Introducing Baby Emma!

On March 27, 2014 at 8:39 am, we welcomed little Emma into the world. She weighed a healthy 9 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long! Ashleigh is adjusting very well to her new role as a big sister!
We will come and visit the class sometime in May!

Math Test

Our unit test for multiplication and division will be on Tuesday. The kids are in really good shape for this. They probably could have even wrote it this week! I have sent each kiddie home tonight with a practice test that will be very similar to the "real thing." I will not be marking this, it is for home support only.

Math Test

The boys and girls will write a math test sometime next week. To prepare they should continue to sing the times table songs (as this will also help with division too). I will send home a review that students may work on at home. This will be optional and will not be marked, but will be helpful for study purposes. I will discuss a test date with Miss. Tomac and post details tomorrow!

Problem Solvers!

Each day the kiddies prove that they are amazing, and today was no different!
During math we were presented with the following problem:

We tackled the problem in pairs or groups of three. The thinking that was taking place was amazing! As you can see this problem is multistep and requires the kiddies to both multiply and divide. All groups identified that there was more than one step to solve the problem.
 
After we solved the problem, I took our thinking to another level. We traded our work with another group and began looking closely at another groups thinking, strategies and answers. As a group the students were to identify the stars (what the group did well) and the wishes (next steps). They gave the work a level and we posted the work around the classroom by level.
 
Finally, we came together at the carpet and discussed our thinking and defended the level we gave the work.

This was a great activity, not only for problem solving but also for us to see and discuss other peoples' thinking. I feel like by the end of our 60 minute lesson we all felt more confident about problem solving and packed our "tool belts" with even more strategies.

I. Love. Math!


Welcome Miss. Tomac!

Today we were all very lucky to meet Miss. Tomac, the teacher who will be replacing me while I am on maternity leave. She was here all day to observe classroom routines and procedures. We were  able to meet and discuss curriculum and the learning goals for the remainder of the year. I feel very confident that Miss. Tomac is the perfect match for our little family in Room 209. She is full of enthusiasm and is passionate about teaching. Just last week, Miss. Tomac finished a Grade Four long term occasional position that she has been in since September. This is wonderful, as she will know exactly where the kiddies are headed for next year!
I am feeling great (and breathing a huge sigh of relief) knowing the kiddies are going to be left in such great hands!

Last Day

I shared with the boys and girls yesterday that this upcoming Friday (February 28th) will be my last day. The last six months with these chickadees has been such a blast, it will be hard to say goodbye! I will be in for visits of course and back next March with an open door!

Baby Ashleigh Turns Three!

Moms and dads... where does the time go?!? Today our (not so little) baby turns three!

Busy Bees!

Over the last few weeks we have been very busy bees in our literacy blocks! Here is an overview of what we have been buzzing about doing:

Word Study: we just wrapped up a unit on idioms, we have been working with plurals (es, ies and s endings) and of course our regular POTW work

Writing: we are wrapping up our procedural writing unit by creating a class cookbook, we have begun a mini unit on writing quotations and will begin comparative writing

Reading: we just finished up with the reading strategy of "asking questions", we continue to read passages and respond to questions that require us to support our thinking with evidence from the text

Sometimes I can't believe how efficient we are and the amount of learning that takes place in a day... our "Fun Fridays" are definitely much deserved!

Division

This afternoon we began learning about division. Just like many of our math concepts, I teach the boys and girls a number of different strategies for them to put inside their imaginary tool belts. This way, when they are problem solving, they can dig out the strategy that they like to use best. I strongly urge the kiddies to continue to practice their multiplication songs and facts. Being able to recall multiplication facts quickly, helps make division seem that much easier! We now know a song for the three, four, six and as of today... seven times table.

The seven song goes to the tune of "Happy Birthday." Give it a try!

7, 14, 21,

28, 35, 42, 49,

56, 63!

