Crew News 1.26.12

Crew Learning Expedition: Students have gotten to feel like scientists with hands-on learning about rocks. First we had students decide how they would sort rocks (by color, texture, weight, size, etc.) and then we introduced how scientists classify rocks: metamorphic, sedimentary, and igneous. Today students began researching one of these types to become an expert. HINTS AT HOME:Tell me what you have learned about metamorphic, sedimentary, or igneous rocks.

Writing: As part of our testing preparations, we have been working on writing paragraphs and writing to a prompt. Students were able to easily identify the parts of a paragraph (topic sentence, details, and concluding sentence). They are showing growth in just the small time we have worked on this of writing a good paragraph from a prompt. HINTS AT HOME: What do you know about writing paragraphs? What challenges and what successes have you had?

Math: Today we finished our math unit on geometry which assessed learning on angles and 2D & 3D figures.  Next unit: Multiplication! HINTS AT HOME: Continue studying multiplication/division facts at home. There are tons of great internet/ipad/cell phone games/resources that make practicing these fun.

Language/Reading Workshop: Since formal standardized testing is not something that is familiar to third graders, we are taking some time to do a testing-taking genre study. We have been talking about the upcoming TCAP test, looking at samples of what it will look like, doing practices, and discussing strategies. This will help remove any anxiety for taking the state assessment, and allow them to show their great critical thinking skills! HINTS AT HOME: What do you know about yourself as a test-taker? What strategies do you use when you take a test?

Winter Festival: Hope to see you this Saturday from 4-7 for our "Under the Sea" theme festival. Tickets will be available at the door if you have not yet purchased them. (This is not a fundraiser... It is a fun event put on by our parent community.) The Denver Aquarium will present Sensational Sharks and will have hands-on sea fun with their Traveling Sea, games, crafts and more.

Spelling: Here is the spelling list for this week.

 

Winter Voyage Paperwork:

 Please turn in if you haven't already. Thanks!

 

Save the Date:

Third grades will be taking the state standardized testing "TCAP (Transitional Colorado Assessment Program" for the first time this year. The Reading Assessment will be given February 13 and 15th. The Writing and Math Assessment will be given March 5th-9th.  

*Please do your best to have students attend these days! 

 

Valentine's Day Party: We will be having a Vday Party on 2/14 from 9-9:55. Marianne will be coordinating breakfast foods, fruit, and juice. Stay tuned for her email!

Please have students decorate a shoebox, bag, or a container that can be brought to school on this day. There will be no time during school to decorate it.

In previous years, I have found that these celebrations are more meaningful when Valentines are thoughtful. I encourage home-made Valentines, and but store-bought Valentines can be personalized and work too. Please have students make enough Valentines for all of our crew (25). Here is a list of names: Anthony, Blayne, Camille, Dagan, Dylan, Ethan, Gillian, Hal, Haven, Ian, Isabella, Joshua, Keegan, Leah, Madelyn, Nikki, Marissa, Mason, Max, Nicole, Olivia, Shelby, Tayler, Tessa, & Vinnie.

 

 
Jan 28: REMS Winter Festival

Feb 13 & 15: Reading TCAP Assessment 

Feb 14: Valentine's Day Party 

Feb 16: Fieldwork at Garden of the Gods
Feb 29-Mar 1: Winter Voyage 

Mar 5-9: Writing & Math Assessment 

Our Crew as Scientists...

Crew News 1.19.12

Crew Learning

Expedition: Our new science expedition unit is titled "Colorado Rocks" about geology. Students were divided in expert groups about the Rock Cycle or Rocks & Minerals and then shared their new learning with each other.  HINTS AT HOME: What do you know now about rocks that you didn't know before?

Math: Our geometry unit has taken us to measuring angles and analyzing symmetrical figures.  When checking in with a muplitiplication/division practice sheet, several students expressed their anxiety about these. Please continue to study at home! HINTS AT HOME: Continue studying multiplication/division facts at home. There are tons of great internet/ipad/cell phone games/resources that make practicing these fun.

Writing/Language/Reading Workshop: We wrapped up our genre study and students selected a book review to publish using Google Documents.  Check Out our Crew's Book Reviews! HINTS AT HOME: Students are encouraged to continue typing book reviews and reading responses using kidblogs.

Spelling: Here is the spelling list for this week.

 

Winter Voyage Paperwork:

 Please turn in if you haven't already. Thanks!

More Chaperone Opportunities:

We need a few more chaperones for fieldwork to Garden of the Gods 10-3 on Thursday February 16th. Email me if you are interested!

