Miss Hamker's Class

February 1st Update

2012-01-31T19:31:00.000-05:00

It's February, although it feels like April! Here's a look at what we're doing this week.

Reading: This week we are reviewing reading comprehension strategies with short stories that resemble OAA tests. Next week we will be reading the Who Was Lincoln and Washington? books.

Math: We are beginning Unit 7 which is a multiplication unit. It is imperative that students keep practicing their facts. This unit and unit 9 will be difficult without a solid foundation in multiplication facts. Also, students can be working on XtraMath.com.

Science: Last week third graders broke apart mock rocks to discover the elements that make up rocks. This week, mineral properties will be observed and students will learn about various minerals.

Parents- There are still many slots to volunteer in the classroom. If you have signed up already, feel free to sign up for as many times as you'd like. See the post below for the sign up link.

Calling All Volunteers!

2012-01-19T21:08:00.001-05:00

Are you looking for something to do on cold winter mornings? How about signing up to volunteer in our classroom? I am attempting something new, so please bear with me if it doesn't work. I've decided to try an online sign up sheet for volunteers (I'm hoping it makes coordinating easier). Below is a link for you to click on if you would like to volunteer in our classroom. When clicking on the link (or the owl picture) you will see a list of dates and times available. If you would like to come in on a certain day click on the brown "sign up" button. It will then take you to a page to enter your name. You can just enter your name or if you need an email to remind you that you signed up, you can enter your email and create a password. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this works!

Volunteer Sign Up
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/20F0A48ACAE29AA8-volunteer/2750316

January Update

2012-01-18T16:23:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone made it through the holidays with much fun and family togetherness. We are back in the swing of things in third grade! Here's what we have going on and what to expect in the near future.

Reading: We have begun reading Gooney Bird Greene. This is a book about a new student who definitely has her own personality, but is also a great storyteller. As we read the book, we will discuss all the elements to a good story and practice our own storytelling techniques. In addition we will discuss character traits and continue our work on comprehension.

Math: Unit 6 Measurement will be wrapping up next week. Look for a study guide to come home early next week. Unit 7 involves Multiplication. Students should keep practicing their facts!

Science: Our Earth Science unit has begun. We are investigating the layers of the Earth and will then go into Rocks and Minerals.

Week of December 12

2011-12-11T10:59:00.000-05:00

This is the last full week before our winter break! The students have been hanging in there and staying focused, especially with all the schedule changes for music practice, and just the excitement every time a snowflake drifts by the windows. This week will be crazier than last week, so here we go!

Don't forget~ The Holiday Concert is this Wednesday!

Reading: The tale of Jack and Annie continues through Camelot. We left off last week with the two characters going to the Otherworld to recapture (what a great word!) the memory and imagination of Camelot. They are on the quest that did not return King Arthur's 3 brave knights. Will Jack and Annie return or will they be swept up into the circle of dancers? We will find out this week! Check out the Magic Tree House page for more activities to do with Jack and Annie!
http://www.magictreehouse.com/#BookDetail-Christmas_in_Camelot

Math: We are going to finish up decimals this week, with a test over the chapter Friday morning. Look for a study guide to come home Monday. It will be due Wednesday as we will spend two days reviewing.

Science: Students have been working in groups to become simple machine experts on their group's simple machine. They will then have to share their simple machine facts with each other.

Please look to the side of this blog for items that the Erieview Student Council are collecting to send to our troops during the holidays. If you are able to contribute anything on the list, please send it in before Friday. Thanks!

Week of December 5

2011-12-03T11:39:00.001-05:00

December has arrived and so has the chilly weather! brrrrr... I've noticed some students coming to school without coats or warmer clothing. Now is a good time to have your child keep a sweater or sweatshirt in his/her cubby for chilly days. Building heat is regulated at a certain temperature and with students coming in and out from recess, our room can get chilly.

As we make our way towards winter break, we still have much learning taking place. Here's what's going on this week:

Reading: We will begin the Magic Tree House book, Christmas in Camelot. At Thanksgiving we read Thanksgiving on Thursday, and as we read Christmas in Camelot we will compare how Mary Pope Osborn has expanded her writing as the series continued as well as how Jack and Annie may have evolved. In addition we will work on various reading skills. This book will take us to winter break, so we will not be finished with it by Friday.

Math: We continue work in Unit 5 which deals with place value. For the past week we have reviewed how to write, say, and order large numbers to the millions. We will now begin place values in the decimals and what decimals are. Decimals are very confusing understand, so we will be taking our time. We will be finishing Unit 5 before break, and will begin Unit 6 when we return in January. Unit 6 deals with multiplication- make sure students are continuing to practice their facts!

Writing: As we work towards organizing our thoughts into complete sentences and paragraphs, students will be working on a holiday story from the viewpoint of a pine tree around the holidays. Students will be writing a first person narrative using strong descriptive adjectives and verbs.

Science: We have delved into the work of Sir Isaac Newton, learned that an apple NEVER fell on his head, but we did discover more about his 3 Laws of Motion. With the help of our 2 Isaacs in third grade, we demonstrated different forces. In addition, we visited Mr. Z at DiscoveryWorks who reviewed force, motion, and balance with us. We are now venturing into the world of simple machines. We will most likely NOT finish this unit before break. Our goal is to complete the unit by the end of the second grading period.

Make sure you visit our new tab at the top of our blog titled "Videos." As students work on various projects, I will post short clips of their work. Last week students had to work on presenting convincing details to their audience to defend their character. My only requirements were to use facts from the book and to think about what the other groups might say to defend their character. Students were excited about this project and on filming day, some students could hardly stay in their seat! Obviously, this will not be the last time we work on projects like these. For their first attempt at a project like this, I was glad to see students choose important details from the book. I am looking forward to watching our film stars grow and develop their presentation skills. Stay tuned for more!

Week of November 21st

2011-11-20T14:54:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is almost here and Thanksgiving break is hours away. I hope everyone has a wonderful break and has some quality family time.

Even though we only have 2 days this week, we will still be working away! I told students Friday that beginning Monday morning as soon as they walk in the door, we are entering BOOT CAMP! As the holidays approach and the excitement for vacation builds, negative behaviors intensify and concentration on quality work wanes. My goal is to get everybody to Winter Break without losing focus and to keep behaviors in check. Therefore, Boot Camp will begin! Ask you child how the next few days are at school. Most students tend to enjoy this time and others- not so much.

For those of you staying home during Thanksgiving break, don't forget to have your child practice multiplication facts! I found a website that students can use to practice, drill, and test them on their facts. Click here and bookmark it on your computers! http://www.honorpoint.com/

Please have your child continue reading during the break as well. The next few days, we will be reviewing strategies to use when answering questions on comprehension tests. Please check your child's folder for the Thomas Edison test coming home Tuesday. Short answer (2 point) and Extended Response (4 point) questions can be difficult. Also when reading at home, ask your child questions about the story and have him/her prove to you the answer is correct by pointing to the exact line in the paragraph that gives the answer. We have begun working on this skill in class.

There will also be NO SPELLING list this week! Check back later this week to get a jump start on next week's list.

Once again, have a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoy your nap after the turkey dinner!

