News from 3B - Week of April 14, 2008
3B students have been so busy :
Reading Update
We have read a favorite book of mine over the last few weeks: Stone Fox. It is a touching novel about a boy and his grandfather who try to save their potato farm from the tax man – how appropriate to read in April! This has sparked much discussion about economic topics, such as income, taxes, and how much it costs to go to college. The class seemed to really like this book. We have learned new vocabulary and thought about characters. Yesterday, in partners, students wrote an ending to the book – what really happened after the last chapter? I was happy to see so many happy endings envisioned by our authors.
Math Continues
As always, both classes teach math every day. We have concluded our study of multiplication and division, but you should continue to quiz your children on math facts so that they retain all that they have learned. They will need to call upon multiplication and division in Fourth Grade and beyond.
Our new unit – to begin after the break – will be a study of Geometry. Most Third Graders find this interesting and it is often their very first exposure.
Metric Measurement in Science
Students in 3B have begun to learn about Metric measurement. We learned about units for measuring length – meters, centimeters, and millimeters. We have done estimates and actual measurements of the many things in our classroom and beyond, using meter tapes.. We will also be studying grams and liters.
Spring Break is Here!
Today we dismiss for our Spring Break. I know the students will welcome the down time! Have fun together.
Have a wonderful Passover. I will see the students on April 28th!
Regards,
Victoria Blackman
Invention Convention - Final Instructions
Dear 3B Families,
By now, your brilliant children have invented a completely new product to solve one of their problems! They did these totally on their own in class and I am very proud of them. I value each and every idea and invention, and I assure you that they are all wonderful for Third Grade.
Last Friday, we finished up our writing, explaining how they got their ideas and how the invention works. Then, students glued the papers on the backboards and brought them home to you with final instructions. If you have not yet brought a backboard, please do so immediately! I had planned on finishing this up Friday February 15th.
Now, they students job is to put the name of the invention on the center panel. They may add optional drawings or pictures to give a better idea of how their invention works or looks. Finally, they must build a model of their invention. This should be small enough to fit in the space between the backboard sides and doesn’t have to work. The model should just show how the invention will look and hopefully give enough information to give the judges an idea of how it works. Don’t go overboard on the model – cardboard and poster paints work well!
Completed backboards and model are due back in class on MONDAY MARCH 3rd. Please bring them on time to assure that they are judged. Late entries may miss judging. We are also working hard to trying to get local media (newspapers, TV) here on Tuesday morning.
The Invention Convention will be open for you to view on Wednesday March 5th. Time and details will be sent to you soon.
Congratulations to our wonderful Third Grade Inventors! Please let me know if you need any further information on this.
Regards,
Victoria Blackman
News from 3B - Week of February 4, 2008
We are busy inventing !
The Invention Convention is coming to our school on March 5th!
Each student in our school will be inventing something new to solve a problem or make a task easier. We have spent many classroom hours brainstorming, working and creating. Be sure to ask your child what they have invented – and help them if they don’t have an idea yet.
Next Wednesday everyone in 3B must bring to the classroom a completed backboard for their invention. Details are going home in today’s Friday envelope. Be sure to follow the directions and to get this in on time!
Next Friday, February 15th, students will bring home their completed backboards and will have 2 weeks to complete a model of their invention. I will send information on this next week. Spend the weekend thinking about the inventions surrounding us in every part of our lives.
A Wonderful Field Trip!
Yesterday we traveled to the San Mateo County Historical Museum located in the Old Courthouse. After a pleasant lunch in the sun, we took part in several Ohlone activities and learned about the natural resources of the area. We talked about how settlers used resources and went on a hunt to find various items within the museum. Students learned much about the history of the Peninsula. Thanks to parents who drove and helped on the trip.
Literature Circles Continue
Students were put into new Literature Circles this week and began reading new books. I tried to match students to their interests and reading level. We are practicing thinking about books – and writing thinking questions to discuss. Literature Circles will continue for several weeks.
As a class, we are reading aloud Poppy by Avi – one of my favorite books. Students are enjoying the adventures of this brave – and foolish - deer mouse.
Have a great weekend!
-Victoria Blackman
News from 3B - Week of January 28, 2008
Students in Third Grade are busy and learning!
Field Trip Next Week
On Thursday February 7th, both Third Grades will be attending a program at the San Mateo County Historical Museum in Redwood City. Thanks in advance for so many drivers! If you have signed up to drive, and perhaps need to take care of business that day instead, just let me know. We do have an overabundance! We will be leaving school at 11:45 to drive down to Redwood City and eat our lunches, then attend the program beginning at 12:30. We will learn about how resources in our county have been used by the Ohlone and subsequent settlers, and take part in various Ohlone activities.
If you have not yet returned your permission slip and money, please do so on Monday. Students are not allowed to go on field trips without a signed permission slip. I attach a copy to this email in case you have misplaced it!
Reading in Lit Centers
All 3B students have been reading a Mystery book of their choice in Literature Circles. We have been practicing skills and doing quite a lot of reading. Next week we will break into new circles and read different books. I am planning to introduce some classic literature books. Please encourage your child to do the reading as well as the Literature Circle assignments.
The Invention Convention is Coming!
We have been spending time in class brainstorming and exercising our creative side! We are thinking of problems and ways to solve them with inventions. Most of the work will be done in class.
Have a great weekend!
-Victoria Blackman
News from 3B - Week of January 7, 2008
We have returned to the classroom and are working on many new projects and doing much learning!
Lit Circles have begun!
Students in 3B have divided into Lit Circles are reading Mystery books that they have chosen. Lit Circles in my classroom are used to teach various tasks students will use in their groups – things such as picking an important passage, writing thinking questions, and illustrating their favorite parts of the book. This is done in order to strengthen their ability to discuss in depth what they have read. It is very important that students come to Lit Circle prepared with homework.
Binder Reminders are here
This week, Third Grade students were given binder reminders – essentially, homework planners. Each student must have his or her binder reminder at school every day. Please help them check to be sure that they have reviewed their homework assignments in the reminder each night and bring it to school in the morning.
Multiplication
Both classes are working on multiplication this week. We are working through the concepts, then will begin working on memorizing multiplication facts. You can help your student with this important task.
Have a great weekend! And thank you all again for the marvelous Hillsdale Shopping Center gift certificate. I really appreciate your kindness.
-Victoria Blackman
