My apologies for not being able to update my blog the last month. I have been a little busy at home, but everything is working out. Thanks for your wonderful kids, they were stupendous on Monday for the substitute teacher. If you don't hear from me again, Merry Christmas!
I have been worried sick about my brother, he will be living with my family for the next month or so.
http://www.fisherfoto.com/family/earl/earl.html
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Eight Times Tables
Eight Times Tables put into a Table
8 x 1 = 8
8 x 2 = 16
8 x 3 = 24
8 x 4 = 32
8 x 5 = 40
8 x 6 = 48
8 x 7 = 56
8 x 8 = 64
8 x 9 = 72
8 x 10 = 80
8 x 11 = 88
8 x 12 = 96
If you have a look at the tens digits here, you'll see a very interesting in the first five rows :
8 x 1 = 08
8 x 2 = 16
8 x 3 = 24
8 x 4 = 32
8 x 5 = 40
So up to five, eight times something starts with one less than the something.
• Eight times 1 starts with 0,
• eight times 2 starts with 1,
• eight times 3 starts with 2,
• eight times 4 starts with 3, and
• eight times 5 starts with 4.
The next few rows have a similar pattern
8 x 6 = 48
8 x 7 = 56
8 x 8 = 64
8 x 9 = 72
8 x 10 = 80
For numbers in the range 6 to 10, eight times the number starts with two less than the number.
• Eight times 6 starts with 4,
• eight times 7 starts with 5,
• eight times 8 starts with 6,
• eight times 9 starts with 7, and
• eight times 10 starts with 8.
The next block of 5 rows has, again, a similar pattern.
• Eight times 11 starts with 8,
• eight times 12 starts with 9,
• eight times 13 starts with 10,
• eight times 14 starts with 11, and
• eight times 15 starts with 12.
Well, that might help remember the tens digit, but what about the ones digit?
Note that within each block of five rows, the ones digit follows a very simple pattern
8, 6, 4, 2, 0
And this repeats over and over and over!
If your child has a good handle on the two and ten times tables, then it is not too hard perhaps to mentally multiply by eight. To multiply something by eight, remember that eight times a number is ten times the number minus two times the number. This is because 8 = 10 - 2. For example
• To work out 8 times 7 :
• 10 times 7 is 70
• 2 times 7 is 14
• 70 - 14 is 60 - 4, or 56.
Alternatively, if their four times table is strong, eight times a number is four times the number, added to four times the number. That is, eight times is twice four times. For example
• To find 8 times 7
• 4 times 7 is 28, and
• 28 + 28 is 56.
Another nice pattern appears in the digits used in certain rows of the table. Check out the following two sums.
8 x 8 = 6 4, and
8 x 6 = 4 8
Notice that you can get one from the other just by shifting all the digits sideways. Another pair of sums like this is
4 x 8 = 3 2, and
8 x 3 = 2 4
I used one of these pairs as the inspiration for one of the times table mazes on this site.
Before I close, let me mention this... Did you know that to test if a number is divisible by 8, you only need to look at the last 3 digits? Here's how the test works.
• Firstly, the last digit should be 8, 6, 4, 2 or 0.
This makes sure that the number is an even number. Odd numbers ae not divisible by two, so they can't be divisible by eight!
• If the last digit is 0, 4 or 8 (a multiple of 4), the second last digit should be even.
• If the last digit is 2 or 6 (a multiple of 2, but not 4), the second last digit should be odd.
These two conditions make sure the number is divisible by 4. If a number is not divisble by 4, it can't be divisble by 8! For example, 3098 is not divisble by 4 - the last digit is 8, but the second last is not even. On the other hand, 3932 is divisible by 4.
• If the last two digits make up a multiple of 8, then the third last digit must be even.
• If the last two digits don't make up a multiple of 8, then the third last digit must be odd.
Of course, it helps to be familar with the eight times tables (up to 8 x 12) for this last test.
It's worth giving a few examples of applying these rules...
• 314159 is not a multiple of 8. It fails the first test, so it's not even a multiple of 2. The last digit is 9, not 8,6,4,2 or 0.
• 314158 passes the first test. The last digit is 8. The next test requires that the second last digit be even, but it's not. So 314158 is not a multiple of 4, let alone 8.
• 314162 passes the first test also. The last digit is 2. If the last digit is 2 ot 6, the next test requires the second last digit to be odd. Again, the number fails to be a multiple of 4!
