Body Systems

We're having loads of fun learning about body systems in Science.  We started by exploring what a system is (anything made of parts that work together to do a job).  The kids studied the parts of a flashlight and the parts of a phone at school then went hunting at home for the systems they live with everyday.  They came back with great ideas.  Some I completely expected (X-Box, PSP, TV, Computer, etc.), but others, like a door (parts: handle, lock, hinge, wood panels  job: keep my little brother out of my room) and a Lazy Boy chair (parts: handle, padding, fabric, headrest, footrest, etc.  job: let you be lazy), were a big surprise.  You've gotta love 3rd graders!

We then turned our attention to the systems in our body (nervous, skeletal, digestive, respiratory and circulatory).  As we study these systems we are trying to answer three essential questions.

1. What are some of the jobs of this system?
2. How can I keep this system healthy?
3. How does this system work with the other systems we are studying?

Today in class we turned a balloon, cooking oil, and a wad of bread into a model of our digestive system.  Ask your student to tell you how this helped them to understand #3!

For more information on the body systems and everything else we're learning, be sure to check out edmodo.com with your child!

Practicing Place Value

Place value understanding supports almost every other skill in math.  We teach it first every year for that reason.  It's a critical skill.

Here's a way you can practice at home.  Draw this place value chart on a large piece of paper:

__________  __________  __________  ,  __________  __________  __________
hundred             ten                   one                   hundred             ten                  one
thousand          thousand         thousand

Ask your child this question: is 6 always worth the same amount?  (It's not, but don't try to convince them of that yet!  Just listen to their thinking.)  Now, grab some post it note and write the number 6 on it.  Put the 6 on the line above the tens place.  What is the value of 6 tens?  Notice, we aren't asking how many tens, we want them to tell us the value, or worth, of 6 tens.  If your child isn't able to tell you the value is 60, draw 6 rods (The kids will know what this is...a rod is a base-10 block that is worth 10.  You draw it like a tally mark.)  Now count by tens to get 60.  Ask again, what is the value of 6 tens?  Now move the post it to the thousands place.  What is the value of the 6 now?  Help them to understand 6 thousands is worth 6,000.  Repeat this process, moving the 6 around to different place values.  Revisit the original question: is 6 always worth the same amount?

Change the post it from a 6 to a different digit and go through the process again reinforcing their understanding that the PLACE a digit is in determines it's VALUE.  Notice that during this process we aren't filling in all of the place values or making numbers yet.  Wait until they have a solid understanding before moving on.

When they're ready, start using whole numbers up to 999,999.  Tell them you want to play a game.  (They love games.  Call it a game and the tension level drops immediately.  It doesn't even matter if the game is kinda lame. :)  Write a number and underline one of the digits.  Have them tell you the value of the underlined digit.  For example:  654,709.  The underlined digit is a 5.  The 5 is in the ten thousands place.  The value of 5 in the ten thousands place is 50,000.  Note for my struggling learners:  If they have trouble figuring out what place value the five is in have them point to each number and say its place value.  Point to the 9 and say, "ones."  Point to the 0 and say "tens."  Point to the 7 and say "hundreds."  And so on until they get to the underlined place value.  Trust me, they can't do that enough.  If they still struggle, make a post it for each digit and physically place it on the place value chart.  Still confused?  Take all the other digits back off the chart leaving the 5 in the ten thousands place.  Connect it back to what they were doing before.  When they get it right let them award themselves a star, a sticker or a point on their paper.  Ready to play?

Have fun!  Be sure to let me know any time you need ideas to help your child this year.  Together we help them do great things!

Introducing Division

Ever wished you knew how your child was being taught so you could speak their language?  Here's a peek inside a recent lesson introducing division and connecting it to what they already know about multiplication...


