Mrs. Ellsworth

Need Help With Math Homework?

I have had several parents ask how to better help their child with math homework.  Most of the time, homework has been assigned from the practice workbook, which correlates with the textbook.  Here is some help with how to access the online version of the math textbook:

1.  Harcourt Math Book On-line:  http://www.eharcourtschool.com 


Log in at this site using the  username and password in your child’s agenda.

A.  You can find specific lesson information by chapter.  Each chapter correlates with  homework assignments.  

B.  Under “Back Matter”, there is a comprehensive glossary with illustrations to assist with  specific vocabulary.

C.  In each chapter, on the left-side menu bar, there is a section entitled “Show Me”.  This will bring up online, interactive  instruction  that steps through many major tasks and also provides interactive practice. 

D.  In each chapter, on the left-side menu bar, there is a section entitled “Intervention”.  This will bring up online, interactive  remediation of specific skills, step by step. There is also interactive practice. 

E. Three other left-side menu options include “Practice On Your Own”,  “Activities”,  and  “Vocabulary” for each chapter and unit. 

 That being said...have you found yourself attempting to help your child solve an addition or subtraction equation, only to be met with the words "you're not doing it the way she showed me in class!", or, "what's 'borrowing'?"   My goal with mathematics instruction is to try to help the children conceptualize what they are doing as they solve algorithms, rather than just memorize a series of steps.  When the students see an equation such as this one: 361 - 149 = , I don't tell them to "cross out the six and change it to a five", because the value of the six is actually sixty and it will become fifty, while the one will then become eleven.  It's important that they understand that the 361 isn't actually changing into a different number, it's just that instead of having 3 hundreds, 6 tens, and 1 one, it is 'regrouped' to be 3 hundreds, 5 tens, and 11, which will still total up to 361.  The process I have shown the students for solving subtraction equations is to expand each number to show the value of its digits, and solve from there.  So, the same equation would look like this:       (300 +  60  + 1)   -    (100 +  40  +  9) Please note that you would want to have the child set up this problem for solving vertically instead of horizontally across.  I have found that setting up the equation this way is helpful for those students who tend to have trouble catching on to the process of regrouping, especially when subtracting.

As we progressed into multiplication and division, we again explored the meaning behind those concepts before they were assigned to learn their times tables.  The students practiced solving multiplication facts by using repeated addition (3 x 4  = 3 + 3 + 3 + 3) and drawing arrays (objects arranged in four rows, with three in each row), and they practiced division by using repeated subtraction (12/3 = 12-3-3-3-3), drawing arrays, and coming up with the multiplication fact that matches.  Now that we have the basic concepts taught, the students can work to memorize their multiplication facts.  Flashcards are a traditional method, but there are also some great websites that can help with this.  I have linked to one on my the 'Math Links' section of my blog- Timez Attack.  You can choose to have your child play the free version, or for a small fee you can download a more upgraded version of the game.  In the past, my students have really enjoyed this website and it has proven to be very effective to help them memorize their times tables.

As we move on in the year, we will be learning other methods for solving two digit multiplication and division problems.  These methods are called 'partial products' and 'partial quotients'.  If you want to get a head start as to what these methods look like, then as before, you can go to my math links and find the videos that I have posted there.  They provide a basic tutorial of what you can expect to see your child working on when we begin more complex versions of multiplication and division during the fourth quarter.

I hope you have found this information to be helpful and makes it easier to help your child with his or her math homework.  Should you have any more specific questions or concerns, please email and let me know.  I'm always happy to help! 

                                                            

Now that we have the first week behind us...

Hello Parents!

 

Welcome to the second week of school!  Today was the first day we started with 'real' homework.  I just wanted to give you a little information about it in case you had any questions.

 

Math homework will begin coming home tomorrow.  I typically assign math homework from a practice workbook.  That way they can just take their entire workbook back and forth between here and school.  PLEASE do NOT let them tear pages out of the workbook.  If I assign page 2, it typically follows that page 3 will be given at another time.  So if page 2 is torn out, then it will make it hard to complete page 3 at a later date.  Also, it's good to have those pages in there to help review at a later time if need be. 

