Vocabulary Week 16

Try this new Vocabulary Crossword Game for this week.

Vocabulary Week 16 crossword puzzle game » make crossword


Or Try Hangman

Vocabulary Hang Man game » create hangman

Or a Word Search

Vocabulary Week 16 word search game » free word search

Or this is a game that shows the Art Center from last week.

Art Center Week 15 jigsaw puzzle game » jigsaw puzzles online

Stone Soup: Week 15

We have so many things, that make this season wonderful.  Let me start with the students. Each has their own unique talents that they bring with them to school. Well this week we learn about a story of a similar nature, when the character makes stone soup. If we had time this week, (which we sadly don't) it would be great to have a small sampling from several countries of the world. We do a lot during the month of December to help the students see other cultures and how they celebrate the Holidays. So let me begin by wishing everyone Happy Hanukkah! And today we are celebrating St. Nicholas in our classroom, (parents you will have to ask your child what they have learned about this unique tradition). The next couple of weeks we will be learning Christmas words in German and Spanish. Also, this year we have a bulletin board that helps us see other ways to say Merry Christmas. If I missed a language that you know, let me know and we can add it.

Thanks Jer (Mrs. P)!

Also a reminder for this week, we will be starting Unit 3. That means we start back up with our spelling words. This is Week 15, so find the words on Spellingcity.com. If you look the Vocabulary words are also included.  Here is an outline of the other subjects and content that will be specifically taught this week:

Times Tables

I am not sure where I found this but it gives some ways to remember some of the Times Tables

Zero and One Times Tables : Could This Get Any Easier?


Check this out: if you multiply ANYTHING by zero, the answer is zero. Anything. 4 x 0 = 0 and 1,000,000 x 0 = 0. One times tables are almost as easy. Any number multiplied by one is always itself. "Huh," you say? Well, check it out: 1 x 10 = 10, 1 x 42 = 42, 8,726 x 1 = 8,726. Simple, right?

Two Times Tables : Double Your Pleasure

When you multiply a number by two, you just double that number. That's some pretty simple math, even for the most numerically challenged of us. So, if you want to figure out what 2 x 7 is, you just add 7 + 7 (the answer is 14, by the way). Any number times two is the same as that number PLUS itself. Here's one more example: 2 x 5 is the same as 5 + 5, which equals 10. Practice a couple -- it's really easy

Four Times Tables : Double, Double Trouble


OK, so now that you have the twos figured out, it's time to get doubling again. This is not as confusing as it may sound. When you multiply four with anything, you have to use the doubling-up trick (that's the one you used for the two times table) twice. Here's an example: 4 x 7 is the same as 7 + 7 = 14 and then 14 + 14 = 28. So 4 x 7 = 28. Here's another double, double example: 4 x 10 is the same as 10 + 10 = 20, so then 20 + 20 = 40. So the answer is 4 x 10 = 40.

Five Times Tables : It's Why You Have Fingers

First things first - can you count to five? Yeah? Then you can figure out your five times tables. So, when you want to multiply a number by five you just count up by fives that may times. Let's review how to count by fives: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25... and so on. Got it? So if you want to multiply 5 x 7, you just count by fives, seven times. 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35. So 7 x 5 = 35. If you have trouble keeping track, just use you fingers.

Hope these help some of your students.

Solar System Week 11

The Solar System has been changing a lot over the last few years. We lost Pluto (the true ninth planet in our generation). This week we have the opportunity to study the planets, our solar system and other universes.
Here is what I used to introduce this week's unit:
KQED Quest video on the Planet Hunters (we watched about 5 minutes of this clip to generate some questions about what is just beyond the horizon):

QUEST on KQED Public Media.

Watch for more interesting things that we will incoporate into the learning of the Eight planets and Space Exploration but more particularly in how to read. The skill and strategy we are working on this week is being able to summarize information.

Remember that the Spelling words for week 11 work with the consonant blends /scr/, /spr/, /str/, and /thr/ and you can find the whole list on Spelling City.com.

Also starting this week I would like the children to do a worksheet for reading (also vocabulary and spelling). I won't expect to have the students turn it in until Friday. This gives you and your student some time to finish it, besides the math homework that will be coming home each night. These students are engaged in learning, I hope we can step it up a notch before the holidays. Let me know if it is too much.

Mr. Fisher

November

November is already here. Can you believe it? I have wonderful parents that support our class. I want to thank them and their children for the wonderful things that have happened this year, especially this last week. We had a wonderfully fun time, with Red Ribbon Week and Halloween. We had the best Halloween party in the whole school (Okay, so we didn't watch the movie) - we had fun playing games that everyone enjoyed. The parents had some fun activities and games that were enjoyed by all. I also have a parent that did this Bulletin Board in my class, it has definitely brightened up the front of our room. Thanks. More later this week.

