Miss McDonald

To Market We Go

 

            Everyone has really enjoyed this week!  We continued working on our rough drafts in writing.  Some of the children have already started on their actual books.  I have enjoyed reading each child's stories, ideas, poems, and comics.  I cannot wait until they are finished, so we can share them with the class!

            Congratulations to Caroline and her mom!  Caroline won the "Dazzling Diamonds" writing contest, which means her mom will win a gem of her choice!  Great job, Caroline!  We are so proud of you!

            On Wednesday, we had Career Day.  Mrs. Rabun (Rachel Cz's mom) came to talk with us about her work in Information Technology.  She shared all the tools and devices she uses each day to keep companies safe and up-to-date.  Next, Mrs. Bell (Kyle's mom) showed us how to do CPR.  She brought Charlie (a mannequin) so everyone could practice chest compressions.  Finally, Mr. Newton (Derek's dad) shared his experiences with his job at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  He told us how he works to persuade doctors to make the switch from papers and filing cabinets to storing all medical information digitally.  Thank you to everyone who was able to volunteer and share with our class!  We really enjoyed your time at the Ridge!

            Today we had Market Day!  The children worked extremely hard to create popular products and advertisements.  Everyone in our class sold out of their items and were able to buy many products from other 3rd graders.  I'm so proud of everyone for doing such a wonderful job and working so hard!

            Mrs. Britt and Mrs. Wolff are coming for "Adventures in Reading" today and tomorrow afternoon.  I can't wait to hear about what wonderful books they read with the children.

            There will be no behavior sheets going home this week as I am leaving to go out of town for a wedding shortly.  Have a wonderful weekend!

May is Here!

            We have had a fun-filled week!  In math, we began math stations working with division.  The children are really starting to master this challenging math concept. They’re doing a great job and not giving up!  Please continue to practice basic math facts at home.  There are still many students who are struggling to remember their facts!

            On Monday, we spent time with Andy Runton, the creator of Owly, a popular comic book character.  He shared his love for drawing with us and even showed us how to draw our own Owly!  We really enjoyed our time with him and are so glad he was able to visit Timber Ridge.

            With Market Day just around the corner, we completed posters to advertise our products both in the classroom and in the hallway.  The other 3^rd graders seem excited about our products, as am I!  Today the children began making their products.  They did a great job working together and even forming assembly lines with their partners.  I’m very impressed with my class full of entrepreneurs!

            Today we said a sad, “Farewell,” to Miss Reilly.  We have all enjoyed our time with her so much and can’t believe she has to leave.  She has done such a wonderful job in her student teaching.  We all wish her the best of luck in her teaching career ahead.  Thank you to everyone who donated supplies and books for her!  She loved her basket of supplies and Lakeshore gift card from the class.  We also made her a class book, so she will always remember her time here at Timber Ridge.

            Trinity was “Caught with Character” for the month of April showing her achievement.  We are so proud to have you as a part of our class.  Congratulations, Trinity!

            Congratulations to all the girls who have bridging ceremony tonight!  Great job!  We will miss you at the game!

            Don’t forget to wear your blue to the kickball game tonight! 

            Happy Mother's Day!

Counting Down....

        Our “ABC Countdown” continued this week with doughnuts, favorite books, and games.  Be sure to check each night to see if you need to prepare for the following day.

        In math, we continued our unit on long division.  The children finally seem to have a good grasp on solving division problems with and without remainders.  Please continue to have your child practice basic multiplication facts at home to ensure accuracy with long division.

        We began planning for Market Day this week.  The children are all VERY excited about creating and advertising their products.  Remember, each child needs to bring in one sample of his or her product on Tuesday, May 2^nd.  Please make sure you do not help your child!  They will all be responsible for making their products in the classroom, so they need to be able to do it on their own!

        In writing, we began writing our own books!  We have spent the week brainstorming topics and genres.  The children will be working on this project for the next couple of weeks.  We hope to finish our books, so we can share all of them with the class!

        On Friday, we celebrated Rachel Cr.’s birthday, which is on Monday.  Thank you for sharing your birthday cupcakes with us.  Happy Birthday, Rachel!

        Arts Jubilee Day took place once again today.  Our class enjoyed creating crafts, learning about music, dancing, golfing, and much, much more!  Ask your child what he or she enjoyed most about our day!  Thanks again to everyone who helped volunteer and make this day possible again!

         Have a great weekend!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

    April is flying by and will be quickly coming to an end, but the children had quite a busy week! We ended CRCT testing, and the children did such a fantastic job that they earned “Diffendoofer Day!” We also began our ABC Countdown. I think the kids really enjoyed beach day, but we could have had better weather. By the end of the week we welcomed Kyle’s mom for Adventures in Reading. Thanks for the treat!

     We had a great time studying our health unit. The children learned some great safety tips to follow at home as well as school. We also discussed using negotiation to solve a problem or resolve a conflict. The children were excellent negotiators!

    We introduced long division this week. We focused on dividing 2- and 3-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers. The children have been enthusiastic about learning and practicing this challenging topic. We will continue to study long division, and I know the children will soon be division experts!

    On Monday we have Super Specials, so make sure to bring tennis shoes for P.E. There will be no specials Wednesday. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! :)

CRCT

 

       As soon as we returned from Spring Break, the class really focused on doing their best on the CRCT.  Each day, we've played a different review game on the SMART Board to help us prepare for the following day of testing.  The games have been in the format of game shows such as Jeopardy and Who Wants to be a Millionaire.  We've also played other team games on the SMART Board and even had a chance to throw a Koosh ball at the SMART Board to review for Language Arts!

