Monday.... What Happened?

Today has not been the best day for the learners in Room 304.  No one was raising their hand to participate, students had to be redirected multiple times to do simple tasks... It wasn't good.  Let's hope that we turn it around for Tuesday!!!!

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• We had to go over the Test Prep from Friday and Monday, so with the extra day we missed for the 100th Day of School activities, test prep went a little long today.  Then we went over the homework from Friday.  It was using a number line to show were a fraction should be on the number line.  I would say it is about 50/50 with the success rate, but after going over it, they seem to have a better grasp.
• GoMath Lesson 8.7 was today's focus.  We looked at making sure that we could represent a fraction as part of a whole.  We watched the on demand math video that gives the students a preview of one of the challenging problems they will face that day.  Then we did the interactive math lesson and the students seemed to really grasp the lesson.  After modeling the unlock your problem and show and share, students worked on the problems.  We went over the problems to make sure we hit on any misunderstandings that we faced today.

• 3rd / 4th - Literacy Block
• We spent more time today doing Test Prep than normal due to having to make up what we missed on Friday due to the 100 Minute Readathon.  We read an informational story on how they clean animals who encounter oil pollution.  Then we worked through the questions.  Students have to answer question #18 tonight for homework.
• ReadyGen Lesson 2B.15 was today's lesson.   We read a poem and then reread "Around the Way".  We answered questions and then talked about the difference between written words and spoken words.  Then we moved on to writing.  The focus was comparing and contrasting information that was found in the texts to their actual neighborhood community.  We used a T-Chart to write down information about communities that we found in our texts.  We went page by page and paraphrased the information we found. After taking notes, we then compared our own community and made an entry on the other side of the T-Chart.  

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance
• 7th - Book Fair
• We previewed the book fair so students could see the options.  Make sure to bring plenty of $$$ to parent teacher conferences so you can visit the book fair and make purchases!

Homework

• Math 
• GoMath Lesson 8.7 (pp 485-486)
• Fraction Practice (Double Sided)
• Math Test Prep Day 2/29/16
• Literacy
• Writing - Draft an essay comparing what you learned about communities and your community.
• Spelling - 2x each / cursive
• Reading Log for Monday

100th Day of School

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd - Activities
• We had our 100th Day of School Activity.  Students had to come up with with different things they have learned in 3rd grade this year.  We had 100 "Thought Bulbs" for them to fill out and then decorate the hallway to show how your knowledge is expanding this year.   Then students worked on a hidden picture puzzle to find 100 items hidden in the picture.  When they came into the room they had a 100th Day of School Pencil, Eraser, and Rubber Bracelet to celebrate the day.  
• 3rd/4th - Pajama Read-a-thon
• In honor of the 100th day of school, we had a pajama party to read for 100 minutes.  We moved all the desks out of the way and students in their PJ's got comfortable with blankets and pillows and in some cases stuffed animals and read their favorite books for 100 minutes.  If they finished a book and wanted to take an AR test, we had 10 computers set up, as well as the Ipads for them to test their knowledge of the books they read and earn AR points for the class.  (Pictures coming soon!)
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th / 7th - Computer Assisted Learning
• Students ended the 100th day of school with 100 minutes of computer assisted learning called WAGGLE.  They did 50 minutes of ELA Waggle working on reading comprehension and various reading skills and strategies.  For the last period of the day they switched to Waggle Math.  What a nice way to end our 100th Day of School.

Homework:

• Math 
• Using Number Lines to Show Fractions Worksheet
• Literacy
• Reading Comprehension Long Text Week 12 Day 4
• Study for Spelling Test on Monday (Postponed from Friday)

