Week of 5/1

Well, this is the week my sweet Cardinals get to show what they have learned this year.  We will be reviewing, Monday - Wednesday.  The students will take the STAAR assessment for math on Thursday, 5/4.   

Reminders for this week: 

1. Children will NOT have an automaticity quiz this week.    

2. Problem Solving HW due 5/2.  Tuesday. We will not have an assignment in Google classroom 5/3 due to the STAAR; however, it will resume the following week. 

3.  Review Material now in Google Classroom - Some parents have requested additional material for students to review prior to the end of the year assessment and extra practice on the skills we have worked on this year.  I will be adding some review materials for students to do.  While it is optional, students who complete the work and turn in "scratch work pages" will receive Cardinal tickets. There is not a deadline on this material. 

Week of 4/24

We will wrap up our Fractions unit the first part of the week by discussing equivalent fractions.  Students will have an assessment on Wednesday covering the unit.  A study guide will be sent with students on Monday.  The last part of the week, we will begin the review unit in preparation for the STAAR assessemnt that will be given 5/4.    

Week of 4/10

We will continue this week with fractions, looking at fractions on a number line and composing/decomposing fractions.  

Week of 4/3

We will begin fractions this week, taking a look at the basics of fractions: numerator/denominator/fraction bar and moving into looking at unit fractions and fractions of a group. 

Unit Overview: 

It is important for the introduction of equivalent fractions to be modeled through the use of concrete objects (i.e. if a hexagon pattern block represents the whole, two trapezoids could also represent one whole and so could six triangles; one trapezoid pattern block would cover half of the whole hexagon and so does three triangles; therefore, 1/2 = 3/6). Then progress to the use of pictorial models (i.e. a square has been divided into two equal parts with half of the square shaded representing 1/2; the same square is then divided into four equal parts now reflecting 2/4; the same square is then divided into eight equal parts reflecting 4/8; hence 1/2 = 2/4 = 4/8) and a number line (i.e. 1/2 = 2/4 = 3/6=4/8 as they are all the same distance away from zero). Equivalent fractions are limited to denominators of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8. The comparison of fractions are limited to those where the numerators are the same with different denominators (1/4 and 1/8) or the denominators are the same with different numerators (2/3 and 1/3). This will allow the focus to be on the size of the whole or the size of the part in order to compare fractions. Students will articulate that when the denominators are the same the size of the numerator will determine which is larger/smaller (i.e. 2/6<5/6 because both fractions were divided into the same number of parts but 2/6 has three less parts than 5/6) and when the numerators are the same the size of the denominator will determine which is larger/smaller (i.e. 3/8<3/6 because an object divided into eight equal parts would be a smaller area than an object divided into six equal parts). Students will state two comparison statements to ensuring understanding (i.e. 3/8<3/6 and 3/6>3/8).

Reminders for this week: 

1. Children will continue division automaticity quizzes this week in place of multiplication - Thursday 

2. Problem Solving HW due 4/4, Tuesday. New assignment will be put in Wednesday, 4/5

Week of 3/27

Students will take the Mock STAAR for Math on Tuesday, 2/28.  This assessment serves two purposes: 1. It gives the students another opportunity to complete the assessment on the computer, and to understand what the testing environment will be like when they take the Math STAAR test in May. 2.  It gives teachers good planning inforamtion regarding the TEKS, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.  While the test covers all TEKS, we are not taking the "real STAAR" until 5/4. All material will be covered by that time. We will review Monday.  The wrap up area/perimeter on Wednesday/Thursday.  The children will have their assessment Thursday.  Friday will be our first day with fractions. 

Reminders for this week: 

1. Children will begin division automaticity quizzes this week in place of multiplication - Thursday 

2. Problem Solving HW due 3/28, Tuesday. New assignment will be put in Wednesday, 3/29

Week of 3/6
We will be looking at geometric solids (3-D figures) and their attributes the first part of the week.  We will then begin looking at finding the perimeter of plane shapes.  Students will have a quiz on Friday, 3/10 covering the perimeter.  A review will be sent home. 

Week of 2/27

We will wrap up our study of division by looking at multiple step division problems with "hidden questions" while working in stations the first part of the week.  We will then move into a new unit - Geometry.  However, PLEASE keep working with your children on multiplication/division facts.  This week we will focus on learning about the attributes of polygons and 2 D figures. 

There is a great deal of vocabulary in the geometry unit.  I am including a link here to help parents understand some of the many terms and items we will be learning about with geometry.  While we are not using all of the material from the link, it is helpful to see the vocabulary. I am also including some anchor charts below that should be helpful. 