• 314156 passes the first and second tests! So it's a multiple of 4. The last two digits make up 56, which is a multiple of 8. The third and final test tells us that the third last digit should be even. But it's odd! So 314156 is a multiple of 4, but not of 8. (On the other hand, 314256 is a multiple of 8, by this very same test)
• 314152 passes the first and second tests also! So it's a multiple of 4. The last two digits make up 52, and since I know my 8 times table, I know that 52 is not eight times anything. The third and final test tells me that the third last digit should be odd - and it is! So 314152 is, indeed, a multiple of 8 - and so would be any number at all ending in 152.
Note that 152 = 8 x 19, and 314152 = 8 x 39269.
8 x 1 = 8
8 x 2 = 16
8 x 3 = 24
8 x 4 = 32
8 x 5 = 40
8 x 6 = 48
8 x 7 = 56
8 x 8 = 64
8 x 9 = 72
8 x 10 = 80
8 x 11 = 88
8 x 12 = 96
If you have a look at the tens digits here, you'll see a very interesting in the first five rows :
8 x 1 = 08
8 x 2 = 16
8 x 3 = 24
8 x 4 = 32
8 x 5 = 40
So up to five, eight times something starts with one less than the something.
• Eight times 1 starts with 0,
• eight times 2 starts with 1,
• eight times 3 starts with 2,
• eight times 4 starts with 3, and
• eight times 5 starts with 4.
The next few rows have a similar pattern
8 x 6 = 48
8 x 7 = 56
8 x 8 = 64
8 x 9 = 72
8 x 10 = 80
For numbers in the range 6 to 10, eight times the number starts with two less than the number.
• Eight times 6 starts with 4,
• eight times 7 starts with 5,
• eight times 8 starts with 6,
• eight times 9 starts with 7, and
• eight times 10 starts with 8.
The next block of 5 rows has, again, a similar pattern.
• Eight times 11 starts with 8,
• eight times 12 starts with 9,
• eight times 13 starts with 10,
• eight times 14 starts with 11, and
• eight times 15 starts with 12.
Well, that might help remember the tens digit, but what about the ones digit?
Note that within each block of five rows, the ones digit follows a very simple pattern
8, 6, 4, 2, 0
And this repeats over and over and over!
If your child has a good handle on the two and ten times tables, then it is not too hard perhaps to mentally multiply by eight. To multiply something by eight, remember that eight times a number is ten times the number minus two times the number. This is because 8 = 10 - 2. For example
• To work out 8 times 7 :
• 10 times 7 is 70
• 2 times 7 is 14
• 70 - 14 is 60 - 4, or 56.
Alternatively, if their four times table is strong, eight times a number is four times the number, added to four times the number. That is, eight times is twice four times. For example
• To find 8 times 7
• 4 times 7 is 28, and
• 28 + 28 is 56.
Another nice pattern appears in the digits used in certain rows of the table. Check out the following two sums.
8 x 8 = 6 4, and
8 x 6 = 4 8
Notice that you can get one from the other just by shifting all the digits sideways. Another pair of sums like this is
4 x 8 = 3 2, and
8 x 3 = 2 4
I used one of these pairs as the inspiration for one of the times table mazes on this site.
Before I close, let me mention this... Did you know that to test if a number is divisible by 8, you only need to look at the last 3 digits? Here's how the test works.
• Firstly, the last digit should be 8, 6, 4, 2 or 0.
This makes sure that the number is an even number. Odd numbers ae not divisible by two, so they can't be divisible by eight!
• If the last digit is 0, 4 or 8 (a multiple of 4), the second last digit should be even.
• If the last digit is 2 or 6 (a multiple of 2, but not 4), the second last digit should be odd.
These two conditions make sure the number is divisible by 4. If a number is not divisble by 4, it can't be divisble by 8! For example, 3098 is not divisble by 4 - the last digit is 8, but the second last is not even. On the other hand, 3932 is divisible by 4.
• If the last two digits make up a multiple of 8, then the third last digit must be even.
• If the last two digits don't make up a multiple of 8, then the third last digit must be odd.
Of course, it helps to be familar with the eight times tables (up to 8 x 12) for this last test.
It's worth giving a few examples of applying these rules...
• 314159 is not a multiple of 8. It fails the first test, so it's not even a multiple of 2. The last digit is 9, not 8,6,4,2 or 0.
• 314158 passes the first test. The last digit is 8. The next test requires that the second last digit be even, but it's not. So 314158 is not a multiple of 4, let alone 8.
• 314162 passes the first test also. The last digit is 2. If the last digit is 2 ot 6, the next test requires the second last digit to be odd. Again, the number fails to be a multiple of 4!