 

Some of you may be asking...."What is G.U.M.?"  Hopefully your child can answer that question!  I get it every year at the beginning of the school year, so I warned them that you may be confused!  G.U.M. stands for Grammar, Usage, and Mechanics.  It is what we used to refer to as 'Language Arts' when we were third graders!  I typically assign a double sided worksheet, with a spelling page on one side and the skill we are practicing for G.U.M. on the other.  That way they can get two nights' worth of homework done early, or they can wait and do it the next evening, or they can space it between two days.  I know many of my students are busy with extracurricular activities, so hopefully this sort of flexibility will help you out.  They will get their next Spelling/G.U.M assignment on Wednesday, and that will be due on Friday.

 

For spelling homework, I assign tasks that focus on the particular spelling skill that goes with our Words Their Way book.  I do not assign a list of words to memorize and then take a traditional spelling test each week.  This week, our skill involves identifying, reading, and spelling words with long vowel pairs (ai, ea, oa, oo, ee, and ui), so their homework assignment expects them to work with those particular phonemes and not so much to practice writing the same words over and over again.  I have found that this is a more effective approach to teaching spelling and that it helps to improve not just writing skills, but also reading fluency.  After we have completed three units in Words Their Way (we are currently on unit 2), I will stop and assess to see if they are able to independently read and write words using the phonemes we have covered.  This is part of how I will determine spelling grades, the other part comes through what I observe through their writing assignments.

 

Last but not least, the infamous reading log!  Third grade students are required to read for at least 20 minutes a night.  Typically they will receive their reading logs on Fridays, which gives them the option of reading some of those minutes over the weekend.  It is not required that they read for the log over the weekend, but some students choose to do so.  There is a space for each day where they write down the title of the book they read, and how many minutes they read.  I have asked the students that for this week, they try to get a total of 60 minutes, since they got their logs on Monday instead of Friday.  However, they will receive new reading logs on Friday and then the requirement will go up to 100 minutes. 

 

As part of the reading log, there are six comprehension activities to choose from.  They are required to complete only 3 out of the 6 activities as part of the assignment.  If they choose to read more than the allotted time and complete all 6 activities, that is considered 'above and beyond' and is rewarded with an extra 'cash bonus' when they get paid their class bucks on Fridays (your child will have to explain how that works!).  Please make sure you sign the reading log to verify that the reading has taken place before your son or daughter returns it to school on Fridays. We will be using these logs for the first half of the year, but I will probably be switching more to book-based projects after that.

 

We began filling out our planners today.  If you have any questions regarding what the homework assignment is, or which day PE falls on, or when we go to the Media Center, be sure to check the planner!   I have asked each student to also make sure to get his or her planner signed/initialed by a parent each day, including Fridays.  It is one of my main forms of communication with you...so please be sure to ask for it every day. 

 

That's all for now!  Have a great week and as always, please do not hesitate to contact me if there are any questions, concerns, etc.  Have a fabulous week!

Starting the Countdown...

We made it through the CRCT!!  The kids worked hard and I know they did a great job.  It's tempting at this time of the year to think of the school year as over, but we still have many things to explore and learn before we wrap up third grade.  Some of the fun events still ahead include Arts Jubilee, the faculty kickball game, Field Day, etc.  Be sure to check the Timber Ridge home page for dates and/or times.  Here are some heads up for classroom activities:

1.  I have added some helpful videos concerning our approach to multiplication and division algorithms (partial products and quotients) under Math Links.  Be sure to check these out if these new approaches to computation have you scratching your head.  The kids are really catching on, and solving equations this way prevents confusion later when they move into more complex forms of multiplication and division. 

2.  Market Day is coming up!  Be on the lookout for information coming home concerning this fun activity.  Each child will be in charge of producing a 'good' or 'service' to offer for sale to their fellow classmates.  The catch?  All products must be created here at school, with the exception of their prototype.  Don't feel pressured to spend money on supplies for your child.  Have them look around the house for common items they could resuse (plastic bottles, cardboard, paper towel tubes, etc.).  This would fit with our standards concerning reducing, recycling, and reusing as well as encourage his or her creative instincts!