Geometry Terms

Reminders for Week of 2/27 

Problem Solving Homework will be due Tuesday, 2/28 and a new assignment will be posted in Google Classroom Wed., 2/29.

Weekly Mult. Quiz - The quiz will be Thursday and will be comprised of mixed facts up to x 10. 

Week of February 13

We will continue our study of division this week - Students will be working on division/multiplication relationship tables on Monday - They will also come home with a 4 problem review to share with parents in preparation for a division word problem quiz on Thursday.  We will also be discussing the difference in division problems when sharing versus grouping. Students will end the week writing their own division problems and playing a fun game of division bingo.

Reminders for Week of 2/13

Problem Solving Homework will be assigned in Google Classroom Wed., 2/15

Weekly Mult. Quiz - Will cover the 9's (0 - 9's) Thursday

Week of January 30th

Division begins this week!  We will begin the introduction looking at sharing and creating equal groups.  We will then move into looking at divisibility rules, the relationship between division and repeated addition, & multiplication/division fact families.  The students will take Checkpoint 2 on Thursday.  

Reminders:  Given the February Break, there will be no new homework assigned in on Wed, 2/1.
                     The next problem solving will be assigned in Google Classroom Wed., 2/15.

                     8's multiplication quiz (with some 0's - 7's)  - Wednesday this Week

Week of January 17th

Multiplication continues:   We will review the patterns and relationship tables that we looked at last week - Students will have a review to bring home and have a short quiz later on this week on Thursday. We will then be moving on to look at 2 step word problems, which is an on-going skill, and begin looking at 2 digit by 1 digit multiplication at the end of the week.  It is CRUCIAL that students work on the automaticity of facts throughout the week.  The weekly problem solving homework will be due Tuesday. The children should have filled out the form and have their "work pages" with them when they come Tuesday morning. The weekly multiplication quiz this week is Friday.  Please see below for additional details about the homework and multiplication quiz. 

Please see the anchor chart in my "helper sheets" section. This is a very good example of the different algorithms/strategies that we use for 2 digit by 1 digit - While this shows 3 digit x 1 digit, the concept is still the same. 

Weekly Multiplication Quiz Note - We will continue this 9 weeks with the weekly multiplication quizzes.   The grades will be averaged as 1 grade for the 3rd 9 weeks.  Students have a multiplication chart in the brads of their homework folder. Also, please scroll down this page to see additional information regarding multiplication automaticity. 6's test will be Friday. Please note that it will be mostly 6's, but will also include some facts they should already know. (0's - 5's)

Week of January 9th

We will continue our lessons on multiplication this week.  Students will have a quiz the middle of the week covering the basics of multiplication, along with the properties.  (Properties anchor chart can be seen under "helper sheets" section) They will bring home a review activity prior to the test.  As of now, it looks like the quiz will be Thursday. We will then move on to look at patterns and relationships.  

SPECIAL HOMEWORK NOTE! The math homework will no longer be sent as paper copies as of this week.  The children have their assignment in their math teacher's Google Classroom.  It will be scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 and due by the time they come to school the following Tuesday. The days have not changed.  Our instructional coach, Mrs. Weller, and I have worked with the students, making sure they are able to log in and access the material.  The students have a BRIGHT ORANGE sheet in their homework folder reminding them how to access Google Classroom from home, and I will be sending a link to a video that both you and your child can watch that explains in detail how to complete, submit, and mark an assignment as done.  The children will view the assignment on the computer and submit their answers digitally.  However, they will still be bringing their "scratch paper" with them on the due date.  They have done this type of thing when doing other assignments at school.  It can be done on notebook paper, printer paper,  or graph paper.  We ask that it be numbered and organized.  We will be talking about this in class, but they may need a little help at home to start out. 

Week of January 2nd

This week, students will continue with our study of multiplication by reviewing arrays, and looking at multiplying using a number line.  We will also begin looking at the properties of multiplication.  See anchor charts in my "helper charts" section. 

Weekly Multiplication Quiz Note - We will continue this 9 weeks with the weekly multiplication quizzes. The grades will be averaged for 1 grade for the 3rd 9 weeks.  Students have a multiplication chart in the brads of their homework folder. Also, please scroll down this page to see additional information regarding multiplication automaticity. 4's test will be Thursday, 1/5.

SPECIAL Problem Solving Homework Notice -  Students received the next packet today, Wednesday. (This is a regular paper copy)  Thereafter, the homework will be on Google Classroom.  More information to come soon!

Week of December 5th

This week, we will continue working on time (review from what they know in 2nd grade) and then move onto elapsed time.  Telling time to the nearest minute is a 2nd grade skill.  If your child does not know how to do this on a digital AND analog clock, please work with them at home.  We focus on elapsed time in 3rd grade.  See the anchor chart below.  We will begin the multiplication unit at the end of the week.  

