Embedded Files
Here you'll find weekly updates of what we're doing in class along with upcoming events and Dinner Table Questions to use as conversation starters with your child!
Here you'll find weekly updates of what we're doing in class along with upcoming events and Dinner Table Questions to use as conversation starters with your child!
11.16.18
11.16.18
Another short, but busy week!
Due to the even shorter week next week, there will be no Friday Update. We hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Math: This week we were introduced to how we represent multiplication facts. Students have a lot of background knowledge about multiplication facts, and we will be using that knowledge to understand how we can represent multiplication problems in many ways. We started by looking at arrays counting the dots or tiles rows and columns, to show a fact.
Social Studies: Students are learning about how the Wampanoag lived in the 1620’s. Students were assigned a topic (food, shelter/homes, tools & equipment, clothing & crafts) to become an expert in. Next week, they will teach each other about what they learned!
Science: We were so excited to start the Cardboard Challenge with Mr. Tompkins. We reviewed the Engineering Design Process and thought about what we are going to build. Thank you for all of the building materials that you sent in! If you have any more items at home, we will happily accept them on Monday! Please come and see our creations on Tuesday from 7:50-8:15 in our classroom! We hope to see you then!
**A reminder, we have a noon dismissal on Wednesday, November 21st for the Thanksgiving holiday. There is NO lunch served that day. I encourage students to bring a large snack! If your student will be leaving early/missing school next week, please let me know! Thank you.
Dinner Table Questions:
Show me how you can represent the math fact 3x4=12 with an array, repeated addition, skip counting?
What is the most interesting thing you learned about the Wampanoag? Most surprising?
Tell me about the Cardboard Challenge! What do you plan to build?
Bonus: What do you like about Community Meeting?
Upcoming Important Dates:
Monday, November 19th 12:20-2:00 PM- Recycled Materials Build- Volunteers welcome and encouraged!
Tuesday, November 20th, 7:50-8:15 AM - Parent Drop In (and sculpture pick up)
Wednesday, November 21st - 12:00 Dismissal - No lunch served!
Thursday/Friday November 22/23 - No School, Happy Thanksgiving :)
Wednesday, November 28 - Early Dismissal at 12:40
11.9.18
11.9.18
What a funny short week. Between the professional day and field trip things were a little choppy- and it doesn’t stop there! Be sure to check out the Upcoming Dates section at the bottom. We’re packing November full of events!
*Remember- we are collecting recycled materials! Don’t put it in the barrel! Bring it in to school!*
Math: With our choppy week we reviewed strategies for subtraction and discussed why we learned so many different ways to do the same thing. Students noticed that writing out problems with number lines or cross number puzzles allowed them to see place value and number relationship more clearly, while obviously the standard algorithm is easier for fast problem solving.
Writing: This week students discussed writing a lead to a story! We found three main ideas to consider when trying to hook a reader into your personal narrative; starting with a quote, starting with an emotion, or setting the scene with time and weather descriptions. Students wrote several leads to their stories and picked the one they felt was most compelling.
Social Studies: Welcome to the Wampanoag unit (wam-pa-nuck)! This week we looked at the first people who lived in Massachusetts and examined how their tribal geography relates to the geography of our towns today. We read an introduction about the Wampanoag people and familiarize ourselves with some common Wampanoag words.
We also got the opportunity to talk about the first landscape architect- who lived right here in Brookline! Our trip to Frederick Law Olmsted's house was a blast. Chaperones- if you have pictures please send them along so I can share with all families!
Dinner Table Questions:
What is a mishoon?
What did you notice about where the Wampanoag tribes lived and where we live now?
What do landscape architects do? What would you change about the landscape around us?
How do you like doing subtraction; with cross number puzzles, number line or the standard algorithm? Why?
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, November 12th - No School, Veterans Day
Thursday, November 15th - Early Release at 12:40
Monday, November 19th 12:20-2:00 PM- Recycled Materials Build- Volunteers welcome and encouraged!
Tuesday, November 20th, 7:50-8:15 AM- Parent Drop In (and sculpture pick up)
Wednesday, November 21st- 12:00 Dismissal- No lunch served!
