Third graders have been starting to work on understanding the concepts of multiplication. They have been looking at equal-sized groups. They have practices this by writing and solving problems. They try to identify the number of groups, the number in each group and the total of the group or the product. We have now moved onto practicing skip counting to find the answer to multiplication equations. All year we have started math class by building addition patterns and the students are familiar with idea of repeated addition and predicting what number will be next. Finally we have started to represent the equations with cuisenaire rods, another familiar material, to make arrays. Arrays are the rectangular arrangement of objects in rows and columns. We will continue this unit after break by looking at how we can use easier facts that are familiar to solve more difficult facts. Example 6x4 can be solved by doing 6x2 and doubling it to make 24. It is always helpful to have kids practice skip counting with you. This can be easily done in the car, riding the ski lift or helping around the house.
In science, we experimented with friction, making a model of a slide to test out which materials had greater or lesser amounts of friction. We also explored how weight might change the gravity/friction equation.
Students also worked on a number of writing assignments that focused on opinions. These included colors and seasons, as well as pieces that connected to reading assignments in their Time For Kids Magazine.
Having Troy here this week has been a lot of fun, but also a chance for students to learn new skills and set up challenges for themselves. They had the opportunity to work with a wide variety of materials included feathers, hoops, juggling balls, hula hoops, pogo sticks, stilts, devil sticks, diabolos, ripsticks and more.
We hope that you have a wonderful holiday and are able to enjoy some vacation time together. We are excited to welcome a new third grader, Lynsey, to Mrs. Koch’s class upon our return from break.