3.  Don't forget about their book report projects.  Story maps are due on Friday, May 6th, and presentations will take place on Monday, May 9th. 

4.  Keep up with the activities on our "Countdown to Summer" theme days.  If you need another copy, please let me know.

4. Please encourage your child to continue his/her  excellent study and work habits.  At this time of the year, it's easy to start to let thing slide as Spring Fever and the anticipation of Summer vacation hits.  Remind him or her that you are still expecting to see great things on their final report cards!! 

Enjoy the beautiful weather and all the fun that this time of year brings with it.  I'm looking forward to ending this year with a bang!

Starting the Countdown...

We made it through the CRCT!!  The kids worked hard and I know they did a great job.  It's tempting at this time of the year to think of the school year as over, but we still have many things to explore and learn before we wrap up third grade.  Some of the fun events still ahead include Arts Jubilee, the faculty kickball game, Field Day, etc.  Be sure to check the Timber Ridge home page for dates and/or times.  Here are some heads up for classroom activities:

1.  I have added some helpful videos concerning our approach to multiplication and division algorithms (partial products and quotients) under Math Links.  Be sure to check these out if these new approaches to computation have you scratching your head.  The kids are really catching on, and solving equations this way prevents confusion later when they move into more complex forms of multiplication and division. 

2.  Market Day is coming up!  Be on the lookout for information coming home concerning this fun activity.  Each child will be in charge of producing a 'good' or 'service' to offer for sale to their fellow classmates.  The catch?  All products must be created here at school, with the exception of their prototype.  Don't feel pressured to spend money on supplies for your child.  Have them look around the house for common items they could resuse (plastic bottles, cardboard, paper towel tubes, etc.).  This would fit with our standards concerning reducing, recycling, and reusing as well as encourage his or her creative instincts!

3.  Don't forget about their book report projects.  Story maps are due on Friday, May 6th, and presentations will take place on Monday, May 9th. 

4.  Keep up with the activities on our "Countdown to Summer" theme days.  If you need another copy, please let me know.

4. Please encourage your child to continue his/her  excellent study and work habits.  At this time of the year, it's easy to start to let thing slide as Spring Fever and the anticipation of Summer vacation hits.  Remind him or her that you are still expecting to see great things on their final report cards!! 

Enjoy the beautiful weather and all the fun that this time of year brings with it.  I'm looking forward to ending this year with a bang!

We are almost to the end of the third quarter, which puts us into the homestretch until the year is over. Where has the time gone?

Please do not forget that next Monday, March 21st is Technology Night here at Timber Ridge. Many of the students in our class have worked hard to finish their Literacy assignments early so that they could create Powerpoint presentations. They would love to share what they have worked so hard to produce. Please plan on joining us Monday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.

The annual Science Fair will take place on Thursday, March 24th in the cafeteria. It's always a fun event, and I personally enjoy taking the tour of all the fabulous projects. Hope to see you there!

With all of these events taking place next week, it is as good a time as any for our Spring Book Fair. The book fair will be open during the evening on Monday and Thursday, so that those of you planning on attending Technology Night or the Science Fair could plan a visit during this time. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to visit the book fair either before or after school.

Spring Break is upon us, followed soon thereafter by the CRCT testing period. The CRCT is scheduled to take place in the mornings (from approximately 8:00-10:00 a.m.) beginning Tuesday, April 12, and lasting until Monday, April 18th. Make-up days for testing will be the 19th-20th. Please try not to schedule any appointments during those times if at all possible, and please also make sure your student is well-rested and has eaten a nutritious breakfast, so that s/he comes in ready to 'show what they know'! I am more than confident that they are well-prepared for this test- we have worked so hard this year!

I wish everyone of you a happy and restful Spring Break. Only two months left!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Hello!

I realized yesterday that it had been exactly one month since we left school (December 17th) for the winter holidays. That meant we only had four instructional days in the past month. Hard to believe, but true. The inclement weather caused us to lose a full week's worth of instruction, so now let the crunch time begin as we head into the second half of the school year!

