Quadrilaterals

We are currently focusing on geometric figures in math class. Students in third grade usually find quadrilaterals to be the hardest to differentiate between. This is what we are using in class (click on the image to enlarge it):

Bar models with equivalent fractions

Parents: 

We are deep in our fraction learning, so now it is time to work with equivalent fractions. This is often times the hardest part of fractions, and it is usually the concept most tested. Below is a picture of how we use bar models to help visualize equivalent fractions. 

We define equivalent fractions as 2 or more fractions that have the same size whole and have been partitioned differently (have different denominators) but take up the same amount of space.  Sounds crazy hard, but I bet your child can tell you a lot about these fractions!! 

If you search 'fractions' on the blog, you can see some student-made videos on different fraction concepts. 

3 Reads

Today we learned a new math strategy called "3 reads". How can this help you with math word problems? 

Do you think you could use a strategy like this with something else, like science questions?

A bit of fun!

Did you know elves can be teachers, too? Obviously we are helping check who's on the nice list. 

Using partial products to multiply

Multiplication and Division Strategies

Below are some of the strategies we are using to build number sense for multiplication and division. We call the numbers we are multiplying (the factors) our parts and the answer (product) the whole. This is SOOOO important at this beginning of multiplication because students can get confused as to WHEN to multiply or divide (especially when we begin 2x1 digit multiplication).

For multiplication, we try to build off of "easy" basic facts to help us solve facts we don't know. That usually means we use 2s,5s, and 10s as much as possible while we are still trying to memorize facts. Of course our ultimate goal is to have facts memorized up to 10x10 so that NO strategy is needed, but until we are at that point we want to have some number sense on how to solve facts in the most efficient way.

For division, we always use the strategy "Think Multiplication". This means we turn our division sentence into a missing factor multiplication sentence. Then we can use multiples or those easy facts to build up to my answer. One common mistake to look for is that students can end up multiplying the whole by the part instead of looking for the the missing factor.

Estimation Strategies

We have currently wrapped up addition and subtraction with estimation, which includes using "compatible numbers" and "rounding". This is often a tricky concept for our students because we are working with big numbers and finding approximate solutions are abstract. Here's a summary of what we're learning...

--We looked at when to estimate (if we don't need an exact answer; instead I just need the answer that is "about" or "approximately").
--We also looked at how to round using the idea of number lines (the number you are rounding is close to what 10 or what 100 on a number line).
--We also used "compatible numbers", which is when I get to change the numbers up a bit to be easier to add and subtract. For example, for 346-137, I might simply change the numbers to be 347-137 because this makes it an easy problem to subtract. Compatible numbers are nice to use because you can often easily find the real answer. We can also use the same concept when finding exact solutions.
--Lastly, if the problem calls for estimation, I encourage students to not solve for the real answer and then round it because in real life if I knew the answer, I would not round it...I would say the exact answer. Rounding is supposed to be used to find a close answer in an easier way, so I should not find the exact answer. Instead, they need to round their number and then add or subtract. They can find the real answer if they want to check, but remember that these problems are long, so doing that much work usually frustrates students.



Here's a look at a "rounding hills" strategy that can help students understand how to round. We relate this to a number line.

Addition and Subtraction

Here is some helpful info on addition and subtraction. We use a variety of methods, including the traditional algorithm.





Here are some notes on different methods:

College and Career Week

We got to explore the importance of higher education and choosing the right career this week. Today we got to dress up for your future career. We have a future actress, robotics engineer, football player, zoologist, scientists, doctors, video game designers, soccer players, singers, dancers, cheerleader, news reporter, as well as some that want to run their own family business. Their futures are indeed bright!!

Happy Friday!

We had a great Friday!

Congrats to our award winners from our class meetings: Trey, Dorothy, Darrien, and Julia!!

We also sent off our donations for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. 

Place Value

Parents, here are a  couple of videos over place value. This also covers how we are composing (forming) and decomposing (breaking apart) numbers. In third grade we work with numbers up to the 100,000 place. This also goes over common misconceptions of our students. If your child is struggling with place value, I hope this will be a helpful tool for them and you!

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Science Fun!

Look at these scientists hard at work! We had a fun time experimenting with chocolate today. 

Welcome to our class blog!

Yea! You found the blog! This is our place for sharing all the crazy, wonderful things we're doing in the classroom. I absolutely LOVE reading your comments (as do your fellow classmates), so please take a moment to leave one. This is a great way to share your feelings on anything we're doing, comment on your lovely teachers :), or even ask a question.

To leave a comment, go to the post you want to comment on and click on the link where it says the number of comments...like (0 comments). It's directly under the post.
Then type your post. Afterwards, select the drop down menu right underneath and click on "name/url". Type your first name in only and leave the url section blank. Click okay and it might ask you to type in a word as a security measure (to make sure you are safely accessing the blog). Your post will be sent to me to approve (so you won't see it automatically) and after I do it will appear on the blog! Viola! That may sound like a lot, but once you do it a bit, it will be so easy and YOU will be a pro at blogging!

Field Day

Field Day was so much fun! We had a blast!

Adaptations Fun!

We recently had the opportunity to create a new animal or plant with some interesting adaptations. The website below is a great extension that will let students create their "Wild Self"! You get to make your own avatar with some cool adaptations and learn about how these adaptations would be useful. Very fun! Check it out...

http://www.buildyourwildself.com/

Railroad Fun!

We had so much fun visiting the Frisco Railroad Museum. Ask you kiddo to give you a tour sometime!

Reference Materials for Geometry

**Click on each picture to enlarge for detail. 

Biography vs. Autobiography Quiz

Fractions with Bar Models

Equivalent Fractions