Comparing Numbers

The last two weeks in math were spent building a very strong foundation in place value. The boys and girls have been composing and decomposing various two and three digit numbers. It is very important that they have a deep understanding of place value in order to move on with the rest of the math curriculum. I encourage the boys and girls to continue to practice making numbers (using hundreds, tens and ones models or pictures at home too).

Today we began comparing and ordering numbers. We warmed up playing a fun little game (which could be played at home too). I rolled a die three times. Each time I rolled a number the boys and girls had to decide if they would put it in the hundreds, tens or ones digit. The goal was to try and make the biggest possible number. It was a fun way to begin wrapping our heads around comparing numbers. After wards we did our first true problem solving (Grade Three style) in small groups. Here was todays problem!

Little Bear had the following base ten blocks:
2 flats (hundreds)
10 rods (tens)
3 cubes (ones)

Big Bird had the following base ten blocks
1 flats (hundreds)
21 rods (tens)
3 cubes (ones)

Which critter had the bigger number? Show your work.

Tomorrow we will learn all about the symbols "greater than and less than" and how to use them!

1000... Big or Small?

Today we were introduced to the number 1000. Although many of us said that 1000 is a big number, we talked about times when it could be considered a small number too! The boys and girls worked in small groups to investigate this idea. Posted are just some of our thoughts!

Let's Fill Buckets

Today I used a beautiful book to teach a pretty important lesson to the boys and girls. The book is called "How Full Is Your Bucket?" The moral of the story is that we all want to be bucket fillers, not bucket dippers.
The "bucket" concept is that we all carry around imaginary buckets with us all day long (moms and dads too!).
When your bucket is full, you feel more confident, happy and positive. When your bucket is empty, it contains few, if any, positive thoughts or feelings. When your bucket is empty you become sad, negative, nervous, angry, worried and afraid.
Our job as God's children is to help others keep a full bucket, and when we help fill a bucket, ours too will remain full! It's a win win scenario!

Some ways we can Fill Buckets:
- Using actions or words that show that you care about someone.
- Saying or doing something kind.
-Giving someone a heartfelt smile.
-Using names with respect.
-Helping without being asked.
-Giving sincere compliments.
-Showing respect to others. 
There are TONS of wonderful ways to fill buckets. We will continue to discuss how we fill buckets each day!

Cheese!

Don't forget...
Tomorrow is picture day!

Volunteers Needed

We require a parent volunteer to walk with us to mass on Thursday morning. Please write a note in your child's agenda if you can join us. Thank you!

Math Riddles

Math in Portable Four involves a lot of hands on practice. Lots of critical thinking and questioning takes place. We do very few worksheets/drill type questions. Rather, we solve problems with partners or in groups, work with hands on materials and  use the Smartboard and other technology. Math is something that I LOVE and have a lot of fun with. I am very passionate about problem solving and stretching our thinking.

Over the last few days we have been working on place value and building both two and three digit numbers. Today the boys and girls solved some math riddles with a partner.

Here is an example of a few:

- I have 23 ones and 4 tens. Who am I?

- I have 30 ones and 3 hundreds. Who am I?

- I have 4 hundreds, 12 tens and 6 ones. Who am I?

Happy Solving!

Words Of The Week

Today we were given our first set of words of the week. These words are recorded in our agendas, personal dictionaries and posted on the classroom word wall. We will practice them throughout the week through various activities and games. The boys and girls are expected to be practicing and reviewing these words at home as well. All words become "no excuse" words and should always be spelled correctly (since they are posted on the word wall, personal dictionaries and practiced regularly).

Some ideas for practicing the words this week:

- write them using a fun marker or pen on note paper
- while the weather is still nice write them on the sidewalk with chalk
- we learned a chant for the word "because"... have your child sing this in the bath or shower
- discuss the word could.. what else can you spell if you can spell could?