Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Christmas in Mexico
The students did a tremendous job today teaching the other 3rd grade classes all about Christmas as it is celebrated in Mexico. Here are some moments captured today on film:
Monday, December 15, 2014
Christmas Around the World
Greetings!
Today we traveled to China via Mrs. Cripe's class to discover how the winter holiday season is celebrated there. We were even able to taste some of their festive food! We learned that in China, Christmas is not as big of a holiday as it is in the United States, and that it definitely holds less meaning. China is a communist country and 1% of their population identifies themselves as Christian. They celebrate the new year by making paper lanterns to represent the loved ones they've lost. On Christmas Eve they give wrapped apples away.
We are excited to host the other 3rd grade classes tomorrow--teaching them all about the geography, traditions, food, decorations, and gift-giving of Mexican culture :) Here are some sneak peaks at the room preparations:
Today we traveled to China via Mrs. Cripe's class to discover how the winter holiday season is celebrated there. We were even able to taste some of their festive food! We learned that in China, Christmas is not as big of a holiday as it is in the United States, and that it definitely holds less meaning. China is a communist country and 1% of their population identifies themselves as Christian. They celebrate the new year by making paper lanterns to represent the loved ones they've lost. On Christmas Eve they give wrapped apples away.
We are excited to host the other 3rd grade classes tomorrow--teaching them all about the geography, traditions, food, decorations, and gift-giving of Mexican culture :) Here are some sneak peaks at the room preparations: |
| Food Exhibit |
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| Decorations Exhibit |
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| Pinata and Paper Chain Decorations |
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| Language Exhibit |
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| Food Exhibit |
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| Las Posadas Exhibit |
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
A Community of Voices
The students have been working on their first opinion piece of the year: a speech about why they should have morning recess.
Today, they delivered their speeches to Mrs. Clark!
Mrs. Clark was impressed with their their manner of speaking and the reasons they gave for why they NEED a morning recess. Some of these reasons included:
So impressed was she, that Mrs. Clark has granted me permission to give the students a morning recess EVERY day from here on out!
I wish you all could have witnessed their faces when she gave them the news---they lit up! And a chorus of "Yes!" rang throughout the classroom.
More importantly, the light that lit inside of them was a result of them realizing that their voices can have an impact on the world they live in...
What a moment...what a moment!
Today, they delivered their speeches to Mrs. Clark!
Mrs. Clark was impressed with their their manner of speaking and the reasons they gave for why they NEED a morning recess. Some of these reasons included:
- "We have very long mornings."
- "It is not good to sit for too long."
- "We get too wiggly and giggly."
- "It can help us to refocus after a bad morning."
- "It is healthy to get exercise and fresh air."
- "We need to get our energy out, so we don't get hyper."
- "We work really hard and put forth a lot of effort."
So impressed was she, that Mrs. Clark has granted me permission to give the students a morning recess EVERY day from here on out!
I wish you all could have witnessed their faces when she gave them the news---they lit up! And a chorus of "Yes!" rang throughout the classroom.
More importantly, the light that lit inside of them was a result of them realizing that their voices can have an impact on the world they live in...
What a moment...what a moment!
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Facts of the Week (FOTW)
By now, you have noticed your child writing a reminder about the Facts of the Week.
Beginning this week and progressing throughout the year, the students will be quizzed each week over the multiplication Facts of the Week. In preparation for 4th grade, 3rd graders will need to have memorized their multiplication math facts from 0-10 (in other words from 0x0 to 10x10).
The students will pretest on the first day of each week and then quiz on the last day. They will also keep record of their progress (accuracy). Hopefully this helps you, as a parent, to better organize your focus and support of your child in mastering their multiplication facts :)
The students have proven their understanding of multiplying by 0 and 1, therefore our very first Facts of the Week are the 2s and 3s. We discussed the following strategies for multiplying:
Beginning this week and progressing throughout the year, the students will be quizzed each week over the multiplication Facts of the Week. In preparation for 4th grade, 3rd graders will need to have memorized their multiplication math facts from 0-10 (in other words from 0x0 to 10x10).