Week of November 14

2011-11-13T17:53:00.000-05:00

I would like to thank all the parents who came in for Parent/ Teacher Conferences this past week. As a recap here's some of the issues addressed:

     ~ GBW passwords will be sent home Monday
     ~ Multiplication is a MUST practice concept (at home & at school)
     ~ Monthly Book Report Forms are available by the genre poster- students grab a form whenever they need one. Or click on the class wiki to the right and download one or click here: Report Form


Where are we heading this week in third grade? Keep reading!

Reading: We'll read a biography on Thomas Edison while working on Main Idea and Supporting Details. Ask your child about any interesting facts he/ she learned about Edison.

Spelling: The new list is up on the Spelling tab with Monday/ Tuesday work listed.

Writing: We'll be working in our Write Source workbook to practice plural nouns and then write a persuasive essay titled: The World's Best Invention. What would you write about?

Math: Multiplication, multiplication, multiplication! We are practicing our facts and will be taking a math test over Unit 4. But that doesn't mean we are done with our facts! As I stated in conferences, I am slowing down and we will be practicing each set of facts everyday. Go to www.multiplication.com for some math games to play.

Science: Balance, Forces, & Motion is the new unit we began last week. Students practiced balancing a paper crayfish, triangle, and an arch using counterweights. This week we will take a chunk out of Newton's apple and learn about motion. We will even talk about Newton's 3 Laws (without getting too technical). Do you know the 3 Laws? If not, head over to the Science tab and find out what they are!

2011-11-13T16:22:00.000-05:00

Be on the Look Out!

If anyone knows where I can find milk crates cheap, please let me know. I would love to be able to create a sitting area around our Activboard like in the picture below.

Halloween Week

2011-10-29T20:26:00.000-04:00

Our Halloween party is Monday at 9:00! Wear as much of your costume to school. Save masks to put on at school. Here's an update on what we've done and where we're going this week.

Reading: We've finished reading the book The Ghost in Tent 19. What a perfect book to read this time of year. We will be starting the Magic Treehouse book, Thanksgiving on Thursday this week. (It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is a few weeks away!)

Math: We have completed Unit 3 which dealt with Measurement. This was a challenging unit and we're going to spend a few more days reviewing measuring.

Writing: Halloween stories are finished. We hope to be able to read them to the lower grades this week!

Science: We'll be wrapping up the unit on owls, and beginning a unit on Force and Motion

Conferences will be coming up in a week (November 9th & 10th). If you haven't turned in a conference, please do. Time slots are filling up quickly.

Week of September 19

2011-09-19T20:18:00.000-04:00

Reading: We are beginning our mystery unit this week by reading The Absent Author. This unit should span the next 2-3 weeks. Students will be working on dictionary skills, comprehension, and writing skills.

Here's what's going on this week!

Math: We have begun Unit 2 which involves addition and subtraction story problems.

Science: The unit on Ideas and Inventions will be wrapping up this week. Officer Hurd is coming in Tuesday morning to talk about fingerprints and to walk students through a "crime scene."Students will complete experiments at the end of the week to figure out "Who Did It."

Don't forget to check homework planners each night!

Week of September 12

2011-09-11T19:18:00.001-04:00

We are celebrating Constitution Day by wearing Red, White, and Blue on Thursday.

Picture Day is also this Friday! Bring your smiles!

Here's what's going on this week.

Reading: We will be reading the folk tale, How the World Got Wisdom. As we read we'll learn more about the folk tale genre and try to figure out the moral of the story.

Writing: After reading the story, students will be working on writing a summary of the story.

Grammar: The study of commas will continue this week. We'll work on adding commas to addresses. (Make sure your child knows his/her address).

Math: We'll finish Unit 1 and have a test over the unit on Thursday. Make sure study guides are completed by Wednesday. We will go over the study guide in math class.

Science: We're almost through the Ideas and Inventions unit. Students will be making chromatograms and symmetry this week. Go to the science tab to see a video about chromatography.

Week of August 29th

2011-08-28T11:39:00.000-04:00

The first FULL week of school is about to begin and that means we are in the full swing of third grade. Here's what students (and parents) can expect! Below each subject area is a way parents can help their child this week.

Reading: We will finish reading the book How to Be Cool in the Third Grade. We will be reading the book in whole group, small group, and with partners. Students will study the characters of Robbie and Bo more closely and develop character traits of both characters.
Parents: Talk to your child about the book and have him/her tell you about the characters of Robbie and Bo.

Writing: Cursive writing continues as well as the use of transition words in writing directions. We will also begin grammar this week and take a look at the use of periods in writing.
Parents: When checking homework, please do a quick period check!

Spelling: We will begin the year with one of the most difficult spelling lists- homophones! Check the tab at the top of this page to see the list. Students will have homework in spelling each night.
Parents: Check over homework and help your child understand the meanings of each word.

Math: Unit 1 review continues! We will be reviewing many different topics from 2nd grade to get ready for Unit 2. Money, Time, Number Grids, and Graphing will be reviewed.
Parents: Please go over the Home Link each night with your child. There is an answer sheet provided with each set of Home Links in the E.A.G.L.E binder. If your child has difficulty with a concept, please make note of it on the home link.

Science: YES! We begin science this week. Our first unit is titles Ideas and Inventions. We will focus on different textures and the scientific method.
Parents: Your child will need to collect 3-5 different leaves to bring in for science this week. Be on the lookout for some interesting venation patterns (the patterns on the leaves). No Poison Ivy or Poison Oak please!

Begin to get in the habit of reading each night, beginning next week I will give students a reading log to log minutes. These minutes can earn you behavior bucks!

It's Time!

2011-08-20T15:17:00.000-04:00

I can't believe it either! It's seems like just yesterday I was writing a farewell blog post and now I'm writing a welcome back post. August 24th is the official first day of school, but all the teachers have been working in their classrooms to prepare for the new school year and the classrooms are looking awesome. As I wrote in my letter to each of you, I will be in one of the new classrooms this year. It sure is a big change from the trailer I've occupied the last 2 years.

Third grade is a big year for many students. They are becoming more independent and more responsible. They will also be taking O.A.A tests for the first time (they seem scary, but they're really not!)

This year Erieview PTA will be holding a Back to School Ice Cream Social on Monday, August 22nd. Teachers will also be having Open House that same night. Please visit the Erieview website www.avonlakecityschools.org/erieview for further details. I hope everyone is able to attend Open House so that I can meet each of you and get the year started off right. If you are unable to attend, please check your child's binder Wednesday night for important information.

Until then, feel free to navigate around this blog and become familiar with each area. I will be using the blog to keep parents updated on happenings in the classroom and also to post information for students.

Happy New School Year! It's going to be a HOOT of a year!

Miss Hamker

Summertime!

2011-06-21T15:26:00.000-04:00

Have a wonderful and relaxing summer! Don't forget to keep reading and practicing your math facts. August will be here soon!

Update

2011-04-13T18:35:00.000-04:00

We're down to less than a week before Spring Break and I can't even begin to say how much there is left to do! Here's an update on how we'll be spending our final week before break. And don't forget! Spring Pictures is Tuesday April 19!

Reading: We're finishing up the book Aliens for Breakfast and completing comprehension questions for the book. We are also finishing up our practice for the reading OAA. Please mark your calendars! May 3rd is our scheduled test date for the Reading OAA.

