Wellness and Mathematics

What a great first full week of grade 3! As a class, we continued to work on getting to know one another, building relationships, and establishing routines. Students participated in a number of collaborative challenges, including many cooperative games in the gym.

This week in Wellness, our Grade 3 class explored ways to solve problems and strengthen friendships.

We read the story 'Speak Up Wonder Pup' by Angela Murphy. In the story, Draper teaches Zane how important it is to stand up for yourself using your voice in a kind and respectful way.

To help us practice, students learned how to use an “I-message” when solving conflicts with their peers. An I-message is a respectful way to let someone know how you are feeling and what you need. 

It includes three parts:

1. Name – Say the person’s name.
2. I don’t like it when you… – Explain what is bothering you.
3. Please stop. – Ask the person to stop.

Example:
“Sam,” I don’t like it when you grab the ball from me without asking. Please stop.”

By practicing 'I-messages', students are learning that small problems can be solved in a positive way that helps friendships grow.

Next week, we will be connecting this learning with our pets, friends, and families! Students are encouraged to bring in or email a photo of their family pet, a relative's pet or a picture of an animal they wish was their pet. 

Along with the photo, students will write:

Their pet’s (or friend’s) name.
Why do they think their pet is a “Wonder Pet”.

This activity celebrates the caring relationships we have at home and reminds us how important it is to show kindness, respect, and problem-solving to all living things.

Possible Questions to Ask Your Child:

• Can you tell me what an I-message is?
• When might you use an I-message with a friend or classmate?
• Can you practice saying an I-message to me, just like you did in class?
• Why do you think it’s important to solve conflicts in a kind and respectful way?

Wellness Outcome:

Students investigate and describe how problem solving can affect healthy relationships.

Student Learning Intentions:

• I can generate solutions to problems in a variety of relationship contexts
• I can identify respectful and positive interactions with others
• I can practice conflict-resolution or problem-solving strategies that support friendships

In math, we have started exploring place value up to 10 000.

This means I am learning how to:

• read and write numbers up to 10 000.
• show numbers in standard form (3 452), expanded form (3 000 + 400 + 50 + 2), and with words (three thousand, four hundred fifty-two).
• explain the value of each digit in a number (for example, in 7 382, the 7 is worth 7 000).
• compare numbers using >, <, or =.
• order numbers from greatest to least and least to greatest.

We are learning that the position of a digit tells us its value. For example:

In 4 327, the 4 is in the thousands place and means 4 000.

In 4 327, the 3 is in the hundreds place and means 300.

Possible Questions to Ask Your Child:

• Can you show me a number with 4 thousands, 3 hundreds, 2 tens, and 7 ones?
• What is the value of the 5 in the number 5 481?
• Write the number 2 306 in expanded form.
• Which is greater: 3 728 or 3 872? How do you know?
• If I have the number 9 052, what digit is in the tens place?
• Can you make up a number between 6 000 and 7 000?

Mathematics Learning Outcome:

Students interpret place value to 100 000.

Student Learning Attentions:

• I can interpret place value within 100 000
• I can write, draw and represent numbers to 100 000