Along with guided reading strategies and skills, we will be focusing on determining important information, rereading to build comprehension, sequencing, and recognizing synonyms in our large group mini lessons.
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Guided Reading is Rolling!
After building routines, assessing students in various ways, we are now rolling with guided reading. The students were ready and excited to get reading in their groups, as was I. It is important for parents and students to remember that guided reading groups are flexible and students might be moved from group to group after each theme based on assessments and observations.
Along with guided reading strategies and skills, we will be focusing on determining important information, rereading to build comprehension, sequencing, and recognizing synonyms in our large group mini lessons.
Along with guided reading strategies and skills, we will be focusing on determining important information, rereading to build comprehension, sequencing, and recognizing synonyms in our large group mini lessons.
Insect Inquiry
Do you know the 3 parts of an insect? Can you identify an insect? Well 3rd graders at Crestwood Elementary are working on doing just that. As part of our science curriculum, Angela, the Howard County Naturalist, visited the classroom to walk students through "Insect Inquiry". She shared great information and involved the students in discussions about identifying insects. It is always great to have an "expert" come in and share their knowledge with us! Thanks Angela!
We Are Writers!
Ideas! Ideas! Ideas! 3B students continue to build their writing stamina and passion for writing! It is amazing to see the difference in their love of writing since the beginning of school, which was only a few weeks ago. I love it! On days when we have time to share and celebrate our writing, students can't wait to share what they have done.
We have spent the last few weeks talking about where writers get their ideas. Students have created many lists in the "Ideas" section of their writing notebook to rely on when they are having a 'mind block' on what to write.
Our recent focus was writing pattern like books or ABC books. Students are enjoying writing with a partner to create a pattern book in ABC format on a topic of their choice. We will continue working on these this week before moving into the conventions of writing, which are the mechanics such as editing punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. We will also continue to work on "pumping up" our sentences with details. Then...the exciting part....our first published pieces!!!! Stay tuned!
We have spent the last few weeks talking about where writers get their ideas. Students have created many lists in the "Ideas" section of their writing notebook to rely on when they are having a 'mind block' on what to write.
Our recent focus was writing pattern like books or ABC books. Students are enjoying writing with a partner to create a pattern book in ABC format on a topic of their choice. We will continue working on these this week before moving into the conventions of writing, which are the mechanics such as editing punctuation, spelling, and capitalization. We will also continue to work on "pumping up" our sentences with details. Then...the exciting part....our first published pieces!!!! Stay tuned!
Word Works Routine
Last week was our first week of "word works", the last part of Daily 5 that we had yet to practice and build stamina. Word Works is what some would call "spelling" but is done in a different format that probably most of us did when we were in elementary school.
Word Works is a five day routine in which students apply different modes of learning to better understand and apply not only a sound or rule, but a spelling concept. This week, students practiced each a given sound or rule in the following manner:
Day 1: The class is introduced to a sound or pattern and creates a class list as guided by teacher. Each student then selects a given amount of words from the list that will challenge them to practice and apply the sound or pattern. The list is approved by the teacher to make sure each student is not selecting what I call "easy cheesy words" for their individual list. The list are also individualized for differentiated learning. The students then add the words into an app titled "A+ Spelling" by typing the word in as well as recording the word and using it in sentence. Students then use the app to practice unscrambling the word by listening to the app give the word back to them.
Day 2: Students practice their selected words and various others that connect to the sound or pattern for the week by using the app "Spelling City". Spelling City has many online activities for students to select from and they love having that choice.
Day 3: On day 3, students work with a partner to practice spelling their words from their independent list to strategically play a game titled "Knights and Dragons". The purpose of this activity is to spell the words correctly so that the player can draw a line with the goal of closing a box. If the player spells a word incorrectly, they do not get to draw a line on the game mat, limiting their chances of closing a box.
Day 4: Day 4 involves different modes of learning. Students can select from spelling words with letter tiles, magnetic letters, stamps, wiki stix, and other options. It is a hands on mode of learning.
