Whew - almost there!
I'll keep it short and sweet today ~
Math: We took a formative and spent most of the class evaluating real written explanations from our class to clarify the expectation. Homework is to complete the graphing worksheet and subtraction with regrouping. Also, Graph Club is a program that can be purchased, not a web-based activity.
Reading: Discussed and identified text features as a whole group and independently. Tomorrow we will look to classify the various features and develop some categories that describe how the specific feature helps the reader. I also met with some of the students for a writing conference.
Social Studies: Built upon our resource knowledge by discussing the concepts of goods and services.
A note on spelling ~
Spelling is a two-week cycle. Most of the first week is spent exploring the letter patterns that represent the same sound. The class list is developed using words the students find in their independent reading tasks - could be the assigned book from small group. We build a class list using these words and I choose 5 words that everyone should have, and the students are then supposed to select an additional 5 words they believe to be challenging for them. Usually, the first cycle is a learning experience in that students either have a low bar for themselves or they are taking the autonomy a little to casually...Either way, based on a friendly reminder and clarification of the expectation, the lists should look a bit more appropriate going forward. Please, if you have any questions about this shoot me an email.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Tuesday Grind
On one hand - Tuesday is a long day without a special - but on the other hand, Tuesday is a day when we tend to get tons done! With that said...
In math, we began our data analysis exploration by discussing the purpose of graphing and presenting data. We spent sometime describing the parts of a graph or table through a software program called Graph Club. With this program we actually created a homework assignment that will go home Wednesday based on their survey results. However, before we get to that, they are to complete p. 243 (4-11 and 15-18) tonight for homework. This work gives them practice answering questions using frequency tables and tally charts. Surprisingly, we had a tough time with this in class today so I'm hoping it was something in the room 9 air! I'll find out tomorrow...
In reading, each group worked in their RRJs using the book from last night's homework. One group described the plot using a graphic organizer provided for them while the other group distinguished between important details and interesting facts. The remaining group, JGB, had our first shared inquiry discussion and reflection task. Please know, this discussion is the most important aspect of JGB. If students are not prepared, they will not participate which impacts their grade. Please ask your child how this discussion went today. SPELLING IS DUE FRIDAY!
We visited the computer lab for a homeroom math activity using Graph Club. We took a survey of everyone's favorite foods, entered the data, and showed the data in different ways (bar, pie, picto...).
In Social Studies, we continued our discussion of natural resources while comparing them to capital and human resources, too.
In math, we began our data analysis exploration by discussing the purpose of graphing and presenting data. We spent sometime describing the parts of a graph or table through a software program called Graph Club. With this program we actually created a homework assignment that will go home Wednesday based on their survey results. However, before we get to that, they are to complete p. 243 (4-11 and 15-18) tonight for homework. This work gives them practice answering questions using frequency tables and tally charts. Surprisingly, we had a tough time with this in class today so I'm hoping it was something in the room 9 air! I'll find out tomorrow...
In reading, each group worked in their RRJs using the book from last night's homework. One group described the plot using a graphic organizer provided for them while the other group distinguished between important details and interesting facts. The remaining group, JGB, had our first shared inquiry discussion and reflection task. Please know, this discussion is the most important aspect of JGB. If students are not prepared, they will not participate which impacts their grade. Please ask your child how this discussion went today. SPELLING IS DUE FRIDAY!
We visited the computer lab for a homeroom math activity using Graph Club. We took a survey of everyone's favorite foods, entered the data, and showed the data in different ways (bar, pie, picto...).
In Social Studies, we continued our discussion of natural resources while comparing them to capital and human resources, too.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Is October REALLY around the corner??!!
With the last week of September upon us it's time to exhale and realize we survived a hectic, at times confusing, and rigorous time of the year! Thanks for working hard at home to make the beginning of 3rd grade a success so far...
After spending time getting our individual pictures done first thing this morning, we had a mini review of data analysis in math class prior to taking the pre assessment. We will discuss our plan tomorrow in class but so far I can see that we need some practice with scales, labeling graphs, and determining mean/median/mode of data. As for tonight, I need many of the students to review their quizzes with their parents and return to me tomorrow. Please remember - all of the bolded items are 4th grade challenge concepts.
In reading we read a non fiction text about Solar Power to explore distinguishing important information from interesting information. We will continue with this during the next few days. In groups, everyone was assigned to reread their story tonight that we worked on in class today. Tomorrow, they will begin working on this week's RRJ response which will pertain to our whole group lesson on importance or elements of the plot, specifically, identifying the specific solution that solves the main problem. My Junior Great Book groups listened to their story on tape today and worked on the creative writing component of our packet. I will meet with both of these groups tomorrow to hold a shared inquiry discussion which is a highlight of this instructional model.
In Social Studies we continued our discussion of renewable natural resources from this morning in LA and watched a video about wind, solar, and water energies.
Remember - Spelling is due on Friday!
After spending time getting our individual pictures done first thing this morning, we had a mini review of data analysis in math class prior to taking the pre assessment. We will discuss our plan tomorrow in class but so far I can see that we need some practice with scales, labeling graphs, and determining mean/median/mode of data. As for tonight, I need many of the students to review their quizzes with their parents and return to me tomorrow. Please remember - all of the bolded items are 4th grade challenge concepts.
In reading we read a non fiction text about Solar Power to explore distinguishing important information from interesting information. We will continue with this during the next few days. In groups, everyone was assigned to reread their story tonight that we worked on in class today. Tomorrow, they will begin working on this week's RRJ response which will pertain to our whole group lesson on importance or elements of the plot, specifically, identifying the specific solution that solves the main problem. My Junior Great Book groups listened to their story on tape today and worked on the creative writing component of our packet. I will meet with both of these groups tomorrow to hold a shared inquiry discussion which is a highlight of this instructional model.
In Social Studies we continued our discussion of renewable natural resources from this morning in LA and watched a video about wind, solar, and water energies.
Remember - Spelling is due on Friday!
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