Math: We're also finishing up our unit on Measurement. I have scheduled our Unit 10 test date for Wednesday, April 20. Study guides will go home, Thursday, April 14. Please make sure your child is studying multiplication facts.

Science: Too Infinity and Beyond! Ok, well not really. But we have blasted off Earth and have begun our introduction to other planets. My goal is to have covered Mercury, Venus, and Mars before break! Here's some questions to check student understanding of our discussions:

Why does Mercury get really hot and really cold?

What causes Venus' yellow color and why is it the hottest planet?

How did the planets get their names?

Looking for a good website to read more about the planets? Click this link!
http://www.kidsastronomy.com/solar_system.htm

April 4

2011-04-04T21:00:00.001-04:00

Whoa, where did March go? It sure has been a busy month! We are now into April and have much to get done before spring break. Mrs. Brewer's student teaching is also coming closer to an end and I have started taking subjects back to teach. This week I have begun math with the students and will pick up science next week. Here's what's going on in each of the subjects!

Reading: This week we will be reading a fiction and nonfiction story on the Woolly Mammoths. Students will be using inferencing and comprehension skills while reading the stories.

Math: You might have noticed that we skipped over Unit 9 and have gone to Unit 10. Not to worry, we'll go back to 9 after the OAAs. I want to make sure students get exposure to measurement before the tests. In addition I will be filtering in some multiplication practice as we complete Unit 10. On Monday, I went over how to do the following kinds of multiplication problems:

23 80(4s)= _____
x 8

Science: Rocks and Soil are done and buried.

It is now time to blast of the third rock from the sun and head to space! Students will begin the Solar System unit learning about the sun and then progressing to each planet. Sorry Pluto! But don't worry, we'll talk about why Pluto is now a dwarf planet and not in the same category as the other planets.

Students: Remember in the fall when we watched Molly and her baby owlets? Well guess what?! There is another UStream Live of newly hatch Bald Eagles. Go to the Science Tab to see more.

Week of March 7-11

2011-03-06T12:21:00.000-05:00

If you're like me, you are ready to start seeing the green stuff under the falling snow. I cannot wait for sunnier skies and warmer temperatures. We've been lucky to be nice and toasty inside the classroom, but spring fever is beginning to hit and I can tell students are ready to get outside and play.

Also please note that the nasty flu bug is going around along with strep throat. Please be on the lookout for any signs of a sore throat or your child not feeling well. We keep disinfectant and wipes in the classroom and I reiterate to wash hands and to use tissues to help prevent illness from spreading into our classroom.

This week we have a lot going on (as usual!) Mrs. Brewer will be taking over the teaching this week under my guidance. While she is teaching I will be planning the rest of our units and also pulling some students for a little more individual attention and review of concepts. Here's a quick look at our week:

Reading: Mrs. Brewer developed a wonderful unit that incorporates writing skills, grammar review, and comprehension, while reading Gooney Bird Greene. Make sure you ask your child about the book. The students are really enjoying it and there is a series of books. The book is about a very unique girl who comes into a classroom and tells "absolutely true stories." What is true about each of her stories is that they seem absurd to begin with but along the storytelling path there is always a twist.

Click to read more about Gooney Bird

Math: We are finishing Unit 7 on Multiplication. Students will be tested over the unit this Wednesday. After reviewing the study guide, if your child has any questions, please let me know and I will review the concept with your child. Following this unit we will begin Unit 8 which covers fractions.

Science: In science we will finish learning about rocks and minerals by completing an investigation on Metamorphic Rocks. In addition we'll head to DiscoveryWorks on Tuesday at the Avon Lake Public Library to listen to Mr. Z cover information about the properties of rocks and minerals and do an investigation as well. Click on the Science tab to view some videos I found about the three kinds of rocks.

OAA practice has begun! Each week I am giving students one story to read and to practice answering questions. I will also be giving math review as well. Since Spring Break comes right before testing week, I am hoping that our test taking strategies now will stick when test time comes.

February 7-11

2011-02-07T19:38:00.000-05:00

This week we have begun reading biographies about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The class is split in half with half reading Washington with Miss Hamker and the other half reading Lincoln with Mrs. Brewer. Students are completing time lines about their president and working on comprehension questions that are styled towards the OAA.

In math we are continuing our Geometry unit. A study guide will be going home this Friday. Look for a test over Unit 6, next Thursday or Friday. If anyone would like extra practice or lose a Home Link, please click on our class Wiki (see the sidebar). I have put a Unit 6 file on the wiki in the math section.

We will be walking to the Library Tuesday to learn more about rocks and minerals from Mr. Z.

Next Monday is Valentine's Day! We will be having a Valentine's party at 1:45 in the afternoon.

GBW Update

2011-02-01T15:03:00.000-05:00

With a new grading period comes higher expectations. The first grading period was a lot of review and learning about grades (since this was your child's first year for them). The second grading period brought on new challenges as we worked more with 3rd grade curriculum and pacing. Most students are able to keep up with instruction on a daily basis, but at times fall a little behind. Learning is all about how to deal with the little bumps along the way and I am always there to pick students up when they slip a little behind. The third grading period will continue to move at a steady pace and there will be more independent work, which means students need to be self aware of their work completion. I will still be there to guide them along, but I also want you to be aware of how your child is doing. As I enter grades into GradeBook Wizard, I will be allow the website to send you an email if your child has missing work or gets a D or F on a paper. During this quarter D's and F's will stand as is in my grade book, but the assignments will still need to be fixed and turned back in. At the end of the grading period, I will drop the lowest score in each subject and then average the grades. Therefore, if a student get's a F on an assignment and every other grade was OK, that F will not lower the grade.

Spelling Help

2011-02-01T11:54:00.001-05:00

Your spelling words this week have a soft "c" sound (and can begin with either a c or s). Here's a way to help you study your words... Words that begin with a soft "c" (either s or c) are generally followed by "i", "e," and "y" (as in circus, celery, and cycle). Hard "c" beginnings are usually followed by consonants (as in clue and crayon) and the vowels "a," "o," and "u" (as in cat, cot, and cut). Look at our spelling words for the week (go to the spelling tab), is the second letter in each word an "i", "e" or "y"? Now all you have to know is whether the words begin with an "s" or "c."

Kid Blogs!

2011-01-26T13:14:00.000-05:00

We are going to be beginning blogging in our classroom. The following website is SAFE way for students to blog with their fellow classmates. I will be moderating all comments for appropriateness. Any student misusing their blog will have their blog taken away.

http://kidblog.org/MissHamkers2010-2011Class/

Week of January 24th

2011-01-23T19:39:00.001-05:00

It's the end of one grading period and the beginning of another. The 2nd grading period is always tough as we have 2 holidays, the weather is colder and snow days threaten our schedule (along with numerous inside recesses). But we made it through and now it's a fresh start! Yes, the weather is still cold, but at least we can maintain our daily schedules. Here's what's on the agenda for this week:

Reading: We'll be reading The Three Little Javelinas, which is a different version of The 3 Little Pigs. Students will be working on story elements and comprehension.

Math: Unit 6- here we come! We'll be working on Geometry and introducing Lines, Line Segments, Rays, as well as intersecting and parallel lines.

