Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Wed. 8/15 Homework

Math:
-page 2 (either front and back or just the side with the star on it)

Use this online resource for base ten blocks!  http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_152_g_2_t_1.html?from=grade_g_2.html

To reference the book's lesson, 1.2

www.pearsonsuccessnet.com.  Please choose the username appropriate for your child’s math level indicated by the last letter/number.

Username : mbesmathk, mbesmath1, mbesmath2, mbesmath3, mbesmath4, mbesmath5

Password: 123456

Chapter 1, lesson 2


ELA:
-read for 15 minutes
-spelling contract due Friday
-study vocab for Friday
-each child needs a magazine rack for Writing Workshop

Please return any missing forms!

Still looking for a broom :)

Thanks!

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday, 8/14 Homework

All students:
-STARS conduct form - signed by students and parents
-Any unsigned forms

ELA students - both groups:
-study for vocabulary (test on Friday)
-Spelling contract - 1 Tuesday Activity (Monday's activity is not necessary to complete for homework - they are working on it in class)

We are still in need of a broom and dustpan if anyone has an extra at home!  Thank you!!


Here we are after the STARS assembly with the admin!

New saving item for Coach Rogers:  the clips that close bread bags

Friday, August 10, 2012

Scholastic Book Clubs Ordering Open!

Hello parents!  August Scholastic Book Club is now open!  Our class earns one free book for our classroom library with each online order!  Our classroom library is a wonderful resource for students-it is lexiled from 300 to 1,000+ to meet the needs of all readers!  Orders are due by August 24!

https://orders.scholastic.com/GTHBQ

Math Unit 1 CCGPS Standards and Timeline

Math Unit 1 Part A:  Place Value: Addition and Subtraction

This unit is 25 days:  Anticipated Unit Testing window:  the week of September 17th

CCGPS:
Use place value understanding and properties of operations to perform multi‐digit arithmetic.
MCC3.NBT.1 Use place value understanding to round whole numbers to the nearest 10 or 100.
MCC3.1.NBT.2 Fluently add and subtract within 1000 using strategies and algorithms based on place value, properties of operations, and/or the relationship between addition and subtraction.
ADV: MCC4.NBT.2 Read and write multi-digit whole numbers using base-ten numerals, number names, and expanded form. Compare
two multi-digit numbers based on meanings of the digits in each place, using >, =, and < symbols to record the results of comparisons.
MCC4.NBT.4 Fluently add and subtract multi‐digit whole numbers using the standard algorithm.

Solve problems involving the four operations, and identify and explain patterns in arithmetic.
MCC3.OA.8 Solve two-step word problems using the four operations. Represent these problems using equations with a letter standing for the unknown quantity. Assess the reasonableness of answers using mental computation and estimation strategies including rounding.
MCC3.OA.9 (only addition table in Unit 1) Identify arithmetic patterns (including patterns in the addition table or multiplication table),
and explain them using properties of operations. For example, observe that 4 times a number is always even, and explain why 4 times a number can be decomposed into two equal addends.
ADV: MCC4.OA.5 Generate a number or shape pattern that follows a given rule. Identify apparent features of the pattern that were not explicit in the rule itself. For example, given the rule “Add 3” and the starting number 1, generate terms in the resulting sequence and observe that the terms appear to alternate between odd and even numbers. Explain informally why the numbers
will continue to alternate in this way. (Note: addition rules only)

Essential Questions:
·         MCC3.NBT.1
·         How does the placement of a digit change the value of a number?
·         Explain how to round a number to the nearest 10 or 100?
·         When is it appropriate to round numbers?
·         MCC3.NBT.2
·         How are addition and subtraction related?
·         What strategy can I use to add mentally?
·         What strategy can I use to subtract mentally?
·         How can I use place value to add numbers?
·         How can I use place value to subtract numbers?
·         MCC3.OA.8
·         How do you know when to use addition or subtraction to solve a problem?
·         When do you use addition or subtraction in everyday life?
·         What patterns do you see in an addition table?

