories. Tomorrow, students will read a biography about Patricia’s life to match what really happened in her life to her stories. For the rest of the month, student partners will be reading a Patricia Polacco book that I have NOT read to find more information about this wonderful author’s life.
For those of you who are wondering, third grade rotates studying science and social studies. When our New England Research has been completed at the end of the month, 3F will be moving on to the study of “Structures.” If anyone is a contractor, architect, or has something to do with designing structures, please tell me. I would love you to be a guest speaker in our class!