All About Our Fifty States

The following websites can help you complete your state research you are completing in class!

Learn About the States

State Facts for Students

Net State

Info Please - States

Animal Menu Project

This week, as a culminating activity for our Animal unit of study in Science clas, the students will choose an animal of their liking and project from the menu listed on the provided rubric.  Below is a copy of the grading section of the rubric and examples from last year's work.   

Animal Project Menu

The animal that I am choosing for my project is _________________________.

Animal Project Rubric
Element The project tells (or shows) the reader…	2	1	0
if the animal is a vertebrate or invertebrate
what group the animal is in (mammal, bird, fish, reptile, amphibian, etc.)
how the animal has babies
what the animal has as a covering (fur, hair, scales, smooth/moist skin, feathers)
where the animal lives
whether the animal is warm or cold blooded
what the animal eats (the animal’s prey)
what your animal’s habitat is
what part of the world your animal lives in
3 interesting facts about your animal                 Think about if your animal has any adaptations!	3         2         1         0
a diagram of your animal with at least 3 labeled body parts	3         2         1         0
Total Points Earned By Young Scientist
Total Points Possible	24 points
Grade Earned By Young Scientist
Teacher Comments:

Pablo's American Bullfrog Project - that's a 3D frog! 

Hailey's Dolphin Poster

Animal Research Links

Below is a list of sites to hlp your animal research project:

Rainforest Alliance - Species Profiles

Kids' Planet Animal Fact Sheets

Ranger Rick

Kids Biology: Animals

Science Kids: Fun Animal Facts

BBC Nature

The Electronic Zoo

Enchanted Learning

Keep Boredom at Bay...Spring Packets will Save the Day!

Check out the spring packets, prepared by the district.  They are full of activities to keep boredom away, and best of all...they will give your brain just the boost it needs before FCAT!

The Kitchen Sink: Week of March 18th - 22nd

Social Studies

We are finishing our study of the Southeastern region of the United States.  Our quiz will be Friday, March 22nd.  The students will be responsible for the information covered on the blue DOSS sheet and labeling the 12 states accurately in a blank US map.  Please help your child by studying nightly.

Math

This week we will explore the concept of perimeter.  We will focus on measuring the perimeter of 2-dimensional figures.  Perimeter is the measure around the outside edges of a 2-dimensional figure.  Students measure length by using U.S. standard units (inches, feet, yards) and metric units (millimeters, centimeters, and meters).

We will take a quiz on Thursday, which will assess the concept of measuring.  Please begin to review the yellow measuring packet located in the yellow math folder and the online ruler game that we linked on our blog.  We will also take a math fluency quiz on Friday, which will cover the multiples of 4 and 8. Students will have 3½ minutes to solve 40 multiplication facts.

Science

This week we are discussing how roots and stems take in, transport, and store water and nutrients the plant needs to grow.  The students will observe that roots grow down, no matter what direction the seed is pointing.  If your child writes an example of a taproot (other than a carrot!) in their planner and turns it into the crock-pot, they will be rewarded.

The Kitchen Sink: March 11th through March 15th

Social Studies

We are beginning our study of the regions of the United States.  We will begin with the Southeast.  There are 12 states in the SE region.  The students will be responsible for labeling the states accurately in a blank United States map.  We will discuss the land of the SE, the water surrounding the area, climate, products, natural resources, landmarks, and culture.  The quiz on the Southeast Region will be on Friday, March 22nd. 

Math

This week we continue working with fractional pieces on a ruler.  The students should make connections between the measurements on a ruler & the corresponding fractional part.  We will use an online manipulative to practice measuring on a standard ruler.  To practice at home, a link is available on our blog.  While playing the Ruler Game, discuss the similarities between fractional parts and measuring with your child.

We will take a math fluency quiz on Friday, which will cover the multiples of 3 and 6. Students will have 3½ minutes to solve 40 multiplication facts.  Each fact will be worth ¼ of a point for a total of 10 points. We will take a quiz next Thursday on the concept of measuring.  Please begin to review the yellow measuring packet located in the yellow folder and the online game mentioned above.

Science

We continue our study of seeds and how plants grow.  This week, our 3rd grade scientists will answer the essential questions, “How do bean seeds make a new bean plant?” and “How do bean seeds grow?” Please take a look at your child's Science Journal to see our classroom explorations.  Ask them what they noticed inside the bean seed when we opened and examined it with a hand lens.  We have been using the words sprout and germinate to describe what is happening to the bean seeds. 

Photosynthesis

What do plants need to live and grow?

Plants need a lot of the same things that we need to live and grow. They need air, water, food, and space.   Many plants also need soil. However, unlike us, plants make their own food. This process is called photosynthesis.

What are the four parts of a plant?

The four main parts of a plant are the roots, stem, leaves, and flowers.  This week, we've taken a close look at the job of leaves, because leaves are the part of the plant where photosynthesis occurs.

What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis happens in the middle of leaves and require air, water, and sunlight to produce sugar. Carbon dioxide (air) is taken in through the tiny holes on the underside of a leaf. Sunlight is absorbed by the plant. Water travels in from the soil to the roots, up the stem, and into the leaf. From the three ingredients, the plant produces sugar (food) and oxygen. The oxygen leaves the plant through tiny holes in the underside of the leaf, and the sugar travels down the stem and throughout the plant to provide nutrients. 

What did we find so interesting about the process of photosynthesis?

Plants need carbon dioxide, a gas that we breathe out, in order to live and grow. On the other hand, we need oxygen, a gas that is given off by plants, in order to live and thrive. We now see the important and mutual relationship between the two.

To take a closer look at the process, you can find this diagram either in your on-line science textbook in Chapter 5, Lesson 1, or you can refer to your green science handout in your Science Journal.