The Week (ending March 21) in Review

READING COMPREHENSION SKILL- We used Venn Diagrams to help us compare and contrast information in non-fiction text. In our small groups, we noted the life cycles and habitats of different animals and recorded the differences and similarities

 

SPELLING AND WRITING- We learned the spelling rule, "Change the -y to -i to add-es," as we practiced adding suffixes to root words in order to form less common plurals and verb tenses.

We completed story maps outlining our Young Authors Day story ideas. We paid particular attention to the main characters, the problem the characters would face, the solution that would make the problem go away, and the main events that would lead the characters from the problem to the solution. Most students were also able to add an opening event that would capture the readers' attention, and a closing event that would make the story feel done. I have begun writing conferences with students where we discuss their ideas and refine their story maps.



One student's post-conference story map

  

Of course, two intrepid third graders have chosen to write non-fiction for their Young Authors Day books. Together they composed four specific questions they will use as section headings in specially designed, flip notebooks to guide their research while narrowing their focus of research.

 

MATH: Fractions are beginning to become a bit more complex. We practiced completing comparison statements in terms of multiplication by using whole numbers and fractions as multipliers. This, as you can imagine, is a somewhat difficult concept for third graders. I made a quick "Homework Helper," tutorial using homework from March 20 as an example. Fortunately, this weekend's homework covers much the same kind of problems. Lots of students got a head start on their math homework in class. However, if you have a child struggling with the problems, please click here for a review of the quick tutorial.

Bar graph used to make comparison statements

OTHER: Please join me in congratulating our young scientist, #17. She and her brother won trophies for their collaborative science experiment for this year's Science Fair. They studied the amount of sugar consumed in the average american diet and compared it to recommended limit of three tsp per day. They found sugar hidden in many forms in all kinds of processed foods. Through their work, #17 hopes to make kids aware of the amount of sugar they unknowingly eat everyday and to inspire kids to take steps to reduce the amount for healthier living. Thank you for you work, #17!


#17 earned a trophy for her science fair experiment on sugar