I hope you enjoyed your family day weekend! We sure have been enjoying the nicer temperatures and extra daylight! Here are some quick updates for our class.
Math - In Math, we are currently practicing the break it down (expanded form) strategy to solve 2 and 3 digit addition equations. This strategy helps students to clearly see the place value of each number during the addition process. Providing an organized and visual structure while students are first learning multi-digit addition and subtraction with and without regrouping is essential in deepening their understanding of number. In Grade 3, multiple strategies are taught such as using a hundreds chart, drawing visual base ten models, and breaking it down into expanded form so students can strengthen their number sense and find a strategy that works consistently for them. We do practice using the traditional algorithm method once students have learned the other strategies so they have a stronger understanding of what is happening to the numbers as they are regrouped. Ask your kiddo to show you an example and explain their process.
Science - In Science, we have been working on our engineering skills! We built and tested pillars and arches this week. We put 3 different shapes of cardstock paper pillars to the test - triangular, rectangular, and cylindrical. Using heavy textbooks, we stacked them on top until our pillars could no longer hold the weight. The kiddos were shocked at how many textbooks we were able to stack. The strongest pillars held 33 textbooks before collapsing!
Here are some questions you can ask your child about the experiments we completed this week:
- Why did the cylindrical shaped pillar hold the most weight?
- Why were the rectangular and triangular shaped pillars unable to hold as much weight?
- What held more weight - 4 small pillars or 1 large pillar? Why?
- Why is an arch a strong shape?
- What makes a structure strong and stable?
- What makes a structure weak and unstable?
👷♀️👷♂️ Please see attached for the Balancing Animal Project Pages that were sent home today. I have also attached an electronic version to this email. We looked at several examples, discussed materials, and brainstormed ideas as a class. The kiddos went home extremely excited to begin building their animals! I am looking forward to seeing their creative designs! Balancing animal projects will be due on Monday, March 4th. 😊
💻 Building & Testing Designs Science links that relate to our current unit of study can be found here: https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/science.html
🏆 February Home Reading Olympics Goal - Go For The GOLD! 🏅
Please continue supporting your child's home reading goal this month! Please record home reading on the February calendar page in your child's agenda. Thank you in advance for your continued support with your child's literacy development!
🥇 Gold = 25 - 28 Nights
🥈 Silver = 16 - 24 Nights
🥉 Bronze = 10 - 15 Nights
📅 Important Upcoming Dates
💗 February
Monday Feb 25 - Munchalunch - Boston Pizza 🍕🍝
Wednesday Feb 27 - Pink Shirt Day 💕
🍀 March
Friday March 1 - Home Reading Olympics Goal Agenda Check 🏆
Thursday March 7 & Friday March 8 - Teachers Convention - No School for Students 📅
Monday March 11 - Munchalunch - Wendy's 🍔🍟
Thursday March 14 - Term 2 Report Cards Go Home 📬
Friday March 15 - PLC Friday - No School for Students 📅
Monday March 18 - Parent - Teacher Interviews (PTI's) @ 5:00 - 8:00 pm 🏫
Wednesday March 20 - Parent - Teacher Interviews (PTI's) @ 4:00 - 7:00 pm 🏫
Friday March 22 - Last Day of School Before Spring Break 🐰
Monday March 25 - Friday March 29 - Spring Break - No School 🌷
Parent Council Podcast Link:
Welcome to Episode 1 of So Your Kid Goes To School, the Riverstone Parents Society Podcast. In this premiere episode you will get an update on the society, what's been happening, and what's upcoming.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/253990/960283-ep-1-so-your-kid-goes-to-school
EP 1: So Your Kid Goes To School - So Your Kid Goes To School
💻 3F Class Website Quick Links - Please check regularly for updates:
📆 Class Info & Important Dates - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/class-info.html
📝 Blog Posts (Archived Email Updates) - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/blog
📅 Newsletters & Class Calendars - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/newsletters.html
📷 Class Photos - https://grade3ferguson.weebly.com/pictures.html
🍔 Munchalunch - https://munchalunch.com/schools/riverstone
Thank you & take care! 😊