Week 1 Spelling and Vocabulary Words, Spelling City Log in

Pink Group:  Fourth Grade Curriculum

My Name is Maria Isabel

Spelling Words                 

carved
garden
harm
farther
barked
alarm
chart
starved
harder
parked
smartest
charge
guard
argument
hardware
garbage
harsh
parts
radar
harbor
*Q1 Week 6 list on Spelling City

Vocabulary Words

pageant – a show based on stories or events from previous times

restless – unable to be still

tropical – found in the warm, wet regions of the Earth, near the equator

rehearsals – practices for a play or other performance

attentively – in a way that shows complete concentration

troublesome – trouble-causing; disturbing
*Q1 Week 6 Maria Isabel Vocab list on Spelling City

Green Group:  Third Grade Advanced Curriculum

Officer Buckle and Gloria - Advanced
Spelling Words

sat
felt
last
send
next
best
went
hand
stand
past
grand
stamp
belt
lend
checked
else
guest
attention
heard
listen
*word list on Spelling City:  Q1 Week 1 Words

Vocabulary Words:
department-a separate part of a large organization

audience-a group of people of gather to see or hear a performance

obeys-carries out wishes, orders, or instructions

expression-a way of speaking that shows feeling

accident-something bad that happens without being planned

noticed-became aware of; saw for the first time

commands-orders

enormous-very large

auditorium-a building or place for public gatherings
*Q1 Week 1 Officer Buckle and Gloria Vocabulary list on Spelling City

Note:  Third grade advanced includes 5 additional spelling words and 2-3 additional vocabulary words.  The "additional" words are not used on Spelling City.

----------------------------------
Spelling City is an online tool that I use for my students to practice our spelling and vocabulary words online. 

Q1= Quarter 1.  Please find the week's list according to what I list on the blog - not how they are labeled - with CCGPS, we have rearranged some stories, lists, etc.

Spelling City
2.  Click on “Find a List”
3.  Green group: 
·         Enter “thirdmbes” in search box, and search by username
Pink Group:
·         Enter “fourthmbes” in search box, and search by username
4.  Complete any free activities for your spelling or vocabulary words that week
 

Third Grade Tests, Homework, etc.

Testing Schedule:

Spelling Tests are always on Friday
Vocabulary Quizzes are every other Thursday.
- Except the first week of school:  it will be incorporated into the comprehension test on Friday.
Comprehension quizzes and tests are on an as-needed basis depending on the type of literature (novel vs. story from the anthology).  Expect a comprehension quiz/test at least once a week, usually towards the end of the week.
-First week of school:  stories will be tested on Friday.
Math quizzes and tests are also on an as-needed basis depending on the unit.
Multiplication timings will take place every Friday.  Beginning in unit 2, the multiplication timings will count as a grade in eschools+ and will be reflected in your child's cumulative grade.
-2x2 through 9x9 will be tested each week, in a 5 minute timed setting.     
We will have our first timing on Friday to establish baseline data! 
Science and social studies tests will be as needed and posted on the blog in advance. They are not "open book." 
Health tests are open book. 

Weekly and unit tests will be posted on the blog as well as written in your child's agenda. 

Homework: 

Weekly homework is due on Friday:  spelling contract and HOTS POW are both due Friday.  This will be explained in detail at Curriculum Night! 

Spelling contract will begin this week. 
HOTS POW will begin week 3 of school.

Daily homework will be assigned in addition to time devoted to reading and studying multiplication facts.  The Fulton County Schools homework policy indicates 30-40 minutes of homework each night (including reading time). 

Please save the date:  Curriculum Night:  Tuesday, Aug. 21 at 6:00pm 

Welcome to Ms. Serafin's Third Grade Class!

Welcome and "About Ms. Serafin"

Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year!  I hope you have enjoyed your summer and are ready to embark on an amazing journey together!  My name is Jennifer Serafin and I will be your child's third grade teacher. 

This year will be my sixth year teaching at Medlock Bridge Elementary.  I graduated from the University of Florida where I earned both my Master of Education and Bachelor’s degrees.  I grew up in Florida, and I am an avid Gators fan-Go Gators!  I live in Buckhead, like to travel to serve people around the world, run, and volunteer around Atlanta in my free time.  This summer I traveled to Kenya, France, and Haiti! Wahoo!

As a teacher, I hope to motivate my students to discover their strengths and abilities in the academic curriculum as well as on a social level.  I strive to provide an encouraging and stimulating classroom environment where my students can excel not only in academics but also as a cohesive classroom community.  I have very high expectations for my students because I believe all students are capable of achieving success!

This year we are thrilled to invite Mrs. Jessica Vu into our classroom as she completes her student teaching portion for her degree at Georgia State University. After 10 years in sales, she feels blessed to have the opportunity to follow her passion of working with children and furthering her education. We share a similar philosophy for how children learn so I have no doubt that we will make a great team for the few months she will be with us!

With your participation and support, both in and out of the classroom, I look forward to a phenomenal year that will prove to be exciting, enriching and an extraordinary experience for all of us.  Please feel to contact me with any questions or concerns at serafinj@fultonschools.org. 

