Tessellations

During our math block, students explored the wonders of tessellations.  They learned that a tessellation is a pattern made up of identical shapes that fit together without any gaps or overlaps.  Square tiling is a simple form of a tessellation.  Students worked with pattern blocks to initially explore tessellating patterns.

We then watched a few videos on youtube about tessellations.  Here are the links:
Escher-Style Tessellations
Create a Tessellation

Inspired by what they saw, students created their own unique pattern to tessellate and color

========  Important Math News ============

We are working hard to make sure that students are learning their math facts and we need your help at home.  Each student received a math minutes calendar and a list of math facts to practice.  Please make sure your child is practicing facts at home.  I have some helpful website lists on the right hand sidebar of the blog that students can access and make their practice fun and engaging. A new site I recently added is Sheppard Software Fact Practice.  Try it out and have your child give me feedback!  Also, if you have an iPad or iTouch at home, there are several apps that are engaging and educational.

Speaking of iPads...I am excited to announce that I received a grant to get an iPad2 for our classroom and received a donation of two iPad minis.  We are all excited about the news and we are discovering many ways to use these valuable resources in our classroom!  In upcoming posts, I will try to spotlight apps I have tried with the students and the ones they find the most interesting, engaging and educationally valuable.

iPad App highlight

For efficient practicing of math facts I have found the Fast Facts apps to be a good apps.  They are created by studysmart.com and parents can get progress reports emailed to them.  Sushi Monster is an app created by scholastic.  The kids enjoy it and it also provides good practice of basic facts.

Rock Museum

As we wrap up our Rocks and Minerals science unit, students are invited to bring some of their rock collections to school.  We are limiting the number of rocks they can bring to 10 and we ask that they write a bit about their rock.  The information can include: Rock or Mineral, Type, Where they found or bought earth material and any other fact they may want to share.  We will be presenting our rocks after we take our final test (on Friday, February 15)

This past week students learned more about the special properties of calcite.  They learned that when calcite is added with a cold acid (like vinegar) the calcite is covered with many bubbles (effervesces.)  

We then added 4 rock samples to vinegar to test for evidence of calcite.  We tested Limestone, Basalt, Marble and Sandstone.  Students recorded their observations and then then made an initial prediction about which rocks contained calcite.  

We then poured the vinegar from the calcite sample as well as the other four rocks into an evaporation tray and let them sit for a few days to see what shape crystal formed.  

Students recorded their observations in their science notebooks.

 We determined that the limestone and the marble should evidence of the mineral calcite.

Cartoon Gallery Walk

All third grade students celebrated the end of our comic unit by displaying their finished products.  They all worked hard and it was fun to see the creativity on display.

Our next unit is fiction writing.  

Valentine's Day

A note went home last week about our Valentine's Day Celebration. We are asking that if you send Valentine's Cards in that you send one for everyone in the classroom.  Also, we brainstormed a list of "healthier" alternatives to the usual sugary treats.  If you can send something in from that list we would appreciate it.