The Jungle Journal for the Week of 9/30/13

Reminders

Fall picture day is this Friday.

Field trip forms and $ are due October 11^th.

Readers’ Workshop

This week we will continue to work with our reading partner, exploring different ways of retelling a story.  Readers might start at the beginning and move forward through the story, or they might start at the current moment in their storyline and then back up.  Reading partners will use these retellings as a way to share and recommend texts with one another.  Ask your child how their partnership is working out!  What have they learned about their partner as a reader?

Writers’ Workshop

Student rough drafts should be completed at this point, as we move towards revising our memoirs.  We will work to construct engaging beginnings and satisfying closings.  Your child is welcome to bring their writing home to show you their progress.  Look for their use of sensory details, as this has been the main focus of this writing project!

Skills

Students should study and complete one of the homework options for list 4.  Our quiz will be Friday. The quiz will also cover our skills topic of the week, action verbs.  Our daily skills sheet (in their ROAR folder) will serve as their study guide.

Math

Students are solving distance riddles in which they find pairs of 2- and 3-digit numbers at given distances from a landmark (such as 100, 200 or 300) and determine the difference between the numbers in each pair.  We are focusing on jumping to landmarks on the number line.  Ask your child the following distance riddle question:  I am 36 more than 200.  What number am I?  I am 36 less than 200.  What number am I?  What is the difference between those two numbers?  There will be a Distance Riddle Quiz on Wednesday, October 2nd.  You can review Math workbook Unit 3, pages 49, 50, 51, and 57 to prepare.

Science

We are learning about some of the properties of matter.  We have discussed that matter is anything that takes up space and has mass.  Properties of matter include size, shape, color, texture, and hardness.  We are also participating in hands-on explorations to learn how matter is measured.  Properties of matter, such as mass , volume, length, and temperature, can be measured and compared using tools.                                                                      

Social Studies

We are studying Chapter 2, Lesson 3:  Communities and Resources.  Please study the blue sheet to be prepared for the quiz on Friday, October 4^th.

The Jungle Journal for the Week of 9/23/13

Reminders

Field trip $ and forms are due October 11^th.

Open House is this Thursday, September 26^th at

6:30 PM.  Please note that our Open House is a museum, where your child will be your tour guide.  If you do not bring them with you, it will be difficult to navigate each station on the tour.  Also, Mrs. Z is excited to attend our Open House and meet everyone!

Readers’ Workshop

This week we will be exploring reading partnerships.  We will learn about a classmate’s reading habits and brainstorm keys for successful conversation. 

Look for your child’s first reading comprehension test to come home this week in the Tuesday Take Home Folder.

Writers’ Workshop

This week students should have a completed first draft of their memoir.  Students will work to analyze their writing, noting strengths and weaknesses; ultimately setting a goal as a writer.   We will also focus on creating engaging beginnings, to captivate the reader’s attention!

Skills

Students should study and complete one of the homework options for list 3.  Our quiz will be Friday. The quiz will also cover our skills topic of the week, possessive nouns.  Our daily skills sheet (in their ROAR folder) will serve as their study guide.

Social Studies

This week we will be focusing on Chapter 2, Lesson 2; Our Country’s Geography.  Students should study the blue DOSS sheet in their ROAR Folder for Friday’s quiz.

Math

We are continuing to refine our addition strategies.  Students should be able to solve addition problems with 3 and 4-digit numbers by using strategies that involve breaking numbers apart (decomposing by place value), number lines, visual representations, left to right, or the traditional algorithm.  It is important for students to use a strategy they feel confident using to produce an accurate result in an efficient amount of time.  The students should also have a 2nd strategy for double-checking purposes.  They will have an addition strategy quiz this Wednesday.

Ask your child to solve the following story problem:  Lauren has 256 rubber bands to make bracelets.  If her friend gives her 185 more, how many rubber bands will Lauren have to make bracelets now?

We will also begin to work with subtraction stories at the end of the week.  The students will be introduced to different types of subtraction problems and we will discuss their strategies.

