A Look Ahead

Hats and Holiday Colors

Tacky Sweaters

Pajama Day

Curriculum 

Math- We will continue to work in Module 3, Multiplicaiton and Division. We will have a quiz on Thursday, January 9th. 

Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will discuss text structures (compare/contrast, description, sequence, cause/effect) as we move into focusing on nonfiction. We will also continue with our informative writing unit. 

Social Studies- We will continue disucssing Colonial Times in SC. 

Science- We will discuss weathering, erosion and deposition and how they change the Earth. 

Week Before Break

Diamond Dell 

The students enjoyed mining for rocks and minerals with Diamond Dell. I think some of them were disappointed they were not going to strike it rich. :)

Curriculum 

Math- We will continue to work in Module 3, Multiplicaiton and Division. 

Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will review reading skills we have worked on this year with some fun holiday lessons. We will also continue with our informative writing unit. 

Social Studies- We will continue disucssing Colonial Times in SC. 

Science- We continue to focus on different types of rocks. (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) The students will have a test over Rocks and Minerals on Wednesday. 

Next Week

Sistercare Service Learning Project

If you are interested in donating items to support Sistercard please click on the link to learn more. Items will be collected until Friday, December 13th. Everyone is brings in an item to donate will be able to wear a hat on Friday. 

http://thecommunigator.blogspot.com/2019/12/upper-campus-service-learning-project.html  

Igneous Rocks
Students enjoyed some ice cream and chocolate today while learning how an igneous rock is formed. Make sure you ask your child how they are related.

Jason and London review for our Explorer test with Tic Tac Toe. 

Math- We will wrap up Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measurement, with a test on Wednesday. 

Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We started discussing finding the main idea in fiction texts. We will also start our unit on informational writing.

Social Studies- We will start discussing Colonial Times in SC. 

Science- We continue to focus on different types of rocks. (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) The students will have a quiz over soil and rock types on Friday. 

Next Two Weeks

Congrats to Jacob and London! They have been participating in Elite Soccer, a program after school, and they took on fourth and fifth graders who are in Later Gators in a soccer math. Elite Soccer students won the match up. 

Cookie Mining

Students pretended to be geologists and mine (with a toothpick) for minersls in their cookie (rock) this week. 

Math- We will continue to focus on Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. We continue to focus on word problems with units of measurement, adding, subtracting and rounding. 

Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will wrap up summarizing texts with a test on Wednesday, December 4th. We will focus on sequenceing and questioning The students will also publish their persusasive writing pieces.  We will move into informtional writing. 

Social Studies- We will wrap up our unit on Early Exploration in SC with a test on Thursday, December 5th. 

Science- We will focus on different types of rocks. (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) 

A Look Ahead

Fall Pictures

Your child's pictures are in his/her folder. Please send them back if you do not want to purchase or send back what you do not purchase. Please read the envelope for further directions. 

Teacher Cadet
We have had a teacher cadet in our classroom this month. Mr. Caleb Mack is a student at Blythewood High School who wants to study teaching in college. He has worked with some of the students in our class and read to them. He will be with us until December 6th. 

Curriculum

Math- We will continue to focus on Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. We continue to focus on word problems with units of measurement, adding, subtracting and rounding. Your child will have a quiz on Wednesday. 
Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will continue to focus on summarizing texts. The students will also finish writing their persusasive writing pieces.  

Social Studies- We will continue our unit on Early Exploration in SC.  We will also continue reading the book The Native by Ben Bache. The students are really enjoying this book. It ties in with Native Americans and Explorers. 

Science- We will focus on different types of rocks. (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic) 

Exact Path Challenge

Edmentum (Exact Path) Challeng

Several students met the math and reading challenge I set for them last week with Edmentum. Students were challenged to earn one trophy in each subject. As a reminder, Edmentum puts each student on a path according to their MAP scores. The following students rang the school bell for meeting the challenge. Congrats!!

London, Dezmond, Lauren S.

Jonathan, Khloe M., Jason

Luna, Lauren B., Brooklyn

A Look Ahead

Veteran's Day Celebration

The students enjoyed the parade today! It looks like everyone enjoyed the yummy breakfast. Happy Veteran's Day! 

