Buddy Update

Hi Everyone!

Kids, we've already chatted about this in class, but maybe you'd like to share this exciting information with your parents.  Myself and Mrs. Mali have decided to switch things up a bit and give everyone a new third or fourth grade buddy!  How fun!  This way, everyone will get to meet someone new in the class and maybe even make some new friends.  Along with changing buddies we will be changing the seats around as well.  When you come in on Monday you will see where you and your buddy will now be sitting.  For now (since I know the suspense is unbearble!) here is our new buddy list:

David, Benjamin, Owen
Max, Oliver, Jude
Xavier, Brady, Bennett
Richard, James
Conor, Jacob
Laurent, Jonathan
Jordyn, Mira
Shin Be, Alexis
Sydney, Coco
Elle, Bridget
Lisa, Delana
Amelia, Colette

Remember, we are striving for everyone to have Positive Attitudes and to always be a Bucket Filler, so let's all be optimistic about our new buddies.

Have a WONDERFUL weekend and I'll see you all on Monday morning :)
Love, Ms. Leach

Friday's Planner

***Our class will be swimming every Tuesday and Friday from 12:15 to 1:00 starting October 2nd. Please send in with your child his or her swimsuit, a towel, goggles and any necessary toiletries (brush, comb, etc.). Some families also send in flip flops or sandals to wear in the showers (optional). We suggest placing all of these items in a separate, small bag (such as a drawstring backpack).

Friday's Third Grade Math:

Today we worked on a Review packet that covered all of the topics from Unit 1.  This will help prepare us for our test next Tuesday.  Anyone who finished their review early was able to buddy up with a partner and check their answers together.  If you weren't able to completely finish your Review packet, you should have taken it home with you to finish for Monday.  Many of you did finish already, and if that's the case I have your packet already :)    We will be checking these together as a class on Monday and answering any questions you have.  By the time we're finished you will all be very well-prepared for Tuesday's test! :)

Friday's Schedule:

8:20-8:35  Read Aloud
8:35-9:20  Engage
9:25-9:35  Snack
9:35-9:50  Fire Drill
9:50-10:45  Math
10:45-11:30  Social Studies
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  PE
1:05-1:35  Time For Kids Magazine
1:35-2:05  Media Center
2:05-2:25  Class Meeting
2:25-2:35  Planners/Clean Room
2:35-2:45  OUTSIDE :)
2:50-3:15  Character Connection 

Nature Center Field Trip!

Wow!  What an amazing field trip we had today!  The people at the Nature Center were so nice to show us around and teach us all kinds of new information.  We focused on how to classify living things such as plants and animals.  We got to walk through the nature trails and observe and classify many different interesting plants.  We even got to see animals like frogs and deer!  Inside, we got to talk about how to classify various veggies and fruits, and even munch on some!  We also had the opportunity to investigate some pond water for small invertebrates like insects.  When we found an interesting bug that was too small to see clearly, our guide helped us put it under a powerful microscope to observe it closely.  Everyone had a blast and learned  many new things in the process! 

Thursday's Planner:

Thursday's Third Grade Math

Today we did Lesson 1.12.  It was all about patterns in math.  We looked at how to fill in missing numbers in number sequence patterns, and then worked with Frames and Arrows in our math journals.  Next, we talked about how to fill in missing numbers on number-grid puzzles, and other patterns as well.  Finally, we went through our four math workshop rotations.
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HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.12
Journal Page 24 & 25 if not done

Thursday's Schedule:

8:20-8:45  Silent Reading
8:45-8:55  Snack
8:55-9:05  Bathroom break, get coats
9:10-11:30 NATURE CENTER FIELD TRIP!
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Engage
1:05-2:05  Math
2:05-2:35  Social Studies (finish Review)
2:35-2:45  Planners/Clean Room
2:50-3:15  Character Connection

Wednesday's Planner:

So sorry to not have this up earlier!   Here are our planner assignments for today:

Language Arts:
3rd grade- read 20 min
4th grade- read 30 min

Math:
3rd grade- HL 1.11, JP 22
4th grade- SL 2.2

Social Studies:
Test is on Friday!  We will finish our review in class tomorrow and you can take it home with you to study from.

