Coach BLeggett

Coach BLeggett

Monday, April 28, 2014

Perimeter and Area in the Real-World

Here is a video of the students calculating the perimeter and area in the real-world.


Curriculum Update April 28 - May 2

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We are taking MAP testing on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week. On Tuesday, we will be presenting our published books to the soldiers at 10:15.

This week, we will be busy with science week. The third grade will be broken into teams to work on all types of science experiments. Thank you so much for volunteering your time and sending in so many supplies to enable us to have a successful science week. The students will conduct write and practice each step of the scientific method as they conduct each experiment.

This will be our last spelling/vocabulary list of the school year. The tests will be on May 9th. Here are the words:
scientist: an expert in science, especially one of the physical or natural sciences
magnetic: capable of being magnetized or attracted by a magnet
position: the proper, appropriate, or usual place
density: the mass per unit volume
temperature: a measure of warmth or coldness
identify: to determine to what group (a given specimen) belongs
investigation: the act or process of investigating or a detailed inquiry or systematic examination
experiment: a test, trial, or tentative procedure; an act of operation for the purpose of discovering something unknown
conclusion: the end or close; final part
hypothesis: a suggested explanation for a group of facts, or an educated guess
observation: the act of observing and recording something
repetition: the act of repeating, repeated action
procedure: a series of steps followed in a regular order
measure: to mark, lay out, or establish dimensions for by measuring
evidence: something helpful in forming a conclusion or giving proof

Have a fantastic week!

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Curriculum Update April 21-25

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! 

For the science fair, the educated guess is due on Wednesday, April 23.

There is no school for students on Friday.

The remaining assessments for the year are MAPS. They are April 28-30 from 9:00-10:30.

ELA/Science The students are studying different types of ecosystems. They are learning about animal's habitats, what they need to survive in their environment and how changes in the environment can cause them to migrate to other places.

 Students are continuing to work on their Animoto novel videos and their 30-second radio commercials.

Math
We are learning about liquid volume and mass this week, The students are learning the difference between different types of capacity and units of mass and weight.

Spelling/Vocabulary
There is no spelling/vocabulary this week.

Have a fantastic week!

Monday, April 14, 2014

Curriculum Update April 14-18

Wow! That was definitely a quick change in temperature. I hope everyone enjoyed the wonderful day Saturday. It will be nice when warmer weather is here to stay for awhile.

Reading assessments went well last week. This week, we will be taking the math state assessments on Wednesday and Thursday.

Remaining assessment dates are:
Math Assessment April 16th & 17th 9:00-11:00
MAP Assessment April 28-30 9:00-10:30

Please try not to schedule any appointments during this time.

Science fair information is coming home this week. The process, topic and parent signature are due Friday.

There is no school for students on Friday, April 25.

ELA/Science
We are continuing our life cycles unit and introducing our ecosystems unit. Our ladybugs have turned into their adult stage. The students are pretty excited. Students will be learning about habitats and survival techniques for animals. They will also learn about factors in the environment that make them migrate elsewhere.

 The students will continue working on their informative paper through a press release about the life cycle of a species they create and will also be writing from the perspective of a species in different traits.

Students are working on their Animoto novel videos and their 30-second radio commercials.

Math
Students will take their practice perimeter/area test on Monday and the actual test will be on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday will be the math state assessments.

Spelling/Vocabulary
Both tests will be on Friday.

biodiversity: the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem
system: a set of parts that interact with one another
behavior: the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others
ecosystem: all the living and non-living things in a place
environment: all things that make up an area like land, water and air
fossil: the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in a rock
organism: a single type of living thing
survive: continue to live or exist in spite of danger or hardship
habitat: a living things home
shelter: one of the basic things provided by a habitat that helps protect an organism and offers it a safe place to rest
migrate: to move to another place to find better climate, food or a mate
competition: struggle that happens when two or more living things needs the same resource
instinct: a behavioral adaptation in which an animal is born with natural behaviors they need to survive
mimicry: the action or art of imitating someone or something (animals do this to protect themselves)
group: a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered classes together

 Have a fantastic week!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Mayor Meyers and City Councilman Neighbor Visit

Shawnee Mayor, Jeff Meyers and City Councilman Jim Neighbor took the time to come speak with the third grade about local government. They explained and answered questions about their roles and responsibilities. This was great for the students since they recently completed their government unit.







Curriculum Update April 7-11

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Assessments begin today.

Assessment dates are:
 Reading Assessment April 7th & 8th 9:00-11:00
Math Assessment April 16th & 17th 9:00-11:00
MAP Assessment April 28-30 9:00-10:30

Please try not to schedule any appointments during this time.

There is no school for students on Friday, April 25.

ELA/Science
We are continuing our life cycles unit. The students have been observing their lady bugs, preying mantis and beetles and discussing the stages they are in. Students will continue to work on their web quest where they are creating their own species and life cycle for it.

