January 24th, 2014

Happy Friday!!  It has been a great week at Hawthorn.  The only thing that could make it better would be warmer temperatures, but it looks like we'll have to wait a little longer for that. 

This week, we continued to work in our book clubs, analyzing characters and theme.  Theme can be a very challenging idea for 8 and 9 year olds. Theme is the central message the author is trying to teach. We often present it as a life lesson the character learns.

Lately, I have been trying to stress that getting smarter is hard work, but we mustn't give up.  Encourage your child to persevere through complex problems.  Ask them questions about their reading or to explain their thinking/process in math. Continued exposure to this type of thinking will make students less likely to throw in the towel when things get hard.

In Social Studies, we have wrapped up our work on significant individuals: Martin Luther King Jr.  Please ask your child what they've learned about MLK's work and the civil rights movement.  They should be able to tell you what a boycott is and that MLK promoted nonviolent action to make change. 


 

 



In Math, we are continuing our work with multiplication.  Please dedicate some time at home to practice the memorization of these facts.  There are many websites students can visit that will help with this. Multiplication.com is one I've used in the past.  Also, there is an app called SPLASH Math that you can download on to a tablet for practice. 

 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the following events:

 

1/31- Donuts with Dad (blue fliers have been sent home)(7:45-8:30)

 

2/13- 3rd Grade Symphony Field Trip (9-12)

 

Finally, I wanted to share a cute little video clip of Mrs. Miller's, our new counselor's, lesson this week.  She has been working with the students on steps they can take to avoid having overly emotional reactions.  With all of the cold weather, it is nice to get the kids up and moving during class time.  Enjoy!

 



 



Happy 2014!!

Hi Everyone,
I'm sorry it has been so long since I've written.  We've been plenty busy around here!!

New Year Resolutions

Last week we spent a lot of time reviewing our progress and establishing goals for the new year.  Your child thought about academic and personal goals they had for themselves and made a plan to help them be more successful.  Of course, every resolution needs a little "New Year Bling" to dress it up.  Below is a sample of our resolutions:

Our New Year Resolution Display

ELA

This week we have begun studying book series.  Students have chosen a book to read and have been organized into "book clubs".  Each day they are reading a chapter during class and then meeting with their "club" members to discuss what they've learned in the chapter. We are primarily focusing on characters and how they change through the course of a series and how they stay the same. 

In writing, we have begun our unit on Persuasive Speech writing!  We have only had two lessons, so far, but I sense sharing opinions and trying to persuade others will be highly motivating to this group of kiddos.  (I've already heard the beginning of a "class pet" argument.)  YIKES!

Math

We are continuing to work on multiplication.  This week we've worked to notice patterns within multiples.  A lot of the students are struggling to remember their multiples of 9.  Have you noticed the digits of multiples of 9 always equal 9, when they are added together?

18(1+8=9)      27(2+7=9)      36(3+6=9)     45(4+5=9)     54(5+4=9)     63     72     81     90



 I shared a tip with the class:  To find the product of a 9s fact, first, look at the other factor (not the 9).  In the tens place of your answer you will write the digit that comes before that other factor.  Next, think "what plus this equals nine". That missing addend will be the digit you write in the ones place.  Knowing what number partners equal 9 will help greatly.  (See below for an example:)

An example of the little tip I explained above

The "partners" that equal nine

Our classroom hundred chart we studied to find patterns

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for the following events:

1/18- PTA Mercury Gymnastics Night (6:30-8)

1/20- No School MLK Day

1/31- Donuts with Dad for Watch Dogs (7:45-8:30)

2/13- 3rd Grade Symphony Field Trip (9-12)



If you are interested in attending the field trip, please write a note in your child's planner.  Because of the number of seats allotted, we will only be able to take 2 parents per classroom.  We will be drawing names next Wednesday.  

 

Winter Extravaganza

Merry Christmas!  It is such an exciting time of year.  I can tell the students are pretty amped up. I've noticed a great deal of "off task" behavior, recently. Please discuss the importance of staying focused and doing quality work throughout the next 2 weeks of school.  I've explained to students that I am often called upon by Santa as a character witness regarding "naughty" and "nice" behavior.

I hope you have marked your calendar for this Saturday and our annual Winter Extravaganza!  This week a hot pink paper was sent home with information regarding this Hawthorn tradition from 8:30-11:30 am.  I hope to see you there.

On Friday, I sent home a study guide for students to review finding Missouri and its boarder states on the map.  I've asked students to spend a little bit of time each night studying the maps and identifying those places.  We will be testing over this information early next week.

Next week will be our final week of school for second quarter. Next Friday, we will have a school wide Read-In beginning at 9:30.  Students are welcome to wear their pj's and bring pillows for the event.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Hi Parents!  Thanks for dropping by to see what's happening with the Super Heroes of Room 205. 

Reading and Writing and History...Oh My!

We have been deep into information text, both in reading and writing!  We began identifying text features and structure and have now moved on to identifying main idea and details.  In order to make students' learning relevant, we have added some festive connections to our reading.  This week we have been studying the interactions between Native Americans and the Pilgrims.  Please ask your child to share any new information they've learned about this time in history.

