WE MADE IT!!!!! Today is the 100th day of school!

Even though it kept getting pushed back, we have completed 100 days of school together. Thank you so much for allowing me these days to get to know and love your children. I am AMAZED at all of their growth and absolutely love coming to school everyday because of each and everyone of them. I can't believe how fast time flies, and now I am starting to feel the butterflies about leaving them early at the end of the year.

Today, midterm reports are coming home. Yes, there is only a few weeks before we write grades. Snow days and delays caused assessments to take a lot longer than planned. Sorry! 

I am going to run through our weekly schedule and what we have done during this time this week.

Monday- Another day off, again because of the extremely cold weather and wind. 

For reading, we started our morning off with the first part of our Unit reading test on Tuesday. Again the students were completely on their own for this. If they needed help with a word, I of course helped them. :) We completed the second half of the unit reading test on Wednesday. Thursday the students were given more information about our big project over the Rain Forest. To introduce our unit the class listened to a very creative and expressive (I used many different voices) reading of The Great Kapok Tree by Lynne Cherry. Today, the kids looked at research projects, PowerPoints, and reports written by previous students. Afterwards they had a chance to chose their top three choices of a Rain Forest animal to research. 

In Daily 5 and read through a Reader's Theatre script of the book A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. This is a story about being true to yourself. Camilla Cream loves lima beans, but she never eats them. Why? Because the other kids in her school don't like them. Camilla Cream is so very, very worried about what other people think of her that she's about to break out in stripes!We will complete multiple readings of not only our script, but also the story and look at many different components of the story. These will include fantasy versus reality, cause and effect, inference, external and internal character traits, sequence of events, retelling versus summary, as well as take an indepth look at some great vocabulary words found in this story. 

In Language Arts, we continued talking about plural nouns (more than one) and singular possessive nouns (has an 's, something belongs or is owned by something or someone). After daily language, the students were introduced to a large project, one of many starting this week, their ABC Rain Forest Book. Students will be researching things in the rainforest for each letter of the alphabet and compile all their notes into a book, complete with a dedication and copyright.

For RTI, the students are continuing to work on their multiplication facts. Each day they will take a one minute time test over whichever factor they are currently working on. They are trying to make their way through our multiplication table. They started with x1 and will work their way up to x11 or x12. Each day also includes a review of strategies and working on one of our factors. Please help at home with flashcards or using the multiplication monsters that were sent home. 

In Math, we are continuing to learn about fractions. We have learned and reviewed the numerator and denominator, parts of a fraction, parts of a whole, and placing fractions in order from largest to smallest. We have also started to look at finding fractions on a number line and building fractions to be equal to one whole. Today, we are relating 100's day to fractions and decimals. 

Social Studies has continued in our atlas. We have learned about the seven continents (North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica) and the five oceans (Pacific, Atlantic, Arctic, Indian, and Southern). Wednesday, we took a look at how to read a map, a graph, and a map key using the natural resource oil. On Thursday, we looked at where in the world you would find the United States, then where within the United States you would find the state of Iowa. We will take a short break from our atlases next week to work on animal research for our reports. 

Of course today is the 100th day of school, although we do not celebrate like we used to at the elementary buildings, we still found time to enjoy 100 minutes of reading while enjoying 100 pieces of snack mix. :) 

  

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday, February 5th- 1:15 Dismissal

Thursday, February 13th- Valentine's Party

Friday, February 14th- No School

Saturday, February 15th- Happy Birthday Eden! 

Monday, February 17th- I will be gone due to various appointments all day long. 

Saturday, February 22nd- Happy Birthday Morgan! 

Tuesday, March 4th- I will be gone to Grant Wood AEA all day for a PBIS meeting

Tuesday, March 11th- 1:15 Dismissal, Conferences 1:30-5:30

Thursday, March 13th- Conferences 3:45-7:30

Friday, March 14th-Friday, March 21st- No School- Spring Break

Monday, March 24th- Happy birthday Allie! 

Have a great weekend! I am hoping Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow on Saturday and it will be an early spring! 

 Mrs. Jodie Yuska

Brr!

Oh my goodness, this is only January and I don't know if I ever remember having so many no school days. This year most are not even snow related, brr! I don't know about you, but I am ready for the temperatures to hover around 20 or so, then turn to spring. Is it bad when temperatures in the 20's and 30's feel wonderful?

*I am going to apologize, life has gotten me a feeling a little behind. With my husband being a tax accountant, we have been spending our weekends and weeknights getting the nursery ready. Since it will be only weeks (when the girls and I finally see him again), before this baby arrives. Days off from school have really thrown off my schedules at home and school. I LOVE having days with my girls, and I usually have my nieces also. The four of them are amazing, however as you can imagine, having a second grader, kindergartner, 4 year old, 3 year old, and a tired pregnant lady in one house, a little actual work gets completed on these days.

To make a long story short, with days off and late starts in our schedule assessments ran behind. I am attempting to finish up my midterm reports and will try to get them to you this week.

