Literacy
We started journal writing this past week. Students have complete control over what they choose as a topic for their work each day. They may take several days to complete a piece or may start a new piece each day. This time is used to build stamina in writing, to share thoughts and ideas using written language and to practice using word wall words, proper punctuation and capitalization. Students are eager to share their writing at the end of the block with their classmates from The Author's Chair. For our struggling writers, I brought them up to my computer and we copied and pasted 8-10 pictures of things that they are interested in into a google document. I printed the pages out and we cut out the pictures. Those students are now choosing one picture at the beginning of journal time, pasting it into their journals and then focusing their writing around that subject. I demonstrated this process to the entire class and invited all students to work on these picture prompt pages at home if they are interested. They can email completed pages to me at school and I will print them out on the colour copier for them.
During our Working with Words block, we completed our first Making Words activity. Given a specific set of letters, students are asked to spell words. We start with small 2-3 letter words and then we build up to bigger and bigger words. In the end, students are asked to use ALL of the letters to create the MYSTERY WORD. This is a great kinesthetic learning activity that encourages students to stretch out words, looking for vowel sounds, consonant sounds, blends, diagraphs and familiar spelling patterns.
This week I will introduce the students to their first set of Word Wall Words. They will write them in their agendas tomorrow and we will work with them for the next two weeks. Students will be expected to spell all word wall words properly in all writing activities. We will be having a dictation test every Friday to practice using the proper spelling of the words within sentences (two tests per set of words). We also focus on starting sentences with capitals and ending sentences with the proper punctuation during these dictation tests.
Numeracy
The students were very excited to start our Jump Math program this past week! The first activities that we completed were from the Confidence Building Unit. The creator of the Jump Math program's goal is to improve student confidence in their math abilities. Too many students feel that they are hopeless at math and that there is nothing that is going to change that fact. The first mini unit is designed to build student confidence. We learned how to name fractions and add fractions with a common denominator! The students were so proud of themselves starting off grade three with this advanced math! It was so great to see their faces light up as they got question after question right!
This week we will our first full unit on patterns!
Social Studies
This past week students continued to explore the world of maps! We investigated the different parts of a map that give us important information. We looked at the compass rose and the key/legend. This week and next, we will continue our study of maps by focusing on the world map, the continents, the oceans and the map of Canada.
An important note about Science and Social Studies in 3C:
In the interest of time and continuity, I choose to teach Science and Social Studies in alternating months.
After finishing our study of maps in Social Studies, we will move into our science unit on Rocks and Minerals for the month of October. If you have any questions or concerns about this schedule or method, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Bus Safety
Team 3C participated in Bus Safety for one hour on Thursday. The students did a fabulous job answering multiply bus safety questions in a game type setting! We also went onto the bus and practiced emergency procedures.
Other important reminders:
- Wednesday, September 21st - Lord Strathcona's Musical Ride (still waiting confirmation)
- Friday, September 30th - Terry Fox Walk at 1:15pm (Please fill out the permission slip online)
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