• 314156 passes the first and second tests! So it's a multiple of 4. The last two digits make up 56, which is a multiple of 8. The third and final test tells us that the third last digit should be even. But it's odd! So 314156 is a multiple of 4, but not of 8. (On the other hand, 314256 is a multiple of 8, by this very same test)
• 314152 passes the first and second tests also! So it's a multiple of 4. The last two digits make up 52, and since I know my 8 times table, I know that 52 is not eight times anything. The third and final test tells me that the third last digit should be odd - and it is! So 314152 is, indeed, a multiple of 8 - and so would be any number at all ending in 152.
Note that 152 = 8 x 19, and 314152 = 8 x 39269.
Times Tables – Multiplication Tricks
I don't recall where I obtained these tricks, but I have some more tricks that I will post in the coming weeks. Here are some Times Table Tricks for 0, 1, 2, 4, 5, 9, 10, and 11 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
Nine Times Tables - One Seriously Handy Tip
Here is a fun (OK, "fun" is a relative term) way to remember your nine times tables. For this method you are going to need to have two hands. Put your hands in front of you with your palms towards you. Your fingers represent the numbers one to ten (one is your left thumb; ten is your right thumb). Now you're ready to do your nine times tables. Let's say the question is 9 x 4. Count to the fourth finger (if you've counted right, it will be the ring finger on your left hand) and curl that finger under. Now you have three fingers up before that finger and 6 up after it. So the answer is 36. Let's try 9 x 8. Put down the 8th finger (middle finger on the right hand) so that you have seven fingers up before the finger you curled under, and two fingers afterward. So the answer is 72. If you're confused, check out the diagram at the top of this page on the right. It'll clear things up
Ten Times Tables : Just Add Zero and Stir
Here's another no brainer. If you want to multiply something by 10, just add a zero on the end. Here's an example: 10 x 8 = 80 or 10 x 100 = 1,000. Try it with any number - from one to a billion. It's just too easy.
Eleven Times Tables :: Seeing Double
Here's another one that's as easy as pie. Any number - up to nine - multiplied by 11 is itself written out twice. Confused? Just check it out: 9 x 11 = 99, 4 x 11 = 44, 3 x 11 = 33 and so on.
* Hint *
• Times tables work both ways (5 x 10 is the same as 10 x 5) so if you have the question 3 x 11, don’t stress that there isn't a trick for the three times tables -- use the trick for 11 instead!
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
Nine Times Tables - One Seriously Handy Tip
Here is a fun (OK, "fun" is a relative term) way to remember your nine times tables. For this method you are going to need to have two hands. Put your hands in front of you with your palms towards you. Your fingers represent the numbers one to ten (one is your left thumb; ten is your right thumb). Now you're ready to do your nine times tables. Let's say the question is 9 x 4. Count to the fourth finger (if you've counted right, it will be the ring finger on your left hand) and curl that finger under. Now you have three fingers up before that finger and 6 up after it. So the answer is 36. Let's try 9 x 8. Put down the 8th finger (middle finger on the right hand) so that you have seven fingers up before the finger you curled under, and two fingers afterward. So the answer is 72. If you're confused, check out the diagram at the top of this page on the right. It'll clear things up
Ten Times Tables : Just Add Zero and Stir
Here's another no brainer. If you want to multiply something by 10, just add a zero on the end. Here's an example: 10 x 8 = 80 or 10 x 100 = 1,000. Try it with any number - from one to a billion. It's just too easy.
Eleven Times Tables :: Seeing Double
Here's another one that's as easy as pie. Any number - up to nine - multiplied by 11 is itself written out twice. Confused? Just check it out: 9 x 11 = 99, 4 x 11 = 44, 3 x 11 = 33 and so on.
* Hint *
• Times tables work both ways (5 x 10 is the same as 10 x 5) so if you have the question 3 x 11, don’t stress that there isn't a trick for the three times tables -- use the trick for 11 instead!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Week 12
Spelling Words:
This is the list
|
Monday
|
Tuesday
| ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
wrap
knit gnat wrists knots wrote knight sign knock wreck |
know
wring gnaws write wrong throne spray scratch wristwatch knapsack |
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week 11
Wow last week went by fast, here is the plan for this coming week:
Here are some things that we will be doing this Month:
Here are some things that we will be doing this Month:
1. Patriotism Week (November 9-13) (see previous blog for details Patriotism Week)
2. Literacy Night 6:30 (November 10). Come and have some fun, and learn some better ways to read!
3. Individual Picture Re-takes (November 18)
4. Block 2 Assessments (November 23 - December 4)
5. TURKEY TROT (November 24) - "Start training for the Turkey Trot!"
2. Literacy Night 6:30 (November 10). Come and have some fun, and learn some better ways to read!
3. Individual Picture Re-takes (November 18)
4. Block 2 Assessments (November 23 - December 4)
5. TURKEY TROT (November 24) - "Start training for the Turkey Trot!"
Here is a list of what we are trying to accomplish this week:
DG (Daily Grams)
Capitalization:
1. Do not capitalize the names of foods.
2. Remember to capitalize the first word of each line of poetry.
3. Capitalize the name of a church, temple or other religious place.
Punctuation:
1. Remember to place a comma after the closing of a letter.
2. Abbreviations for the days of the week and the months.
3. Place a comma after yes or no at the beginning of a sentence.
Parts of Speech:
1. Pronouns take the place of nouns.
2. Adjectives: When comparing two things with a one-syllable word use -er. bright (brighter, low=lower). When comparing three or more things with a one-syllable word use est as in low (lowest, bright=brightest).
