Getting in the Holiday Spirit!

The class has been working so hard to prepare for our Winter Concert. For those of you who were not able to join in the fun this morning, here are a few snap shots! The seats were packed. It is so wonderful to see such support coming from all of you! I am so proud of each and every one of your children!

Informational Texts Galore!

In both reading and writing, our class has been studying informational texts. We have studied many mentor texts for what makes something an informational text. Informational texts are more than just text features. There are a variety of structures that informational writers used. We have been practicing, adding information, and revising! Now, the class is learning how to use google classroom. I have sent them each an assignment, google doc, and they are in the process of typing up their informational texts. We will then be adding in text features, such as: photographs, tables, charts, and diagrams. Your child is able to show you their typed text online! 

All you need to do is:

1. Go to Dickinson's website and click for students

2. Click the link for google classroom

3. Your child needs to sign in using their google login and password in their planner

4. You will see Buss 14-15, click that

5. Then your child can click informational text

6. Last step is to click the document that says Informational Text- Their name

In reading, we have also been busy studying informational texts. Students have used this time as research for their writing. But we have also been looking at other types of informational texts with our Time for Kids articles. The class has been partnering up to analyze informational texts and discuss text features and how they help with the understanding of the text. These have been very exciting units for the class!                           

Time Flies When You're Having Fun and Learning Alot!

Word Study

A huge component of our word study program is recognizing patterns in words. Every time we dive into a new sort, we sort the words into their categories and come up with a pattern statement that goes with those words. This helps us to be able to internalize the patterns and find other words that can also fit that pattern.

Math

We are in module 4 and have been spending most of our time looking at 4 digit numbers and being able to represent them in various ways. We have also been comparing and contrasting them and using a number line as a helpful tool to do just that. Now we are beginning our exploration of fractions and how different fractions can be represented in a variety of ways. 

Reading and Writing

In reading and writing we have moved onto our informational units of study. We are focusing on the strategies that good informational readers and writers use. We have been studying the structure of informational texts. We have looked at sequential structure (information given in order, like animals growing up), descriptive structure (describing something), compare and contrast structure (looking at 2 different things and their similarities and differences), and cause and effect structure (when something happens because of something else). We have also been working on using the text features to grow our ideas and help us talk about the text. Your child is busy creating their own informational text about a topic that they chose and that they know a lot about. 

Minerals

We are nearing the end of our rocks and minerals unit. We have done many field tests in order to describe our minerals. We did tests to figure out the minerals luster, magnetism, hardness, shape, and streak color (just to name a few). Then the class had to try to identify which mineral they thought it was by having another read off those attributes. The class learned a lot from this. They came to the conclusion that Geologists and Scientists need to be very descriptive. We are now looking at descriptions written by Geologists of the various minerals and seeing if they can match them to the clues they found for the minerals. 

Wequiock Falls and Bay Shore Park

What a day! Boy was it blustery, but the kids had a blast! From creating mud in the Falls to searching the quarry for rocks, our day was jam-packed! It is so awesome that our area is home to all 3 types of rocks (sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous). At Wequiock falls we were able to go down into the waterfall and find the 2 most common rocks (limestone and mudrock or shale). The students made mud by getting the rocks wet and rubbing them together. This was the hardness test. The rock that rubbed off on the other was the softer rock. The walls of the waterfall are quickly being eroded away and floating down the river into the bay where they are forming into sedimentary rocks. After that, we traveled over to Bay Shore Park where we went on a cliff walk. We were able to see where the glaciers and erosion has carved out certain areas. Then, we headed over to the quarry. We actually drove the bus right down into the quarry and the class was able to dig through rock piles to find interesting rocks to bring home. Some rocks had fossils or even fool's gold! We wrapped up our day down on the beach where there was a plethora of rocks. These rocks we noticed were much more smooth and rounded because they had been smoothed by the waves. It was a very memorable field trip for us.

Sneak Peak into Room 194

 Well we have been working very hard in Room 194....but enjoying every minute of it! 

Writing: The class finished their first personal narratives on Monday! I am so proud of them! They worked so hard following what good third grade writers do. They used dialogue, added details, created paragraphs, added transition words, told their stories bit by bit, and remembered their non-negotiables! It was a long process, but well worth it for what they produced on paper. Some students were even able to begin typing it on a Google document.

Math: We are in module 3 now. We are learning about multiplying numbers. So far we have talked about doubling a number (multiplying by 2) and then doubling that product (multiplying by 4). The students are collaborating with their peers to discuss strategies they are using. They are also having a lot of fun in math workshop with Xtra math, AVMR games, SMART board activities, and problem solving.

Word Study: We are busy sorting, and spelling our words with white boards and on Spelling City! It is very important not only to sort the words at home, but to also practice spelling them.

Reading: We just finished Because of Winn-Dixie today. So far, I think this book is a class favorite. We will be watching the movie to compare and contrast them next Wednesday afternoon while enjoying some popcorn. :)


Geography: We wrapped up our unit this week with students working in groups to create their own island. This island needed to include the landforms and bodies of water we learned about. They also had to include a compass rose and a map key to explain what everything meant.

Rocks and Minerals: We began examining various rocks yesterday. The class is really enjoying studying rocks. I have told them that from here until the end of our Rocks and Minerals unit, they are no longer kids, but Geologists!

We are eagerly awaiting our field trip on Tuesday! Remember we go rain or shine, so dress appropriately!