Class List

Some kiddies asked today if I could post a list of the names of kids in the class for Valentine's cards.
Here they are:

Chris
Abby
Ava
Isabella
Aydin
Luc
Jacob
Kylie
 Luke 
Summer
Veronica
Zhenya
Silvia
Sophia
Sierra
Ivan
Kyle
Jorge
Leo

100 Days Smarter!

Tomorrow we are officially 100 days smarter!
It is hard to believe that it is already the 100th day of school. Time sure does fly when you're having fun! I am not sure there are many jobs in this world where people can say that they have adored the last 100 days. I am so lucky to be one of the few that can say I HAVE! I love my group of chickadees and the 100 days of smiles that they have brought me.

Moms and dads tell us...

What do you wish you had 100 of?
What would you not want to have 100 of?

I know I would love to have 100 pairs of shoes.
I would not want 100 toilets in my house to clean.

What's An Array?

Today is math we learned all about arrays.

An array shows objects that are arranged in equal rows.
We can use an array to multiply.

Use an array to solve the following problem:

Mrs. Linse planted bulbs in her garden.
She planted 4 rows of 6 bulbs.
How many bulbs did Mrs. Linse plant in all?
Show your work and write the multiplication sentence.

Procedural Writing

We have been very busy writing different procedures over the last few weeks. It is a writing unit that we all seem to be enjoying a lot too. I know that I sure do love reading them! This week we are working on our final procedure. We are writing a simple recipe. I will collate them all to make a class cookbook. I'm telling ya... this is torture for an eight month pregnant lady! I read these and am instantly hungry! They all sound so delicious! I can't wait until our book is finalized and ready to make it to my kitchen...ummmm I mean our classroom shelf! ;)

Multiplication Is Repeated Addition

Over the last few days we have been learning that multiplication is repeated addition.

Take a look at the following picture:

As a multiplication sentence you write

4 X 6 = 24

You say " 4 groups of 6 equals 24"

As an addition sentence you write:

6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 24

Providing your child with some multiplication sentences to write as addition sentences and vice versa would be beneficial for some extra practice.

Here is a link to a video that helps explain this concept further (it is the first video)

Multiplication Clip

Multiplication

It is the time in math that all kiddies have been waiting for... our unit in multiplication!
I don't know what it is or why it is, but all grade three kids LOVE when we begin this unit. The smiles on their faces is priceless. It is absolutely adorable!

We learn cutesy songs throughout the unit to help us memorize our times tables. In fact, have your chickadee sing the 0 or 3 times table song to you tonight at the dinner table! It makes for some good entertainment ;)

Throughout the unit, we learn that  multiplication really is just a quick way to add (we call multiplication and addition very close cousins), we learn other neat strategies to multiply (ask tonight about "plates and cookies") and then we jump into division.

It is a great unit with lots of opportunity for problem solving.

Here is one to try:

Mrs. Linse has 3 strips of stickers. On each strip are 7 stickers. How many stickers does Mrs. Linse have altogether?
Write both the multiplication and addition sentence to go with this question.

Reading Response With Evidence

Over the last five months we have worked on a variety of reading strategies that have helped us become better readers. All of these different strategies have taught us how to make deeper meaning of the texts that we read. Now that our "tool belts" are stuffed with great strategies, we are ready to independently read passages, answer higher level comprehension questions in the form of multiple choice and respond to a question that requires us to provide evidence from the text to support our thinking. These questions we refer to as "Reading Response With Evidence (RRE)." We have learned that these types of responses require us to

- include part of the question in our answer
- include the "phrase that pays"  I know this because...
- support your answer with evidence (proof) from the text

We completed a whole class example last week and will continue to take baby steps until we are all confident with doing these on our own!

Here is an example of a "Reading Response With Evidence" type question:

What is one word you would use to describe Henry, from the story Henry's Freedom Box? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

It's That Time Again!

Looks like February has brought along some cold and flu bugs. We had a good chat today about hand washing and washing down our desk tops after lunch each day. Sometimes, if the teacher is not looking, we skip these important routines. Although I am all about sharing... these germies and buggies can stay with their owners!

Busy Week

We have had a busy week in Room 209! Prepping for the math test we wrote today, writing procedures and responding to reading passages (which I will post more about on the weekend). Indoor recess is making us go a little stir crazy too! We have done lots of dance practice during our down time to help us shake out our sillies. Let's all beg mother nature for a break in this frigid weather!