Math-In math last week, we started learning about fractions. We have discussed the meaning of fractions, vocabulary terms for fractions (numerator and denominator), determining fractions as parts of a whole, as well as parts of a group. We created a fraction flip book and will make fraction flip cards. This will help us work our way into learning about how to find fractions on a number line, equivalent fractions, mixed fractions, and turning fractions into decimals to the tenth and hundredth.

Reading- In reading this week we read An Extra-Good Sunday by Beverly Clearly. 

In this anthologized excerpt from "Ramona Quimby, Age 8," Beezus and Ramona are expected to prepare Sunday dinner as punishment for complaining about Saturday evening's dinner. This story walks through how they work as sisters to make a dinner from their parents using the ingredients they can find in their kitchen.

Writing- This week we spent time reviewing our cursive letters and filling out our cursive license application.

Social Studies-  This week we continued using our Map Champ Atlas in Social Studies.

Lessons completed this week were: 

Monday: No School

 

Tuesday:  We had guidance with Mrs. Shields

Wednesday:
--> “What is a globe?”

Thursday:   “How are maps and globes different?”

-->

Friday: “Which are continents and which are countries?”

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*We will take a brief break from our atlas to work on Rain forest research and reports.

Upcoming dates:

Wednesday, January 29th- Happy Birthday Caden and Timmy!  

Friday, January 31st- 100th day of school (however, all the snow/cold days keep pushing this back!)

Wednesday, February 5th- 1:15 Dismissal

Thursday, February 13th- Valentine's Party

Friday, February 14th- No School

Saturday, February 15th- Happy Birthday Eden! 

Saturday, February 22nd- Happy Birthday Morgan! 

Tuesday, March 4th- I will be gone to Grant Wood AEA all day for a PBIS meeting

Tuesday, March 11th- 1:15 Dismissal, Conferences 1:30-5:30

Thursday, March 13th- Conferences 3:45-7:30

Friday, March 14th-Friday, March 21st- No School- Spring Break

Monday, March 24th- Happy birthday Allie! 

Calendar Changes: *I will keep you posted as it keeps changing
Monday, April 21st- Snow day make-up day, Students will need to be in attendance
Friday, May 30th- Full day of school, no early out
Monday, June 2nd- Full day of school, no early out

Tuesday, June 3rd- Last day of school, 1:15 Dismissal

Stay Warm! 

 Mrs. Jodie Yuska

Back to routines!

Yeah for having a full week of school. This allowed us to get things starting to feel a little more normal of a typical day in 3rd grade. It also meant a lot of work to complete and learn! :)

Math-In math this week, we continued to talk about the perimeter (the distance around an object, think about something like a fence). We also have talked about the area of a polygon. This is how many square units are inside the polygon. Then of course with measuring a polygon, we needed to discuss and learn about what makes up a polygon. A polygon is a closed figure (no open spaces), which has all straight sides, and where the sides do not cross.  

On Monday, the students even had a chance to have a little fun with perimeter and area work with the help of Cheez-it crackers! 

On Wednesday we learned about polygons, and completed a polygon sort. 

Reading- In reading this week we read Aero and Officer Mike by Joan Plummer Russell. 

In this story we learned about the partnership between Corporal Mike Matsik and his K-9 partner, Aero. They have been partners for four years. This story gave us a chance to observe them on duty working as one. Aero can anticipate Mike's every move and watches or waits for Mike's commands. Aero's incredible senses of smell and hearing, his speed and strength, his pure canine instincts extend and expand Mike's abilities as a police officer. But when Aero is off duty, he can be as gentle and friendly as a family pet. We discussed the author's purpose of this story was to inform us of what it is like in the life of a K-9 police officer. 

On Wednesday, we had the chance to compare and contrast a police dog with a therapy dog. We had a visit from Jack, a 7 month old chocolate lab therapy dog, and his owner, Nicki White. Nicki explained the difference of a service dog and a therapy dog. The service dog assists one person to help them or their job, while a therapy dog assists multiple people just by making them happy and calm. The kids all loved having the chance to meet Jack. I took a quick picture when they were in Mrs. Clark's room. Sorry, I was too busy listening to her stories while she was in our room! :)

 *This will also the first week students will start to take their reading quiz completely independently. We shall see how this goes, but I want to get them use to it before Iowa Assessments. In February we will also add the skill of transferring our answers to an answer sheet for added Iowa Assessment practice. 

Writing- We brainstormed a list of things that could happen to a snowflake for our writing "If I were a snowflake, I would...." For a little added inspiration we watched a short video featuring Olaf from the Disney movie Frozen. 

We also finally had a chance to work on cursive. Hopefully, we will be finishing up our letters soon and will fill out our "cursive application" to get their "cursive license" and be free to use all the cursive they want in class. 

On top of that, we completed some winter activities to review some of the language arts work we have already completed this year.

Social Studies-  This week we continued using our Map Champ Atlas in Social Studies.

Lessons completed this week were: 

Monday:

 How do communities make the goods we use? After the lesson we talked about what a consumer is, how we are all consumers, and created a small lab book of different goods or services a consumer might buy or use. 