I look forward to seeing you at Curriculum Night on Tuesday, August 21rd at 6:00pm.  Please visit our classroom blog to stay up to date on daily homework and class happenings at http://serafinhomework.blogspot.com and connect with me on edmodo – http://edmodo.com/serafinj. 

Class Schedule and Specials Schedule:

Specials Schedule

(11:50-12:35)

Monday:     Music        
     Tuesday:         PE  *wear sneakers!               
Wednesday:  Media/Computer Lab        
Thursday:       PE  *wear sneakers!       
     Friday:        Art           
           
                                   Daily Schedule

7:15-7:45:  Arrival/Morning Work

7:45-7:50:  Announcements

7:55-9:15:  Math

9:15-9:30:  Recess

9:30-11:10:  Reading/Language Arts
   *Healthy snack during this time

11:10-11:40:  Lunch

11:50-12:35:  Specials

12:35-1:30:  Writing Workshop

1:30-2:10:  Science/S.S./Health

2:10:  Planners/Prepare for Dismissal

   2:20-2:45:  Dismissal

 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Thursday, 5/10 HW

  • Write at least 2 poems
  • Finish the math game if you have not
Please send me the American Heroes video pleaseeeee?!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Pics!!

Field Day!  Can you spot the teacher??.

Luke and I after his play.  He played Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh!

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

Thurgood Marshall

Lyndon B. Johnson

Paul Revere

Frederick Douglas

Patiently waiting :)

Mary McCloud Bethune

Susan B. Anthony
Cesar Chavez

This picture does no justice to all of the beautiful flowers I received from yall on flower day!


Birthday Flowers and Cards!

Joseph and I after his play with CYT - Suessical


Relay for Life - WOW!!!
Also, the students have fundraised $146, with an additional $150 sent in from parents, and my double of $500 - we are up to $793 - we would love to have full class participation - even just a dollar will help!  :) 

Tuesday 5/8 HW

  • ELA:  super sleuth detective assignment
  • Health:  alcohol and tobacco venn diagram
I hope this health unit has opened up discussion and healthy dialogue - prevention is so much better than intervention!!!! 

Videos/Pics from yesterday:  please email me the video of the song at the end or any pics for the blog at Jennifer.serafin@gmail.com (it will fill my fulton email in 4 seconds!!)

Thank you to everyone who brought in snacks, supported their kids, and helped me celebrate my birthday.  I am SO grateful!!  YALL ROCK!!!!!

Relay for Life donations will go for the next week - we are up to $793 plus a little change ($146 from the kids, $150 from parents, and my $500 double)- please consider donating! 

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wed. 5/2 HW

  • ELA:  study vocabulary for quiz on Friday and spelling test on Friday
  • Field day is tomorrow!!!!!  Bring in a clean change of clothes for after field day
  • Return the RSVP for Showcase and Signed Papers, as well as any order forms


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tuesday HW 5/1

ELA:  study spelling and vocabulary (words are hard - please study!!)
Math:  none  so they can prep for Showcase!
SS:  memorize speech and prepare outfit.  They can bring it to school on Friday and change here.  :)  Then it will stay at school for Monday's showcase! Wahooo!!!!

Pink: 
Heartbeat

Spelling Words                 

difficult
probably
beginning
direction
discover
excellent
important
imagine
energy
remember
different
another
beautiful
dangerous
government
interest
becoming
description
engineer
wonderful







Vocabulary Words

Segment Three (pp. 147-180)

trance – a state of being so deeply absorbed in something as to be unaware of one's surroundings

tentative – not fully worked out or developed

precarious – depending on unknown conditions or chance events

avert – to turn away

unfurl – open or spread

pesters – annoy; bother

dignified – having or showing a serious and reserved manner

Green: 

Ramona Forever - Week 2
Spelling Words:

1.     simple
2.    total
3.    apple
4.    title
5.    central
6.    purple
7.    signal
8.    normal
9.    middle
10.  able
11.   terrible
12.   people
13.   medal
14.   handle
15.   single





Vocabulary Words:
1.   resolved: 

2.  weary

3.  sober

4.  dawdling

5.  scant

6.  feeble

7.  indignant

8.  grim

9.  delighted:  great pleasure or joy

10.            astonished:  surprised

11.            dismal

12.            ceaseless

13.            mute:  silent; not able to speak

14.            genuine

15.            feeble

Ms. Serafin in Kenya

Ms. Serafin in Kenya