This morning during math we went back to our normal lessons.  We began our unit on geometry – using the lapbook we worked on last week as a reference tool.  The students learned about lines, line segments, rays, the different types of angles, the different types of triangles classified by side lengths and angle measurements, as well as polygons (concave, convex, and the specific names of certain polygons.  They do have H&R 235/236 for homework this evening.

We also worked on editing our Persuasive Essays using a free online spell checker!  These should be ready to preview by Wednesday or Thursday.

We continue to have “Article Clubs” using AR 360.  That program has the students reading an article, and then answering specific comprehension strategy questiosn.  They also need to highlight evidence from the text.  When the students complete an assignment, we then meet as a group to discuss the article and the assignment.

I am taking a break from having volunteers in the classroom for the month of April and part of May.  We are needing to change our “special” schedule due to Mstep testing.  I will try to send out a calendar for May/June sometime before the end of next week.

 

Below is a letter from the Spring Lake Community Foundation with regards to the upcoming Shindig this Friday.  Please read it and consider participating in some way!!!!

 

 

Dear Friends and Family,

Are you ready for some fun next Friday at the Shindig? It’s going to be a great party – all to benefit our kids!  Get your tickets here: https://theshindig2015.eventbrite.com

All proceeds from the Shindig will go to purchase up-to-date, functional science equipment and technology for all students in the SLPS. Did you know that, by the year 2010, 6 of the 10 fastest-growing career paths will be science based? Our kids need this NOW.

If you’ve been to the Shindig either of the last two years you know what a fun party the Shindig is and this year will be no exception…

FOOD: There’s going to be delicious Shindig grub cooked up by the SL Country Club – pulled pork sliders, baked beans, coleslaw, homemade potato chips – and dessert from GH favorite, Desserts by Design. And yeah, you’ll be able to get your favorite Shindig libations, too!

MUSIC: This year we’ve booked an awesome band called “Pop Cult” that plays a great mix of pop, funk, and rock ‘n roll. Get ready to dance!

RAFFLES: Of course there’s the BIG $10,000 raffle drawn at 9:30 and there will also be some 50-50 raffles drawn throughout the evening. As my husband always says… you can’t WIN if your don’t PLAY! And even if you can’t make the Shindig, you can still buy a raffle ticket and a chance to win the $10K.

BUY AN “ELEMENT”: New this year! In keeping with our science theme, you’ll be able to buy your favorite element (gold, nitrogen, carbon, anyone?) from our Periodic Table of Elements. Comes with a test tube shot! This donation is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

BLINDED BY SCIENCE: New this year! Not a fan of the periodic table of elements? You can donate to gift science equipment directly to the schools – microscopes, scales, probes, scientific software, skeletons… we need it all! This donation is TAX-DEDUCTIBLE.

BUY INTO A “ROUND -UP”: New this year! Buy a seat to a fun hosted event – there’s something for everyone! A family bike-hike around Spring Lake led by Kathy Britton, a Mom’s and Margarita’s party, a bourbon tasting for the bourbon lover, a sunset cocktail party on a rooftop deck overlooking Lake Michigan, or a “Buds and Brews” gathering around a campfire. Gather your friends, buy your seats, and have some fun!

SILENT AUCTION: A traditional favorite, there are over 100 silent auction items to bid on. Whether you’re looking for some amazing tickets to a MSU, UM, or ND football game, a relaxing massage, a bass fishing trip with Mr. Greene, other awesome teacher experiences, or gift certificates to your favorite local stores, there is sure to be something for you in your price range.

LIVE AUCTION: With eleven spectacular items this year – from a diamond necklace to a year of lawn service – PLUS three coveted, reserved parking spots at the schools – this is the highlight event of the night!

This year the Shindig is at the Spring Lake Country Club – with no worries about tents blowing over or torrential rains drowning us out! Plus, the SLCC is one of the only places big enough to hold the truly spectacular turnout of SL community supporters. Does that mean the Shindig is getting fancy or high-falutin’? Nope. Same fun, casual party. Just an indoor location.

