Multiplication

We are finishing up with our introductory unit on multiplication.  I am impressed by how quickly the third graders are learning multiplication facts as well as gaining a greater understanding of multiplication. We have been representing multiplication as an array, in the area model and on a number line.  In addition, we have reviewed the commutative and associative properties of multiplication. Third graders have practiced a number of different strategies for multiplication facts. For example, third graders are thinking of the four times table as a "double double". 

7 X 4 = (7 X 2) + (7 X 2) 

Ask your child what other strategies we have practiced in the classroom. A number of them have been given Spanish names! This is a great time to practice multiplication at home. Some students chose to bring home multiplication games to play at home. If you would like additional multiplication games to play at home please let me know. We are working towards automaticy for multiplication facts. 

We have had some math workshop days this week.  During math workshop third graders get to choose from a number of activities to work on independently.  It was wonderful to see how engaged and focused the students were with their work.  I loved watching them choose to engage with challenging and interesting mathematical work! Most of the activities were related to multiplication.  

Information Writing

The third graders are excited to start a new writing unit about informational writing. Many report that it is fun because they are getting to write about something they already know about and want to teach others. Students have chosen to write about hockey, the cello, airplanes and training dogs among other things. During this unit the students will learn to write introductions, organize their writing and include text features that help their reader understand the topic more clearly. They will also think about elaboration and making their writing interesting to the reader. Third graders are working with new writing partners for this unit. It is wonderful to watch the writing partners support one another in setting goals and improving their writing. 

Crayfish Experiments

Third graders have enjoyed observing and learning about the crayfish that are sharing our classroom community.  We are completing our investigation of crayfish. They have observed each one of the body structures and tried to figure out what the crayfish might use them for.  We observed crayfish behavior and how they responded to certain stimuli.  Students looked for structures and behaviors that would enable them to tell their crayfish apart from someone else’s and then created an identification card that would allow a classmate to tell their crayfish apart from the others in the habitat.  In addition, we collected and analyzed data about our crayfish’s length and weight.  Third graders have been reading non- fiction texts about crayfish to learn about their habitat, feeding habits and life cycle. We will finish our investigation of crayfish with a quick introduction to the scientific method.  Students will design, plan and complete experiments to answer “this or that” questions about their crayfish.  Their questions range from whether crayfish prefer ham or cheese to whether crayfish are faster in water or out of water.  We have been working in the Engineering and Programming Lab and use Scratch to draw and then program a crayfish to show its different body parts.