For this nine weeks, we are going to integrate our Science and Social Studies standards (ecosystems and habitats of Georgia, the biographies of Mary McLeod Bethune, FDR, and Eleanor Roosevelt) into our reading and writing instruction as much as possible. This works because our reading standards involve features of nonfiction text, and our focus for writing centers around writing to convey information.

Math will involve concepts of measurement (both customary and standard measurements of length), identifying area and perimeter of rectangles (geometry), fractions and decimals (place value and representing numbers), and as always, we will continue to practice counting back change using the fewest amount of coins/bills and determining elapsed time. By now, my hope would be that the students have finished memorizing their multiplication facts, even though we are continuing to drill each set on a weekly basis. The extra week off that due to the weather allowed ample time to practice those facts. If more practice is needed, remember that the website 'Timez Attack' is perfect for this. It's presented in the format of a video game, so it holds the kids' interest and provides for the repetition and drill that is required to master their times tables. Here are the instructions for how to access this site if you are not familiar with it already:

Website Log-in Instructions for Timez Attack

**If you’ve played Timez Attack on your home computer before, you must delete the icon on the desktop before you begin the instructions below.

1. Go to the website: www.bigbrainz.com/Teachers.php

2. Select ‘Windows’ or ‘Mac’

3. After it launches, select your state, district, and school.

4. Find your name and then type in "student" for the student password.

5. Under Troubleshooting in the upper left hand corner, hit ‘re-cache.’ Once it’s finished, just select the student’s class name and then their student name and hit play.

**If you encounter a problem accessing the website from home, please contact the Timez Attack company at 877-356-7040

**If you encounter a problem with your password please let me know!

My goal is for everyone to have their multiplication facts mastered by the second week in February. This way we can have our ice cream sundae celebration around the time of Valentine's Day, before we head into the mid-winter break (yes, another break!).

Please continue to double check your child's homework after they have completed it and/or reading logs. With the December break and then the snow days following so soon afterward, it will have become far too easy for many of them to forget their routines and slip out of the homework habit. The reading log is especially important as it provides the opportunity to apply the strategies for reading comprehension that are not only assessed on the report card, but also emphasized on the CRCT that we will take in April. It is always beneficial to engage in conversations with your child about what they are reading, and the reading log provides the perfect opportunity for this. Remember, the expectation is that 120 minutes of reading, along with a minimum of three comprehension activities, will have been completed from the time the log is given out on Friday until it is due the following Friday.

Thanks for your continued support and reinforcement at home. Please let me know if you have any concerns and/or questions. Please bear with me if things seem a little scattered over the next few days as I work to get us back on our normal routine and schedule after all of these unexpected days off! Here's hoping we have no more interruptions from now until February 20th. Then it can snow all it wants to that week!

Moving Into the Second Nine Weeks

Can you believe the school year is already one quarter of the way over?  Thanks to everyone for attending conferences last week.  I think they went really well; I always enjoy the opportunity to meet face to face with parents and share news about 'our' children!  Please remember my door/email inbox is always open should you have any further questions or concerns as the year progresses. 

As we move into the second quarter, we are looking forward to beginning our math units on multiplication, division, and geometry.  Elapsed time, counting back change, and interpreting graphs are standards that we will continue to review.  Students will be expected to master their multiplication facts through the tens by the end of the quarter, but it is also in the area of problem solving that I focus a lot of time and attention with all math concepts.  Please be on the look out for ways that you can incorporate math into your daily lives- have them estimate how much you will spend on your items when in the store and then calculate how much change you might get back, if you are doing any baking that might require doubling/tripling a recipe, have them multiply ingredients for you, etc.  I think you will find that having them understand how math is applied in 'real life' will help them master the facts and concepts that much faster.