Have a nice evening :)  See you tomorrow!

Wednesday's Third Grade Math:

Today we completed Lesson 1.11.  We pretended we were going on a shopping trip to purchase school supplies and calculated how much our items would cost.  We discussed how to estimate the total bill and then how much actual change we would receive from the cashier.  We finished Journal Page 20 together as a group before moving on to our Math Workshop rotations.
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HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.11
Journal Page 21 & 22 (if not finished)
(Remember, yesterday's homework is due tomorrow as well.  It is Home Link 1.10 and Journal Page 19.  I'll check all of these in together.)

Wednesday's Shedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40  Reading Workshop
10:40-11:30  Writing Workshop
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Spanish
1:05-1:50  Art
1:55-2:35  Social Studies Review
2:35-2:45  Planners/Clean Room
2:50-3:15  Character Connection

Tuesday's Planner

Tuesday's Third Grade Math

Today we completed Lesson 1.10 which was all about money.  We reviewed how much each coin is worth and how to count up a total of money. Then we discussed how to show a total of money in dollars and cents notation (example: $1.25).  Next, it was time for our Math Workshop rotations. 
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PARENTS, PLEASE NOTE: One thing I am noticing is that many students are struggling with logging in to IXL.  Since we only have ten minutes a day for IXL, if it takes five minutes just to log in, we're losing lots of time over the course of the week.  Every student has a small label inside the front cover of their planner that lists all their usernames and passwords.  It would be a HUGE help if parents could spend just a few minutes with their children this week practicing their IXL username and password until they are comfortable with it.  It would be amazing if we could have everyone memorize their username and password for IXL :)
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HOMEWORK:  (DUE ON THURSDAY)
Home Link 1.10
Finish Journal Page 19

Tuesday's Schedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40  Reading Workshop
                   (Continue Winn-Dixie, Read, Log)
10:40-11:30  Writing Workshop
                     (Practice Conferencing, Edit Stories)
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  PE
1:05-1:50  Spanish
1:55-2:30  Social Studies
2:30-2:45  Planners/Clean Room
2:50-3:15  CC

Monday's Planner

Monday's Third Grade Math

Today we did Lesson 1.9.  It was all about using our calculator.  Along with the Home Link tonight, make sure you complete any of the Math Journal pages that you didn't complete in class.
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HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.9
Math Journal Pages 15 & 16 if not finished

Monday's Schedule:

8:30-9:15  Math
9:15-9:25  Snack
9:25-10:20  Reading Workshop
10:20-11:00  Writing Workshop
11:00-11:25  Book Room checkout
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00 Art
1:05-?  Fire Drill
1:30-2:30  Social Studies
2:30-2:45  Planners/Clean Room
2:50-3:15  CC

Friday's Planner

Language Arts:
-3rd-Read 20 min each day
-4th-Read 30 min each day
Math
-3rd-60 minutes IXL by Sunday
-4th-IXL
Spanish (Third Grade)
-Heritage Project: ask you parents two questions about your family background and bring in an object that represents your heritage for Spanish Class on Tuesday
GET PLANNER SIGNED :)

Friday's Third Grade Math:

Since many of the students were unable to finish the NWEA math test yesterday, we continued today.  Those of us who were done with the test worked on an Addition challenge packet and then got to do math fact drills or go on IXL.  All Home Links through 1.8 have now been checked in for everyone.  If you were missing any, they are due on Monday.
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HOMEWORK:  If you haven't done so already, please complete 60 minutes of IXL by Sunday.

Friday's Schedule:

8:30-9:20  Engage
9:25-10:25  Math
10:25-11:30  Social Studies
11:30-12:10  Lunch.Recess
12:15-1:00  PE
1:05-2:05  Time For Kids / Class Meeting
2:05-2:35  Media Cener
2:35-2:45  Planners, Clean Room
2:50-3:15  Characer Connection

Thursday's Planner

Thursday's Third Grade Math

Today we did the NWEA math testing using the classroom laptops.  As this took the entire class period, we did not do any Math Workshop today.  We will start lesson 1.9 tomorrow.
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HOMEWORK:  do 60 minutes of IXL by Sunday