Address:  17496 N Fruitport Rd

Time: 6-10 pm

Tickets: https://theshindig2015.eventbrite.com  OR I have them for you, OR you can buy them at any of the school offices.

Get them now, because at the door it’s going to cost you an extra $10 per person. 🙂

Can’t wait to see you Friday night at the Shindig!

March 30, 2015

This morning during math we reviewed 2 step word problems, as well as writing the equations for them.  Officially there is no homework for math this evening, but I did copy a sheet front and back that has two step problems for the students to use as practice for tomorrow’s test.

We read Time for Kids today…look for this issue in your child’s folder.

We will continue working on our persuasive essays – making sure our evidence paragraphs are detailed enough to prove our opinion statement.

During science we will complete an activity to represent erosion, runoff water, and weathering.  Ask your child to tell you why this activity is important!

Due to the shortened week, we will not having spelling this week.

We will be swimming tomorrow afternoon.  Please make sure your child has a swimsuit, towel, and a plastic bag of some sort to hold their wet belongings.

Have a great afternoon!

March 27, 2015

This morning during math we reviewed 2-step word problems.  The students have a review to complete for Monday.  We will review the worksheet, then and take the test for Unit 5 on Tuesday.

We took our Unit 23 spelling test today – look for those in your child’s folder.

We worked on writing our 2 evidence paragraphs for our persuasive essay.  These essays are really coming along nicely.

We read how glass, paper, and plastic is manufactured during science.  We also completed 2 short answer questions about the importance of reusing and recycling manufactured materials that use nonrenewable resources.

We had language arts center time this afternoon as well.

Don’t forget – we will be swimming again Tuesday afternoon.

Have a great weekend!!!!!

March 24, 2015

Swimming was so much fun today!  Thanks so much for having your child ready to go with suits, towels, and a bag for wet things.  We will go swimming again on Tuesday, March 31st – but this time we will go after lunch!

We did practice writing long equations for two step problems today during math.  The students have H&R 229/230 for homework this evening.

We discussed all of the “big ideas” from Keepers today.  Ask your child what they decided!

During Writer’s Workshop we wrote our introduction to our Personal Essay.  The students did a great job.  Tomorrow we will continue working on adding evidence to our Opinion Statement.

The weekly spelling homework will come home tomorrow…I apologize that I keep forgetting to send it home.  I promise it will be easy though!

Remember that our field trip is on Thursday – peanut free/nut free cold lunches are necessary, as we will be eating at the museum.

Have a great evening!

 

March 23, 2015

Good Morning!

Today during math we will continue working on setting up and solving 2 step word problems, as well as using rounding to check if an answer is reasonable.  The students will have H&R 227/228 for homework this evening.

For Making Meaning we will continue working on our “Determining Important Ideas” unit by reading Keepers, a story about a boy who makes a bad decision at first – and then works hard to fix it.

During science we will be discussing resources – natural, renewable, and nonrenewable.  We will complete a sorting activity to help us master this concept.

Writer’s Workshop has us working on our Personal Essays – using a “big idea” and finding personal experiences to offer evidence.

This week’s spelling words are: didn’t, car, morning, I’m, body.  The skill focus is common homophones.

We will be swimming at the Aquatic Center tomorrow morning first thing.  Please send a swimsuit, towel, and a plastic bag of some sort for wet items.  We are going first thing, so there will be no time to call home for those who forget:(

Thursday is our field trip to the Tri-Cities Museum.  Please remember to send in a NUT-Free sack lunch for your child – this includes peanuts, peanut butter, and all tree nuts as well.

Have a great day!

March 17, 2015

This morning during math we reviewed how to create Comparison Bars as a math strategy for addition and subtraction.  The students did a great job!  They do have H&R 219/220 for homework this evening.

During Making Meaning we have been using Lifetimes to determine the “big idea” of the text.  Ask your child to tell you the lessons we can learn from army ants, sharks, venus fly traps, and the Earth!

We had a BIG day for science today.  The students discussed the research they found for natural disasters, decided if it is a fast or slow change to the Earth’s surface when it occurs, completed a sugar cube erosion activity, and watched a Bill NYe video relating to erosion.  Ask your child to tell you about slow/fast changes to the Earth’s surface.

