==> IN single-classroom-updates.php

Round and round the earth is turning,

Turning always into morning,

And from morning round to night

 

It was an exciting week we have just wrapped up. Not only is the class singing rounds for the first time together (they sound really incredible!), we have begun our study of time. Last week and the next it is my goal to give the children an engaging and deep introduction to the measure of time. We began by discussing the importance of standard units of measurement. As I said, this will be something which comes back again and again, not just over the course of this year, but also in our applied science courses in middle school. The proper use and understanding of units in measurement and calculation is a very basic but foundational skill as the children deepen their studies of math and science.

We have begun reading analog clocks and will begin calculating time in earnest this week during our math class. It will begin simple enough, but will grow in complexity as time goes on. I am looking to see the children eventually work time in the following manner:

Screen Shot 2014-10-26 at 10.02.01 AM

 

A quick glance shows that this asks the children to demonstrate a real understanding and mastery of regrouping. The children are also working outside of a base ten number system with these problems. This demands a great deal of flexibility and concentration on the part of a third grader. We will be building up to such problems over the course of the next few months. As we begin to study linear, volumetric, and weight  measurement, we will be working with similar problems using inches, feet, miles, etc.

The children also constructed a sundial this week, as you may have seen in front of the building. This project covered a great deal of information: Knowledge of the cardinal directions, an understanding of the path of the sun, a working understanding of the word ‘meridian’, and the ability to explain what AM and PM mean. The children worked on their skills of observation as they recorded and estimated the length of the shadow cast by the gnomon at different points in the day.

The children also drew a calendar which represents a breakdown of the cycle of the year with seasons, equinoxes, solstices, months, weeks, and days.

The children also got to experience a water clock and hourglass and we will continue to use them throughout the year. On Monday, we will wrap up our study of the sundial and spend the week looking at the cycle of the moon and the scale of time.

Each day the class is also reading The Crowning of the Year, a poem by Juliet Compton-Burnett (see below). It is a poem that not only ties into our curriculum, but also offers some great double vowels and rhyming words for the children to read.

We have also been making bread, churning butter, painting with watercolors, harvesting our garden, and graphing the daily temperature on a regular basis. As always, you are always welcome to stop on by and see what is going on!

  • Friday, October 31. Halloween. Children are welcome to bring a costume from the third grade curriculum this day, which they will put on after morning lesson. So far, we’ve covered the book of Genesis and a lot of farming material. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me for advice or with questions! We will also be carving pumpkins and need 3 or 4 adults to lend a hand on Friday afternoon after lunch. Please let me know if you would like to come help out!!
  • Monday, November 3. Dio De Los Muertos Celebration. Children in the third grade are encouraged to celebrate the Day of the Dead by bringing in photographs, stories, or other object of remembrance for any friends of family members who have passed (no pets, please). There will be a small celebration and remembrance on Monday morning, and the children will be able to share a touching memory of their loved one. Please let me know if you have any questions!
  • Friday, November 7. Professional Development Day. No School. 
  • Math Facts: 11−8; 13−8; 3×6; 4×4; 5×5
  • Multiplication Table of the Week: 9’s
  • Spelling Words: (OI sound) noise, joint, joist, voice, choice

 

 

 

The Crowning of the Year 

By Juliet Compton-Burnett

The months weave a garland to crown the year,

It’s jewels are the leaves and the flowers

The golden sun and twinkling stars

The wind and the snow and the showers.

Color and beauty from far and near

Weaving a garland to crown the year.

 

January brings the snow

But hark, the roots begin to grow.

 

February brings flowers of light

Petals three of snowdrops white.

 

March’s blossoms-purple, gold,

Six petals to the sun unfold.

 

April’s here, gold trumpets sound

And stars of white bedeck the ground.

 

May is the month of pink and white

Apple, May, and parsley light.

 

June brings flowers of rainbow hue

Crimson, gold, and heavenly blue.

 

Flowers gay we still may see

Through dark the green on July’s tree.

 

Yellow turn the fields of grain

In August sun and August rain.

 

September’s fruits grow good to see

On pear and plum and apple tree.

 

October’s leaves come fluttering down

In shades of red and gold and brown.

 

November’s gift is rich and rare

The beauty of the branches bare.

 

December’s joy in each heart glows

For then was born the Christmas rose.

 

Color and beauty from far and near

Weaving a garland to crown the year.