Today I’m going to teach you that when you split or separate a larger amount like 10 pieces of gum into equal smaller amounts, we call this division.  For example, if I start out with 4 pieces of gum, but have to split it with my sister, how many pieces would we each get?  Think aloud, “Well, I know my sister and I are not getting 4 pieces because there are only 4 pieces. It has to be a smaller amount because I can’t have all of them. The amount we each get also has to be equal because we are sharing.” Draw three circles (one on top representing mom with all the gum) two on bottom representing two kids and deal pieces of gum accordingly.

Mathematicians call this division and we use this symbol to show that a larger amount is being separated into smaller equal amounts.  Show mathematicians represent this situation as a division equation with symbol. 
10 divided by 2 = 5: (Link to multiplication.)  I wonder what would happen if my sister changed her mind and gave the 5 pieces of gum back. How many would I have now? What happened to my amount? Hopefully your student will say it was doubled!!! How can we show that as a number sentence?

 

Consider keeping a math notebook at home to save all the wonderful thinking you and your child do as you explore math together!  Enjoy!

Technology and Fitness in Balance

The technology available today is so exciting!  It's changing the way we learn, the way we connect and expanding our world view.  At MRE our goal is to get our students ready to take their place in a world transformed by technology.  Did you know many of the careers that will be available to them don't even exist today?  Not too long ago I heard about some of the expected positions.  The one that jumped out at me was "Rain Police."  Imagine needing someone who can police the use and movement of rain clouds!  Our kids need to be ready for a world very different than the one we joined as graduates.

This week my third graders took a step toward that future.  In the computer lab they learned to use Edmodo.com.  Edmodo is a social, educational network used by students to share ideas, explore teacher recommended websites, and much more!  Ask your student to show you this exciting online tool at home by logging onto Edmodo.com and typing in their KISD username and password (taped onto the inside binder pocket).  Be sure to use capital letters when typing in their password.  The links are labeled Math, Science or View at Home.  View at Home links are simply things we have already done at school or are enrichment links that I don't want them to spend time on during our limited school day.  All links are available to enjoy at home.  

While on Edmodo students should limit their comments to Math and Science talk.  We've spent a lot of time discussing what this means in class.  We are working on staying in the moment, soaking up all of the learning that is available, and limiting distractions that would rob us of the opportunity to enjoy Math/Science.  Appropriate Edmodo comments should share excitement, connections to concepts, those "a ha!" moments in our learning, or ask questions to help our understanding.  The students have really enjoyed Edmodo and are doing a great job sharing their thinking!

Through Edmodo students can also access a link to The Global Children's Challenge.  This experience will be an excellent opportunity to practice balance between being online and being physically active.  The kids will be joining children in classes around the world who will all be working as teams to increase their physical fitness by collecting steps to unlock locations on a virtual globe.  This is a special opportunity available to Mrs. Foley's classes via Fund for Teachers.  I am so excited about the potential to build community, develop teamwork skills, and enjoy all the benefits of regular exercise.  As a runner (slow, but steady), I've experienced the difference exercise can make in well being.  My hope is for all of us to come to school each day energized, even-tempered and ready to go!  

We will be talking about The Challenge on Monday in morning meeting.  Students will be given pedometers on Tuesday.  (Please don't tell them!  It's a surprise!!)  They will wear the pedometers each day from the time they rise to bedtime.  The pedometers aren't waterproof though, so bath time is a no go!  

Parents, I could use some help with this activity.  There was a limit of 33 pedometers per homeroom.  Unfortunately, we are currently 6 pedometers short of every child having their own.  If you are able to donate a pedometer, please let me know as soon as possible.  I plan to pass out the pedometers on Tuesday, but I would like to have any donated items by Monday night in order to gift wrap them before giving them to the children.  Later donations would still be appreciated, as I can still pass them out to students sharing pedometers.  Thank you so much for any help you can offer!

One last thing, I've started a Twitter account to share classroom hints, reminders, questions to ask your child about their day, and other hopefully helpful stuff.  This is my first year with a classroom blog and Twitter account,@Adventuresin3rd,  but I would expect the Twitter account to have more of the day to day information you might find helpful.  

Have a wonderful evening!