Math Unit 6: Geometry and Perimeter

Third graders have started on Bridges Math, Unit 6.  Our current focus is on geometry and perimeter.  Our geometry focus is on quadrilaterals.  On Tuesday, we created tangram pieces from a square and then put the square back together.  It took a lot of perseverance to put the tangram pieces back into a square.  Everyone's hard work was rewarded with a prize!

Bridges Unit 6 Parent Information

On Thursday, we created a scavenger hunt for our Pre-K buddies.  They had to follow our clues all over the playground to find a St. Patrick's Day treat!

We had a great time with our Skype session with Alex London, author of many elementary age books.  Here is a link to his web page.

Alex London

Here is photos of kids enjoying the Skype session with the Everybody Wins Mentors.

Wax Museum a Great Success!

Dear Families,

I am so proud of the outstanding job that the third graders did with the Wax Museum.  The costumes were magnificent and EVERYONE knew their speeches.  It was a lot of hard work to stand and give the speeches over and over.  Everyone got very hot and tired, but they hung in there and did a fantastic job.   Here are a few highlights from the event!

Rosa Parks, Rosa Parks and Rosa Parks

Ruby Bridges standing with Rosa, Rosa and Rosa!

Harriet Beecher Stowe with Ruby Bridges

The 16th and 44th President Standing Together!

George Washington Carver

Sojourner Truth

Sojourner Truth and Lincoln meeting once again!

Jackie Robinson times 2!

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

How many times do I need to give this speech?

This mustache is hot!

I am important because.....

This is hard work!

"Some people think I was tired..."

Rosa with a huge smile!

What a lady!

"I helped start the Montgomery bus boycotts..."

President Obama

 Look, I finally got a picture of Phoenix smiling!

Conferences This Week:
I look forward to seeing everyone for your child's Student Led Conference.  Please be sure your third grader comes with you.  They will be leading the conference.  If you were unable to make it to school for the Wax Museum, I have all of the third graders on video tape.  I will share the video with you at your child's conference.

Friday is the Wax Museum!

Dear Families,

Friday, March 4th is the Wax Museum.  Students have been working hard on their reports, back drops and speeches.  Please check in with your child to make sure that he/she has everything needed for his/her costume.  We are looking forward to seeing you for this fun event!

Wax Museum

Friday, March 4

1:00-2:00 p.m.

Third Graders will be reading Mystery Books for their home reading during the the month of March.  Students will try to read several mystery books during the month and complete small projects around their books.  In addition to Mystery Books, students will also be choosing a novel to read during class as part of a mixed grade level book group.  I have notices that many students are "forgetting" to fill out their book logs and return them to school on a daily basis.  As we move into our March Mystery Books, we will be working to read for a minimum of 20 minutes a night and to fill out reading logs daily.

It is hard to believe that March is almost here!  It is time to think of Spring Conferences.  The March Conference is a student led conference.  Students will spend time over the next two weeks preparing for their conferences.  This conference is a great opportunity for students to share what they have learned this year and set goals for the remainder of the school year.  There is a lot of preparation that goes into these conferences.  It is very helpful, if all of the conferences can be done over a few days, so that you child has an opportunity to share his/her information soon after he/she prepares for the conferences.  I will be trying to do all of the third grade conferences on March 10 and 11th.  Your child will bring home a list of conference times on Monday.  Please choose three times that you and your child are available for a conference and send back the form as soon as possible.  You may also email me a list of times you are available, and I can get back to you by email.  I will be running conferences from 2;30-7:00 p.m.  on Thursday, March 10 and 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11.  I look forward to meeting with you and your child.

I have been spending time helping third graders get familiar with the computerized Smarter Balance Test that all third graders will be taking at the beginning of May.  Third graders have had a chance to explore some of the training and practice tests.  This gives them an opportunity to experience the type of questions they will be asked and know how to use the various computer buttons that are available to them.  I have attached a link to the SBAC student/family training site, so that you have an opportunity to see what the SBAC third grade test is like.  If you need help navigating through the training, ask your third grader for assistance!

Smarter Balance Training 

Students had a wonderful afternoon skating on Friday, February 12.  Here are some photos from this fun even!

Addison skating for the ball!

Emma is about to kick the ball.

Holly and Luke are off!

Look at Vance go!

Mare (Luke's Grandmother) sent bracelets from Florida for all of the third graders and their preschool buddies.  Here are some photos of students wearing their new bracelets!

In math, we are hard at work on division.  Here are photos of a few of the models that we have been using to show our division thinking!