Scoot Perimeter

This morning we practiced our perimeter skills. The kids did a fun activity called "Perimeter Scoot." First we lined up all our tables. Each child started with one perimeter task card. They copied the perimeter out into an equation and solved it. Then every minute I yelled "scoot" and they had to bum scoot to the left. This was a fun activity and the kids didn't even realize how hard they were working! We will be trying this activity again during our area unit next week!

Measurement Madness

This week we have been busy learning all abot measuring. Yesturday we focused on measuring classroom objects by their length, width and height. First we talked about what those words meant and did some examples as a class. Then the students got in groups of three and measured some classroom objects. I encourage you to get your child measuring at home so they can have more practise in recognizing the length, width and height of household objects, plus it really is a lot of fun!

Uses of Plants

 

This week we began our last unit in science! The unit is all about plants. To start the unit we talked about different uses of plants such as cotton for our clothing and tobaco for First Nation ceremonies. To get us inspired we went outside. Once outside the students worked independently and then in small groups to come up with a list of different uses of plants. Here are a few pictures from our beautiful afternoon outside.

Graphing

In math this month we will be learning all about interpreting data. To start the unit off we learned about the importance of a graph (to record and interpret data about a given topic). Today the students had an opportunity to survey their classmates on their favorite winter activity. They then took that data and created a tally graph. Here are a few pictures of our fun math class today!

Throughout the unit the students will learn about and create their own pictographs, line plots, and bar graphs. They will also have an opportunity to interpret other graphs such as circle graphs. With all of the fun we are having in class don't be surprised if they start to survey you and make graphs at home!

Mad about Magnets

Currently in science we are learning all about magnets. To start off we did an experiment to see what magnets are attracted to and we learned that magnets are attracted to metals such as steel and iron. Next we learned about the different poles on a magnet and that like poles repel (North and North) and opposite poles attract (North and South). Today we learned about the different strength of magnets and did a fun experiment and tested the strength of two magnets. We learned that the size of a magnet is not the only factor in the strength of it.

Here a few pictures of all the fun we have been having in science:

Fraction Action

Today in math we learned a new game called Fraction Action! To play the game the students got in groups of 2. They needed a game board, 2 sided chips and a cup. After deciding which color each player was going to be (red or white) the game got started. One player got to shake the cup and then dump it. Each player had to get his/her colored chips and figure out what fraction they dumped. The winning fraction won the round! This game helped us work on our new skill of ordering fractions with the same denominator. There was a fierce competition and the kids had a lot of fun playing.

Have a good weekend!

Friction Fun

Welcome back I hope everyone had a nice, relaxing break! Our next science unit is Forces and Magnetism. This week we are focusing on friction.

Here a few games and videos we will be playing and watching this week to learn more about friction.

Games:
Fun with friction http://pbskids.org/sid/funwithfriction.html
Friction http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/gamesactivities/friction.html

Videos:
Bill Nye Friction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYigk-J-tjU
What is Friction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7NPD9W0kro
Friction Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNDRIicw4E0

 

This week in Social Studies the students were challenged when they were asked to create a map of the world (without tracing!!!). They had a picture of a world map to use as reference but their drawings are entirely theirs. The maps turned out wonderfully and I think the children were extra proud knowing they had drawn them on their own.

 

 

 

 



Divison

Today we started division in math. I introduced the topic of division the same way we began multiplication; with groups. We started with a whole class instruction, then the kids worked in groups of two and finally they worked independently to show off their new skills. The students caught on quickly and I am excited to watch them learn some more division skills these next two weeks.

Library Visit

 

On Thursday we visited the Kamsack Library with Mrs. Verigin. Once we got to the library we got to meet the librarian. She showed us the different book sections and explained to us some of the cool things the Kamsack Library has to offer, such as large print books. After that the kids had some exploring time where they got to read with one another and see just how many books the library has.

 

Mrs. Verigin brought her art supplies along and helped us make monster book marks.

 

 

To finish off the visit I read the students a few books. We took an extra long walk back to enjoy the beautiful day! Thanks coming with us Mrs. Verigin and big thanks to the Kamsack Library for letting us come visit!

 





Multiplication Strategies

I found a great video last night that explains the different multiplication strategies. Give it a watch if you would like some more understanding of the different ways we have been learning to solve multiplication.

Multiplication Madness

In March we have been busy multiplying in grade 3! We have done a variety of hands on activities as well as some paper and pencil practice. We have learned a variety of strategies in multiplication including groups, arrays, and fact families. This week we are focusing on repeated addition as multiplication and multiplication using skip counting.

Here are some pictures to show you what we have been up to!

 

 

Please continue practicing multiplication at home. There are many fun games for the kids to practice on the blog as well as reviewing the flash cards at home. I also found a super fun repeated addition as multiplication game today that would help your child with this weeks learning! Just click on the link below and play away!

Repeated addition and multiplication memory match-up

Final Project

Before the break we wrapped up our structures and materials unit in science. As a final project we decided to make tipi's. To get the students excited about tipi making we watched a video on tipi making, read an article by Elder Mary Lee and had a classroom discussion. It was great to hear the students knowledge on tipi's. The next day we made our tipis and talked about how tipis fit into our unit. Our discussion questions were:

1.Why is a tipi considered a strong structure (think of the shape of the tipi)? 2. Is a tipi considered a temporary or permanent structure? Why?3. Typically how many poles are in a tipi? How would that affect the stability of a tipi? 4. Do you think a tipi would be more stable if it was taller or shorter? Why?5. List the materials and fasteners used in a tipi.

The tipi's turned out wonderfully. Here are a few pictures of us making them.