100th Day of School Video

Illustrating Fractions

• 1st and 2nd - Literacy Block
• Today we had a nice breakfast to start our learning adventures.  As students ate, they worked on their word work practice "Word Ladder".  I had many of the students come show me they finished all on their own with no help.  So much better than the start of the year.  After going over the clues and words, we moved to last night's Test Prep question and why the right answer was the right answer.  Then we looked at three questions from the same text, and again broke it down to understand why each answer was right or wrong.  Finally we looked at the question they would tackle tonight for Test Prep homework.
• For ReadyGen today, we did lesson 2B.14.  The focus of this lesson was understanding how the illustrations help support the main idea.  The main idea of the text is: "Neighborhoods are places where people live, play, and help each other."  After reading the text as a group, we looked at one of the illustrations, wrote a summary of what it showed, then came up with how the illustration contributed to the main idea.  We ended by sharing out what several of the students came up with.
• 3rd and 4th - Math Block
• We started the period going over the questions from Test Prep.  Then we looked at the problem of the day.  After explaining the WHY and the WHY NOT for all the answers, the students used the same technique to complete a practice problem.  Then we looked at how this relates to the question they have tonight for Test Prep homework.   Then we went over last night's homework.  We had to check section GoMath 8.5 to make sure they understood it, and then checked the mid-chapter review.  We went question by question and made sure they understood each section before moving on.  Parents - only about 1/2 the students did their math homework last night.  Please make sure you are checking homework for completion.  It will help a great deal in ensuring students are practicing the skills we covered in class each night.
• The lesson today, GoMath 8.6 was focusing on relating fractions to whole numbers.  If the fraction is 3/3 then it is equal to 1.  If the fraction is 2/3 it is less than one.  If the fraction is 4/3 it is more than one.  The major focus was making sure they realized that 3 parts out of 3 parts made a whole.   We did the On Demand Math video which gives them a visual of what we will be doing today.  Then we did the interactive math lesson which walks them through the steps.  Finally, we did the Unlock the Problem and the Try This together.  Students came up to the front to practice the Show What You Know.  Then they worked independently to do the on your own problems.  We ended by going over these problems and making sure we understood that for a fraction to equal 1, the numerator and denominator both have to be the same number.  

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym
• Ummm, Ms. Avalos walked 10 laps before the students started.  I jogged 3 of the 15 laps, then walked the rest of them.  I tried, but 3 was all I could jog.  Yesterday I just walked the last 5 with them, so better!  
• 7th - 100th Day of School Activity - Science

Homework

• Math
• Test Prep Question
• GoMath 8.6 - pp 479-480
• Division Practice #23
• Literacy
• ReadyGen 2B.14 - T-Chart "Illustrations/Contribution" 
• Pick 2-3 more illustrations to summarize and tell how they contribute
• Test Prep Question
• Spelling Practice - Test Tomorrow
• Pack
• Tomorrow is 100 Minute / 100 AR Point  Read-a-Thon
• Pajamas
• Blanket
• Stuffed Animal
• Books to Read
• Good Attitude

Fractions on a Number Line

• 1st/2nd - Math Block
• Today we did our regular routine.  We started with breakfast.  After breakfast we went over last night's test prep questions.  Then we looked at the test prep question for today.  After modeling how to solve the problem, the students then did one on their own.  Tonight they have a few to practice to keep this review skill fresh in their heads. When then went right into checking last nights homework to make sure there was no misunderstandings.
• Then we did the video on demand and the interactive lesson for GoMath 8.5.  The focus today was understanding fractions using a number line.  After the interactive lesson, we did the unlock the problem and together work on the smartboard.  Then students did the on your own work.  We came back together to check the work and make sure that they completely understand before heading home to practice tonight for homework.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• Test prep went a little long today due to having a new article to read.  We took the time to deeply read the article.  We stopped, we made connections, we made every effort to model what good readers do as they read.  After reading the story, we looked at two of the questions they have already had and figured out why the answers were right or wrong.  They have one question from the story to work on tonight.
• We finished ReadyGen Lesson 2B.13 today.  Our focus was on the writing lesson where we focused on putting information into groups based on topic.  
• We finished literacy by having 20 minutes of independent reading to work on reading and AR tests.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - P.E
• 7th - Science - Chapter 15, section 2

Homework

• Math
• GoMath Lesson 8.5 Homework 471-474
• Math Test Prep 2/24/2016
• Literacy
• Reading Comp Wk 12 Day 2
• Reading Test Prep 2/24/16
• Spelling Practice
• Bring Back Readathon Permission Slip

Parts of a Whole Tuesday

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• Today we had a nice breakfast to start the day.  The students had a choice of cereal or a bagel with cream cheese and or jelly.   Yep, we had to get the clorox wipes out after breakfast, but it was nice to see everyone eating.  As they ate, they worked on their Word Work practice Word Ladder.  I loved that today as we went over them, they said... "this is easy!" to which I said, "The more you practice, the easier everything gets!"  I hope they make the connection that this is the same with their reading.  The more you read, the easier it gets.  SO READ!!
  
