TWAS #15

T.W.A.S. #15

This week at school in math we did multiplication and learned about subitizing.  Subitizing is when you don’t count and [just look at the group of objects and know how many]. In social studies we are learning about governments in Ukraine, Tunisia, Peru and India. In science were doing centers for rocks and minerals. In gym were learning about badminton were also learning how to rally and serve. In book clubs we have a book that we have to read it with a group and then discuss the book. We also have to ask questions.

By A. and D.

Teacher Input:

We began “Book Clubs” this week and are very excited about it!  Students selected their top 3 picks for a book they would like to read and then Ms. Hardacre and I sorted them into groups between 2-5.  The books were somewhat sorted into levels and the students in a group all have a similar reading level.  Students were provided with a Bingo Sheet with different comprehension skills they can work on as they read their book, along with a bookmark containing discussion questions that they can use.  Before reading, groups can discuss what they read last time (summarize), ask any questions or make predictions about what they will be reading.  Students also may sketch something they were able to visualize while reading, and/or make connections to their books.  As Ms. Hardacre and I circulate through the groups we are enjoying the rich discussion and oral reading with are able to observe from the students.

The students were very excited to see the beginning of “multiplication” and division this week.  Key concepts for students to understand are the concept of skip counting, repeated addition, and “groups of”.  Students in grade 3 need to have memorized multiplication facts up to 5, so we will be working on that in class and students can practice that at home. 

Students have continued learning about rocks and minerals while studying the different kinds of rocks, minerals, and fossils in centers.  Two good resources online include: learnalberta - Online Reference Centre -  PowerKnowledge Earth; AND google search: “kids love to learn” – Grade 3 – Science – Rocks and Minerals.    

T.W.A.S. #14

T.W.A.S. #14
Feb 2- 5

This was another busy week in Grade 3 - so Ms. Rutland is updating the blog.  We started our shortened week with a field trip to the Glenbow Museum.  Both classes had an opportunity to participate in the "Geodes to Gems" Program which fit in with our Rocks and Minerals Science Unit. We also took a guided tour of several of the other exhibits.  Top it off with a quick trip to City Hall for lunch - and it was a jam packed day of learning!
In Social Studies we explored what countries are ranked the "happiest" by their citizens.  We watched a video on YouTube (the 25 Happiest Countries in the World) and picked out the common indicators that led people to feel happy.  Students will be creating a Wordle with these next week (watch for those!)
In Math we continue to work on addition and subtraction of 3 digit numbers using problem solving and games.  The Estimation Jar continues to be a hit - with one of the largest totals to date (that was a lot of tiny beads to count)!
We had a kick off assembly for Jump Rope for Heart and a team-building activity with toilet paper outfits.  Throw in a Family Dance on Thursday and we'd all agree February is off to a great start!

Things we learned about rocks and minerals:

·      The hardest mineral in the world is a diamond.  Only another diamond will cut it.  Diamonds are used for tools.

·      The streak test is done on a piece of porcelain tile and it shows a mineral’s true colour. 

·      All colours of Calcite have a white streak test.

·      The oldest rock is older than dinosaurs

·      Some minerals glow in the dark with black light.  The black light gives the energy to the rock and they glow to release that energy (because they can’t move).  There is a specific kind of mineral in the rock to help it grow.

·      Geodes are hollowed out rocks with crystals inside of it

·      Halitite is salt

·      Animal that lived in the ocean is now extinct. It’s shell is a special kind of rock.

·      Minerals and rocks are all shapes and colours and textures

·      Digger ants uncover gold in Egypt.

·      Geologist study rocks and minerals

·      Rocks are made of many different minerals

·      Your finger nail can be harder than a mineral

·      All months have a birthstone

·      3 types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary, and metaphoric

·      Our toothpaste contains the mineral Flourite

·      Quartz is a mineral

T.W.A.S. #13

T.W.A.S. #13

This week at school we presented our instruments with Ms.Hardacre’s students. Half of our class would present in Ms. Rutland’s class, the other half would present in Ms.Hardacre’s class and same with Ms.Hardacre’s class. Speaking of science, this week we started a new unit and that new unit is rocks and minerals. So far we have learned about igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Igneous rocks are made from magma (as in lava). Metamorphic rocks are made when heat and pressure or both change the rocks. Sedimentary rocks are made by layers of rocks being pushed together by weathering.

We also worked with our Kindergarten Buddies putting the dinosaur puppets they made into PhotoBooth so they can make their own Dinosaur comics.