Blog Archives - Welcome to Third Grade with Mrs. Lilleboe

Weekly Update #14: November 27 - December 1

11/30/2017

Announcements:

Third Grade Winter Party: The party is scheduled for December 21 at 1:30pm. Our Classroom Mom, Mrs. Nair sent out an email this week about the party, the supplies and volunteers needed to make this party a success! The link to help out and sign up is HERE.
December's Scholastic Book Orders: Get your child the gift of reading for the holidays. Place your orders online - Your Class Activation Code NP79X. The link to order is HERE. Order from any of the online flyers! Thank you for all your amazing support and online orders are due December 9th.
Bluebonnet Book Program: Our class's goal for each student is to read 5 books! The Bluebonnet Program goes until mid-January so we have plenty of time to read, read, read. So let's get to it!
Bluebonnet Book List 2017 - 2018 http://www.txla.org/new-tba-list-released
Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1
Home Access Center: Check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.

Upcoming Events:.

December 8 - Spelling Test
December 9 - Last call for December Scholastic Book Orders!
December 13 - Last day to turn in Third Grade T-shirt order form and money!!!
December 15 or 18 - Math Unit DCA Test (Fractions and Multiplication/Division)
December 19 or 20 - Science DCA Test (Landforms and Earth's Forces)
December 20 - Last day to turn in any assignment for 2nd nine week grading period
December 21 - 3rd Grade Winter Party @ 1:30pm
December 22 - No School Day for students (teacher work day)
December 23 - January 8 Winter Break

What's Been Happening In Class?

Writing: We are still in our Expository writing and informational research unit. This week our focus was on writing summaries using cause and effect information we gathered from the book A River Runs Wild. We also worked on some writing conventions: Verb Tenses (Past, Present, Future). We will begin to write our expository essays next week.
Reading: Our current unit is Informational Text (nonfiction reading). We reviewed the Main Idea/Supporting Details reading strategy this week. We also discussed the Cause and Effect reading strategy as it applied to the book A River Ran Wild and the passage Benefits of Walking Around The Block. Next week, we will learn and practice the Compare and Contrast reading strategy.
Math: We are deep into our Fraction unit. We reviewed how to represent fractions in a Fraction Area Model, Fraction Set Model, and Fraction Pie Model. This week our main focus was to read and understand fractions on a number line and how to solve fraction word problems. There is no unit test for Fractions, it will be combined into the next DCA with Multiplication/Division. We will start our next unit, Division next week. Our test for Fractions/Division/Multiplication will be December 15 or 18th.
Science: We completed our Forces, Gravity, Magnetism and Motion unit with a test on Wednesday this week. The kids overall did well on it considering I thought the test was pretty difficult. We started our new unit Landforms and Earth's Forces (Volcanos/Earthquakes/Landslides). There are links for additional practice under the "Science Links" tab. My hope is to have the test on December 19 or 20th.
Social Studies: We have started a Maps unit. We completed a small booklet on Maps & Globes this week. We will continue to practice reading maps and creating maps next week.
Enrichment: We had eslot today!

Weekly Update #13: November 13 - November 17

11/17/2017

Announcements:

Progress Report Cards: These went home on Thursday. Final grades for the second nine week grading period will be finalized by Dec. 20th.
Book Fair: The Book Fair was a huge success! The library brought in over $16,000. Thank you to Aditri's parents for buying a book from my wish list at the book fair. They got our classroom another bluebonnet book!
Bluebonnet Book Program: Our class's goal for each student is to read 5 books! The Bluebonnet Program goes until mid-January so we have plenty of time to read, read, read. So let's get to it!
Bluebonnet Book List 2017 - 2018 http://www.txla.org/new-tba-list-released
Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1
Home Access Center: Check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.

Upcoming Events:.

November 18 - 26th is Thanksgiving Break
November 27 - New spelling lists given out.
November 28 - Science DCA Test (Forces and Magnetism)
November 29 - Author Visit - Don Tate
December 8 - Spelling Test
December 9 - Last call for December Scholastic Book Orders!
December 15 or 18 - Math Unit DCA Test (Fractions and Multiplication/Division)
December 20 - Last day to turn in any assignment for 2nd nine week grading period
December 21 - 3rd Grade Winter Party @ 1:30pm
December 22 - No School Day for students (teacher work day)
December 23 - January 8 Winter Break

What's Been Happening In Class?