The students will pretest on the first day of each week and then quiz on the last day. They will also keep record of their progress (accuracy). Hopefully this helps you, as a parent, to better organize your focus and support of your child in mastering their multiplication facts :)
The students have proven their understanding of multiplying by 0 and 1, therefore our very first Facts of the Week are the 2s and 3s. We discussed the following strategies for multiplying:
- Skip Counting
- Repeated Addition
- Drawing a picture of groups
- Making an array or an area model
- Using a number line
- Using our FACT POWERS---utilizing a pattern :)
The FACT POWER for multiplying by 2 is to double the number.
The FACT POWER for multiplying by 3 is to double the number and then add another group.
Math Facts Cafe is a great site that allows you to create math worksheets, flash cards and/or online practice activities for your little mathematician that are perfectly tailored to the Facts of the Week :)
Greg Tang is an excellent author of many math books for kids, and his website is also really great! You can read his book about multiplication called The Best of Times online, and then play a corresponding multiplication activity. Each part of the book/activity focuses on a different fact family, so it ties in perfectly to our Facts of the Week!
Greg Tang is an excellent author of many math books for kids, and his website is also really great! You can read his book about multiplication called The Best of Times online, and then play a corresponding multiplication activity. Each part of the book/activity focuses on a different fact family, so it ties in perfectly to our Facts of the Week!
Students can also make their own flash cards each week for the Facts of the Week!
All this is to help your child achieve the goal of memorizing their multiplication facts in a way that is both manageable and motivating :)
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
New York, NY & Astoria, Oregon!
Many thanks to the friends and family of 3G students---we are receiving post cards every week! This week, we traveled domestically from one coast to the other! We learned that there are many industries based out of New York City---industries like digital media, fashion & design, art, finance and intellectual pursuits. Our postcard featured the Brooklyn Bridge lit up at night: amazing!
We received 3 different postcards from Oregon---each one depicting a different feature of this beautiful state. We learned that it was the 33rd state and that Portland is its largest city. Mr. Martin also told us about the diversity in its terrain---from high desert, mountains and forests, and its magnificent coastline along the Pacific Ocean.
Thank you all for helping us take a travel break in our week! We are learning lots and enjoying the sights!
We received 3 different postcards from Oregon---each one depicting a different feature of this beautiful state. We learned that it was the 33rd state and that Portland is its largest city. Mr. Martin also told us about the diversity in its terrain---from high desert, mountains and forests, and its magnificent coastline along the Pacific Ocean.
Thank you all for helping us take a travel break in our week! We are learning lots and enjoying the sights!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Book-It!
I am excited to announce that 3G will be participating in Pizza Hut's Book-It Reading Program. This is a program I participated in as a young reader myself. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program!
In short, your child will set a reading goal for each month and track their progress on a provided calendar. Each student will receive an individual reading contract to be signed by all of us & posted in their favorite at-home reading spot.
At this point, we are all reaching for the same goal: reading 100 minutes a week, outside of school. We broke this up into 20 minute increments: 5 days/week (ANY 5 days...).
All of the following descriptions count towards reading minutes at home:
It's clear that your child is already doing this, so why not participate in a program that will reward them for what they are already doing---and with pizza nonetheless! At the end of each month, students who meet their reading goal will receive a coupon voucher for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
More information will be going home in your child's homework folder.
Calendars must be kept in homework folders and will be collected at the end of each month.
For more information via Pizza Hut, click here
Happy Reading!
In short, your child will set a reading goal for each month and track their progress on a provided calendar. Each student will receive an individual reading contract to be signed by all of us & posted in their favorite at-home reading spot.
At this point, we are all reaching for the same goal: reading 100 minutes a week, outside of school. We broke this up into 20 minute increments: 5 days/week (ANY 5 days...).
All of the following descriptions count towards reading minutes at home:
- Silent, independent reading
- Reading aloud to someone (brother, sister, babysitter, mom, dad, Grandma!)
- Reading aloud to self
- Being read aloud to----only 1 caveat: child must be following along in the text, not just listening
- Audiobooks--again, child must be following along in the text
- E-Readers/Tablets
It's clear that your child is already doing this, so why not participate in a program that will reward them for what they are already doing---and with pizza nonetheless! At the end of each month, students who meet their reading goal will receive a coupon voucher for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
More information will be going home in your child's homework folder.