 The students will be writing an informative paper through a press release about the life cycle of a species they create and will also be writing from the perspective of a species in different traits.

Students will also continue to work in their novel books where they are discussing character motives and predicting what they think will happen in the future. They are also answering comprehension questions. When finished, students will work on their Animoto videos and 30 second commercials evaluating the book.

Math
Students will continue to work on area this week. They are comparing the area to the perimeter. The students have been working in differentiated groups, playing games and working on projects at their level.

Spelling/Vocabulary
Both tests will be on April 18th.

biodiversity: the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem
system: a set of parts that interact with one another
behavior: the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others
ecosystem: all the living and non-living things in a place
environment: all things that make up an area like land, water and air
fossil: the remains or impression of a prehistoric organism preserved in petrified form or as a mold or cast in a rock
organism: a single type of living thing
survive: continue to live or exist in spite of danger or hardship
habitat: a living things home
shelter: one of the basic things provided by a habitat that helps protect an organism and offers it a safe place to rest
migrate: to move to another place to find better climate, food or a mate
competition: struggle that happens when two or more living things needs the same resource
instinct: a behavioral adaptation in which an animal is born with natural behaviors they need to survive
mimicry: the action or art of imitating someone or something (animals do this to protect themselves)
group: a number of people or things that are located close together or are considered classes together

Vocabulary Game
Spelling Link

Have a fantastic week!


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Butterfly Exercise Videos

We have been studying about life cycles in class. The students watched some short videos on butterflies and studied their life cycle. Afterwards, they worked in groups to create choreograph a 1 minute exercise video using butterfly movements. Finally, they chose a background song and recorded their video. Enjoy!
 
 Sofia, Lucas, Nick & Jane's Butterfly Exercise Video
 
Natalie, Madeline, Max and Jack W.'s Butterfly Exercise Video 
 
Alex, Bryce, Libby & Cassie's Butterfly Exercise Video
 
Chloe, Katelyn, Ethan, Jack G. & Ollie's Butterfly Exercise Video
 
Jayda, Sam, Rodolfo, Dylan & Ryan's Butterfly Exercise Video
 
 

City Councilman Mickey Sandifer Visit

While studying government, Shawnee City Councilman, Mickey Sandifer, visited with the class about his role and responsibilities in local government.

City Councilman Mickey Sandifer with my third grade class.

Life Cycles & Habitats with Mrs. Arbaugh's Kindergarten Class

We have been learning about life cycles. The third graders invited Mrs. Arbaugh's Kindergarten class in to see our class animals and describe their habitats, what they eat and how to take care of them. They also explained the life cycles of our lady bugs, preying mantis and beetles.












Creating Objects for Perimeter

The students have been working on perimeter. They created their own shapes and then traded with a partner for them to find the perimeter. Afterwards, they discussed their perimeters and why the created the shape the way they did.








Curriculum Update March 31-April 4

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.

 Assessments are right around the corner. The dates are:
Reading Assessment April 7th & 8th 9:00-11:00
Math Assessment April 16th & 17th 9:00-11:00
MAP Assessment April 28-30 9:00-10:30

Please try not to schedule any appointments during this time.

ELA/Science We are continuing our life cycles unit. The students have been observing their lady bugs, preying mantis and beetles and discussing the stages they are in. Students will complete a web quest this week where they will create their own species, press release and describe its life cycle. They will film their butterfly exercise videos this week.

The students will continue to conduct and answer questions as they read about life cycles and gather their research on their web quest.

The students will be writing an informative paper through a press release about the life cycle of a species they create and will also be writing from the perspective of a species in different traits.

Students will also continue to work in their novel books where they are discussing character motives and predicting what they think will happen in the future.

Math
Students will continue to learn about area this week. They will calculate the area of objects and compare it to its perimeter. They students have been working in differentiated groups, playing games and working on projects at their level.

Spelling/Vocabulary
Both tests are on Friday.

traits: a body feature passed on to an animal or plant from its parents
life cycle: all the parts of an animal's life from birth to death.
developing: to grow
birth: the act of being born; the act of coming into life
reproducing: to make or cause to exist again
digest: to break down food in the body.
egg: a round or oval mass from which young animals hatch
larva: the stage early in an insect's life when it looks like a worm
pupa: a stage in the life cycle of certain insects when the larva is changing into an adult
chrysalis: the inactive stage in the development of a butterfly or moth during which the larva is enclosed in a tough case from which a fully developed adult eventually emerges
adult: a fully grown person, animal or plant
compare: to examine how two or more people or things are alike and different
contrast: a difference; unlikeness
characteristic: a special feature or quality
adaptation: a trait that helps an animal or plant meet  its needs in the place where it lives
inherited: passed on from parents to their young

Have a fantastic week!