What we are learning this week... Writing: Last week we finished our Friend Wanted Ads. Students created their ads using a a flyer template on readwritethink.org, (click here to go to the website). They turned out great. This week we'll begin our regular writing workshop by generating ideas for personal narratives. During this unit, we'll craft stories from our lives Reading: In reading, we'll continue to learn strategies to monitor and increase comprehenision. As we read fiction stories, we'll make meaningful connections and sequence main events of the plot. Math: We'll continue learning about data analysis as we interpret data on pictographs, bar graphs, and dot plots. On Thursday we will have a test which we will review for on Wednesday. Science: This week we'll begin our unit on matter. We'll conduct investigations to discover how matter can be classified and measured by its physical properties. Social Studies: Elsa England is launching character education using the acronym LEOPARDS. Each letter represents a character trait. We are starting with L for loyalty this month during our social studies time. We'll also start our first unit on citizenship. Upcoming Events September 9th-Spirit Assembly September 9th-Grandparents lunch September 15th-Third Grade Parent Night Highlights from August 29-September 2We had a full week of learning during our second week, and I think everyone is getting used to our normal academic schedule. Also, we went to the library for our orientation and first checkout! The kiddos were excited to check out books and enjoyed playing a game of Kahoot on the ipads to reinforce library expectations. Each week we will have a 20 minute check out time on Wednesdays. Growth Mindset Challenge For this challenge, each table was given a piece of paper folded and cut with a flap that sticks up in an unusual way, (there was a trick to get the paper that way). Without picking up or even touching the paper, the groups had to work together to try to make a duplicate of the paper design. At first, everyone thought it would be easy, but once they cut some flaps, they realized it really was challenging. While they worked, I recorded some of their comments. "This is impossible." It can't be done." This is too hard." I don't know how to do this." After about 10 minutes none of the groups had figured out how create the same design. We discussed the comments I heard and I asked them if it was impossible. A few still said it was, but then I reminded them that I made the samples so it couldn't be impossible. The point of the lesson was to demonstrate a growth mindset vs. a fixed mindset. They realized it wasn't too hard or impossible. They just needed to know one little piece of information to be successful at the task. Having a growth mindset allows one to embrace challenges and mistakes. Collecting Data for a Dot Plot During math, we collected data on mini raisin boxes. Each student estimated how many raisins were in their box. They also had to think of an estimate that is too low and too high. They recorded all of their estimates on a number line. Then, we opened the boxes and counted the number of raisins. We were surprised that the range was from 24-35! Each student put their number on a sticky note and place them randomly on the board. Of course, it was hard to determine the data when it was all mixed up. So...students discovered that we could organize the data using a dot plot. They made a dot plot in their notebook and recorded the class data. Such an engaging lesson full of math! After learning about science careers, we explored tools scientists use. Each group discussed what the tools could be used for and how they could be used. Then students worked together to match vocabulary cards of science tools.
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November 2019
Mrs. Swyers3rd Grade Teacher |