Fun Friday

Ok - So I have to just say it.  The class was AMAZING today!  They were working hard, they were working quietly...they made me SO HAPPY!  Even with playing a math dice game and having a fire drill..they were SO WELL BEHAVED!   You made your teacher very proud!!!

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We checked our math homework and then we played a math game.  We played Dice Tic-Tac-Toe.  I rolled the virtual dice and students put X's and O's in boxes.  It was pretty fun!  Then we did the On Demand Math Lesson for GoMath 11.8.  Afterward, we did the interactive video to unlock the problems.
• We did the classwork in "parts".  I assigned a few problems, set the timer, then students came up and worked them out.  Our focus today was cutting rectangles up to make smaller rectangles to find the area of object.   The students did a really good job and we rocked it out.  We even went to a fire drill and back in and didn't lose any of our work mode.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• Ms. Almarante was in our class and she was in the back of the room.  She had students coming into the room to do testing, so we had to be really quiet.  I pulled the students to the front and went over Chapter 5 of Stuart Little from yesterday, and then we read Chapter 6 today.  After reading and discussing, students quietly went back to their desk to work on an opinion writing prompt about Stuart Little.   Ms. Almarante was able to test 4 of her students in the back while our students read and wrote quietly.  When they finished, they quietly got out their Spelling List to study for the Spelling Test.
• 5th - Recess / Fun Friday
• 6th - Fun Friday / Waggle
• 7th - Wrap Up - Go Over Vacation Packets

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Lesson 11.8 Practice/Homework
• Math Vacation Packet
• Literacy
• Stuart Little Take Home Quiz (1-5)
• Literacy Vacation Packet

Wednesday Happenings...

• 1st/2nd/3rd - Extended Math Block
• After Independent Reading and Breakfast, Ms. Avalos did Number Talks and The Daily Number Problem.   Then she checked homework with the group.  Next they watched the On Demand Math video to show another way to solve area for a rectangle. They used the  array or the area model to understand another way to solve area.  After looking at the interactive lesson to unlock the problem, we broke into group to work on lesson 11.6 in GoMath.
• After group work, Ms. Avalos went over the problems by having students come to the smartboard to solve and explain problems.
• End of 3rd/4th - Literacy Block
• Due to the shortened literacy block because math ran long, we didn't get to do both reading and writing, but we will finish the writing tomorrow.  
• Today we read Chapters 3 and 4 of our class novel.  We stopped and talked about different aspects of the author's craft and language skills we have been working on.  At the end of each chapter we answered key ideas and details type questions practicing how to respond to questions correctly and using page numbers to cite our evidence. 
• We revisited Paul Bunyan using the illustrations to recount the plot and key details.  Then we talked about "who" was telling the story and discussed how even though a narrator was telling the story, they were also showing PAUL's Point of View.  Then we did an activity where they had to look at pages and discuss Paul's Point of View (and Babe's) and then use the illustrations to provide evidence. 
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - P.E. with Mr. Hoffman
• 7th - Wrap Up and Social Studies
• Wrap up on Literacy Activity and then finish section 1 of Unit 3 in Social Studies and answer some questions.

Homework:

• Math 
• GoMath 11.6 Practice/Homework pp 659-660
• Finding Area Worksheet
• Literacy
• Spelling Practice / Reading Comprehension
• Stuart Little 3/4 Sheet

Talkative Tuesday

Not really excited about the talking that 

was taking place today instead of focused learning.  

Not a good thing!!!

• 1st / 2nd - Literacy Block
• After breakfast, we took a few minutes to collect homework and then go over the reading passage and questions from last night.  Then we looked at the Stuart Little questions from last night as well.  Finally, we read the 2nd chapter of Stuart Little "Home Problems".  After reading chapter 2, we looked at five questions to make sure they understood the key ideas and details of the section.

• For ReadyGen we did lesson 3A.14.  We finished reading our text "Paul Bunyan" be recounting what we had read so far and then reading the last pages (38-40).  Afterward, we talked about the meaning of Central Message.  Central Message is the BIG IDEA of the story.  What was the BIG IDEA and if you want to think deeply... what was the INTENT of the big idea... what was the PURPOSE behind the big idea.  After modeling the big idea of the text, students had to find details to support that big idea from the reading today.
• In writing, we added on to lessons by creating an outline for our upcoming practice essay on the topic "Cats Make Better Pets Than Dogs"..... We took our REASONS and then listed support for each reason.  Later, we will take this outline and craft well written paragraphs.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• After going over last night's homework, we went over number talks and the daily number problem to strengthen our math thinking skills.  Then we watched the On Demand Math video that helps explain today's lesson.  With the help of the Interactive Lesson, we discovered how to unlock the problems for today.  Students then worked on the daily lesson to show understanding of finding area of various shapes.
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Wrap Up - Social Studies
• Social Studies - Unit 3 - Section 1

Homework

• Math
• GoMath Lesson 11.5 practice/homework pages
• Literacy
• Stuart Little Chapter 2 Questions
• Spelling Practice / Reading Practice Sheet
• Reading 45-60 minutes / reading log

Wow!

