Multiplication Practice Using Timez Attack

As you know, we have started exploring concepts of multiplication as part of our current Everyday Math unit. Although students aren't expected to be secure with knowing their multiplication facts until fourth grade, we do spend time developing that skill in third grade.

One fun way to learn and practice multiplication is using the computer application Timez Attack. We used this program for the first time in Computer Lab yesterday, and the kids loved it! Timez Attack has the look of a video game, which is highly engaging to many children, but it also helps them to understand the concepts behind multiplication, rather than simply drilling them on facts. 

If you would like, you can install Timez Attack on your home computer (Mac or PC). Click on the link below for step-by-step directions:

Setting up Timez Attack at home

Have fun!

Sound Unit Wrap-Up: Jam Session!

We had a great day today! Each student presented his or her homemade instrument and used our sound vocabulary words (for example, pitch, volume, tension, vibrations) to explain how it worked. It was a fun way for the children to apply what they have learned. 

At the end of the day we had a "jam session" in which students played their instruments and sang the song, "What Can I Hear With My Ears?" The video is in the post below-- enjoy! (If you're having trouble viewing the embedded videos, click on the "YES Videos on School Tube" link under the "Helpful Links" sidebar. You can then scroll down to see all of our class videos, which are posted on the School Tube website.)

Jam Session Video

Sound Projects

As our study of sound draws to a close, the students are sharing what they’ve learned in several different ways. One way is with a homemade sound maker/instrument. Students will bring in their homemade sound makers on Friday, November 18^th. We will first share our creations with our classmates using vocabulary that we’ve learned (such as pitch, volume, vibration, tension, and amplify) and then join in a class jam session, which will be posted to the class blog.

Students should be working on their sound makers at home. I sent home a description of various homemade instruments last Thursday and we have also brainstormed ideas as a class. One easy project is a banjo made of a cardboard box and rubber bands. Please let me know if your child is having trouble completing this project.

I look forward to seeing—and hearing—the students’ creations!

Happy Halloween!

We had a very busy but fun day today! For our math lesson this morning we did a pumpkin investigation. Students worked in teams to measure their pumpkin's height and circumference, weigh the pumpkin, count its creases, and make predictions about the number of seeds inside. We then opened up the pumpkins and counted the seeds, sorting them into groups of 10 on sorting mats. Students also made predictions about the number of seeds in Mrs. Parkin's pumpkin. This was a fun, seasonally-appropriate introduction to our measurement unit (which we will start tomorrow) and a nice reminder of estimation and counting by 10s.

Pumpkin Investigtion: Orange Team

Click on the photo above to view a video of the Orange Team as they discuss their estimation of the number of seeds in their pumpkin.

In the afternoon, students performed their readers' theater scary stories for Mrs. Colfer's class. Everyone did an amazing job of using expression and volume to get the message of the stories across to the audience. They are on the road to becoming truly fluent readers! I've embedded the videos of their performances in a separate post. Enjoy!

Readers' Theater Performances: Videos

Math Homework Tonight 10/24

Today in math class we worked with subtracting two and three digit numbers. We reviewed the "counting up" method which was introduced in second grade. Tomorrow we will continue to work on subtracting using the "trade first" algorithm. 

In the future, students will be able to choose any method that works for them to solve subtraction problems. However, for homework tonight, I would like them to use the counting up method to answer questions #1-3 on their Homelinks 2.8. 

Here is a link to a video on the Everyday Math website which explains the counting up method. There are also a few YouTube videos which your child may find helpful. You can find those videos by Googling "counting up subtraction."

Everyday Math- Counting Up 

For tomorrow night's homework, students will answer #4-6 using the trade first algorithm. An explanation of this algorithm can be found on Rachel Clark's website. Here is a link to that explanation:

Trade First Algorithm

If your child seems lost, never fear! We will review this method several more times this week and into the future. If you could write me a short note on the homework or shoot me an email, that will help me to know that your child would benefit from some further practice with these methods.

No Math Homework Tonight!

The children do not have a Math Homelink due tomorrow (Friday).

Just a reminder: reading logs, spelling, Discovery Math, and optional vocabulary are all due tomorrow!

Update: Math Homework 10/18

Today in our math lesson we worked with two complicated concepts: adding using the partial sums algorithm and rounding to the nearest 10 or 100. We will continue to explore these concepts tomorrow and we will be practicing them all year.

I am adjusting the homework schedule to reflect the challenge of this lesson. For tonight, students should do *only* numbers 1, 2, and 3 on Homelink 2-6. Tomorrow we will go over it in class and then they will complete Homelink 2.6 for homework tomorrow (Wednesday) night. 

Also, because the partial sums algorithm is different from the traditional method of solving addition problems, it can be challenging for parents to help with. If you need an explanation of the Partial Sums algorithm, please click the link below:

Partial Sums Algorithm

On another note, thanks so much to those of you who brought in pencil pouches! We are all set for now. Thank you for your support.

Pencil pouches?

We are in need of about 8 new pencil pouches in our classroom. Each child was given a pencil pouch to hold their Everyday Math toolkits, which contains small math manipulatives that we use on a daily basis. However, some of these pencil pouches have seen better days! The zippers no longer zip and so materials fall out into desks. Unfortunately, the school does not have the budget to replaces these items this year.

Would you like to donate a pencil pouch or two to our classroom? They don't need to be new-- as long as they are in relatively good condition, we'll take them! They should be the cloth-style pouch (the kind that usually goes into a 3-ring binder) with a durable zipper. I have added a picture below in case my description is unclear.

 

Thanks in advance for your help! Let me know if you have any questions. 

(And in unrelated news, we're done with our NECAP testing! We are all very relieved and are excited to move back to our regular third-grade routine.)