Day 5: Students are assessed on their rule/words by using A+ Spelling app to take an assessment which is then emailed to me, the teacher.
Your child will not be bringing a list home to memorize and practice each week. The purpose of the routine mentioned above is to help students apply the sound and work on the sounds in different settings or learning styles so that he/she can apply the correct spelling for the sounds or patterns in various words. It is more than just memorizing a list of words.
If you have any questions or thoughts about Word Works, feel free to give me a call. Last week was a practice week to build our stamina for the routine. Students are ready to move into assuming each day of Word Works independently.
Word Works is a five day routine in which students apply different modes of learning to better understand and apply not only a sound or rule, but a spelling concept. This week, students practiced each a given sound or rule in the following manner:
Day 1: The class is introduced to a sound or pattern and creates a class list as guided by teacher. Each student then selects a given amount of words from the list that will challenge them to practice and apply the sound or pattern. The list is approved by the teacher to make sure each student is not selecting what I call "easy cheesy words" for their individual list. The list are also individualized for differentiated learning. The students then add the words into an app titled "A+ Spelling" by typing the word in as well as recording the word and using it in sentence. Students then use the app to practice unscrambling the word by listening to the app give the word back to them.
Day 2: Students practice their selected words and various others that connect to the sound or pattern for the week by using the app "Spelling City". Spelling City has many online activities for students to select from and they love having that choice.
Day 3: On day 3, students work with a partner to practice spelling their words from their independent list to strategically play a game titled "Knights and Dragons". The purpose of this activity is to spell the words correctly so that the player can draw a line with the goal of closing a box. If the player spells a word incorrectly, they do not get to draw a line on the game mat, limiting their chances of closing a box.
Day 4: Day 4 involves different modes of learning. Students can select from spelling words with letter tiles, magnetic letters, stamps, wiki stix, and other options. It is a hands on mode of learning.
Day 5: Students are assessed on their rule/words by using A+ Spelling app to take an assessment which is then emailed to me, the teacher.
Your child will not be bringing a list home to memorize and practice each week. The purpose of the routine mentioned above is to help students apply the sound and work on the sounds in different settings or learning styles so that he/she can apply the correct spelling for the sounds or patterns in various words. It is more than just memorizing a list of words.
If you have any questions or thoughts about Word Works, feel free to give me a call. Last week was a practice week to build our stamina for the routine. Students are ready to move into assuming each day of Word Works independently.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Daily 3 for Math!
Hard to believe that the first quarter of school is half over! Time is flying by so quickly! The students are in a great routine, have been using and showing Cadet Pride throughout the building, and we are off to a great start to the school year.
In math we are working through the first unit focusing on patterns in number grids, telling time, determining differences, and calculator routines. This year, I am setting up the structure of math time similar to the Daily 5 in literacy but students are selecting activities through the Daily 3. The set up is something like this:
In math we are working through the first unit focusing on patterns in number grids, telling time, determining differences, and calculator routines. This year, I am setting up the structure of math time similar to the Daily 5 in literacy but students are selecting activities through the Daily 3. The set up is something like this:
1. Begin together as large class to review a concept or introduce a new concept.
2. Students select from "Math by Myself", "Math with Someone" or "Math Technology" while the teacher works with small groups focusing on skill or math strategy. The activities in each of the three choices above have been selected and modeled to the students to build on math skills we are currently focusing on or to enrich the curriculum.
3. Gather back together as large group to have guided practice with new skill or math strategy.
4. Students select new choice activity from those mentioned above (can not be the same as first selection) while teacher works with different small group of students.
5. Gather back together as large group to reinforce, practice, and question focused skill or strategy.
6. If time, have a final choice in activities above (usually we do not get to this stop and wrap it up after step 5)
The three choices throughout the math period between instruction or when not with teacher are:
Math By Myself
Math with Someone
Math Technology
This is new to how math was usually taught and I have to say, I love it! I feel I can focus more on individual students' strengths and weaknesses while moving through the necessary curriculum for math. The students also are more engaged in this format due to having some "choice" in their activities.
Dot Day! Celebrating Creativity!
