Weekly Update

Research Workshop:

Students continued taking notes this week based on subtopics that they chose for each of their 6 main research topics.  Lessons this weeks focused on helping students choose important vs. interesting facts as well as using text features such as captions, maps, graphs, and charts to collect more information for each subtopic.

Here is an example of a student's subtopic web along with the notes for each subtopic below.

Math:

We are plugging along in Unit 4.  At the beginning of the week, students learned/reviewed how to round numbers to the nearest 10 and the nearest 100.  At the end of the week, students learned 3 methods for multi-digit addition and also learned how to make proof drawings.  After students solved the addition problems using one of the numerical methods, they were required to prove their answer through a proof drawing.  Below are pictures of the three numerical methods for multidigit addition and an example of a proof drawing.

Example of a Proof Drawing

Below is a video that demonstrates the 3 addition methods we teach in 3rd Grade Math Expressions, along with some modeling of how to create a "proof drawing."  This is a new concept for both parents and students, so watching his video will help you be able to assist your children more effectively with homework assignments. (Go to 2:25 to skip ahead to the "proof drawings.")

  

Social Studies:

We are near the end of our Southeast Region tour!  After visiting the Everglades and the JFK Space Center, we visited Orlando, Florida and had a special Disney Day.  Students brought in any souvenirs they had from the parks or Disney things that they had at home.  We then opened a "Disney Museum" in our classroom.  Students displayed their Disney memorabilia at their tables, and students walked around to check out what their classmates brought to school.   We even watched a "behind the scenes" informational movie about the parks.

Students browsing the Disney Museum!

More Social Studies!

After visiting the coal mines of Appalachia, an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, Natchez, Mississippi, and Montgomery, Alabama, we made our final tour stops in Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana.  In both Memphis and New Orleans, we learned about some of the most popular musical styles in the Southeast.  Students played a "Name that Musical Style" game during which they had to identify Dixieland Jazz, Delta Blues, Cajun music, and Bluegrass music based on the instruments they heard in the songs.

We also visited New Orleans and had a little Mardi Gras celebration in our classroom!  Not only did students learn about the fun of Mardi Gras, but they also learned about the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina and how New Orleans is still in the process of rebuilding their great city years after the storm.

All-Star of the Week

Abby was our awesome Room 13 All-Star last week!  She loved sharing her special diary and a neat "All About Me" book in which she writes things about herself and her life.  She also shared wonderful photos that helped us learn more about her family.  Abby was lucky enough to have both her grandma and her mom write very thoughtful parent letters that helped us learn more about Abby's interests and hear great examples of her kindness toward others.  Her favorite day was when she had some special guests join her as her lunch buddies!