Week 25

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will review for our benchmark on Wednesday.

Math/Science

Math

We are going to review measurement, perimeter, area, fractions, fractions on a number line, and geometry for our benchmark Tuesday.  Thursday and Friday we will review time, temperature, and money.  We will also be setting our 4 week goal to prepare for Mock.

Science

We will discuss animals, their habitats, and their adaptations to their environment.

Week 23

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will review nonfiction elements.

Writing

We will begin exploring imaginative stories.

Social Studies

We will talk about the supply and demand I economics.

Math/Science

Math

We are going to review the names and attributes of two dimensional shapes as well as the terms:  parallelogram, polygon, and irregular shapes.  Then we will move into the names and attributes of three dimensional objects.  We will also discuss which 2d shaped are used to make the 3d object.

Science

We will finish soil and moved into natural resources:  renewable, non renewable, and inexhaustible.

Reminders: 

Progress reports and graded papers go home Thursday, book orders are due Friday.

Here are some pics from our awesome float party last Friday, the 14th.

Week 22

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will continue media literacy.

Writing

We will continue with procedural writing.

Social Studies

We will talk about Abraham Lincoln.

Math/Science

Math

We are showing the students how to calculate missing sides in perimeter by explaining that it's just like a word problem that is missing information.  They take the end and have to work backwards to find one of the side numbers.  Before we gave them all the sides to add together.  We are also teaching them when to identity multiplication instead of repeated addition with figures whose sides are equal.  Also, with rectangles, opposite sides are equal.

We are also going to mix area with perimeter so that they can quickly go back and forth between the two and not mix up the terms/processes.

Science

Now that we've discussed weathering and erosion, we will learn how soil is made and its many types/composites.

Week 21

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will learn media literacy.

Writing

We will continue with procedural writing.

Social Studies

We will talk about Abraham Lincoln.

Math/Science

Math

We will now learn how to calculate are by counting square tiles, including halves.  We will show them how to identity arrays in order to help them understand l x w in 4th grade.

Science

We will discuss how volcanoes, earthquakes, floods (land slides), and other rapid changes shape the land.

Week 20

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will discuss the elements of drama.

Writing

We will learn the "how to" for procedural writing.

Social Studies

We will talk about the effects of human physical processes.

Math/Science

Math

We will begin taking measurement from using objects to using linear units (cm, in).  Students will also learn perimeter (add all sides).  Next week, the students will learn how to calculate area using figures on grid paper by counting squares inside the figure, including halves.

Science

We will finish our land form books.  Then students will learn to identify reasons behind slow land form changes (glaciers, plants, etc.)  Next week we will discuss how volcanoes, earthquakes, floods (land slides), and other rapid changes shape land forms.

Week 19

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will discuss the elements of drama.

Writing

We will learn the "how to" for procedural writing.

Social Studies

We will talk about the effects of human physical processes.

Math/Science

Math

We are going to continue learning about identifying fractions, but now on a number line.  In the third grade we only learn to identify fourths, halves, three fourths, and whole numbers.  What is difficult about this last level of fractions is understanding that after 1 comes 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 1 3/4, and then 2, etc.  Students generally remember the fraction part but leave out the whole number since we did not do mixed/improper fractions (that is a fourth grade skill). 

Science

We are now moving onto land forms.  Students will learn to identify volcanoes, mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, canyons, and valleys.

Week 18

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will review poetry this week.  

Reading benchmark is Wednesday.

Writing

We will continue with our expository writing.

Social Studies

We will continue to discuss land forms.

Social Studies benchmark is Wednesday.

Math/Science

Math

We are going to continue learning about how to identify fractions as part of a whole (a divided shape) or as part of a group (cats/dogs; red, blue, and green balloons, etc.)

Math benchmark is Tuesday.

Science

We will continue learning the order and attributes of the 8 planets in our solar system. (Pluto is now a dwarf planet & is no longer considered part of our solar system.)

Week 16

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will be reviewing poetry and reading different versions of "The Night Before Christmas" poem.

Writing

We will be writing a letter to Santa.

Social Studies

We will review the holidays around the world (Christmas and Hanukkah).

Math/Science

Math

We are going to learn how to read information in bar graphs (with intervals greater than 1) and pictographs (with a key greater than 1).