Thursday/Friday November 22/23- No School, Happy Thanksgiving :)
11.2.18
11.2.18
Calling all recycle bins! In a couple of weeks, students will be participating in a building challenge with our amazing ECS teacher, Mr. Tompkins. We need a wide variety of recycled materials to use for our project. Some of the materials we would love include: cardboard boxes, cereal/cracker.etc. boxes (very well cleaned out, please!), plastic clamshell containers, plastic bottles (again, very well cleaned out!), and anything else you think that we could repurpose! We cannot accept glass containers or anything with sharp edges. We'd love for each student to bring in a grocery bag worth of recycled goods (or more!)! We will be collecting recyclables now through November 16th. Thank you for your help! :)
Math: Students reviewed and practiced one strategy for addition and subtraction- using cross number puzzles! Using a cross number puzzle helps students slow down and see relationships between place values when adding, and what parts of the number needs regrouping to subtract. Students did a great job using this strategy this week! Have them show you how it works!
*I've included an example of a subtraction puzzle below for anyone (like me) who only learned the standard algorithm*
Reading: We continued reading Stone Fox and identified what we look for as readers to help make those predictions: events that happened previously in the story, using our knowledge of how stories tend to go, and empathizing with the character. We also thought about how our predictions might play out later on in the story. Students continued to practice these strategies in their own fiction book.
Writing: Students are writing amazing stories about themselves! We talked about how we can use our storyteller voice to make our stories exciting to read. We also practiced revising our stories to add in more details and description.
Science: This week we had a building challenge - students had to build the tallest tower they could using 100 index cards and a roll of masking tape. We also explored ways that we could improve unstable structures and the delicate balance between tension and compression.
Dinner Table Questions:
What is a cross number puzzle?
Tell me who you built your tower with in Science. How did you use the materials to make it the tallest it could be?
What is a landscape architect?
What do the words tension and compression mean?
Upcoming Important Dates:
Wednesday, November 7th - 3M field trip to Frederick Law Olmsted NHS
Friday, November 9th - Professional Day for Teachers - No school for students
Monday, November 12th - No School, Veterans Day
Thursday, November 15th - Early Release at 12:40
Notice how we regrouped into the tens place so we can solve!
10.26.18
10.26.18
This week students really stepped up their game. With the introduction of Table Points, each table group helped keep one another on track, making for an incredibly productive week. Ask your child about what their table group name is!
Math: This week we finished up rounding and practiced our numbers sense skills with Mystery Numbers and a new game, Guess My Number. Students loved the challenge of figuring out different numbers by asking lots of good questions. Students even taught me about a rounding strategy called Meatball Mountain! Ask them about this at home!
Reading: We discussed why readers might abandon a book during read aloud this week. It turns out the book we were reading was too hard! We kept stopping to figure out what words or phrases meant. Instead, we took the opportunity to read a book that was, potentially, too easy but had a great message. We encourage students to reread books they've loved or felt were easy and look for deeper meaning or more information! Often we miss important details on our first read!
Writing: These kids were writing machines this week! I gave them the longest writing block ever- 45 minutes straight! We talked about how getting uninterrupted time like that is rare but allows you to get into a rhythm! They seemed to love seeing how much they can accomplish when they set their mind to a task.
Science: We enjoyed talking about structures this week. We explored what the form and function of different structures are, and the difference between human-made and natural structures. Students were asked to create a structure that served the function or holding a glass of water, or getting people from one island to another. Then they were asked to look at a table and think of all the different functions it could serve. It was great to see the students think flexibly around the two topics.
A highlight of our week was seeing the Art Barn performance, “TRUE TO YOU - A Story of Integrity.” We talked about what integrity means and how integrity can help us keep a strong class community.
Dinner Table Questions:
Tell me what the words “structure” and “function” mean.
What was Art Barn about?
Why would rounding be useful in everyday life?
What is the difference between there, their, and they're?
Bonus: Teach me how to play Guess My Number!
Upcoming Important Dates:
Wednesday, November 6th - 3K field trip to Frederick Law Olmsted NHS
Friday, November 9th - Professional Day for Teachers - No school for students
Monday, November 12th - No School, Veterans Day
10.19.18
10.19.18
A shorter update this week! Make sure to check Friday Folders for our first permission slip!