Thursday we will be taking a short trip to the Spring Lake Public Library to hear Kevin Kammeraad, the author of A Curious Glimpse of Michigan speak.  We will leave Jeffers at 10:00 and return for lunch at the school.

Please remember we will be having our Body Safety presentation Friday afternoon.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their name to chaperone the Tri Cities Museum field trip next week.  Our lucky winners are Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Bolthouse!  More details will follow towards the end of the week.

Have a great evening!!

 

What a great day we had at the museum today – lots of learning and fun!  I heard many students say that it would be totally worth a return trip!

We did have some time this afternoon to work on our persuasive letters, as well as take a Mad Minute, and work on Moby.

This afternoon our nonfiction book clubs met!

In your child’s folder, you will find a letter from Amy Dalman, the Prevention/Volunteer Coordinator from the Children’s Advocacy Center.  She will be here next Friday afternoon to provide a presentation titled “People, Problems, and Protection” to all Third Graders.  This presentation is about body safety – safe and unsafe touches.  Amy does a great job with the students regarding this topic.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her, or myself, before the presentation next week.

Please remember that tomorrow and Friday are scheduled 1/2 days, with an 11:50 dismissal.  The students will still need to bring a morning snack.

Have a great evening!

March 10, 2015

During Math this morning we reviewed how to write equations with a variable for unknown addends and unknown factors.  The students do have H&R 215/216 for HW this evening.

During Making Meaning we read several more fables to try and determine the “big idea” or important idea.  Ask your child to tell you about “The Bad Kangaroo” fable.

Many students finished up their persuasive letters.  I apologize in advance for those of you who are going to be “persuaded” into getting, fish, kittens, dogs, or tree houses!

We will have one more day of natural disaster research.  We will then classify the damage to the Earth’s surface based on those natural disasters as fast or slow changes to the Earth’s surface.

We played BINGO this afternoon with the entire school – so FUN!!!!!

Please remember to send a peanut free cold lunch tomorrow with your child, as we will be returning back to school after our original lunch time.

Have a great evening!

 

March 9, 2015

This morning during math we began Unit 5 – Writing Equations to Solve Word Problems.  This unit uses Math Mountains as a strategy to help the students set up their equation.  Different word problem types are discussed as well.  This unit becomes very difficult for some students when we begin multi-step word problems.  Many of the problems require 3 and 4 steps by the end of the unit.  Hopefully all of the strategies they learn will set them up for success.  They do have H&R 213/214 for homework this evening.

During Meaning we begin our Determining Importance Unit.  The students will be exploring important ideas, as well as using inferences to to understand the stories.  We will be using a few of Aesop’s Fables this week to begin this unit.

We will continue to work on our Persuasive Letters.  These will be completed this week, so we can begin working on “Big Idea” persuasive writing – using personal experiences as evidence to support our thinking.

During Science we will continue researching natural disasters for the first few days this week.  We will then move into discussing slow/fast changes to the Earth’s surface.

During Reading Workshop we will continue with our nonfiction book clubs.

This week’s spelling words are: learn, point, city, play, toward.  The skill focus is adding suffixes to words.

Please remember Wednesday is our field trip to the Muskegon County Museum.  The students will need a peanut free cold lunch that day, as we will be eating in our classroom due to the late return from the museum.  If you haven’t sent in the $1.00 for the trip, please do so tomorrow.  If you need help with the cost, please let me know and I will cover it for you.

Have a great day!

March 5, 2015

This morning during math we took our Unit 4 test.  Out of 23 students who were here to take the test…There were 16 100%!!!!!  Everyone else passed with at least an 80%.  Way to go Room C4!!!!

We continued working on our persuasive letters today.  The students are struggling to create supportive sentences for the reasons – but are starting to make the connection.

During science we continued researching our natural disasters.

Meeting with our nonfiction book clubs was on the agenda this afternoon.  We are learning the positive ways to hold a book discussion.

Tomorrow is Library Day…please return all books.  It is also Free Popcorn Day!!!

Have a great evening!