Math

In math, we have just wrapped up our unit focused on regrouping in addition and subtraction.  I will send home the Topic 3 test next week for you to see along with extra practice pages for students who might need more time to work on the skill.  This can be a difficult task for 3rd graders, especially when having to regroup across zeros.  When working on the skill, it is often good to have math tools to help students visualize what is meant when we cross out digits and change them into new ones.  I have shown students a special web-tool they can use when solving regrouping problems. 

The following button can be found on the school website and links kids up to an assortment of virtual manipulatives they can use to help them with math.  Please feel free to use any of these tools when working on the math homework.

Moving forward in math, we will begin multiplication next week!!  A review of multiplication flash cards or multiplication facts through computer games will greatly benefit your child as we move forward.

Reminders

The Hawthorn Food and Clothing Pantry will be open next Tuesday night.  We are still collecting non perishable food items and clothing.  Thank you to all who have donated!

NO SCHOOL- November 27th thru Dec.1st.
Barnes and Noble Book Fair- Dec. 7th (11 to 3)
Winter Extravaganza- Dec. 14th

Parent Teacher Conferences!

Last night began Parent/Teacher Conferences.  I look forward to meeting with all of you, sharing your child's successes, and next steps for improvement. 

The reading log and math week #10 will be due on Monday October, 28th.  I will then send home a new (shortened) homework assignment due Friday Nov. 1st. 

Looking Ahead:

3rd Grade Demonstration Program and Math Night! 

Tuesday October, 29th is a school-wide math night along with our 3rd Grade Demonstration Program.  Students should wear their 3rd grade t-shirt that evening.  Our class's music demonstration begins at 6:00 pm.  I will be asking students to meet me in the cafeteria at 5:50 pm. 

Either before or after the program, families are welcome to visit the classroom and see what our new math series looks like and play some math games. 

Fall Parties!

Our fall parties will begin at 2:00 on Thursday October 31st.  During conferences, I will have you sign up to bring items for our celebration.  I will then make this sign-up available on Google Docs later tonight.  This is always a fun time for our students and families.  Parties will wrap up at 3:00.

The 15 Minute Blog

Hi everyone!  I have several things I want to share with you, but only a short time to write.  So, I've set my timer and will begin by sharing the most important information first!

Grade Cards

I will be sending home 1st quarter grade cards this afternoon.  In the manila envelope you will find your child's two-page grade card, along with a one-page paper entitled "Expected Performance Levels: Quarter 1".  Because of the nature of standards based grading, a great deal of what I teach is on a continuum.  We begin the work at the beginning of the year and continue practicing and learning how to apply these skills and strategies throughout their time in 3rd grade. The "Expected Performance Levels" page will tell you where I expect students to be along the continuum at this point in the school year.  When comparing your child's grade card to the "Expected Levels of Performance" paper, you may notice your child performed above, below, or right at the level expected at this time.  I will be happy to answer any questions about the grade card at conferences, next week.

Conferences

I have stapled a conference reminder slip into your child's planner today.  Please mark this on your calendar. I look forward to meeting with all of you to discuss your child's growth.  See you Wed. or Thurs.!!

Looking Ahead

Next week is Red Ribbon Week!  Students are encouraged to wear red all week long to support anti-bullying and drug awareness.  There will be activities during lunch and recess for students to participate in.

That is all for now.  I will be sending out information regarding Fall Parties, 3rd Grade Demonstration Program/Math Night, and 2nd quarter goals soon.

Have a great weekend!

Jodi

October 4th, 2013

Hi Parents! 

First off, don't forget tonight is Movie Night in the Hawthorn Gym.  Festivities begin at 7pm.

For more information about upcoming events in October, click here.  Also, don't forget book orders are due Tuesday, October, 8th. 

A big "Thank You" for participating in the Math-a-Thon!  Hawthorn was able to raise $8,070.00!  The money will be used to enhance classroom instruction and school climate.  As a reward for meeting our goal of $8,000.00, the ice cream truck will make a visit to Hawthorn and all students will receive a tasty treat.

Our 3rd grade demonstration program is coming up at the end of the month.  Click herefor more information from Mrs. Bradshaw. 

Academics:

In reading, this week we continued our work of following character through stories and developing theories about these characters based on what they do and say.  We are talking a lot about character traits, motivation, and predicting based on what we know about the characters. 

 

In writing, we were busy putting the final touches on our true stories.  Next week we will be sharing them with some Kindergarten friends.  We can't wait for you to share them with you, too!

 

In math, we are working on addition and subtraction strategies.  Today we focused on strategies for mentally combining two 2-digit numbers.  One strategy it "make a ten" and the other is "break apart".  Ask your child to see if they can explain the strategy.  If you would like to know more about these strategies, let me know.  I'd be happy to show you. :)

 

In science, we are wrapping up our plant unit.  This week we explored the concept of pollination with a fun, hands-on activity. 

 

As always, thanks for taking the time to read the blog!  Be sure to enjoy your wonderful children all weekend long!

 

-Jodi