Science

We are beginning Chapter 3:  Matter and Its Properties.  In this chapter, students learn how to measure and compare the length, volume, mass, and temperature of objects.  Your child will also learn how to compare matter using some of its properties, such as size, shape, color, texture, and hardness; how to identify the states of matter; and how water changes states (from solid, to liquid or gas, and so forth).

Your child is receiving the Chapter 1:  Practice of Science end of unit assessment in their Tuesday Take Home Folder.  Please refer to the letter attached regarding a revision opportunity that can help your child earn some additional points on this assessment.  These revisions are due on, or before Friday, September 27^th.  All students are encouraged to complete the test revisions in order to earn a higher score.

The Jungle Journal for the Week of 9/16/13

Readers’ Workshop

This week we will continue exploring clues in the context of the stories we read.  We will recognize how these clues can help us determine the meanings of unknown words.  We will be examining homographs (words with similar spellings but different meanings depending on the context) and will end the week by introducing common prefixes and suffixes.  Be sure to check out the blog later this week for more information about the prefixes and suffixes we are exploring! 

Scholastic orders are due this Thursday.  Look for a reminder in the Tuesday Folder!

Writers’ Workshop

We will continue drafting our memoirs this week.  Our focus will be to include oodles of exact, true details in our pieces.  Students will be reviewing and ultimately adding sensory details (details that appeal to the five senses) to their drafts.  These details will help bring their stories to life and let readers feel as though they were in that moment with the author.  We will then move toward noticing our strengths and weaknesses as writers, as we move toward the editing phase.

Skills

Students should study and complete one of the homework options for list 2.  Our quiz will be Friday. The quiz will also cover our skills topic of the week, regular and irregular, plural nouns.  Our daily skills sheet (in their ROAR folder) will serve as their study guide.

  

Math

Students are practicing solving addition problems with 3- and 4-digit numbers.  We are discussing different ways to start addition strategies.  We are also choosing from among several first steps (called starter problems) for solving addition problems to find the solution.

Addition Starter Problems

100 + 200 = _____           136 + 200 = _____

136+ 4 = _____                                                                     Ask your child:  Which of these problems was easiest for you to solve?  Could you solve some of them in your head?  The three above problems can be used as starter problems, or a first step, for solving the below problem?

136 + 127 = _____                                                                     The students have an addition strategy quiz on Wednesday, September 18^th. 

Science

We are concluding our study on how scientists investigate.  The students should know:  They use tools to observe.  They keep records and communicate their results.  They observe and infer.  They ask questions and perform experiments.  The end of unit assessment is on Wednesday, September 18^th.  

                                                                      

Social Studies

Our lesson is Earth’s Land and Water.  The quiz will be on Friday, September 20^th.  Please be sure your child reviews their blue sheet nightly to be successful.                                                                               

The Jungle Journal for the Week of 9/9/13

Readers’ Workshop

This week we will begin exploring clues in the context of the stories we read.  We will recognize how these clues can help us determine the meanings of unknown words.  Pronouncing words correctly is part of reading, but an equally important part is understanding what those tricky words mean.  Often times, students think if they can pronounce a word, they can move on and continue reading.  This often leaves them confused as to what is actually happening in the story. Below is a passage from the book, The Chocolate Touch.  Have your child use context clues to determine possible meanings for the unknown, bold words.  

   “Hey, sleepy!” Mrs. Midas called.  “Everyone else is up!”

   John put on his bathrobe and ambled to the bathroom.  His sister, Mary, was still brushing her teeth, and he had to wait until she finished. 

   “Come on, Mary,” he said a little crossly.  “Don’t take all morning.”

   Not wanting a quarrel to begin, Mary spat out her toothpaste and swiftly left the bathroom.

Writers’ Workshop

We will continue drafting our memoirs this week.  Our focus will be to include oodles of exact, true details in our pieces.  Students will be reviewing and ultimately adding sensory details (details that appeal to the five senses) to their drafts.  These details will help bring their stories to life and let readers feel as though they were in that moment with the author.  Your child is welcome to bring their writing home and show you their progress.

