Update from Ms. Luria

Here is the homework for the week of May 2nd through May 9th: Homework

Dear Families,

May Dates

Friday 9th - Jet boat field trip

Thursday 22nd - Global Experience Night

June Dates
Friday 13th - New last day of school year

The students had a wonderful time watching the Jefferson dancers. They got the opportunity to watch ballet, tap, hip hop, and modern dance. We also enjoyed riding the public bus and enjoying the beautiful Portland spring weather.  We also had a fantastic field trip to Whole Foods to learn all about where food comes from. Thank you for everyone who chaperoned! 

In fiction reading students are are working on a learning the different between the main idea and a moral of a story. Students are also working on using evidence to support their statements. This is a skill they will use in fourth grade! 

In math, we spent some time this week reviewing all of the 3rd grade common core skills that they have learned. Just like with reading, it is important to be fluent in the basics, so problem solving is easier. Look for some great challenges in finding the area of complex shapes in the homework this week! We also practiced using a new free App from the Math Learning Center. I highly recommend that you download it if you are able to do so. 

Here is a link to the free Apps: http://catalog.mathlearningcenter.org/apps 

There is also an online version of the App that students can use. Most students learned the geometry words in English and went onto the challenge of mastering them in Spanish too this week! 

For next year it will be very important that students know to type because the state test will include a written portion that is typed online. Please have your child practice typing any day that s/he does not have much homework. Here is a good free site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ 

Sacha

Alma

Name: Alma 

My recipe:

Caprese Salad

Ingredients

3 Vine Ripe Tomatoes

1 lb fresh mozzarella, sliced ¼” thick

20-30 leaves fresh basil

Extra Virgin olive oil for drizzling

Coarse salt and pepper

Directions: Layer alternating slices of tomatoes and mozzarella, adding a basil leaf between each. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.

My recipe came from Italian culture.

Who is my mentor and what did I learn from my mentor:

I interviewed my Dad and he is half Italian. On warm summer days his Grandma would make Caprese Salad. It is served as an anti pasta or appetizer. Caprese salad originated on the Island of Capri, Italy and the colors were meant to resemble the Italian flag.I I really enjoyed learning about Caprese Salad.

Mason

Haupia - A Hawaiian Dessert

Ingredients:

1 Quart Coconut Milk

½ cup white sugar

½ tsp salt

¼ cup water

¼ cup cornstarch

Directions:

1. Add Coconut Milk, sugar and salt to a saucepan, stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves.

2. Reduce heat to medium low, cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

3. Make a slurry in a separate bowl by gradually whisking water and cornstarch together.

4. Whisk slurry into the coconut mixture and allow to reduce and thicken until it is the density of yogurt.

5. Pour into glass 8x8 pan and allow to cool to room temperature.

6. Refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

My mentor is my Tutu ( or grandma). She taught me how to make Haupia, which is coconut pudding. In Hawaii, there are many uses for coconut trees. Some people use its coconuts for food and its milk for drink. Some people make roofs out of its leaves. But people never cut down the trees, if you do you have to plant 2 more in its place. If you cut down someone else’s, it’s like declaring war. That is what I learned from my mentor.

Point of View Poem: Alma

Tell me a story
says bat's child
about a land
where bats are free
about a place
where bugs are everywhere
about a bat
that doesn't eat insects
maybe it could be
about a bat's adventures
but something nice
to make me sleepy!

Point of View poem: Justine

Tell me a story
says Harry Potter's child
Of your Hogwarts times
Were they busy and wild?
I'd love to learn
about your adventures
Oh and the four houses too!
And Voldermort's big defeat
and good times with Headwig too.
Just please, some
thing nice
and remember,
I'm afraid of mice!

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,

April Dates

April 30th - Jefferson Dancers field trip - $2 - Volunteer

May Dates

Friday 2nd - Field trip of Whole Foods for our 5th IB unit at 10:30 Volunteer
Friday 2nd - Final draft of cook book page due

Friday 9th - Jet boat field trip

Thursday 22nd - Global Experience Night

June Dates
Friday 13th - New last day of school year

I am happy to be back at school after being sick this past week! Also, thank you for helping us collect Run for the Arts money! We had an excellent participation rate as a classroom.