 

Save the Date:

Third grades will be taking the state standardized testing "TCAP" for the first time this year. The Reading Assessment will be given February 13 and 15th. The Writing and Math Assessment will be given later in March. We will be starting to do some preparation work and study of strategies starting next week. 

 
Jan 20: Teacher Work Day; No Students
Jan 28: REMS Winter Festival

Feb 13 & 15: Reading TCAP Assessment

Feb 16: Fieldwork at Garden of the Gods
Feb 29-Mar 1: Winter Voyage

Crew 1.12.12

Today's Fieldwork at Roxborough We had a beautiful hike at Roxborough State Park. Students embraced their role as scientists and made excellent observations about the rock formations. They recorded pictures, noticings, and wonderings. A big thank you to our chaperones who volunteered their time! More Chaperone Opportunities: Feeling left out? :) We need more chaperones for fieldwork to Garden of the Gods 10-3 on Thursday February 16th. Email me if you are interested!

Crew Learning Expedition: As an introduction to our next study, we have been analyzing what scientist notebooks look like (careful observations, detailed notes, and pictures with labels). To get the students excited about the next study we did a three part mystery piece which included today's fieldwork. Tomorrow we will reveal the name and the details of this expedition. HINTS AT HOME: Describe the clues that you have learned from the mystery pieces and fieldwork. What would you like to learn from this study?

Writing/Language Workshop: Students are doing impressive work with our genre study of book reviews. They are able to give a mini-summary, opinion, and recommendation for a book with no problem. We will wrap this study up next week, and choose one book review to publish and submit as a final piece. HINTS AT HOME: Have your child give you a book review of what is being read at home.

Math: Our geometry unit has continued with a study of shapes: triangles, quadrangles, and polygons. We have been learning about the similarities and differences between these shapes and learning new vocabulary such as vertices, parallelograms, irregular and regular polygons, and right angles. HINTS AT HOME: Continue studying multiplication/division facts at home. There are tons of great internet/ipad/cell phone games/resources that make practicing these fun.

Reading Workshop: We are lucky enough to have computers checked out to us on Tuesdays to continue working on reading responses using kidblogs. HINTS AT HOME: Students are welcome to access their blogs at home to write summaries, book reviews, or reading responses.

Spelling: Here is the spelling list for this week.

 

Book Orders:  With scholastic book orders (that went home last week), please submit orders online by next Monday, January 16th. The website is www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  and our class activation code is GP449.

Jan 16: MLK Jr. Day; No School
Jan 20: Teacher Work Day; No Students
Jan 28: REMS Winter Festival

Feb 16: Fieldwork at Garden of the Gods
Feb 29-Mar 1: Winter Voyage

Crew News 1.5.12

Fieldwork When: Thursday 12th Where: Roxobough State Park How: We got a bus!!! (So chaperones do not need to drive) Why: ??? It's part of the mystery piece of our next expedition! PLEASE: Sign the permission slips that went home today and turn in ASAP. :) 1. Students need to pack a daypack Hat or Sunglasses Extra layer like a sweatshirt or jacket for cooler temperatures Water bottle (32 oz.) Sunscreen Tissue 1 Healthy snack and a Healthy sack lunch Clothes to wear: Dress with layers for sun or cool temperatures Tennis shoes or hiking shoes, something that covers whole foot (Mr. Doug’s rule)

<abbreviated due to our short week>

Crew Learning Expedition: To finish our study of geography, students put their learning together in a final product. Through writing, posters, or a skit, students demonstrated their learning about the similarities and differences of the geography of Colorado and another state. HINTS AT HOME: Tell me about what you learned about the geography of Colorado and the other state you studied.	Math: This new unit focuses on geometry. So far we have been learning and identifying a line segment, ray, line, parallel lines, and intersecting lines. HINTS AT HOME: Continue studying multiplication/division facts at home. There are tons of great internet/ipad/cell phone games/resources that make practicing these fun.

Electronic Progress Reports (EPRs): I hope everyone was able to view EPRs through Parent Portal. Please see the email sent home before break about grades this semester (or let me know if I need to resend it). If you have questions or concerns, I would be happy to meet with you!

More Time for Volunteers in the Classroom: I need help! If you can donate an hour of your time to help with taking down wall displays or clerical work, that would be fantastic. Also if you would like to come play math games every Friday at 1:45-2:15, you are welcome to join us. Thanks for the support!

Spelling: Here is the spelling list for this week.

Jan 12: Fieldwork to Roxborough State Park
Jan 16: MLK Jr. Day; No School
Jan 20: Teacher Work Day; No Students
Jan 28: REMS Winter Festival
Feb 29-Mar 1: Winter Voyage 

Check out who came to visit us before we left for Winter Break!