October 24 - 28th

I would like to extend a big thank you to the parents and guardians who were able to take time out of their busy schedules to attend parent/teacher conferences. It was so great to meet with you to discuss your child's progress. I'm looking forward to seeing the students' continued growth as the year progresses!

VIP

We really enjoyed having Miss K as our VIP this week. She was a very busy girl helping out in the classroom. It was also great to have Kadie's mom come in to read her special letter to the class.

Writer's Workshop

This week our focus was on using Elaborative Detail in our writing.  First I read the story I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll to get us thinking about how to make our writing more interesting by including details.  While most of the great description of the monsters occurs through the pictures in this book, there are fabulous describing words and phrases woven throughout this story about imaginary monsters.  We discussed how vivid word choice and specific detail not only make for an interesting paragraph, but become powerful tools for building vocabulary.  The students started writing an elaborative piece about their own imaginary monster under their beds. Their paragraphs will be completed next week.

Sharing - "Author's Chair"

Each day our Writer's Workshop ends with sharing in the "Author's Chair". This usually takes about 5 minutes where the students are able to share their writing with the class. During this time the "audience" is asked to share what is called "TAG": TAG stands for - Tell one thing you liked about the writing, Ask one question, and Give one suggestion.

Reading Workshop

This week we worked on the comprehension reading strategy "visualization" using "Where the Wild Things Are" as a mentor text. Visualizing strengthens reading comprehension skills as students gain a more thorough understanding of the text they are reading by consciously using the words to create mental images. As students gain more deliberate practice with this skill, the act of visualizing text becomes automatic. Students who visualize as they read not only have a richer reading experience but can recall what they have read for longer periods of time.

Amazing Race Challenge

.....and they've landed in India! Great job boys!

Math

We covered the following curricular outcomes this week in math:

- understand how to represent numbers in expanded form and how to recognize a number written in expanded form. 

- read and write number words for any number between 0 and 99.

- read and write number words for three-digit numbers.

- practice interchanging between the various number representations covered thus far (number words, base ten blocks, and expanded form) for one-, two-, and three-digit numbers.

Science

Thank you to Leduc # 1 for lending the Grade 3 classes different samples of the 3 types of rocks as well as some fossils!

In science the students got to experience the life of a Geologist! The students performed a "Pet Rock Experiment" on the rocks gathered during their rock walk. Given a description of the properties of rocks, the students were to determine the colour, hardness, lustre (shininess), texture and the presence of carbonates of their rocks. Please ask your child to tell you what it means if a rock floats.

Vinegar on a cut does not feel good!

Art

The students completed their Monster Mama paint blowing projects. They look great and are on display just in time for Halloween!

On Friday the students spent some time making paper Jack O'Lanterns and Ghosts to decorate our classroom for the Halloween Party on Monday.

Student of the Week

Congratulations to Mr. B for being chosen as the Student of the Week during assembly on Friday. Keep up the great work!

Also, congratulations to Taven for meeting his reading goal and having his name drawn to win a free game of laser tag!