Science

We will finish discussing the sun and the moon.  Then we will finish the week learning about the solar system which includes the order and names of the planets.

Week 15

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will continue learning about biographies and autobiographies.

Writing

We will continue with our expository writing.

Social Studies

We will continue to learn about holidays around the world (Christmas and Hanukkah).

Math/Science

Math

We are going to now mix all processes ( X / + - )  along with estimation (round first then add or subtract).

Science

This week we will continue to discuss forces: We will finish with simple machines and begin discussing the sun and the moon.  Afterward, we will learn about the solar system which includes the order and names of the planets.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature. We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Maine.

Week 14

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will continue learning about biographies and autobiographies.

Writing

We will continue with our expository writing.

Social Studies

We will continue to learn about holidays around the world (Christmas and Hanukkah).

Math/Science

Math

We are going to continue working in multiplication and division tables.  In third grade, we teach the students to look at tables from label to label (tires to cars) and not the numbers themselves down the table.  Some are still wanting to add down the table instead of multiplying or dividing across the table.

Science

This week we will continue to discuss forces: mechanical (push/pull), friction, and gravity.  We are going to continue to discuss on gravity's pull as we discuss simple machines used to do work.  We will also finish discussing friction.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature. We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Maine.

Week 13

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

We will learn about literacy/non-fiction texts (biography and autobiography).

Writing

We will learn the elements of expository writing.

Social Studies

We will learn about holidays around the world.

Math/Science

Math

We are going to continue into our second week of division.  We are focusing on the difference between multiplication and division word problems.

Science

This week we will continue to discuss forces: mechanical (push/pull), friction, and gravity.  We are going to focus on gravity and friction and move into simple machines.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation. We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature. We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Virginia Beach, Virginia (we didn't get to it last week).

Week 12

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will begin to explore the elements of poetry.

Writing

The students will continue to write their second personal narrative.

Social Studies

We will learn about people who helped shape communities (Christopher Columbus and Juando Onate).

Math/Science

Math

We are going to introduce division and continue working on our two digit by one digit multiplication.

Science

This week we will continue to discuss forces:  mechanical (push/pull),  friction, and gravity.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.  We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Week 11

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will learn about cause and effect, drawing conclusions, and summary.

Writing

The students will continue to write their second personal narrative.

Social Studies

We will learn about people who helped shape communities (Christopher Columbus and Juando Onate).

Math/Science

Math

We are learning how multiply two digits by one digit using the algorithm and their multiplication charts.  We are daily filling out multiplication charts for fact practice.

Science

This week we will continue to discuss forces:  mechanical (push/pull),  friction, and gravity.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.  We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Bismarck, North Dakota.

Week 10

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will learn to use text evidence to help them infer.

Writing

The students will write their second personal narrative to share their experiences at the Yamboree.

Social Studies

We will learn about maps and globes.

Math/Science

Math

We are learning about multiplication this week.  We are filling out multiplication charts and then using them to solve one digit by one digit word problems.

Science

This week we will begin discussing forces:  mechanical (push/pull),  friction, and gravity.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.  We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Anchorage, Alaska.

Week 9

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will learn about a story's main idea and its supporting details.

Writing

The students will continue to write about their important personal experience (personal narrative).


Social Studies

We will write a "thank you" letter to Gilmer's Chamber of Commerce for their contribution and support in the Yamboree.

Math/Science

Math

Monday we are reviewing for the math benchmarks for Tuesday.

Tuesday-Friday we will discuss patterns and how they are related to number lines, skip counting, and ordered pairs in a table (t-chart).  In previous years, students only thought of a pattern as ABABAB.  This year we are showing them how numbers themselves can form a pattern.  This leads us to building arrays that we use for multiplication next week.

Science

Monday we are reviewing for the science benchmarks for Tuesday.

This six weeks we will learn about different forms of energy:  light, sound, thermal, mechanical, friction, and finally magnets and gravity.

This last week we talked about sound, light, and thermal/heat energy.  This week we will begin discussing mechanical energy and friction.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.  We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This next week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of San Diego, California.

Week 8

What we are learning this week.....


Language Arts (Will be the same from last week)

Reading is Thinking

Students will understand characters, their relationships with other characters in the story, and the changes they undergo.

Writing

The students will write about an important personal experience.


Social Studies

We will continue discuss the structures of city, state, and national government.