In non-fiction reading we read all about Earth Day. We learned about things kids can do to help the Earth, both large and small. Here is a mini-site from Time for Kids all about Earth Day: http://www.timeforkids.com/minisite/environment. I encourage you to read a story with your child and discuss what you learned in the article!   

In fiction reading students are reading stories with morals and writing their own stories with morals. Students finished all sorts of poems from different points of view last week. I posted three of them on the blog here: www.kid-writers.blogspot.com 

In math, we are learning about finding the area of complex shapes! We used the iPads to draw complex shapes and divide them into smaller shapes. Students then worked on finding the area of different shapes. 

Finally, please check out some of the student writing on the blog.  Your kids would love to share with you some of their writing and read some feedback too! 

For next year it will be very important that students know to type because the state test will include a written portion that is typed online. Please have your child practice typing any day that s/he does not have much homework. Here is a good free site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ 

Sacha

Julian

I'm an expert at drawing aliens. I show this by drawing funny aliens. I also love drawing things from a different universe. I like to add a lot of details too!

            I like to draw funny things because I like it too. It makes me feel happy to draw funny things. Sometimes I have a vision in my head of what it will look like. I like to draw funny things because it puts a smile on my face.

            I like to draw things from the universe because I get to draw aliens. I love to draw alien space ships too. I like drawing aliens because I can make them look funny. I like adding detail because it makes it looks cooler. I like detail because it is interesting. I have fun with detail because it is fun.

            I'm so glad I can draw aliens. I can make very cool drawings of aliens. I love drawing aliens so much.

Jack L

I am an expert on basketball. The position I play is point guard. Our team is "The Cougars." I'm going to talk about basketball. It is played all around the world. It is an Olympic sport. The U.S. has won the gold many times. The teams are made up of the best in the country. Some of them are Kevin Durant and Lebron James.

            Some of the best players ever are Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. Michael Jordan played for the Bulls. Larry Bird played for the Celtics. Michael Jordan created about 5,000 different kinds of dunks. Larry Bird was a forward I'm pretty sure.

            My favorite team is the Trail Blazers. Their three best players are probably Damian Lillard, Lamurcus Aldridge and Robin Lopez. My favorite player is Damian Lillard makes a lot of three pointers.

            Basketball is a fun team sport. It's also one of my favorite games to play and watch. It's easy to play cause there's not much equipment. All you need is a ball and a hoop. It's really easy just dribble, dribble, dribble shoot.

Adelle

"Harry Potter"

            Today I am going to talk about Harry Porter. Harry Potter is a series of 7 books by J.K Rolling. The Harry Potter books are about a boy who goes to a school for learning magic. At this school he goes on adventures with his friends, learns and does magic and a lot more. There are movies, YouTube videos, computer games, and Lego sets based off of Harry Potter. I hope that everyone reads this series.

            There are many people in Harry Potter, but there are three main characters. Harry Potter: He's full of himself and has a lot of luck. Hermione Granger: She's brave, loyal and good at magic, but always has her nose in a book. Ron Weasley: He's a brother out of six boys and one girl. Ron has a temper to match his red hair. Together they are great friends.

            My favorite Harry Potter book is Harry Potter and Sorcerer's Stone. This is the first book in the series. In this book Harry Potter meets new people, leans magic, and encounters danger. This is the book were Harry becomes a full wizard. It's my favorite book in the series because it starts off the series with good information.

            Since this book is about magic, it should have spells, right? Different spells do different things. For example, Alohamora unlocks things. Expelliarmus disarms someone in other words sends your opponent's wand flying away from them. Spells are one of the most important things in these books.

            I think Harry Potter is a great series. It's all you want in a book. Friendship, magic, fun, jokes, and adventure. There are 7 books in the series each one better than the first. These books are also very funny. I hope that everyone gets a chance to read these books.