In the area of Literacy, we are going to continue our study of traditional literature by comparing and contrasting fairy tales, tall tales, fables, legends, etc.  You can help in this regard by asking your child to identify the basic story elements of : characters, setting, problem and solution, but we are also going to extend our analysis of plot a bit further by discussing the conflict and resolution of stories as well as the rising action, climax (the turning point of the story), and falling action that leads to the ending.  It also does not hurt to review poetry and nonfiction texts- we focused on the elements of those genres during the first nine weeks, but we will revisit those types of literature within the classroom later.  You can help your child improve his or her comprehension by discussing the activities given on the weekly reading logs.  Make a point of looking at each activity choice and then discussing the response that s/he recorded.  Also, Ms. Parks was kind enough to give us the "Crossing the Finish Line" paper that we are using in place of a Book Bingo this quarter.  I am asking each child to record the titles and genres of the books they read.  There is a link on this blog (under Language Arts links) that can help you to identify appropriate titles for each genre.  Remember, books read for the 'Finish Line' can also be applied to the Reading Log- they are not mutually exclusive. 

For Science, we are going to expand on our study of rocks and minerals by learning about different types of soils, and how weathering and erosion are involved in the creation and loss of soil.  We will combine this with our Geography standard of identifying the Rocky and Appalachain mountains by examining how weathering and erosion have helped shaped these ranges.  In Social Studies, we will continue our current study of U.S. government.  The students are expected to understand the three levels (National, State, and Local) as well as the three branches (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) of government, as well as give examples as to how they check and balance each other.  We are looking forward to our in-house field trip in November, when Judge Carlton Kell will come present information regarding America's court systems.  In the meantime, there is the November election coming up that presents a fabulous opportunity to further our discussion of government at home.  If possible, take your child with you to vote!  Finally, we will also be beginning our study of famous Americans by closely examining the lives of Paul Revere, Frederick Douglass, and Susan B. Anthony. 

Bottom line is- we will be busy!  Any preview you might want to give your child before the lesson is introduced is always beneficial, as it goes a long way towards 'connecting the dots' once we begin studying the topic in class.  

Just a few more quick reminders:  as you look over your student's homework each night, please remind him or her to put names and numbers on papers.  Also, please make sure that the snacks you send with your child each day are healthy ones.  Please do not send chips, cookies, Little Debbies, etc.  Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

Happy Fall!

Getting Closer to the Fall Break

We've already put one very busy first month of school behind us and are edging closer to our (new this year!) Fall Break.  Last month we focused on place value, addition, subtraction, estimating, writing descriptive paragraphs, basic proofreading/revising skills, and exploring the ways in which Ancient Greece helped shape our American system of government.  Now that we are in the second half of the quarter (I can't believe it, either!), we are beginning new courses of study in the subjects of Rocks and Minerals, elapsed time, poetry and writing a narrative piece. 

I enjoyed seeing all of our parents at Open House last week. Please remember to check over your son or daughter's graded papers each week, as well as look over their homework with them to make sure they are doing their best work (also, please help remind them to put their names and numbers on their papers).  It is my opinion that this sends a powerful message to your child that you wish to be highly involved in their academic progress and helps provide a lot of reinforcement at home for concepts we have covered in class. 

Thanks again for all you are doing to help make this your child's best school year ever!  As always, if there are any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.  I am attaching some pictures from our 'Greek Olympics' that were held on Friday, September 3rd.  I'd like to take all the credit for this myself, but I have to let you know that the children were instrumental in planning, organizing, and implementing this really fun activity that helped culminate our study of Ancient Greece.  Enjoy!

 
 

Welcome back to school!

Happy 'New Year' !

I am excited to get to know all of my new students and their families as we begin the 2010-2011 school year here at Timber Ridge.  I hope everyone had a very relaxing and enjoyable summer.

Here are a few important things to know about our class:

Homework Policy:

I assign homework nightly with the exception of Fridays (or, as a reward- the occasional night off!).  Homework will typically include a language arts assignment (spelling or grammar), a math assignment, and reading.  Sometimes there might be a science or social studies assignment, or a possible project/report.  Although I prefer for class work to be completed at school, there are times when a child may need to bring incomplete work home.  Typically I will let the students know on Mondays what their assignments for that week will be, which I will have them copy into their planners so that they may plan accordingly.  Often I will give the students double-sided assignments for homework; this way the student has the option of working ahead (for example, they could go ahead and complete Monday and Tuesday's homework assignments on Monday night, thus freeing up time on Tuesdays for any extracurricular activities, etc.).  In addition, their reading homework revolves around a 'reading log'.  I distribute these logs on Fridays, and ask that the students read for a total of 120 minutes and complete three out of six (brief) activities to summarize what they read.  This completed log (parent signature is required) is then due the following Friday.  That way, the students have the option of using the weekend to get a head start on their reading if they wish, and/or may skip a night if need be. 