Science: We just completed our Physical Science unit and will be moving into Earth Science. First up is the Layers of the Earth and an introduction to Rocks. Keep checking the Science tab for information on our unit.

Coming Up:
I hope to work on green screening this week for our Fairy Tale plays.

I am also hoping to get students blogging within the next week. I use a website called kidblogs.org, which is a safe way for students to blog and to use 21st Century Skills.

Conferences are coming up next week. If you're requesting a conference and have not yet returned your request form, please send it in ASAP. I'm also asking students to attend conferences so they can offer input.

Finally, we will be welcoming a student teacher January 31st! Her name is Mrs. Brewer and she's coming to us from Ashland University. You might have seen her in the building in the Fall as she also worked in Mrs. O'Connor's Kindergarten class.

Supplies are Needed

2011-01-06T20:50:00.001-05:00

The year is almost half over and many students are in great need of supplies- especially pencils and glue. Please check with your child to see if supplies need replenished.

Character Can Book Report

2011-01-05T19:12:00.000-05:00

This week I assigned the character can book report. I have explained in detail the requirements of this report to the students. This report should be completed independently and is due February 2nd. Throughout the month I will be giving students deadlines to help them complete their report in a timely manner. Please check in their EAGLE binder and check in with your child to make sure they're staying on task. In addition I have told students they can use their science fiction book to complete the monthly book report and character can report.

See below for Character Can examples from past years:

In case you lose the Character Can Requirements sheet, go to our class wiki. I have posted the information there to be downloaded.

Welcome Back

2011-01-05T18:50:00.000-05:00

We're almost through the first week back and everyone is back in the routine. Here's what we've been working on and what's coming up!

Math: We've begun Unit 5 which covers place value and decimals. Keep practicing multiplication facts as we will be going back to multiplication in Unit 7. Students will not be allowed to use any charts to help them with multiplying numbers.

Reading: This week we have been working on skill work: Cause & Effect, and writing summaries. We will be reading through a Fairy Tale play and students will be working on their fluency with their different parts in the play. In addition we will be completing a simulation unit on Fairy Tales called Enchanted Castle. We are integrating this with our science unit on simple machines while reading Castle Under Siege which explains the 6 Simple Machines and how they were used in the Middle Ages.

Science: We will be finishing our physical science unit on Force, Motion, and Simple Machines. Look for student lapbooks to be coming home soon showing the concepts from the unit. Up Next: Dirt, Rocks and Minerals!

Week of December 6

2010-12-05T18:40:00.001-05:00

With the weather getting colder, please make sure your child comes to school with a warm coat, gloves, and hat. Students have been going outside for recess, and some boys are still wearing shorts and no coat to school. Our room is nice and toasty, but the walk between buildings can be brisk. I strongly encourage students to leave sweaters at school for the very short commute.

Now, here's what's going on this week!

We will have hour long music rehearsals Tuesday and Friday for the music program December 15.

Holiday Shoppe is Friday! Our class will be going to the gym at 1:25.

Test Alert!
We will be finishing up Unit 4 and having the test this Thursday.

We will continue switching with Mrs. Harcula's class to continue reading The Knight at Dawn. In addition, our class will begin our new book Christmas in Camelot (Magic Tree House) and work on comprehension, cause and effect, and inferential questions. In addition students will work on fluency and adding voice to their reading. When reading at home have your child practice reading aloud with inflection.

During Writing we will continue our holiday stories told from the viewpoint of the Christmas Tree. These stories are 3 paragraphs long and we are focusing on the writing process- rough draft, editing, revising, peer editing, and publishing. We are also attempting to incorporate similes into our writing as a way to add details.

In Science we will complete investigations with Magnetism. Last week's visit to DiscoveryWorks to review force, motion and balance went great! Make sure you check out the short video on the science tab at the top of this page to review Newton's Laws.

Holiday Book Ordering

2010-11-30T16:49:00.000-05:00

Dear Parents,

In years past, I have had parents wanting to order books/ CDs/ DVDs as holiday gifts. I have made available online a wide array of catalogs through Scholastic (including book sets, CDs, holiday books, etc.) If you would like to order from or take a look at these catalogs, please log in to the www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and insert our class activation code (H7MN4) after creating your parent accoun. All orders need to be in by Sunday, December 5 to be assured delivery by the holidays. If you’d like me to hold the books when they come or send them home in a large envelope, just send me a quick email or note and I would be happy to hold them until they can be picked up.

Websites to Study Multiplication

2010-11-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

Here's some websites you can use to practice multiplication facts:

http://www.ixl.com/math/practice/grade-3-multiplication-facts-to-12

http://www.playkidsgames.com/games/mathfact/mathFact.htm

http://www.mathfactcafe.com/

http://www.multiplication.com/interactive_games.htm

November 15th Update

2010-11-15T20:03:00.000-05:00

The holidays are coming quickly but we still have much learning to do! Here's a glimpse of the next week:

Math: We are beginning Unit 4 which covers Multiplication and Division. Keep practicing math facts. We are also in full swing of completing weekly timed tests.

Reading: We completed Thanksgiving on Thursday and will be reading "A Turkey Story" this week with a focus on comprehension.

Science: We will be working on a mini-book about Isaac Newton and his three laws of motion. Make sure you ask your student about force and motion and the vocabulary words- gravity, counterweights, balance, balance point.

**We will also be walking to the Avon Lake Public Library November 30 at 1:00 to review science concepts with Mr. Z. I do need one parent to accompany the class with me, if you are interested please let me know ASAP (first parent to respond is the lucky winner!)

Next Monday we will be beginning a project with Mrs. Harcula's second grade class! Half of our class will go to Mrs. Harcula and half of her class will come to our classroom to read the book The Knight at Dawn. We will work on various activities and then come together for a "Knightly" celebration at the end of the unit. Stay tuned!

New posts!

2010-11-07T14:15:00.000-05:00

Whew! It's been a busy few weeks and I haven't been able to update the blog as much as I would like. But, I am back to blogging and will keep updating this blog regularly. Make sure you check back or sign up for updates and an email will come to you when I've updated the blog.

Here's what's going on this week, the week of November 8th

Reading: We'll be reading the book Thanksgiving on Thursday. It's a Magic Tree House book. We will focus on reading comprehension as we read the book

Writing: Students will be working on some seasonal writing pieces.

Math: We will be finishing the unit on Measurement Tuesday and will have a test this Thursday. Look for a study guide to go home Monday. In addition, students will only have to complete the parts of the final test that they missed on the pretest.

Science: Well the owls have flown the coop! (And for those of you were watching the Molly live feed, know her babies have literally flown out of the nest.) Anyway, we're done with the owls and the students worked very hard on their owl lapbooks. We will be starting a unit on Balance, Force & Motion with a mini unit talking about Simple Machines.

Bullying Assembly

2010-11-07T12:42:00.000-05:00

This past Wednesday, students at Erieview were presented with an excellent assembly by Jim Bisenius of Bullyproofing Youth. He talked to the students about bullies and how to deal with bullies. I strongly recommend that you talk to your child about the assembly and what he/she learned from it.

