Hello Parents,
The Grade 3 Science Program is very excited about all of the fun and exciting learning opportunities that come with the fall season. We are asking if parents could possibly donate a pumpkin to Mrs. Montgomery or Mrs. MacNeil's class in the upcoming week. We are hoping to do some inquiry learning around pumpkins. This will include discussing perimeter, estimating pumpkin seeds, reasoning skills and even some pumpkin experiments. If you'd be willing to donate a pumpkin to our classes, we would greatly appreciate it, as would the students. Thank you in advance, Mrs. Montgomery and Mrs. MacNeil FIELD STUDIES: We had a great time at Telus Spark! Students were challenged to build contraptions that would support a variety of actions and reactions. Groups made contraptions that launched, poured and caught objects. After our workshop we had some time to explore the exhibits. One of our favorites was the Open Studio where we were able to do lots of hands-on building and exploring. We have two upcoming field studies on November 6th and 9th. Please watch students’ blue folders for permission and volunteer forms. It is essentially that all families have one adult registered to volunteer so that these studies are possible. IN THE CLASSROOM: We have been learning how to calculate perimeter. This has been very helpful when we are creating blueprints and designing structures. Because calculating perimeter requires students to add multiple numbers, we have been working on various strategies to help make the addition of more than two numbers easier. We have been learning to verbally and pictorially show our mathematical thinking. For the last couple of weeks we have been designing a structure for a very specific purpose. This week we will be writing persuasive letters to defend the designs and the materials we have chosen. Students were asked to research the strengths and weaknesses of different materials then make appropriate choices based on the information they found. Also, we had to research the price of materials and calculate the total cost of our projects! As we learn more about structures, building and materials it has been important to talk about ways of joining materials and how joints can be a point of weakness in a structure. Students have experimented with different attachment techniques. GENERAL INFORMATION: Grade 3 will be leading the Halloween Safety Assembly of October 31st. Students have been given song lyrics to practice at home. If students would like to wear a costume for the assembly, please send it in a bag to be changed into at lunch. Please ensure that your child’s costume does not include any weapons or a mask. UPDATE: Although Tuesday's assembly is intended to inform students about Halloween safety, parent's/guardians are always welcome to attend if they wish. We will begin at 1:15pm in the gym. |
Mrs. MacNeil &
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