Optional Math Challenges: April Break

Optional Challenge 1:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8-gXqit3js-UFE3MUhFLWhtUlRiNEIxaU1RTWwzV2ROS3Jz/view?usp=sharing

Optional Challenge 2:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8-gXqit3js-OUVxLUNualIxUUNmUkpyc3MyVGYzb3FON0pv/view?usp=sharing

Note that you can always use TenMarks, Study Island, or Quizlet for extra math practice!

Example Quizlet flashcards set:

Classroom Update: April 17th, 2015

This was an exciting and busy week at Dallin! We said goodbye to our student teacher, Mr. Leong, who completed his placement in our classroom this week. Third graders did a fantastic job singing and playing their recorders in the Dallin Spring Concert on Thursday. Later that day, it was wonderful seeing many third graders present their projects at the science fair. After April break, we’ll have many more events to look forward to. On the week that we return to school, our class will go on a field trip to the Jason Russell House. Please send in permission slips as soon as possible if you have not done so already. The following week on Monday, May 4^th we will hold Third Grade Math Day. From 8:30 to 9:00 that morning, families are invited to join our classroom to participate in math-related activities and see some of the strategies we have been working on this year.  Afterwards, from 9:00-9:30, there will be a debriefing for parents in the library with Mr. Dingman and our math coach, Mrs. Emily Veader.  

Another important upcoming event is the third grade math MCAS, to be held on Wednesday, May 13^th and Friday, May 15^th. Please try to schedule absences around these dates if possible.

For more updates on what we've been learning this week, read on!

In reading, we continued our study of poetry. Students focused primarily on poets’ use of similes and metaphors. They practiced writing their own poems using these types of figurative language.

In writing, students elaborated on ideas in their petitions. They took examples from their own life, interviewed classmates, and surveyed the class to add more details to their pieces.

In math, we began a mini-unit on measurement and data collection. We compiled class data and represented it on line plots. We also analyzed double bar graphs. We reviewed two systems of measurement—the metric system and the U.S. standard system of measurement. We discussed the metric units used to measure length, liquid capacity, and mass (meters, liters, and grams, respectively). We also practiced measuring the length of objects to a quarter-inch.

In science, students finished posting their research to our classroom website of animal adaptations. View it here: https://sites.google.com/a/arlington.k12.ma.us/animal-adaptations-2015! Later, students pretended they were zoologist and invented their own plant and animal species using some of the adaptation concepts we’ve been studying. When we return from break, we will begin a social studies unit on colonial times and the American Revolution.

Upcoming Dates:

Thursday, April 30^th—Jason Russell House Field Trip

Monday, May 4^th—Third Grade Math Day

Wednesday, May 6^th – Can You Dig It? Archaeological Dig

Wednesday, May 13^th and Friday, May 15^th—Grade 3 Math MCAS

Classroom Update: 4/10/15

In reading this week, we continued our unit on poetry. We learned about the effects of poetic devices, such as alliteration, assonance, and onomatopoeia.

In writing, students brainstormed about issues in their community or school that they care about. They used these topics to begin planning a petition essay for their classmates to sign. Students started drafting these pieces this week. 

In math, we explored shapes and their properties in greater depth. We focused specifically on the relationships between quadrilaterals. For example, rectangles, rhombuses, and squares may all be considered parallelograms because of their characteristics. Students practiced their poetry by writing alliterative poems about polygons. We also modeled different types of angles using straws.  Although we will be concluding our geometry unit, we will continue to familiarize ourselves with different shape vocabulary over the coming weeks.

In science, students conducted several experiments this week related to animal adaptations. For example, we used water and wax to model how a penguin preens its body to protect it from the elements. We also constructed model bird beaks to illustrate how a bird's bill is adapted to its environment. 

Students have been practicing for the Dallin Spring Concert, to be held next Thursday, April 10. Click here to listen to a snippet of one of their songs!

Classroom Update: 4/4/15

Students completed their first MCAS exam this week in English Language Arts. They should be proud of their hard work leading up to the exam! The results of this assessment will be released by the fall.

In writing, students completed their persuasive speeches. Next week, we'll continue our unit on opinion writing by starting to draft petitions.

In math, we began a new unit on geometry. We have been focusing on learning some basic vocabulary terms related to shapes, such as parallel, vertex, side, polygon and angle.

In science, students compiled their notes on animal adaptations to create a webpage about their assigned animal. We're putting these webpages together to create a private class website on animal adaptations. We can't wait to share it with you once it's complete!