Math/Science

Math

We are still adding and subtracting three digit numbers.  Monday we will practice do this within word problems.  Then we will have our next major test.  Finally, this short week, we will talk about estimation and how it is similar to rounding.


Science

This six weeks we will learn about different forms of energy:  light, sound, thermal, mechanical, friction, and finally magnets and gravity.

This last week we talked about sound and light.  Next week we will continue light and discuss heat/thermal energy.  Help your child "see" when these types of energy are being used around the house or around town when you are shopping or driving.  

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.  We are continuing to track Gilmer's temperature on our thermometer log.

This next week we will compare Gilmer's forecast and climate to that of Sante Fe, New Mexico.

Week 7

What we are learning this week.....

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will learn the difference between fiction and nonfiction books.  We will teach and work with the students on asking questions while reading.

Writing

The students will continue writing their personal narratives.

Social Studies

We will continue to discuss the structures of city, state, and national government.

Math/Science

Math

We are now subtracting 3 digit numbers with and without regrouping.  We will continue 3 digit addition with regrouping as well as rounding numbers in both the tens and the hundreds place.

On Friday, we will have a 20-25 question assessment on subtraction with all other skills we have learned so far.  This exam will count as 60% of the second six week's grade.  Please help your child practice their addition, subtraction, and rounding skills.

Science

This six weeks we will learn about different forms of energy:  light, sound, thermal, mechanical, friction, and finally magnets and gravity.

Help your child "see" when these types of energy are being used around the house or around town when you are shopping or driving.

We are still logging and comparing, from both Gilmer and another US state, the current temperature of the air outside, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.  We also discuss time zones and how that affects air temperature.

Last week the students began daily recording Gilmer's temperature on a blank thermometer (counting by 2's).  Later in math we will study thermometers in increments of 1's, 2's,  5's, and 10's.  I want them to see that they are just vertical number lines.

This next week we will compare Gilmer's forecast to that of Seattle, Washington.

Week 6

What we are learning this week.....


Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will understand characters, their relationships with other characters in the story, and the changes they undergo.

Writing

The students will write about an important personal experience.


Social Studies

We will continue discuss the structures of city, state, and national government.

Math/Science

Math

We are continuing practicing how to add 3 digit numbers together as well as rounding numbers in both the tens and the hundreds place.  On Thursday, wee will review subtracting 2 digit numbers with and without regrouping (borrowing) and quickly move into subtracting 3 digit numbers.


Science

This week we will learn what is a mixture and what is not a mixture (solution).  We will be learning the ways you can separate a mixture (fingers, sieve, magnets) and testing different mixtures and solutions to determine if it is or is not a mixture.

Everyday we are logging the current temperature of the air outside as well as wind speed and direction and precipitation.  So far, we have compared it to data in New York, NY and Hawaii.  Next week we will compare it to Florida's data.

Week 5...Keep on Going!

What We are Learning this Week......

Language Arts

Reading is Thinking

Students will make inferences and draw conclusions about theme as well as provide evidence from the text to support their understanding. 


Writing

Students will write a personal narrative using a "heart map".

Social Studies

Students will understand the various levels of local, state, and national government.

Math/Science

Math

We are now beginning to learn how to add 3 digit numbers to 2 and 3 digit numbers.  In second grade, the students learned how to add a 2 digit with another 2 digit.

Let your student roll dice or draw cards from a deck to build a three digit number and a two digit number that they will add up.  Many students are struggling with remembering to carry over from their ones to their tens place.  Practice with them and let them check it with a calculator!

Next week, we will begin subtraction!  They also struggle with remembering when and how to borrow!  Any help at home is appreciated!

Students still need to practice their rounding to the tens and hundreds place up to a 5 digit number.

Science

Now that we have learned how to identify solids, liquids, and gasses, we will now learn how to turn a solid to a liquid and change a liquid to either a solid or gas by adding or taking away heat.  We will discuss how the molecules speed up when heat is added and slow down when heat is taken away.  We will continue our discussion on how solids keep their shape, liquids take the shape of their container, and gasses move freely about inside and outside their container.

We also started discussing weather during week 4 and will continue this throughout the school year.  We are discussing how to read a thermometer or temperature dial and a rain gauge.  We are also discussing how warm and cold air along with moisture creates clouds and fog and how the wind moves the clouds in the atmosphere.