Happy Holidays!!

We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays today.  We made necklaces and watched The Polar Express with Mrs. McLain's class.  Then we went to the Winter Celebration as a  whole school.  We had four students, Jaylin, Alexandra, Laci and Logan, who were elves in a play. Each grade had a few songs that they sang too.  It was a great time!

I want to wish everyone a safe and happy holidays!

WInter Break Challenge

On Friday, students will come home with a Winter Break Reading Challenge.  Students are being challenged to read 15 minutes 10 times over the winter break.  For this challenge, students need to choose 10 different marshmellow reading challenges.  After completing each challenge, students then need to glue it to their mug.  Students may also decorate their mug.  This is DUE back by Wednesday, January 4, 2017.  The students who are able to complete this challenge, will have lunch with me on that day.  Good luck!!

Problem of Week

This week Problem of the Week solvers were:

Quintin & Jack

Congratulations!

Wrapping Presents

Thank you to the parents for sending in wrapping paper and boxes.  Students had a wonderful time wrapping their gifts this afternoon.  There are some students who are very talented wrappers.

Book Buddies - Reading Holiday Books

Today, we went to the common area to read with Mrs. Rehm's class for book buddies.  Students were asked to bring in their favorite holiday book.  They spent their book buddy time reading holiday books and taking AR tests.  Here are some pictures.

Here are some pictures of the books that were brought in.

Biome Boxes

For the last few weeks, students have created a biome (wetland, rainforest, grassland, desert, tundra) in which to grow a lima bean.  We have been watering, giving light, and care.  However, we have found that the lima bean just doesn't want to grow in these biomes.  We have also found out that a biome (wetlands) that has too much water can get mold. Yuk!  Take a look at the pictures.

North America Map Quiz

Week of December 19th

We have a few fun events happening in our classroom next week.  A copy of this flyer will be coming home tomorrow with students.

Chorus Concert

Today, HMS was invited to watch a preview of the concert that will be presented this evening at Cawley Middle School.  We had many students participate. Great job Kate, Tobi, Alexandra, Nathaniel, Luke, Jaylin, Kaylee, Laci, and Logan.

Device Party

We had a wonderful time at our Device Party on Friday. Many students brought in their own device and pj's. Students found a comfy spot and enjoyed a game or two on their device.  

Hour of Code

(click on the words above to go to the website)

We completed Hour of Code!   Many students coded with Moana or Minecraft.  They persevered through challenges and started to learn the language of coding.   It was quite impressive!  Here are some pictures of our Hour of Code.

It's a Deal! Summary

Today, the students and I worked on summarizing It's a Deal, which is a nonfiction text.  We used the following organizer to help us summarize the story.  Take a look...

Fire Fighters Visit

Thank you to the Hooksett Fire Department for visiting our school today.  Students were able to get a tour of the fire truck.  Then two fire fighters came into the classroom to go over fire safety in student's houses.  Take a look..

Life Cycle Projects

Students did an amazing job with their Life Cycle Projects.  They have all shared their projects to the class.  I have displayed them on the bulletin board outside our classroom, as well as, put the 3D projects in the hallway.  For doing such a nice job, students have been rewarded with a free kids meal from Applesbee's.  Congratulations to all students!!

100 Squares Party

*** The Party is on Friday, December 9th.

Book It Updates

There were many students who completed their November Book It.  They had to read 250 minutes and complete 3 AR tests with 80% accuracy.  Congratulations to the following students...

Nathaniel

Miles

Jaylin

Kaylee

Laci

Addison

Tobi

Jack

Week of Dec 5th

This week we will be starting Unit 3 (Money) in our Language Arts program.  I will be asking students to bring in something to add to our Concept & Question board related to money.   Students can bring in rare money or foreign money (or anything else they want to share that relates to Money).  I will take a picture, print it, and send home the item (for safety).   Practicing the vocabulary (on bottom of each spelling list) will be important as the economics concepts we will be talking about can be challenging.   Our first story is "It's a Deal."