If a student is absent, there is a 'make-up work' folder that s/he should check upon returning to school; the amount of time alloted to complete the work is flexible and varies depending on the length of the absence. If a student neglects to complete or forgets a homework assignment, I will request that s/he complete a 'Homework IOU' listing what the assignment was, the date it was due, and the date it was turned in.  At the end of the grading period, any IOU forms will be sent home with the report cards.  In addition, I will make note in the student's planner to keep parents informed of any missing assignments.   Occasionally there are circumstances such as illness or family emergencies that can interfere with the student's ability to complete his or her homework. Please let me know either by note in the planner or email if this sort of situation occurs.  Also, if you feel that your child is having difficulty completing homework in a reasonable amount of time, please feel free to contact me as well.

Birthdays:

I welcome the opportunity to celebrate your child's birthday, as it is a very special day.  If you would like to send in a treat for the class, please let me know at least one day prior to the event.  Please also note that I do not keep utensils in the classroom for slicing or serving, so if you choose to send in a cake, please make sure it is sliced ahead of time.  I also ask that party invitations not be distributed at school unless there is one for every child in the class. 

Snack:

Students will be given the opportunity to enjoy one healthy snack each morning.  Some examples of acceptable snacks would be fruit, vegetables, cheese, crackers, pretzels, etc.  Please do not send in cookies, chips, candy, or soft drinks/fruit juices.  Students are welcome to bring a bottle of water to sip from throughout the day (lunch is from 11:42 - 12:12).

Communication:

Please make sure to check and sign your child's planner every day, including Fridays.  If I have a quick question or comment, I will typically note it here.  I will send home your child's graded work in the Thursday folders each week.  I ask that parents please set aside some time that they will go through these papers with their children in order to have a clear idea as to the skills on which we have worked, as well as noting any areas in which the student excelled or improvement might be needed.  If you have a question or concern for me, writing a note in the planner or emailing me is the best way to get in touch:  Christina.Ellsworth@cobbk12.org  . 

 

I'm looking forward to a fun and exciting year!   Third grade is hard work, but it's a lot of fun, too.  I can't wait to meet and get to know all of you!

Sincerely,

Christy Ellsworth

The End is Drawing Near...

It's hard to believe that the school year is almost over, but I can truthfully say that this has been one of the most productive years I have ever had as a teacher!  We have covered a lot of ground and I think the class has really learned a lot!  I'm proud of all of their hard work and dedication. 

I would like to note that this week's reading log will be our final one, as the students need to have all library books turned in to the Media Center by Monday, May 10th.  However, that does not mean they should take a vacation from reading over the summer!  It is not unusual for students to regress in their academic skills during that two month break if they do not continue to use what they have worked so hard to attain during the school year. So, please make a point of setting aside some time each day for reading, writing, math practice, etc.  Additionally, I would recommend taking some time to see some of the sights of Georgia that might help reinforce some of the concepts we learned in Science and Social Studies this year: Stone Mountain (rocks/minerals), MLK Center (Civil Rights), Tellus Science Museum, the Atlanta History Center, the Little White House (in Warm Springs, GA) and of course the library. 

During these final two weeks, we are focusing mainly on wrapping things up, but we are also going to begin a quick study of 'Body Systems'- specifically the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, skeletal, and nervous systems.  We will learn one per day, and this will culminate in the creation of a flip book to share what was learned.  Also, next week we will be taking both our end of the quarter and end of the year math tests. 

Don't forget that Field Day will take place next Thursday (unless there is rain).  Our class has voted to name ourselves "Ellsworth's Excellent Electrons" with the colors of red and blue.  Next week we will decide on teams and work to construct our class banner.