We had quite a big scholastic order this time... The students ordered $95 dollars.. and I always match what they order for the class library, so our order was $200 bucks worth of reading fun!  Wow!  That is a lot of books!  I can't wait to see how big the box is when it arrives.

The students showed up today and it was like testing had never happened.  They came in ready to work, full of energy, and we got down to business!

• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• After breakfast in the classroom was over, we moved into Number Talks and our Daily Number Review.  Then we moved into GoMath Lesson 11.4 on Area.  We used the On Demand Math video to introduce the topic, and then the interactive lesson to unlock the problems of the day.
• We then broke into independent work.  Finally, students came to the board to show understanding and to explain their thought process.

• 3rd / 4th - Literacy Block
• We started by reading Chapter 1 "Down the Drain" from our new class novel "Stuart Little".  Then we answered various questions about the chapter to check for understanding.  Then we moved into reviewing the first sections of "Paul Bunyan" by recounting what we already know about the story.
• Then we moved to writing block to finish the lesson from last week for ReadyGen Lesson 3A.13.  It was about taking notes and adding these notes to support your opinion.  Some students lost their work from 3A.12 so they had to start over with that too.  The writing is building on each lesson, so if they don't do a lesson, or lose a lesson, they have to start all over.  By this point in third grade, organization should not be an issue.  All of the writing for lesson 12 and 13 should be done by tomorrow, when we add on the NEXT part of the writing.  
• 5th - Lunch (No Recess - Too Much Talking)
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Spelling Pre-Test / Social Studies Unit 3 Intro

Homework

• Math 
• Gomath Practice/Homework 11.4  pp.647-648
• Literacy
• Spelling Practice (2x)
• Reading Comprehension Sheet wk21 day 1
• Stuart Little - Chapter 1
• Writing - Lesson 3A.12 and today's 3A.13 must be COMPLETE!

Friday - TESTING DONE!

• 1st - 4th - MATH DAY 3
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Social Studies
• Finish looking up Unit 3 vocabulary words. Preview the first section!
• Map Activity if time permits...

Homework:

• Math - Review Paper (2 sides)
• Literacy - Paul Bunyan Reading Comp (to be graded!)
• Reading - Read 45-60 minutes and Reading Log

Day 1 - Done!

WOO HOO!!!!  

We had 100% attendance again!  

If we make 100% attendance for both tests... 

PIZZA PARTY!!!

• 1st - 4th - Day 1 - State Math Test!
• 5th - Lunch / Recess
• 6th - Science - Ms. Galan
• 7th - Math Camp
• Extra practice on areas that students found difficult on today's test!

Homework:

• Math Practice Sheet

Tuesday's Review

Math State Testing Starts TOMORROW!!!

Wednesday - 4/13
Thursday - 4/14
Friday - 4/15

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• After having breakfast, students were encouraged to recount the first two sections of Paul Bunyan to review what we have covered so far.  Then we reviewed how the illustrations help you add meaning to the text.  Finally, we read the next section and worked to make sure we could look at key details to understand the central message of the section.
• After reading, stopping for discussions on message and the use of exaggeration and idioms, we broke into groups and did an activity where they had to give the literal and nonliteral meanings for various figures of speech.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• After doing Number Talks and our Daily Number Review, we moved into lesson 11.3.  The focus today was finding the length of missing sides of plane figures when you have the perimeter.  (Whole - added up sides = missing side).
• After doing the mini-lesson, we broke into three groups and worked on the daily assignment.  After the assignment was done, we had students come to the smartboard to work the problems and explain their thinking.  Finally, we went back to our seats and worked on our review problems for tomorrow's state test!
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Wrap Up
• We finished by completing our review problems, going over our homework from yesterday's review, and letting students ask any questions they had about tomorrow's state test.  Tomorrow is important.  Tomorrow is the multiple choice day.  This is where the majority of their score comes from.  They need to read all parts of the question, do each step they ask, and check their work.  They can do it if they slow down and concentrate!