3. Verbs: The Be words (am, is, are, was, were).
4. Nouns: Plural means more than one. Most words add s to form the plural, However, add es to words ending in s, ti, ch, and x.
5. Prefixes/Roots/Suffixes: The root is any word without a part added at the beginning or a part added at the end. (un+kind, wash+ing, learn+ing). Some words are made by adding a prefix before the main word or root, (re+charge, non+stop).
6. Subject / Verb: The subject tells you who or what the sentence is about. The verb often shows action.
7. Rhyming Words: Two words that rhyme with cat.
Capitalization:
1. Do not capitalize the names of foods.
2. Remember to capitalize the first word of each line of poetry.
3. Capitalize the name of a church, temple or other religious place.
Punctuation:
1. Remember to place a comma after the closing of a letter.
2. Abbreviations for the days of the week and the months.
3. Place a comma after yes or no at the beginning of a sentence.
Parts of Speech:
1. Pronouns take the place of nouns.
2. Adjectives: When comparing two things with a one-syllable word use -er. bright (brighter, low=lower). When comparing three or more things with a one-syllable word use est as in low (lowest, bright=brightest).
3. Verbs: The Be words (am, is, are, was, were).
4. Nouns: Plural means more than one. Most words add s to form the plural, However, add es to words ending in s, ti, ch, and x.
5. Prefixes/Roots/Suffixes: The root is any word without a part added at the beginning or a part added at the end. (un+kind, wash+ing, learn+ing). Some words are made by adding a prefix before the main word or root, (re+charge, non+stop).
6. Subject / Verb: The subject tells you who or what the sentence is about. The verb often shows action.
7. Rhyming Words: Two words that rhyme with cat.
Spelling: Consonant blends using the following patterns /thr/, /scr/, /spr/, and /str/. Notice these blended combination of letters are dominated by the r sound at the end of each sound.
Don't forget to check out the spelling words on SpellingCity.com - it counts for study time.
Spelling Words:
This is the list | Monday | Tuesday | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | thread scrubs spree scream stream scratch spread throne three screens | spray throw strong scraped strength thick washing whales streamer scribble |
Reading We are reading "The Planets in Our Solar System." This week's theme is "The Solar Sytem."
Reading Groups - Looking at some of the interplanetary and galactic entities that exist in outer space.
Read Aloud: Robinson Crusoe - we will be done on Monday or Tuesday, after I grade them, the students should be bringing their little summary books home to share with you.
Math - Subtraction - Borrow and Carry, find the difference of numbers.
Multiplication - Passing off the 1 Times Tables, and starting the two's. (Be Practicing)
Science - Changing Matter: Compounds, Mixtures and Solutions
Chemistry on the Menu - think about the chemical changes that occur within the cooking of the family dinner. Your kids should be asking you questions, have them stir the pot or finish the science experiment. (I can't promise you that they will be willing to set the table, or even cook dinner one night but try to get your money's worth).
1. http://pbs.org/zoom/activites/sci (check it out for some cool kitchen science experiments.
2. Last week we learned about George Washington Carver, this week we are learning about Ellen Swallow Richards (the first woman to graduate from the MIT).
3. We will also find out a little bit about how soda pop is made.
Chemistry on the Menu - think about the chemical changes that occur within the cooking of the family dinner. Your kids should be asking you questions, have them stir the pot or finish the science experiment. (I can't promise you that they will be willing to set the table, or even cook dinner one night but try to get your money's worth).
1. http://pbs.org/zoom/activites/sci (check it out for some cool kitchen science experiments.
2. Last week we learned about George Washington Carver, this week we are learning about Ellen Swallow Richards (the first woman to graduate from the MIT).
3. We will also find out a little bit about how soda pop is made.
History - Looking at some of the communities around Bear River City. Today we read about Yuma and how it was established.
Thanks,
Mr. Fisher
Friday, November 6, 2009
Patriotism Week 2009
Patriotism Week
Monday: "Symbols of America" Day - Trivia contest about America's Symbols.
