Friday, April 29, 2016

Friday News

PARCC Update:
PARTNERSHIP FOR ASSESSMENT OF READINESS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS
I am so very proud of these third graders.  They worked diligently during these two days of testing.  I saw them checking their work, highlighting parts of their passages, and working hard!  We finish up with ELA testing on Monday.  I told them I will provide popsicles for the test takers!  



Are you and your family 
up for the CHALLENGE?


Screens, screens, screens..





On May 2 - 8th, children, families, and communities around the world will rediscover the joys of life beyond the screen. Unplug from digital entertainment and spend your free time playing, reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring, and connecting with family and friends.


Bay Colony Educators

Tim and Carol dressed in clothing of colonial America. 


Tim and Carol, the Bay Colony Educators, have been coming to Wheelock School for 24 years!  They talk about what life was like in Medfield in 1750!  It is fascinating.  The third graders sit and listen for 90 minutes to these two historians discuss clothing, chores, work, and life in 1750.  

Did you know....

  • wealthy men wore wigs and kept them on a wig stand at night, sometimes called a "blockhead"?
    Being called a "blockhead" is NOT a compliment!
  • people rarely bathed and head lice was very common?
  • once you lost your first tooth you were considered a grown up?
  • punishments at school were harsh and often embarrassing?  

  • people made ink using poke berries and wrote with feathers from geese or ducks?
  • going to church on Sunday was a colonial LAW?  If you didn't go, it was a CRIME. You might end up in the pillory!  



In MATH...

We played several games this week dealing with equivalent fractions!  It was challenging and FUN!  We played Equivalent Fraction Four Square.  

After getting a four square...
many went on to try to get across the board! 


Today we looked at fractions using PATTERN BLOCKS! 


Okay.... I get this!  Cool! 

 This (below) was what they looked like
when we started these problems.



Wait... what?  

But soon... wait for it!  Wait for it!  

Oh my gosh... I GET IT! Wow!  




NEXT WEEK...

We will finish with PARCC ELA testing on Monday.  On Wednesday we start our Jump Rope for Heart Fundraiser with a visit from Mark Rothstein who is an amazing jump roper!  


 









Mark Rothstein... World of Rope Jumping

...one foot or two, regular or 5 or 10 lb jump rope!  

Museum of Science... Forces and Work! 

The Museum of Science will present
Forces and Work on Friday!
This engaging demonstration is very cool! 

Thursday, April 28, 2016

FYI... tonight!



No homework tonight!  
We continue with PARCC testing tomorrow.  Memorial School is hosting a fun literacy night 
and book sale.  



Sunday, April 24, 2016

Pre-vacation News


It was a busy week before vacation and I am just settling down to get BACK to SCHOOL so I thought I would update our BLOG.  



In Science... We helped our friends Ug and Grock figure out how to get water from a hole in the ground.  Problem solving strategies prevailed!  



Ug and Grock sure do appreciate the help of the students
in Room 102!  They problem solve ways to help them
make work easier!  #simplemachines


Setting up the pulley...

Teams worked together to experiment with pulleys.  Using gram weights they determined how much force was needed to lift the "water" from the hole.  




WHEELOCK READS 



We ended our Wheelock Reads Events with a read aloud from Chief Meaney of the Medfield Police Department.  

"After all, I'm the fox... sly, clever, smart!"

The class was listening intently.  

We visited the library "beach" and listened to the "waves" as we all took some time to read!  

















We also were visited by the FAMOUS Suzy Kline, author of Horrible Harry, Herbie Jones, and other books.  


The audience is mesmerized! 
Suzy Kline shares her story seeds and encourages
everyone to keep a notebook!
(Check our her Harry Spooger for President pins!)

Suzy Kline asked volunteers to do a little Readers' Theater!
 I played the part of Annabelle Louisa Hodgekiss and Aaron was the BRAVE Herbie Jones who ran into the GIRLS' BATHROOM to save me from the ghosts!


Students in Room 102 act out a scene from Horrible Harry!
(the human fence!
)










MORE SCIENCE NEWS:


We also tested our catapults in class!  Check out these creative marshmallow launchers! 



Red Sox Fever!


Glitz galore!
Class Representative!


A colorful contender!

Jerry!








Small but mighty!











The propeller of Puffs!



The 11th Annual Third Grade Spring Fling

Every year, one student from each class with the farthest recorded marshmallow launch represents his or her class in the Annual Spring Fling Demonstration of Catapults.  Our master of ceremonies, Mr. Kuehl, gets the event off to a fun start.  This year, our own Ian showcased his catapult for Room 102!  

Ready to launch... Ian and his partner!
The audience is waiting!



Proud Participant! 


Pre-launch huddle!


Ready, set, GO!


Success! 


How far did it go? About 35 feet!


The flag flies!

We've got busy weeks ahead!  Be sure to check back to see what is happening in Room 102.  Also check out our daily Twitter posts for news as it happens!  Thanks everyone!  :)