February 2015

Lifeskills of the week: Courage, Curiosity and Flexibility

Math
3rd- We are continuing our exploration and focus on fractions. In third
grade, our goal is to be able to construct picture models of fractions, as
well as to use these models to compare fractions. Students use the
vocabulary numerator and denominator to describe fractional parts.
We will be working in fraction centers on different games and activities
that help develop our understanding of fractions as well as practice
with comparing fractions. We will also be ordering an comparing
fractions by size.
4th- After multiplication students will be exploring division. For our study
of division, students will learn a problem solving method called the Big
7. Students are expected to represent the quotient of a four digit whole
number divided by a one digit divisor using arrays, area models, and
equations. Students will also learn how to interpret remainders,
whether students need to drop, round up, or divide the remainder of a
division problem.
Students will be practicing their math facts at school during
Math Workshop. Students in 4th grade need to have all multiplication
facts 1x1 through 12x12 memorized. Please work with your child to
memorize their facts!
Reading
Our focus on reading in February is figurative language and
poetry. Students will be thinking about how the use of alliteration,
similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeia enhances writing through
rhythm, emphasizing particular sounds, as well as creating imagery
and feeling.
Through the guided reading of a variety of poems, students
are learning to make inferences and draw conclusions, while providing
evidence from the text to support their understanding.
For the next couple of weeks we
will be sharing an idiom of the day. An
idiom is a group of words that have a
figurative meaning. *Ask your child what
their favorite idiom is so far.

Science
We continue our study of the earth by learning about
properties of soil. We will be learning about how different properties of
soil, including color, texture, and capacity to retain water affect plants
ability to grow. We will be researching and collecting data on soil, and
then setting up a class experiment to answer the question: Which type
of soil best supports plant growth? We will be recording the growth of
plants planted in varying types of soil to come to our conclusion.
We are also studying landforms and how they shape the
Earth. After a landform overview, each tribe will be researching a
different landform and creating a poster to teach the class about what
their landform is, how it is formed, and other interesting facts.
*Next week, ask your
child to tell you about the
properties of soil, and which type
of soil they predict best support
plant growth, and why.

UT Student Tutors
Our UT Buddies will February 5th and visit us
each Thursday! They will come to our classroom
and share the excitement of reading and study
weather and extreme weather with our students.

Student Conferences
Please look for the email to RSVP and sign up
for either an individual conference, student-led
conference, or both. Conference are on
February 16th.

Snack Share for February

Tribes: Working Together
We continue our Tribes activities each Friday in order to
build a community of learners. Ask your
child to tell you about the Tribles, and the
making of a Fuzzy Land Map.
STAAR CAMP!
In writing, we are beginning STAAR Bootcamp. We will
begin by learning to write a STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness) style narrative to a particular audience.
Students will learn how to use the writing strategies we have been
learning, and apply those strategies to the STAAR format to connect to
the prompt, brainstorm, write a rough draft, revise & edit, and then
publish a 1 page narrative. Although
3rd graders do not take STAAR
Writing until 4th grade, they will have
the opportunity to participate in this
Writing Camp as well.

02/1: Rilee
2/8: Siena B.
2/15: Sienna C.
2/22: Adam
Important Dates
2/10 & 2/11: 4th Grade Writing Benchmarks
2/12: Retirement & Nursing Center Trip (wear PE shoes)
2/13: Jump Rope for Heart (wear PE shoes)
2/13: Valentine Card Exchange
2/16: Student Conferences
2/20: Poetry Caf in the Library, 8:15
2/23: 3rd & 4th Grade Math Benchmarks
2/24: 3rd & 4th Grade Reading Benchmarks
2/25: 4th Grade Science Benchmark
2/27: Class & Spring Individual Photos

*Please check our calendar on the back of this newsletter as well as

online for snack share information and other school events.
http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/Calendar
*Please visit our wiki page for information about our class:
http://mahlstadtsvrcek2-3class.wikispaces.com/