Catie's Third Grade Class Blog: Homework (Math and Spelling Practice)

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Homework (Math and Spelling Practice)

Hello Families,

I just wanted to make sure that your student had communicated with you regarding the math homework attached to the weekly notebook homework- each student should be completing it and turning it in on Monday (they know this, but only about half are turning math homework in). The OAKS Math test is challenging, and I want them to be prepared as possible-it also helps connect you all with what we are doing in class.

Second, we have begun weekly spelling tests based on spelling patterns. Learning words by learning word patterns (especially with beginnings and endings) is a meaningful and lasting way to become a better speller! I do not want students to lose their voice in fear of spelling words wrong, but I do want to push them a bit more to do their best spelling. They learn and write the words three times on Monday morning for Warm Up, take them home, and should practice any tricky words nightly. They also work through 4 pages of activities related to putting together and taking apart the words, rhyming, identifying correct spelling, etc.

There are 15 regular words and 5 bonus (the bonus are optional). The test will be each Friday morning right before our Morning Meeting. Students are grading their own work and correcting their mistakes, further reinforcing their knowledge of spelling patterns. It is their responsibility to bring home and practice the words, but if they ask for support, please support them in whatever way is helpful. Third grade is a lot about increasing responsibility and independence, while also knowing when it is helpful to ask for support. They should also be showing you their test (that they graded) on Friday afternoons.

I will post the words on Monday, as I realize some spellers are not getting through writing 45 words down (though they will keep practicing, and look for their words on Monday afternoons with new Homework).

The words this week are focused on endings, -ing, -er, -ied, and -ed.

using

getting

easiest

swimming

heavier

greatest

pleased

emptied

leaving

worried

strangest

freezing

funniest

angrier

shopped

Bonus:

included

occurred

supplying

scarier

happiest

Thanks and best,

Catie

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If your child is absent due to an illness I am happy to provide an overview of the work they missed in class that day or for those days they are out sick. Inevitably there are times when trips need to happen during the school year and your student should be assured that although they are missing class time, I encourage them to embrace the learning opportunities outside the walls of our school. Parents often ask me for a packet to bring along to keep their child engaged in some learning and kept busy in a car or on a plane, but I don't assign "trip work" packets. Trips on their own have the potential to be rich learning experiences from airport or car, to destination and back. Instead I ask that students keep a journal, photo journal or scrapbook of their trip which could be shared with me upon their return to class. They are also welcome to share these with the class, but I don't require them to do so. Finding a secret spot and having a special little journal in hand in which to write and sketch what they see is infinitely more valuable to your child than me giving them a story prompt. If you do want your child to have some 3rd grade-level busy work during travel you could visit Learning Palace or a similar store to purchase 3rd grade skills workbooks. The following are some ideas for meaningful learning during trips:

Math:
Have your child use math, reading and writing skills as often as possible. Have them pay for things and count change or add up the coins received back, use maps, figure out elapsed time or the time an activity took to complete, compare prices of menu items, look for patterns in nature or architecture, estimate the time it will take to complete an activity, collect data of some kind and create a bar graph (cars vs. trucks on a five mile stretch of road or the kinds of people around you on the plane who order soda vs. juice for example), etc.

Writing:
Have them bring their writer's notebook or more fun, have them choose and buy a special little notebook just for the trip where they can sketch possible characters, special spots or images to use in future writing. Everyone and everything they see can be given new life as a character or setting in future writing. A little set of colored pencils or tiny watercolors to go along with it can make it more fun as well. Have your child write and mail a postcard or letter to our class (even if it arrives after they return). Our school's address is 3421 SE Salmon St., PDX 97214. Thank you notes for guest accommodations or for hotel operators is always fun, too.

Reading:
Trips can be made more fun if your child is taken to the library or to Powell's for a special trip book or two. Perhaps they could visit a local book store at your destination where they can choose a book to read or purchase for the time they are there or for the trip back. As time permits, be sure they read at least 30 minutes or more each day.

Science or Social Studies:
We study rocks and minerals in 3rd grade and it's always a joy for kids when we begin this unit in winter to bring in a special rock from a place they have visited during the year. We also learn about the first peoples who lived on this land long before white settlers came to what is now known as Portland. It can be interesting for kids to learn about other first peoples who lived in places you visit. Just learning a bit about the history of a new place with a city walking tour, nature hike, scenic route or collecting little souvenirs or scraps can be fun for your child as well.