Photo of the Day!

Okay so here is a picture of Baby Ashleigh at skating this week. She is being very silly and hamming it up for the camera. I feel like the picture needs a caption of sorts. Boys and girls... any ideas? Jot down your idea in your agenda for Monday to earn extra group points!

Sorting

Part of the data management unit requires us to sort using charts and diagrams (such as a Venn diagram). Yesterday we reviewed our Grade Two skill of sorting using a two loop Venn Diagram. Today we brought our sorting to a very sophisticated level by using a three loop Venn Diagram to sort using three different attributes. We played some fun Smartboard activities to help us practice before doing our independent work. Below are two screen shots of an activity we completed today. Picture one is "before or pre-sort" and picture two is "after or post-sort."

 

Picture One

                 Picture Two

Another Great Read!

Over the last couple of days we read the story "White Socks Only" to help us work on the reading strategy of asking questions. This is another rich text full of lots of opportunities to pause and ask meaningful questions that hep us think deeper about the topic and the author's main messages in the text. I am very impressed with the level of questions many of us are asking and the discussion that arises from the questions we ask... it is like a mini book club in Room 209!

Below is a link of a reading of the story.

White Socks Only

What's The Mode?

This afternoon in math we learned all about mode. Mode is what shows up the most often in a data set.

 

The mode data in the chart above is 2 because it shows up the most in this data set.

How To Blow A Bubble!

Today during our writing block I gave each of the kiddies a piece of bubble gum and told them to practice blowing bubbles. They were quite excited to participate in such an activity! Afterwards they  were given their task: In small groups write instructions on "how to blow a bubble." Everyone was extremely thrilled to be practicing their procedural writing skills with such an authentic learning task! Tomorrow we will edit up our writing and begin sharing as a class!

Henry's Freedom Box

Today we began an excellent picture book called "Henry's Freedom Box." I only read half the book and then ask the students to record any questions that they might have. We discussed asking questions that are "thick" and would generate conversation among their peers. Here is an example of what I mean about thick versus thin questions.

How old is Henry?
This is an example of a thin question. It requires a one word answer. The answer to this question will not generate conversation and it does not help a reader make much more meaning from the text.

How might Henry be feeling knowing that his children may be sold as slaves?
This is an example of a thick question. The question generates rich conversation. Many different feelings may be brought up with different explanations for each one. The question helps the reader gain deeper meaning of the main ideas of the text as well as character feelings. 

Tomorrow we will finish up the story, ask some more questions and share our thinking as a whole group.

Interpreting Bar Graphs

We have really kicked up our math thinking a notch. Instead of just "reading the data" in a graph. We are answering higher order questions that often require us to solve multi step math problems.

Take a look at the following graph:

Try These:

1. What might the question be if the answer is nineteen?


2. Which type of leaves combined were collected more: Hickory and Maple or Poplar and Chestnut?


3. How many leaves were collected altogether?

Bar Graphs

Today's math focus was all about the bar graph!
Like when I introduced the pictograph last week, I put students into small groups and let them explore this type of graph on their own. I did no prior teaching in order to see what they could come up with in their small group. We then shared our ideas as a whole group. I must say... the kiddies were able to do most of the teaching to each other. I love the power of problem solving!
Here is one of the bar graphs from today:

The Civil Rights Movement

Over the next few weeks we will be reading a lot of children's books about the Civil Rights Movement. We will be learning about racism and segregation. We learn that during this time, people did not act the way Jesus intended for us to act. We will also learn about the very courageous people such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges who stood up for what they believed in to help work towards positive changes.
Our reading strategy focus right now is "asking questions." Using this theme always provokes deep / meaningful questions from the various texts we read. Students begin asking higher level questions which elicit conversation about the texts main ideas, messages, lessons, morals, character feelings etc. It really is a rich unit with so many learning opportunities!