Please Note - Students will begin having a weekly multiplication quiz. I discussed this during parent/teacher conferences. This week it will be on Thursday.  They will be tested over the 2's.  We have worked on this a great deal already with our Sparkle math game and many conversations about repeated addition.   We will average the quizzes the students do in order to obtain 1 grade each for the 2nd and 3rd 9 weeks.  The test next week will cover the 3's.  Students have a multiplication chart in the brads of their homework folder. Also, please scroll down this page to see additional information regarding multiplication automaticity. 

Week of November 28th

We have begun looking at data analysis, with a look at surveys, frequency tables, and bar graphs before the break.  This is always a favorite of the students, as they use information they are interested in, and show their data in different ways.  We are learning about pictographs and dot plots this week. See anchor below: 

SPECIAL HOMEWORK NOTICE - We are back to the regular homework schedule - It is assigned on Wednesday and due on the following Tuesday

Week of November 7th

This week, we will continue with subtraction on Monday, and students will have an assessment on Wednesday (Student holiday Tuesday).  Students are allowed to use any strategy we have worked on in class, including the standard algorithm. (The way most adults learned) The assessment will include word problems and computation problems.  They should know how to regroup (borrow) and be able to subtract problems that involve zeros.  Example:  504 - 235 and 600 - 448.  The wonderful thing about a problem that includes a 0 in the ones and tens places is that students are able to subtract 1 from 600 and 1 from 448 (559 - 447) and they can find the difference without having to regroup across multiple zeros.  The last part of the week, we will be looking at solving addition and subtraction word problems using strip diagrams.  A strip diagram is simply a way to organize important details in a word problem that helps students determine which operation to use.  Please see the anchor chart below. 

Week of October 31

This week is broken up a bit with Halloween and students being out Tuesday.  On Halloween, we will be looking at some fun review with games and practicing a different kind of problem solving with "Minute to Win It" activities. We will also be doing some STEM Engineering On Monday.  Wednesday - Friday - We will continue our study of subtraction on Wednesday and Friday looking at the standard algorithm for subtraction and subtracting across zeros.  On Thursday, students will take a district checkpoint covering the materials we have learned to date in 3rd grade.  This is for teachers in order to guide instruction, as needed.  (reteaching for small groups in class/tutoring etc., as needed) 

SPECIAL HOMEWORK NOTICE - The homework due this week is due on Wednesday, as students will be out on Tuesday, 11-1.  Also, the homework assigned this week on Wednesday, 11-2, will be due the following Wednesday, as students will be out Tuesday, 11/8. 

Week of October 24th

We will continue our study of subtraction this week.  We will be looking at subtracting using a number line, place value blocks, and the expanded algorithm this week.  This will give the students a firm foundation as we work toward using the standard algorithm the following week.

Week of October 17th

This week, we will wrap up the addition algorithms the first part of the week.  The assessment for addition using the standard algorithm will be Thursday. We will start looking at subtraction on Friday with a lesson on estimating differences. 

Week of October 10th

We will continue to look at addition algorithms. On Monday, students will look at adding 3-digit addends on the number line. From our study of 2 digit addends, they will continue to keep one number whole, and break apart the 2nd addend when moving on the number line.  Tuesday, we will review the 2 strategies we have learned thus far - break-apart of 2 and 3 digit addends (adding by place) and adding 2/3 digit addends using a number line.  A review page will be sent home Tuesday evening to go over with students.  A quiz covering those strategies will be given Wednesday.  The last part of the week, we will look at adding vertically and then the standard algorithm, which is the way most adults learned to add.   Please see helper charts section for more information. 

Week of September 26th

This week, we will wrap up money lessons on Monday and move into strategies for adding 2 and 3 digit numbers using break-apart and number lines.  While these strategies are very different than most adults learned, they have proven to help children understand the value of the numbers and the "why" of what they are doing.  It certainly gives them a greater understanding of numeracy.

Special note about homework this week: Problem Solving Homework will NOT be assigned Wednesday, 9/28 in light of the upcoming Fall Break.  However, please check the homework folder Wednesday, 9/28 and Thursday, 9/29 in the event that a small assignment is given. 

Week of September 19th

.  We will begin this week with a review of the material that was learned last week: We ran short of time last week, so we are playing catch up this week. :)  We learned this past week-Estimating through rounding and compatible numbers, estimating sums, and addition properties.  A  review page will go home with students Tuesday night.  Parents are asked to go over it with students.  The assessment will be Wednesday.  The 2nd part of the week we will be taking at look at money - coins/bills/composing and decomposing given amounts. For example: if given $0.51 and five circles, students will be able to show that it can be decomposed as 1 quarter, 2 dimes, 1 nickel,  & 1 penny.  In turn, if given those coins, they should be able to compose them as $0.51. 