Calendars must be kept in homework folders and will be collected at the end of each month.
For more information via Pizza Hut, click here
Happy Reading!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Addition Strategies and Application
Happy Monday, Parents!
As your child brings Math home, they are often given specific instructions at school that are too lengthy to write down in the student planner. We are working hard at making these notes on the actual assignment & repeating them in class, where they are also given the opportunity to ask any questions to clarify what they are supposed to do. It is important that you encourage them to really focus and pay careful attention to these special instructions: it is a growing responsibility for them to do so AND to be able to remember them once at home. If ever an assignment goes home that they are fuzzy about what the special instructions were, have them do what they can & then they will have to finish it at school the next day.
Tonight's assignment is an addition word problem worksheet. The special instructions are to use the space provided (and on the back, if necessary) to show how you would solve the problem using the standard stack and regroup method. For example:
As your child brings Math home, they are often given specific instructions at school that are too lengthy to write down in the student planner. We are working hard at making these notes on the actual assignment & repeating them in class, where they are also given the opportunity to ask any questions to clarify what they are supposed to do. It is important that you encourage them to really focus and pay careful attention to these special instructions: it is a growing responsibility for them to do so AND to be able to remember them once at home. If ever an assignment goes home that they are fuzzy about what the special instructions were, have them do what they can & then they will have to finish it at school the next day.
Tonight's assignment is an addition word problem worksheet. The special instructions are to use the space provided (and on the back, if necessary) to show how you would solve the problem using the standard stack and regroup method. For example:
1
123
+ 458
581
Then....
They are to write their answer and a label (i.e. cookies, people....) on the line provided underneath the word problem.
Lastly....
They are to use the space provided to PROVE their answer is correct. They can use any of the following practices to do so:
- expanded form
100 + 20 + 3
400 + 50 + 8
500 + 70 + 10 + 1
- estimate by rounding
100 + 500 = 600
- picture form
- subtraction
581 - 458 = 123 *a calculator will prove best when regrouping has occurred*
- calculator (just note: checked on a calculator)
I hope you find this to be helpful. It is imperative that they can communicate why and how their answers are correct and /or reasonable.
Have a great evening!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
To Asia and Back Again!
Today we received photos and an email greeting us from South Korea! South Korea is located in Asia and it borders the Pacific Ocean and the Yellow Sea. Our greeter is spending time in the city of Songdo, which 10 years ago did not even exist. This is the North Seoul Tower lit up in the evening sky. A big thanks to Melanie for the pictures and the interesting descriptions of this country! We have stamped our passports and are eager to keep traveling :)
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| North Seoul Tower |
Friday, September 12, 2014
IMPORTANT REMINDER
Monday evening is the Parent Meeting---we will meet in the classroom, and the meeting will begin promptly at 5:30 and last approximately 30 minutes. I look forward to seeing you there!
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Independent Reading Journals
In order to grow as a reader, your child needs to be reading at home for 15 minutes each night. They can:
On occasion they will take home an Independent Reading Journal. Each time the journal goes home, your child will use it to keep a record of the reading they do at home that evening. They will need to write down the title of the text and the span of pages they read that evening. In addition, your child will have to write a 3-5 sentence response to their reading. The very 1st page of their journal gives a description of what a response might include: summary or retelling, connections, predictions, questions, impressions, etc...
These journals are collected and your child will earn a Literary Response grade towards their final quarter grades. Grades will be determined based upon your child's visible effort and the quality of the response in their journal.
Take advantage of this opportunity to read together and to read different types of text! These moments help to build comprehension and fluency (translation---less robotic reading!) in your young reader :)
- Read independently
- Read with an adult (taking turns or listening and following along in the book)
- Utilize audio books (following along in the book), magazines, online articles, graphic novels, etc....
On occasion they will take home an Independent Reading Journal. Each time the journal goes home, your child will use it to keep a record of the reading they do at home that evening. They will need to write down the title of the text and the span of pages they read that evening. In addition, your child will have to write a 3-5 sentence response to their reading. The very 1st page of their journal gives a description of what a response might include: summary or retelling, connections, predictions, questions, impressions, etc...
