Science Review

Review and complete the information on this page to get ready for your test.

• Be able to label a picture with the parts of a plant
• Be able to name the two types of roots we learned about
• Be able to label the 6 major parts of a flower
• List three 3 jobs that roots do for the plant
• Be able to explain how plants get pollinated by bees
• Be able to name and explain the 6 things that plants need to survive.

Reading is great-Comprehension is better!

I always have parents ask me how they can help their child with their reading. Well I'd like to move beyond reading a little here and discuss comprehension as well. By grade 3 most of our students can read sufficiently well to read most short fiction and non-fiction texts. Yes we do have some students that aren't quite up to a grade 3 reading level (as measured by our pm benchmarks), but there are plenty of selections for students to read. The next concern is are they using the reading strategies we teach them effectively in order to promote a deep understanding of the text and the characters. That's is where comprehension comes in to the picture. It's very hard for parents to know how to help their child with that. Parents can usually give students ideas and support for reading and decoding words that are difficult for the child, but struggle with knowing what to do to help with comprehension. First of all, RELAX!! Anything you do with your child that revolves around reading with, to and for them is helping them master this difficult skill. I am including a short two page cheat sheet that has lots of great ideas for parents. The second page has great suggestions for questions and discussions you can have with your child regarding their comprehension of what they are reading. Try it out and have some fun with it!! We all have busy lives, but 30 minutes a night really goes a long way. Good Luck.

Okay I'm new to posting pdf files on my blog,so please just try clicking the link below. If it doesn't work let me know and I will print you a copy.

Reading Cheat Sheet

Gardening for science

It's always a bonus when you can tie our science program to actual hands-on activities. We have been learning all about plants, roots, seeds and pollination in science. In these pictures we are learning about tulip bulbs and what conditions they need to grow and flourish. After a little pep talk from Ms. Nancy, we examined the tulip bulbs and planted them in the front of the school. Next spring we will see how our work paid off. 

Math Videos For Review

This Friday we will have our first "math test". I put it  in quotes because we are constantly assessing the students on their skills and I don't want parents or students to get overly stressed about this one form of assessment. This 'math test' will be only one piece of the assessment puzzle. With that in mind, I am including some short videos for the students to use as a form of review. I will be sending home some homework sheets that cover  most of the material that will be assessed.

Practicing math facts

The W.E.C.D.S.B. is focused on improving of students math skills. We are putting a lot of time and energy into providing our students with the best data tested math instruction available. One of the key components of our math program this year will be to have students practice their math facts in fun, interactive play based activities. Earlier this year I posted some pictures of the students playing some numeracy games at the start of our math block. The pictures below are games that support the concept of place value. Place value is one of those foundational concepts that students must master before they move onto higher level mathematics in the junior grades. If you get a chance ask your child about the games in the pictures and what they are learning. Have a great day!

Estimation and Rounding

The ability to use estimation strategies is an important skill to develop in our young mathematicians. One way we use our estimation skills is in rounding numbers to the nearest 10 and nearest 100. Students struggle with these concepts and it takes a lot of good guided practice to make kids feel comfortable with rounding. I have a short video below that I like to show kids before we begin rounding in the classroom. I encourage you to watch it with your child and discuss any questions they may have. In the next few days I will post another video that discusses rounding to 100 as well.