This week we have been reviewing strategies students can use to add larger numbers. The goal is not to remember the strategy itself, but for students to become more flexible with numbers. Students who are flexible with numbers can build numbers and break numbers apart in many ways. They understand that there are different ways to make the whole. For example, at the foundational level, students understand that you can decompose (break apart) the number 10 into 5 and 5, 7 and 3, 6 and 4, and so on. By the beginning of third grade students should be able to compose and decompose numbers from 1-20 with automaticity. This is the foundation that helps them develop more efficient strategies for adding and subtracting larger numbers, and sets them up for success with multiplication and division.
Example: 23-6 When solving 23-6, some students start and 23 and count backwards by one until they reach the answer. Other students may use the standard algorithm and stack the numbers and use regrouping to solve the problem. Students who are flexible with numbers will understand that they can decompose 6 into 3 and 3 and then solve 23-3=20. Noticing that 20 is a friendly number (a multiple of 10), they will apply their knowledge of making 10 using 3 and 7 to quickly figure out that 20-3=17 just as 10-3=7. This understanding of mathematical practice is probably much different than how most of us were taught. You might wonder why we just don't teach kids to stack the numbers and add or subtract. The answer is that teaching a standard algorithm does not help students make sense of numbers nor does it build the mathematical reasoning skills they need in order to understand more difficult mathematical concepts they will encounter later in their schooling. It is important to help students build flexibility with numbers and develop efficient use of strategies. Students will create teaching videos that they can refer to as they continue to practice the strategies that will help them become more efficient at solving math problems. I will embed the videos on our class webpage. Click on the For Students tab > Math > Addition and Subtraction to watch the strategy videos. You can also click the link button below.
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This year the students will frequently use technology to learn and to share their learning. They will learn how to use different devices, apps, and websites. They will practice proper digital citizenship as they use the internet to research, to blog, and to interact with peers from Westchester and other schools. One of our social studies standards is to learn the major topographical features of the United States, including the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains, the Mississippi River, the Colorado River, the Hudson River, the Rio Grande River, and the Ohio River. The students have been playing the Mystery State Game with partners to get familiar with the U.S. map. We had a chance to play the game with Lily's mom via Google Hangouts. The students guessed her mystery state, Oklahoma! Thanks for connecting with us, Ms. Collins! Thanks to Ms. SanAngelo, all of the third grade classes connected with Stephanie Robinson and Jessica Haight, who co-authored a book called The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow, a fantasy novel for 3rd through 8th graders. They gave the students lots of great advice about the writing process. The students also had a chance to ask them questions. They asked questions about chapter transitions, how long it took them to write the book, and how they illustrated the cover. Stephanie and Jessica will be presenting at the Decatur Book Festival on the Children's Stage on Sunday, September 3 at 4:30. I hope many of our third grade families will go hear them speak! This week I will send home information about various websites we are using in the classroom. The students are very excited about the opportunity to connect with each other, their families, and other schools through technology. It is a great tool for learning!
This week we have been practicing classroom routines and procedures. It is very important to have those in place so that our classroom community can run smoothly and so students can work independently while I meet with small groups. During Math Workshop the students practiced rotating quickly, quietly, and safely through three independent work stations--Technology, Math Journals, and Math Games. This week we had our first lesson with Mr. Blase, our school counselor. He talked to the students about his role at Westchester. He will visit our classroom throughout the school year for more lessons. He is a great resource for both parents and students so don't hesitate to reach out to him.
We've had a great first week of school. The students are getting to know each other and warmly welcoming friends who are new to Westchester. We are building our classroom community and figuring out how we will work together to help each other be our best. The students participated in two fun team building activities this week.. In the first activity, the teams had to build the tallest freestanding structure out of twenty spaghetti noodles, a yard of tape, and a yard of string. Their structure had to hold a marshmallow at the top. In the second activity, the teams had to use only four paperclips (no hands) to rescue a gummy worm named Fred by helping him put on his life preserver. After both activities we had important discussions about strategies for effective collaboration and teamwork. We will refer back to these activities and discussions throughout the year as students work together in groups. Students worked with a partner to go on a scavenger hunt to get to know our classroom space. An important step for students in developing independence is knowing how to navigate the classroom so they can find materials on their own, take ownership of our physical environment, and become self-sufficient in taking care of their needs throughout the day. Students will use an agenda this year to keep track of homework assignments. This is a great way to teach organization and responsibility. Students are responsible for copying their homework as a part of their daily morning check-in. They were ecstatic to get their agendas. Some even requested homework! A new school year holds a lot of promise. I am looking forward to watching this crew learn and grow, and I am so thankful that I can be a part of their third grade year.
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AuthorMrs. Yoo teaches 3rd grade at Westchester Elementary School, home of the Wolves. Archives
February 2017
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