Kindergarten & 1st Grade:
What do the 13 stripes and 50 stars on the American flag represent?
2nd & 3rd Grades:
Kindergarten & 1st Grade:
What do the 13 stripes and 50 stars on the American flag represent?
2nd & 3rd Grades:
- What do you know about the Statue of Liberty?
- What is one nickname for the American flag?
- What do the words, united and indivisible, in the Pledge of Allegiance mean?
- What does the eagle, our national bird, represent?
- What was Benjamin Franklin’s proposal for a national bird? Why?
Tuesday: "All about the Flag" Day - Red/ White/ Blue chain (Respect for the Flag powerpoint).
Wednesday: Veteran's Day On the Eleventh day of the Eleventh month at the Eleventh hour, the Armistice was signed by the Allies and Germany. "In many parts of the world people take a two-minute moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. as a sign of respect for the roughly 20 million who died in the war." Wikipedia.com. We will also have a moment of silence and recite the pledge all together. http://www4.va.gov/kids/
Thursday: "American Pride" Day - Wall of Commitment
Friday: "I Can Be A Great American" Day - Plan a class service project!
I could use some suggestions for the Friday project, if you know of some way that we can serve our community this next week, please contact me.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Week 10
I will be updating this post, as the week continues, so it might be vague on Monday, but by Wednesday it should be complete.
Here are some things that we will be doing this Month: check out the calendar. Parents & Pastries - This Friday!
Here is a list of what we are trying to accomplish this week:
Daily Grams:
Spelling: /th/, /wh/, and /sh/ sounds also known as fricatives and glides (I will explain).
Don't forget to check out the spelling words on SpellingCity.com - it counts for study time.
Reading Groups - Looking at some future computers and reading up a storm.
Robinson Crusoe - we are almost done, it has been quite an experience.
Math - Triple digit addition, Subtraction - Borrow and Carry.
Science - Solid, Liquid, or gas. (Some helpful links will be posted here).
History - Looking at some of the communities around Bear River City.
Thanks.
Here are some things that we will be doing this Month: check out the calendar. Parents & Pastries - This Friday!
Here is a list of what we are trying to accomplish this week:
Daily Grams:
Spelling: /th/, /wh/, and /sh/ sounds also known as fricatives and glides (I will explain).
Don't forget to check out the spelling words on SpellingCity.com - it counts for study time.
Spelling Words:
This is the list | Monday | Tuesday | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | thick shock them month this fish washing dishpan truth what | wheel weather whales sixth pathway lunch chick pitch shadow thicken |
Reading We are reading "What's in Store for the Future." This week's theme is "Past, Present, and Future."
Reading Groups - Looking at some future computers and reading up a storm.
Robinson Crusoe - we are almost done, it has been quite an experience.
Math - Triple digit addition, Subtraction - Borrow and Carry.
Science - Solid, Liquid, or gas. (Some helpful links will be posted here).
History - Looking at some of the communities around Bear River City.
Thanks.
Happy Halloween
Halloween Party
Our Halloween Party was a blast. Here are all of our Costumes:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=1&aid=8947&id=100000168226544
And the night before the Pumpkin walk was amazing!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=1&aid=8944&id=100000168226544
Thanks for those that participated, and thanks to the parents that took some of their extra time to donate to our class, I appreciate them. Thank you again.
Our Halloween Party was a blast. Here are all of our Costumes:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=1&aid=8947&id=100000168226544
And the night before the Pumpkin walk was amazing!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?page=1&aid=8944&id=100000168226544
Thanks for those that participated, and thanks to the parents that took some of their extra time to donate to our class, I appreciate them. Thank you again.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Some announcements for this week.
- Pumpkin walk's theme is "The Grave Yard." We will have our pumpkins right outside my window. So get those pumpkins ready for Thursday night.
- Reflections are due November 9th.
- And RED RIBBON Week is a big success.
Dictionary for Third Grade
Last week Brigham City Rotary Club graciously donated a Dictionary to each of the third graders at our school. We would like to thank them for their generosity.
And now for a story, I received a similar dictionary from when I was in Elementary school. The thing that I tell the students is that this sits right next to my computer. Why would I do that when there is a spell checker and the internet? Habit, the authentic feel, or (and I emphasize this point), because a dictionary is faster than a computer. Why? Because I know how to use it. I love showing the comparison to the students, it is beat-up and is actually falling apart in the middle, and it's mine!