Thursday's Schedule

9:50-10:50  Reading Workshop
                   (Reading Ouselves AWAKE)
10:50-11:00  Snack/Jude's Bday Treat
11:00-11:40  Writing Workshop
                    (Work on SEQUENCE)
                    (Write a SCENE, not just a summary)
11:40-12:20  Lunch/Recess
12:20-12:40  Planners/Clean Room
12:40-1:20  Engage
1:20-2:45  Math
2:50-3:15  Character Connection

Whoohoo Wednesday :)

Today was a very nice day.  The third graders had a great Math Workshop today.  During Reading Workshop we got to start our first Read-Aloud of the year while focusing on how to read with feeling.  During silent reading time, each student worked on hearing a "read-aloud voice" in their head and picturing the story.  In Writing Workshop we tackled Topic Sentences and came to find out that they're actually pretty simple.  Lots of students got to share theirs so we could hear good examples and help others make their topic sentences even stronger.  Afterwards, I overheard the fourth graders having some real fun with skits in Spanish class, and we also got to go to Art.  This afternoon we began sharing our Social Studies artifacts.  It is a bit like a guessing game because once someone shares an artifact we have to guess which Social Scientist would be most interested in it and why.  We only had time for a few people to share before the fire drill, but we will continue this activity tomorrow and Friday.  At the very end of the day we had our first Character Connection class!  I heard some of us had a pretty good time meeting our new classmates!

Have a nice afternoon!
Love, Ms. Leach

Wednesday's Planner:

Parents: Your child should be bringing home a piece of paper like the one above.  This is some information about our new Raz-Kids.com accounts.  This is a very useful tool that we will be using throughout the year.  In the future, I will assign reading on Raz-Kids as needed, but for now feel free to just explore the site with your child.  Thanks! 

Wednesday's Third Grade Math

Today's Lesson 1.8 was about Finding Differences.  We learned how to use the number grid as a tool to find the difference between two numbers.  Some students shared different strategies they used to find differences while utilizing the number grid and skip counting.  We also had our very best Math Workshop so far.  Everyone did a wonderful job today staying on task and transitioning from station to station with ease!  Pat yourselves on the back!
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TODAY'S HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.8 (and 1.6 and 1.7 from Monday and Tuesday)
Finish Journal Pages 13 & 14  (and 9, 10, 11, 12 from Monday and Tuesday)
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Reminder:  The homework shown above from Monday and Tuesday will also be checked in tomorrow. Everything from the last three days is due tomorrow because of the holiday earlier this week.  We had time to work on all of these things in class, so as long as you've used your time wisely you should be ready to go for tomorrow :)

Wednesday's Schedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:50  Reading Workshop
                   (Reading with feeling)
10:50-11:25  Writing Workshop
                     (Topic Sentences)
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Spanish
1:05-1:50  Art
1:55-2:20  Planners/Clean Room, Start Artifact Share
2:20-2:45  Fire Drill
2:50-3:15  Character Connection (1st Day!!)

Terrific Tuesday!

Today was a terrific Tuesday!  Please see the schedule below for more info on what we did throughout the day, and check the planner post as well. 

Clarification:  ALL math homework for 3rd and 4th graders is due Thursday due to the holiday.  We will not be collecting/checking in any math homework until Thursday so as not to penalize any students observing the holiday.  Let me know if you have any questions by emailing me at al10bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us. Sorry for the confusion!  Thank you :)

Tuesday's Third Grade Math

Lesson 1.7 today was all about Chance Events and the language we use to describe them.  We talked about things that we are sure will happen, and things that we are unsure if they'll happen or not.  We also learned about how things can be "likely" or "unlikely".  We made a big chart of examples for all of these new terms. Then we got to  come up with our own ideas for these events on Journal Page 11 during the workshop rotations.
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***Clarification-Homework assigned yesterday and today is DUE THURSDAY because of the holiday.  I will not be checking in anything until Thursday so as not to penalize any students observing the holiday.  Everyone had time during math workshop to complete the journal pages and maybe even start on the Home Links, so it is possible that your child has already completed the bulk of these assignments here.  Please let me know if you have any questions by emailing me at  al10bps@birmingham.k12.mi.us  Sorry for any confusion!
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YESTERDAY'S HOMEWORK:  HL1.6, JP 9, JP 10 (if not finished)  due Thurs.
TODAY'S HOMEWORK: HL1.7, JP 11, JP 12  (if not finished)  due Thurs.