Writing: We started our new unit: Expository writing and informational research. The kids spent time researching information on the country of England using a few of our online library resources (Britannica, World Book, Culture Grams, Info Bits). Then, students created a Google Drawing displaying information about the country of England (these are displayed in our classroom).
Reading: Our current unit is Informational Text (nonfiction reading). We learned about main idea and supporting details by completing a fun ice cream cone activity. Then we read nonfiction passages identifying the main idea and supporting details using a Scholastic News magazine.
Math: We are deep into our Fraction unit. We reviewed how to represent fractions in a Fraction Area Model, Fraction Set Model, and Fraction Pie Model. This week our main focus was to read and understand fractions on a number line using our new fraction vocabulary: Proper fraction, Mixed fraction and Improper Fraction. Next week will make comparisons between fractions (which fraction shows the bigger portion) and adding fractions of the same denominator. There is no unit test for Fractions, it will be combined into the next DCA with Multiplication/Division.
Science: We are almost done with our last PLTW module on simple machines. We built a wheel & axle, inclined plane, lever and pulley. Then, we created a compound machine in an effort to rescue a "tiger from a moat". The pictures are below. They were all successful in rescuing the tiger! Our test will be on November 28.
Social Studies: We researched our country of England and had attended a short presentation on England Wednesday morning.
Enrichment: No enrichment groups this week due to an assembly.

Weekly Update #12: November 6 - November 10

11/9/2017

Announcements:

Progress Report Cards: We are half way through the 2nd nine week grading period. I will finalize grades for progress report cards this weekend. This is only a progress report. Note: As we progress through this year and prepare the students for STAAR, our curriculum will become more challenging and there will be higher expectations on academic work. We move at a very steady pace in third grade. You can help your child by keeping an eye on your child's progress by checking Home Access (with your child) every week (if not twice a week) and going through your child's Thursday folder (looking at graded work). This will help you determine what concepts and skills your child needs to continue to practice at home.
Cup Stacking: The kids loved learning how to cup stack. Cup stacking is a fun, challenging competition and activity for kids of all ages. Here's the video on how to cup stack that your child may want to watch Cup Stacking Video Is your child wanting their own cup stacking set? Get gift idea! Click here for more information on how to purchase your own set.
PTA Direct Donation Drive: Our poster on the wall shows only ONE soccer ball for Mrs. Lilleboe's class. Please consider making a monetary donation to our amazing Elsa England PTA so that we can get some soccer balls on our class poster. All 100% of your money goes right back into Elsa England, its wonderful academic programs and awesome technology for our school. Without this money our kids will not get academic activities and technology like Math Superstars, Author Visits, New IPads, etc. Click HERE to make that donation today!
Home Access Center: Check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.
Bluebonnet Book Program: Our class's goal for each student to read 5 books! The Bluebonnet Program goes until mid-January so we have plenty of time to read, read, read. So, let's get to it!
Bluebonnet Book List 2017 - 2018 http://www.txla.org/new-tba-list-released
Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1

Upcoming Events:.

November 10 - Spelling Test (students should be studying at home), Veteran's Day assembly and Nonfiction Text Feature Quiz
November 13 - Book Fair Preview Day (kids make their wish list)
November 14 - Third Grade Field Trip (please dress nice) & Book Fair
November 15 - Holiday Lunch, Book Fair, International Children's Festival Night (5:30pm - 8:00pm)
November 17 - International Children's Assembly
November 18 - 26th is Thanksgiving Break
November 28 - Science DCA Test (Forces and Magnetism)

What's Been Happening In Class?

