Yesterday, January 24, 2012, was Moebius Syndrome Awareness Day.  Moebius Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that affects cranial nerves.  People with this condition are often unable to move their faces or to move their eyes laterally.  Olivia, one of our third graders, spoke to all of her classmates and teachers about this rare condition and how it has affected her life.  What an inspiration she is to all of us!  We wore purple to show our support for Olivia and to let her know that WE KNOW her heart is full of smiles!

Our current story, “What Do Illustrators Do?” discusses the process that an illustrator goes through to develop a children’s picture book.  The vocabulary words for this story are:  tools, sketches, scribbles, research, textures, imagine, illustrate, and tracing.  Ask your child to tell you the meanings of these words as they relate to the story.

The current spelling words are:  once, animal, life, enough, and took.  Please remember that not only must the words be spelled correctly, but they must also be used correctly in writing.  Some other words that the kids are using incorrectly are where/were, it’s/its, their/there/they’re, and then/than.  The next spelling test will be on Tuesday, January 31.

Here’s an overview of what we’re working on this six weeks:

*Multiplication and Division Fact Families

*Identifying and Counting Money

*Rounding and Estimating

*Measurement

*Please remember that all concepts are spiraled throughout the year, meaning we will continue to review all concepts that have been previously taught.

Reading Skills

*Sequencing

*Infer/Predict

*Prefixes and Suffixes

*Drawing Conclusions

Grammar

*Verb Tenses

*Commas in a Series

Progress reports and graded work will be sent home Wednesday, January 25.  The 4th six weeks ends on Friday, February 17.  Report cards and graded work will be sent home on Thursday, February 23.

We have begun studying coins in math. The students are learning the characteristics of pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and half-dollars. We will also be learning how to count collections of coins and dollars. The U.S. Mint has an excellent website for kids with lots of information, and even games that will help them practice counting money. Click on the picture below to learn more about our money!

Below is a SchoolTube video that will help the kids learn to identify the coins by looking at the heads & tails sides. The kids loved this when I showed it in class! (Warning: The tune is extremely addictive and will get stuck in your head!)

Today my class tried out a website called socrative.com.  This website & free app (Student Clicker – Socrative in iTunes) allows students to respond to questions using technology.  The kids used iPods, Acer netbooks, and desktop computers to answer multiple-choice, true/false, and short answer questions.  Even though the quizzes  practiced were like paper & pencil tasks that they have done in the past, the kids were excited and fully engaged in their learning.  We answered questions together as a class with me controlling the timing of the questions, and then the kids answered questions at their own pace.  We had SO much fun!  We used all 14 iPods and the computers, so everyone was actively participating in the lesson.

Because I don’t yet have enough iPods for the entire class to use, I’m going to begin allowing the students to bring their own hand-held devices.  The kids will only be allowed to use them with my permission, and the school technology rules and etiquette MUST be followed.  Failure to follow the rules will result in the severe restriction of the use of technology and the loss of this new privilege.  The student also bears the responsibility of the care of his/her own device.

I will be sending home a permission form regarding ‘Bring Your Own Device’ that must be signed by a parent AND the student.

I am very excited about this new step in technology integration into my classroom!  Welcome to the 21st century! 

All 3rd grade students need a WRAPPED 100-piece puzzle for the gift exchange by Wednesday, December 14.

Early dismissal at 11:30 on Thursday, December 15.

Christmas Party at Community Center on Friday, December 16, from 8:30 to 10:30.  Parents may sign-out their child with the classroom teacher after the party.  Early dismissal at 11:30.

Christmas break is December 19-30.  School will resume on Monday, January 2, 2012.

Cookie Dough is being delivered today!  You may pick up your orders between 2:00 and 5:30 today at the Intermediate School.  A BIG “Thank You!” to all who participated in our fundraiser.  The money earned will be used to provide more technology for our classrooms!

This week we read an article about the history behind the practice of the President of the United States pardoning a turkey for Thanksgiving.  We learned that this practice began in 1989 when President George H. W. Bush officially pardoned the first turkey, and the tradition has continued every year.  The pardoned turkeys were sent to a petting zoo at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, Virginia from 1989 to 2004. In 2005, they began going to Disneyland, California, where they would first serve as the honorary grand marshals for Disneyland’s Thanksgiving Day parade, and then retire to live out their lives on a Disneyland ranch.  Watch the video below to see President Obama officially pardon the turkey of 2011.

Listen carefully, then leave a comment to answer these 3 questions:

1.  What is the name of this year’s turkey?

2.  This year’s turkey is the first to be …

3.  Where will this turkey live after it is pardoned?

Students’ correct answers will earn teacher bucks!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 22, will be an early dismissal day!  Primary will dismiss at 11:00 and Intermediate will dismiss at 11:30.

‘Tis the season… to make plans for the third grade Christmas party!  The 3rd grade party will be Friday, December 16, from 8:30 to 10:30.  Many of you told me back in August that you would be glad to help with parties–but unfortunately, I didn’t write down any names, and I certainly don’t remember!    If you are interested in helping to head up the party–or even help in other ways, please leave a comment on this post, or you may email me:  hunters@woisd.net.  Thanks in advance for your help!