Pumpkin Walk

Click to Play

Century Elementary Annual Pumpkin Walk

Third Grade Class Autumn Picture

Good Luck Dalton!
It was his last day on the eighth of October, best wishes in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

Fly Me to the Moon

Click to Play

The students verbally introduced what they had learned about the moon.

Fly Me to the Moon (rough draft)

Fly Me to the Moon - This is the Rough Draft, so you can't hear the
students too well. I hope you like it.

First Two Weeks

What a wonderful first two weeks this has been. It has been a whirl-wind for me, and it seems that it has been so for the students also. I am happy to report we are settling down into most of the routines and procedures that will be in my classroom.

For parents that were volunteering, I will be ready this next week, I just have to work out some scheduling and details. It is wonderful to have your support.

Hopefully, you have been receiving feedback on your students assignments (that they have been bringing them home to show you). They have been working hard in class, but we are just barely scratching the surface. The routines and structure of the class are being solidified, and the best possible result is that the students are responding. The assignments will get harder and I will be enforcing the highest of expectations as I push and pull the students into compliance.

The first thing I will establish is the communication bridge, so you might read this on the internet, some of you will read this as a printout. Let me know what works best for you.  Next, I am getting into the routines myself, and I promise to have updates weekly, starting this next week (Labor Day was just too nice). 

Mr. Fisher
P.S. Check out a slide show from the first day pictures. To be posted by morning.

This week we are working on procedures, routines, and habits.

For instance in Mathematics the homework is called "Drop in the Bucket." The biggest complaint will be it is too easy. (Reverse psychology - start out easy so they get in the habit).

Mr. Fisher's Expectations

On the eve before school starts I am keenly aware that I have butterflies. I also know that your kids are probably having trouble falling asleep tonight. Summer is over! That means I will be ready, ready or not. I know the first day is always busy and exciting, and there will be questions, so please e-mail me or call me. I have a few parents that have already volunteered, thank-you, I will let you know where and when I need you by next week. Now first things first, a couple of words about this year.

Who I am:

The oldest of six children I have grown up and lived most of my life in many areas of Utah. I currently live in Brigham City.

I love to play sports especially soccer which I play on a consistent basis, and which I have coached competitively. I enjoy camping, reading, studying art, history, German, Geocaching and working with computers. I particularly enjoy spending time with my wife Tifani and our children, T.J. Daniel, Charlotte, & Matthew.

I previously taught at Thomas Edison Charter School, where I taught 5th grade, Technology & Physical Education for six years.  It has been nice to be closer to home, and I love Century - the staff, the parents and of course the students.

I am looking forward to a very successful third year at Century Elementary. 

What I expect:


Classroom Rules

Follow Directions first time given.

Respect yourself and others.

Be in the proper place.

Take care of property & equipment.

Do your best!

Goals For Parents

1. Maintain an open line of communication with the teacher. “Let me know!”

2. You are encouraged to volunteer at the school.

3. Help Me, to help your child have a successful year!

4. Provide a time and place free from distractions for your child to do homework.

5. Make sure your child is reading daily and completing any unfinished class work. Please ensure that they have spent 20—40 minutes on homework each night.

Classroom Goals

1. To have positive interactions with each student!

2. To develop an attitude of respect and citizenship for all individuals and property.

3. To teach students character and academic success in their education, and in their life.

4. To help each student be better prepared to thrive in the twenty-first century as leaders.

What I teach:

Curriculum

The curriculum will be based on the Utah State Core and the new Common Core Standards which contains the following subjects: Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Science, Art, Physical Education, Health, and Computers/technology. We will be using the McGraw Hill “Treasures” Language-Arts Program  and the Scott Foresman Math series.

I also supplement the curriculum with proven methods of teaching that are research based, including Daily Grams and Easy Grammar, Spalding, Science Studies Weekly (I hope to also use World Community Studies Weekly), SpyHop using the iDEA curriculum, and The Leader in Me (which I will introduce in detail in another blog this week). 

More later, hope your first day is bliss.
Thanks,
Mr. Fisher
http://mrfishersthird.blogspot.com

Welcome Back

Welcome Back!

I just finished updating the School Website, now I can concentrate on my site.

First of all I want to thank the parents that attended on Tuesday night. (80% attendance - that is awsome). It was great to see the students, as a teacher you really don't know where to start until you meet the cliental. And, boy am I lucky, it appears that I have the best bunch of third graders - hands down!

