county formative test

the formative test for "combing and comparing" is in. we have reviewed for it today and will continue each day until next tuesday when we will have the test. thanks AG

benchmarks

today and tomorrow we will be taking the reading and math benchmarks for the second time-we took these same tests earlier this year and of course we are looking for growth- an indication that learning has taken place. it will take a while before the results come back to us but as soon as they do I will share them with you on an individual basis. we have finished the unit combining and comparing and will give the formative test as soon as the county hands it out. It is basically addition and subtraction- second grade skills and I'm hoping that we do really well on it. thanks AG

study guides

today a science study guide was given--test will be on wednesday. Tomorrow a social study's study guide will be given --test on thursday. There will be a math test on Friday on adding by decomposing and composing--we have practiced this for several days and will continue to practice it this week. Thanks ag.

Happy Thanksgiving !

what an ideal time to pause and reflect on all that we have to be thankful for! I truly have much to be thankful for and I take none of it for granted. I am thankful each and every day. Please have a safe, pleasant thanksgiving. Andy Gardella.

Science study guide

yesterday a science study guide was given. test on Thursday. also, we are starting a new math unit called "combining and comparing" which features addition and subtraction by composing and decomposing. thanks AG.

formative test

after three days of reviewing we took the formative test on landmarks in the 100's and the results were mixed. 17 students( 45%) earned A's or B's and six of them were a perfect 100%. But too many students received D's and F's. I don't really understand why so many students can do so well and others do so poorly. Third grade has a way of pointing out any academic weakness a student has but usually that only applies to a handful of students. This year the Math backgrounds of many of my students seem very low and that could account for the struggling students. But the FCAT doesn't allow for weaknesses.So we'll continue to try to pull up those low students BUT they must pay attention in class. we will start a new unit on Monday called "combining and comparing" Also, look for a science study guide on Tuesday--test on Thursday. Thanks.AG

update

Just want to let you know about the results of our tests this week. The test on factors of 100 was great. the students did a good job with about 75 % getting A's and B's. the test on thursday was almost as good with 65% of the students getting A/B's. However, too many students act as if they don't have a clue as to what we've been doing. And many recieved F's. Before testing anything in Math we go over and over and over the concept and we practice and practice it. If your child is not doing well, please urge them to pay attention and get involved in the lesson. the science test was BAD-- too many students did not study at all, many getting F's. It is their responsibility to study the study guide. Next Monday we will test division with remainders in Math. We've gone over this and the class seems to be quite good at it--we'll see. The formative test is right around the corner and once again, it's tough. we've already started reviewing for it. thanks. AG.

Science study guide

today a science study guide was given --test on thursday. also, there will be a math test on landmark in the hundreds--for example, how many 5's in 255? Most students did GREAT on the factors test with about 31 A's and B's. Thanks. AG.

upcoming math tests

the three tests for this unit are as follows: the first is on factors of 100 and that will probably be next tuesday. the next will be an application of those factors for example, how many 20's in 360? that test will probably be next thursday. Then the students will have a test on division with remainders. for example, 100 divided by 7. today we practiced all three of those skills and we will continue to do so until test date. I told the students to bring home all the examples we did today as an aid for parents.The students must know the factors of 100 to be successful on the first two tests and they must be proficient at skip counting to do well on the third. Thanks. AG.

landmarks in the hundreds

We started a new unit in Math called landmarks in the hundreds and the emphasis is on factors and multiples of larger numbers. for example, how many 25's are in 725? factors and multiples are nothing new, we taught them for about the first 9 weeks. Here the students MUST know the factors of 100 and must know how to apply them.Also, tomorrow they will get a social studies study guide--test on thursday. IF, IF ,IF the students know the factors of 100 this should be an easier unit for them. We'll see. Thanks. AG

Formative Math tests are in !!

the county formative test came in today. the students will take the test Thursday.
thanks.AG>

social studies study guide

on tuesday the students will get a Social Studies study guide-- test on thursday. We have been reviewing area, turns, flips, slides, multiplication, and division for the upcoming Formative county test, which by the way should be in but is not yetinthe school. We have reviewed the test three times now and will continue until it comes in. Parents, I welcome your comments but be aware that a blog is really meant as a one way communication vehicle, so please don't be offended if I don't reply or respond to your comments. I heard a rumor that the school board is going to re-adopt the Math Investigations series for another 6 or 7 years. For parents that want to be part of their child's educational process, Math Investigations is prohibitive. you may want to express your opinions to the proper powers. Thanks. AG

Math test

Even though it's not a specific third grade skill, I've found out that so many students lack the knowledge of how to subtract with regrouping that I've spent a total of 4 weeks on that skill-2 weeks on 2 digit subtraction and then 2 weeks on 4 digit subtraction, in addition to place value another skill that they came in very low. . Tomorrow we'll have a test on 4 digit subtraction. we still continue to teach math investigations and we have finished the unit flips turns and area. Soon we will have a county formative test--which is EXTREMELY difficult. I have started reviewing for that formative test and will probably give that test sometime next week. thanks ag.

Study guide

A science study guide was given today--the test will be on Wednesday. We have finished a unit in math--flips turns and area -we will be reviewing. A test will be given wednesday or thursday. A parent inquired about free math tutoring. We've had that in the past but it usually starts in December. However, with the budget the way it is, I wouldn't count on it. You could look at faith based institutions for free tutoring and if you find one please let me know. Thanks. AG.

math test on expanded form`

Just a quick note to let you know there is a Math test tomorrow on expanded form. Thanks AG.

