Math Olympics- Light the Fire Within

Today we held our First Math Olympiad at Smith Elementary!!! There were only 6 events between two classes and even though most kids wanted to show off their competitive side, optimism and teamwork was everywhere.  Here are some pictures of the students in action at each event.

The Right Handed Marble Grab

(measuring mass)

The Left-Handed Sponge Squeeze

(measuring capacity)

The Big Foot

(measuring area)

Cotton Ball Shot Put

(measuring length)

The Plastic Straw Javeline

(measuring length)

The Paper Plate Discuss

(measuring length)

Each student had to estimate their measurement before they could complete the event.  Boy did they underestimate their athletic talents!  We had a blast!

Gazette Memo Feb. 22-26

Why did the gardener plant his money? Because he wanted his soil to be rich!!!

   We are starting our Goin’ Green Unit (Soil/Plants) this week. Our magnet status has really helped us on focusing on objectives we find essential for your child’s understanding of the world around them. The class will discuss what they already know about soil, composting, pollination, and plants. Then on Friday, we will be creating something very important for our school (I would tell you, but I hate to ruin the surprise)!!! Lots of pictures will be taken throughout this unit. An end of unit project assignment is in the making and the grading scale will be sent home within the next few weeks…so please be on the lookout!

   No one has turned in their $8.50 for the Soil Scientist field trip. This money isn’t due until the beginning of April, but if you can pay early, that would help us tremendously.

   There is a Math test on Tuesday and a Reading test on Thursday. I grade the tests immediately, so your child should be able to tell you how they did!!! I’m expecting the best of grades of course 

    Interim reports will be sent home on Friday. They will need to be signed and returned.

   The African American History Trivia has been very enlightening. We have learned about many knowledgeable and caring people who have shaped our culture. Thank you for working with your kids…the grades have been outstanding!

Objectives this week:
*Math- multiplication and division word problems, estimation, order of operations (Pass My Dad A Spoon), finding the unknown in a number sentence, test on Tuesday
*Reading- compare and contrast stories or characters, author and character point-of-view, double consonants, small group independent projects on the novel they are reading, test on Thursday.
*Writing-Imaginative Narrative
*Science- Soil: list and explain the functions of parts of a seed, identify how properties of soil influence the soils ability of hold water, conduct investigations analyzing how soil type affects water absorption rates, identify the properties of soil that support most plant growth, list the basic parts of soil, humus, sand, and clay, explain how composting recycles discarded plant and animal materials, determine how heat aids in the decay of plant material in a compost pile

Spelling Feb. 22-26

1. begged
2. bottles
3. collect
4. common
5. correct
6. different
7. hugged
8. jelly
9. lesson
10. running
11. supper
12. matter
13. pulled
14. silly
15. possible

Spelling Feb. 15-19

1. choose
2. loose
3. stoop
4. coop
5. troop
6. proof
7. moose
8. stood
9. brook
10. foot
11. setting
12. conflict
13. problem
14. resolution
15. character

Gazette Memo Feb. 15-19

Did you know your child could work for a card company?!?! Last week, the class was put into teams and each student was given a task to complete on an assembly line at C&K Car Company! They worked diligently and in the end, some cards were accepted while others were rejected.
Math, Science and Technology Night was a huge success. I was happy to catch most of my class sharing their knowledge at different stations throughout the cafeteria!
Our Valentine’s Party was lively and full of sugar ;) We learned about the history of Valentine’s Day, wrote Cinquain poems to friends, read Valentine books, and of course, played a few games before the day ended. I was unable to attend the Winter Dance, but I heard that it was tons of fun and everyone was out on the dance floor showing off their smooth moves.
This is a very busy week and I will be calling some parents if your child is being considered for retention. I do need to meet with you or discuss your child’s progress over the phone. A blue letter went home last Thursday to set up a conference. Please send that letter back to school immediately if your child is being considered for retention. Thank you and I look forward to talking with you about what we can do to help your child become successful in third grade!

Objectives this week:
*Math- multiplication and division word problems, estimation, order of operations (Pass My Dad A Spoon), finding the unknown in a number sentence
*Reading- compare and contrast stories or characters, story elements: characters, problem (conflict), solution (resolution), setting, theme
*Writing-Imaginative Narrative
*Social Studies- African American History and practice for PTA performance.

C&K Card Company

Here are some pictures and a video of the class practicing being active members in an assembly line! They were AWESOME!