Tuesday's Schedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40  Reading Workshop
                  (Reading stronger, longer, and faster)
10:40-11:25  Writing Workshop
                     (Focus and Detail -going from a big topic to a small moment)
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  P.E.
1:05-1:50  Spanish
1:55-2:40  Social Studies
2:40-2:55  Planners, Clean Room
2:55-3:15  Outside!

Magnificent Monday

Today was our first chance to go to the brand new Book Room in the back of the Media Center.  Here we were each able to choose a fiction and a nonfiction book to bring with us back to the classroom to be kept in our Reading Bins.  Unfortunately, we cannot take these Book Room books home with us like we would a Media Center book, so please make sure they STAY HERE at school. 

Also, today we got our PERMISSION SLIPS for the Nature Center Field Trip.  As stated on the planner, these are due on FRIDAY.  Please don't forget! 

Have a wonderful evening and I'll see you all tomorrow morning!  Love, Ms. Leach

Monday's Planner:

Monday's Third Grade Math

Today we did Lesson 1.6.  This lesson was all about Equivalent Names.  We created Name Collection Boxes for various numbers.  A Name Collection Box is where we show different ways to say a number.  For example, the number 14 can be shown as: 2x7, 17-3, 11+3, "fourteen", 42/3, "1 ten and 4 ones", and so on. 

We did our Math Workshop Rotations with one small change - no computers this time.  Unfortunately, we will be unable to use the school laptops during Math Workshop all week due to NWEA testing in other classes.  This means that IXL work will need to be completed at home.  Every student should complete 60 minutes of IXL by Sunday.  I would suggest spreading it out and doing 10 minutes each evening.
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HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.6
Finish Journal Pages 9 and 10
60 minutes of IXL by Sunday

Monday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving your name magnet ASAP!

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:15  Math
9:15-9:25  Snack
9:25-10:20  Reading Workshop
10:20-11:00  Writing Workshop
11:00-11:25  Book Room Checkout
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Art
1:05-2:35  Social Studies
2:35-2:50  Planners, Clean Room
2:50-3:15  Character Connection

Fantastic Friday!

Today was a pretty fantastic Friday!  I'd like to thank all of my students for a wonderful week of hard work and fun.  Please enjoy your weekend and come back on Monday refreshed and ready for a new week! 
Love,
Ms. Leach :)

Friday's Planner:

Friday's Third Grade Math:

Today's lesson (1.5) was all about Displaying Data.  Together, we made a tally chart to show the number of letters each student had in their first name. We analyzed this data to find the minimum, maximum, range, mode, and median.  Next, we transferred the data we had collected on to a bar chart.  We learned how to label the chart with a title as well.  Afterwards, we either worked independently or got together with a partner to work on our first "Math Boxes" of the year (JP#8).  Some kids even had time to complete their Home Link 1.5 while in class! 
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HOMEWORK: 
*Home Link 1.5
*Journal Page #8 if not finished
*Play this game to practice equivalent names for numbers. Use the 1-6 and 1-10 levels. Then, challenge yourself to try any of the other levels!

Friday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:20  Engage
9:25-10:25  Math
10:30-11:30  Social Studies
11:30-12:10  Lunch.Recess
12:15-1:00  P.E.
1:05-2:00  TFK/Current Events
2:00-2:35  Class Meeting
2:35-2:50  Planners, Clean Room
2:50-3:15  Character Connection (in here)

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!

Hello Parents!

I was so happy to see so many of you at our Back to School Night this evening!   If you weren't able to make it or would just like your own copy of the information, please check the front page of our Wiki for the PowerPoint that we showed. http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/ 

Thank you!
Ms. Leach

Thoughtful Thursday!

