The Ojibwa

The Ojibwa

        The Ojibwa was the largest group of the “Three Fires.” They lived along the southern shores of Lake Superior and the western shores of Lake Huron. They moved at times and usually settled near rivers and lakes. They were admired for being excellent hunters, fishers, and trappers. They were also well-known for their birch bark canoes. When they lived in areas with good soil, they farmed and raised crops such as corn and squash. They also gathered nuts and fruits. They made maple syrup from the sap of maple trees and gathered wild rice. They lived in villages made of small round buildings called wigwams. These were houses made from a frame of bent poles which was covered with bark, animal skins or mats. They made items like moccasins and bags from deerskin which was decorated with porcupine quills. They were known for their beautiful beadwork which often had flower designs. They also made birch bark baskets and boxes.

     

Data Collection Sheet: Group:  ________________________

Math test on 12/9/2010

Dear Respected Parents:

On Thursday, December 9, we will be having a Math test on Chapter 3. Chapter 3 includes Two-Digit Subtraction, Estimating Differences, Subtracting money, Solving Story Problems, Subtracting Three-Digit Numbers, Subtracting Greater Numbers, Subtracting Across the Zeros, and Selecting Addition or Subtraction. All lessons are explained in detail in Chapter 3 of our textbook and there is also a practice test on pages 151-153. Students need to remember the following:

Vocabulary: Difference is the answer to a subtraction problem
Estimate is when you find an answer the is very close to the exact answer by rounding the numbers.
To regroup is to borrow ten from the next place value if the numbers in the ones place can't be subtracted.
You can check your answer to a subtraction problem by adding.
You can also subtract by drawing a picture using base-ten blocks.
When solving a story problem make sure you use the problem solving strategy we learned:

1. Understand what they are asking you to do. Look for word clues such as how many more, how many in all, how many are left over, how many more etc.
2. Plan: Draw a picture, draw base ten blocks, make a chart and do what ever works best for you to solve the problem.
3. Solve
4. Check: You can check a subtraction problem by adding and you can check an addition problem by subtracting.

If students are confused on any part of Chapter 3, they can make a note of what is confusing them and we can review it in class tomorrow inshallah. Jazakum Allah Khairan.

Respectfully,

Sister Maha

Homework Alert!

Dear Respected  Parents,

The purpose of assigning homework is to reinforce what is being learned at school and to let you see what we are doing in Third Grade. This week there have been many missing homework assignments and incomplete work turned in to me by my students. From now on any missing work or incomplete assignments will be done during recess or Gym. Learning responsibility is one of the most important things that I am trying to teach my students this year. Completing homework assignments in a timely fashion is important and one of the ways for students to become independent and responsible. Students who complete all homework assignments in a timely and neat manner will have the chance to earn an invitation to an ice cream sundae party very soon. Hopefully this will motivate our students to do the work more proficiently and turn it in on time. If you feel that your child is struggling with homework or any other subject in school and would like them to receive extra instruction, I am available after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 5 o'clock. This tutoring is free of charge however, you will be responsible to pick up your child by 5 o'clock sharp. If you are interested in tutoring for your child, I can be contacted at 313-740-0546 or you can email me at maha.mustafa1971@yahoo.com. We need to work together to ensure that every child succeeds and grows in third grade. Thank you.

Respectfully,

Sister Maha

How do we make singular nouns plural?

A noun is a person, place, or thing. A common noun names any person, place or thing and a proper noun names a special person place or thing:
Examples:
common noun: girl
proper noun: Ayaat

common noun: boy
proper noun: Ayman

common noun: school
proper noun: Al-Ihsan

Notice that all of my proper nouns start with capital letters.

Plural nouns rules:
If a noun ends in x, ch, sh, s or ss then you add es to make it plural.
Examples:
box- boxes
wish- wishes
match- matches
bus- buses
class- classes

If a noun ends in a consonant and then a (Y), you drop the (Y) change it to (i) and add (es)
examples:
candy- candies
family- families

If a noun ends in (f) then you change the (f) to a (v) and add (es)
examples:
half- halves
calf- calves

Some plural nouns are just plain different:
The plural of person is people and the plural of cactus is cacti.

Third Grade Newsletter

Dear Respected Parents:
Asalamu Alaikum. I would like to take the time to give you some updates on what we will be focusing on in Third Grade over the next couple of weeks and some new programs and activities that have been implemented.

Language Arts: 
In language arts we will be wrapping up our second theme of the year which was Celebrating Traditions. The selections that we have read all included the theme of traditions in them. Language Arts includes a whole group reading and discussion of the stories, comprehension strategies such as main idea, sequencing and this week we are focusing on comparing and contrasting two different selections. Answering a question in a complete sentence, adding details, and summarizing are also some objectives and strategies that we are focusing on.
Grammar:
Our Grammar lesson for the last couple of weeks revolves around common nouns, proper nouns and how to make a noun plural. We are learning about all of the different rules that have to be applied when making a noun plural which will be posted on my blog very soon. We will also be starting possessive nouns next week.

Writing:
This week we will be wrapping up our compare and contrast essay about the Eid and Chinese New Year. We will also be starting a new writing prompt. Students will choose one thing from their culture that is a tradition or that is celebrated and then we will write about it. For example, one student has already chosen his topic and it will be about eating aseed which is a traditional and popular dish from Yemen. We also have a new writing program called Blueprints for Exceptional Writing, and we are being trained on it by Sister Nadra Shami. For the next couple of weeks we will be focusing on the writing traits organization and adding voice to our writing.

