We had homeroom math today because we had MAP-R for all of 3rd grade. So, we got out the Geoboards and used them to explore polygons in tandem with a distance learning lesson...never tried it before, but working with a teacher through the Web was an interesting experience. In the end, we went deeper than sides and corners by examing right, acute, and obtuse angles...no homework!

After working on MAP-R I decided to spend the bulk of our Language Arts block in science. Please ask them about our experiment - decibels, pitch, frequency, vibrations...

Mrs. Howard came in and did lesson on making friends by looking at the"inside" of a person.

Lastly, each student knows how they did on MAP-R so please ask them... as always, questions/comments/concerns can be emailed to me and I'll get back to you.

Report Card Day! Hopefully it's greeted with enthusiasm in your household...if not, now is a perfect opportunity to make sure 3rd quarter's report card brings a better energy. What they accomplish now bears as much weight as what they accomplish 7 weeks from now...

Math: Polygon homework tonight. Based on our preassessment and my lesson today, they seem to have a solid foundation of these concepts thanks to their 2nd grade experience...we will plow ahead. In addition to the homework, they should have the results from the Unit 3 assessment in their math section. Collectively we did outstanding - the only area holding many of us back is the basic facts challenge section, specifically, the division fact families (timed).

Language Arts: We had a change in plans that has us taking the MAP-R reading assessment tomorrow morning. We take this assessment 3 times a year. However, with the unexpected day switch, we got spelling going again, explored how sound travels, and conferenced with individuals about their report cards.

Unit Three Assessments looked fantastic - our efforts and adjustments as the unit progressed really paid off in strengthening their understanding of rather difficult concepts...thank you for your help at home with this.

Language Arts: We examined the idea of "point of view" through a variety of texts, a bit of role playing, and an example using the show Beyond the Limits (Mt. Everest expedition). The combination drove home exactly what point of view really is. A notes page will be coming home tomorrow to help explain 1st and 3rd person point of views...

Science: We finally got the tuning forks out for some exploration of frequency and pitch. Stay tuned!

On a much different note, in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday last week, and with the month of February rapidly approaching (Black History Month), I have recently come across a wonderful website describing Dr. King's importance to our country and the memorial being created his honor...if you feel so inclined, follow the "Building the Dream" link on our blog.