Skills

Spelling begins this week.  Students should study and complete one of the homework options for list 1.  Our quiz will be Friday. The quiz will also cover our skills topic of the week, complete sentences vs. fragments.  Students will have a study guide in their ROAR folder.

Math

Students are recognizing and representing the groups of 10s in 3-digit numbers.  We are using place value to determine the size of any number up to 1,000 and finding pairs of numbers that add to 100.  The students have a quiz on Groups of 10 on Wednesday, September 11^th.  Here are questions you can discuss with your child:  *  If Miss Naegley has 142 stamps and wants to put them in rows of 10, how many rows will she have?  Will there be any extras?  *  Miss Hoffmann went to the Sticker Station and bought 2 sheets of stickers, 4 strips of stickers, and 7 singles (1 sheet = 100, 1 strip = 10, 1 single = 1).  How many stickers did Miss Hoffmann buy?  Students are developing a number of awesome strategies for adding 2- and 3-digit numbers.  We are also beginning to discuss different ways to start solving addition problems.    

Science

This week our focus is on the tools scientists use to make observations and the importance of keeping records and communicating with other scientists.  Ask to see your child's Interactive Science Journal to check out our class learning. 

Social Studies

The students have a quiz on Chapter 1, Lesson 2 on Friday, September 13^th.

The Jungle Journal for the Week of 9/3/13

Reminders

Class store begins this Friday!  Send in donations to earn Monkey Moolah!

Scholastic Book Order:  Due September 19^th. 

Readers’ Workshop

This week we will work to approach books with a positive attitude.  We will open our hearts and minds and let the books we read really matter to us. We will also share our reading experiences with classmates, creating “book buzz” to inspire one another.

To be on track with Reading Bingo for the first nine weeks, response #1 should be completed by this Wednesday.  Students should refer to their Reader’s Notebook for response options.  Look for a blog post this week with more detailed information. 

Writers’ Workshop

At this point, students have selected a topic for our memoir project.  We have worked to select a memory of importance and have begun recalling details that will enhance our stories.  This week we will focus specifically on story structure with regards to sequencing.  As third graders, students are expected to plan out their drafts in chronological order.  We will use our sequencing plans to begin writing our drafts at the end of this week. 

Skills

Students will receive their spelling lists in the near future.  Spelling homework & tests will begin the week of September 9th.

This week we will begin building vocabulary through our Text Talk series.

Math

We are continuing to work in our Collections and Travel Stories unit.  The students are learning how to solve addition problems with 3-digit numbers by using strategies that involve breaking numbers apart (either by place value or by adding one number in parts).  We are also deepening our understanding of place value.

The students are practicing and refining strategies for addition with 3-digit numbers.  Ask your child a combining story problem and have them explain their strategy.  An example would be:

  Nancy has 72 stickers and Keith has 134 stickers.  If they combined their stickers together, how many stickers would they have?

The students also have Math Homework Sheets #2 in their ROAR folders.  This will be checked in class daily.

Science

We are continuing our study on the practice of Science.  Your child will know what type of questions scientists ask, how scientists investigate, how scientists form explanations, and how scientists stay safe and use tools to observe.    

Social Studies

Our lesson focuses on Chapter 1, Lesson 2:  Kinds of Communities.  We will fill out and discuss the blue Social Studies sheet each day in class and the quiz will be on September 13^th.  Study the blue sheet nightly!

Reading Bingo!

 

Do you like reading?  Do you like games?  Well then get ready because Reading Bingo is going to knock your socks off!!!

With Reading Bingo, your success is completely in your hands!  You are in charge of your life as a reader, so it's all up to you!

As you've seen already, Reading Bingo is a little different from traditional Bingo, and many of you have questions about the "rules of the game".  I'll do my best in this post to help clear up any confusion, but if you still have questions after reading this, please feel free to let me know!