Nutcracker Permission Forms

Your child has a permission slip for The Nutcracker in their Friday Folder. The cost on the form is not the cost for the field trip, but is the remaining amount left for all the field trips this year. Most of you have paid on Parent Portal, but if you haven't please do so as soon as you are able. Thanks! If you would like to be a chaperone, please check that box on the forms.

Pictures from this week...

Brady and Sam working together to decompose a Liter in math. 

Comparing and Contrasting Native Americans with WICOR Buddies

Students observing soil after adding water to each vial. 

Curriculum

Math- We will continue to focus on Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. We will focus on word problems with units of measurement, adding, subtracting and rounding. 
Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will focus on making connections while reading (text to text, text to self, text to world), using context clues in texts to figure out the meaning of words and summarizing. We will also continue writing persuasive speeches. 

Social Studies- We will start our unit on Early Exploration in SC.  We will also continue reading the book The Native by Ben Bache. 

Science- We continue to focus on Soil. We will observe different types of soil and focus on what it is made of. We will also discuss physical weathering. 

First Week of November

Report Cards

Your child's report card is coming home today. Please keep the papers in the envelope, but sign and return the envelope. Students who made the A or A/B Honor Roll will be recognized on the morning show on Thursday, November 7th.  

Superhero Day

Students and teachers wore superhero shirts on Thursday to celebrate our school earning Palmetto Gold this year and last and an Excellent Report Card Rating. We also celebrated raising over $50,000 during Boosterthon. Mr. Williams did a great job of singing karaoke at lunch for the students!

Soil Observations

We started our first investigation with Soil. Students observed soil types and recorded their observations. First, they amazed me with how much they enjoyed our mealworms/beetles and now with soil! 

Curriculum

Math- We will focus on Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. This module will focus on rounding, time, word problems, addition, subtraction and more. The students will have a quiz over lessons 1-5 (Time) on Wednesday. Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will wrap up our discussion of theme with a test on Friday. We will also continue writing persuasive speeches. 

Social Studies- We will wrap up our unit on Native Americans with a test on Thursday.  We will focus on the Catawba, Cherokee and Yemassee. We will also continue reading the book The Native by Ben Bache. 

Science- We will focus on Soil. We will observe different types of soil and focus on what it is made of. We will also discuss physical weathering. 

A Look Ahead

Boosterthon

The students enjoyed the Fun Run this morning! Thanks for all the support with this year's fundraiser! 

Rataiczak's Rockstars

Lauren S. lead our class with our flag. 

Jason helped with the flag during the National Anthem. 

Curriculum

Math- We will focus on Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. This module will focus on rounding, time, word problems, addition, subtraction and more. Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will continue to focus on determining the theme of a story by finding key details. We will also continue writing persuasive speeches. We will discuss synonyms and antonyms. 

Social Studies- We will continue our unit on Native Americans. We will focus on the Catawba, Cherokee and Yemassee. We will also read the book The Native by Ben Bache. Students will have their own copy as we read the story and we will use the book with Language Arts standards as well.  

Science- We will focus on Soil. We will observe different types of soil. We will also discuss physical weathering. 

Camp Discovery

The students enjoyed their morning at Camp Discovery learning about Animal Adaptations. I hope they shared their bird beak with you this afternoon. 

A Look Ahead

Boosterthon Update

Our class has raised $21 per lap. We celebrated with an extra five minutes of recess, crazy sock day and the students will have free chromebook time next week. 

Camp Discovery Field Trip

We have our field trip on Monday. Please remember to send your child in tennis shoes and have their lunch in a plastic or paper bag with their name on it. If you would like to apply sunscreen or bug spray, please do so before sending your child to school. 

Curriculum

Math- We will focus on Telling Time next week and move into Module 2, Place Value and Problem Solving with Units of Measure. This module will focus on rounding, time, word problems, addition, subtraction and more. Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will continue to focus on determining the theme of a story by finding key details. We continue writing persuasive speeches. 

Social Studies- We will continue our unit on Native Americans. We will focus on the Catawba, Cherokee and Yemassee. We will also read the book The Native by Ben Bache. Students will have their own copy as we read the story and we will use the book with Language Arts standards as well.  

Science- We will focus on Fossils this week and wrap up our discussions on different habitats. 