Halloween Party

2010-10-27T19:18:00.000-04:00

This Friday is our Halloween party! Students are asked to wear as much as they can of their costume to school. They can use the restroom to add any makeup, etc. when they get to school. The parade is beginning at 9:00 and our Halloween party will begin soon afterward. Our party consists of donut holes and juice. We will still be switching for Science and Social Studies at 10:40!

What's New This Week

2010-10-10T20:16:00.000-04:00

It's a short week, and a lot going on!

Reading: We will be reading Those Outrageous Owls and integrating our owl study into Science.

Math: The week will start off with a test on Unit 2 and the beginning of Unit 3- Measurement.

Writing: We'll finish our Halloween story and continue to revise and edit the stories before publishing.

Please note that Wednesday afternoon is our walking field trip to the Lake Road Cemetery for the Social Studies Scavenger Hunt. Then Thursday is our trip to the Peter Miller House.

The Great Grey Owl

2010-10-08T21:46:00.004-04:00

Watch this video on the Great Grey Owl, the largest North American Owl. As you watch learn one fact and add it to the comments below. Then go to the Science tab and watch a video on The Great Horned Owl.

Molly the Owl

2010-10-06T12:47:00.000-04:00

As we study owls, you may want to check out the Molly the Owl page. There is live streaming video of Molly's owl family. You can also click on the science tab to see the streaming video.

http://www.ustream.tv/theowlbox

Volunteering

2010-09-19T15:16:00.000-04:00

Dear Parents,

I know some of you asked to volunteer in the classroom this year. If you are still free, I am looking for people willing to trace and cut out bones for our bones unit. Also if you are free on a regular basis, I'm looking for people to administer math timed tests. If you just want to do some odds and ends things, I can schedule you when I have things that need to be done. Just send me an email or note if you would like to volunteer and how often you would like to come in.

Thanks!
Miss H

Week of September 20th

2010-09-18T16:01:00.000-04:00

Believe it or not we have been in school an entire month already! Time is flying by! We'll be wrapping up a lot of units this week, so hang in there! Check out the day by day happenings below:

Monday:

     Language Arts: Dictionary skills will be used to define some new vocabulary words. We'll read Chapter 5 in The Absent Author, and work on chapter comprehension questions.

     Math: Test over Unit 1 (Check out the Math tab for bonus question)

     Science:Making a Periscope- We'll be applying our knowledge of mirrors to create a periscope and finish our Ideas and Inventions unit. (make sure to look on the Science page for periscope directions to make at home)

Tuesday:

     Language Arts: We'll be reading Chapter 6 in our book, and completing the activities along with it. We'll also get into Pronouns in Grammar and review how to write a letter. (Do YOU remember from second grade?)

     Math: Unit 1 Test will be returned and gone over. Students will fix any problem they missed. If there is time, I hope to give a Unit 2 PREtest. I use pretests to see what students already know about the content and will use it to guide my instruction.

     Science: I will give a test over the Ideas and Inventions unit- but do not fear! I go through the test with students and explain questions. They use their science journal from the unit to help them find the answers. Please remember that students do not get grades in Science and Social Studies, only an S or N (Satisfactory or Needs Improvement)

Wednesday:

Language Arts: Assuming the week is going as planned, we'll be reading chapter 7, looking up vocabulary words, and working on comprehension. We'll also be working on writing friendly letters

Math: Unit 2 begins with a review of addition and subtraction fact families. We may touch on this topic quickly (depending on pretest scores) as this topic is a review from 2nd grade.

& Mrs. Peeper's Writing Skills Class

Thursday:

     Language Arts: We'll be talking about "inference" skills, using vocabulary, and comprehension while reading Chapter 8. Any work on friendly letters will also be completed.

     Math:Fact Extensions are the topic for today. What are those? They are problems that use a basic fact and then students add or subtract that facts in multiples of 10 and 100.

         Example: 9 + 3 = 12
               90 + 30 = 120
             900 + 300 = 1,200

& Mr. Provenza's Social Studies Class

Friday:

      Language Arts: If the week goes smoothly, we'll finish The Absent Author and all the activities that go along with it.

      Math: Review! Fridays are Math Review days. We will go through the concepts of the week to make sure students understand and this is also time for them to ask more questions. If all goes well, we can end with a math review game.

To prepare for science the following week, I will be setting up a "crime scene" in the gym for Friday. Students will enter the gym, and if a special guest is able to come we will hear how real detectives would use the clues to help solve the crime!

Math Test Bonus Question

2010-09-17T18:28:00.000-04:00

Go to the math tab at the top of this page for the math question I told you to look for this weekend!

Take a closer look at the week

2010-09-12T22:12:00.000-04:00

Reading: We'll continue in the book, The Absent Author. We're focusing on vocabulary and comprehension. Make sure you're reading each night!

Math: Review money and patterns. Look for a Unit 1 study guide to go home this week. There will be a test next week.

Writing: The Mystery of NounTown continues as we review nouns, pronouns, and possessive nouns. Which group will solve the mystery first?

Science: A special thanks to Officer Hurd for talking to us last week about the Science of Fingerprints. Look for pictures soon! This week we'll focus on making chromatograms and using mirrors. This will end our unit on Ideas and Inventions, which will lead to a mystery of our own to solve! Check out the video below to get ready for our mystery.

DragonflyTV Kids Do Science - Forensics

2010-09-11T21:04:00.000-04:00

Short Week, LOTS to do!

2010-09-06T21:36:00.000-04:00

I hope you have all enjoyed your long weekend! We have a shorter school week, but there's so much to do, so let's take a GLIMPSE (vocabulary word from last week) into this week!

Reading: We are beginning our mystery book "The Absent Author" by Ron Roy. This book will take us 3 weeks to read and we will focus on vocabulary words and their meanings, how to find words in a dictionary, writing good structured paragraphs, and comprehension. whew! You can see why this will take us 3 weeks!

Writing: Keeping with our mystery theme, we will be starting a mystery in grammar called Noun Town. We will use the attached blog to kick start the mystery this week! Students will work through assignments on nouns and their group will earn clues to solve the mystery. They will be using their deduction skills!

Math: We'll continue with unit 1 and focus on 2nd grade review concepts. This week's topics will include chance, finding differences, calculator skills, and money counting. I'll be starting a Math tab at the top of this blog soon to help students review concepts from class. Look for a unit 1 study guide to come home next week. It's looking like our first test will be the END of the NEXT week.

Science: This is a fun week in science! We will be working with Carbon Printing, which is lifting your own fingerprints without the use of ink. On Friday, we will have our school resource officer, Officer Hurd, visit the 3rd grade to talk about the different kinds of fingerprints and how the police detectives lift prints from crime scenes. Check back for pictures from his visit!

What's Coming Up This Week

2010-08-29T15:04:00.002-04:00

We have completed one week of third grade! After going through rules and expectations, we are ready to DIVE into the curriculum this week. So third graders...get ready...we're are DIVING into the work beginning on Monday! What can you expect this week? Keep reading below!

Reading: We will be finishing the book How to be Cool in the Third Grade and then begin an introduction to mysteries later this week.

Math: We will continue through unit 1 in our math journal and work on finding patterns on the hundreds chart, reading tally charts and graphs. Check your Home Links each night and mark any math problem that you did not understand.

