This week, in 3-2...

September 16- September 20, 2013

Reading: We continued practicing the reading strategy of main ideas and details. Students worked hard to identify detail sentences that would help them discover the main idea of a paragraph. They recorded their ideas in a main idea and details chart. “Life in Antarctica” and Penguin Chick were read in conjunction with the weekly theme: Antarctic Life. We analyzed the poem “In Praise for Penguins” with a close

reading activity. Students determined the author’s purpose with evidence from the text. Homographs were also a focus. Students found various definitions for the same word and showed their meanings through sentences.

Reading Logs are due Monday, September 23. (100 minutes)

Math: As we began unit 2, students discovered different kinds of fact families. Students practiced using fact triangles to help them learn their basic facts. They also analyzed various fact extensions by finding patterns. At the end of the week, students completed function boxes by following various rules and solved total-part-part number stories. We continue to have 2 fact tests a week. Please remind your child to be

practicing their facts at home…thank you for your support!

Social Studies: By looking at a map of downtown Washington D.C., students learned how to use the metro system! They also worked on identifying various lines and transfer stops. Students also used map grids and indexes to locate points of interest on a map of Brazil. We are all looking forward to sharing the students’ creative country projects next week! Our map skills unit test will be on Tuesday, September 24. A

review guide went home today.

Writing: In WEX, students learned how to give specific feedback to classmates by using various response starters. They also started working on their first skill: focus. We practiced focusing on a single moment in time by using careful observation and tiny details. In grammar, we worked on identifying the predicate in a sentence.

Cursive/Spelling: In cursive this week, students practiced the letters “n and o”. We took our week 4 spelling test.

Miscellaneous: We enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Steve Cotler, the author of Cheesie Mack is Not a Genius or Anything! Students learned about the writing process and how authors create characters. They practiced character analysis with Mr. Cotler using the main characters from his book series. As always, please let me know if you have any questions. Have a fantastic weekend!