 

Tuesday:  What view does a map show? This included a discussion about viewing a building from the ground, from a birds-eye view, and from directly above. 

Wednesday: How are colors used as map symbols? For example, why is Flordia orange on the map, while Mississipi is pink?  How are colors used as map symbols?How are colors used as map symbols?”

Thursday:  How do maps show natural features? We discussed how a dessert, wetland, lake, river, ocean, and various other things might be represented on a map. 

Friday: How do maps show cultural features? This would include how a map show interstates and highways. 

We even had a chance to check out some fun social studies videos! 

Countries- "Tour the World"

 

States- "Tour of the States"

States- "The Nifty Fifty"

Upcoming dates:

Monday, January 20th- No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Professional Development

Wednesday, January 29th- Happy Birthday Caden and Timmy!  

Wednesday, February 5th- 1:15 Dismissal

Thursday, February 13th- Valentine's Party

Friday, February 14th- No School

Saturday, February 15th- Happy Birthday Eden! 

Saturday, February 22nd- Happy Birthday Morgan! 

Tuesday, March 4th- I will be gone to Grant Wood AEA all day for a PBIS meeting

Tuesday, March 11th- 1:15 Dismissal, Conferences 1:30-5:30

Thursday, March 13th- Conferences 3:45-7:30

Friday, March 14th-Friday, March 21st- No School- Spring Break

Monday, March 24th- Happy birthday Allie! 

Calendar Changes: 
Monday, April 21st- Snow day make-up day, Students will need to be in attendance
Friday, May 30th- Full day of school, no early out
Monday, June 2nd- Last day of school, 1:15 Dismissal

Have a great weekend! 

 Mrs. Jodie Yuska

A short week

The snow days at the beginning of the week kind of threw off my curriculum calendar. We moved homework, spelling, and our reading plans to next week. This allowed us a chance for a slow step back into school after such a long break. I think that was alright with the kids, as some seemed very tired by the end of the day. I know I am tired by the end of the day! :)

Math- This week we worked on our multiplication wheels during RTI time. Next week as well as the rest of the month of January, we will be working with multiplication strategies and facts during RTI in our classroom. When your child is finished with their multiplication monsters, you will see them come home. Many students are bringing them home today. These are an excellent tool for your child to practice their multiplication facts or quiz themselves at home. We will be completing a lot of assessments over having their multiplication facts from memory.

During math class we have been working with perimeter. The perimeter of a polygon is the distance around all the sides. Basically, you need to look at the measurement and add all the sides together. Next week we will be learning more about polygons and finding their areas or their square units.

Reading- During guided reading we have started our DIBELS testing. I will send home letters about your child's progress as soon as the assessments are completed. During whole group reading we read Squirrel's New Year's Resolution and created our own New Year Resolutions and goal mobiles (these will come home on Monday).

Today we read the book Snowflake Bentley and created some very fancy snowflakes we will use for writing next week. 

Writing- We created a snowman gylph by answering questions about ourselves and turned them into a short story. Look for more information and pictures about these next week.

Social Studies-  This week we started using our Map Champ Atlas in Social Studies.

We have completed lessons introducing the atlas and how to use it, what kinds of communities there are, and what kind of places can be found in communities. Today we read the book Me on the Map, and completed a packet of what country, state, city or town, street and house where we can be found in our room (our own place on a map). 

Upcoming dates:

Monday, January 20th- No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Professional Development

Wednesday, January 29th- Happy Birthday Caden and Timmy!  

Have a great weekend! Hopefully our schedule will be back to normal next week.
Mrs. Jodie Yuska

Welcome Back! / Gender Reveal

I hope everyone had a wonderful and relaxing winter break. It went really fast, but I am very happy to be back and get my children back on their routines. :) 

Today was a rather relaxing, and fun day where some work was still intermixed. We watched Despicable Me 2 with Mrs. Clark's class as part of our pajama/ winter party celebration. We also were very excited to find out the gender of the baby Mrs. Yuska is carrying around! :) 

Drum roll please........ 

It's a BOY! :) 
My family is very excited, especially his big sisters! We have the name Nolan picked out but are still working on a middle name. :)

Math- Today we jumped back into multiplication with a review and started to piece together multiplication monsters to help us practice our facts. Even though we will start to discuss perimeter and area for the next two weeks, we will continue to work on and be assessed over our multiplication facts. I sent home an additional "song and trick" sheet for multiplication today. 

Reading- We finished up our guided reading books and enjoyed looking at a new book they picked out from me.

Writing- We completed the final draft of our opinion writing of what it would be better to live in, a snow globe or a gingerbread house. I will look over these this weekend and send them home for you to enjoy! :) 

Planners did not go home today (Friday, December 3rd) as we ran out of time to fill them out. We kept them at school and will fill them out on Monday.

Upcoming dates:
Friday, January 10th- Happy Birthday Jada!  

Monday, January 20th- No School (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Professional Development

Wednesday, January 29th- Happy Birthday Caden and Timmy!  

Please stay warm this weekend and on your way to school/ work next week! Brr!
Mrs. Jodie Yuska