Spelling: YES! We will be working on a spelling list this week. You will get the list Monday morning to keep in your E.A.G.L.E Binder to study.

**Parents- please click this link https://misshamkersclass.wikispaces.com/Spelling+Lists to read about my spelling program this year. It will help your child become a more proficient speller and writer as we get into writing. You can also access this page through my wiki link in the right hand column.

Science: We will be working on coin rubbings and studying leaf venations. Please bring 2-3 leaves to school Tuesday!

Welcome Back!

2010-08-22T09:51:00.001-04:00

It was so nice to see almost everyone Friday night! I could feel the excitement from some students and a bit of nervousness from others. Guess what? Teachers feel the same way!(And I bet some parents too!)

I will keep updating this blog as often as I can, so keep checking back. Bookmark it in your favorites, or you can sign up to be notified when changes occur, just sign up for the email notifications.

As for now, check the tabs at the top of this posting area and browse around to the other areas. Also, if your child has any food allergies PLEASE let me know ASAP! I will make note of it for birthday treats, etc.

I'll see you Tuesday!!

Back to School Night/ Ice Cream Social

2010-08-18T07:22:00.003-04:00

WELCOME BACK!!

Another year is about to begin! I hope you are looking forward to a fun filled year with much to learn. As I wrote in my letters to you, Erieview PTA will be having a Back to School Ice Cream Social THIS Friday beginning at 5:30. Then students and parents are welcome to filter to our room to put supplies away, meet me, see the room, and ask any questions. I will have an information packet for you to take home to read as well. I hope to see many of you Friday!

**Parents- please note that this Back to School Night will be in lieu of our usual Parent Information Night. Please try to attend!

Summer Vacation!

2010-07-10T22:51:00.004-04:00

Hey Class!

How's your summer been going? Feel free to keep writing on your own blogs, I try to check them each week to OK your postings. Are you guys bored of summer already? Has anyone been by the school? I've heard the playground is GONE! Sounds like construction will be beginning soon. :-)

Feel free to make comments below and share what you have been doing this summer (How many times have you been to the new pool?). I've been playing with baby Hammy (my nephew) quite a bit and working on school stuff for the new school year. Other than that, I've been trying to catch up on all my books I have saved to read this summer (see even teachers READ over the summer). I hope everyone is also practicing their multiplication. Fourth grade math with be a little easier if you know ALL your facts. Go to our class wiki and download the math practice tests.

Hope you're all having fun!
~Miss H

Have a Great Summer!

2010-06-03T21:23:00.005-04:00

Summer is here! I hope you all have a happy and SAFE summer. Keep checking the class blog throughout the summer. I'll be adding some websites for you to use for practice.

Will you remember our class like this?
Or like this?

Enjoy your summer!
Sincerely,
Miss Hamker

Chocolate Day is Coming!

2010-04-29T16:28:00.003-04:00

This coming Tuesday will be Chocolate Day in the Gym! If you would like to contribute supplies towards the chocolate day, we are still in need of:

Pretzel rods

Skittles (fun size pack)

M & Ms (fun size packs)

Graham crackers

It should be a fun afternoon and great way to end our unit on Charlie and Chocolate Factory!

What Are You Reading?

2010-04-25T11:02:00.004-04:00

After our book fair, I noticed that many of you are reading all different kinds of books during silent reading. That's GREAT! I'm looking to get books next year for our classroom library and I want to know what YOU are reading and what you think about the book you're reading. So, I want you to make a comment below this post. First, what book are you reading or what book did you just finish. Then, tell me what the book was about. Finally, how would you rate your book? (Did you notice my transition words?)
5 stars: LOVE it
4 stars: Good book, liked the story
3 stars: An OK book.
2 stars: I didn't like the book.
1 star: I HATED the book, and won't read another book like it.

(If you'd rate a book 1 or 2 stars, why did you not like the book? Was it hard to understand? Did you find the words too hard? Did it just not interest you?)

Coming Up this Week

2010-04-25T10:37:00.003-04:00

Testing is DONE!! Woohoo! If you're like me, you will be happy to get back to our daily schedule. So here's what's coming up this week:

Monday: Math- 10.2 Volume
Reading- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapters 18-20
Writing- we will continue working in our Write Traits "folder" book

Tuesday: Math- 10.5 Capacity
Reading- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapters 21-23
Writing- we will continue working in our Write Traits "folder" book
Science- Read about fossils and make a fossil book
**SPRING PICTURES DAY!**

Wednesday: Math- 10.6 Mean and Median
Reading- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapters 24-26
Writing- we will write a chocolate poem
Social Studies- begin economics

Thursday: Math- 10.7 Calculating Mean
Reading- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapters 27-28
Writing- continue to work on the chocolate poem
Science- finish the fossil book (hopefully)

Friday : Math- 10.8 Math Review (look for a math test the first week of May)
Reading- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory chapters 29-30
Writing- make a cover for the poem, and work in writing workbook
JEOPARDY in the afternoon!
**Remember: I will be out Friday morning for a teacher training, but I WILL be back by the afternoon!

This Guy is Cool!

2010-04-01T22:27:00.006-04:00

Take a look at this painter named Dan Dunn. He paints with his hands and is FAST. Watch this video and see if you can figure out what animal he is painting before he reveals it. Then post a comment if you figured it out. Don't worry if you didn't, I couldn't figure it out until the final reveal!

Study Island

2010-03-24T21:50:00.005-04:00

Have you been working on Study Island at home? If not click on this link and work on any section. This website will help you prepare for the Ohio Achievement Assessment in April!

http://www.studyisland.com/

Grades

2010-03-24T21:44:00.004-04:00

For those of you checking Grade Book Wizard to see what your final grades are for this grading period, please wait at least until Monday- after school to check for a final grade. I still have papers to enter into the gradebook and some of you still owe me work and papers to fix.

Bookmark Grade Book Wizard: www.gradebookwizard.com

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

2010-03-18T14:27:00.005-04:00

If you want to watch a live feed from Diary of a Wimpy Kid that we saw in class this afternoon, click on the following link

http://www.prometheanworld.com/server.php?show=nav.21318&cmp=Diary

Check out the Wimpy Kid website too! http://wimpykid.com/

2010-03-02T18:44:00.002-05:00

Reading Incentive Program!

If you read 20 books or 400 pages during the month of March, you WILL earn 2 tickets to a Lake Erie Crushers game. EVERYBODY who reaches this goal will get tickets. Plus, when you go to the game you can enjoy it surrounded by your friends from Erieview! Your forms will be due at the end of March with the deadline of April 1st- no joke! So get reading!

SNOW DAY!

2010-02-26T10:41:00.002-05:00

How are YOU spending your snow day today? Go to your student blog and write a paragraph about how you will spend the day. How did you find out we had a snow day? Did you go back to bed when you found out? (Are you still in bed!?) Will you go play outside or stay indoors? The more you write, the more we can tell you in our comments!

Olympic Medal Count

2010-02-19T20:37:00.000-05:00

View the vancouver2010.com medals' table

Olympics Websites

2010-02-18T13:42:00.002-05:00

http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Chinese Erasers

2010-02-12T19:33:00.003-05:00

Dear Parents & Students,

Many of you have been buying and bringing in chinese erasers. While these may be fun, they have also been a distraction for many students. They are also small and easily lost, misplaced, or taken. At this time I ask that you not bring any more of them to school. I know many of you can handle having these erasers, but at this time they have become a problem.

