Class Update and Math Overview
Book Orders: for Mrs. Cryer are DUE: Sept. 22nd
Book Orders: for Mr. Kafkas are DUE: Sept. 23rd
Sports schedules- If possible, please send Mrs. Cryer and/or Mr. Kafkas an email with home sports schedules. Occassionally, one of us may be able to attend a game.
Bus Notes - Please be sure to include FULL student name, teacher and bus number.
Book Challenge list...include first name and last initial.
Math Update:
Homework this week... *these assignments will be sent home on Monday so that students have the option to "get ahead" and adapt to busy schedules. Homework packet should come back to school each day.
*Monday- "Day 1" Practice Sheet DUE: Tuesday
*Tuesday- "Day 2" Practice Sheet DUE: Wednesday
*Wednesday- "Day 3" Practice Sheet DUE: Thursday
Thursday- 20 minutes of "Math Practice Choice" (choose from http://guest.portaportal.com/cryerkafkas OR ask Mr. K if you have another resource you want to use like flash cards or another math activity)
Math Activities During Math Class:
Independent Daily Warm-Up (10 problems of various math skills, students are learning to use classroom tools, manipulatives and reference materials when they are stuck or face new mathematical vocabulary).
Last week we used over 1,000 digi-blocks as a way to practice estimating and review place value. Grouping individual digis into "tens", "hundreds" and "thousands" helps give a concrete example of how our "Base TEN" number system works. This foundation is important for students. When solving addition and subtraction problems, a strong place value understanding will alert students to when an answer "makes sense or not".
This week students will complete tasks that build on place value understanding and emphasize rounding to tens, hundreds and thousands.
We will also continue to introduce new technology and learning centers that will be utilized by students throughout the 3rd grade year.
EMT (Early Mathematical Thinking) screenings: Each student will be given an assessment to get a snapshot of their current skills and ability to explain mathematical thinking to someone else. Over the next several days, Mrs. Pisano (who is a veteran 3rd grade teacher and Math Title 1 teacher this year) will begin interviewing each student for this assessment.
REMINDER: If students need help with a concept, vocabulary word or just some extra practice I'd encourage them to use www.amathsdictionaryforkids.com. This site is interactive and helpful. More resources and updates to come soon! -Mr. K