Today we had a very full day!  We started, as usual, with Math (third graders can see the post below for more info).  Then it was time for snack.  In Reading Workshop we read silently for 20 minutes and then got together on the carpet to discuss how to decide if a book is "just right" for us or not.  A few brave volunteers offered to read aloud for the class.  Some read "just right" books to show us what that reading should sound like.  One very courageous volunteer read a passage from a book that was high above her reading level so we could hear the difference.  Together we made a big chart of signs to watch for when choosing a book.  That way, each of us can be responsible for picking "just right" books in the future.  In Writing Workshop we continued work on the stories we started on Tuesday.  Next it was time for lunch and then Engage.  Afterwards, we started Social Studies with Chapter 1.  This first chapter of our book is all about the social sciences.  We read the first two sections and had a very rich conversation which we will continue tomorrow and in to next week.  Finally, it was time to do planners and clean the room.  We had to do all of this early today because we also had to get the room set up for BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT!  Mrs. Harvath and Ms. Leach hope to see all the parents here tonight from 6:00-7:30pm.  It will be very informative!

Thursday's Planner:

Remember: GPS means GET PLANNER SIGNED! :)

Thursday's Third Grade Math:

Today in math we completed a Math Workshop for Lesson 1.4.  It was all about the tools we use while doing mathematics.  We did most of Journal Page #5 as a class, and then finished independently during the B-"By Myself" rotation of the workshop.  As you can see on our wiki at http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Lesson+1.4, we also practiced telling time with our friends, and worked on IXL during the workshop rotations.
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HOMEWORK:
*Home Link 1.4
-Finish Journal Page #5 if you didn't do so in class.

Thursday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving your name magnet ASAP!

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40  Reading Workshop
10:40-11:25  Writing Workshop
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Engage
1:05-2:05  Social Studies
2:15-2:30  Planners, Clean room
2:30-2:50  Move desks for tonight
2:50-3:15  Character Connection (here)

Wonderful Wednesday!

We had a pretty productive day today.  Like usual, we began with math (3rd graders can see below for more info).  We had snack and then began a Writing Assessment right away.  All of the third graders stayed with Ms. Leach while all of the fourth graders stayed in Mrs. Harvath's room.  Third graders did some brainstorming with Ms. Leach and talked about how to create a pre-writing bubble chart on the board.  The topic we all wrote about was "A time I visited an interesting place."  Some of us wrote about far-away places like Miami and Canada, while some of us chose to write about somewhere close to home like Grandma's house or our backyard!  We all had a big chunk of time to finish our writing and turn it in.  These pieces will go in our writing portfolios with some of the other pieces we've written since Kindergarten!  Next, we had lunch/recess, Spanish, and Art.  Afterwards, Ms. Leach's class and Mrs. Harvath's class all got together to put the finishing touches on our Class Contract.  Finally, it was time to do planners and clean the room.  We had about ten minutes left at the end of the day to begin discussing our Character Connections class that will begin next Monday.  Character Connections will take place every afternoon from 2:50-3:15.  Each 3rd/4th grader will be assigned to a classroom with other 3rd/4th graders AND 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders too!  It will be a fun but important time each day where we'll all work on building our character.  We'll continue to discuss this new class tomorrow afternoon and Friday afternoon. 

Wednesday's Planner:

Remember: GPS means GET PLANNER SIGNED!

Have a great afternoon!  See you all tomorrow :)

Wednesday's Third Grade Math

Today in math we did Lesson 1.3.  This lesson introduced us to the Student Reference Book that we are keeping at home.  We learned what the different sections of the SRB were (index, table of contents, etc).  We did journal page #4 together as a class with Ms. Leach and then had time for four rotations: B,C,D,E as listed on the Wiki: http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Lesson+1.3  This was the first time we tackled a whole lesson in just one Math Workshop, and we all did a great job staying focused!
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HOMEWORK:
Home Link 1.3
Play Clock Games at the bottom of this Wiki page:
http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Lesson+1.3

Wednesday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving your name magnet ASAP!

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-11:25  Writing Assessment
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00 Spanish
1:05-1:50  Art
1:55-2:55  Finish Class Contract
2:55-3:15  Planners, Clean Room

Top Notch Tuesday!