Here is current information that you will need to know coming into next week:

1. School starts at 8:10
2. School ends at 2:45

Why did it change, because we as a district are trying very hard to equate an exact amount of time for the school day. There will be exactly 6 hours and 35 minutes in every elementary school in the district. So sorry about the five minutes, it caught us by suprise too!

Early out is this Wednesday, September 1st and we get out at 12:45. This is also different from your Handbook that you recieved. Remember though this will only occur once a month. I have posted the days on the calendar (see the calendar below).

Upcoming post:

1. The structure of my classroom: when we have P.E. (the most important part of third grade), what your children will be expected to learn and my philosophies of teaching. and,
2. First Homework Assignment (have the students bring a picture of something they did this summer).

I will have it posted by Friday night, with further details.

Week 24 "With Glowing Hearts"

VANCOUVER 2010

Although the Winter Olympics is not a focus of our classroom instruction, I do like to teach some lessons that reflect on the spirit of the games. This also marks the  beginning of our READING OLYMPICS! Good Luck everyone, I just bought a new book, The Lightning Thief. I know the movie came out this last weekend, but my goal is to read the book before I see the movie. In my class we will have a board showing how many minutes each student has read during this month.

This week we have a lot going on, tomorrow in particular. Here is our schedule Tuesday morning:
8:30 Computers, then Music Practice, then Bookmobile, and then Recess, and finally Grandparents Lunch at 10:30. Kind of fits the Olympic Theme "With Glowing Hearts." Thanks for all those that are planning on coming in. Busy Morning! Then in the afternoon, there is the "Beat the Teacher Assembly." I actually had a couple of students that beat me. They will be receiving a poster and their choice of a candy bar. The rest of the day we will be trying to focus our attention on this weeks agenda.  Here are some of the things I will be concentrating on this week:


Phonics & Spelling: The c and g in the English language follow certain rules, and I have been teaching the students these rules all year, now it is time to reinforce those rules in our spelling words this week.
Rule 2 - The letter c before e, i, or y says s (cent, city, cycle), but followed by any other letter says k (cat, cot, cut).
Rule 3 - The letter g before e, i, or y says j (page, giant, gym), but followed by any other letter says g (gate, go, gust). The letters e and i following g do not always make the g say j (get, girl, give).

Grammar: In the Daily Grams this week we will look at the following areas:
Capitalization and Punctuation found in direct quotations, titles, greetings, and in proper nouns. Some of the Parts of Speech we will talk about include adjectives that tell how many, adverbs that compare (using the er or est ending - bigger, biggest), and pronouns.
The Grammar in the reading program takes a look at the main verb along with helping verbs.


Reading: The theme this week is "Protecting Our Natural Resources," which also ties in nicely with the Olympics, and the Canadians quest to protect the beautiful Northwest Environment. (If you find anything to tie into this weeks lesson; articles, stories, pictures, please send them with the students). The story we will be reading is a nonfiction article that gives information about real people. The strategy that the students will be modeling this week is monitoring their comprehension by comparing and contrasting. The easiest way to work on this skill at home is to compare the characters found in the story with what is happening in your child's life. Make a list of all the similarities and a list of all the differences. By verbalizing this your child will be able to make other connections as they build on their reading skills.

By the way, don't I have the best looking door! It is awesome! I have some wonderful room mothers that went out of their way to make a wonderful "Manners Meal," for Manners Day on our celebration of Valentine's Day. But the door, THANKS! It fits my personality. Kudos also go out to the wonderful "Teacher Appreciation Week" goodies from the PTA, it was all wonderful. Thanks for taking the time to appreciate us as professional educators.

Some more things that we are working on this week include Mathematics and Science.

In Math we will be finishing up Division for now, and move on to Geometry. Overall, I have been pleasantly surprised at how fast the students have picked up on Division, I know you have been reinforcing it at home, so keep up the great work. We will be covering many more concepts before Spring Break, including measurement, fractions, decimals and a review of multiplication, so we can do double-digit multiplication. Be ready for geometry because there will be some fun activities that can be done at home. Remember I usually always send home a Math assignment Monday - Thursday.

Science: we are studying the Solar System, but not in detail, just briefly. Most students latch onto the Solar System and try to find out more information, so be ready for some questions. Better yet, be ready to direct them to a library book about the Solar System. The biggest topic that came up last year was the fact that Pluto isn't a planet anymore. I have a couple of resources that will help the students understand the planets and be able to compare differences with Earth.