Week of September 12th

At the beginning of the week, we will continue looking at estimation through rounding and compatible numbers.  Compatible numbers can help you with estimating because they are close to the actual number.  They help you add, subtract, multiply, and divide mentally.  They are considered "friendly" numbers.  In 3rd grade, we focus on multiples of 10 (similar to when rounding), and multiples of 5.    We will also look at estimating sums. It is important to estimate, then operate.  The second part of the week, we will look at addition properties.    Students are scheduled to have an assessment on rounding and addition properties next Monday.  They will bring home a review sheet prior to the assessment.  I will send an emaiL OR Remind etting parents know that students have the sheet and a definite day for the assessment.

Week of September 6th     (Scroll down to see Science plans)

This week, we will begin to take a look at estimation.  We will discuss the difference between an exact answer and an estimated answer, which is a close answer.  Some ways we estimate outside the classroom are: when shopping and cooking, and with time and distance.  We will begin our lessons on estimation by looking at rounding to the nearest 10 with 2 and 3 digit numbers, and nearest 100 with 3 digit numbers.  We look at this rounding with given numbers and through estimating sums and differences. Students should remember that we estimate and then operate. 
Some ways we approach rounding are shown in the anchor chart section further down this page.

Week of August 29th

This week, we will continue in our place value unit.  We will be looking at the 3 ways to write a number that we have already discussed (standard/written/explanded), but will be applying this to larger numbers through the hundred thousands.  We will also be looking at expanded notation, with an emphasis on the verbiage, "groups of"  For example: 3,245.  There are 3 groups of 1,000/2 groups of 100/4 groups of 10/5 ones.  This is written as 
(3 x 1,000) + ((2 x 100) + (4 x 5) + ( 5 x 1) .  We will also be examining the relationship between 2 digits that are the same, and beside each other in a number.  Example:  1,224.  The 2 in the hundreds place has a value of 200.  The 2 in the ten's place has a value of 20.  It would take 10 groups of 20 to make 200.  So we know that 200 is 10 times greater than 20.  Whereas, there is only 1 group of 20 if there are 2 tens.  Knowing that it takes 10 groups of 20 to make 200, and we only have one 20, the twenty is 1/10 the value of 200.  We look at this with manipulatives starting out.  It is not the easiest of concepts, but we will look at it several times throughout the year. 
The students in my class will have a test covering all the material they have learned in the Place Value unit on Friday, 9/2. 

Week of August 22nd

This week, we will continue  our place value unit. Our class has been working so hard and doing an amazing job learning all kids of new skills.  The beginning of the week, we will work on comparing and ordering numbers through 4 digits.  On Wednesday, the children will have a short 10 question quiz covering some of the material we have worked on so far: standard/written/expanded forms, comparing numbers with less/greater than.   The last part of the week, we will begin looking at numbers through the ten thousand's and hundred thousand's place (5 and 6 digit numbers) 

Week of August 15th

 This week we begin to dive into the curriculum and begin our first unit on Place Value. Students in 2nd grade worked with numbers through 1,200.  In third grade, students will be working with numbers through the hundred thousands place.  Understanding terminology is an important part of the lessons this week.  Knowing the difference between a digit and a number, as well as the place and value of a number, is very important.  We will begin to look at the place value chart through the hundred thousands place and work on expressing numbers through standard, word, and expanded forms. An overview of the complete unit is below that the distict provides for us teachers,  along with some anchor charts that will be helpful to review as we work this week. Please check my HELPER CHARTS section. 

Overview:  Place Value Unit

As students build their understanding of the number system they should transfer from composing and decomposing using the base ten blocks to representing the number in expanded form. For example, 824 would be represented with 8 hundreds, 2 tens, and 4 ones using base ten blocks. Students must experience using the blocks and then transfer that understanding to the value of each and writing it in expanded form… 8 hundreds is 800, 2 tens is 20 and 4 ones is 4, therefore 800 + 20 + 4 is the expanded form. However, this is not the only representation of expanded form. It could also include 500 + 300 + 20 + 4 or 700 + 100 + 10 + 10 + 4, etc. Encourage students to use multiple addends of the decomposition; it will lend itself to regrouping in subtraction later this school year. In addition to using expanded form, students must also compose and decompose numbers using expanded notation: 824 is 8 groups of 100 plus 2 groups of 10 plus 4 groups of 1, therefore (8 x 100) + (2 x 10) + (4 x 1) is the expanded notation. Students must understand that a digit can have different values depending on the location in a number. The digit 2 in the tens place has a value of 20, the digit 2 in the ten thousands place has a value of 20,000. Students will use their understanding of place value to compare numbers. If a student compares 845 and 854 they know that both numbers have at least eight hundred, then they must look at the value of the tens… in one number there are 4 tens and the other number there are 5 tens. Students should be able to communicate that 4 tens is less than 5 tens or that 50 is greater than 40 etc. Students must be able to communicate their understanding of numbers verbally, in written form and with the use of symbols. The use of the open number line will allow students to order numbers more efficiently as numbers increase from left to right or decrease from right to left on the number line. Students can
associate this with ordering from least to greatest and greatest to least. 