Sincerely,
Miss Hamker

Olympics are Beginning!

2010-02-12T19:15:00.000-05:00

Friday night is the opening ceremonies to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada! I hope you get a chance to watch part of it. This is a time when the countries of the world come together for goodwill. We will be learning about the Olympics next week!

Websites for Planet Report

2010-02-06T15:09:00.006-05:00

The following websites can be used for your planet report. We will work on most of the report at school.

The Planets of our Solar System

Kids Astronomy

The Nine Planets

Your Weight on Other Worlds

2010-02-04T19:54:00.001-05:00

http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

These are the websites that we explored in science.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html
Astronomy Picture of the Day

How Were the Planets Named?

2010-01-26T20:31:00.001-05:00

So how did the planets and their moons get their names? Check out this website.

http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0875452.html

Little House Link

2010-01-25T17:39:00.003-05:00

Here's the link from our reading lesson this week. Check out the full story at the library.

www.littlehousebooks.com

Fun Link

2010-01-18T08:03:00.003-05:00

Here's a fun link you can play with. Just click on the link and you'll go to the page. Create your own artwork, make designs, and just have fun! All the tools at the bottom of the page create different designs.

http://bomomo.com/

Look Who I Found!

2010-01-14T17:56:00.002-05:00

News from the Technology Conference

Hey Everyone, Look who I found wandering the conference floor! It's Moby! Yes, I met him and got my picture with him. My mission was accomplished!

Today I learned about some really cool websites! I can't wait to show you when I return to school.

I hope you are listening and working hard at school.

What is this?

2010-01-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

Along my walk this afternoon, I spotted this building. Can you tell me what this building is? Here's a hint, if you know where I am then you can get your parents to help you search online for this building. It's really cool!

Can you spot the camels?

2010-01-11T21:53:00.004-05:00

Bring your sweaters!

2009-12-29T19:05:00.005-05:00

As you get ready to come back to school on Monday, make sure you bring a sweater that you can throw on when we leave our classroom to enter the building. The temperatures will be cold outside (but we'll be toasty inside)! Make sure you dress appropriately when coming to school and always be prepared for outside recess. Save your tank tops and shorts for warmer weather.

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-18T17:05:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone has a fun and relaxing vacation! Make sure you make time to study your multiplication facts and work on your book report. Keep checking the blog as I'll post activities you can do when you're bored from being at home. :-)

Character Can Book Report

2009-12-10T20:58:00.004-05:00

The character can book report was assigned December 10. It will be due no later than January 20. Students are to choose a book before December 18. After reading the book, find a Pringles can (or a can with a similar shape) and create the main character out of the can. See the samples in the picture above. Inside the can should be an item representing a part of the book, and your book report form. Remember that you are to answer only THREE of the eight questions on the book report form.

Important Things to Keep in Mind:
* You may choose a book you are currently reading.
* Your book should be at your reading level and should be a chapter book.
* You may turn in your book report/character can before January 20, but not before Dec. 18.
* Your parents may help you glue items onto your can, but they are not to create the whole character- this is YOUR project.

If you need help in getting your report completed, please see me immediately. If you have any extra Pringles can, please bring them in for any students who cannot get a can.

I look forward to seeing your cans and hearing about your books!

Students: If you choose a book for your report this weekend, type it in the comments and I'll add it to my list!

Great Decimal Games!

2009-12-09T18:14:00.003-05:00

If you're looking for some games to practice decimals, click on the link below. Let me know which one is your favorite and don't forget that next Tuesday is your Math test!

http://www.decimalsquares.com/dsGames/

Who Could It Be?

2009-12-09T09:08:00.004-05:00

It's Christmas Eve and you can't sleep. Suddenly, you hear someone laughing and jingling bells outside your window. You creep to the window, but can't see anyone.

Tell what happens next.

Home Link Issues

2009-12-07T18:02:00.003-05:00

Are you having trouble with tonight's homelink? Skip the first 3 on the decimal page and do the rest. We'll go over the first three and I'll show you what was supposed to be shaded.

What's Your Favorite Game Show?

2009-12-04T18:48:00.007-05:00

After playing Jeopardy today, I asked you what your favorite game show is. There were some interesting ideas. In the comments section of this post only, leave the name of your favorite game show. You never know, you may see a version of the game show in class to review concepts.

2009-12-01T20:15:00.002-05:00

Can you tell me whether this lever is a Class One, Class Two, or Class Three Lever? If so, tell me in the comments section.

Bonus Math Work

2009-11-29T14:35:00.015-05:00

Extra Math Page
Looking for some extra math practice? Click the above link and answer the questions on the page. Then type your answers into the comments sections. If you're having trouble opening the link, let me know by email or click the comments.

Save Your Magazines or Advertisements

2009-11-26T17:27:00.005-05:00

If you have any old magazines (such as House and Garden sorts of magazines) and advertisements from Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, or any hardware stores and don't need them anymore, please bring them in! We will be using them to cut out pictures of various kinds of simple machines during science. Bring any materials in by Tuesday.

Post to Our Blog!

2009-11-23T18:06:00.005-05:00

Dear Students,

Let me know if you're checking our blog by clicking on the "Comments" link below. Did you know you can also leave comments, such as which games you've tried and liked and disliked on the Math websites? Feel free to write a review of a book, a review of a website, or a mini report on something you learned in class, and you can add it to our blog!

What's ahead in the next month?

2009-11-21T09:28:00.004-05:00

Dear Parents,

As the holidays are approaching, I'd like to provide an update on what's happening in the classroom and what to look forward to in the next month.

MATH: We will continue to work on mastering multiplication facts and a few students are already to the 6s! PLEASE keep practicing with your child at home. We'll spend December working Place Value.

READING: We will go back into the green Scholastic reader to read stories and work on comprehension. Continue to read with your child each night. Having your child read just 15 minutes each night aloud will help with fluency.

WRITING: Students will be working on the Writing Trait of Organization as well as some grammar skills. As students are completing Monday/Tuesday work in spelling, please check to make sure they are using 8.5 X 11 lined paper. Writing on the back of a worksheet or note cards is not acceptable and the assignment will be redone at recess if work is turned in this way.

SCIENCE: We have finished exploring balance and will be working with simple machines during December with Magnets soon to follow. Feel free to check out the websites to the right of this post for some Simple Machine websites.

SOCIAL STUDIES: We will finish Unit 1 in the Social Studies book, which deals with communities.

Week of November 23

2009-11-21T09:12:00.004-05:00

Math: We will go over the Unit 4 Math Test from Friday and take a multiplication timed test on Monday.

Reading: We'll read a Thanksgiving story together on the Activboard and complete a comprehension activity.

Writing: Students will finish writing their paragraph from the book Nothing Ever Happens on 90th Street.

There is no school Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! Enjoy your time off.

Week of November 16-20

2009-11-14T16:13:00.004-05:00

Reading: We'll be reading Thanksgiving on Thursday and practicing dictionary skills.