Mason

"Expert Speech"

            I am an expert on fish. I started when my cousin got fish. Soon we got a fish tank and fish. There are 3 places that certain fish hang out. The top, middle and the bottom. You can also get sea snails, they reproduce fast. So far all my fist like the top.

            There are lot of things to do to set up a tank. First you have to get the tank a thermometer and a heater. You can also get decorations for your tank. Rinse and dry them, then put them in the tank. Put in rocks, then a 1 inch of water. Check for leaks and fill all the way.

            Now the final steps are about getting fish. First get some products that release a bacteria that cleans fish waste. Some names are Bio-fish and Bacto-life. It takes a while to sink in, so pick fish that can stand the cycle. Also, look for fish that can fit in your tank.

            I hope you have learned about fish. I also hope you want to get fish. Thank you for listening.

Elliana

"All About Playing Soccer"

            I am an expert at soccer. How you play is you kick the ball with your foot. You have to wear a jersey. I run really, really fast. I have the best coach ever. The more I practice the more I can get better.

            How you play is you run fast with the ball. You make control of the ball. The ball has to get the ball in the net to score. If you push someone on the ground it is a foul. I believe in myself and my team.

            My team name was the stars. The team was really fast. Gretta made a lot of goals. My team has good sportsmanship because they help each other. I love soccer so much.

            My coach is Lucy's mom. The coach is really nice. She thought I was really good at soccer. I think she is really a good coach because she doesn't yell and she thinks I am a good sport.

            My mom helped me sometimes. She let me practice. I would get to go to the park to practice. My mom was the one to make me run and pass the ball. My mom is the best mom in the world. Soccer makes me happy.

Update From Ms. Luria

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,

April Dates

Thursday 24th - All Run for the Arts money is due
Friday 25th - Rough draft of cook book page is due
April 30th - Jefferson Dancers field trip - $2 - Volunteer

May Dates

Friday 2nd - Field trip of Whole Foods for our 5th IB unit
Friday 2nd - Final draft of cook book page due

Friday 9th - Jet boat field trip

Thursday 22nd - Global Experience Night

June Dates
Friday 13th - New last day of school year

We have had a busy week. Students enjoyed a visit from Mr. Lizard and learned all about different animals. This inspired many wonderful poems. Here are a few. (No python actually come to school!) 

There once was a very big python

that ate kids up for lunch

Mr. Lizard brought him in

and . . . 

the kids were gone!

"munch, munch, munch"

Crawling tarantula

so hairy and scary

twitching her spiky hairs

crawling tarantula

so hairy and scary

big for a spider

but much small than bears

For our IB unit students got to sample both Greek food and French food. If you could give a short presentation and some samples of food (restaurant cooked or store bought) we would love to learn about more types of food! Please email me to set that up.

In non-fiction reading we read all about video games and how they are made to encourage people to want to play them more! We also talked about how stores and other places use those same techniques. We had some fascinating conversations as a class.  

In fiction reading students are either reading and discussing poetry or finishing up their novels. Students wrote all sorts of fascinating poems. I'll be posting some of them soon.

We also are reading out loud the book Frozen. To continue with our theme of comparing different sources of information or comparing texts, we are studying the similarities and differences between the book at the movie. We have read the first 3 chapters of the book and viewed about 5 minutes of scenes to compare them. Students were very engaged and noticed that you had to listen very closely to find the differences! 

In math, we are exploring the distributive property. This continues to be a big challenge for most people in the class! Most students, though, were able to do some long division by the end of this week. The method is probably a bit different than the one you learned in school. We are learning the Partial Quotient Method, which is different from the standard long division method. Please watch this 2 minute video if you get a chance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NtxVF5bfqs 

Here is a picture showing the distributive property of multiplication: 

Here is a picture of the partial quotient method:

In spelling, we continue to work on our spelling rules, dictations and high frequency words. This week we learned that when a word ends in a CY and you want to make it plural, you add an ES, which turns into IES.

Play             Not a CY              Plays

Try               Yes a CY             Tries
Finally, please check out some of the student writing on the blog.  Your kids would love to share with you some of their writing and read some feedback too! 