HOMEWORK NOTICE:     Students will begin to have homework beginning in week 2.    The 3rd grade math team sends homework on Wednesday, and students will need to return the completed homework the following Tuesday.  We will begin with paper copies of homework. However, later in the year the homework will be assigned in Google Classroom.  Students are expected to show their thinking both with word problems, and computation. Please take a look at the "Problem Section" section. 

Week of August 9-12th

This week we will be doing a lot of getting to know you activites that incorporate some math skills.  Next week, we will begin our first unit, Place Value.  Be sure to check back each week in this spot in order to get an overview of what the students are learning for the week. We have really enjoyed getting to our students so far! :) 

HOMEWORK NOTICE:     Students will not have homework this first week.  The 3rd grade math team sends homework on Wednesday, and students will need to return the completed homework the following Tuesday.  We will begin with paper copies of homework; however, later in the year the homework will be assigned in Google Classroom. 

Week of 2/27 This week, we will continue with our Formation of Soil Unit.  

Key Concepts

Week of 2/15  This week, we will wrap up the Force and Motion unit and introduce the Formation of Soil Unit.  

Key Concepts

Week of 1/30-This week, we will continue the Force and Motion unit.  Students should know the meanings of the words that go along with this unit - They have a vocabulary page in the brads of their homework folder. Quiz is TUESDAY. Study guide was sent home last week. 

Key Concepts:

Week of 1/9-  This week, we will continue the Force and Motion unit.  Students have vocabulary for this unit in the brads of their homework folder. 

Key Concepts:

Week of 11/28- While the students will be assessed using a "Science/Art" activity completed in class later this week, they do need to have an understanding of the vocabulary.  Please review this with them. These are loacted in their yellow homework folders. 

Week of 11/7  We will conclude the Mixtures unit  Monday with an assessment.  The study guide was sent home last week.  With students being out on Tuesday, we will begin a new unit on Wednesday.  Students should keep their study guide in the yellow folder, as we will be adding it to the science journal. The new unit will cover these forms of energy: mechanical, sound, light, and thermal energy

Week of 10/24   We will continue the Mixtures unit that we started at the end of last week.  Students will participate in some fun labs in the first part of the week as we learn about mixtures.  For the last part of the week, students will be looking at pumpkin/fall stem activities and using problem solving skills and creative juices to accomplish tasks with small groups. 

Week of 10/17   Students will have an assessment covering the concepts they have learned about Matter on Tuesday, 10/18.  The assessment will cover the vocabulary words that are in the brads of their homework folder, as well as the concepts listed on the study guide that was sent home Thursday, 10/13.  We will begin a new unit on Mixtures the 2nd part of the week.  

Week of 10/10- This week, we will wrap up our unit on Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases by examining the physical properties of matter: measurable properties - mass, weight, volume, density, temperature & observable properties -  color, odor, texture, magnetic, sink/float. Students will have an assessment covering the material at the end of the week. Please make sure they are continuing to review the vocabulary that is in the brads of their homework folder. 

Week of 9/19-This week, we will continue our unit on Matter: Solids, Liquids, and Gases by looking at Stemscopes, (A virtual science curriculum through Rice University) We will also be do some sorting and prepare for a Matter Lab. We will also continue to discuss the vocabulary and do some activities with the words/definitions in class.  These words are in the brads of the homework folder.  Students should also be reviewing them at home.  

Week of 9/12-   Last week, we had a great time looking at the Scientific Method and learning about the different steps with the Gummy Bear experiment.  We will begin a new unit this week:  Solids, Liquids, and Gases. Students will  place the vocabulary for this unit in their homework folder brads.  This will be written on the homework planner pages in their yellow folder. 

Week of September 9th

This week, we will begin looking at the scientific method and have some hands on activities fun demonstrating what we are learning.  We will also discuss variables and what makes an experiment "fair".