Math: This week students focused on math discussion. We talked about comparing numbers using the symbol, >,<,=, and how these have actual names! We played a game involving discussion around four digit numbers that had students generating and comparing with friends.
Writing: Students began crafting true stories about themselves. They picked small moments to share as a storyteller would, by using adjectives and sharing emotion tied to the story. We began writing conferences and will continue them through next week
Spelling: Our first week of spelling words! We starting with the hard ones- there, their, they're, and too, to, two! Future spelling lists will be loosely based on the student's writing. That way every child is getting a say in their work as we continue to build that sense of ownership over his or her own learning.
Dinner Table Questions:
What can you say about the number 381?
What is something you’re writing about? Why did you pick that memory?
Who do you play with at recess?
What did you learn at Library this week? How did you pick the book you checked out?
Upcoming Important Dates:
Wednesday, October 24th - Art Barn performance for students
Friday, November 9th- Professional Day- No school for students
Monday, November 12th - No School, Veterans Day
10.12.18
10.12.18
This week students finally received their recorders! Students should be practicing throughout the week. We have music on Mondays and Thursdays. Students will be writing a reminder in their homework binders to bring their recorders to school on those days. In the past, students have kept their recorder and folder in their backpack so they are always prepared.
Math: We continued using coins to practice addition and subtraction facts. We also played a game “I Have, Who Has?” using coin cards. At the end of the week, we started a new unit on representing numbers. Students reviewed how to represent numbers using Base-10 blocks. We discussed how regrouping isn't just for our base-10 system. You regroup days into weeks, pennies into nickels or dimes, minutes into hours!
Writing: This wee we continued brainstorming topics and stories that we could write about. We also discussed how writers get inspiration when they're feeling stuck. One shortcut is to think of a person close to you and write about a memory you have with them. Students took those ideas seriously and started developing stories about themselves using a storyteller's voice (one that shows a story instead of telling a summary of events). We also had a chance to share what we have been writing with our peers!
Social Studies: We spent the week learning about our surrounding states and their resources! Students were broken into groups and worked together to become experts on one state. Next week we'll be sharing our research along with our postcards that advertise the state. Feel free to pop in and see our cards hung up in the classroom!
Dinner Table Conversation
What are Base-10 blocks? How can you represent the number 138 using the blocks?
What are you writing about in Writer’s Workshop?
Tell me something you learned about your New England state.
How are you feeling about recorder? How's Hot Cross Buns going?
Upcoming Important Dates:
Thursday, October 18th - 3rd Grade Teacher Professional Development (your students will have a substitute)
Friday, October 19th - Community Meeting Hosted by 5H
**Families are invited to join us for Community Meetings - they start at 8:15 in the theatre and last about 30 minutes.
Wednesday, October 24th - Art Barn performance for students
10.5.18
10.5.18
Another full week AND Picture Day? We're cruising through the school year now! Make sure to check our Pictures tab for our Picture Day Outtake!
Math: We spent the week practicing addition strategies what we know from 2nd grade through two fun activities. Our class read the book Benjamin Franklin and the Magic Squares. We solved examples of his magic squares and some students even tried to create their own. We also reviewed coin values and practiced making coin combinations. For example we answered- What is one potential sum of the three coins I have in my hand? or What is one combination of coins that would equal 26 cents?
Reading: Students spent time this week sharing about the books they’re reading with one another. We talked about the purpose of reading with a partner and how it can help us practice reading fluently. Students practiced reading with expression while focusing on punctuation.
Science: Students talked about failing. We read the fan favorite- Rosie Revere Engineer and talked about mistakes are steps to learning. This doubled as a history lesson about Rosie the Riveter!
Dinner Table Questions:
When do you fail?
How was Kindergarten Buddies?
Explain to me what a Magic Square is? How did Benjamin Franklin come up with the idea? (Bonus: What kind of pet did Franklin have?)
What skills are you working on in P.E.?
Upcoming Important Dates:
Monday, October 8th - No School
Friday, October 19th - Community Meeting Hosted by 5H
***Fall Conferences are fast approaching! In next week’s Friday Update, I will include information about Fall Conferences and a link to an online Fall Conference sign up.