Overall, I see many improvements with the children both academically as well as socially. Their Reading Test that they took Thursday and Friday showed that many of the students have been working hard to be able to read faster, now I need to focus their attention on being better readers, and help them comprehend what they are reading. If you would like to hear how they did, you can wait until Parent Teacher Conference or send me an E-mail.

I plan on posting some pictures of the Valentine's Day - Manner's Meal, later this week, and maybe the Grandparent's pictures as well. Also please have your students bring in articles or stories about the Olympics so we can hang it on our bulletin board. I don't get the newspaper and I don't have TV reception so I am relying on their knowledge and their interests to finish decorating the bulletin board.

So here's to another great week.

Thanks,
Mr. Fisher

Week 22

Welcome to February. We had a wonderful week last week, the students worked hard and then on Friday were rewarded for their efforts. I have done the initial scoring of the block assessment and found the students have done well.

This week we will be moving on to an exciting unit with the theme "What's Cooking." Here are some of the things we are learning this week:

Daily Grams: 
Capitalization of roman numerals, and how to capitalize direct quotations, will be some new concepts.
Punctuation will review how to write lists, dates, friendly notes and a reminder that all sentences end with the proper end mark. (We still forget to put periods at the end of our sentences).
Parts of Speech: Adjectives (telling which one), adverbs (tell when), adverbs (tell where),  conjunctions, and possessive pronouns.
Sentence types is using the technical terms for statements = declarative sentences, questions = interrogative sentences, and commands = imperative sentences.

Spelling:
I almost forgot to update the words on SpellingCity.com. After review weeks, I find that the routine is broken not only in class with the students but also with me as I prepare for the week. This week's words use the aw sound. I almost confused the students this morning when I introduced this weeks words, I forgot that there are several ways to spell that sound. Here are the different ways to spell that sound: "a" as in ball, "aw" as in pawn, "au" as in pause, "ough" used in words like bought, and an additional phonogram "augh" is used quite frequently in common words like daughter. Have some fun with these words, I find it beneficial to use the words in sentences when practicing the spelling of the words, it helps the mind remember which way to spell it when we can associate a connection.

Reading:
The biggest thing we will be concentrating on this week is how to make inferences (guessing what will happen next). Have you ever read a story that ends with a silent ending, and you always what happens next, that is what we mean when we talk about making inferences. Another skill we will focus on is comparing and contrasting. This week we will look at how the main character, Rooster is different from the other characters like Pig. This skill can be used when you read with your child at night, because the child can relate with the character identifying how the character reacts to their situations. For example when I was a lad I always felt I had a connection with Encyclopedia Brown. Though my sleuthing skills never resulted in solving the next big case, I was always comparing myself with Encyclopedia.

Part of this week's focus is on the following verbs known as helping verbs:

 

I consider this a new skill, although we either use it correctly in our speech or we hear it when it is used incorrectly. A redneck would say, "I is going home." When we know that we should say "I am going home." Anyway I will be challenging the students to memorize the Be words: "am, is, are, was, were," the Do words: "do, does, did," and the Have words: "have, has, had."

Math:

We are working on division, and making great progress on our multiplication timings. The students are getting better at recognizing how to do multiplication backwards - to divide. 3 x ___ = 12 is the same as 12 divided by 3.  I know there are a lot of you helping them to break down the barriers in being able to understand this concept, thanks for your hard work. We are actually taking the Math Block Assessment, I feel the students are ready for this test. We will be taking it Tuesday, Thursday and Friday if needed.

Science:

We are studying earthquakes, we should have talked about this a few weeks ago, when it was relevant with the Haiti earthquake. The students should be able to give some good examples, about earthquakes. I know some of the students have even lived in other states susceptible to earthquakes.  This Thursday is the Science Fair for all 3rd - 5th grade students. I know of at least five of our classmates that are working on their science fair projects. Good Luck!

History:

Yes, I do want the students to draw a map of how to get from the school to their home. I will be checking on Google Earth to see if we can get home. The object is to help the students become aware of their own community, and in relation to maps, to see if they can accurately communicate directions to someone else.

If you look at our calendar we have the following coming up during February:

• Thursday, February 4th, (12:45 - 1:45 - time to see the projects) 3rd - 5th Grade Science Fair
• Friday, February 12th - Manners Day (Valentine's Party - at the end of the day).
• Grandparent's Day
• 5th Grade - Feb. 2nd
• 4th Grade - Feb. 9th
• 3rd Grade - Feb. 16th that is the day after President's day.
• 2nd Grade - Feb. 23rd

Thanks, that is all for now.