We had a very nice Tuesday today.  We started the day with math (3rd graders see post below for more math info) and then had snack after.  In Reading Workshop we made some "Reading Resolutions" to use as goals for the rest of our school year.  The kids wrote individual goals and we also compiled a short list of resolutions for the whole class to share.  Ms. Leach will be posting this list in the classroom so we can refer to it later.  In Writing Workshop we talked about one strategy we can use when we're stumped on what to write.  We did some brainstorming using this new strategy and even had a chance to get started on a new Personal Narrative piece.  Next, it was time for linch, PE, and Spanish.  Afterwards, we spent some time writing letters to the soldiers overseas.  We talked about how appreciative the soldiers are when they get letters from home, and how we can brighten their day with just a short letter!  Everyone did an amazing job on these letters and really but thoughtful effort in to them.  Finally, it was time to fill out planners and clean the room. Since we had done such an awesome job during Reading/Writing Workshop, and had really put our hearts in to our letters, we had a quick game of Sharks and Minnows at the end of the day :)

Tuesday's Planner:

Remember: GPS means GET PLANNER SIGNED! :)

Tuesday's Third Grade Math

Today we finished lesson 1.2 about Number Grids.  We were lucky enough to have some time at the end of class to catch up on any journal pages we hadn't already finished completely.  Some kids even had time to start their Home Link 1.2 for a few minutes.  Remember though, this won't be the norm.  Usually, we'll only have enough time in math class to do our Mini-Lesson and our five Math Workshop Rotations.  Tomorrow's class will be the first time we do this all together, so we'll have to really put effort in to staying on task and doing our best!
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HOMEWORK: 
*Home Link 1.2
-Finish Journal Pages 1, 2, 3 if not already complete

Tuesday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving your name magnet ASAP!

Here is today's schedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:00  Reading Workshop
10:00-10:20  Pictures
10:20-11:00  Finish Reading Workshop, Silent Reading
11:00-11:40  Lunch/Recess
11:45-12:15  Writing Workshop
12:15-1:00  PE
1:05-1:50  Spanish
1:55-3:00  Letters to Soldiers
3:00-3:15  Planners, Clean Room

Marvelous Monday!

Today was a great start to the week.  We began the day, as usual, with math.  Third graders can see the post below titled "Monday's Third Grade Math" for more info.  Then it was time for snack and Reading/Writing Workshop.  We got reading buddies today and interviewed them about their reading likes and dislikes.  Then we talked about times when reading was the pits, and times when reading was really awesome.  This helped us make a list of how we want to make our Reading Workshop the best it can be this year.  In Writing Workshop, we did a similar activity to brainstorm how we can all be stellar writers this year.  We also got to share our newly decorated Writer's Notebooks with our classmates and talk about how the pictures we used can spark ideas for our writing.  Next came lunch, recess, and Art.  Afterwards, we spent time going over our new classroom jobs. These range from Eco-Patrol to Librarians.  Every week, each student will rotate to a new job, and will even get a chance to sit in the comfy chairs for an enture week!  Next, we started working in groups to come up with ideas for our Classroom Contract.  This is something we will continue to work on tomorrow with Mrs. Harvath's class.  When we're finished, we'll have a contract that we all agree on and can have our parents sign and we can sign ourselves too.  Finally it was time to fill out planners, clean the room and play a well-deserved game of "Silent Ball" before heading off to choice hour or going home  :) 

Monday's Planner:

Remember:  "GPS" means Get Planner Signed!

Monday's 3rd Grade Math

Today we started a new lesson.  It is lesson 1.2 and it is all about Number Grids.  First we talked about the standard number grid that is hanging in our classroom.  We discussed how the numbers are arranged, and how we could make our own number grid.  Then we did three rotations of our Math Workshop.  This means there are still two rotations left to finish tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will also be checking in Home Link 1.1 and going over the answers to last week's journal pages.
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HOMEWORK:  Journal page 1&2 if not already completed.

Monday's Schedule:

Here is today's schedule:

8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40  Reading Workshop
10:40-11:30  Writing Workshop
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Art
1:05-1:35  Classroom Jobs
1:35-2:45  Class Contract
2:45-3:00  Finish Robots, Silent Reading
3:00-3:15  Planners, Clean Room

Fabulous Friday!