• Next we did our literacy test prep.  We went over the question they had last night for homework.  We talked about the question, and how we could get rid of some of the answers by eliminating them.  Until we found the best answer.  We then did the next two questions from the section using the same methods.  It is really about CLOSE reading and using what you read to eliminate and make the best choice.  Tonight they have to answer question #6 from the section.
• Our ReadyGen lesson today was lesson 2B.13.  The focus was on understanding central message, main idea, and supporting details.  We read our new text "Around the Way on Neighbor's Day".  We looked at how the book was written, how the sections held information only about that topic, and how the author wrote in verse with a nice rhythm.  We looked at more than just knowledge and details, we looked at craft as well.  We answered questions and more importantly, connected this text to the previous two texts we had read.  I want them to realize that we don't just learn for one aspect, we learn so we can use that in all aspects of life.  
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We started by looking at our Test Prep homework which was three easy related facts questions.  Then we went into today's problem of the day which we discussed and broke down.  Then the students were given a similar problem to try and solve.  After much discussion, we solved the problem and talked about the one question for homework in test prep.
• Next we went over homework from GoMath 8.3.  After checking and discussing the homework, we went into today's mini-lesson with a focus on understanding the whole in the fraction.  We focused on what is the numerator and what was the denominator.  We went over the unlock the question and then did the try these together.  Once we did a few, they did the share and show and we checked them.  Finally they worked on their on your own problems.  We finished by checking our daily work and discussing what we had learned today.  
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Science 
• We looked at Chapter 15 today to get ready for our upcoming ELA PBA where they have to compare and contrast two communities.  We are going to be comparing and contrasting two planets (really big communities).  We thought it would be exciting to tie in science and literacy when we do this research and writing task.

Homework:

• Math
• Test Prep 2/23/16 Question
• GoMath 8.4 Homework (pp.465-466)
• Literacy
• Test Prep 2/23/16 - Question #6
• ReadyGen RWJ Lesson 13 (p146)
• Reading Log - Read Independently
• We are REALLY behind in points!
• Read More, Test More!!!

Post Break Monday

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• We started the day with a little math test prep instruction.  Using the digital camera, we went over a series of problems and had the students work 1-2 problems that were similar to see if they "remembered' previously taught skills in math.  The students have 3 questions to work tonight for "test prep" homework in their Math Test Prep Homework packet.
• Our focus in math today was understanding what the numerator and denominator in a fraction truly means.  We worked through the problem of the day and then Ms. Avalos did the unlock the problems with them.  We finished with modeling the show and share, students coming to the front to show and explain, and then working independently.  After checking their independent work, we talked about homework for GoMath 8.3 and how important to be precise and check their work is becoming.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• We started the block by rereading one of the texts the students had previously worked with in their mock test experience.   The text was about the famous Native American Sequoya and how he brought written language to the Native Americans.  As we read, we stopped and practiced skills and strategies of good readers.  After reading the text closely, discussing it, and looking back at the text, we went over several of the questions they had already answered.  We went back to find the answers and discuss why certain answers were right and wrong.  This is a great learning tool and the students surely will benefit from the time we took to go back to the difficult text and deeply analyze the questions.
• We did lesson 2B.12 today in ReadyGen.  The focus was working with main idea and supporting information in a compare and contrast format.  We also worked on understanding important information in text in order to take notes.  We spent time looking at irregular verbs in past tense as well.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Spelling / Library
• We started the period going over this weeks spelling list. This weeks list is "words you SHOULD know by 3rd grade.  After that, students who needed new books went upstairs with Ms. Avalos to get a new book from the library, other students stayed with me and took AR tests and read.

Homework

• Math
• GoMath 8.3 (pp 459-460)
• Division Practice # 24
• Math Test Prep for Monday 2/22/16
• Literacy
• Reading Test Prep - Question #3 for 2/22/16
• Reading Comprehension Week 12 Day 1
• Spelling Practice 2X each

Mid Winter Break

Just in case you didn't get any of the updates we sent home.....

School is closed for the next week!

There will be no regular school activities this week.

There will be no Saturday ELA/Math or Title III School for the next two Saturdays.

We will see you bright and early on Monday, February 22th!

Friday at the American Museum of Natural History!