Last week was also a special day celebrated around the world...International Dot Day! This day is used to recognize the creativity that all of us have. Based on the story, The Dot, a boy who feels he lacks creativity realizes that even a dot can be transformed into something creative. He also learns to be proud of his work and encouraged to be proud and sign each piece of work.
Here is a video that I showed the students about "Dot Day". It is called...."The Dot Song". The students love it!!
I loved how the students came in showing their creativity by covering themselves with dots or wearing clothes with dots on them. It was the start to a great day. We spent the last hour of the day by going through different stations in which the students could show their creativity focusing on "a dot". Some of our activities were:
*painting a large class dot showing our individual creativity
*a "dot hunt" throughout the school using our iPads to take pictures and then turning those pictures into a collage using "Pic Collage"
*designing and decorating foam dots
*designing book marks or paper dots
*using iPads to create pictures using dot designs
*eating yummy "dot" munchies
It was a fun way to celebrate being creative!
Great Skype with Mrs. P from California!
Last Wednesday the students had a special guest visit the classroom via Skype! Her name is Mrs. P! Mrs. P is known for sharing fascinating stories with students and encouraging them to be readers and writers! She tells many fantasy stories and shares how she gets ideas ideas to write about.
I had contacted Mrs. P via Twitter to see if she would talk to the students about how writers get ideas, being we have been spending so much time on that topic in writing. She was so excited and glad to meet our 3rd graders! During the Skype, she talked to the students about a writing contest she holds each year for students and classes. Information about Mrs P, her stories, and her contest can be found at the following link:
I had contacted Mrs. P via Twitter to see if she would talk to the students about how writers get ideas, being we have been spending so much time on that topic in writing. She was so excited and glad to meet our 3rd graders! During the Skype, she talked to the students about a writing contest she holds each year for students and classes. Information about Mrs P, her stories, and her contest can be found at the following link:
During our visit with Mrs. P, the students also had time to ask her questions about reading and writing. The most important thing she told the students is that if you can tell a story, you can write it. That is a super statement to remember as many times the students want to share a story with me about something that happened to them, but struggle to come up with ideas to write about. We now use that statement in our classroom during writing. "If you can tell a story, you can write it.".
It was a wonderful experience to share with Mrs. P and all of 3rd grade. We will get started on our stories for her writing contest soon. I hope the students took something away from Mrs. P. and hopefully we can Skype again soon. She always says that "reading is cool". So is writing!!!
Monday, September 8, 2014
What is Up???
I hope you enjoyed the wonderful weather over the weekend! Wow! It was super! We spent some time at our family cabin jet skiing and enjoying the lake before it gets too cold- which sounds sooner than later.
I reminded the students that as the weather gets colder, they should consider dressing in layers. The
students that arrive before school and play outside need to remember that it is chilly in the morning compared to what the temperature may be at noon. So please help remind them to dress in layers as the weather temperatures change. They can always leave jackets or sweatshirts in their lockers later in the day if the temperature warms up.
We had a wonderful time being active and celebrating fitness last Friday. Hopefully a 3B student filled you in on the fun activities we participated in, dancing, bouncy houses, smoothies etc. It was great. If you have a chance, check our 3B Facebook page and watch the video I posted of the students doing the dance with the whole school district. I have some great dancers in 3B!!! I will try and post it on this blog page this week but it was not cooperating over the weekend.
Update on other things:
1. We have our "read to self" stamina up to 18 minutes! Yeah 3B! I am spending this week listening to the students read individually to make some assessments on reading abilities and skills.
2. The students are also building a passion for writing! Today our stamina for "work on writing" was up to 8 minutes for "work on writing". Does not sound like much but it is a big improvement from last week! I am most excited about how much they get excited now to write and share their stories with the class!!! Building the passion to write is a big step forward!
3. Sometime this week I will be introducing a new component of the Daily 5 titled "Read with Someone".
4. In math we are working on patterns in number grids. We will be working on telling and writing time correctly, measuring, before moving into finding differences.
