Summer 2014 Third Grade Homework
What is summer "homework" all about? After all, I'm sure you agree that summer is a spectacular time to learn in exciting and different ways. It is the time to explore new book series. It is the time to research and visit new places, be it in our city or further afield. It is a time for learning because our brains are curious and there is no way we'd let our brains become lazy and mushy without school. I know you are passionate about learning, exploring, and keeping a healthy strong brain, so your summer homework from me is merely the icing on the cake, (or the dressing on a delicious salad, for those of you who are into nutritious choices.)
All that being said, I am sure that some of you are looking for extra ways to keep your brain in good shape. Or maybe you're a bit bored at some point and are looking for something else to do. Well, feel free to use any of my suggestions below to give your brain a workout and help yourself get ready for third grade. Have fun learning and exploring this summer - I look forward to hearing about your adventures when you return to school as a third grader!
| summer_homework_2014.pdf |
Websites to Practice Typing
You are going to be using computers a lot during third grade to share your learning with others. When you are writing with a pencil, do you still need to think about how to form each letter? I doubt it, but there was a time when writing words took a lot of your energy - and probably made it difficult to focus on what you wanted to write since you were putting so much effort into forming the words. Just like having neat, expert handwriting makes your writing easier to read and easier for you to write, practicing typing on a keyboard makes it easier for you to express your ideas on the computer without having to put a lot of effort into thinking about the typing process. When typing becomes automatic, you'll be able to think about what you're writing, not about where the letters are on the keyboard. This also means that you can write first-drafts on the computer, rather than first handwriting the draft and then typing it!
So, if typing is not yet automatic for you, it would be great if you practice this skill at home. Just like learning to write, or play the piano, or hit a baseball, typing takes lots of practice. Fortunately, there are many great websites that teach typing in fun, game-like ways. Here are some of my favorites.
BBC Dance Mat Typing - The BBC has a fun typing program with four different levels. Pay attention to which fingers the program tells you to use for each key. Start at level 1 and work your way up! (www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/)
ABCya Typing Games - ABCya has ten super typing games in a range of levels. If you are fairly new with typing, you may want to begin with the K-2 games, and then work your way up to the 3-5 games. These games don't show you which fingers to use, so you should use these games to practice typing after you do BBC Dance Mat Typing first. (www.abcya.com/kids_typing_games.htm)
Typing Club - In the fall you will receive your own account in the typing club with a username and password, but for now you can take the lessons on this website without having an account. These lessons are the best for teaching you to learn the correct fingers to type each key. It will also keep track of your typing speed and accuracy. (www.typingclub.com/typing-qwerty-en.html)
So, if typing is not yet automatic for you, it would be great if you practice this skill at home. Just like learning to write, or play the piano, or hit a baseball, typing takes lots of practice. Fortunately, there are many great websites that teach typing in fun, game-like ways. Here are some of my favorites.
BBC Dance Mat Typing - The BBC has a fun typing program with four different levels. Pay attention to which fingers the program tells you to use for each key. Start at level 1 and work your way up! (www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/)
ABCya Typing Games - ABCya has ten super typing games in a range of levels. If you are fairly new with typing, you may want to begin with the K-2 games, and then work your way up to the 3-5 games. These games don't show you which fingers to use, so you should use these games to practice typing after you do BBC Dance Mat Typing first. (www.abcya.com/kids_typing_games.htm)
Typing Club - In the fall you will receive your own account in the typing club with a username and password, but for now you can take the lessons on this website without having an account. These lessons are the best for teaching you to learn the correct fingers to type each key. It will also keep track of your typing speed and accuracy. (www.typingclub.com/typing-qwerty-en.html)
Websites and Other Ways to Practice Multiplication
Another great way you can get ready for third grade is to memorize all of the multiplication facts from 2-12 so that you have automaticity. (That means that you can automatically give a multiplication answer without having to figure it out in your head.) It is important that you first practice multiplication by figuring out the answers (for example, to multiply by six, you first multiply the number by three, and then by two,) but after a while, it should become faster until you eventually know the answers automatically.