Have a wonderful week,
Sacha

Update from Ms. Luria

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,

April Dates
Friday 11th - Teacher planning day 
April 16th - Late open

April 24th - All Run for the Arts money is due
April 30th - Jefferson Dancers field trip - $2 - Volunteer

Thursday math volunteering between 8:45 and 9:45 on a few dates Sign up form

May Dates
9th - Jet boat field trip

The students finished Run for the Arts. Every single child in the class ran 9 or more laps this year! I taught the students who needed some help about the Run Walk Run method from the Olympian Jeff Galloway. Here is some information on that method of running. 

Oaks testing: Students finished their math testing this week! Overall they did a fabulous jobs on the test. Everyone worked hard and did their personal best. 

In non-fiction reading we are working on using multiple sources of information to study one topic. We have read articles about Tornadoes, watch a video about a tornado and heard a story about tornadoes. Students also got to talk with the librarian about her personal experience with tornadoes. Ask your child what different things they learned from different sources of information. This is one of the new Common Core standards!  

In fiction reading students are either reading and discussing poetry or finishing up their novels. We are learning about point of view and sensory details. We read a story written from the point of view of some crayons, The Day the Crayons Quit, and from the point of view of a tree! They are also writing both poetry and letters from different points of view. I sent home a copy of their letters in their folder today. Have your child read it out loud to you! 

In math, we are exploring the commutative property and distributive property. Maybe it has been a while since you have learned this! The commutative property just states that the order doesn't matter in a multiplication sentence. 

Here is a picture of the commutative property: 

Here is a picture showing the distributive property of multiplication: 

In spelling, we continue to work on our spelling rules, dictations and high frequency words. Students are starting to apply the CY + anything but I rule in dictations. Ask your child to explain this to you. Why do you change the Y in happily, but not in playing?

Finally, please check out some of the student writing on the blog.  Your kids would love to share with you some of their writing and read some feedback too! 

Have a wonderful week,
Sacha

Update from Ms. Luria

Dear Families,

NOTE: Students need to bring 2 spirals to the classroom on Monday if possible.

April Dates
Thursday 10th - Run for the Arts/ Grading period ends
Friday 11th - Teacher planning day (I could use volunteers)
April 16th - Late open
April 30th - Jefferson Dancers field trip - I will need adult volunteers

May Dates
9th - Jet boat field trip

Oaks testing: Students have finished all of their reading OAKS tests. Students who need to retake those tests will do so in the beginning of May. Overall, the 3rd grade did very well on the tests and showed their great reading skills!

Students are starting or have finished their math test as of Friday. Please feel free to check out the videos on OAKS math prep if you have not already done so and if your child has not already taken the test!

In non-fiction reading we continue to work on find sentences to prove our statements. Students are reading about tornadoes. We will be reading a few different articles and comparing the information we learn from each source. 

In math, we are starting to explore long division. Please look at this picture with your child. Ask him/her to explain what it means to you. This is probably different from how you learned long division! The focus

in the beginning is understanding the concept! 

In spelling, we continue to work on our spelling rules, dictations and high frequency words. They are working on applying the rules they've learned in their writing. 

Finally, please check out some of the student writing on the blog.  Your kids would love to share with you some of their writing and read some feedback too! 

Have a wonderful week,
Sacha

Everett

"The Albina Library"

            On Tuesdays my class went to the Albina library. We got a behind-the-scenes look at things. Things like the back room of the library. We also got to see the system of checking in and out books. Their system looks remarkably like ours.

            We got to see the inside of the book drop area. It has a bin with a cotton mesh covering. People dropped books while we were inside the area. Some people got to carry books to the back, sadly I was not one of them.

            When we got to the back, the host librarian showed us how the system worked. They receive shipments from other libraries. Albina also ships books to its fellow libraries. It takes and receives many books. I learned that Albina is the smallest library in their branch.

Olivia

Over Spring break I am going to the beach. I'm going with my cousins Marian and Logan. Because my dad works a half way through, my uncle is going to come and drive my dad home. Then we get to all ride in the van home. It will be lots of fun.