Math:
This week we will start Chapter 3 in Math and we will be learning about subtraction. We will learn how to subtract whole numbers using regrouping and estimation. We will also learn how to solve story problems that have multiple steps. The Academic Vocabulary to focus on in this chapter will be : Difference, Subtraction, Estimate, About, and regroup.

Science:
This week we will be starting Chapter 3 in Science. We will be focusing on animal habitats and ecosystems. Key vocabulary to remember for this lesson is ecosystem, community, population and habitat. Some examples of different ecosystems that we will be studying will be an aquarium, ponds, rotting logs, terrarium, backyard, wood lot and forests. Next Monday I will be sending home an explanation and ruberic for the first project of the year. The project will be about an ecosystem or habitat that students will choose to research and present to the class.

Social Studies:
In Social Studies we are learning about the first people of Michigan who were the Native Americans. Students will learn where in Michigan the first people settled and how they used their surroundings and the environment to meet their basic needs of life. We will soon be creating a timeline starting form the first people and going all the way to Michigan's statehood.

The success and well-being of our children is my first and foremost priority in third grade. I am doing everything I possibly can to ensure that each student is successful and safe. However, I strongly believe in our partnership and bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that Islam and Allah (SWT) has blessed us with. I have a few simple requests:

• Please make sure your child is here by 8:15 every day. When students are late for school, they miss out on valuable instructional time and mini-lessons that are started promptly at 8:30.
• Please make sure that your child has a healthy breakfast before school even if it is a piece of fruit or cup of milk. Students who are hungry during Language Arts cannot concentrate.
• Winter is upon us and we will still be going outside sometimes for Gym and Recess. Please make sure that your child comes to school with a winter coat and mittens.

I have an open door policy for parents, my prep time is from 10:30- 12:00 every day and I am also available Monday, Wednesday and Friday after school. Please feel free to contact me anytime at : maha.mustafa1971@yahoo.com or (313-740-0546).

Math Test for Thursday 11/11/1972

Asalamu Alaikum:

On Thursday, November 11 students will be tested on Chapter 2 of Math. I am sending home a study guide that is to be completed and returned to me by Thursday, November 11. The study guide will be graded and counted as a homework assignment. In the past, I sent home a study guide that I didn't require to be returned, however there were some students who didn't bother doing it or studying for the test and ended up doing poorly so this time the study guide will be graded as a homework assignment. The following concepts will be covered on Thursdays test:

• Properties of Addition: Commutative, Identity, and Associative
• Students will be shown different equations and will be expected to identify the property on the test
• Problem solving skills: Students will be expected to identfy the four steps to solving a story problem (Understand, Plan, Solve, Check) and apply the four step plan when solving story problems.
• Estimating the sum
• Two-Digit Addition with regrouping
• Adding money
• Three digit addition with regrouping
• Adding greater numbers in the thousands

The new program includes an online tutor for help. The website is macmillanmh.com. The code to get in is MC7320c2 the number at the end represents the chapter that we are on. If you have any trouble logging on please let me know.

Sister Maha

Science Study Guide For Thursday's Test

Dear Parents,
Asalamu Alaikum, This Thursday, students will be tested on Chapter 2 in Science (Animals). Chapter 2 starts on page A36 of the Science book and ends on page A75. The following information covers the material that will be on the test:

• Vocabulary words that will be covered include: hibernate, mammal, migrate, bird, learned trait, inherited trait, amphibian, metamorphosis, organ, fish

Students need to know the following main ideas of the chapter:

1. Animals need air because it contains oxygen
2. Vertebrates are animals that have backbones and invertebrates are animals without backbones and students must be able to give examples of both.
3. The difference between animals that hatch from an egg such as frogs, chickens and turtles and animal that produce their own kind by giving birth such as cats, dogs etc.
4. Animals need water to help them get rid of body wastes.
5. Inner needs include eating, breathing etc.
6. Which animals go through metamorphosis as they grow (butterflys, frogs) and explain what it means to go through metamorphosis.
7. Examples of inherited traits (eye color and hair color) and learned traits ( how to ride a bike, how to play soccer, reading the Quran).
8. To migrate means to move to another place ( to migrate means to move from one place to another) some birds migrate to warmer climates when the weather gets cold.
9. The different systems and organs in our bodies and their functions. (See pages A62 and A63) of the Science book.
10. Students will be expected to draw a chart with 5 sections, the chart will be labeled mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish. Students will be expected to write the names of at least three animals that fit into each category ( we already made a classroom chart in the hall and put pictures of many animals out there). Students can take a look at that chart to get some ideas.
11. Students will then have to choose 5 animals from the chart that they made and write why they put that specific animal in that category.

Islamic Connections:
Students were given a copy of verse 45 from Surah Al-Nour. The verse talks about how all animals were created by Allah (SWT) out of water and in all different shapes and sizes. Some crawl on their bellies, some stand on two legs and some stand on four legs. If the student can name the surah, tell me which verse it is (#45) and exlain what it means on the test, 5 extra credit points will be added to their Science grade at the end of this quarter. If the student memorizes the whole verse and can recite it to me, 10 extra credit points will be added to their Science score at the end of this quarter.