In math, we will finish Chapter 6 (Multiplication x6, 7, 8, 9).  It is very important that your child knows their multiplication facts for this chapter.  I will continue to give students their fact quiz on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

In writing, we have worked hard on Argumentative (Opinion) and Narrative Writing.  This month we will focus on Informational writing.  Informational writing conveys factual information about something.   After practicing, students will be expected to use nonfiction text to create graphic organizers with information.  Students will then take their "notes" and put it into appropriate paragraph form, using their own words, and write multiple paragraphs about their topic.

Hour of Code

On Thursday, our class will participate in Hour of Code.  Hour of Code is a one-hour introduction to computer science.  Students will learn to "code" and learn about how computer science is impacting our future.   Students can even code at home!  Visit code.orgfor more information.

This map shows where students across the world will participate in Hour of Code.

Problem of the Week

We had 3 students solve the Problem of the Week.  They had to use their knowledge of multiplication on one side and solve clues on the other.  Congratulations to...

Quintin

Jack

Logan

PTA Annual Holiday Fair

The PTA's annual Holiday Gift Fair is on Saturday, December 10.  It will 
run from 10 am - 1 pm at Underhill.  This year they are also having a 
pancake breakfast!

Khan Academy

For Homework next week, I have decided not to send home a math page homework.  Instead, I am asking students to study their multiplication facts in a way that works for them.  I have created a paper for students to document how they practiced.  I have also included several games that students can use to practice.

Multiplication Fact Practice

Directions:  As we are working on Chapter 6 - Multiplication, it is very important that students are practicing their facts.  For homework this week, I am only assigning practicing multiplication facts.  There are several ways students may study their facts.

1. XtraMath - I have changed students to the multiplication program.  Students just need to sign in and start practicing.  https://xtramath.org/#/signin/student_other .  You may use my e-mail address to sign in: acoulon@sau15.net

2. Kahn Academy - We went on this program on Friday during computer lab.   Their username and passwords are stapled on to the front of their agenda books.  Here are the steps for students to log in.

• Go to https://www.khanacademy.org/login
• Type in username and password
• Under Math by Grade - click on 3rd
• At the top - click on Practice
• Go to Multiplication and Division

3. Other - Please explain on chart below (flashcards, timed tests, orally, etc)

Day	Facts Practiced	How Practiced (XtraMath, Kahn Academy, Other)
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday

December Book Order

-Click on link above, click on reading club

Class Code: GWGDW

All orders must be placed online or sent into school by Friday, December 2nd.  If you are purchasing a book as a holiday surprise, please just send me an email and I won't send the book home with your child.  I will instead let you know when your order arrives so that you can pick it up in the office at your convenience. 

Top Down Web

Today in reading, students used a top-down web to organize information about habitats.  We read "Crinkleroot's Guide to Animal Habitats" to get our information.  Here is some of what we came up with.

Multiplication Facts

As we continue to work on Chapter 6 in math, it is very important that students practice their math facts.  In the classroom, I will start quizzing the students on their facts.  This could be done through 1 minute timed tests, games, orally, etc.  This should be a fun way to show how much each student knows.  Each time a test is passed, students will earn part of an ice cream.  When they are done, they will have a full ice cream.

Place Mat

Ice Cream Pieces

AR Tests Update

Students continue to take their AR tests each day. The AR tests bulletin board has been updated.  We are now in 3rd place.  I have reminded the students to continue to take their tests each time they finish a book.  Keep up the great work 3C!

Slapstick Science

A BIG thank you to the Hooksett PTA for bringing the Slapstick Science program to us. The student had a wonderful time learning about friction and simple machines.

     

                                               

The cold weather is here!  Just a reminder to be sure your child has weather appropriate clothes 
for recess.   Students are more than welcome to leave an extra set of gloves and a hat in their cubbies.  
Also, when the snow arrives (no rush!), students will need boots, snow pants, a jacket, gloves, and a 
hat to play in the snow. Snow pants are only allowed to be left at school each night if you send a note
or email with permission.  Otherwise, I will have students take them each night! 

Dictionaries....

Today, the Hooksett Grange came to Hooksett Memorial School to give all third graders a dictionary.  As a way to say thank you, students read them a poem about dictionaries. Then the Hooksett Grange gave each student a dictionary.  Thank you Hooksett Grange!!

Fitness Friday

Fitness Fridays are coming...  This notice was sent home on Friday...