Spelling with /ch/ sound
The spelling words for this week use the /ch/ sound. Normally "ch" by itself has three sounds, we can isolate this sound this week but even the students have learned that "ch" can say /ch/, /k/, and /sh/ as in the words much, school, and chef respectively. This weeks' list shows two different ways to spell the /ch/ sound, the first is of course "ch," the second is a common spelling found in the "tch" spelling. The t sneaks itself into the sound, and we say /ch/ as in the word catch. This makes it fun, and yes, you might have to do some extra practicing to know when to use ch and when to use tch. The one thing that might help is that the "tch" is usually the ch sound found at the end of a word, but be careful words like bench and crunch do not use the "tch."
Here are the words (Sorry for the delay): Don't forget I have the spelling words also posted at SpellingCity.com.
Our Planner:
Here are the words (Sorry for the delay): Don't forget I have the spelling words also posted at SpellingCity.com.
Our Planner:
 | | chick much pitch teacher chum lunch ditch cheek hatch cheese | | bench chunk stretch watching crunching weak green seal catcher sandwich |
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Freaky Fly Day
The favorite book from my class last year was "Of Mice and Magic." The author has finished the third book, is from Utah and has a great imagination for children to latch onto.
The third Ravenspell installment finds Ben and Amber teaming up with the world's most perfect human -- California's glamorous movie star Governor Harold Shortzenbeggar -- as they attempt to defeat Beele Z. Bug! http://davidfarland.zenfront.com/ravenspell/ravenspell-freaky-fly-day.html
David Farland will be doing a book tour through Utah throughout September and early October. Watch out soon for information on release parties for his books IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS and FREAKY FLY DAY.
And a sample chapter: http://www.fantasyreadersunderground.com/Freaky_Fly_Day_sample_chapter.html
The third Ravenspell installment finds Ben and Amber teaming up with the world's most perfect human -- California's glamorous movie star Governor Harold Shortzenbeggar -- as they attempt to defeat Beele Z. Bug! http://davidfarland.zenfront.com/ravenspell/ravenspell-freaky-fly-day.htmlDavid Farland will be doing a book tour through Utah throughout September and early October. Watch out soon for information on release parties for his books IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS and FREAKY FLY DAY.
And a sample chapter: http://www.fantasyreadersunderground.com/Freaky_Fly_Day_sample_chapter.html
Friday, October 23, 2009
Concerned about the Flu. Here is one way to help prevent the spread of most diseases.
http://www.billharley.com/Store_Level3.asp?ProductID=141&CategoryID=9
Bill Harley wrote the song "Wash Your Hands" to remind kids that hand washing will help to prevent the spread of the flu. The four important things to remember are:
1) Get vaccinated
2) Cover your cough
3) Wash your hands
4) Stay home when you're sick
We will be discussing this in detail this next week in a lesson that I have planned. We have a black lamp that will allow us to see if just washing our hands is enough. Usually the kids will see that washing hands and then using hand sanitizer is the best route to really clean hands.
Enjoy the songs and pass them on:
http://www.billharley.com/Store_Level3.asp?ProductID=141&CategoryID=9
Bill Harley wrote the song "Wash Your Hands" to remind kids that hand washing will help to prevent the spread of the flu. The four important things to remember are:1) Get vaccinated
2) Cover your cough
3) Wash your hands
4) Stay home when you're sick
We will be discussing this in detail this next week in a lesson that I have planned. We have a black lamp that will allow us to see if just washing our hands is enough. Usually the kids will see that washing hands and then using hand sanitizer is the best route to really clean hands.
Enjoy the songs and pass them on:
| Long Version (3 minutes, 51 seconds): 1. Click here and save the file | Short Version (1 minute, 49 seconds): 1. Click here and save the file |
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Spelling with long /e/
Today in class we found 6 different ways to spell the long e sound. The 4 most common ones that we will be reviewing this week are e, ee, ea, and ie. Be careful as we found out that a lot of these words have a companion word that sounds the same, but these words have different meanings, and are spelled different. This is what we call homonyms like in the words: meet - meat; read - reed; sea - see; and a whole lot more (at some point this year I usually have the students make a homonym list).Here is the list of spelling words for this week:
Also a quick note the Literacy Night that was planned for this Thursday night has been postponed until November 10th.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Check it out Week 8
Dear Parents,
This year, we will be using SpellingCity.com in our classroom. SpellingCity is a website that helps students learn their weekly spelling words while having fun at the same time. As a teacher, I will put up my weekly spelling lists on SpellingCity and your children can review the words, and play spelling games with their words to reinforce the learning process. Here’s how to help your child master his or her spelling words: Simply go to http://www.spellingcity.com/
To get started, click on “Week 8” Spelling List. Then try the Teach Me, Test Me, or Play A Game link. You can always find our class spelling lists by simply clicking on “Find a List” and typing in my name, Ronald Fisher. The lists will appear and your child can immediately start using it to practice his or her words. Many kids enjoy building their spelling skills with Spelling City. Please encourage your children to spend about twenty minutes, two nights in a row before their weekly test. The challenge is to do the "Test Me, Teach Me and Play a Game" links before Thursday.