We all can pat ourselves on the back for having successfully made it through the first week of school! Hooray! Today we had Engage first thing, followed up by math. Afterwards we finished our All About Me robot posters and got a chance to do some silent reading. Then it was already time for lunch, recess, and P.E.!  Afterwards, we read a very interesting Time For Kids magazine with lots of information about the recent Summer Olympics.  Next, we started our weekly Class Meeting by reading a book called "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?"  It was all about how we can fill our friends' buckets by being kind and not hurting each other's feelings.  We ended our Class Meeting by opening up the floor for any questions our friends needed answered, or any advice they could use.  Finally, we chatted for a bit about how to decorate our Writer's Notebooks (there is a paper explaining this stuffed in the notebook itself).  We also discussed how EVERYONE must read the Student Handbook with their parents, and get the first page of the planner signed over the weekend.  Ms. Leach will collect these on Monday morning!  By the end of the day, Ms. Leach wanted to reward us for surviving the first week back to school, so we got to go outside and play "sharks and minnows" for the last ten minutes of the day!! Then it was either off to Choice Hour or home.  Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND everyone :)

Friday's Planner:

Remember: GPS means GET PLANNER SIGNED!

Friday's Third Grade Math

Today we finished the rotations for our first Math Workshop about numbers and number sequences.  We also got together on the front carpet to chat about what we had learned, and to chat about what our homework is.  Remember, part of our homework is Home Link 1.1, and the rest is to play the games on the Math Wiki page.  Parents, you can help your child find the games - the links are all the way at the bottom of the page: http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Lesson+1.1
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HOMEWORK:
-Home Link 1.1
-Play BOTH games on the Math Wiki page (link is above)

Friday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving your NAME MAGNET asap!

Here is today's schedule:
8:35-9:20  Engage
9:25-10:25  Math
10:30-11:25 Finish Robots / Read Aloud
11:25-12:05  Lunch
12:15-1:00  PE
1:05-2:00  TFK / Current Events
2:00-2:30  Class Meeting
2:35-3:00  Student Handbook / Writing HW
3:00-3:15  Planners / Clean room

Thrilling Thursday

Today was a thrilling Thursday!  The day began as usual with Math.  Third graders can see the earlier post from today for more details on what we did in Third Grade Math.  After snack we had Reading Workshop.  Here we got to find out our Just Right Reading Levels and choose a Just Right book from our classroom library.  We even got to read for 25 minutes and record it in our new reading logs!  Everyone now has a Reading Bin in the class where they can keep their folder, notebook, and silent reading book.  Writing workshop was next and we got to put together our writing folders and get started on a narrative writing piece about our summer vacation.  This was just a warm-up to get us back in to the swing of things when it comes to writing.  Next came lunch, recess, and then our Co-Curricular called Engage with Mrs. Truesdell.  Afterwards, we got to play two new icebreaker games that helped us learn eachother's names.  Then we got to go outside for recess.  Finally it was time to work on our "All About Me" robot posters and clean the room to go to choice hour or home.  Overall it was a pretty fun day!

Thursday's Planner:

Remember: GPS means GET PLANNER SIGNED!

Thursday's 3rd Grade Math

Today in math we got started on our very first workshop!  Since it is something new for all of us, we took it nice and slow.  We'll actually be spreading out one lesson over two days (today and tomorrow) this first time, to make sure that everyone understands how the workshop works.  Lesson 1.1 is all about numbers and number sequences.  We talked about where you find numbers, what they tell us, and what sequences we can make with them.  Today we got through the mini-lesson and two rotations, tomorrow we will finish up the last three rotations and wrap-it-up.  Please check out the Math Wiki page for more details: http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Mrs.+Mali%27s+Math+Workshop
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HOMEWORK: None today :) 
----(Home Link 1.1 will be assigned for over the weekend.)