5. Science - the students are anxiously awaiting our first "visitors" this week. Wonder what they will be? Our plants are growing slowly but coming, so that is a good thing, as the visitors will need something to eat. Our "Mystery Object" did not work out (as sometimes that experiment fails) so we are going to try it again tomorrow to see what happens. The students are still wondering if it is a seed or an egg (even though some know already). We will also be discussing and learning about differences between plants and animals.
The iPads did arrive in the classroom last Friday afternoon! Students are beyond excited about them! The district is still working to install some apps and get them working to capacity.
Just a reminder to some that have not done an apple ID and password for your 3rd grade student. Your child will not be able to utilize the iPads to the fullest potential without the creation of an apple ID and password. Please call the school immediately or as soon as possible to set up your child's apple ID.
Also remember that this Wednesday is a 3 hour early out. Be sure students know where they are going when school is dismissed to ease the confusion.
I reminded the students that as the weather gets colder, they should consider dressing in layers. The
We had a wonderful time being active and celebrating fitness last Friday. Hopefully a 3B student filled you in on the fun activities we participated in, dancing, bouncy houses, smoothies etc. It was great. If you have a chance, check our 3B Facebook page and watch the video I posted of the students doing the dance with the whole school district. I have some great dancers in 3B!!! I will try and post it on this blog page this week but it was not cooperating over the weekend.
Update on other things:
1. We have our "read to self" stamina up to 18 minutes! Yeah 3B! I am spending this week listening to the students read individually to make some assessments on reading abilities and skills.
2. The students are also building a passion for writing! Today our stamina for "work on writing" was up to 8 minutes for "work on writing". Does not sound like much but it is a big improvement from last week! I am most excited about how much they get excited now to write and share their stories with the class!!! Building the passion to write is a big step forward!
3. Sometime this week I will be introducing a new component of the Daily 5 titled "Read with Someone".
4. In math we are working on patterns in number grids. We will be working on telling and writing time correctly, measuring, before moving into finding differences.
5. Science - the students are anxiously awaiting our first "visitors" this week. Wonder what they will be? Our plants are growing slowly but coming, so that is a good thing, as the visitors will need something to eat. Our "Mystery Object" did not work out (as sometimes that experiment fails) so we are going to try it again tomorrow to see what happens. The students are still wondering if it is a seed or an egg (even though some know already). We will also be discussing and learning about differences between plants and animals.
The iPads did arrive in the classroom last Friday afternoon! Students are beyond excited about them! The district is still working to install some apps and get them working to capacity.
Just a reminder to some that have not done an apple ID and password for your 3rd grade student. Your child will not be able to utilize the iPads to the fullest potential without the creation of an apple ID and password. Please call the school immediately or as soon as possible to set up your child's apple ID.
Also remember that this Wednesday is a 3 hour early out. Be sure students know where they are going when school is dismissed to ease the confusion.
Picture Day!
Please remember that you are not required to order pictures through the school. All students will have their picture taken though for the class composite.
Remember to send your picture envelope, money and package selected/marked tomorrow if you plan on ordering pictures of your child.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Busy Week Last Week! Short Week Ahead!
Wow! What a super week we had in 3B last week! I am so impressed with the students! Their behavior, respect, and laughter is wonderful!!! We are in a great routine, working out some kinks, and moving forward.
I hope you enjoyed your three day weekend. It is always nice to spend time with family and friends to revive for the weekend.
Here is a snapshot of some of the great things we did last week:
1. The students launch "Read to Self" for the Daily 5. After 2 days of practicing, they reached 11 minutes with their Read to Self stamina!!!! With this, we discussed what stamina means, how we "turn to neighbors" to share thoughts, what reading is, and how we select a spot to sit and read in the classroom. All of these are important lessons to lay the groundwork for a successful school year.
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2. We have jumped right into our science unit titled Plant and Animal Populations. Last week we dissected seeds and learned about what a "seed coat" is and does. Students also ventured outside to the butterfly garden using their eyes and ears to locate different examples of plants and animals. On Friday we planted a variety of seeds that will be needed for some important "visitors" we have coming in a few weeks. Everyone is very curious about what/who these "visitors" will be.