9.28.18
9.28.18
We made it through our first full week! The students did wonderfully!
Math: We spent this week reviewing fact families and number lines. Students learned about expectations when we work as partners in math. We answered some tricky problems and wrote some of our own.
Reading: We had our first Library class with Ms. Reid this week! Students were so excited to check out books. We’ve been reviewing how to choose a Just Right Book for school. Students use the 5 finger rule to help them choose a book. Students are always expected to read a Just Right book in class, but can check out an easy or hard book in the library to enjoy at home.
Writing: This week we talked about the word 'and' and how you can use it to ignore punctuation and how most kids overuse it even when it doesn't help and we practiced avoiding run-on sentences and the kids were great at it! We also talked about how to write a juicy sentence that was full of information without using 'and' when we didn't need it.
Science: This week students thought about how engineers are people who solve problems. We talked about how engineers think of an object's function. For example, a spoon can be used to eat ice cream but it can also be used to dig in a garden or catapult things through the air. We found everyday objects from the classroom and tried to imagine alternative functions for them. We also used out engineering abilities to build houses for animals using limited materials. *See houses in the pictures tab!
Dinner Table Questions:
What animal did you build a house for? How did you plan your design?
Tell me about the routines you have in library when browsing and checking out books.
What speaking project are you working on in Chinese?
What song are you learning in Music?
Important Dates:
Thursday, October 4th- Picture Day!
Monday, October 8th- No School
9.21.18
9.21.18
Thank you to all the families that made it to Open House! For those of you who didn’t make it- the information is coming home in your child’s Friday Folder along with a suspiciously similar looking flip book about the PTO!
Also in your Friday Folder is homework from a classmate! Feel free to have your child explain what a Diffy is and complete these at home.
Math: This week we started Chapter 1 in our Think Math curriculum. This material is made to be a little easy for the students as they get used to the structure of our math lesson and the materials we use.
Reading/Writing: This week we reviewed the features found in a nonfiction book by making ones about ourselves. Hopefully you got to see those at Open House! If not, they’ll be coming home today in their folders.
Dinner Table Questions:
What was your favorite part of making your Nonfiction Text Features Book?
What do you think your favorite special will be this year? How did it go this week?
What do you think of computers class? What do you want to learn there?
Upcoming Dates:
Monday October 8th- No School
9.14.18
9.14.18
We spent a lot of the week learning even more routines, but also, dove into our curriculum, including Chinese class! It’s definitely starting to feel like we’re really in third grade.
Math - This week we did a review of time. We talked about the parts of a clock and how to look at the minute hand and hour hand to help us tell what time it is.
We discussed how most math lessons with involve working with a partner. We used some time to discuss how to share ideas and be a good partner. Students did an excellent job working with each other to solve math problems.
Social Studies: This week the students answered the age old question: Where am I? We zoomed in from planet Earth all the way into Driscoll School. Have a look outside our classroom for our zooming circle books!
Reading - Students were eager to have our 3K library open. We explored how our class library is organized and practiced getting our reading stamina back up.
Dinner Table Conversation:
What are the class rules?
What did you review in Math this week? What is a Brain Buster?
What is your name in Chinese?
Upcoming Events:
9/17 - Back to School Picnic - 5-7pm
9/19 - No School
9/20 - Open House - 6:30-7:30 for grades 3-5
9.8.18
9.8.18
Welcome back! What a great start to the school year! Each Friday I will update the website about what's going on in 3K and around the school.
We spent our first two days getting to know our classroom and each other. We learned about routines and expectations for third grade. Next week we’ll dive right into reading, writing, math, science, and social studies!
Your child went home today with a Friday Folder in their backpack. Please locate it and read the information sheet about Friday Folders. There are also forms that need to be completed and returned to school next week.
Reminder: Students should bring a snack each day. ALL classrooms are nut free and therefore your child's snack must NOT contain nuts.
Dinner Table Questions:
1. Who sits at your table?
2. Where is the bathroom this year?
3. How do you earn marble for your marble jar?
Upcoming Dates:
- Monday 9/10- No School
- Wednesday 9/19- No School
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