Mr. Ronald Fisher
3rd Grade Teacher
Century Elementary School
ronald.fisher@besd.net
http://mrfishersthird.blogspot.com

Week 21

A head's up on what is happening this week:

Block Assessment for Language Arts. This is the six week test that shows how well the student is doing.

A review of spelling words that were the most frequently mis-spelled words from the past five weeks.

Mathematics, we are moving into the basics of division, but the students are working hard on their multiplication.

Science, more science ideas with the specific topic being about "Volcanoes and Earth Movement"

Wednesday will be "Show & Tell"

Friday will be an Awards Assembly

Friday we will also go Swimming for the last time. (And if you have time I will be posting a Survey about how you feel about this opportunity, please give me some feedback).

And announcing here for my students benefit, yes we will be having FisherStore on Friday at 10:40 - 11:15 (squeezing it in, but the students have rightfully earned it).

Science Fair Links

The Science Fair for 3rd - 5th Graders is coming up on February 4, that is next Thursday.

Here are some links that might be helpful:



And here is a list of Experiments that were in our Science Studies Weekly:

Weird Day

A weird way to start out this week. My apologies for the way everything transpired today, but everything seemed to work out okay. I learned that I need to be a little more prepared for such an event. If you read this, and you have changed your address, phone number or contacts could you let me know about those changes. As I started calling I found three phone numbers were disconnected and one person I never received any contact information for, to be able to call in an emergency.

I am sure grateful to Mrs. Burt who had everything ready to teach an art lesson instead of computers, she kept the kids on task and concentrating on school, while I took care of business.

Well, this week will be short, but I still have to squeeze in five days worth of content. Here is an overview that I was planning on presenting with the students this morning.

Daily Grams: Capitalizing, Punctuation (with abbreviations), Proper and Possessive Nouns, how to use helping verbs, and a review of Past Tense verbs, and we will also do some Alphabetizing.
Spelling: working with words that have the /oi/ sound. There are only two ways to spell the /oi/ sound, either oi or oy. The easy way to remember which spelling to use is to follow the rule that if the /oi/ sound is at the end of the word use oy, because English words do not end in "i."
Handwriting: We will continue our discussion this week of how to do capital letters in cursive.

Reading: Our theme this week is the "Art of Illustrating." Our emphasis will be on understanding text structure (understanding what kind of text we are reading - to entertain or to inform) and chronological order. So for example did Goldilocks eat the bowls of porridge first or did she find a comfy bed to sleep on.  The students will be excited for the extra opportunities to be Illustrators.

Mathematics: We are ready to start into division, scary but I think an introduction helps the students solidify their understanding of multiplication. Keep up the great work with their Times Tables. I had 8 - 11 students pass of their times tables, last week.

Science: Aaron has been anxiously waiting for some guidance in finding some Science Fair Ideas, and we just never have enough time. Today, we were going to go over some of those ideas, but we will have to do that on Thursday. I will post some science fair links along with our ideas from that discussion then. Only two more weeks until the Century Science Fair!

Just a note of accomplishment, I probably shouldn't, but I wanted to congratulate all the students on some exceptional performances on their spelling and reading tests last week. They all showed improvement. For me, that means they are learning, my number one goal as a teacher. And again thank-you to all the students for handling this morning with patience and maturity, besides I have the best Third Grade class.

Parent Teacher Conferences

I would like to thank all the parents that came in during SEP's (Parent Teacher  conferences). It is always a joy to see and connect with the parents of my students. The best part is seeing the students interact with their parents and show off their progress and accomplishments.

Have a great weekend.

Week 19

Week 18 went by so fast, and yet it was probably the longest week of the year. (Ha, ha, it was the longest week of the year - so far). Coming up this week we have a lot of things planned, and yet there will not be much time to squeeze it all in.  I just finished grading the spelling test from this last week, and I am very impressed with how the students have developed their ability to do cursive, and on a spelling test. Overall, only a few students still struggle with cursive. This is a big hurdle in the third grade, so encourage what you see.

Here is this weeks schedule:
Monday: Music, Phonics, Spelling, Grammar, Reading Groups, Math, and Science.
Tuesday: Computers, Phonics, Spelling, Grammar, Reading Groups, Math and History.
Wednesday: Basketball, Phonics, Spelling, Reading Practice, Reading Groups, Math, Star Talk, and Show and Tell. * See below for further note about Show and Tell.  Also this is SEP Conferences starting at 1:45 and continuing until 7:00.
Thursday: Art, Phonics, Spelling, Reading, Reading Groups, Math, and Science. SEP Conferences 2:45 - 7:00.
Friday: NO SCHOOL
Monday: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday - NO SCHOOL

Now for some details: