Nifty November
It is that time of year. The leaves are turning color and the air is crisp and clear. The students are turning into busy third grade students and their minds are crisp and clear. It is a beautiful month,with lots to be thankful for. I really enjoyed meeting you at conferences, and look forward to seeing more of you during math centers and at the Thanksgiving Feast on November 11,2011.
What will we be studying this month?
MULTIPLICATION ON MY MIND
How to Memorize Multiplication Facts
Memorizing the multiplication facts is easier if it is done systematically. You do not have to go in order, but rather work efficiently.
Things You'll Need:
flash cards
multiplication facts table
Step One Look at your facts table. Go ahead and cross off the 1s column and row. The easiest rule is that any number time one is itself. This means that even someone just starting already knows 10 facts.
Step Two Now, look at the repeating patterns. 3 times 7 is the same as 7 times 3. This is the commutative property, but some books call it a turn-around rule. Basically, it means that you don't have to memorize all the facts, just half of them. So, cross off the matching facts.
Step Three The 2s, 5s, and 10s should be next on your list. All of these follow easy-to-memorize patterns that students have been practicing since first grade. Next, focus on the 3s and 4s. Although the patterns here aren't quite as obvious, the smaller numbers are comfortable for most students.
Step Four The 9s are easier then most people realize. The secret is in your hands. Hold down the finger that matches the factor you are using. For example, if you are completing 9 times 4, hold down your fourth finger. There are three fingers to the left (3 tens) and 6 fingers to the right (6 ones). Therefore, 9 times 4 is 36.
Step Five This leaves the 6s, 7s, and 8s. In the 8s, the tens (usually) increases by 1 while the ones decrease by 2. For example, 2 times 8 is 16, while 3 times 8 is 24 (1 + 1 = 2 and 6 - 2 = 4). For the most part, the 6s and 7s just need to be memorized through strict repetition or catchy phrases or rhymes.
SCIENCE
We will be learning about weathering ,and erosion, and soil.I never realized how important soil is to our existence until I began to teach about soil.
SOCIAL STUDIES
We will learn about he life,times, and character traits of Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglas , and Mary McCloud Bethune.
Language Arts
Wew ill write a response to literature, learn strategies, and skills in guided reading ,continue with dictionary skills, and learn the four types of sentences,as well as how to connect sentences.
A few reminders:
Our candy collection began today.
We are still collecting canned goods for the pantry
Please send in the field trip permission slip if you have not sent it in already.
Thank you for all the wonderful new additions to our classroom library. I am going to read some aloud to the class. Please keep up with your students Book BIngo . I really believe that the best way to make a lifelong reader is to allow the studets time and present them with a variety of good books to read .Please encourage them to have a Bingo Book at home and one in the classroom.
Enjoy the beautiful weather and these nice sunny days.