Let’s work together as a team to ensure that your child becomes an independent, lifelong learner. I have also linked the icon on the side to go directly to our Spelling List.
Yours truly,
Mr. Fisher
Spelling Words will be posted tomorrow with some further details about the long e and how it is used this week (not weak).
Other things happening this week include:
1. Reading the play "The Strongest One" a story about Little Red Ant and his quest to find out who is the strongest one. Here is a link to find out more about Joseph Bruchac and the illustrator Lucia Angela Perez.
http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/utah/students/grade3/book1 This is the main link (I wanted you to see this main page - so you can always come back) and look under Unit 2 to find the story "The Strongest One."
a. Try the Spelling Activity
b. Try the Vocabulary Activity
c. Look up the information about the Author and the Illustrator
2. Finishing Rule Page 1 - This is part of their spelling notebooks. I will explain this later.
3. Daily Grams:
a. Capitalization: Capitalize the name of a school, college, hospital, medical center, special house, museum, or department store.
b. Punctuation: Apostrophe (Bob's dad), Commas after the closing of a letter (Truly yours,), After dates (Tuesday, October 20, 2009), and using the Exclamation Point (Yikes!).
c. Parts of Speech: Past Tense (A bird hops / hopped on the grass), Nouns (persons, places or things), Adverbs often tell how (how did she wash the car? slowly), and Adverbs tell where (Come here).
d. Prefixes/Roots/Suffixes (dis + honest, dump + ed), Compound Words (made up of two words), Sentence Types (statement tells you something, question asks you something, command tells you to do something), Difficult words (Two = 2, to = preposition or part of a verb [to draw], too = also or overly [too fast]), Dictionary Guide Words, and Synonyms (words that have similar meanings).
4. Announcement - sometime this week The Rotary Club will be presenting our third grade students with a dictionary to be used at school, and if you are like me I still have mine from my third grade teacher.
5. Math - Math Block Assessment - from the district this test is designed to help us as teachers know where your students are in relation to what we have taught them so far this year. It measures their growth, but more importantly it helps me know what they didn't get. We are also reviewing estimating, rounding, Properties of Addition, and moving on to Adding 2 and 3 digit numbers. My goal is to have them try to add in their head. :)
6. Science This Week: Tools of Science, Antarctica, Penguins, Archimedes, and some more information on the Moon (plus the start of our Moon Journal). I will post more information on this Tuesday or Wednesday. The Lab this week looks at making a compass - hope you are ready.
Well thank you again for coming in last week and meeting with me during Parent Teacher Conferences. I have the best class and they proved it on Thursday afternoon. I had to leave for the afternoon to celebrate my mother-in-law's retirement (http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8328296). The students were respectful for the substitute Mrs. Stacey, and they worked hard for her. Thank your kids for me.
Thanks,
Mr. Ronald Fisher
Monday, October 12, 2009
Pictures and SEP Conferences
Pictures will be Wednesday See the calendar above:
See the notes that went home today:
See the notes that went home today:
Week 7 Daily Grams
I thought it might be helpful for you as parents to know what we do everyday. I will start with an example of our Daily Grams. We do this every morning first thing when we sit down and wait for the school announcements. I feel that the English language needs to be practiced and used so we can understand it better and utilize its tools in our reading and writing. I hope this becomes a weekly update (see below), so you can see what we are working on. This week I have outlined basically what the students will see throughout the week. For example, Mondays assignment will have the following:
- A part of a friendly letter,
- exclamation marks in sentences,
- Sentence Types,
- the use of pronouns, and
- Combining two subjects into a compound subject.
I will explain more about Daily Grams in a later post. For now read through and see if you can practice any of the following:
Daily Grams (Days 28 - 31 - respectively Monday = Day 28, Tuesday = Day 29 and so on).
- Capitalization (part of a friendly note, proper nouns, do not capitalize plants or animals, Titles).
- Punctuation (Exclamations, Initials, Comma after town, Possessive nouns, Abbreviations).
- Parts of Speech and Sentence Structure
- A. Sentence Types (statement, question, command).
- B. Adjectives describe, and they often tell what kind
- C. Prefixes / Roots / Suffixes - Some words are made by adding a prefix before the main word (root). Example: bicycle
- D. Subject of a sentence tells who or what the sentence is about. The verb often shows action.
- More Parts of Speech and Sentence Structure
- A. Pronouns take the place of nouns (Use I as the subject of a sentence).
- B. Nouns (plural nouns, most words add s, however add es to words ending in sh and ch).
