Math: A Day in the Life of a 3rd Grader

We have been working on what division means.  I often turn on my computer video camera and carry it around the room to different locations while the children are working with partners.  It allows me to see what they are learning and to share their good math conversations with each other.  Below are a few clips of the students learning how to solve division story problems.  If the problem is essentially asking, "How many in each group?" the children use the strategy of dealing out objects.  If the problem is essentially asking, "How many groups?" the children use the strategy of repeated subtraction.  Here we are, raw and real, during math instruction and practice- - enjoy!

Learn More About the Earth, Moon, and Solar System!

We have been learning some interesting and exciting things about our Earth and moon.  We know what the back side of the moon looks like, what causes day and night, what causes seasons, why the sun and stars appear to move across the sky, and why the moon appears to change shape, just to name a few.  We've also expanded our vocabulary with rotate, revolve, orbit, axis, appearance, and sphere.  Several students have been searching on the internet for more information about space on their own time.  Below are just a few student-friendly links.  If you find any other great websites for kids, let us know!

Star Child
Solar System Tour
Astronomy for Kids
See Phases of the Moon at any Date and Time

Arts, Inc.

Last week we attended a marvelous assembly put on by Arts, Inc. and Altara's 4th grade students.  Through song, dance, games, maps, etc. we learned all about the history of Utah. Next week, we also have a few students participating in the after-school spelling bee and science fair.  Way to get involved and stretch yourselves!
Remember to keep practicing your math facts (and reviewing them, so they stick in your long-term memory:) and continue to prepare for your biography poster book reports, which are due next Thursday. Have a great week!

Biography Book Reports

We are learning so many things through the eyes of the people who lived them! January and February will be full of biographies as we study polar explorers, African Americans, famous women, and many other people who made a difference for good in the world.  Students should choose books on their reading levels about people they are not already familiar with.  Above is a picture of biography book reports completed by past third grade students.  Below is a list of things that should be included on each child's poster.  Biography book reports are due Thursday, January 26th.  Happy Reading!

Requirements: 

• On a poster board, draw a large picture/caricature of the individual whose biography you read. 
• The illustrations must be done by hand, by the students, and neatly colored. 
• Outline everything with a darker color or a black fine tip marker.
• Along the sides of the character, write or type sentences and draw a line to each of the following body parts:

Forehead (Mind):    Write something the person thought.  
Eyes:                       Write something the person saw.  
Ears:                        Write something the person heard.  
Heart:                      Write something the person felt or believed.  
Hands and/or Feet:  Write something the person did.

New Student Dictionaries

Thank you, Sandy Rotary Club, for donating personal dictionaries to Altara's third grade students!

Happy Holidays!

We hope you all had a wonderful Winter Break!  Here are some highlights from last month.