            My cousin Marian is about my age. My cousin Logan is around three years old. They are very nice and fun. They have a dog but I can't remember its name. Their backyard has a tree house.

            The beach we go to is Otter Crest. It is about three hours away from here. My grandma and grandpa have a room that they let us use. There is a hot but and a pool there. There is also a tennis court.

Milan

On Tuesday I went to the library. I went with my class. We went to the Multnomah county library. First we got a tour of the book drop. Second we got to go to the back.

            In the book they showed us how they check in the books. They can check out books from different libraries. I went with Zaddie, Timmy, Justine, Brendon and Susie. I check out a Lego book! I got to read a bunch of books.

            My favorite part was when I got a library card. The little ones were really small. My Lego book is still coming. I had a super duper good time.

Jordan

This spring break our family is getting our kitchen remodeled. We are taking it out 6-7 feet. We're going to have to move a tree in front of the window.

            We are taking all of the condiments of the kitchen. We're going to replace the theme. Where the oven is breaking a hole through that wall.

            I really thought this but we might install a bathtub on our deark. It's going to take about two months. We're going to have to eat out for a few days or so.

            Our kitchen is not big for all five people, plus my dad cooks a lot. We we're going to move but our parents thought it was too much.

Alma

Over spring break I am going to Arizona. In Arizona we will meet my grandma and grandpa. We will stay at a campground that is right outside of Tucson. One thing we will do is hiking. I really enjoy hiking in Arizona.

            In the campground there are activities for kids to do. One activity is  bird watching hike. Another one is where you learn about the animals of Arizona. The last one I remember is a nature hike. I really enjoyed the bird watching.

            I really enjoy learning about Arizona. One thing that surprised me was there is more than one type of scorpion. Another thing that surprised me was cactus can store water in them. The third thing that surprised me was a kind of tortoise can live in the desert. I really enjoy going to Arizona.

Elena

"Spring Break"

            In 4 days my grandma is coming. Since winter break, I have not seen my grandma. I like to play board games with her. Did you know my grandma is coming with us to Mt. Hood? I am so excited for her to come!

            My family my grandma and I are going to Mt. Hood. We are going to stay for a couple of days. My dad (Mario), my brother (Tom) and I will go skiing at Mt. Hood meadows. We are probably going to go on blue pistes. I cannot wait to go skiing again!

            I think we are also going to Seattle; If we do, I would like to see the space needle. We might also walk around the city and see the beautiful view. What does the city look like? I am really curious to it now!

Naime

"This Spring"

            On Monday I'm going to California with my brother, my mom and my dad. While we are there we're going to Legoland. Monday is only 4 days away. We ate also there to see my cousins. My cousins are going to Legoland with us. My family and I are flying to California. My mom just bought me a new book and a journal. So on the plane I can write and read. My little cousins name is Lyris. Me and my cousin are so excited to see her. I also have another little cousin there named Jayden also.

            Our plane leaves at 2:45 in the afternoon. So we are going to be there for a while but I don't mind. In Lego land there is going to be so much to look at. My mom is letting me, my brother, Lyris and Jayden buy something. I hope this trip will be fun!

Violet

I learned a lot at the library. One thing I learned is there are 19 parts of the Albina library. Another thing I learned is that each book either says Hollywood, Albina or a few other names. Every time someone checks out the book it comes with its due date.

            The librarian scan the books and either put them into a yellow or gray basket. It depends if it is overdue or not. For a children book if you returned it a day late it would cost about 5¢ . If you are two days late it would cost about 10¢. If three days late it would cost about 15¢.

Rakyah

"Spring Break"

            This spring break I might put up my basketball hoop. I hope I get into basketball camp. Maybe even have a bunch of sleep over. I'm going to watch Sponge Bob at the sleepover . I got Sponge Bob from the library.

            The sleepover might be with my younger cousins. We will also build legos. I'm going to eat a lot of junk! Including candy, pop and make slushies. I can't forget video games.