3. Because of the success of the Daily 5 for literacy instruction. I am using a similar format for our math period titled "Daily 3". With this structure, there are 4 components, Math with Someone, Math Alone, Technology in Math, and then Math with the Teacher. It is called the Daily 3 because the students select what they are going to work on when they are not working with the teacher. "Math with Teacher" is done in small groups between mini lessons done as a large group. Last week we spent some time practicing building our math stamina and getting the foundations for the Daily 3. The students are very excited about this idea in math and their "choice" being part of it. Stay tuned for more information.
4. Along with building routines the first few weeks of school, we are working hard on building our Cadet Pride in the hallways, restrooms, and cafeteria. So far, the students are doing a great job! We have received many compliments from others while walking in the hallways - GREAT JOB 3B!
Administration has asked that we remind parents to establish a "pick up" spot outside the school for the end of the day. We have a lot of parents and older siblings coming down the halls of the school to pick their child up, which causes a lot of congestion with so many bodies trying to exit the building. Please be sure to establish a "meeting spot" to pick up your child outside the front doors or the exit doors located down by our classroom. If you have an older sibling picking up your 3rd grader or the 3rd grader is picking up a younger sibling, they should establish a "meeting spot" as well by the front doors as the hallways are very congested at the end of the day.
I also received an email last week stating that iPads will be rolled out this week to the elementary students. Please remember that if you have not created an Apple ID and password for your 3rd grade student, he/she will not be given an iPad to use until that is done. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call the office and Linda will transfer you to the correct support person.
Stay tuned for more exciting learning from 3B!
I hope you enjoyed your three day weekend. It is always nice to spend time with family and friends to revive for the weekend.
Here is a snapshot of some of the great things we did last week:
1. The students launch "Read to Self" for the Daily 5. After 2 days of practicing, they reached 11 minutes with their Read to Self stamina!!!! With this, we discussed what stamina means, how we "turn to neighbors" to share thoughts, what reading is, and how we select a spot to sit and read in the classroom. All of these are important lessons to lay the groundwork for a successful school year.
2. We have jumped right into our science unit titled Plant and Animal Populations. Last week we dissected seeds and learned about what a "seed coat" is and does. Students also ventured outside to the butterfly garden using their eyes and ears to locate different examples of plants and animals. On Friday we planted a variety of seeds that will be needed for some important "visitors" we have coming in a few weeks. Everyone is very curious about what/who these "visitors" will be.
3. Because of the success of the Daily 5 for literacy instruction. I am using a similar format for our math period titled "Daily 3". With this structure, there are 4 components, Math with Someone, Math Alone, Technology in Math, and then Math with the Teacher. It is called the Daily 3 because the students select what they are going to work on when they are not working with the teacher. "Math with Teacher" is done in small groups between mini lessons done as a large group. Last week we spent some time practicing building our math stamina and getting the foundations for the Daily 3. The students are very excited about this idea in math and their "choice" being part of it. Stay tuned for more information.
4. Along with building routines the first few weeks of school, we are working hard on building our Cadet Pride in the hallways, restrooms, and cafeteria. So far, the students are doing a great job! We have received many compliments from others while walking in the hallways - GREAT JOB 3B!
Administration has asked that we remind parents to establish a "pick up" spot outside the school for the end of the day. We have a lot of parents and older siblings coming down the halls of the school to pick their child up, which causes a lot of congestion with so many bodies trying to exit the building. Please be sure to establish a "meeting spot" to pick up your child outside the front doors or the exit doors located down by our classroom. If you have an older sibling picking up your 3rd grader or the 3rd grader is picking up a younger sibling, they should establish a "meeting spot" as well by the front doors as the hallways are very congested at the end of the day.
I also received an email last week stating that iPads will be rolled out this week to the elementary students. Please remember that if you have not created an Apple ID and password for your 3rd grade student, he/she will not be given an iPad to use until that is done. If you have questions or concerns, feel free to call the office and Linda will transfer you to the correct support person.
Stay tuned for more exciting learning from 3B!
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