Early in February, students created an interactive scene of the ecosystem they researched using Thinglink. I realized I didn't include these photos or their links to their work with you, so I wanted to share them with you now. Below are photos of the kiddos making their scene using Google Drawing. They had to download their scene and then upload it into Thinklink, (very techy). Then they created their interactive scene and shared their link with me, Here are the links to their work. Enjoy!
Isabel https://www.thinglink.com/scene/752262274453864448 Trent https://www.thinglink.com/scene/752263103747457024#openEditor Anna https://www.thinglink.com/scene/752259085302235136#openEditor Riddoc https://www.thinglink.com/scene/752255672002805762
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Our biggest highlight was our field trip! Check out the previous blog post for photos and information about our trip. Animal Visitors We have animal visitors in our class! They are on loan for two weeks, so we are observing them, feeding them, and discussing their structures and functions that help them survive. This week we fed them twice and were lucky enough to see the turtle, frog, and lizard catch their meal. The tarantula is shy and hasn't been very active-maybe we will see him eat next week! Be sure to ask your child about our animal friends. Thank you to Sara's mom, Jordan's mom, Jordin's mom, and Isaiah's dad for being chaperones and volunteering their time!
Reminder...On Monday, students will take the Math STAAR Ready test starting around 8:00. This will take a good portion of our morning, but will give students an idea of what the STAAR test will be like. Also, it will provide me with valuable data to guide instruction. Here is a glimpse of our learning this week: Writing: We'll continue our informational pieces related to habitat loss. Students have narrowed their focus and planned their piece. This week we will read mentor texts to study the craft of nonfiction. Reading: Our focus will continue to be informational texts as we learn to read closely to determine the important facts and synthesis our learning. Also, this week is Read-A-Thon Week which will include a Read-In on Wednesday. I thought this would be the perfect time to have another flashlight reading time. So, please send in a flashlight on Wednesday. Math: This week we''ll start a very short unit on data which includes pictographs, frequency tables, bar graphs, and dot (line) plots. Students will examine a variety of graphs and data charts and do some noticing and wondering. Additionally, students will think of a survey question to ask the class and will then collect data using a frequency chart. They will use the data to create a bar graph. As we explore data charts and graphs, students will apply computational skills to answer questions, determine missing information, and compare data. Science: You have probably heard all about our animal visitors from your child. They will be picked up on Thursday, so we'll spend some time observing them and discussing their habitats and adaptations. We'll also do some quick research to find out more about each species. This will be a great introduction to our next unit on structures, functions and life cycles of animals. Social Studies: We'll continue to learn about economics. We'll read The Lorax to gain an understanding of scarcity. This will be perfect for Wednesday which is Dr. Suess' birthday. Don't forget...Wednesday is Early Release! We had a great time on our field trip! The weather couldn't have been better, and our class displayed respect and perfect citizenship during our visit. It was so much fun exploring all the plants and learning about the adaptations and habitats of various species. Also, we enjoyed working on the scavenger hunt and finding leaves to record on our leaf hunt page. Some of our favorites included walking to the top of the tower, exploring the waterfall & cave, and observing the owl that was nesting on a wall near the entrance. Below are the photos I took. You will notice a lot of the same kiddos in the pictures because that is the group that was with me during our small group exploration time.
Practicing multiplication & division through various games. Students collaborated with partners to write public service announcements to educate others about habitat loss. They used a storyboard to plan their script in their notebook. Then, they will create a presentation using Powtoons or Google slides. Coming Up Week of Feb. 22-26What We Are Learning This Week
Writing: Last week Mr. Weiler come to our class to teach us how to use PowToons. So, we got side tracked a bit from writing our informational pieces. I decided to go ahead and start writing our public service announcements since it takes a while to create them. I want to have them completed by the end of next week so that they can "air" on the morning announcements when we return from spring break. Students first planned their PSA on a storyboard in their notebooks, (they are still revising and making them better), and then started creating their presentation in PowToons. This is one way we will educate others about habitat loss. Another way is through our informational pieces which will be posted on a PBL blog we are creating. We'll continue to work on these this week and next week. Lots of great writing happening for an authentic audience! The kiddos are LOVING PowToons! Reading: Students will be taking the Staar Ready Reading Assessment on Wednesday. This is a long test with 5 passages which will be used as a tool for determining individual as well as class needs in reading and preparation for STAAR. Thus, Monday and Tuesday we will work on test taking strategies as we complete a few reading passages. I'll work with students individually to correct mistakes and reteach as needed. Math: We'll wrap up our unit on multiplication and division this week. Students will take a test on Thursday which we will review for in class. Please be sure your child is practicing multiplication facts at home. We have now learned strategies for solving all the facts such as building up by using 5 facts to determine 6 facts. Also, students know strategies to use when solving problems involving multiplication such as making equal groups, using a strip diagram, skip counting, or using a table. We are continuing to practice strategies for solving division problems. Science: Our focus will be on weather and the water cycle. Students will complete virtual investigations, draw a diagram of the water cycle and explain how it works, and observe & record weather patterns. Social Studies: We'll continue to learn about economics and our free enterprise system. Upcoming Events Wednesday, February 24: Staar Ready Reading Assessment Friday, February 26: Field Trip Monday, February 29: Staar Ready Math Assessment Wednesday, March 2: Early Release Day Our Valentine's Day party was a big hit. The kiddos enjoyed playing games, making a yummy mixed snack, creating cards for children in the hospital, and getting some energy out while participating in Go Noodle. Also, they had fun looking at all the cards & treats in valentine boxes! In fact, they were all so calm when they came back to the classroom-great way to end the party and the week. Most of the pictures are from the classroom while the kiddos are looking at their cards. I only got a few shots during the rotations.
Coming up...Week of Feb. 15-19Thank you to everyone who volunteered or donated items for our Valentine's Day party! The kiddos had a great time and really liked the stations. The third grade teachers appreciate all of your help!
Also, thank you for all the candy, cards, flowers, and treats. You made my day! Here is a glimpse of what we are learning this week: Writing: We are still working on our informational PBL piece. Last week we got sidetracked a bit due to some revising and editing practice that we needed to do for an upcoming district writing assessment. So, this week finalize our writing plan and begin drafting/designing our product. Also, Mr. Weiler will be coming in on Thursday to help us learn how to use Powtoons in preparation for our next writing piece-public service announcements. Reading: We'll continue to read informational texts with a focus on cause & effect. During independent reading time students will read nonfiction and work on their personal goal for this genre. Math: Last week we worked on strategies for learning 9s facts, learned how to use halving for 8s facts, reviewed facts we have already learned, and reviewed division strategies. This week we'll work on the rest of the facts for multiplication and division, (3s, 6s, 7s). Students will solve problems and play games focusing on these facts. Science: It's time for a new unit this week on weather & the water cycle after we finish a few things for our unit on ecosystems. As part of our weather unit we would like to make terrariums to observe plants growing and the water cycle in action. I would love to get enough recyclable produce/desert containers such as the ones below for everyone in the class. If you happen to have any like these in the next week, please wash them send them in. Any similar container that is clear and doesn't have any holes will work. Social Studies: More economics! We have learned about needs vs. wants, goods/products, services, and a little about supply & demand. This week we'll play a fun game to gain a better understanding of supply & demand and we'll learn about consumers & producers. Upcoming Events: Wednesday, February 24th: Staar Ready Reading Assessment (This will not be for a grade.) Friday, February 26th: Third Grade Field Trip to Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center (details will be coming home Tuesday) |
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November 2019
Mrs. Swyers3rd Grade Teacher |