Science study guide

a science study guide was given today--test on wednesday 10/8. Also, some time this week probably thurs/Fri. there will be a math quiz on place value to the hundred thousands. A parent had an interesting comment asking for me to provide a study guide for math. I've tried that in some form or another in the past but without much sucess. Each day I give out loose leaf paper on which we practice our math skills and each day I remind the students to bring them home to show their parents what we've done. I suspect that few students actually do. SOME day we'll have a real math book and I can't wait! Thanks ag

Formative Math tests are in !!

The first formative math test is in. these are tests to be given at the end of each unit. they are made up by Duval County and they are difficult. ALL third grade students in Duval county should be taking them sometime this week. I will be reviewing skills such as mult/div/arrays/multiples/equations/skip counting and more on Monday and Tuesday. the test will be on wednesday. These are skills that have already been taught and most have been tested so we should do well. Additionally, I will starting the next Math unit--flips, turns, slides, and area. Thanks.AG.

social studies study guide

A social studies study guide will be given today-test on wednesday! thanks ag.

Mid Terms

In looking at mid term results I thought that math was good and bad. 20 students attained either an A or a B--that's very good but there were too many D's and F's. It seems like students that came to third grade with good second grade skill are doing very well while students with low second grade skills are struggling. I'm trying to change that by going over certain essential second grade skills but trying to teach both second and third grade math skills sometimes is difficult on students--too much too fast !. Social Studies and Science is another matter-- Probably the lowest grades I've seen-- they MUST study !!! A science and social studies study guide which is exactly like the test is put on the overhead and they are to copy it and study it. Apparently many did not do this. The good news is that there is still time to improve the grades. A couple of A's will do wonders on raising a grade. So parents please encourage your child to really study for these two subjects. thanks AG.

social studies study guide

A social studies study guide was given yesterday. Test on Thursday. Also, I will be giving 2 math tests on Friday. They will be on Subtraction with regrouping and Place value which are really second grade skills but which I've found are not where they should be for my classes. Thanks.AG.

Upcoming Tests

Tomorrow Wed-9/17 I will give the first Science study guide and the test will be on Friday. Remember the Study Guide is EXACTLY like the test so if the students actually study we should have lots of A's. Also, on Friday there will be a math test--when do I multiply, when do I divide. By Friday we will have worked on that for a little over a week. Thanks AG.

Factors test results

Both classes did an extraordinary job on this test with 27 A's and B's out of 38 grades. Additionally, there were only 2 F's. However, the next skill we will tackle is division and the next test will be "When do I multiply, when do I divide". It will take the same format as the previous test about mult/addition. That is, ten word problems and the student will have to know what operation to use and must solve it correctly. Historically this is a tough test for some sudents so please encourage your child to pay attention and ask questions. Thanks.AG

quick note

Please remember Math test tomorrow on factors and arrays. Thanks AG.

second math test

The results were mixed- good news/bad news. the good news- seventeen students made A's or B's which is good BUT TOO MANY failed the multiplication test, not knowing the concept. This is especially disappointing because we have relentlessly been practicing each day for 8 school days which should be more than enough--ask the seventeen students that did well! I will be reinforcing multiplication again sometime next week because now they have to learn "when do I divide" which is perhaps a more difficult skill. I will go over and over these skills (mult/div.) prior to the test BUT the class needs to start paying more attention. In addition, we are studying factors and sometime next week probably thursday (9/11) they will have to find the factors of a number, write the number sentence, draw the arrays and correctly label the arrays.I will most likely give homework on this-so be on the watch for it. We have already worked on this starting on last Thursday 9/4 and about half the class seems to have it already. In order to do this students need to be able to SKIP COUNT which as I've said before is CRUCIAL for sucess in third grade.I remind the class EACH DAY to practice skip counting at home for 5-10 minutes each night. The last thing- the Social Studies test---it was HORRIBLE!!!!! Too many F's. A study guide was given which was just like the test and students had 2 days to study 7 questions plus I gave them time before the test to study and we still had too many F's. Science will be the same procedure and the grades must improve. Please check this site often as I will notify you of study guides and test that are upcoming. thanks AG

Math test on Halves

Just wanted to briefly share the results. 23 students out of 40 recieved A's. that's about 59% of my two classes--that's very very good. However, what's not so good are the F's ---TOO MANY (8). When a teacher see's as many A's as we had it usually indicates that the lesson was well taught. Why then too many F's ? well some students don't have the backround skills to transition to third grade and some students just don't pay attention and some students just make careless mistakes. This particular test was actually pretty easy as is Friday's Math test. In Friday's folder you should see 2 math tests and a social studies test. Thanks. AG.

week's update

This will be an extremely busy week. On Tues (9/2) the students will be given a study guide for social studies. This is EXACTLY like the test. It needs to studied- the test will be on Thursday. Also , on Wed. there will be a Math test on Halves. For example, what is 1/2 of 32? They need to decompose/compose and show all work. On Friday there will be a Math test on the concept of multiplication--when do I add/ when do I multiply? Ten word problems which they have to identify and solve by skip counting and writing a number sentence. we have been practicing these concepts and skills daily. skip counting should be practiced for homework daily- it is very important in third grade.By the way- THANKS to all who showed up for open house-Your involvement in your child's education is crucial!!!! AG.

First impressions

First, let me tell all of you I CAN'T type for beans so please forgive all my typo's!
Next, My first impressions of my class (and Mrs. O'steens class) is very good. I hope I don't jinx it but they may be the best behaved classes in years. My intention is to use this blog to let parents know what's going on in class and what tests will be upcoming. I did this last year and was a little disappointed with the results. I don't think too many parents really visited the site. Hopefully this year will be better. Remeber open house is thursday at 5:30. Hope to see you there.AG.