This Week - Thanksgiving

For this week, we will enjoy lots of Thanksgiving activities for math, reading, writing, and social studies.  On Monday morning, students will have the Hooksett Grange present them each with their own dictionary.  On Tuesday morning, we have the Slapstick Science Assembly - thanks to our amazing PTA.   During both afternoons, our class and Mrs. McLain's class will work together to go on a First Thanksgiving Webquest!

I hope everyone enjoys the long weekend and spends extra time with family and friends!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Informational Text

Over the last two weeks, we have been working on taking our information text (stories) apart.  In the story, "Two Days in May" we worked on summarizing.  Together as a class, we completed a graphic organizer.  Then the students had to create a summary on their own.  Here is what we came up with together.

Then this week, we read "Wolf Island".  Students had to use an organizer to make inferences about the story.  We worked together on this and came up with the following inferences.

Lastly, we worked with Cause and Effect events that happened in "Wolf Island".  Students did a wonderful job of coming up with the cause and effects.  Here are some examples:

Problem of Week

This week many students attempted the Problem of the Week: Find the Smallest Difference

The following students attempted the Problem of the Week...

Quintin

Tobi

Logan

Jaylin

Miles

Jack

However, the student to successfully find the smallest difference was...

Jack

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone!!

Book Buddies Started Today!

Today was our first day of Book Buddies with Mrs. Rehm's 4th grade class.  We meet in the common area 2 times a month and the students work on their fluency.  Sometimes we share plays or projects with our book buddies.  Other times, we may celebrate a holiday together.  It is so much fun!

Veteran's Day Assembly

On Thursday, the Boy Scouts were honored to wear their uniform.  Students were asked to wear red, white and blue for all our Veterans who have served our country.  In the afternoon, we had students in our class take part in a Veteran's Day play.  Then we were honored to watch a slideshow of pictures of veterans.  Also, thank you to Kaylee for bringing in her Pepere's medals to share with the class.

Problem of the Week

The Challenge of the Week was "Hidden Treasure".  Students had to solve clues to find out where four students hid their treasure. Students had to use ordered pairs on a map to find the treasure. The following students took the challenge.  They were able to solve the challenge with some support.

 Tobi

Alexandra

Quintin

Ava

Jack

Miles

Logan

Jaylin

Luke

Vocabulary Challenge List

Starting this week, students who get a 100% on their spelling pre-test will be given the challenge and vocabulary list instead.  This means when students do their spelling work for the week, they would use the challenge and vocabulary list.  So this week, the words in red are our regular list.  If students get a 100% on the pre-test, then they will have the words in blue.  I will be telling the students which list they have on Monday.

Wolf Island

Spelling Words

cue

few

well

rose

argue

tire

hue

ring

value

change

spew

rescue

park

view

light

Challenge Words

pitcher pitcher

nephew nephew

Vocabulary Words

male

female

aboard

mainland

mild

layer

populations

balance

drift

gnawed

Life Cycle Project

Today, we started our next unit in Science on the Life Cycle.  We were able to observe the life cycle of animals, plants, and humans.  We will continue to discover more about life cycles over the next few weeks.  As a final project to this unit, students are being asked to complete the project below.  Please send back the bottom of the slip by Wednesday, November 9th.  The whole project is DUE by Tuesday, November 29th.  Please email me with any questions that you may have.

Problem of the Week

The problem of the week was “Pumpkin Picking” (see Problem of Week tab).

The following students were able to solve the problem correctly.

Jack

Quintin

Logan

Tobi

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Completed Landform Projects

Today, students finished their landform projects.  Take a look at their projects.  These projects will be put on display for a few weeks in the HMS library for all students to see.

AR Tests Passed

Each grade level is tracking the number of quizzes taken and successfully completed and charting the progress!  This bulletinboard is at the end of our hallway to show all the reading that third grade students have been doing.  Right now, we are the number 3 in third grade!  Keep on reading and taking AR tests!

October Book It!

(click on above picture to take AR test)

There were many students in the class who were able to complete the requirements for the October Book It.  The following students were able to read 200 minutes and pass 2 AR tests.

Nathaniel

Laci

Alexandra

Tobi

Luke

Christopher

CONGRATULATIONS!!

You will receive your Personal Pan Pizza Slips tomorrow!!