Thursday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:30  Math
9:30-9:40  Snack
9:40-10:40 Reading Workshop
10:40-11:25  Writing Workshop
11:30-12:10  Lunch/Recess
12:15-1:00  Engage
1:05-2:00  Icebreakers
2:00-2:30 Recess
2:30-3:00 All About Me Activity
3:00-3:15 Planners, Clean room

Wonderful Wednesday

Today was a wonderful Wednesday.  We had our first math class of the year!  Fourth graders went next door with Mrs. Harvath while all of the third graders came to our room with Ms. Leach.  You can check out the earlier post "Wednesday's Third Grade Math" for more info on how math class went today.  After math, we had snack and then started our first Reading Workshop and Writing Workshop!  During this time, we got out our new reading folders and put our reading tally sheet and logs inside.  This will help us keep track of each book we read, what genres we are reading, and what books we'd like to read next!  In Writing Workshop we got to begin working on a cool acrostic all about our personal characteristics.  Then it was time for lunch, Spanish, and Art. Afterwards, we got to finish working on our acrostics so that Ms. Leach can laminate them and we can put them on our lockers!  Just before the end of the day, we discussed our homework (see below for details), and finally it was time to clean up the room and pack up.  Since we did such a great job cleaning the room, we were even able to play a quick game together right before the bell rang!  How wonderful :)

Wednesday's Planner

Unfortunately, our planners still haven't arrived. 
Here's today's homework:
3rd Grade - Read for 20 minutes
4th Grade - Read for 30 minutes

Wednesday's Third Grade Math

Today in math we handed out supplies and labeled our Journals and Home Links. Journals and Home Links should always stay in your binder! They should both be brought to math class every day, along with a sharpened pencil. The Student Reference Books that the kids received should be KEPT AT HOME in a safe place. Everyone will return their Student Reference Book at the end of the year, so take good care of it! 
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We also got a chance to discuss our new Math Workshop format. Everyday in math we will have five stations to rotate through.  Each third grader will go to each station once. Our Math Workshop page can be found on Mrs. Harvath's and Mrs. Mali's Wiki page. There is a link along the left-side column here, or you can click here: http://hm12.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Mrs.+Mali%27s+Math+Workshop
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HOMEWORK: Find a safe place for your Student Reference Book.

Wednesday's Schedule:

GOOD MORNING!  Thank you for moving for name magnet ASAP.

Here is today's schedule:
8:30-9:30 Math
9:35-9:40 Snack
9:40-10:40 Reading Workshop
10:40-11:25 Writing Workshop
11:30-12:10 Lunch
12:15-1:00 Spanish
1:05-1:50 Art
1:55-2:30 Play Icebreaker
2:30-3:00 Finish Locker Signs
3:00-3:15 Discuss HW, Clean room

Fantastic First Day!

Today was a fantastic first day! 3rd graders got to meet their 4th grade buddies who helped them throughout the day. We took a quick tour of the room to chat about where all our resources and supplies are located. We read a book about a person who was nervous about the first day of school. At the end of the book we learned it was actually the teacher who had the first day "jitters". We each wrote about what "jitters" we had about coming to BCS today. Afterwards, we organized and labeled our supplies, talked about our schedule and even did a word search of all the names in our class! Then it was time for lunch, recess, P.E., and Spanish. When we got back from Spanish, we got our Choice Hour schedules and then went to Bus Families. There we learned about the rules for riding the bus and met the other kids who would be on the bus with us. Finally, it was time to clean the room and pack up for Choice Hour or to go home. The day seemed to fly by, but all went smoothly :)
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Planners aren't here yet, so there is nothing to write in them! We are hoping to get them tomorrow and pass them out then. In the future, we will write in our planners every day at around 2:35. I will post the homework here on the blog as well! For today: no homework :) :) :)

Tuesday's Schedule:

8:20-9:20... Introduce 3rd/4th grade buddies
                      Take a tour of the room
                      Read First Day Jitters
                      Write about your own "first day jitters"
9:20-9:50... TOWN HALL MEETING
                      with Mrs. Chinn and Mr. Bishop
9:50-11:30... Finish writing piece
                        Organize and label supplies
                        Discuss weekly schedule
                        Names word search
11:30-12:10... LUNCH
12:15-1:00... PE
1:05-1:50... SPANISH
1:55-2:30... Discuss Choice Hour schedule
                     Explain Bus Families
2:30-3:00... BUS FAMILIES
3:00-3:15... Clean room and remind Choice Hours
3:20-4:05... CHOICE HOUR