I didn't take very many pictures this week since I was out Tuesday and Friday afternoon. We were super busy though learning about area, rapid changes to the earth, writing an expository essay, and reading biographies. Also, we worked on finishing our PBL poster/displays to begin teaching others about the global garbage problem. Exploring Landslides We partnered with Mrs. Lipe's class again to make models of a mountain. Then we created a simulation of rain using a cup with holes. The rapid rain caused the soil to fall down the mountain rapidly showing how earth's surface can change due to landslides. It was messy but exciting! Finding Area of Composite Figures and Rectangles Separating a figure into two rectangles seems easy, but it can be a challenge for 3rd graders. That's why I created large shapes on the floor tiles. Students used measuring tapes to create break apart the figure into two rectangles, then calculated the area of each rectangle. This really helps kiddos understand area, but also what square feet means. And it active, fun, and very engaging! Coming Up Week of January 17-20Writing: Students will be drafting short expository essays and nonfiction pieces this week related to our PBL.
Reading: We will be reading a few more biographies as a class and independently during reading workshop before moving on to Traditional Literature. After reading some of the written responses the kiddos wrote about the biographies they read, I realize we need to spend a bit more time making inferences and making connections. As we read a few more biographies, I'll model how readers connect ideas within a text, make inferences, and monitor comprehension. Math: Last week we worked on finding area of rectangles and composite figures. We used various math tools to find the area of paper chocolate bars, a desk, different sized rectangles, and compostite figures constructed on the floor. Most of the kiddos discovered several ways to determine the area and seem to have a good understanding of the concept. We will continue to work on area and shapes as part of our daily spiral review. The next district test will include geometry concpepts along with our next unit on fractions which we will begin tomorrow. The focus of this unit is comparing and equivalence of fractions. Science: We are beginning a new unit on soil and natural resources. We'll mostly focus on soil since we have already learned about natural resources through our PBL. This week we will observe our soil samples, compare different soil samples, and develop theories about how soil is formed through our observations. Thanks to everyone who sent soil samples! It looks like we have a good variety. Social Studies: We our finishing our unit on geography and we'll learn about the role Martin L. King played in shaping America. Upcoming Events: Thursday, January 19: Math Night for 2nd & 3rd @ 6:00 Friday, February 10: Field Trip to Westcave Preserve (Lipe and Swyers)-details to come
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November 2019
Mrs. Swyers3rd Grade Teacher |