- C. Verb has to agree with the subject. A boy rides / ride his bicycle.
- D. Prepositions and how they work in a sentence.
- Sentence Combining (Combining the subject, combine a list, use adjectives to combine).
Thanks,
Mr. Fisher
Week 7 Spelling Words
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Week 5 Spelling Words
Check last weeks spelling test, I gave the students two scores.One based on their ability to spell, and the other based on their handwriting. If you could nudge them with some encouragement, it would be helpful. I have been trying to emphasize two elements of handwriting. 1) Keeping the words on the baseline, and 2) the size of the letters they write. Size does matter, tall letters are tall, and short letters are short.
Yes, we will be having the Spelling test this Wednesday before Fall Break. The kids are excited, but we have lots to cover in Math (where we are counting money), and Reading about our favorite Pets. If we have time the students will write about their favorite pet.
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Notice that there are several ways to spell words with the long /i/ sound. The ones we will use this week are i, y, igh, and ie. Also note that the word wind uses the same long /i/ sound. You should ask your child, why we have the word "children" on this weeks spelling list. (Base Word uses the long /i/ sound).
Reminder: Next Week we will be going on the Field Trip up to Jensen Historical Farm (it might be a bit chilly so plan accordingly).
Thank you,
Mr. R. Fisher
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Week 4 Spelling Words
Some good stuff about the long /ō/ this week.
Week 4 Spelling Words check it out before doing your spelling homework.
We are doing the Iowa test this week. You can help by making sure the students get some good rest and a good breakfast. I have been told the IOWA test is a good indicator of where your student stands academically.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Mr. Fisher's Facebook
This is to let you know that Mr. Fisher now has a Facebook account. I have set it up so that you can get updates to and about our class faster.
More information coming.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Week 3 Spelling Words
Week 3 Spelling words. My goal is to have this posted by Monday or Tuesday night. Hope this helps everyone.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Week 2 Spelling Words
Here are the spelling words for this week. I am working on a document that will help you as you and your child study spelling words each week.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Week 1A Spelling Words
Here is this weeks spelling words: Week 1A. Come back tomorrow to see the rest of the list. Here is the full list: Spelling Week 1.
Today was an awesome day, I hope the kids enjoyed it as much as I did. Make sure you fill in and sign all of the information, so those papers can come back ASAP.
More later
Thanks,
Mr. Fisher
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Schedule 09-10 – Draft (Subject to change)
Mr. Fisher
3rd Grade
Century Elementary
Time | Mon. | Tues. | Wed. | Thur. | Fri. |
7:50-8:20 | Preparation | Supervision | Faculty M. | Preparation | Preparation |
8:20-8:30 | Attendance | Self-Starter | Self-Starter | Self-Starter | Self-Starter |
8:30-8:45 | Music | Computers | PE | Art | Library |
8:45-9:00 | Music | Computers | PE | Art | Library |
9:00-9:15 | Phonics | Computers | Phonics | Art | PE |
9:15-9:30 | Spelling | Bookmobile | Spelling | Phonics | PE |
9:30-9:45 | Vocabulary | Phonics | Math Lesson | Spelling | Spelling Test |
9:45-10:00 | Writing | Spelling | Math | Fluency | Assess. |
10:00-10:15 | Break | Supervision | Break | Break | Break |
10:15-10:30 | Instructions | Instructions | Instructions | Instructions | Instructions |
10:30-10:45 | Read Lesson | Read Lesson | Read Lesson | Read Lesson | Read Lesson |
10:45-11:05 | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Literary Appreciation |
11:05-11:25 | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Literary Appreciation |
11:25-11:45 | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Reading Groups | Literary Appreciation |
11:45-12:15 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
12:15-12:20 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
12:20-12:40 | Read Aloud | Read Aloud | Read Aloud | Read Aloud | Read Aloud |
12:40-1:00 | Math Lesson | Math Lesson | Daily Math | Math Lesson | Math Lesson |
1:00-1:15 | Math | Math | Star Talk | Math | Math |
1:15-1:30 | Math | Math | 1:25 Excuse | Math | Math |
1:30-1:45 | Daily Math | Daily Math | Meetings | Daily Math | Daily Math |
1:45-2:00 | Break | Break | Break | Break | |
2:00-2:15 | Science | History |
| History | C. Lab |
2:15-2:30 | Science | History | Evaluate | History | C. Lab |
2:30-2:45 | Science | History | Plan & Prep | History | C. Lab |
2:45 | Excuse | Excuse |
| Excuse | Excuse |
2:45-3:30 | Analysis | Supervision |
| Preparation | Preparation |
| GO HOME | GO HOME | G/T Class | GO HOME | GO HOME |
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