Procedural Writing

Today we started learning about a writing form called procedural writing. I kicked off the unit this morning with a really cute activity. I tell the kiddies that I am going to give them instructions that they need to follow carefully.
Here are my instructions:
Draw a square, next draw a triangle, then draw a rectangle and finally draw a circle.
I then ask all kids to reveal the house that they made. Nineteen kiddies look at me very confused since they all just had four shapes drawn randomly beside each other on a piece of paper.
Lesson learned... instructions (or procedures) need to be very clear and detailed!

Glogster Presentations

Just before Christmas we were working very hard at finishing up our First Nation Tribe posters using the online tool "Glogster." Today some groups felt confident enough to present their work on the Smartboard. I am amazed with our creations so far! A teacher actually popped in our room today, saw what was projected on the Smartboard and asked, "What's that you have created Mrs. Linse?" As much as I wanted to take credit for the engaging project, I fessed up and told her it was two grade three kiddies who had actually created the work! She could not believe her eyes! She now wants to try using this tool with her grade four chickadees. We will continue with presentations this week. If you would like to take a peek at how great these posters have turned out, visit http://www.glogster.com/
Have your child log in with their groups username and password.

Interpreting Data

There are three levels of graph comprehension:

Reading the Data: This requires no interpretation of the graph. You literally read what is displayed.
Example: There are 20 McIntosh Apples in the store.

Reading Between the Data: This requires interpretation of the mathematical relationships expressed in the graph. Quantities are compared and other mathematical concepts (such as addition and subtraction) are applied.
Example: There are 15 more Red Rome apples than Golden Delicious apples.

Reading Beyond the Data: This involves making inferences about the data. Our schema (background knowledge) is used to make conclusions that are not explicitly stated in the graph.
Example: McIntosh apples must be the most popular type of apple because there are the least amount of those on the shelf, meaning most people probably buy that type of apple.

In Grade Three we want to be able to move away from just reading the data and work towards reading between and beyond the data. This requires us to apply critical thinking skills and to think "outside of the box."

Pictographs

Yesterday students were put into small groups and given a pictograph to interpret. I had not yet done any teaching on pictographs yet, but thought this would be a great way for students to explore on their own, teach each other and provide me with a good picture of what they already know. And holy smokes was I impressed. All groups were making wonderful interpretations of the data in the graph. In addition, they were paying attention to the key to kelp them read the data accurately! The key is a new concept to Grade Three, so the fact that they were able to problem solve as a small group on how to use it really had me smilin'.
After sharing our findings as a class today I gave the kiddies a little challenge. It was to make a tally chart based on one of the pictographs (so now we were working backwards). Amazingly, all kiddies were able to do this challenge! Way to go chickadees!

Below is an example of one of the pictographs we used for problem solving.

Data Management

Yesterday we began a math unit called Data Management. In this unit students will collect, organize and display data into graphs and charts. They will also interpret data that is presented in graphs and charts. The main types used throughout this unit will be Venn diagrams, pictographs, bar graphs and tally charts.
This is one of my favourite math units and is usually the students too! We have a lot of fun with many different hands on problems and activities. Before going into teaching I actually was headed down the road of research (specifically health sciences), so I am kinda a "data nerd" as Mr. Linse would say!

Happy New Year!

Welcome Back!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful holiday and are feeling rejuvenated for the new year ahead. The Linse family is very excited for the arrival of Baby Linse this year!

Today was a very productive first day back! Everyone came in eager and ready to work. We remembered all of the rules and routines of the classroom which made for a very smooth transition back.

We began the morning by sharing a highlight from our Christmas break. We then began to discuss how today is in fact a very special day called "The Epiphany." This is the day that the three kings arrive bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. This led us nicely into an activity where we brainstormed and wrote about a gift that we could give to Jesus(example: being kinder to others, helping out more at home etc.)

After recess we talked about New Years and how it is often a time where we can set new goals for ourselves. We talked about what some of these goals might be and tomorrow we will start writing about them.

In the afternoon we began a new math unit: Data Management. I will post more information about this unit throughout the week.

As I type all of this I am patting myself and my 19 kiddies on the back. For our first day we were pretty productive I'd say! I hope moms and dads also had a great first day back to regular routine and that you stayed warm and safe in this crazy weather!