Snapshot for 1-29-18

Here is this week's snapshot if  you are unable to get the e-mails. You can download the *.pdf file by clicking beneath the snapshot picture the below. All snapshots will be available in *.pdf form on the "Weekly Snapshots" page {here} once they are sent out and posted!

Click {here} to direct download this week's snapshot!

Week of: January 29, 2018

Dear Parents,

We have a lot coming up these next few weeks of school! Due to our mock STAAR testing days Monday, January 29 and Tuesday, January 30, we will not have lunch visitors. Lunch visitors will resume Wednesday, January 31. We will be offering after school tutorials Monday and Tuesday this week, but we know that with the practice STAAR, some of our kiddos may be burned out! Please let us know if you would not like your child to attend tutorials due to testing this week. Please see the list of dates below for what we have going on at school over the next few weeks as well as dues dates for next week’s scheduled homework.

Upcoming Dates
Monday, January 29	3rd Grade Mock STAAR – math *no lunch visitors
	Explorers
	3rd Grade will offer tutorials for those who would like to attend after a long day of Mock STAAR Math
Tuesday, January 30	3rd Grade Mock STAAR – reading *no lunch visitors
	3rd Grade will offer tutorials for those who would like to attend after a long day of Mock STAAR Reading
	SPIRIT NIGHT at Jason’s Deli in Rowlett
Tuesday, January 30	GISD Tech Fest!  Come out, have some free pizza, and learn about the technology opportunities offered to students in GISD!  Help our campus win two free robots!
Wednesday, January 31	1 1’s Timed Test
Friday, February 2	Unit 4 Science Test
Monday, February 5	Tutorials
	Explorers
Tuesday, February 6	Tutorials
Friday, February 9	Spirit Stick Sales

Upcoming Assignment due dates
Thursday, February 1	Math Classwork: Griddable worksheet
Tuesday, February 6	Science Classwork: Planets Reading Passage and Questions
HOMEWORK: Monday, January 29	Math homework: Countdown to the Math STAAR, Series 1 P7 and subtraction with regrouping {front and back} Science homework: Unit 7 Guided Practice and Unit 7 Check for Understanding {front and back}
HOMEWORK: Wednesday, February 7	Math homework: {front and back} Science homework: Unit 15 Guided Practice and Check for Understanding {front and back}

*number of classwork assignments may change throughout the week based on classroom needs

THIS WEEK IN MATH:

This week we are learning about equality and inequality.  We will be focusing on equations, exploring how to make equal products using different factors.  This is a building block toward our next unit on fractions.  It will help your child understand how to compare the value of fractions.  We will also explore how to make equal amounts using various addition and subtraction facts.

Key to Success - Mastery of multiplication facts is very important, as we are using this skill extensively and in more complicated ways.  Students who do not know their facts are losing their place in problems. 

Please consider setting aside time to practice multiplication facts if you aren’t already.

Math Resources to Help at Home

Xtra Math - We have a new resource to use! Your child has their own account where they are able to log in and practice math facts at home! I currently have it set up to practice only multiplication facts as we work on the last few factors for our timed tests. It starts by giving a placement quiz and then working on the facts that your child struggles with. The goal is to get smiley faces (which means the question is answered in 3 seconds or less, close to the average amount of time it would take on our timed tests). Flyers for this will be going home next week, but if you would like your child’s PIN number early, please let me know and I can email it! I have seen a few kiddos that have been using it and growing already!

Division Math Practice – In this drag racing game, your child can practice division facts while racing against the computer or other players.

Students in third grade must master their multiplication facts with automaticity.  This means they are to recall these facts quickly.  Each Tuesday, we have a two minute test over the facts we have studied for the previous week. We will have our timed multiplication test Wednesday, January 31 over 11s through the twelfth multiple. Next Tuesday, February 6, we will test over 12s.

SKILL PRACTICE WEBSITES

Free Training Tutorial - Division - This link will take you to the division page. If you would like to practice other skills with your child, you can search through them on the website’s home page.

Regrouping is definitely a skill that needs to be reviewed often in addition and subtraction.  Many of our students are showing a need for this.  Under Subtraction, there is a two-digit with regrouping basketball game that would be a great practice if your child wants to strengthen this skill.

That Quiz  - Under Integers, click Arithmetic.  Adjust length, level, and time as needed.  Click the box for multiplication to let your child practice their facts.

Multiplication – Lots of free and entertaining games to practice multiplication facts.

Education Galaxy – Use the skills practice section for math to practice multiplication facts.

Turtle Diary Division Games - Use these games to practice division and multiplication facts. Change the topics or grade level to review different skills, or bump up to a more challenging level!

 

THIS WEEK IN SCIENCE:

In science this week, we will be starting the Sun and Planets. Our focus will be on the order of the planets in the solar system and their relation to the Sun. The kids will be creating their own mnemonic devices to remember the order of the planets this week. We will also be scaling down the solar system and looking at the scaled down sized of the planets and their scaled down distances.

We will continue working on our STEAMposium balloon powered cars throughout the week and continue using the Engineering Design Process to assist us in this challenge.

Thank you so much to everyone who sent recycled materials! It has been such a great help! We quickly ran out of plastic bottle caps. If anyone has any at home in the recycle bin or trash can that you would not mind saving and sending, we would greatly appreciate it!

PRACTICE AT HOME

One of the things we will be doing this week is looking at the order of the planets from the Sun and each other on a smaller scale. We will be using different sizes spheres (marbles, soccer balls, and basketballs) to represent different planets and see how far they are from each other and the Sun.

RESOURCES FOR PRACTICE

Study Jams - Our Solar System: Inner Planets – View the slide show on the inner planets, and test yourself over various inner planet questions. You can also look at other Study Jams on solar system related topics {here}.

Study Jams - Our Solar System: Outer Planets – View the slide show on the inner planets, and test yourself over various inner planet questions. You can also look at other Study Jams on solar system related topics {here}.

Discovery Education – There is a large supply of video, interactive learning, questions, and an interactive glossary for vocabulary that is always helpful for whatever we are learning in science.  All content in this resource is searchable.

E-Learning for Kids - Planets– Complete your mission by traveling through different games and practices, like ordering the planets. You get to be the captain in this space game!

Explore the Planets – Practice putting the planets in order using a mnemonic device! After you have ordered the planets, take the short 4 question quiz at the end. Pluto is still included as a planet, so just keep that in mind!

Planet Memory Game – Practice the names and recognizing the planets in this Planet version of memory through National Geographic Kids’ website. Choose your skill level and start playing!

Thank you so much for your dedication to helping your child learn.

Sincerely,