Fractions OH MY!

MATH

We started fractions this week!
The class has been working with lots of hands-on materials to really see, feel, and represent parts and wholes.


We used a digital tool to show fractions using Cuisenaire Rods (which we have used at school as well).
Check out the website below by clicking on the image!

We did a few of these together. If students visit the site they can try a few on their own!

We also used the rods to show how parts and wholes can be equal to each other. This helps to build the understanding as we begin to move from concrete objects to more abstract numbers and models (pictures) of fractions.

If you have some graham crackers at home, see if your child can determine the fraction of pieces. What is the unit fraction?

The same can be done with sets of coins or groups of objects. The whole is the "set" and the individual pieces, are the "parts of the whole." See if your child can explain to you what they have learned about wholes, parts, numerator, and denominator!

Save the Date:

May 14th--The spring FUN RUN is scheduled for our class on May 14th at 9:40! Forms came home last Friday.

May 23rd--Students will attend the Lansing Symphony and take part in a great music experience! At this time, no chaperones are needed for this trip. More information will come home with details. If there is a change I will let you know as soon as I can.

May 25th--We are working to determine all the details but it looks like Lumberjack Day with Sheepshank Sam (a third-grade tradition) will take place on May 25th all day at Old Indian Creek Farm. Chaperones will be needed for this trip and more information will come home soon.

READING AND WRITING NEWS

Students finished personal expertise writing and we finished reviewing the components of nonfiction pieces. The writers are ready to embark on research! Each student has chosen a topic and we have begun practicing notetaking strategies as well as keeping track of resources for our information. Students will learn to read and synthesize information (blend it with their own understanding) with their selected topics. Ask your child what topic they have chosen!
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I will be gone Friday afternoon. The students will have already received their Friday Folder information from me before I leave. Be sure to look for a special note from Mrs. Shrontz about a time capsule project, as well as a family bowling event.

Unit Test and Blogging!

BLOGGING

Students began blogging last week when we returned from spring break. They are now able to access the site, log in, create a blog post, and comment on our classroom writing community. Our first focus with blogging was to explore, learn to navigate the pages, and get some content published so we could practice commenting. Now that the students have grasped these concepts, I will be approving posts and comments that match their conventional writing ability. What is "conventional writing ability?"
Conventions are the little pieces of writing that make it readable to an audience. Spelling, punctuation, the spacing of paragraphs, capitalization of proper nouns and the beginning word in a sentence, as well as other aspects of grammar and sentence structure all play a role in how a message or piece of writing is interpreted and understood.
Students will be working to utilize their understandings and demonstrate them with increased accuracy to acquire publication status on their blog posts and comments to other students. Keep in mind this does not mean perfection. Children's writing should look like children's writing and match their developmental stage.

To check out your child's blog and our classroom site click the Technology Tab, scroll down to Writing Links, and select the first link in the list.

MATH

Students brought home sections of problems we have worked on in class as part of their multiplication/division math unit review. The most difficult task students are working through are multi-step word problems. We hope to begin portions of the test on Thursday and finish the test on Friday. Keep in mind the test is covering the following topics: Relationships Between Multiplication and Division, Solving Multiplication and Division Problems, and Multiplying by Multiples of 10. These three areas of focus match the information and work students have brought home over the past month.

Michigan eLibrary!

Students have been navigating and reading articles on the Michigan eLibrary site this week to practice listening to reading as well as reading articles on a screen. They have experience with these two skills, however, the Michigan eLibrary offers some fresh information and a whole database of resources! Check it out at home.

NO RED INK!

Ask your child about No Red Ink!