        The children have done well working together as a team and cheering on their classmates during our review games.  Everyone has shown great sportsmanship during our review games by being glad whether their team won or lost the game.  Great job!

        CRCT testing has gone very well this week!  Thank you for ensuring that your child is here early enough so that they are able to unpack, visit the restroom, and have time to relax and read before testing each morning.  Everything has gone very smoothly, and we expect things to continue to go well through Monday.  The children have done a fabulous job with their homework this week (going to bed early, eating a good breakfast, getting to school on time, and doing their very best!)  Let's keep it up through Monday for the Social Studies portion of CRCT.

        Don't forget, we will begin our "ABC Countdown to Summer" starting next Wednesday, April 20.  Make sure to look ahead to the next day just in case your child needs to bring something to school in order to participate.  I can't believe the end of the year is just around the corner!  Let me know if you have any questions.

        Have a wonderful weekend!

Happy April Fool's Day!

    This week was full of persuasive letters, multiplication, American Heroes, and magnets! With Spring Break only a few days away, the children were consistently on task and focused.

    We ended the week by celebrating Rachel Cz’s birthday, which is over the break. Rachel brought cupcakes to share with the class. Thanks, Rachel, and Happy Birthday!

    In writing, we finished our persuasive letter unit, and the children have become very skilled in the art of persuasion!  Maybe you've even experienced some of their new "powers of persuasion" at home.

    We completed our 2- and 3-digit multiplication stations in math.  Please continue to practice basic multiplication facts with your child at home.  Just 5-10 minutes each day will help ensure accuracy and fluency.  Following the CRCT, we will begin 2- and 3-digit division.

     In Science, we explored magnets and the many ways we use them every day! I'm sure the children would love to share some of their magnet facts with you over the break.

    I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Spring Break!

4th Quarter

Here are the standards that we will cover in the 4th Quarter of Third Grade:

Writing--We will focus on the genre of writing to persuade by capturing the reader's interest with a clear position statement.  Additionally, we will continue work on conventions, editing, development of ideas, and including details.

Reading--In guided reading, children will continue to work at their instructional level and use comprehension strategies to understand fiction and nonfiction texts.  They will also identify text features and continue to develop fluency and vocabulary.

Math--Children will learn to multiply and divide 2- or 3-digit numbers by a 1-digit number and will be able to apply these skills in problem solving.  We will also determine elapsed time to the full, half, and quarter hour.  Finally, children will focus on creating and interpreting data.  Specifically, we will tie data analysis in with our technology standard by using a spreadsheet application, such as Excel, to organize data, create a graph, and report results.

Science--This quarter focuses on pollution and conservation, heat and energy, and magnets.  They will identify at leat 4 ways to protect the environment through conservation of materials and recycling.  We will look at how heat is produced and how it is affected by insulators and conductors.  In our study of magnets, children will identify common objects that are magnetic and will discuss how magnets attract and repel each other.

Social Studies--We will study the work of Cesar Chavez, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Thurgood Marshall and how they expanded people's rights and freedoms.  Additionally, we will review the geographical features that we have learned throughout the year.

CRCT Dates--April 12-18
Reading--Tuesday, April 12
Language Arts--Wednesday, April 13
Math--Thursday, April 14
Science--Friday, April 15
Social Studies--Monday, April 18

Spring is in Full Swing!

 

          April is quickly approaching, and the children have been very busy! With Spring Break only a week away, the children have done a fantastic job staying focused.

         We had guidance on Monday. Mrs. Karins taught the children excellent strategies to cope with any stress and anxiety the CRCT may cause. She explained some great skills that we all can use!

         Thanks to everyone who came for Technology and Curriculum Night!  What a great chance to see just some of the opportunities the children have to use technology.  We are so thankful to the Timber Ridge Foundation for providing our students and teachers will all of the greatest and latest.  It keeps everyone excited about learning!

         We continued to study multiplication this week. We focused on multiplying 2 and 3-digit numbers by 1-digit numbers with use of partial products. The children seem have a firm grasp on this unit and have been eager to start math stations!

         In writing, we finished our persuasive letters on pollution and conservation. This week the children have selected their own topics, formed opinions, and drafted their persuasive letters. We will share our finished products next week.

        Congratulations to both Kyle and Makayla for their participation in the Science Fair on Thursday.  I know both of you worked very hard and had amazing presentations to show for it.  Great job!

         On Friday we celebrated Grace’s birthday! Her actual birthday is on Sunday, and she will be 9 years old. Grace brought a delicious cookie cake to celebrate her birthday. Thanks for the treat and Happy Birthday!

       Don't forget to return your completed registration form, self addressed stamped (4 stamps) manilla envelope for report cards, and your signed signature card saying you received the report card.  I'd like to have all of this paperwork prior to Spring Break.

       Only 5 more school days until Spring Break is here!  Enjoy the weekend!

 

American Heroes

http://www.americaslibrary.gov/aa/all.php

 

     

Warming Up for the Weekend!

          March is flying by, and with the CRCT just around the corner the children have been working hard to tie up loose ends, complete independent work, and learn new material. We have had quite a productive week!

         We went to the computer lab to research Eleanor Roosevelt. The children researched some of the many ways Eleanor fought for human rights. We were even able to tie our Eleanor research to our economics unit! The children described the four productive resources Eleanor’s furniture business may have needed to be successful.  

          In writing, we are finishing our persuasive letters on pollution and conservation. The children have loved forming an opinion and arguing their point.  We will share our finished products next week.

          This week in math we introduced multiplying 2-digit by 1-digit numbers. The children seem to have picked this up with ease!

          We have Super Specials on Tuesday, so be sure your child wears “PE appropriate” shoes!  No Specials on Thursday!

          Enjoy the warm weather this weekend!