Writing: We started our new unit: Expository writing and informational research. The kids spent time learning how to research for information using a few of our online library resources (Britannica, World Book, Culture Grams, Info Bits).
Reading: Poetry - Our new unit is Nonfiction Reading (Informational Text). We identified and defined many nonfiction text features (glossary, index, heading, table of contents, photograph, captions, graphs, charts, diagram/labels, etc) exploring various nonfiction books and completing a nonfiction text feature flip book. We also took time to begin researching our International Children's Festival country...England! This research is done with a partner. The kids will create Google Drawings next week displaying all their information they collected on the country of England.
Math: Our next unit is Fractions. We reviewed some basic fraction vocabulary (numerator, denominator, whole, equal parts). We learned how to represent fractions in a Fraction Area Model, Fraction Set Model, and Fraction Pie Model. Next week will make comparisons between fractions (which fraction show the bigger portion), Fractions on a Number Line, and adding fractions of the same denominator.
Science: We started our new unit on Forces and Magnetism. We are using Project Lead the Way activities for most of this unit which provide the kids with many hands-on activities working with a partner or in a small group. This week we wrapped up our module on Flight. We learned about the 4 forces when it comes to flight (thrust, drag, lift and weight). We applied what we learned about these forces in a project involving designing and building a glider to travel a certain distance. We began our last PLTW module on simple machines this week. We have built a wheel & axle, inclined plane, lever and pulley. We will wrap this module up hopefully by the end of the week. Our test will be on November 28.
Social Studies: We researched and read various nonfiction material about our 3 branches of government. We used a variety of sources (Brain Pop videos, handouts and the My World Book textbook) to find specific information on the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches.
Enrichment: We are in our 2nd round of enrichment groups. Check with your child to find out what enrichment group they are in this time!

Weekly Update #11: October 30 - November 3

11/2/2017

Announcements:

Box Top Class: We have been crowned the Top Box Top Class for 3rd Grade!! Whoo Hoo! Our class earned a popsicle party. We enjoyed these awesome popsicles today during recess.
PTA Direct Donation Drive: Our poster on the wall shows only ONE soccer ball for Mrs. Lilleboe's class. Please consider making a monetary donation to our amazing Elsa England PTA so that we can get some soccer balls on our class poster. All 100% of your money goes right back into Elsa England, its wonderful academic programs and awesome technology for our school. Without this money our kids will not get academic activities and technology like Math Superstars, Author Visits, New IPads, etc. Click HERE to make that donation today!
Home Access Center: Check weekly to stay up to date on your child's academic progress. Link to Home Access Center.
Bluebonnet Book Program: Our class's goal for each student to read 5 books! The Bluebonnet Program goes until mid-January so we have plenty of time to read, read, read. So, let's get to it!
Bluebonnet Book List 2017 - 2018 http://www.txla.org/new-tba-list-released
Mrs. Lilleboe's Bluebonnet Book Wish List http://a.co/j39aDD1

Upcoming Events:.

November 6 - Author Visit (Elizabeth Eulberg) of The Great Shelby Holmes and Math DCA Test - Multiplication (5's, 10's, 2's, 4's and 8's) - word problems (1 step and 2 step problems).
November 9 - TAG Parent Referral Meeting in Cafeteria (5:30 - 6:30pm)
November 10 - Spelling Test (students should be studying at home), Veteran's Day assembly and Nonfiction Text Feature Quiz
November 14 - Third Grade Field Trip (please dress nicely) & Book Fair
November 15 - Holiday Lunch, Book Fair, International Children's Festival Night (5:30pm - 8:00pm)
November 17 - Science DCA Test (Forces and Magnetism)
November 18 - 26th is Thanksgiving Break

What's Been Happening In Class?

Writing: We are wrapping up our poetry unit with some fun Halloween poems and Family poems. A display of our Halloween poems will be up outside our classroom by next week.
Reading: Poetry - We continued to read poetry with partners this week. We specifically read and analyzed a Halloween poem (Halloween Shenanigans), Narrative poems (Old Truck and Buying a Puppy). Our next unit is Nonfiction Reading (Informational Text).
Math: Our unit is Multiplication! The focus in this unit is to learn how to multiply by 10's and doubles (2's, 4's, 5's, and 8's) using a variety of strategies - arrays, equal groups, number line, repeated addition, skip counting, and area models. We specifically focused on 4's (Double Double) and 8's (Double Double Double) facts this week. Our test is on Monday. The next math unit is Fractions.
Science: We started our new unit on Forces and Magnetism. We are using Project Lead the Way activities for most of this unit which provide the kids with many hands-on activities working with a partner or in a small group. Our test will be on November 17.
Social Studies: Next week we'll work on Citizenship and Government.
Enrichment: We started our new Enrichment groups today!