Homework;

• Math - GoMath Lesson 11.3 Practice/Homework
• Reading - Independently Read 30-45 minutes
• Permission Slip - If invited to Spring Break Program - Due tomorrow!

State Math Test - Week Begins

State Math Test Days

Wednesday - March 13thThursday - March 14thFriday - March 15th

• 1st/2nd - Literacy Block
• First we had our breakfast.  Next, we finished lesson 3A.12 in ReadyGen.  It was on writing opinion pieces.  We practiced doing possessive nouns for Language Arts.  Then we talked about how you had to have reasons for your opinion and how you had to have details to support your reason.  We read a cute article on how Cats are better Pets!  Students listed the reasons the author said cats were better pets.  Then on the front, they picked three reasons and then had to write two sentences to support that reason.  Most people finished in class, the rest need to finish for homework.  We finished by doing a Mad Lib to practice our parts of speech.
• 3rd/4th - Math Block
• We started by doing number talks and the daily number review.  Then we checked the homework on doing perimeter from 11.1 and the handout.  Finally we moved into lesson 11.2 on using rulers to measure perimeter. After modeling, students worked in pairs to do their task today.  Then we had students come to the board to answer the questions.  After that was done, we gave out a "review" of all the topics we have covered this year so far.  Students worked on just pages 1-2 of the review.  Tomorrow we will do the other two pages to make sure they are ready for the test on Wednesday.  The homework tonight is on the two areas they had trouble with in the review. (MORE PRACTICE!)

• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Science with Ms. Galan
• 7th - Social Studies - Unit 3
• We started Unit 3 on Asia today by having students become familiar with upcoming vocabulary words.

Homework:

• Math
• GoMath Practice/Homework 11.2 
• Math Review/Practice (2 sides)
• Literacy
• ReadyGen 3A.12 - Opinion Paul Bunyan
• Permission Slips
• Bring in Spring Academy Permission Slip if Invited!

Back on Track Friday!

After three days of State ELA Testing, today we were back on track.  For the most part, I was pretty pleased with how quickly the students tossed off the TEST anxiety and got down to business!

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We started Chapter 12 today.  The chapter is working with area and perimeter.  We did number talks and the daily number review first.  Then we moved into the "on demand" video lesson that gives a preview to what we will be working on that day.  After doing the warm up with the Interactive Lesson, we moved into lesson 12.1, where students worked with two different ways to solve perimeter.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• We started ReadyGen Lesson 3A.12 today.  The focus was recounting key details to understand the central idea as well as to use the illustrations to help understand the text.  We reviewed the first section of Paul Bunyan "Growin Up" and then moved into the next section, "Starting Out".  
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Tall Tale Work
• Mrs. Avalos and Myself (well, all third grade teachers) had a workshop with Mrs. Irwin, our Math Consultant.  While we were at the workshop, Mr. Johnny and the other teachers who covered us went over another TALL TALE about a larger than life character "Slue Foot Sue".  After reading the Tall Tale together, students had to analyze the story looking for "superhuman" characteristics, problem, solution, and examples of exaggeration.  This paired perfectly with Paul Bunyan.
• 7th - Literacy Block
• We finished our reading activity which was comparing the illustrations to the text using a venn diagram for how they were alike and different.  I am really pleased how some of the students are developing a very critical eye when it comes to analyzing literature.  

Homework

• Math
• GoMath 12.1 - Practice/Homework pages
• Finding Perimeter Handout (8 problems - be careful!)
• Literacy
• Finish ReadyGen 3A.12 opinion paragraph in notebook
• Reading Comprehension Wk 20 - Day 3

ELA Day 2 - Complete!

Today was a little more work for the students, but they persevered and did it!  I am really proud of their hard work and not giving up.  I had to keep pushing a few of them, but we made it.  Who knew I was such a good cheerleader!

• 1st - 4th - Day 2 of ELA State Test
• Day two involved 3 reading passages.  With the first passage they had to answer a handful of multiple choice questions.  With the second passage they had to answer a few short response questions.  I know they used the RACE format to make the answers easy and complete!  The last passage they had to read and then do an extended response.  That means they need an introduction, discuss the questions asked in the prompt, and then a conclusion.  I know after all the practice we have done in class, they will do just fine!
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Gym
• 7th - Wrap Up / Test Prep / Relax

Homework:

• Math - Test Prep Questions
• Literacy
• Gone Fishing Practice!