A Look Ahead

Students wore pink to support Breast Cancer Awareness

Mealworms

Students observed the mealworms this week. Many of the mealworms are in the pupa stage and some have turned into beetles. I bet you never knew your child would be so excited to see a beetle! 

Metric Week-Paper Airplanes

Students made a paper airplane in class today. They collected data when they worked with their team to measure each flight in meters and centimeters. We will use this data next week when we discuss comparing and ordering numbers. They really enjoyed this lesson! 

Boosterthon 
Please look for a yellow sheet in your child's Friday Folder explaining our only fundraiser this year. The kick-off pep rally will be on Monday. The Fun Run will be on Friday, October 25th at 9:45am for 3rd grade. 

Curriculum

Math- We will continue to look at Place Value next week and also focus on Telling Time. We will focus on how to write numbers in expanded, number and word form. We will focus on numbers up to the hundred thousand place. We will also compare numbers. The students will have a quiz on Place Value on Wednesday. Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will focus on determining the theme of a story by finding key details. The students will wrap up their personal narrative stories and turn our focus to opinion writing. 

Social Studies- We will start our unit on Native Americans. We will focus on the Catawba, Cherokee and Yemassee. We will also read the book The Native by Ben Bache. Students will have their own copy as we read the story and we will use the book with Language Arts standards as well.  

Science- We continue to observe the structures and behaviors of our meal worms. We will also finish up Rainforests and Forests. 

A Look Ahead

Read with the Gamecocks

Please look for this reading log in the front of your child's binder. It is a little different this year than in the past. We discussed what our goal should be as a class and we came up with the following: The students have to read 10 out of the 14 days the contest runs for and record the book they read along with the minutes. If your child meets the goal they will turn in their log on October 21st. Your can read the back of the log to find out what your child will receive. Read with the Gamecocks is not mandatory, but I encourage your child to participate.

Science Research

Students are creating a poster or brochure for either the desert or tundra using a checklist I provided and multiple books on Epic. After they finish they will partner up and teach another student what they learned about their habitat. 

Curriculum

Math- We will look at Place Value this week. We will focus on how to write numbers in expanded, number and word form. We will focus on numbers up to the hundred thousand place. We will also compare numbers. Please encourage your child to continue to practice their multiplication facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  The students will have a test on Character Traits on Thursday. We continue to work on providing evidence when we answer questions. We will also focus on determining the theme of a story by finding key details. We continue with personal narratives. 

Social Studies- We will wrap up our discussions on the six regions in SC with a test on Wednesday. Please refer to the email I sent about what resources they can use to study. We will move into Native Americans in early SC. 

Science- We continue to observe the structures and behaviors of our meal worms. We will move into rainforests an forests. 

A Look Ahead

Gator Groups

The students attended their first Gator Group today. Every teacher will lead a Gator Group on half days. The students picked 5 groups that interested them earlier in September and they met for the first time today. They seemed to have a really good time!! Make sure you ask your child about their group. 

*I will email out the recipe that my Gator Group made because some of the students were a little jealous so I told them I would email it. 


Field Study Money
Our first field study is coming up in October. The trip to Camp Discovery costs $23. You can pay this on Parent Portal or send in money/check. If you go on Parent Portal, you will see that you owe $45. The $45 is for all of our field studies this year. You can pay it all in one lump sum or as each field study is scheduled.

Curriculum

Math- We will wrap up Module 1 with a test on Friday. Please look for a study buddy to come home on Wednesday. We started Fast Facts this week. Please ask your child for more information about Fast Facts. Students can practice their fluency (addition, subtraction, multiplication division) on the following website.  https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/math-trainer-multiply.html

Language Arts-  We will continue to focus on character traits and using evidence in text to support answers. We continue to write personal narratives. 

Social Studies- We continue discussing the 6 regions that make up South Carolina. We will discuss land forms, cities, physical and human features that can be found in the different regions. My current plan is for the class to have a test over SC Regions on Tuesday, October 8th. 

Science- We continue to observe the structures and behaviors of our meal worms. We will finish up the habitats of desert and tundra and move on to forests and rainforests. 

Mealworms

As part of our FOSS science instruction, we observed the structures and behaviors of mealworms in class today. We will be observing them for the next several weeks.