Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Finding the Author's Purpose


Ask your child about P.I.E. today!  This is so helpful when trying to determine the author's purpose.  Did the author write the text to persuade you? Inform you?  Entertain you?  The children have become experts on using this strategy when reading.   Knowing the author's purpose helps set the tone for the story and aids in comprehension.

Monday, March 25, 2013

MCAS news

MCAS testing begins this week.  The children will have the first session of the English/Language Arts MCAS on Thursday morning.  Please make sure that all children arrive at school promptly and have eaten a healthy breakfast.  The children are well prepared and should focus on getting a good night's sleep in order to think most clearly during the test.

Due to Passover, MCAS and Good Friday, we will not be assigning homework this week.  The children who are making up any tests should be prepared to do so on Wednesday this week.  I have spoken to those children and they are aware of this.

Although we are not assigning homework, please encourage your child to read each night.  If you are looking for more to do, there are supplemental learning activities on the blog for your child.

Have a great week!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Homework: Improper fractions and Mixed Numbers

Dear Parents and Students of 3B,
In an attempt to increase the understanding of difficult math concepts, I am trying something new.  Please have your children watch this Khan Academy video, which teaches the concepts of converting improper fractions and mixed numbers.  The children should feel free to pause the video, rewind it or watch it as many times as needed to increase their comprehension of this concept.  Following the video, they should complete the fraction worksheet sent home.  Thank you and I'd appreciate any comments about how this worked for your child.  I have turned the comment section on below if you'd like to add any helpful comments or questions.




Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Our Trip to Turtle Lane Maple Farm

Our guide showed us how to prepare the tree to be tapped.



Learning about the process of making syrup.  This tied in nicely with our work on the water cycle. Temperature and evaporation are critical when making syrup!

We got a wee bit distracted by the mud! :)


The sap was running!  Now for some pancakes....

Monday, March 11, 2013

Get Your Adverbs Here!