Day 1 - Complete!

So Day 1 has come and the testing is done!  The students seemed to take Day 1 in stride.  I asked my group if they feel better about Day 2 and Day 3 and they said "YES!"  I think once they saw that the state test is just testing them on the same things we have been doing in class, they felt better!

• 1st - 4th -  ELA State Test - Multiple Choice
• 5th - Lunch/Recess
• 6th - Science
• 7th - Wrap Up / Class Novel

Homework:

• Math - Test Prep
• Literacy - JUMP!  

Rainy Monday

IT IS FINALLY HERE!  The New York State ELA Test is this week!

Tuesday, April 5th (Multiple Choice)

Wednesday, April 6th (Multiple Choice, Written Response)

Thursday, April 7th (Written Response)

Please make sure that your children are at school each day during these testing days!

• Helpful Hints:
•   Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep (8-10 hours).
• Make sure your child has a good breakfast with protein, complex carbs, and orange juice.
• Get to school early so you don’t feel rushed or have anxiety about being late.
•  Practice the breathing exercises you learned when you feel nervous.
• If you wear glasses, remember to bring them for the test!
• Remind them to do their best and let them know that they can do it!
• 
  
• 1st / 2nd - Math Block
• We started the day reviewing rounding in our test prep.  We checked our homework and then did number talks and our daily number review.  
• We did GoMath Lesson 10.7 today on estimating measurements using mass (grams and kilograms).  We watched the On Demand video which explained the concept, and then did the interactive lesson to work through the Unlock the Problems.  We worked on the I do and We do sections before letting the students work on the You Do section.  We checked for understanding and made sure they were getting the concept.  Since they did, we went ahead and did the math homework IN CLASS so they wouldn't have a lot of homework tonight before the state test.
• 3rd/4th - Literacy Block

• We went over the writing lesson for ReadyGen 3A.10.  It was on making concluding statements for short responses.  The concluding statement should mirror the topic or opinion statement but say it in a different way.
• We started lesson 3A.11 today.  With it we started a new text "Paul Bunyan".  After reading the first section, we worked on point of view (Paul's vs. Own) so they could see that they didn't have to have the same Point of View as the character.  In writing we worked on concluding sections.  It involves taking the opinion statement, rewording it, and adding a few details. You want your last paragraph to leave the reader with the "THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW" after reading this writing.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th - Dance with Mr. Nunez
• 7th - Wrap Up - Class Novel "The Chocolate Touch"

Homework:

• Math - Test Prep Problems
• Literacy
• No Spelling This Week!
• Reading
• Must have Independent Reading Book for Test Days!
• Writing
• Finish Lesson 3A.8 from last week
• Add a concluding section

 

Back Up!

New York City Public Schools had a site wide internet outage yesterday.  That is why there was not a blog post!  We had a pretty great day, but could not tell you about it!!  Today, we are back up!

Welcome Back Ms. Avalos!

• 1st - Science with Ms. Galan
• 2nd/3rd - Math Block
• We took the first period to go back and revisit yesterday's lesson with measuring to the closest 1/4 and 1/2 inch.  We revisited doing a line plot  as well.  We modeled how to do them again, and then the students broke into groups to work on the skills. 
• The focus of today's lesson was estimating with volume using liters.  After watching the On Demand video with Mr. Burger, we did the interactive lessons to do the demo of comparing using liters.
• 4th - Literacy Block
• We did the spelling test and then did the writing/language lesson from ReadyGen 3A.9 that we didn't finish from yesterday.
• 5th - Lunch
• 6th /7th - Literacy Block
• After completing our writing assignment of adding linking words and phrases to our writing we have been working on, we moved into our next ReadyGen Lesson 3A.10.  

• The focus today was comparing the two texts we have read, "Knots in a Counting Rope" and "Storm in the Night" looking at the grandfathers and grandsons in both stories.  The students had to really think about the central message of each story, how the characters "taught" their lesson, and how the characters influenced the story.
• Our focus in writing was to use a concluding statement to summarize and wrap up a paragraph, or in this case, an opinion writing piece.
• We ended the day reading our class novel "The Chocolate Touch" and doing a Mad Lib to practice our language skills.

Homework

• Math 
• GoMath 10.7 pp 603-604
• Measuring Practice Handout
• Literacy
• Comparative Superlative Practice
• Reading Comprehension 
• Independent Reading / Reading Log