These journals are collected and your child will earn a Literary Response grade towards their final quarter grades. Grades will be determined based upon your child's visible effort and the quality of the response in their journal.
Take advantage of this opportunity to read together and to read different types of text! These moments help to build comprehension and fluency (translation---less robotic reading!) in your young reader :)
Monday, August 18, 2014
Welcome to the New School Year 2014-2015
Greetings!
The new year is officially underway! I can tell already that it is going to be a really fun year! What a great group of students....
Just a couple of notes for you as we kick it into gear this week:
Each Friday, our classroom newsletter will be sent home. It will be sent home with your child for the first few weeks of school. Once the email addresses have been compiled for the parents/guardians, a copy of the newsletter will just be emailed to you. Please let me know if you do not receive a copy, or if you desire a paper copy every time!
Please check out the links to the right for the Global Greetings Project page, and spread the word!
Also, there are a couple of items needed for the classroom this year. If you are willing/able to donate any of the following items, they will be put immediately to good use:
1--Healthy snacks to share and add to our classroom stash (bag of pretzels, granola bars, fruit snacks, etc....).
2--Indoor Recess games/activities (puzzles, board games, legos....)
Please check out the classroom website at the following address for a link to this week's spelling list and the current classroom newsletter:
www.gonzalezglobetrotters.webs.com
Looking forward to a tremendous year,
Mrs. Gonzalez
The new year is officially underway! I can tell already that it is going to be a really fun year! What a great group of students....
Just a couple of notes for you as we kick it into gear this week:
Each Friday, our classroom newsletter will be sent home. It will be sent home with your child for the first few weeks of school. Once the email addresses have been compiled for the parents/guardians, a copy of the newsletter will just be emailed to you. Please let me know if you do not receive a copy, or if you desire a paper copy every time!
Please check out the links to the right for the Global Greetings Project page, and spread the word!
Also, there are a couple of items needed for the classroom this year. If you are willing/able to donate any of the following items, they will be put immediately to good use:
1--Healthy snacks to share and add to our classroom stash (bag of pretzels, granola bars, fruit snacks, etc....).
2--Indoor Recess games/activities (puzzles, board games, legos....)
Please check out the classroom website at the following address for a link to this week's spelling list and the current classroom newsletter:
www.gonzalezglobetrotters.webs.com
Looking forward to a tremendous year,
Mrs. Gonzalez
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Indiana Department of Education's "Call-A-Pacer" Program
Greetings!
The IDOE has recently posted information regarding a new program known as Call-A-Pacer. Through this program, your child can listen to their favorite Indiana Pacer basketball player read aloud a children's book. Your child can call each week to hear a different book read aloud by a different basketball player. (The week of June 2 would probably really appeal to 3rd graders.) Check it out!
The IDOE has recently posted information regarding a new program known as Call-A-Pacer. Through this program, your child can listen to their favorite Indiana Pacer basketball player read aloud a children's book. Your child can call each week to hear a different book read aloud by a different basketball player. (The week of June 2 would probably really appeal to 3rd graders.) Check it out!
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Read Across America Day
Greetings!
Next Friday is Read Across America and DR. Seuss's birthday :) As a class we will be celebrating all week by sharing and reading our favorite DR. Seuss books. On Friday, the school will be hosting its annual DR. Seuss Parade. Look for more information to come home tomorrow!
For more information about Read America, see http://www.nea.org/grants/886.htm
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Global Goodies
The OVES Carnival is fast approaching---March 1st! The Gonzalez Globetrotters will be auctioning off a class project (TOP SECRET) and an International Foods Basket (Global Goodies). In order to fill the basket, I'll be needing donations of foods that are reminiscent of cultures around the world. Ideas might include: coffee/tea, spices, chopsticks, candies, cookies, etc.... anything that is non-perishable and can be attributed to a culture found around the world--the international foods aisle at your local market is a great place to snatch a global goody!
Send your donations in, and I will assemble the basket to be placed in the silent auction at the Carnival.
Thanks so much!
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