All that being said, you should NOT worry if you don't have it all memorized by the beginning of third grade. I will help you finish memorizing the multiplication facts over the school year, but it's great if you can get a head start.
One way you can practice multiplication facts is using flashcards. Here is a file you can download and print (with your parent's permission) to create your own "Multiplication and Division Fact Triangle Flashcards." After you print and cut out the flashcards, you should put them all in a pile facing down. Then pick up the cards one at a time, covering up a corner with your thumb so you can't see the number. You need to figure out the hidden number by looking at the two remaining numbers on the other points of the triangle. Sometimes you'll cover up a factor, and other times you'll cover a product. Store your triangle cards in a ziploc bag and take the cards with you to practice on the subway, while you're waiting at restaurants, or any other time you're bored.
If you are looking for multiplication and division memory games to play with your friends or family, here is an entire eBook of game ideas. At the back of the book are the flashcards you need to play the games. You can print out the cards and cut them out so you have the materials you need for the games. These games are great for travel, or try challenging an older relative to one of these games. I bet your grandparents would enjoy playing any of these card games with you. Some of my favorites to start with are "Tabletoppers", and "Calculated Stress," a mathematical version of the card game "Spit." Download the eBook Multiplication and Division Flashcard Games.
Timez Attack - The best free downloadable multiplication practice game is Timez Attack by the Big Brainz company. In this first-person view video game, you travel around mazes, answering multiplication questions to unlock hidden passageways. Get your parents' permission before downloading the game onto your computer at home, (there are versions for Windows and Apple computers.) Parents, if you're interested in learning more about the Timez Attack game and it's results, they provide a lot of info on their website.
Arcademic Skill Builders Multiplication Games - I enjoy these multi-player multiplication contests. You can anonymously play against other kids as you compete to answer multiplication questions accurately and quickly. There are seven different multiplication games you can choose between. (www.arcademics.com)
All that being said, you should NOT worry if you don't have it all memorized by the beginning of third grade. I will help you finish memorizing the multiplication facts over the school year, but it's great if you can get a head start.
One way you can practice multiplication facts is using flashcards. Here is a file you can download and print (with your parent's permission) to create your own "Multiplication and Division Fact Triangle Flashcards." After you print and cut out the flashcards, you should put them all in a pile facing down. Then pick up the cards one at a time, covering up a corner with your thumb so you can't see the number. You need to figure out the hidden number by looking at the two remaining numbers on the other points of the triangle. Sometimes you'll cover up a factor, and other times you'll cover a product. Store your triangle cards in a ziploc bag and take the cards with you to practice on the subway, while you're waiting at restaurants, or any other time you're bored.
If you are looking for multiplication and division memory games to play with your friends or family, here is an entire eBook of game ideas. At the back of the book are the flashcards you need to play the games. You can print out the cards and cut them out so you have the materials you need for the games. These games are great for travel, or try challenging an older relative to one of these games. I bet your grandparents would enjoy playing any of these card games with you. Some of my favorites to start with are "Tabletoppers", and "Calculated Stress," a mathematical version of the card game "Spit." Download the eBook Multiplication and Division Flashcard Games.
Timez Attack - The best free downloadable multiplication practice game is Timez Attack by the Big Brainz company. In this first-person view video game, you travel around mazes, answering multiplication questions to unlock hidden passageways. Get your parents' permission before downloading the game onto your computer at home, (there are versions for Windows and Apple computers.) Parents, if you're interested in learning more about the Timez Attack game and it's results, they provide a lot of info on their website.
Arcademic Skill Builders Multiplication Games - I enjoy these multi-player multiplication contests. You can anonymously play against other kids as you compete to answer multiplication questions accurately and quickly. There are seven different multiplication games you can choose between. (www.arcademics.com)