Is Reading Bingo required?

Yes.  Reading at least six books per nine weeks is required for third graders.  However, it is up to the reader if they want to try to achieve a Bingo by reading five books in a straight line or not.  (Remember, the sixth book can be anywhere else on the card.)  In order to receive the prize, you have to "read a Bingo" (complete a whole row, column, or diagonal).  

Why do we have to read six books each nine weeks?

Each year, readers throughout Chets Creek are challenged to meet a reading volume goal.. We call this reading incentive program at Chets Creek "Readers to Leaders".  The third grade goal is to read 25 chapter books each year. In order to make the goal easier to manage and pace, we've divided that into six books per quarter.  (We count all the miscellaneous magazines, articles, short stories, picture books, and more that we read in class all year as the 25th chapter book.)  Meeting this quarterly goal is how readers earn their Readers to Leaders award.  

How do I receive credit for reading a book?

After a reader completes a book, they should refer to their Reader's Notebook folder for a list of options.  The Reading Bingo response options are listed in the second page protector.  MANY different choices for responding to a book.  Choices range from sitting down one-on-one with me in class to have a conversation about the book, illustrating a favorite scene or chapter, creating a newspaper highlighting the text, or even to a variety of digital projects.  Really, the possibilities are endless! 

Do I have to respond to every book I read?

Readers must respond to any book they read in order to get credit on their Bingo cards for reading the book.  Six books for each nine weeks is the minimum requirement.  Some readers are challenging themselves to reach a "Double Bingo" or even a Blackout!  Other readers just want to meet the Bingo goal and then read for the love of reading without responding after their sixth book.  These are all acceptable goals and choices.  

Will this be graded?

Since independent reading is such a large part of our work in reading workshop, yes.  Reading Bingo is graded.  Students receive a grade based on the percent of the six book goal they complete.  This is a small portion of their ELA grade.

When is Bingo due?

Responses are due at varying dates throughout a nine week period. These dates can be found on labeled page protectors in your child's Reader's Notebook. As your child completes their responses, they can place them in the appropriate page protector and submit their folder on or before the due date.  These dates have been chosen to help students stay on track for their reading goal of six chapter books per nine weeks.  

How can I support my reader in this process?

You can support your reader at home in a variety of ways.  

·         Provide a good 30 minutes or so in their evenings (Monday through Friday) of uninterrupted, devoted reading time.  

·         Whenever life gets hectic (sports schedules, dance classes, special projects, family needs), be sure to encourage reading on Saturdays and Sundays to make up for the lack of time on other days.  Reading can be a great downtime activity for everyone in the family!  

·         Make a habit of asking your child how they're doing on book completion.  Some readers have bad habits of frequently abandoning books before completion.  These readers have difficulty reaching the six book goal.

·         Help them track the titles of the books they've completed on their blue Bingo sheet and their actual Bingo card. 

·         Encourage your reader to choose good fit books for them.  If your reader usually reads books that over 200 pages in length within a few days, and you find them returning to series books from years gone by so they can read more books faster, remind them that reading books that are TOO easy is not what reading is all about.  (Remember what makes reading the best and the worst?)  At the same time, if they're stuck in a book for days and days, are making very slow progress as they're reading, or appear to be reading the same page forever, perhaps this book is too challenging.  Ask them to read a page out loud and do the "three finger check" to see if it is a good fit for them.  Students should be able to read a whole page of text without missing more than 3 words on the page.  

·         If they've been itching to read a longer book and you're worried they won't have time to finish it, be careful not to discourage them!  Rather, remind them to request a conference with me so we can discuss making this work for them as a reader.  

·         Encourage your child to read one book at a time.  They should be reading a chapter book that they bring to and from school each day, just like grown-up readers do.  Once they finish reading for the night, be sure they put the book straight into their backpacks so they'll have it all day at school the next day.  

Students, what questions do you still have?  How are you doing in your personal game of Reading Bingo?  Are you enjoying it so far?