Math: Continue multiplication unit and practice multiplication facts. We'll test over unit 4 on Friday. Go to our class wiki and download the timed tests to practice at home.

Spelling: Thanksgiving list of 10 words was given out on Friday.

Science: We began a unit on Force and Motion. On Wednesday we'll head to the Avon Lake Public Library for a lesson on force and motion with Mr. Z.

Social Studies: We'll finish the first unit in our social studies book and work on map skills.

Week of November 2

2009-11-03T10:40:00.000-05:00

No School Election Day- November 3rd.

Reading: Finish reading Dragon in the Rocks. Students should have taken the reading book home to reread the story.

Writing: We will be working on extracting information to create a report on an owl.

Math: We just tested on Unit 3 and will be beginning Unit 4 which involves multiplication. Start studying the facts!

Science: Continue a study on Owls.

Social Studies: Avon Lake study

Week of October 26

2009-10-25T09:10:00.000-04:00

Reading: We will be reading The Little Red Ant in our literature book.

Writing: Continue work in our Write Traits workbook, with an emphasis on Ideas. We will then learn how to extract information from a nonfiction source to write a mini-report on owls.

Math: Unit 3 is coming to an end. A study guide will go home on Monday. The test is going to be Friday afternoon (after the Halloween festivities have died down.)

Science: We will continue our Owl Study and learn about the various kinds of owls, their habitats, and the adaptations of owls.

Social Studies: This week we will finish our study of Avon Lake. On Tuesday we will have a guest visitor to talk to the third graders about the Lake Road Cemetery and stories about the people buried there.

Bones Study

2009-10-11T13:16:00.004-04:00

Make sure you're studying the bones of your body. In case you need another bones study sheet, click on and print the one below. Your original should be in your E.A.G.L.E Binder.

Skeleton

Week of October 12-16

2009-10-10T15:03:00.003-04:00

Math: We've begun Unit 3 in Math which covers the topic of measurement. Help your child better understand measurement by taking a few minutes to look at a ruler with inches and centimeters. Identify where the 1/2 in and 1/4 in mark is. Here's a website with some Measurement games to try!

http://www.gamequarium.com/measurement.html

Reading: We will not be reading from the Scholastic reading book this week. We will be reading a nonfiction selection about Owls.

Writing: Spooky stories are being written during writing time! Readers beware, there are some scary haunted houses out there!

Spelling: No spelling words this week!

Science: We'll be finishing up our unit on Bones. Make sure to study the skeleton sheet. More bones will be added this week. Look for a test on the whole skeleton, sometime during the last week of October.

Week of September 28

2009-09-29T12:27:00.003-04:00

Reading: On the Pampas, we'll learn about an Argentinian farm.

Writing: Quotation Marks

Math: Finish the Unit and have a test on Friday. Study Guide is due Thursday!

Science: Continue the Bones Unit

Social Studies: Begin the unit on Avon Lake.

Week Ahead

2009-09-23T19:40:00.003-04:00

This week we'll continue with Unit 2 math. Continue to work on math facts at home. A math test over Unit 2 will happen next Friday! Look for a study guide to go home on Monday.

We have also begun a new unit in Science called "The Human Body." We'll be learning about the muscles and bones and will be creating a "life-size" skeleton and studying the names of the main bones in the body.

Picture Day Friday!

2009-09-14T20:19:00.003-04:00

This Friday is Picture Day! Information on ordering pictures went home last Friday. Make sure your child wears their brightest smile!

The Week Ahead...September 14-18

2009-09-14T20:12:00.003-04:00

Reading: Read Ramona Quimby

Writing: Review of grammar skills- periods & commas

Math: Take a PRE-test over Unit 2 to gather information on skills already mastered. This pretest will not be graded. We will begin unit 2 in math this week which is a review of addition and subtraction. Make sure you review math facts with your child.

Social Studies-begin Unit 1 in Social Studies

Science- Investigation in mirrors and finish unit on Inventions & Ideas.

The Week Ahead... September 8-11

2009-09-06T19:23:00.003-04:00

Reading: We'll read Gila Monsters Meet You at the Airport

Spelling: Pretest Tuesday, Final Test Thursday. Don't forget- Monday and Tuesday spelling work is due Wednesday.

Math: Finish Unit 1.
Unit 1 Study Guide is due THURSDAY!
Test on Friday!

Social Studies: Continue mapping skills

Science: Continue "Textures" with a special lesson from Officer Hurd on how the police use fingerprints to solve crimes.

The week ahead...August 31- Sept 4

2009-08-29T17:02:00.005-04:00

Thank you for attending Parent Information Night last Thursday. It was nice to meet all of you and show you the room. This coming week we'll be getting more into the groove of 3rd grade.

Math: We'll continue with Unit 1. By the end of the week, we'll be close to finishing the unit. Look for a Unit 1 Study Guide to come home this week for the Unit 1 test.

Reading: We'll be finishing the book:How to be Cool in the 3rd Grade

Spelling/Writing: We will not begin spelling until next week (Sept 7). Miss Berg will continue practicing capital letters in cursive with the class.

Science: We'll begin the Ideas and Inventions unit. Save some leaves, we'll need them Thursday!

Social Studies: Map skills with Miss Berg!

Class Supply List

2009-08-16T17:41:00.000-04:00

1 package of paper-wide ruled
1 Spiral bound notebook - wide rule (3 subject)
Box of crayons (16 or more)
White glue
Glue stick
Minimum of 10 medium soft lead #2 pencils-sharpened
4 pens (2 black, 2 blue-erasable)
Colored pencils
Scissors
Erasers
1 Highlighter - any color
3 Folders (two-pocket type)
Kleenex - 2 boxes
School bag or tote bag (necessary to carry schoolbooks, worksheets, notices, etc. to go home)
Gym shoes (to be kept at school) without black soles or cleats
Paint shirt - large old shirt (one of Dad's old ones - to be used for art class)
BOYS - 1 box (gallon size) zip-lock bags
GIRLS -1 box (sandwich size) zip lock bags
1 12" ruler w/centimeters and inches - No bendable rulers please
2 dry erase markers

Welcome to Third Grade!

2009-08-16T14:47:00.000-04:00

Welcome new students! I am very glad to have you in my class this year. It will be an exciting year! First of all let me tell you about our new room. We will be in the modular unit in the side yard of Erieview. You can see it when you drive by. It's very cool inside (literally- we have air conditioning!) and Mrs. Meiner's class will be next to us. We will also be getting a cool new Activboard and you know I can't wait for that! Unfortunately it's not here yet, so we will have to patiently wait. We will also start the school year welcoming, Miss Berg, our student teacher who will be with us until October. You'll get to meet her on the first day. Enjoy your last few days of summer vacation and I'll see bright and early August 25th!

Parent Information Night

2009-08-16T14:39:00.005-04:00

Parent Information Night is set for Thursday, August 27th. Third grade begins at 7:30 PM and ends at 7:55. This time affords me the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my expectations for the school year as well as to answer any questions you may have. You may also tour our modular unit!

Gradebook Wizard

2009-08-16T14:38:00.000-04:00

Please keep up to date on your child's progress through our online gradebook. Click on the link above to visit the site. If you need your username and password to log on please let me know. I will send home your username and password on Parent Information Night.